SAH/WOH - Why?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2005
SAH/WOH - Why?
3166
Mon, 02-20-2006 - 7:41am

I am sure this has been done before but I was wondering this in light of recent posts lately.

Why did you decide to sah/woh?

Was it a choice or something expected of you?

Was your plan to sah/woh though out or impulsive? Long-term or short-term?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2004
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 8:56pm

I hope that you accepted that helmet that was offered to you a while back, lol.

Robin

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 9:44pm

"Let's say for fun that the old one was shot. That it needed $3000 worth of work to make it run properly...would it bother you so much that we opted not to do that?"

3K is still less than buying a new car. Cars are highly depreciable. But again, it's not about the money.

"So buying a used SUV is better than a new one? How exactly?"

Woosh. I was suggesting that you buy a different kind of car, one that is more environmentally-friendly. In general, however, buying a car that is already here and using it up is better for the environment than buying a new car.

"Carpooling for school is out of the question. If and when there is an opportunity to carpool I don't have a problem with that."

How nice that you won't have a problem with it if it ever just happens.

"No I said my SUV is my office when I work. So yes it does prove my point. Working out of an SUV is more environmentally friendly than having an office to heat and cool. DOn't you think?"

You could also work out of your home, which is already heated and cooled. In any case, you've been driving an suv for the last six years, when you have not been working. So it's kind of hard to argue that you driving an suv is environmentally friendly because you're working out of it when you're not actually working out of it.

"Please show me where I compared myself to anyone."

You've compared your situation and your vehicle, repeatedly, to PKA. In this very post you're comparing yourself to "millions of Americans."

"Is that a daily thing for you? Do you sit down with your family and think...Hmm how can we be Earth friendly? We have optional recycling where we live. We utilize that, we also don't live in a congested area nor do I drive in rush hour. These are things millions of Americans do daily. So before you go assuming that you would begin to know anything about me simply because I drive an SUV that is utilized to every degree that it could be I suggest that you ask a few questions. Sad that you think because a person owns an SUV that they just don't care. Yet another person with only 2 children and 1 child when she bought a MINIVAN is just dandy because in 5 years she will begin to carpool. I just find that rather funny."

I don't know about daily, but the environment is something we think about, yes. It's funny how you find that so odd. Certainly we do things that are not environmentally friendly, and certainly there are people who are doing far more than we're doing. But it's on our radar, and we're trying to get it on our kids' radar, too. If everybody would just do small things to conserve resources, that could make a big difference.

Again, you're comparing yourself to others--this time to "millions of Americans"--instead of just considering what your own family could do to cause less pollution in the future. Maybe you can't do anything else--or maybe you can. But you certainly can't if you don't even consider it. And I don't just assume SUV drivers don't care--you've told me repeatedly that you didn't consider the environment in choosing an suv, and that your decision to buy new cars for your kids when they turn 16 is purely about convenience and your own desires.

And I didn't say driving a minivan was dandy. But again, I don't see why you want to compare yourself to pka--you don't win that comparison.

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 9:46pm
Lol, I should have, obviously! Sometimes, I'm just in the mood to beat my head on the wall.
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 9:48pm

I don't know. You brought it up, saying I would understand why you can't consider the environment if only I were a homebuilder.

Yes, I get that it's totally financial. That's exactly my point. You don't consider the environment at all in this.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 11:31pm

***You could also work out of your home, which is already heated and cooled. In any case, you've been driving an suv for the last six years, when you have not been working. So it's kind of hard to argue that you driving an suv is environmentally friendly because you're working out of it when you're not actually working out of it.***

No I don't work BUT we still use our SUV. We are still renovating our home, we still tow a trailer when we need supplies for our home, or mulch for our yard.

***You've compared your situation and your vehicle, repeatedly, to PKA. In this very post you're comparing yourself to "millions of Americans."***

Really? Would you care to show me where I compared myself to PA? Also I am not comparing myself to millions of Americans. I am one of the millions of Americans that drives an SUV.

***I don't know about daily, but the environment is something we think about, yes. It's funny how you find that so odd.***

Really I find that odd? When did I say that exactly?

***Certainly we do things that are not environmentally friendly, and certainly there are people who are doing far more than we're doing. But it's on our radar, and we're trying to get it on our kids' radar, too. If everybody would just do small things to conserve resources, that could make a big difference.***

So because I drive an SUV that means that I am not environmentally friendly correct?

***Again, you're comparing yourself to others--this time to "millions of Americans"--instead of just considering what your own family could do to cause less pollution in the future.***

No I am sorry I am not comparing myself to anyone. But if you can show me where I said that I will be glad to discuss this with you. How do you know that we don't do lots of things to cause less pollution? WOW Imagine that...my home is over 100 yrs old. That is what I love to do. I take old homes and restore them. I think that is recycling...don't you?

***But you certainly can't if you don't even consider it. And I don't just assume SUV drivers don't care--you've told me repeatedly that you didn't consider the environment in choosing an suv, and that your decision to buy new cars for your kids when they turn 16 is purely about convenience and your own desires.***

That is right I didn't consider the environment. I have to drive what I drive to make a living. My old SUV was what I drove when I had my son. I traded it in and got a new one. I will be back at work next year. Yes my children having their own cars when they are 16 will be about convience. However how do you know what they will drive? By then Ethanol might be more marketable? Maybe Hybrids will be worth the money that one spends on them. So before you get yourself anyone stressed out about my children having a car..just know that is about 10-12 yrs away.

***And I didn't say driving a minivan was dandy. But again, I don't see why you want to compare yourself to pka--you don't win that comparison.***

So are you ready to answer that question? I will ask you another way. What do you think about one that purchases a minivan when that person has only 1 child and doesn't carpool? Are you going to use the same scrutiny with her that you are trying with me?

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 11:33pm

***I don't know. You brought it up, saying I would understand why you can't consider the environment if only I were a homebuilder.***

Ok let me clarify this for you. When you work out of your car let me know. Then you might have a clue.

***Yes, I get that it's totally financial. That's exactly my point. You don't consider the environment at all in this.***

You are right. Driving what I drive is for a purpose. Sorry that makes you so upset.

 

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 10:13am
Sorry you don't care about the environment. You haven't been a homebuilder for 6 years, and you won't be one for a couple more years, so don't expect me to buy that you work out of your ca when you don't.
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 10:17am

"That is right I didn't consider the environment."

We agree on that.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 11:40am
I believe she didn't bring up the comparison to begin with. PKA was pointing out how fabulously environmentally friendly she was being by buying a minivan with good emissions numbers and low-ish gas mileage. To be honest, this whole conversation is stupid. Everyone has different needs in a vehicle. Most people buy what will fit their needs best. Most people DON'T want bad gas mileage, and if they have a car that doesn't have the best, it is because it's a trade off. I don't particularly *like* driving a vehicle that gets 12mpg, but there was nothing else in my price range that could do the things that I need a vehicle to do. The only way to get around it would be to buy more than one vehicle, and that's worse. Snoopy wanted to avoid buying more than one vehicle in 3 years. She bought one that would fit her needs now AND her needs in the future. (Exactly like PKA, now that I think about it....) She has admitted she didn't particularly think about the environmental impact. So what. Lots of people don't. And you're on a high horse unless you take the bus or walk everywhere, which I doubt.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 11:42am
She doesn't have an Excursion. It's a Toyota for pete's sake. It probably has better gas mileage than half the minivans out there. What do you drive?

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