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The End of Excess: Is This Crisis Good for America?
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Maybe I should have added [ sarcasm off ] after my statement? Not that I'm "anti - 30ashopper" like some folks are. I just like good conversation/debate. There are many different folks and situations out there - a lot of people here are so quick to judge and put someone on their shi%-list without even knowing their situation or background. Sometimes I wonder how many "hormonal" teens are in this group, with some of the responses I see.
Man, message boards suck - I think I'll go get a life today....
My child's generation feels entitled to have all of these expensive things. Reality is going to smack them in the face when they get out of college. Am I gonna use my retirement account that hit rock bottom last fall to fund her? Heck, no, because I know that when I get Alzheimer's and it costs $4000 a month just for my room and board, I'll have to support myself.
My generation had a work ethic, inspired by parents who were children of the Great Depression, to work hard, get a good education, and achieve the American Dream. (The exceptions are my blue-blood friends who look down upon me and say, "Oh, isn't inherited money the best!") I don't see my daughter's generation having my goals.
But BTW it was really nice back in the 80's when one could use the finance charges on credit cards as a tax deduction. I'll admit -- oh, how I would like to go back to those days! ;-)
The current generation is an enigma to me. I wonder where they see themselves after school and 20 years out. The gen-X kids I know are all out working pretty hard at accumulating wealth. Gen-Y, not sure, they seem to like to party a lot, drink a lot of Sparks and collect tattoos.
You could do that?
Now that sounds a bit crazy.
You know, it's really not about politics. It's tempting to use SJ's term "politricks" here. I'm highly irritated at gov't spending right now, but I'd be irritated whether it was Dems or Reps doing it. I'm also annoyed with some of the legislative s#!t that's being slid in behind our backs, but again, it happens on both sides & biotching about liberals versus conservatives doesn't do a bit of good. Both sides have such freaking entitlement issues & love pointing their big fat fingers at everyone else. I could say the same for other political parties also. These two are simply the obvious ones and the ones more in control.
It's not about moving backwards to the 1940's, either. But excessive materialism doesn't move us forward as a whole. Each of us will respond to this crisis differently and various solutions will come out of it. What works for one doesn't work for another. My family and I are looking at simplification of our lives, but that's what works for us. It doesn't mean we are returning to the past. This is simply our future. I don't expect everyone to think or be like us. All I ask is for respect &, in turn, I can give it to others.
Woodworker, I applaud you for your response about 30ashopper. Living in the same community, it's highly likely that we know each other in real life. Being judgmental on here towards each other is very childish and hormonal.
We shouldn't be so quick in our assessments of each other's virtual personalities.
It's not about moving backwards to the 1940's, either. But excessive materialism doesn't move us forward as a whole. Each of us will respond to this crisis differently and various solutions will come out of it. What works for one doesn't work for another. My family and I are looking at simplification of our lives, but that's what works for us. It doesn't mean we are returning to the past. This is simply our future. I don't expect everyone to think or be like us. All I ask is for respect &, in turn, I can give it to others.
Woodworker, I applaud you for your response about 30ashopper. Living in the same community, it's highly likely that we know each other in real life. Being judgmental on here towards each other is very childish and hormonal.
We shouldn't be so quick in our assessments of each other's virtual personalities.The current generation is an enigma to me. I wonder where they see themselves after school and 20 years out. The gen-X kids I know are all out working pretty hard at accumulating wealth. Gen-Y, not sure, they seem to like to party a lot, drink a lot of Sparks and collect tattoos.
As a Gen-X'er, these kids that are coming after us give me little hope for the future. Their lack of work ethic and sense of entitlement have me scared . I think we know this and I, for one, am trying to accumulate wealth now before everything else heads down the drain. I am trying to teach my kids about personal finance and the responsibilities that come with wealth. I think that good parenting might be what some of Gen Y is missing.
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I think not. I have had many conversations with other parents who agree with me. There are always exceptions.
That being said, I will admit that when she gets married next summer, our daughter wants a simple wedding and reception, the antithesis of what has been the case in this town for years.
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Yes, there are kids who make me weep for the future, but there are also some great kids who give me hope.
Kids tend to have the values (or lack therof) that they are taught - mostly by their parents, but also by society at large. If our society changes so that materialism, excess, and debt are generally frowned upon (rather than celebrated as they have been) hopefully it can make a difference in the next generation.
Easy to feel entitled when your parents give you everything but discipline, typical to not have a good work ethic when you've never had to work for anything. Oddly enough, I have never met an entitled person w/ a poor work ethic who was raised w/ strong values and lots o' discipline and chores. ;-)
Kids tend to have the values (or lack therof) that they are taught - mostly by their parents, but also by society at large. If our society changes so that materialism, excess, and debt are generally frowned upon (rather than celebrated as they have been) hopefully it can make a difference in the next generation.
Easy to feel entitled when your parents give you everything but discipline, typical to not have a good work ethic when you've never had to work for anything. Oddly enough, I have never met an entitled person w/ a poor work ethic who was raised w/ strong values and lots o' discipline and chores. ;-)
Well, I am frugal in many areas and I have the things I'll spend more money on than you, just as you will spend more money on some items that I would choose to be frugal.
All I can say is THIS CRISIS IS NOT, I REPEAT, NOT GOOD FOR ME! I am not one of excess (although some might think otherwise). I do like nice things and I bargain shop for things actually needed not wanted.
I feel ENTITLED to have a thriving business, work hard and compete in true competitive markets. I feel ENTITLED to be successful due to my talents and be able to set myself apart from those who don't have my talents. I feel ENTITLED to stand strong in an economy like this; however, due to those of excess....... my nice lifestyle has taken a sharp turn, my hands are tied and am unable to help my wealthy clientele.
So, I am reinventing the wheel and when I am done with this wheel, I'm sure someone will think I have excess! The changes I am making will exude excess to those who don't have. And, this time I can guarantee you that I will never be in this position again due to other peoples' greed, excess, etc. I'm not that far off either from the completion of my new wheel, BTW!
Cheers, Y'all!!
All I can say is THIS CRISIS IS NOT, I REPEAT, NOT GOOD FOR ME!
I am not one of excess (although some might think otherwise). I do like nice things and I bargain shop for things actually needed not wanted. I feel ENTITLED to have a thriving business, work hard and compete in true competitive markets. I feel ENTITLED to be successful due to my talents and be able to set myself apart from those who don't have my talents. I feel ENTITLED to stand strong in an economy like this; however, due to those of excess....... my nice lifestyle has taken a sharp turn, my hands are tied and am unable to help my wealthy clientele.
So, I am reinventing the wheel and when I am done with this wheel, I'm sure someone will think I have excess! The changes I am making will exude excess to those who don't have. And, this time I can guarantee you that I will never be in this position again due to other peoples' greed, excess, etc. I'm not that far off either from the completion of my new wheel, BTW!
Cheers, Y'all!!