CLASSMATES ya have to register costs zero

very easy at classmates.com, except for their ads (ignore them) - find the state, the school, the year you're interested in, then scroll away for the people's names.  Most marrieds put up their maiden names at classmates.com.

• Trying to find classmates. Has anyone tried. .. sm - Class of 72
  • Classmates.com is hugely successful. I graduated with over 900 sm - MQer
  • high school boyfriend . . . - Mimi
  • Finding classmates - chattycathy
  • CLASSMATES ya have to register costs zero - go to school you want, then find year..sm

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My friend just got married. When I went to the store and requested a copy of the bridal registry, I found several $200-$600 items on the registry. I was shocked.

I do not know if it is proper or not, but I have always been told you "pay for your meal" in the gift you bring, so I always assume at least $75 to $100 for a sit down meal. But, she and her fiancé are both middle class at best, so I was not initially expecting a big wedding.

When I saw so many $200 to $600 on the registry, I concluded, incorrectly, that they had decided to throw a big bash. I bought my gift very late and the registry still did not show that ANY items over $150 had sold. I spent $150 on my gift, which was more than it looked like anyone else was paying, but if you wait until the last minute, your options at the low end are very limited! That is my own fault!

They actually served a very low budget buffet, prepared by neighbors and friends, for the meal. It was actually a lower budget wedding than I expected. I am not criticizing their decision to save money on the wedding. I think lots of people spend way too much money on weddings. BUT, I do think it was rather presumptuous of her to register for such pricey items when most of her friends and family cannot afford them and when she was not throwing a fancy wedding.

I am not complaining about spending $150 and not getting "my money's worth" from the meal...that is NOT my point at all. BUT, I do think if you are going to put items like that on your bridal registry you need to consider who your friends are and whether or not your circles can afford such items. I am in a financial position where I could decide to buy a $150 item, but not all of her friends could even go that high and there was very little below $100 to choose from even if they were the first ones to shop.

Is it really typical for middle class people to request such high ticket items for wedding gifts these days? Or was it actually as presumptuous as I perceive it to be?

Anybody go to high school or college with someone that now is famous?  My husband graduated high school with Dennis Basso.  He is a designer who is on QVC a lot.  I want my husband to call QVC everytime he is on to chat with him for laughs but he refuses.  He says he was a loner in school, Dennis, I mean. Now look at him. Bringing home the big $$$$$

High-speed Internet: $60/month
Vonage: $19/month 500 minutes anywhere in USA
TV: Whatever comes over the air for "free."

Ability to work out of the home nekked if one so chooses: Priceless. 

Phone  $45 a month, 2 phone lines, 1 for fax machine

Internet $50 a month, unlimited, billed every 3 months

DirectTV  $70 a month, with HBO channels, east coast feeds (I live on the west coast) and local stations. Will not give up Sopranos or being able to watch any other shows on east coast time for anything!

the tuition.  Parents have a responsibility to their children to see to it that they are educated in a manner that prepares them for a career, not flipping burgers.  I know that that wasn't always the norm and that college was a privilege, but now it is a necessity.  You can't make it in the world without some kind of degree and not helping your children with their education is selfish. 

That's not to say that the child shouldn't bear some responsibility in this.  He/she can certainly get a part-time job to help with books, living expenses, etc.  I see nothing wrong with the child taking out the standard student loan either, but dumping them out the door at 18 with nothing more than a high school education is not being a responsible parent.  Perhaps that's the problem today.  So many parents don't have time or are too selfish worrying about themselves to make sure their children are set.  It's not about money, it's about responsibility. 

Judging by your responses, I'd say your husband's divorce was quite bitter and perhaps the animosity you feel should be directed toward his ex-wife and not the children.  They obviously had no control over that money that was given to their mother.  While my children aren't ready for college yet, one thing I have learned already is that you never stop being a parent.

The jails are overflowing here.....and it costs anywhere from $30-$40,000 annually to house EACH individual inmate...that the taxpayers pay for....

something to think about.....

I believe the cost is partly to blame for the obesity in this nation.  It is so much more expensive to try to eat healthier.  I can make pizza for my husband and 3 kids for under $10.  Yet, when we have chicken, potatoes, a vegetable and bread -- it's closer to $20.  Of course when I serve the "full course" meal, my kids expect dessert, too.  Is there no end?

I actually found myself stocking up last week on eggs because they were on sale and I knew I'd be making deviled eggs for T-day.  I bought 6 dozen eggs.  I have never bought that many eggs at once before in my life.  But I saved 75 cents a dozen.