My problem is, I need someone who is intellectually stimulating to me. Most people who are intellectually stimulating would be bored to tears in those types of jobs. It's not about their actual job, but more about needing someone who has the same intellectual needs that I do and that includes a need to be challenged intellectually on a daily basis.

I didn't say that's what you said; I said that's how I interpreted it.

But, again, I now see the point you were making.

o.k. fine.

I'd usually agree, but with the way the economy is, having a "less than" job is usually better than nothing. There are ways to stimulate yourself intellectually outside of the workplace.

I feel like I just read 4 pages of "But that's what I just said!" and "I agree with that." :cool:

better than a train wreck right?

I don't know, trainwrecks can be kinda fun....:D

Oh geez.

And there is a difference between someone who is doing what they have to do to make ends meet after the unemployment runs out and someone who is not attempting to do anything different than that fast food job. I'm also looking at this from a different phase in life than many of you are. After retirement from the "real job", that perspective will change again. I could totally see being the greeter at Walmart after I retire, just for the social contact and a little extra cash on top of my meager social security. Or working at a niche type hobby shop related to something I'm interested in. But in the mid 40's, if you're working at McDonald's and that's all you have ever done and all you ever plan to do (aside from management), I don't think we'd have a whole lot in common re: values, goals.

What about retirement? 401K? I mean, how can anyone take advantage of their 401K package if they're making pennies to live on?

Hey...I think some Mickie Dees and Taco Hells have retirement plans...ehehhe!!!


Sometimes I do feel that certain jobs are by design created to 'encourage' people who want more to move on rather than stay.

It's all up to that individual. For instance, I had a job for 5 years ( they even had a retirement plan!) and even though I liked it, I knew I had to leave because it was not my CAREER as well as a dead end. I also knew I had outgrown the position and could not advance any further nor were they willing to pay the salary that I wanted.

Not to mention for what they were paying me, it indirectly was killing some of my dating prospects as well as hindering my cost of living....HA!

And sometimes I think when we date someone we have to distinguish early on if the person we are with is working at a job or working in their career field. Does our career field make us content with what we are doing and take care of us and so on. Because let's face it, there are also some dead end career fields too ;)

This is all coming back into a giant circle...hehe

I disagree.

If one spouse makes enough money for the family to live comfortably, then there's no reason why the other spouse needs to be bringing in a steady income, if any income at all.

Having a housewife or househusband allows the couple to have the day to day stuff taken care of without intruding on the family's time together. Said housewives and househusbands (hws and hhs) aren't necessarily unambitious, either. For instance, I've seen hws and hhs who are huge assets to their communities because of the volunteer work they do.

I don't have any hard stats to cite, but I've heard that the likelihood of divorce is directly proportional to the education level of the woman (assuming the highest education level was attained before the marriage). The higher the education, the less likely the marriage would result in divorce.

Then again, I've Heard and They Say are the biggest liars in town, so take that for what you will.

True on that point.

I misspoke.

If a spouse is making just enough to cover the bills then both should be making steady incomes to do more than 'just cover'.

Question: What about in cases when one is making enough (or more than enough) to cover all expenses but the other wants to work for the sake of being busy? Not necessarily volunteer work but in their career field. What are your thoughts on that?

I have no problem with that at all. In fact, I think that's an ideal situation.