An Amendment

April 2, 2011

First of all I really dislike anonymous comments and usually I just delete them and don't pay attention.  If you feel strongly enough about what you're writing then own it.  But in this case I really wanted to respond to these comments.

Today I received two anonymous comments on my blog about my car post:

#1
"Be thankful that you can afford such a luxury, other's are not so fortunate."

and

#2
I agree with anonymous...I think the baby would have been just fine in the car. Not that it is any of my business, but I don't know how all you gals in the south have all you do on 2 teacher salaries. It's nice to think/dream about your next car/house/vacation...just make sure you slow down enough to enjoy the present.


Yes, I did get a brand new car and yes I complained about it a bit but I was complaining about the fact that it was a mom car not the car of my dreams.  I even stated I knew I was being vain.  "Be thankful".  Oh, I am thankful.  I keep a journal of things I am thankful for in my life that I write in everyday.  I know it is a fact that God has blessed me (blessed all of us) with far more than we deserve and for that I am very thankful.

And yes, the baby would be "just fine" in the car.  I know that and even stated that in my post.  But this is the car we drive most of the time.  We rarely drive my husband's older Jeep.  With a baby, and 2 dogs - one of which weighing 70 lbs, a car that seats 4 just didn't fit our life style anymore. 

Now, to address "I don't know how all you gals in the south have all you do on 2 teacher salaries."  I don't know about any other teachers out there but I find this very offensive.  I strongly dislike talking about money on my blog because frankly it isn't any one's business but my husband and I are VERY frugal.  The only 2 things we owe on is our new car and our house.  We save A LOT of money and don't use credit.  Buying this car actually made our car payment GO DOWN as well as our insurance surprisingly enough.  Jonathan and I are very good stewards with our money.  We tithe 10% of every pay check and donate to Compassion International.  We make budgets and we stick to them.  Every vacation we've gone on we have specifically saved up for and paid for in cash.  We put a large down payment down on our house and have a very low mortgage but again...it really isn't any one's business.  I'm not saying that in a mean or harsh way but just to say, "to each their own".

And finally, "slow down enough to enjoy the present".  My husband and I are not the "rat race" type of people.  We're not always looking for the next newest, bigger, and better.  We only have one TV in the house, we don't even have the Internet on our phones (we find it annoying), we much rather hang out all day with family than to be out shopping and buying things.  Jonathan and I really value and enjoy what we view as our simple life.

With all of that being said comments will no longer be allowed as anonymous on my blog.

28 comments:

Megan C said...

Amen!

Diana said...

I dont like when people do that. What I usually tell people that are being mean is "If you have nothing nice to say,dont say anthing at all."

Hannah said...

I've been reading your blog for awhile but never commented. First of all, congratulations on your "almost" arrival! I LOVE the name Georgia.

Secondly, I completely agree that it is NO ONE'S business what you spend your money on and especially not how much you make! People appall me sometimes with their lack of manners. Maybe it's because I live in the "South" as that anonymous blogger seemed to portray as a bad thing, but in the "South" we learn manners and how to be respectful! Anyways, just had to ditto what you said in your response to them!

Unknown said...

people are so rude. good job standing up for yourself!

C Mae said...

WTF who in their right mind thinks that Teachers even make any money at all regardless of teaching in the north or south or east or west??? How rude! I would be offended too! (And I can say that bec I'm a teacher too!) I know how you feel! We've had a few convos about saving money grocery shopping and what not a while back :)

Have a better Sunday girlie! :)

Jenny said...

I totally agree with you on the money thing! So many people are unsmart about how they spend their money, that they don't even realize if you plan, budget and save you can do so much more.

Good for you!!!

Kat said...

Get 'em, girl!! Well Said. You're just precious!!

Kelli said...

I don't think I have ever commented on your blog but am an avid follower. Let me just say my husband and I are very similar (teacher & a cop). We save, live by our budget, and still have a very nice life and don't feel like we go without anything. I am glad you said what you that those no name commenters.

Angie Acapella said...

I was teaching as well when we bought our CX7 (but God made it possible for me to leave teaching and stay home when we had our first baby...and we still make that car payment just fine!). Southerners and teachers are no different than anyone else. If you know how to manage money, it shouldn't make a difference how much you make. I've known many really "rich" people who couldn't manage their way out of a paper bag they were so frivolous and in debt. All that to say, "who cares." It's your life. Enjoy that new car and I wouldn't give those anonymous comments another thought.

Tami said...

Great post! I don't know why people feel it's ok to make assumptions when they don't know ANYTHING about your finances/salaries/etc. I guess no matter what you say, someone will "anonymously" share their unwanted or unwarranted opinion!

kristen wright said...

Hi Emily!
I am so glad you responded to the comments. I read your blog religiously and I have LOVED reading your commentary on things. I was kindof upset when I read the comments after your blog about the car. Knowing you, even the small time we have hung out, I know how amazing of a person you are and how passionate you are. You always seem to walk with God and I always admired that of you. People always feel like they need to give you opinions and I just think that some people just need to follow, if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all :). Keep blogging because I think you are a GREAT blogger :) ~Kristen

Kelli Kegley said...

I, like a few others, don't know you but have just recently started reading your blog. (I hope that's ok!) I'm sorry that happened. It saddens me that people are so easily judgmental. I hope you didn't dwell on those comments, because they were definitely not deserved!!!

I sold my first "new" car 2 years ago and still miss it!!

Elizabeth | The Blush Magnolia said...

Hi Emily,

I am a follower and have been reading for a while but usually don't comment. Today, though I'd just like to say bravo and Amen!

The whole point of blogging is so you can have an outlet for your thoughts and you can say and share whatever you choose on your blog and if someone doesn't agree then they should just not read it! If they don't have anything nice to say then its just not necessary to say anything at all.

I'm a teacher as well and I think its perfectly possible to live off a teacher's salary if you make smart choices and budget appropriately - which it sounds like you're doing. And with the excitement of a new baby - its perfectly reasonable to get a new car that will accommodate your family of five (including the dogs!) And I totally agree, whether and how you are able to afford it is no ones business but you and your husband's.

Kudos for your post. :)

Michele said...

I saw that last night and thought how rude. I hate anonymous comments too, unless the person owns it. I am a teacher's wife and a SAHM. We make it work on that "lousy" ;) salary. It isn't ever fair to judge how others live, b/c like you said you don't know what my debt/bills/lifestyle choices are that make us make the other choices we do. Way to stand up for yourself. Sorry others have be rude.

Missy Schranz said...

Hi, Emily! I hate it when people make assumptions about people they don't even know. It sucks!!! Keep your head up and I think you and Jonathon are a beautiful couple. I can't wait for the post, "Georgia is here!" and see pictures of her. She will be adorable like her parents, I'm quite sure!!!

God bless
Missy

B said...

AMEN AMEN AMEN! Finally, somebody with some SENSE. I agree, it is nobody else's business. And whatever happened to, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all? Sheesh, people! Good for you!

ty said...

First and foremost, I LOVE the car. Second, I don't think that anyone needs to say what they think you should be doing with your money. Even if you were spending irresponsibly, they ain't your mama. They have no say whatsoever. That's just rude.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree - it's no one's business how and what you spend your money on! I've had some doozy anonymous posts as well ... and I just delete 'em. Keep your chin up!

Unknown said...

cute car! and great post...well said!
-kelly f.

Melanie said...

Agree w/you totally! I get really annoyed when people get on the subject of salaries too (its nobodys business how much a family brings in every month)..nobody knows but that family how their money is resourced..so for anyone to make a comment on a purchase someone else has made is way out of line. Happy for you guys that you have a new vehicle!!

Olivia said...

So glad that you responded to such rude(obscene/crude/barbaric/) comments. Two thumbs up !! :)

.:Chelsey:. said...

Emily, congrats on the new car! Sorry you had to give up your dreamy one, but yay for a new adventure!!
Sorry those anonymous people were "ugly" to you. All that comes to mind is jealousy when I read what they had to say. I think people should spend more time being happy for others and then maybe they too would find more happiness in their hearts. Way to stand up for yourself! Hope you have a great week!

Anonymous said...

Great post Emily...very well put.

Cassandra said...

just wanted to say that I am sorry mean people decide to be mean for no reason. Why on earth would anyone have the nerve to comment like that AND be anonymous?! Really rude.

I also want to say that my husband an I are a lot like you two, and I always hate it when people try and get into our business about our money..I always say do what works for you. What works for some people may not always work for others.

Well said girl!

Ryan V. said...

ew, I don't like anonymous comments either! It's your blog, you can say whatever you want! And for the commenters, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all! By the way, I love that SUV! I'm sure Georgia will love her new ride. :)

Anne said...

Hi Emily! I'm a new follower. Just wanted to say that I totally agree with you. I don't understand why people leave anonymous comments that are so judgemental and/or hurtful. It seems like people think it's a sin to buy somehing new. And while I am definitely not supporting materialism, I don't think you can judge someone based on their blog. While it is a glimpse into your life, it isn't your whole life. I'm glad you defended yourselves.


Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well!

Jaclyn Meeks said...

Oh,I love you, Emily Ann. By the by...you are quite popular in the blog world. And, you need an SUV so that Ashley and I can ride around with Georgia and our fav couple!!

Mandy said...

I'm new to your blog and just doing some backtracking on the posts. That is ridiculous that people would post those things!!! As a future teacher (in 2 years!) I take offense to the teachers comment as well. You and your husband shouldn't have to explain yourself to others. Your new car is soo nice and it will be perfect for your expanding family!

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