Since Abe Lincoln has been in the News alot lately, I'll lump what he has said...more or less..."Don't malign the rich, they support the poor by providing gainful employment"...or very close to that. It IS difficult to read about those that "have" when you and I "don't have" as much.
However, aside from the obviuosly shady among them, most "rich" worked their tails off year after year, for many years, until they could grasp that golden ring. After that, why should they give up everything just because others do not have or did not do as they did, in the beginning? Old Money began in the "first" generation that was willing to practically kill themselves at work or in their "quest".. Edison failed a thousand times, so did Bell, and Whitney. What makes you think they do NOT donate to Charity? Hey! That's the #1 Tax break. Which leads into the next and last part of my reply. You and I, our families and their Heirs could live comfortably on what some of "them" pay in "Taxes" alone. Look it up. Luxory Tax, Inheritance Tax, etc., all are right around 50%. Broaden your outlook, then make lists. Put your talents on one side, your inability on the other, your.likes on one side dislikes on the other, then match your talents to your likes. If need be, go to or stay in school. Graduate (even at 50..how old are you going to be if you don't?).. then give it your best shot, never look back (something might be gainin' on you) and hand the Baton over to the next one in your Family when the time comes.

Does it really matter what she spent on plants! For her budget it worked for her. She was just giving ideas. I spent $50.00 a child for my daughters Birthday coming up in March. That's my budget. Everyone needs to stop being haters.If it's about living in your means than just worry what works for you!

How do you know that they do not ALREADY give to charity?

Making silly assumptions is what creates the animosity.

What the rich do with their money is their business.

yeah stevie... spread the wealth.... now go get an education and then, after you learn how to read, look up socialism. they got the education, they worked, they earned, and now you want to take it away from them. i saw this, and people like you coming down the pike years ago. i got mine. i retired in hawaii at 54, live in a paid off million dollar mansion on the golf course.....AND PAY NO TAXES. you worship barry... the insignificant black dope.... enjoy your life, loser

We do not spend 100,000, but our last party was easliy a $1000. And we have a parent serving in the Armed Forces--and no he is not an officer. I

I hear this argument all the time--why spend on a party like this--because my children are worth every penny, no matter the frivilous nature--for one day they are the star. Even our twins will have parties on different days once they are in school--each child deserves one day a yr ( or often times on weekend at our house) to let it be all about them.

IDK if I would ever spend 100,000- I do know that each 16yo is going to cost well into the 30,000 range due to vehicle costs--but I know most here disagree with buying a car--(make them work for it, right)

Couldn't have said it better. If they have that kind of money to spend, maybe it would be better spent by donating, in their child's name, to a couple of worthwhile charitable organizations and have a smaller party at home. These people are instilling some very, very, unrealistic future expectations in their children AND very poor values. They may not always be afluent. They are probably also the ones who do their utmost to avoid paying taxes, but will throw money away on superficial things that do nothing but tell the world that they are very shallow people.

AMEN!

Fully agree My children are now 22 and 26. What they remember about their past is the times we spent together.as a famly..Even though my oldest son is a airline pilot over in Puerto Rico and my younger son is in college, we will always cherish the times we spent together. We need to teach our children the value of family. The morality of a child's character is in their family values

Birthday parties include time as well as money--the time to sit down and determine theme and go to the stores and see ea option before decidsion are made. The time to sit down and make a guest list with them and reason why each person is desired to be there. The time to make each invite individual to match theme and child's personality (invitee not host) The time your child doesn't see but knows you spent when they get up and see the house completely decorated before anyone got out of bed--even though the party is in the barn or outside or somewhere such as a concert. The time you spend visiting personally with ea guest or parent--the fact that you know all the names and who is better suited to be on teams together for games so you don't have problems. The time to make the cakes personally, so each guest health considerations keep them safe and able to come--and of course still match the theme. The time to take all those guest home who would not be able to attend otherwise, because the parents of that child don't take the time--same for getting some there. The time you take to personally thank each guest with individual personalized thank you cards for those who deserve such for the time they took (although we often request no gifts--it's about the fun not the loot)- The time it takes to place all pictures on cd/dvd for each guest to have for the memories. The time to cook all the food--breakfast, lunch and dinner for the overnight party and still make everyone happy--include the time gathering items.

The time you spend at the concerts, listening to artists over a thousand screaming kids-then drive home with the radio blaring as well because the 10 or so you took to the concert are still wound for sound--

You are easily talking three or four months for a decent, well organized party that a child can be involved in every step of the way.

Yes, I am there for every game, every talent show, every academic ceremony, everything the boyfriend does that we "must" attend to support him. But I still believe money is just money--hearing from the kidsmonths in advance that they can't wait for the next party--where everyone gets to have memories--it is worth every penny to me.

Take another look at your history! There used to be two classes in the world...the rich and the dirt poor. Today we have a thriving middle class! So thriving that we now have "poor" who own more than one color television, more than one car, computers, cable and plenty of food on their tables! Compared to even 50 years ago, even our "poor" live in huge homes! My parents we considered middle class when I was growing up...now I am considered middle class...and my home is easily twice as large, I have tons more possessions! We are not losing our middle class, we have just drastically raised our definition poverty!

Sorry, but this is simply B.S. In the 1950's a person working at an ordinary job could afford to raise a family with a wife who didn't work, and pay a mortgage on a house he was buying. THIS is what middle class means. Not being able to afford a stupid $200 television set. Even people in Third World nations have color TV these days! I moved out of the US some time ago, and THAT is what gives you some perspective. I pay much lower taxes, our streets are perfectly safe 24 hours a day, and medical care is free and BETTER than you go broke trying to pay for. We OWN our own home with ZERO property taxes, as do over half the people here. THIS is being middle class. This sort of existence is exceedingly rare in America these days.

I'm responding to your 2nd comment of living where there are NO property taxes & free medical. Do you get free dental too? It sounds great, what country did you move to? Is it warm there?

Twyla - post your email address and I'll respond directly if you want.