Did you see Oprah today??? 2/25/09

gja1000 · 02-25-2009, 08:12 PM

We have many many homeless people here in Austin Texas - because the winters are so mild. Many of the homeless are the mentally ill who can no longer live in state facilities, but cannot maintain a job/home/etc on their own. We also have a huge population of homeless young people, some who have run away from home and others who have been turned out by their families. They have a tent city also.

My husband just watched the Grapes of Wrath last night and he was talking about how people from (mostly) Oklahoma moved to California for work in the depression and dust bowl and how they were treated when they got there. I don't know how my grandpa made enough to pay the taxes on our farm (in Oklahoma) during those times, but he did so my family didn't end up in California. If you read the book or watch the movie, the things those folks went through is amazing, but not unlike what is happening now, I think.

It is very sad and likely to get worse before it gets better. I do think it will get better, but will take some time.

Janet · 02-26-2009, 03:47 AM

Oprah had a couple on that use to make a 6 figure income. This couple is in their late 50's and now live in their office. The man was a joy to listen to and he said that the difference between his parents going through the depression and people now......is we haven't learned to save and live without like they had to do. We didn't learn the lesson. I believe for most people he is right. We have a rental house investment, but as far as savings....we don't. We just didn't always have enough to put back. I need to find a way to do that, to put money in savings.

gja1000 · 02-26-2009, 06:42 AM

That is so true Janet. Things cost more today than they did back then, comparatively speaking too. But we "buy" more now, cuz there is more to buy. We all know we have too much stuff - but everyone does!!!

This is a good lesson, painful as it is.

Janet · 02-26-2009, 08:44 AM

Really made me think Gayle. I mean we have three 4 TV's in this house. One goes out so we really are fine. Hubby wants to get it fixed (and we are) but he also wants to buy a cheap one because it's just a matter of time before the one in the bedroom goes out. I think we should wait, but it just isn't worth the argument. So if he has the money saved up some where....more power to him. He has always had his private stash...not sure where he comes up with the money, but he always had some.

DianaB · 02-26-2009, 09:07 AM

That is so sad. I can't imagine living on the street when I had family that I could live with. So many people live pay check to pay check and when they lose their job they have nothing to fall back on. So there's probably a lot of families that are just a pay check away from being homeless. The thought of a child living on the street really bothers me. I would like to think that in our small community that people would open their homes to others in need but I don't know. In my family we've often talked about that if things were to get bad then the kids would all move in here with us.

Tiramisu · 02-26-2009, 09:58 AM

I got home in time to catch part of the show. I felt so bad for the couple in their office. It reminded me of the 20 days we had without water and electricity after Hurricane Ike.

Of course, there are lots of homeless people on the streets of downtown Houston and in shelters. I always say, "There, but by the grace of God, go I".

Our house is paid off, but there's still taxes and insurance. I worry about my kids and g-kids.

gja1000 · 02-26-2009, 04:08 PM

My daughter always says that if her hubby loses his job, they'll just move in with us - AND SHE MEANS IT!!!

She's a school teacher and they could hardly live on her salary. I suppose we could make it if we all pooled our money (our house is almost paid for). I would never allow her or my granddaughters to live on the street, but there's no worry about that, cuz dd wouldn't do it.

Gary and I spend way too much money, we should save more than we do. But I remember times, not too long ago, when we lived paycheck to paycheck and there was simply no way to save any at all! Now, I am trying to let Gary do some things that he has never gotten to do, espeically travel. That's what we usually spend too much money on is travel.

02-25-2009, 08:12 PM	#1
gja1000 Donating 4WT Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central Texas Posts: 5,717	We have many many homeless people here in Austin Texas - because the winters are so mild. Many of the homeless are the mentally ill who can no longer live in state facilities, but cannot maintain a job/home/etc on their own. We also have a huge population of homeless young people, some who have run away from home and others who have been turned out by their families. They have a tent city also. My husband just watched the Grapes of Wrath last night and he was talking about how people from (mostly) Oklahoma moved to California for work in the depression and dust bowl and how they were treated when they got there. I don't know how my grandpa made enough to pay the taxes on our farm (in Oklahoma) during those times, but he did so my family didn't end up in California. If you read the book or watch the movie, the things those folks went through is amazing, but not unlike what is happening now, I think. It is very sad and likely to get worse before it gets better. I do think it will get better, but will take some time. __________________ Gayle

02-26-2009, 03:47 AM	#2
Janet Moderator Donating 4WT 18K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: INDIANA Posts: 21,625	Oprah had a couple on that use to make a 6 figure income. This couple is in their late 50's and now live in their office. The man was a joy to listen to and he said that the difference between his parents going through the depression and people now......is we haven't learned to save and live without like they had to do. We didn't learn the lesson. I believe for most people he is right. We have a rental house investment, but as far as savings....we don't. We just didn't always have enough to put back. I need to find a way to do that, to put money in savings. __________________ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. ECCLESIASTES 3:1

02-26-2009, 06:42 AM	#3
gja1000 Donating 4WT Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central Texas Posts: 5,717	That is so true Janet. Things cost more today than they did back then, comparatively speaking too. But we "buy" more now, cuz there is more to buy. We all know we have too much stuff - but everyone does!!! This is a good lesson, painful as it is. __________________ Gayle

02-26-2009, 08:44 AM	#4
Janet Moderator Donating 4WT 18K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: INDIANA Posts: 21,625	Really made me think Gayle. I mean we have three 4 TV's in this house. One goes out so we really are fine. Hubby wants to get it fixed (and we are) but he also wants to buy a cheap one because it's just a matter of time before the one in the bedroom goes out. I think we should wait, but it just isn't worth the argument. So if he has the money saved up some where....more power to him. He has always had his private stash...not sure where he comes up with the money, but he always had some. __________________ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. ECCLESIASTES 3:1

02-26-2009, 09:07 AM	#5
DianaB Moderator Donating 4WT 13K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 16,069	That is so sad. I can't imagine living on the street when I had family that I could live with. So many people live pay check to pay check and when they lose their job they have nothing to fall back on. So there's probably a lot of families that are just a pay check away from being homeless. The thought of a child living on the street really bothers me. I would like to think that in our small community that people would open their homes to others in need but I don't know. In my family we've often talked about that if things were to get bad then the kids would all move in here with us. __________________ ´¨) ¸.•´¸.•´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ Diana Baker ✞ You and I are friends....... Always remember that if you fall I will pick you up...... After I stop laughing!!!

02-26-2009, 09:58 AM	#6
Tiramisu Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Caney, Texas (outside Houston) Posts: 1,776	I got home in time to catch part of the show. I felt so bad for the couple in their office. It reminded me of the 20 days we had without water and electricity after Hurricane Ike. Of course, there are lots of homeless people on the streets of downtown Houston and in shelters. I always say, "There, but by the grace of God, go I". Our house is paid off, but there's still taxes and insurance. I worry about my kids and g-kids. __________________ SANDY

02-26-2009, 04:08 PM	#7
gja1000 Donating 4WT Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central Texas Posts: 5,717	My daughter always says that if her hubby loses his job, they'll just move in with us - AND SHE MEANS IT!!! She's a school teacher and they could hardly live on her salary. I suppose we could make it if we all pooled our money (our house is almost paid for). I would never allow her or my granddaughters to live on the street, but there's no worry about that, cuz dd wouldn't do it. Gary and I spend way too much money, we should save more than we do. But I remember times, not too long ago, when we lived paycheck to paycheck and there was simply no way to save any at all! Now, I am trying to let Gary do some things that he has never gotten to do, espeically travel. That's what we usually spend too much money on is travel. __________________ Gayle

	Contact Us - 4WomenTalk.com - Archive - Top
		Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7 Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.