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Here is my take. I'm middle/upper, closer to middle class even though I have never felt like it. Within reason, I buy what I want, when I want, and manage to contribute to 401K and still have money to put in accessible savings. FYI, I bring my lunch to work daily and do not eat out often. I think we are spoiled as a country. I grew up never wanting for nothing. We did not eat out every night, my Mom cooked every day, We also didn't eat steak, it was mostly rice and gravy (round steak-cheap), chicken and pork chops....all cheap. I was blessed that my father shrimped on the weekends, so after he paid for his fuel selling shrimp, we got the extra. I actually got tired of shrimp and crabs.....which I would of thought was impossible. While prices are higher, Pork chops and chicken are still cheap enough, along with beans and rice, you can feed a family very reasonably. The problem is, we have been brain washed that everyone is equal and that is simply not true. A perfect example is years ago when I was single, I hung out with a Doctor and attorney who were also single.....After a couple months of living their lifestyle, looking at my bank account, we were NOT equal.....I could not afford to do what they did. A very expensive lesson in economics...not everyone us equal. As far as the Epstein files, only a very small percent of people care anymore, and majority are Trump haters hoping there is something that will make him look bad. I am 100% convinced that Biden admin would of added that to all the other tings they accused him of during the Biden term. The victims have stated they never seen Trump do anything inappropriate and he never went to Island. So, we can keep talking about it, but it will not change anything - Trump is still a powerhouse politically....

Same. Except I use the Capital One (1.5% back) strictly for all regular recurring bills like utilities, insurance, prescriptions, etc. I use the one from the Credit Union for incidentals. I write one check a month still because I just can’t get myself to trust the City for the water bill, and they want direct bank access. Everything is paid off every month.

I agree. Really haven't been challenged since December. But there is another thing that concerns me with this Orangefield team and what could derail them. It's some of the players attitudes and behaviors on the court (and in some cases off the court). A few of the players have had to miss games or half games due to discipline being it on or off the court incidents. That has to get better. In the playoffs, that can be a deciding factor if a player or two is ejected or has to miss a game or half a game. That cannot happen. I will say it's better than the season before when OF led the area in technical fouls (that info came from the local officiating chapter). This team has the talent and ability to make it to SA as long as they don't get in their own way.

Some things have leveled off or in a few cases the price has come down (gas) but for the most part, it still sucks. My wife reminds me of the fact every time we go grocery shopping. She grabs a product and states "you know what this used to cost 3 years ago?". I always reply with "I have no idea, never looked at the prices, just grab what I needed or wanted". Makes her even more mad. lol Needless to say, my wife buys off brand products now days. That used to not be the case.

I read an article about a year ago but can’t remember where from but it said $100,000 of goods and services in 2020 would cost you $125,000 in 2024 for the same goods and services. I don’t know about you but if I took a $25,000 hit a year to buy the same goods and services and you didn’t get much of a raise over that period of time most people are going to feel smothered. Just saying.

Let me rephrase that “hurt the party” Of course I am not a party person. Both political parties take turn robbing the taxpayer. Then sometimes they do it together. One party is trying to drive us over the cliff in a Bugatti and the other in a Yugo. 40 trillion in debt is a National Security issue and none of them care it seems like. I think he’s done some good things but I am disappointed that a replacement plan for Obamacare was not already to go when he took office and voter integrity/voter id plan. The cost of Health Insurance and Food is smothering the middle class. Trump likes to think the Epstein Files are all about him and that can’t be further from the truth. Child trafficking is a huge problem in this country. Like I said the whole situation has been handled horribly.

Hypothetically, what 30 people said Trump had sex with underage women? The actual Epstein victims that have a list they won't release (but could and it would NOT violate their NDA) have said they never seen or heard of Trump acting inappropriate. I think I know 2 of the 30, and it would be Cardinalbacker and TheMissingBand.....actually, I could add a few more from here that claim it to be true without any proof what so ever......

We put everything on our southwest card, then pay it off every month. On the rare occasion our spending outpaces our income for a month we have plenty in savings and still pay it off for the month. We haven't paid for a flight in years, and we fly a couple of times a year, on average.

That’s exactly what we do, all gas and groceries on the card for rewards. Works now that we’re older and more disciplined, when I was younger, not so much, lol.

You seem to be a perfect candidate for a rewards card. My brother travels a lot with his 3/4 ton truck and travel trailer. He uses a rewards CC to get 4% cash back on diesel purchases. He pays it off every month. The 4% is good for up to $8000 per year in purchases. So in diesel alone, if he spends 8K a year, he gets $320 credit to his card per year. It has lower percent's for other categories. That sounded like an advertisement but it's not....lol When my Father started forgetting to pay bills, I stepped in and had all of his bills auto-charged to his Discover credit card. I then set up his Discover to be auto-deducted from his checking account. The only thing I had to do was review the CC statement to make sure all was correct. I believe he received about $500 back a year in credit card rewards.... If you do it that way, the credit card pays you to use it. The only down fall is it is VERY easy to spend more than you make.

[Hidden Content] Shocker

We are similar. But, my identity was stolen from a DoD breach. Since I don't take out loans, and I only keep 2 cards (I use them for autopayment of bills where I can dispute & get cash back) it took me until I received collection notices to know I'd been had. I checked my credit reports yearly, and receive immediate notices for every charge on my cards via Capital One & my Credit Union. It didn't matter. The DoD breach affected millions of veterans, and included all the identifiers--and more--than even in this misuse of data. I should have titled the thread differently I guess, because this is a much bigger disclosure than just your SSN. If you don't use credit regularly--or at all--so you think yourself safe, I'd actually say you're probably the most at risk because you wouldn't normally think it's a big deal and shouldn't involve you. I thought the same. A freeze can be lifted in a matter of hours. Not days. I actually tested it when I first set ours up. It was unfrozen in less than an hour online. It's one of the few proactive things you can do to help protect yourself, and it's free. Anyway, each to their own. I posted for information purposes only. The article is from Dow Jones, Inc. and Morningstar. Can't impeach the sources.

I will not do a freeze as well. As for loans, I haven't needed one in 18 years. I buy my vehicles outright. Haven't had a car note in 15 years. Only note I have is my beach cabin which we purchased 25 years ago. Got two years left before it's paid off. Own my home in Silsbee, two vehicles, golf cart and trailer. I am very blessed. My apologies to you @thetragichippy and other bankers for not bringing you any business. lol

Neither is going to happen..... She will not be removed and Trump will still call it a hoax,,,,,,the hoax is not that Epstein was not a pedo...the hoax is that Democrats actually care. Maybe you can find a comment you posted during the Biden admin of how concerned you were for the victims....

Grew up poor as the dirt on the farm I grew up on. My folks' most used answer was, "We'll see." Obviously, I grew up to learn that was a nice way of saying NO. I've shopped at Aldi for years, and use every coupon--digital or otherwise--I can find anywhere else. On the rare occasions we eat out, it's at a place where they've emailed us a deal, or they have some type discount advertised. I guess it's ingrained in me. Not a bad lesson to have been taught. Used to joke I was Dave Ramsey before he became famous. lol

1-1 to start the stetch. Winning very comfortably at UGA and losing a nail biter at Bama wasn’t a horrible result thus far. If this has been discussed my apologies. But what the heck are we doing now NCAA. You guys know I’m pretty much always pro players but now we are letting guys who have played professionally, IN THE NBA G LEAGUE no less, come back and play collegiately again??? Bediako being granted additional eligibility to play for Bama is the most ludicrous thing I’ve seen in college sports. The reason I’ve always preferred college sports is dying a very swift death.

I consider myself very upper middle class (wife and I are retired) and we feel the strain of grocery and health insurance. Anyone calling themselves middle class and stating the economy doesn't effect them is not being realistic.

In the realignment, districts draw their schedules out. It's not done individually between each school but by district committee. Sometimes schools can negotiate the home and home after the order is set.

North Shore picked up Lancaster for Week 1

Don’t be surprised if WOS beats Carthage in wk 5

Yeah, young folks and credit cards are a dangerous combination.

Last year I co-signed a signature loan for my 25 year old son to pay off his CC debt.....It worked for him just it would have for me at 24. I tried to warn him, but that ALSO worked just like it would have on me at 24. Luckily he'll be debt free in another 12 months or sooner.

Who would that be?

I guess I should add that I only use Apple Pay for incidentals now as well. Both of my Credit Unions, and the one bank recommend it for security since no one ever sees your card number. If they don’t take Apple Pay—which is rare nowadays—I use the virtual card Capital One lets you set up with their cashback card. Between that, setting the freeze, and checking my home title online through the county every 6 months, I feel better protected, and I’m not paying for a service like Lifelock or similar. Recently completed a TODD for our house while my wife is still considered ‘competent’. So, no one can do anything with the house title without us voiding it first anyway. I’d get an immediate notice from the county if someone tried. Identity theft was a booger.

Huntington canceled week 5 vs Hardin. Crockett has been picked up in their place

Was very strange fluke year for us going d1 last year. We were smallest 3A d1 in state by a lot. This year something crazy these last 4 games will have to change for us to not go d2 as 2 of these 3 would have to miss playoffs: trinity, Crockett, Coldspring. Orangefield should be the favorite in the region for d1. I think very highly of their coaching staff and players. Dream matchup fun game to see would be orangefield vs Trinity in the playoffs as fan to me. Would likely have to be 4th round though I think.

I stated I haven't used the card in a very long time. My wife has used it periodically just to keep the card active. Very very small purchases that she pays off completely at statement time. You are correct, I may be at risk. But I just don't like having notes. Can't stand interest rates unless it puts money in my pocket.

We have one credit card (Visa Gold) for extreme emergencies. Two different bank debit cards. I honestly cannot remember the last time I used a credit card. Those things get you in trouble more than they help. I am fortunate enough to have won money at the casinos that I have been able to have a cash account with those guys to use for my gambling roll.

Dad worked as a draftsman for Bethlehem Steel. Mom was a stay at home…..most women were back then. One income could purchase a small 3 BR and a family vehicle. If we ate out, it was usually on Sunday at the Picadilly downtown Beaumont or Felix’s mexican restaurant on Calder. Just to give Mom a break, Dad would treat us to Burger Chef on 11th street or maybe Price’s burgers on Calder. I was raised on hamburger steak or pintos with rice and gravy. If I was rich, I would still eat pintos with rice and cornbread. Some things are just that good. Not sure what class I’m in. Working class would fit. Lol Hippy, you’re absolutely right about Trump and the Epstein files. I really see no need to try and elaborate on it. This thread is proog enough they are simply after Trump. They care about no one else.

100000% agree. College sports that I love is going away very quickly. As for my Aggies, they had plenty of chances to win last night. Sent Bama to the FT line way too often. I told myself if we can go 1-1 this week vs. Alabama and Florida, I would be happy. I also won't be too disappointed if we go 0-2.

This is almost assuredly the most talented team Orangefield has had, led by easily the best player I’ve seen in the 30 years I’ve followed them. Also very happy for a guy who has been one of the best coaches in SETX for years in Whitmire. The one thing that worries me for the playoffs is not having really been challenged since district began (other than at EC sort of). Hoping their depth and experience at the varsity level more than makes up with something they had no control over.

Understood your point, it is politics! Keep an eye on the whistleblower!

Trump just doesn’t know how to get out of his own way. Smh

Yes sir my boys played for Leland and for Coach Carter. Pretty good clubs

All im hearing is the economy is booming and America is back....! I've yet to see it

Liberals are a very confused lot.

As I stated, he should have stayed in his truck. Since--from the videos I've seen--he got out, left his truck in the busy intersection, and physically confronted the female student, the assault charge seems appropriate. He should also have been given some type of traffic citation. As for the students, they were fine separating the two. They could have used just enough force to separate and hold the MAGA hat man while one of the others called the police. Instead, they chose to gang up on him and physically assault him with multiple students. In my opinion, that's where they also should be charged with assault. They don't get a free pass just because they're students. Their parents applauding their actions is not a good example at all, and sends a definite wrong message they can just take the law into their own hands whenever they want and think they're heroes. I'm not even sold they had a First Amendment right to leave school without permission and protest. Yes, they have First Amendment rights. But, they are also expected to be in school. For those that say they have a right to free speech, and to protest--if you take that argument to conclusion--it means any student can just leave school at any time they want because they want to protest anything under the sun, and the school can't do anything about it. I don't believe that's how it works. I believe the school has some liability here as well. To me, if the Buda police don't also charge the students involved in the physical altercation that appears excessive, they are negligent at best, and not applying the law equally because of bias. At this time, they appear to be justifying their actions because of their youth, and--I sense--pressure from the town & the town's Mayor. Like I said, this sets a very bad precedent to me. @tvc184 probably has a much better take on something like this than me. I'm just going with my layman's understanding based on what I've seen and read of the incident. My legal experience has to do with contract law in engineering and construction business agreements, and some other business law from owning a non-profit.

Hand was my neighbor when he was coaching at Warren. I made a couple Warren playoff games that year.

North Shore Week 1 TBD Week 2 John Curtis, La at McNeese University Week 3 South Oak Cliff

Thanks for the updates!

Can’t make this stuff up….

Super excited to see what this team does in the playoffs!!! Playing as a complete team right now.

Do you believe your own lies?

Another false narrative..... They are targeting specific people and situations - they are not roaming around looking for dark skinned people. Perhaps there is a specific case you can post, other than random accusations?

You know what else does not look good? Typing without the use of punctuation. Additionally, the majority, if not all, teams have a bit of luck on their side when they advance all the way to state. From staying healthy most of the season, having a call or two in their favor, winning the TO margin, etc.