Benefits of being single and kid-less! [Archive] - Police Forums & Law Enforcement Forums @ Officer.com

CopInNY

12-01-2002, 03:43 PM

Xmas time is a lonely time for the big ol' lummox known as CINY...it's ok. shed not a tear for me. I went out today and bought myself a hell of a Christmas gift. I bought the new Bose Lifestyle 50 entertainment system from one of Boses outlet stores. $3500 bucks lighter, I then went to Best Buy and bought a coupla DVD's. 'Heat' with Bobby DeNiro, 'Resovoir Dogs' with Harvey Keitel, and 'Spiderman' with Tobey Maguire. If any of you have ever seen 'Heat', you'll know what I'm talking about. The shootout scene just after the heist is an incredible scene to begin with, but it sounds simply amazing on this system. I absolutely love it.

If I were married, I would never be able to go out and buy myself such extravagant things. Maybe this life isn't that bad after all...

:D

drunkhunter

12-01-2002, 03:52 PM

I don't know. I'm married, but we don't have any children. She makes great money, and I make good money. We live off of one salary, and we play with the other one.

Congrats on the Bose though. I hear they are great. I may have to get something like that for our new living room.

207

12-01-2002, 04:16 PM

Seeing that my wife bought a house in Sept while I was working 3 doubles in a row I went and bought a Mitsubishi 48" widescreen, matching VCR, progressive scan DVD player, the Monster power strip and related wiring.

As my #1 choice I was looking at a Bose surround sound system. #2 is a Denon system. I haven't decided yet which one to get. :confused:
It's hard to evaluate a store display/demo and then try to imagine what it will sound like in an 18x24' living room with a vaulted ceiling.

CopInNY

12-01-2002, 04:25 PM

207,

you're right across the sound. Come on across to long island one weekend, you can check out the Bose, and make your choice. Be warned though, there could be a coupla steaks and beers involved as well though!!

Mitzi

12-01-2002, 04:31 PM

Christmastime can be lonely for those with kids too, CINY, if you aren't close to immediate family. Personally, everyday is Christmas for me when I get to look into those beautiful brown eyes of my son and know he's still safe vor now.

RachelR

12-01-2002, 06:11 PM

I know the feeling Cop.. My close friends all have kids and whenever we try to make plans to go out, they always have to figure out who is babysitting, which weekend their ex has the kids so on and so forth. Me, I can just pick up and go.

But, it's fun playing with their kids, buying them things etc.. and then... sending them home!

Mike Tx

12-01-2002, 06:31 PM

We have three kids with no ex's involved. They'd love a sound system like that and hopefully can buy it themselves.

Maybe we will be luck enough to move in with them when we get too old, and THEN we can rock out!

209

12-01-2002, 06:34 PM

One kid by a previous marriage. I don't get to see him much. My current wife and I have none, although we do have horses. I have to convince my wife they aren't our "kids", but some people and their pets.... :rolleyes:

I tend to get depressed around this time of year, but it's due more to losses in my life rather than lonliness. It seems for the last 12 years or so almost every holiday season, someone close has passed on. I try to justify it by remembering I'm not exactly young anymore so it stands to reason older friends and family have aged right along with me and (although at times I have to actually think about the age of someone) old age does catch us all sooner or later. Still....it is depressing. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

Tprspouse

12-01-2002, 07:29 PM

I wouldn't trade my children and husband for any amount of money in the world, but...

Cop, you enjoy every minute of that entertainment system. You deserve it :) Someday you'll have a wife and kids and you'll be broke. LOL <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> :D

Sig220Man

12-01-2002, 07:32 PM

Like CopinNY, I too am single and childless. I also take advantage of that situation with frequent visits to electronics stores.

Some of my splurges over the last few years, that actually turned out to be rather useful:

1. Sony TiVo system
2. Philips DVD recorder
3. Samsung laser printer (a LOT cheaper to operate than my Epson inkjet)
4. New complete car stereo system (old one broke post-warranty) including Alpine single-disc CD, Alpine separates for the front, 5 channel amp, and subwoofer. I don't play it loud though.
5. Dell laptop computer. Originally purchased for work purposes, I use it more for surfing the web in front of the TV, thanks to a LONG Cat5 cable running back to the desktop. Scroll down to see why I haven't gone wireless yet.
6. Sony DVD player. Got very little use until I bought the Philips DVD recorder. The Sony is now in the bedroom, which I use to watch DVD's of programs transferred off the TiVo.

A few that turned out to be duds:

1. UMAX scanner. Bought it when I had a Mac, and hardly used it then. Now that I have Windows, not easily interfaceable (it's SCSI) without expensive additional hardware. It's cheaper to buy a new one.

2. Viewsonic 19 inch monitor. Broke soon after the warranty ran out. Took up too much room on my desk when it did work. Replaced with a Samsung 17 inch, and I don't miss the extra screen space. Might splurge on a 17 or 18 inch LCD next year.

3. Several attempts at trying to hook up a wireless network. I've tried using matching WiFi equipment from Intel, LinkSys, and even Dell. All would lose the signal within 5 minutes...and that's line of sight from my living room coffee table to my desktop in the dining room. Fortunately I was able to return all of them, though the stuff from Dell I had to pay to ship back. I now use a D-Link router with a 25 foot long Cat5 ethernet cable. When it's not in use, I simply coil it up and hide it.

InSane1

12-01-2002, 07:42 PM

CiNY.. I hear you. I love the single life. although, i have two kids to keep me company. yay.. *cough* they can be vicious somedays. :)

BUT, I went shopping today. I bought a couch! OMG $1100.00 later I'm wondering if its all worth it. I LOVE THE THING! it was in stock so they will be delivering it on Wednesday! YAY!!!! I will take a picturte of it and add it to Home Improvements thread. This is a couch you have to see. I couldnt afford to buy the chair with it... or should I say.. refused to buy it because I initially went in planning on spending 500 dolla on a cheap *** couch... and I ended up spending more than twice that on one stupid piece of furniture.

I got the fabric protection on it for five years in case my kids burp, fart, puke, spill, pee, crap or do any other thing to it to cause a stain or discoloration.. hehehe. :)

(my kids are beyond the spill pee crap stage thank God!)

I, TOO, love spending money on myself. :)

MK219

12-01-2002, 07:52 PM

I'm married with two kids. One is from a previous mistake, opps, I ment marriage. I don't regret getting married, and I love my kids more then anything else. It would be nice to have some extra $$$$, once in a while though :rolleyes: Kids always need something, or want something. ANd I can forget getting something new or expensive. I just got a car in May. Took great care of it. The kids were not allowed to eat or drink in it, yeah, that lasted a month before the first Happy Meal fry went A.W.O.L.! Now theres toys every where, candy wrappers, etc.
Christmas is still fun for now because of the kids. I love play with their toys. :D But Daddy would love to have a new entertianment center, big screen TV, and sport car. 15 more years till daddy can get his toys!!!!

Frank Booth

12-01-2002, 09:03 PM

I'm healthy, my kids are healthy AND I have some cool toys. Life is good.

207

12-01-2002, 09:13 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by CopInNY:
207,
you're right across the sound. Come on across to long island one weekend, you can check out the Bose, and make your choice. Be warned though, there could be a coupla steaks and beers involved as well though!!<hr /></blockquote>I haven't been out on the "Island" in years!!!!
In fact that was back in the '70's when I used to drag race motorcycles.
The L.I.E. was a scary ride even then... LOL.

Mitzi

12-01-2002, 09:13 PM

I have friends who tell me they are glad they don't have kids. It IS hard being a parent and it takes a lot of sactifice and love. A friend of mines husband just left her and he won't speak to her or the kids or his girl toy will get mad. His 11 year old son has run away from home twice because he loved his father so dearly. But his Mother is what a parent is. She found her son both times and made her look him in the eyes as she screamed, "I'M HERE! I'M not leaving you." That's a parent. He has settled down a lot now.
Was it a lot easier before I had my son? Yes? Would I change anything? Only him getting a brain tumor.
Don't become a parent unless you are sure you want kids. It's the hardest job in the world. And it not for the faint of heart. But it's the most rewarding experience of my life.
And I've said it before, "If you have a healthy child, you have everything". David is one of the nicest, sweetest people you would ever want to meet. I'm so proud of him.

[ 12-01-2002, 10:14 PM: Message edited by: Mitzi ]

Tprspouse

12-01-2002, 09:14 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />I just got a car in May. Took great care of it. The kids were not allowed to eat or drink in it, yeah, that lasted a month before the first Happy Meal fry went A.W.O.L.! Now theres toys every where, candy wrappers, etc.<hr /></blockquote>Isn't it amazing how this happens? LOL We bought our new car a 1 1/2 years ago and that was the law. NO MORE eating, drinking, drawing, playing with toys in the new car. Books are o.k. They can easily slide into the back of the seats.

About 4 months after we bring it home, there's toys, candy wrappers, cold hard MacDonalds french fries jammed in the back of the seat cushions...the BIG ******er-off-er was the melted purple crayon. That really got me upset. Enough to say, "That's it! ABSOLUTELY NO MORE of ANYTHING in this car!". A month later after the seats were cleaned we're back to normal. I can't win. I have to give up the looks of my backseat for peace and quiet when I am driving. And...right now with an 8 and 6 year old constantly fighting...it's WORTH IT!

We do good with the electronics, I can't complain. We have a computer, stereo, brand new flat screen tv with Sony surround sound system, a Sony laptop, a portable DVD player that I paid $800 for last year and a digital camera. (which is getting fixed or replaced at the moment..ps. don't drop them in water...it's not good for them.)

:D

jellybean40

12-01-2002, 09:57 PM

I am single and childless, also. the difference is, i dont have money to spend! lol. i had to take out debts when i got divorced and became poor, and i'm still paying some of them off.

But to me, things and possessions dont bring happiness. When i was married, we had a boat with a cabin, 2 cars, a motorcycle, and whatever electronic *toys* were out way back then. All that really didnt matter to me at all. I'd rather sit out on my deck with a good beer and some good conversation, than watch TV or play video games. I do like my Webtv but i dont spend a whole lot of time on it. And i do love my stereo system and my music, but all the components are old. as long as they work good, i dont care.

CopInNY, enjoy your Bose entertainment system. you will probably get married and have kids one day. i wont have kids...this is it for me (too old!). i made that decision tho, and only now and then do i think how my life might be different if i had them. I have my dog, so i do have SOME responsibility. i do like doing what i want, when i want to, tho.

[ 12-01-2002, 11:00 PM: Message edited by: jellybean40 ]

Frank Booth

12-01-2002, 10:55 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> I have friends who tell me they are glad they don't have kids. <hr /></blockquote>I'm glad they don't have kids too.....Self-centered bastards.

CopInNY

12-01-2002, 11:28 PM

I'm not necessarily GLAD I don't have kids or a chickadee, but being single has it's perks. As does being married with kids.

Oregon Mike

12-02-2002, 12:00 AM

I went out this weekend with a big group of people (most of whom I didn't know) and ended up dancing and flirting with a bunch of married women. It was a lot of fun, but it was also kind of depressing knowing that they were all going home to their husbands and I had to go home alone. I'm not really seeing the benefit to singledom right now, but I also don't have any money to buy cool toys. Maybe once I have money I'll appreciate being single more.

Mike

InSane1

12-02-2002, 03:10 AM

lol.. poor Mike.. I actually feel sorry for the guy. Mike.. Just cut out pictures from a magazine.. tape it on an empty cleaned-out pickle jar and start saving for your very own BOSE.

Sig220Man

12-02-2002, 04:05 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by CopInNY:
I'm not necessarily GLAD I don't have kids or a chickadee, but being single has it's perks. As does being married with kids.<hr /></blockquote>You shouldn't be ashamed of the fact that you're single and childless, by choice. If you want to die a bachelor, with nobody to inherit all those toys you've amassed by not having kids, that's nobody's business but your own.

Unfortunately there are quite a few people in this world who do have a problem with that, for whatever reason :rolleyes:

207

12-02-2002, 04:11 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by CopInNY:
I'm not necessarily GLAD I don't have kids or a chickadee, but being single has it's perks.<hr /></blockquote>Yeah, like having your direct deposit paycheck go in at 0700 and NOT having to worry about it being cleaned out by 0900!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

Tprspouse

12-02-2002, 06:09 AM

Awww Mike. I'll flirt with ya and you can take me to your cyber home. :)

CinaC

12-02-2002, 08:35 AM

Hey, Jay, if you don't know what to do with all that money, you could always pick me up a Glock ... or something ...

ateamer

12-02-2002, 10:23 AM

My wife and I don't have any kids and aren't going to have any. She has a son who's 19, but he lives with his dad. I've never wanted kids; just not for me.

We do have some nice toys, but for some reason, she's resisting getting a DVD player. I think one day soon, a DVD player is going to just show up.

If we had kids, I could never afford to fly every week and we wouldn't have things like motorcycles, DSL and eating out frequently.

I admire people who have kids; they so often put their kids ahead of themselves and make huge sacrifices. :)

Snoopy1

12-02-2002, 12:16 PM

I raised 3 kids alone, and it wasn't easily financially (and other ways), but I wouldn't consider trading places with a childless person because the expensive "things" they could buy would never replace the good times I shared and still share with my children (and grandchildren).

Peeler

12-02-2002, 12:55 PM

I'm too selfish to have kids. I like my lifestyle too much the way it is thank you. Even better I have a girlfriend that doesn't want kids (I won't hold my breath on that one <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> ) Still thanks to being childless and single'ish' I own my own house, car, motorbike, all the home entertainment you could wish for, and I'm just about to go on my 7th overseas holiday in the past 18 months.
Oh and INSANE, I have just bought a 3 seater and armchair. Its Italian leather and soooo stylish and it only cost

Mitzi

12-02-2002, 01:07 PM

Having kids is a very personal decision. Some people an handle it and some can't. I admit I get irked at some of my single friends. One said to me,"Watching what you have gone through with David and his illness makes me SO glad I decided not to have kids. While you are at the hospital, I'm in Jamaica." I told her that was a s***** thing to say to me. I also told her God gives kids like my son to people who can deal with them. I told her I am glad she never had a child, much less one who was sick, because she could never deal with it.
So, she can have all her toys and trips and flings. I'll sit and talk to my son, the most wonderful person on the face of this earth.

Tprspouse

12-02-2002, 01:24 PM

Sounds like the woman who doesn't talk to you on Christmas!!!

jellybean40

12-02-2002, 01:28 PM

That's unreal that your friend said that, Mitzi. i'm wondering if she's really unhappy, and just trying to convince herself how much better she has it than other people.

I didn't decide not to have kids because *i'm selfish*. i didnt want to be a parent. my sister, who has 2 kids, gave me great advice... "if you think you dont want kids, dont have any!" This was at the time in my life when EVERYone was asking when i was going to have kids, and my ex-husband was trying to talk me into having a baby when we were having marital problems. Like that was going to help... i'm sure he'd have stayed home every night from the bars to help with the baby :rolleyes:

I'm glad i dont have kids, especially with the divorce. I know i'll always be close with my nieces and nephews, now if they'd only move closer... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

txinvestigator1

12-02-2002, 01:57 PM

7 years ago my wife and I were DINKS (double income-no kids) We had no desire to have children and the wife had (has) poly-cystic ovarian syndrome and was told she could not have kids.

We were wild party dogs, having a blast.

She was on the pill to help with the PCOS. Well, she became pregnant anyway.

My life has been more blessed since the birth of my daughter than I deserve. She has been easy to discipine, needing little. She is very happy and loves life.

We are able to buy what we need or want, but trying to set an example for the daughter we seldom indulge. We give to the church and other charities regularly. The kid loves to give, and seldom asks for things for herself.

I have more peace in my life now than ever. I am lucky or what?

RachelR

12-02-2002, 03:37 PM

I'm with you Peeler and Jellybean.. I think I am too selfish to have kids. I'm not ready to give up my life totally for another person. There are still so many things I want to do.. establish a career in my chosen field, travel, have fun.. I look at my parents and they live their lives totally for their children. I'm not ready for that yet.

I'm sure children are very rewarding. One of my good friends has two boys whom I simply adore and love as my own. I'd do anything for them. But I'm not ready for my own just yet.

Quiet1

12-02-2002, 08:04 PM

There's nothing like children. They enrich your lives so much. I don't think anyone can ever be "ready" to have them. When you do have them, you are made ready by the powers that be. As a single parent raising my son since he was 4, it has not been easy, but I think I've excelled at it. Just another challenge to rise above.

That being said, I'm looking forward to a few years from now when his college is behind him, and I can do a little self-indulging! But I've gotten so used to NOT spending money, I think I've forgotten how to enjoy doing it. But the bank account sure is pretty. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

And I can't believe none of you single guys out there have a 50" Plasma Flat Panel Monitor!!! That's what I'm shooting for. :D

DesertRat

12-03-2002, 02:11 PM

6 kids, 5 at home, one income, a ton of medical bills, my house is cluttered more often than it's clean, and my truck is 9 years old and just rolled 210,000 miles.

With the exception of occasionaly getting down in the dumps because the wife isn't as lively as she once used to be.... (my wife was a vivascious, full of life, head turning, traffic stopping babe until whatever this is got ahold of her).... I'm pretty da%& happy.

To each their own I guess.

shooter1201

12-03-2002, 02:35 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />I got the fabric protection on it for five years in case my kids burp, fart, puke, spill, pee, crap or do any other thing to it to cause a stain or discoloration.. hehehe. <hr /></blockquote>Insane...go ahead...blame it all on your kids......