Not yet. I have this sinfulhunting buddy that has one that works great!

Jeff - "Pride of Ownership" is nice and fun, but only insofar as it doesn't affect anyone else. When I see guys blowing their entire disposable income on hunting trucks, instead of taking their family on a nice vacation. Sure, they're proud to have that new Ram Dually, and they're the envy of all their co-workers, but their kids just lost an irreplaceable chance on a life learning experience. What's where the pride of ownership oversteps its bounds.

What about people opting out of their medical plans at work, just to net a few more dollars on every pay so that they can afford that new Allegiance that's on layawayto show off to their buddies at the bow shop, but now their kids are on the Med Plus Chip program for free Uncle Sam-sponsored healthcare? Now, the American taxpayer is (indirectly) footing the bill for the bow.

To put it in another perspective, imagine an inner city broken family. Mom raises baby at her parents' apartment, while babydaddy is off blowing his paycheck on new Fubu hats and Roca Wear shoes. Should he have spent that $100 on his kid, maybe take him to a ballgame, or an amusement park? You bet. But if he'd have done that, then he wouldn't get to experience the "pride of ownership" that comes with Fubu hats and Roca Wear shoes.

In my opinion, Pride of Ownership stops when a real priority in life is getting short-changed, which happens all-too-often.

I know you've already said that people should have their priorities straight.

Do I get angry if I see Donald Trump wearing a Rolex? No way. He earned it. He's got the spare cash - he can do what he wants. Granted, I think it would be a little stupid for him to have 93 different Rolex watches, but I'm sure he's not taking meals off his family's table by doing that. So be it.

Does it bother mewhen I see a $40,000 pickup truck withwindows covered in Hoyt Stickersparked in front of a run-down, delapidated shack and 3 kids playing outside? You betcha.

Fran:

Common ground. I agree with everything you said.

So do I.

I didn't start buying the quality I do now until it came out of the "excess"... after bills were met, savings were put away and the tithes were paid -- not necessarily in that order.

I suppose "when is it enough" will be specific to the individuals. I hunted for several years with a pair of old brown, wool trousers, a plaid shirt, and $25 payless boots. I wore wool socks with bags over them to keep my feet dry and carried spares to change them out mid day (letting the feet breath for a bit in the mean time). I was no more or less of a hunter then than now. I now wear fairly inexpensive camo, just because I like to wear camo (niether the deer or elk seemed to notice me before unless they caught me in motion, in which case they'll peg me with the camos anyway). I do splurge for good boots. My feet are worth something to me and good boots with orthodics means I can still hunt all day. It had gotten to where I couldn't otherwise. Shot a few animals with the compound, and have shot a few with the recurve and longbow. I like making my basic cedar shafts, but could see spending $100 on a dozen footed, dolled up, custom shafts as well--if I were into such things. To each their own. I've seen some who have sacrificed better things in life: Family, for thier hunting and it is sad that they've not a clue what they have missed, but most I know find a good balance. I love hunting. I love my wife and kids. I find that I can get a good portion of both.

I'm in the same boat as you, Greg......and I didn't start bowhunting until I was 40. I remember rounding up paper shells from my grandfathers house (who didn't even own a gun at the time) to dove/rabbit hunt. I remember shooting my first turkey with a gun I borrowed from my cousin. I remember priming tobacco and saving enough to buy a zebco 33 reel and an ugly stick. I hunted squirrels with an old .22 rifle that didn't have a magazine tube (was given to me that way).....and I had to use it as a single shot. I never OWNED "camo" until I began duck hunting several years ago......AGAIN with a borrowed shotgun.

Lisa and I have been blessed with good health and good jobs. We went through our share of Pintos, vegas and Scirroco's, too. We were just speaking the other night about something we NOW take for granted (and is pertinent at these times)....which is pulling up to the gas pumps and being able to fill up, every time. I remember dreading trips because I wasn't sure my current vehicle could make it. I remember having my electricity cut off. She remembers going without fuel oil for their furnace for a few days when our son was a smaller child (We married when Mitch was 11).

Now we have nicer things......and less worries. We don't feel like we need to justify or apologize for them. We've been on both sides of the fence.

I can CERTAINLY understand how people would believe that "enough is enough". MY outlook on said would be TOTALLY different in a different time in my life.

The technical term for what you guys are discussing is called, Conspicuous Consumption.

Tom

Quik I can see that you and I think alike on this subject.

Fran,
You are going to make a great dad some day! What I was trying to get at was not being selfish or blind to the needs of your family.I have no respect for people who put their wants in front of their families needs!
Materialism is a funny thing,I could care less what someone drives,or lives in,or wears on their wrist.What is most indicative to me of that persons character is how they take care of what they have and where they put their family in their sense of priorities.
There is a great bunch of folks here,and the responses on a topic like this provides a lot of verification of the quality of many of the people here.

I agree

Great minds think alike Bry