I see plenty of HS decals in the Midwest. Some people are really proud of their high schools.
And yes, plenty of those stick figures.
Also union decals and political/religious/other statements. 20 years ago, you saw the fish drawing everywhere. That seems to be less prevalent now.
Oh, I agree it’s not necessarily “bragging” to have one. It’s just of note to me that when I go east, I tend to see more of those decals on windows, that’s all. My kids have never expressed any interest to put X College stickers on any of our cars. Years ago, though, my kid did put on my car (with tape) a Palin bumper sticker just to mess with me, but that’s a different story 
I have both decals of my D’s school on my rear window. The clear kind that peel right off. Lots of folks in my neighborhood put them on their cars. Who cares? If anything, it helps me find my car in the packed grocery store parking lot.
@Pizzagirl
“Why on earth would you “decal-ize” your spouse being in jail?” – Because it’s an ex-spouse and it tickles you pink he’s behind bars?
I was on jury duty once, where a prospective juror was dismissed when she told the court what her husband does. She said – with enormous satisfaction and even pride – “He’s a disbarred lawyer and he’s about to become a disbarred husband.”
Here’s my take: The 60K±small LAC our daughter will start this fall is something we budgeted for because this kind of school just fits her. She had no interest in a large university, which rules out a lot of budget-friendly state schools. We have done without certain things in order to save as much as possible for private college. Are we crazy? Maybe to some people, but we are honestly happiest knowing she is at a place that suits her perfectly. A new car, new furniture, better clothes–none of that would make us nearly as happy. So in that sense, it’s worth it to us.
Yes, you are crazy, certifiably so. Crazy to think that you know how you want to spend your own money better than other people’s ideas for your money. The gall of you thinking you know what makes you happy. Get with the groupthink, please! 
I have a blast messing with people. My daily driver is a car I had in grad school in late 80s and is older than my kids in college - tons of sentimental value as it has been all over the world with me. People who do not know me you can see them wondering about me driving that car and many bring up conversations about it - and many times you can they feel bad or me and my older car. And all the time I am thinking, “Get a life.”
Then some time later, I meet them somewhere else with my other car, not a daily driver, and these same people like look and feel stupid instantaneously because that car is worth more than most of their houses and fixing a fender bender is the entire value of their car. I am crazy to have that car? Certifiably so, but damn I am in heaven.
My point - a person should only spend their money on what makes him happy and treat all the other stuff people say as background noise.
^^ considering the number of $60,000/year schools out there, you two aren’t alone. And that’s a good thing.
I agree with this.
But…@awcntdb, nobody gives a @@@@ about your car. 
There isn’t deep meaning in all these conversations. “Look at that car!” “Look at that guy!” That’s just talk. People talk. It’s fleeting. Nobody really cares.
My wife, ten years ago, asked one of my best friends, “Why don’t you move to our neighborhood?”
A couple of weeks ago, my friend brought up what my wife said up. Ten years later, my friend brought it up. It kind of bothered him. My friend said, " Your wife said we should move to xyz. We don’t belong in that neighborhood. We don’t fit in".
I said, “My wife knows that. She was just being friendly. That’s all. She just meant we would see you more if you moved and that would be great. We didn’t fit in that neighborhood either. We moved”.
I know nobody gives a crap about this post. I like the post. That’s why I wrote it.
I had a school decal on my car.
@dstark, there are only two times I remember making a mental note of what car someone was driving:
- One of my wife’s employees, before the unpleasantness of 2008, was doing a home renovation and had some very expensive cars in his driveway (in our town, where we would often have to drive by). My wife knew his finances probably better than he did (well, at least the income side ), and remarked that she hoped he had additional income sources, because he was living above his means. She had to lay him off, he had to sell the house, and her question was answered.
- There is a very pretty convertible Rolls Royce that parks at a local diner, and apparently belongs to the diner's manager. I have no idea about where his money comes from, but I have thought to myself: "hmmm, I wonder how much business a diner can do."
About cars – a few years ago my husband was asking me about a young colleague of mine. What she did at my company, whether she was married, etc. Kind of unusual for him, so I asked, why the curiosity about Betsy? He said, Well, it’s her car. “What about her car?” I asked. He explained that it wasn’t often you saw a young person driving an expensive, classic older-model Porsche. “A classic Porsche?” I was amazed. Here I had been feeling sorry for Betsy for having to drive an ancient klunker: I thought it was a Karman Ghia.
I live in the Motor City and obsession with cars has always gone straight over my head.
I have an extremely low maintenance car that gets me from point A to B and is good in the snow. We are actually looking for a 2nd car right now and my criteria are: <50k miles, <5 years old, <$15k, good in snow. Everything else is just frivolous details to me
I agree that one should spend their own money on what makes them happy. But, when it comes to spending for you child’s education, it’s not just what makes you happy that matters. It’s also what serves the best interests of your child that matters. Sometimes these two things perfectly match but sometimes for some people they don’t. In the latter case, Sacrifices from the parents side are called for, which may not be the most pleasant thing to do.
@romanigypsyeyes, I’m with you on that, except right now. I’m not a car guy, but my wife likes snazzy cars, so I’m more than content to take her hand-me-downs, which are much nicer than anything I’d buy for myself.
I was excited as a teenager to get my first car, a used Volkswagen bug. And now, I’m beyond excited to be #6,xxx reservation for a Tesla Model X – what a wonderful car (it will be), what a genius Elon Musk is, and I can barely wait.
@IxnayBob, If a guy can afford a Rolls and that is what he wants… Cool. Not my business anyway,
When I tell people I am on CC, their eyes roll. This includes my wife. I have to change the subject.
I am pretty sure I am not the only who has experienced this.
I am still on CC. I don’t care what they say. I think that is obvious. I have written 30,000 posts. To be accurate… Some of the posts are just .
@panpacific, some people think I’m an idiot or crazy for (among other things) saying that the figurative writing of the check for my kids’ tuition makes me smile a happy smile. It is a validation of our lifestyle, and it makes me misty eyed to think of how much better off my family is through my father’s hard work (a penniless non-English speaking immigrant at age 50) years ago and the work of my wife and I more recently.
I agree, but I wonder if he has a string of diners, if one brings in that much cash, etc. I’m not begrudging him anything, but as a capitalist, I am just wondering … But, as you say, NOMB.
I wonder. I am a capitalist. @IxnayBob, I understand.
Somebody came to my house. Her daughter and my daughter were friends. I didn’t really pay attention to her last name. I asked her, "What do you do?
She said, “I own a restaurant”.
I thought it was a franchise so I asked, “Which one?”
She said, “All of them”.
“Oh. (Pause) That’s cool”. :).
I made the assumption that the thoughtful parent does what is in the best interest of the child, and, in turn, that is what makes the parent happy. That is why I like that LAC post and the parents doing what was best for their D, and spending accordingly.
I do not associate with parents who do things against the interest of their child. I have met them though, and they and their kids do not get along at all, i.e., not happy parents.
@dyiu13 I LOVED “How to Be a High School Superstar”! Bought it when our daughter was in 7th grade. She had very high grades but was not an athlete and didn’t stick to any EC’s for very long. While I can’t point to any specific “results” in her individual case (ask me again a year from now when she’s made her college choice), I still think the central message is awesome, about playing the high school / pre-college game on your own terms and not anyone else’s, and actually developing as a person.
This is when you mention that you inherited the money – whether or not it is true. It takes away the other person’s reason to be defensive.