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How wealthy are Tuggers?

Adventureisoutthere

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I am extremely rich because;

I have a wonderful wife that I cherish.
My kids are happy and healthy.
I have a great set of friends
I have a good job that pays me well enough to take care of my family.
I enjoy working out.
We're able to take nice vacations that brings our family closer together.
We live in a nice home.
We have a good nest egg.

This is a note I wrote to myself and keep tacked up on my wall near my work desk. I read it often when the BS of work or life starts to get to me. I just read it and it brings me a sense of calm.

Can we be friends? Gotta surround yourself with good people and you sound like a great person :). God Bless!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

billymach4

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Ain't telling cuz it's none of your business. Just remember people this is the internet and everybody's watching

Did I read this correctly?
Facebook?
Tools?
Security?

You cannot be serious.

Tell me how you can lock down your posts or profile on TUG. Not saying FB is innocent here with their recent issues. Yes they sell your info and pimp you out to advertisers. But there is no way to secure what you post here on TUG. At least FB is coming around.

Again I am not saying TUG has to secure what we say. It's your personal responsibility to be vigilant in exposing your personal info on the internet at all times. However trivial it may seem.
 

clifffaith

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How scary. Wishing you a speedy eye recovery.

I’ve had a posterior vitreous detachment in both my eyes in the last few years. One eye was rare as a vein was attached to the vitreous and retina. I was told it happens 1 in a couple of hundred thousand. After the vitreous detached it was a tug of war in one eye, bleeders every few weeks. Also needed laser for a hole it caused but lucky no retina detachment. Years later an occasional small bleeder, as the doctor says because the vein is still attached but not as stiff. It could be ok but risk still exists.

With normal vitreous detachments I was told it can take 2 full years. I assume you had a bleeder because you said you thought you had a detached retina. For most people they don’t even know it is happened. They might get a few flashes and/or a few floators. Others, like me, get many floaters, it was like spiders invading my eyes. Then a white haze where I couldn’t see out of it for a few weeks. The floaters diminished but many I still have. If I don’t think about it is isn’t as noticeable , my brain takes over and ignores them. If I think about them I see them.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I have a floating circle (not unlike the blue circle of death on a computer) which is why I thought it was my retina. Doesn't bother me watching TV, but it is quite noticeable when reading. I'm hoping this doesn't become a protracted ordeal. Over a year later my mom is still dealing with the fallout from having gotten a fungus in her eye from gardening -- cornea transplant, cataract surgery, a second cataract surgery, a third cataract surgery looming when they figure out how to attach a new lens, and now surgery to put a tiny tube in her eye to relieve excessive pressure.
 

clifffaith

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That must be one scary period of time for you.

Mine was "normal" took something like 3 years to detach in one eye. 2 days before we flew to Cancun was when I saw white flashes. Finally, the night before our 6am flight, I went to the ER and the doctor saw nothing and I was discharged at 3am. When I came back and saw a retinal specialist and he said it was posterior vitreous detachment and normal with aging. He said it could take weeks or up to a couple of years. That eye finally stopped seeing flashes after 3 years so I assume the detachment was complete.

That's interesting, I didn't realize total detachment was the "goal". Learning a whole bunch about something I didn't even know could happen.
 

VacationForever

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Tell me how you can lock down your posts or profile on TUG. Not saying FB is innocent here with their recent issues. Yes they sell your info and pimp you out to advertisers. But there is no way to secure what you post here on TUG. At least FB is coming around.

Again I am not saying TUG has to secure what we say. It's your personal responsibility to be vigilant in exposing your personal info on the internet at all times. However trivial it may seem.
If you click on my profile here on TUG, you should not see any information. I have locked down my profile several months ago.
 

jme

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Marriotts:
Grande Ocean x 6
Barony x 2
OceanWatch x 1
Manor Club x 1
.
Waterside by Spin x 2
Sheraton Bdw Pln x2
ChurchSt/Charleston x2
If anyone asks me if they should buy a timeshare, I say no unless they're ready to commit to a lifetime of ever increasing maintenance fees.

I hear this remark all the time and feel compelled to address it, so again I'll disagree with the premise.

So if they take your advice (desiring to still take that yearly vacation) and decide to only pursue rack rate vacations,
do you then tell them that the rack rates will never increase similarly? and that if they desire to avoid ANY
"commitment to rising costs", then their only other choice is to annually (and continually) scale down the quality
of the rack rate vacation so that the cost remains totally static?

I believe the best bang for the buck still exists within the timeshare system (via resales) DESPITE the rising maintenance fees
(granting that some fees experience "higher-than-needed" increases and need to be better controlled, but that doesn't negate my point).

As you know, after a few short years we only encounter the mf, which typically is about half the rack rate nowadays
in my experience, so we're still taking nice vacations in a 2BR condo for that lower fee, relatively speaking.

I am delighted to pay my mf's annually, because there's no way I could find anything comparable for THAT cost.
And yes, I've bought a few resales to keep a good thing going.

But I'll tell you flat out, I have ZERO friends who enjoy 2BR condos for what I pay in a maintenance fee alone
in my timeshare system, and they are very envious for the top-notch places we enjoy,
and the frequency, and the size of the accommodations.
Not to mention the MANY other perks we obtain by virtue of ownership, which add even more to the total experience,
which a rack-rate payer will NEVER enjoy.

(For a moment there, I mis-typed "palaces" for "places" ....obviously a Freudian slip.)

So yes we play in vacation "palaces" now for the cost of a maintenance fee, and I'm quite happy to do it.
When you can show me the rack rates for "similar" vacations have stopped increasing, I'll retract my post.
And even if that happens and they remain constant, which they won't, my "half" deal will still continue.


P.S.....Matter of fact, a friend of mine is JUST NOW THIS WEEK starting the process of owning his first timeshare on my advice.
He's getting the best deal I've ever heard of (which I found for him) for a fantastic resale week at Grande Ocean/Hilton Head
in Gold season (which includes the first two weeks of June).
I would have bought it if he hadn't, but he's thrilled, and so are his wife and family.

And another thing---I just looked it up.....
I'm at Grande Ocean right now for the third consecutive week. My cost is about $1400 in mf per week = $4200. Looking at Redweek rentals the cost would be about $8400 (and that's far below the rack rate through Marriott as a non-owner, and about the same as a Chairman's level owner discount).
THERE'S NO WAY I'd pay that $8400 to stay here under any circumstances other than my timeshare ownership. And low and behold the rental prices have indeed gone up each year as I've witnessed.....but for me, THAT'S AWESOME!!!!
As James Brown said so eloquently, "GET ON UP!"
....and that's because I rented 3 of my weeks this year. :thumbup:
 
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bluehende

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If you click on my profile here on TUG, you should not see any information. I have locked down my profile several months ago.

I put none in. I am sure a dedicated hacker could find me, but then TUG is probably not the site of choice for hackers to get info. I worry more about the info being stolen from mass hacks. I try not to be stupid , but in today's society privacy is a thing of the past no matter how hard you try.
 

CO skier

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The PEW Research Center defines the "middle class" as "two-thirds to two times the national median income for your household size" which is currently $50,000 - $140,000 annually for a four person household. That puts us solidly in the middle of the middle class. (No mention of net worth, though, which might change the classification).

When I reserve a 3 or 4 Bedroom Presidential or Casita unit in Club Wyndham or WorldMark for our ski trips, we vacation like Rockafellas. Priceless.
 

Carol C

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Thanks for sharing your experience. I have a floating circle (not unlike the blue circle of death on a computer) which is why I thought it was my retina. Doesn't bother me watching TV, but it is quite noticeable when reading. I'm hoping this doesn't become a protracted ordeal. Over a year later my mom is still dealing with the fallout from having gotten a fungus in her eye from gardening -- cornea transplant, cataract surgery, a second cataract surgery, a third cataract surgery looming when they figure out how to attach a new lens, and now surgery to put a tiny tube in her eye to relieve excessive pressure.
'I had retinal detachments in both eyes and also cataract operations in both. Thats why I believe in science. Without lasers for example I would be walking around with a dog and a cane...and I wouldnt be able to care for my disabled husband. Glad some folks mentioned health...this can really affect your financial bottom line.
 

Carol C

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A few expense categories weren't mentioned...or maybe I missed em. To protect online info you don't even have to offer specifics...but I am interested in yes or no answers to a few questions. Here goes...do you ever spend on...

Lottery tix

Charities

Political candidates

Religious or faith-based giving

Tipping (just had to sneak that one in again)

I'll go first...yes to all but lottery tix
 

bogey21

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I only give to one charity, Union Gospel Mission Fort Worth. Why? Because I can walk in ask them questions and see what they do with my money. I do this about twice a year. IMO it beats sending money into a black hole.

George
 

Passepartout

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No lottery.
No religious contributions.

But the Arts, homeless shelters, educational programs get a share. DW does pro-bono law. I support meals-on-wheels for shut in elderly or disabled.
 

zinger1457

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And another thing---I just looked it up.....
I'm at Grande Ocean right now for the third consecutive week. My cost is about $1400 in mf per week = $4200. Looking at Redweek rentals the cost would be about $8400 (and that's far below the rack rate through Marriott as a non-owner, and about the same as a Chairman's level owner discount).
THERE'S NO WAY I'd pay that $8400 to stay here under any circumstances other than my timeshare ownership.

One could also look at it another way and say why would I pay $1400/week in maintenance fees to stay at a place that I can purchase a getaway on II for <$600/week.
 

Janann

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HGVC on the Boulevard, Las Vegas;
Disney's Saratoga Springs
We sat down to discuss price and the genius asked "and how are you going to pay for this car" in a very singsong annoying voice. My reply. You will put the keys here....pointing to his desk......I will put a check here.....next to it.......And you will take one.

Ha -- this reminded me of what happened when we were (foolishly) paying full price for an HGVC unit. Regarding how to pay, we offered to write a check on the spot, and the salesperson said she had never closed a deal with immediate payment in full. She needed to get someone to help fill out the paperwork. :)
 

Quiet Pine

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Yes to all. About every 1-2 years I squander $1 on a lottery ticket. Years ago, when the lottery was new in California, my office pooled money and bought 109 tickets. All those tickets, and we didn't even win $5 for matching a couple of number. That curtailed my interest in lotteries.
 

Panina

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Lottery tickets maybe once or twice a year. Always think about buying more but never do.

Charities yes, might overlap with religious. There is a small local church (not my faith) that runs a local food bank. I use to bring bags of food but now at times write a check so they can get what they need. I also donate here and there to others. When I visit larger cities you always see people with their cups. I give the diabled and elderly money.

I give religiously for prayers to be said for my deceased dad.

Politically no.
 

silentg

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Enchanted Isle.
We only do lottery occasionally. Scratch off tickets for stocking stuffers( although Santa forgot last Christmas) we give to some charities.
 

jme

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Marriotts:
Grande Ocean x 6
Barony x 2
OceanWatch x 1
Manor Club x 1
.
Waterside by Spin x 2
Sheraton Bdw Pln x2
ChurchSt/Charleston x2
One could also look at it another way and say why would I pay $1400/week in maintenance fees to stay at a place that I can purchase a getaway on II for <$600/week.

There are ZERO getaways for Grande Ocean in summer, EVER........show me ONE.
And how many have you personally done?

Getaways are excess inventory, and high-end resorts in prime seasons are not available as Getaways.
Marriott rents them outright for full price if they even have one.
Nor are there any other summer getaways at Hilton Head Marriotts, and you just again proved my point, THANKS

Bottom line, to specifically answer your question, "you'd do it" because
you MIGHT want the BEST vacation at a favorite destination FOR YOUR FAMILY.
 
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stmartinfan

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Divi Little Bay, St. Maarten
No to lottery tickets and political candidates...but may need to support some candidates this year, given the potential impact. Yes to the others.
 

DaveNV

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Free Agent
I randomly buy a lottery ticket, but rarely win anything. So it's not high on my priority list. I lived in Las Vegas long enough to understand that you can't win if you don't play, but you shouldn't throw money at a wild goose chase pipe dream you have less than minimal chance of winning. Gambling for me falls into the category of "entertainment."

Charities I contribute to now are local, where I can see the direct result of their work. I got turned off to blind contribution during my Navy years. The military has a "Combined Federal Campaign" every year, where they guilt and harass servicemembers into contributing to a laundry list of charities through an automatic allotment deducted from their paychecks, as a one-stop shopping thing, so the top brass only has to do it once a year. I found it inappropriate, and very telling that the disclosure documents listing how much of your contributed dollar went to overhead and administrative costs, (e.g. salaries), and how little went to the actual recipient the "charity" was supposed to be serving. Nowadays I contribute material goods, and not money. Food and clothing donations delivered to a local homeless shelter does more good than sending money to a national organization.

The exception is buying Girl Scout cookies - I donate a larger amount of money directly to help one particular girl scout I know, and she personally delivers dozens of boxes of cookies to a VA hospital in her town. She gets the best response when she hands a patient in a bed a box of cookies. It's a way to give back a little, and bring a smile to someone who can probably use it.

I do not contribute to political candidates or religious organizations. I don't see much difference between either one. Don't get me started.

I do tip, quite generously, based on the work the server/whoever has performed. I do not tip arbitrarily just because it's expected.

Thanks for asking. :)

Dave
 

clifffaith

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'I had retinal detachments in both eyes and also cataract operations in both. Thats why I believe in science. Without lasers for example I would be walking around with a dog and a cane...and I wouldnt be able to care for my disabled husband. Glad some folks mentioned health...this can really affect your financial bottom line.

Did you notice it is all females with the eye issues? In doing research it appears that older women are more likely than men to have a posterior vitreous detachment. As if the crepey skin and weakening bones weren't enough!
 

Passepartout

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Did you notice it is all females with the eye issues? In doing research it appears that older women are more likely than men to have a posterior vitreous detachment. As if the crepey skin and weakening bones weren't enough!
Yeah, well just look around the senior living places the next time you visit one. You'll notice that the women outlive us guys by several years.
 

AwayWeGo

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Grandview At Las Vegas

[triennial - points]
I had posterior vitreous detachment, without complications. Eye doctor said it would get better by itself after a while. It did.

Several years later, I had (successful) cataract surgery on both eyes (not at the same time -- operations were about 1 year apart).

Now it turns out I am among the roughly 30% of cataract surgery lens implant recipients who experience darkening of the membrane surrounding the implanted lens, such that I am in line for some kind of laser procedure to correct the condition -- no doubt by zapping a hole in the membrane.

Follow-up eye exam next month will show how advanced the membrane darkening has become. It has not darkened enough so far for me to have noticed it. I just take the eye doctor's word for it that it's happening, based on what he sees when he peers into my eyeballs via those specialized scopes with the intense blue lightbulbs.

It's always something.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​
 
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