My hubby and I went out of town to Frankenmuth, Michigan this past weekend, our hotel had a balcony terrace. We were able to sit out and view the Lunar eclipse from beginning to end! I took video and pictures. I told him this is not going to happen again for 18 yrs so we are pretty lucky to get the chance to see this. My pictures were not a good as I hoped for, but I did get the red moon. I was attempting to take the pictures with my ipad Air, iphone and Sony camera. I saw so many posts where people around the world posted on Facebook. That was pretty amazing to see!
Jean I purchase books from ibook with my ipad Air, and also Barnes and Noble. Every now and then I buy hardcover books from Amazon. I was not aware of the problems the employees were having there.
I agree it takes two incomes to raise a family today, owning a modest house and two cars along with daycare costs, but from all the young couples I see, and know which are many, they live way beyond their means. They eat out numerous times a week and I don't mean fast food, drink alcohol regularly, and go on many vacations a year, along with paying Pre school - college education for their children. They shop at name brand stores, purchase outrageous priced athletic shoes, and pay heavily for their kids to participate in sports. When it comes to proms and homecomings the girls MUST have a new dress for the many occasions they attend. I see pics on Facebook where these young high school Freshmen go in groups and their parents hire professional photographers for pictures at different locations, not to mention pay for limos for the groups, and give their sons and daughters money to eat at the best restaurants in town. I know these parents can not possibly be affording these things, but they charge their credit cards to the max, and skip on paying their bills to continue this lifestyle, and their kids do not understand the value of a dollar, because the parents give them a false sense of security, by not saying no to them. Sixteen year olds are handed a brand new car as soon as they get their driving licenses, and the parents pay for the gas and insurance along with their cell phones. I know a family who skipped on paying her house payment until foreclosure notices came, to keep up with this type of lifestyle. I know I am not exaggerating and this is common with this generation of parents. I taught in a parochial school for 15 yrs, and am still involved with the happenings since I now have grandchildren going through grade school, high school and college. Few teens work, unlike my granddaughter. She had to withdraw from her Sorority in her Junior year due to not being able to afford the costs, and attend ALL their functions due to work. She tried explaining she has to work for her money, they were not the least bit interested in anyone who could not keep up with their various activities and annual dues. Families are so busy working and keeping up with the numerous activities they barely have time for family time at all. We teachers could see the stress on these young kids, from overtaxed schedules throughout their week. This is an entitled generation, few have a savings account, and even though there are job losses, they somehow manage to keep going. I'm guessing the baby boomer grandparents are chipping away at their hard earned savings to chip in. I watch Susie Orman and Dave Ramsey and they will indeed verify, what I am saying is the lifestyle of this new generation. They have little to no credit, and if they have credit it needs much improvement. They walk away from their school loans and mortgages and go on spending carelessly. We have created this type of society, and the payment will come due one day.
