Despite the economic crisis in the USA,does your family back home still think you're rich because you live in the USA ?

[panamania79 2]

some probably do, but my wife has done a good job of dispelling the myth that here, money grows on trees...

How ? I need some ideas

Call them and ask for help.

Yeah ok,and they'll just keep asking for stuff.

Not at all. My parents and family are quite aghast that I live in an appartment, for the first time in my life, instead of a house in a gated community.

My standard of living has decreased a lot.- and I mean, A F#$#@%ING LOT.

Now was that necessary ? I think not !

[almaty 19]

sister..brother charles and sister len are amigos..he was just joking..and she took no offense

[panamania79 2]

sister..brother charles and sister len are amigos..he was just joking..and she took no offense

Ok,I've been away for a couple of days and didn't know what was going on.

[Ban Hammer 13,203]

sister..brother charles and sister len are amigos..he was just joking..and she took no offense

i was hoping for another good whipping from len

sister..brother charles and sister len are amigos..he was just joking..and she took no offense

Ok,I've been away for a couple of days and didn't know what was going on.

noob!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

sister..brother charles and sister len are amigos..he was just joking..and she took no offense

i was hoping for another good whipping from len

I know you wanted one; but my version of sadism is saying NO mwahahahaaha

[Ban Hammer 13,203]

sister..brother charles and sister len are amigos..he was just joking..and she took no offense

i was hoping for another good whipping from len

I know you wanted one; but my version of sadism is saying NO mwahahahaaha

don't tease me like that.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

[tom&tata 2]

Never did, never will.

Sucks.

[panamania79 2]

sister..brother charles and sister len are amigos..he was just joking..and she took no offense

i was hoping for another good whipping from len

sister..brother charles and sister len are amigos..he was just joking..and she took no offense

Ok,I've been away for a couple of days and didn't know what was going on.

noob!

I love you too,buddy

[Ban Hammer 13,203]

sister..brother charles and sister len are amigos..he was just joking..and she took no offense

i was hoping for another good whipping from len

sister..brother charles and sister len are amigos..he was just joking..and she took no offense

Ok,I've been away for a couple of days and didn't know what was going on.

noob!

I love you too,buddy

just don't tell nessa, she's got a temper.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

some probably do, but my wife has done a good job of dispelling the myth that here, money grows on trees...

How ? I need some ideas

Call them and ask for help.

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

When my husband told his Grandparents he was marrying an American and moving to the states his Grandma exclaimed, "Oh, no! Why are you going there? USA is broke!"

[HYENA 4]

I didn't see any serious responses to answer OP's question (although i didn't look that hard, I skimmed and well...)

TO answer your question; add up all your expenses. my fiancee has done a good job of telling her family i have to work just like they do. I also told her we are not rich and everyone you see over there IS likely rich because they can AFFORD the plane ticket, time off work, spending money at the same time not making money.

Add up all your bills, tell them how much you have to pay every month (don't forget to mention taxes, health insurance, car insurance, every single penny that goes out of your bank account. Also mention a MORTGAGE which is a big NO-NO in many 2nd world countries so hat alone will let them know...you owe the bank XXX amount of money just to have a home. They'll freak.

Then tell them how much it costs to buy food, gas, etc. Just skim your banks statement and there you have it...add it all up and tell them "I have to pay X per month just to stay alive here" That shocked the ####### out of my extended family.

unfortunately it's my duty culturally to help out since no matter what, they'll be dead impoverished ($1400 a year for 8 people poor) so it's only right I try to help them out and live smaller here.

My future is unknown and her job possibilities are slim until the economy turns. For now, I'm limping along and got into this at a bad time.

Edited February 22, 2009 by HYENA

[over 0]

Our family seems to think you can simply up and buy a ticket, and take off of work on a moments notice. Seems ridiculous to think that I work in a place where you ask 6 months in advance at a minimum that people would think you can take vacation on a whim,much less afford it because we are all rich here. I can understand that people see what we have compared to a lot of places.

But all that means is we are simply in more debt for the rest of our lives basically.

So having people we love that live here,i see that as an educational opportunity to show them how things really are. Helps the world better understand us, and what we are going thru one Asawa at a time. Now we can only hope it gets a little better, and not turn into a complete depression, rather then a depression. At that point...we would be no better then living over there...so lets hope Obama helps get things back on track. Just a thought!