Obsessions
I have a problem that seems to be the bane of my existence lately. I'm obsessed at trying to figure out where every penny I have is working and what I can do to feel like I'm moving forward in life. I'm sure that part of it is a normal part of life, but there are days where it is an unhealthy obsession. Is it paranoia? I'm not sure. Lately things have gotten to the point where it is kinda controlling how I live. I'm always worried about falling behind or getting into trouble because of the way the money flows. We do tend to stretch ourselves thin some months, but I think that this is a typical American thing. Our economy thrives on impulse buys and debt. Of course now they have 10 commercials selling you stuff, 15 more to try and give you a new credit card and then 30 commercials saying that your credit score is on the line and the guilt sets in. I find that I deprive myself of things that I want because I don't want to fall into the "trappings" of the debt that is caused by it. I don't mean that I live a life without the good stuff. We have a lot of computers, tv service, broadband internet, cell phones. I think more of it comes down to balance. We have to balance the good bills (house, utilities, insurance, food) and taking care of the kids and the homeschool program vs the desires and wants that the tv and internet show me all day long.
One rant I must make here is what the heck have they done to cars and trucks these days that make the base price and "normal" payment so darn outrageous? Take a look at any decent vehicle that is family oriented: Large Sedan, Minivan/Crossover, SUV.. they are all above $25,000 just to start looking. Don't even start looking at options on them, you might as well add a second car on top of it. The banks and dealerships are glad to help you stretch out your payments to make them affordable and you can make that $350 a month payment for the next seven years. I swear it's all a gimick to push you to keep paying on everything and holding the average person under their thumbs. You can pay this huge amount for a long time on a vehicle that you will get bored with or won't last nearly as long as you are paying for it. But wait, they have this nice lease option with lower payments. Of course if you actually drive the pretty car instead of leaving it in the driveway, you'll pay out the nose when you have to return it and of course then we have to get you into the next new thing. Want to save the planet and us alternative fuels? HA! You're going to pay even more for your car and the government might give you a tax break but then you have to try and find someplace to give you the alternative fuel of your choice. End of rant for now...
Like I said. I have a problem. Is this the same for everyone?
I have a problem that seems to be the bane of my existence lately. I'm obsessed at trying to figure out where every penny I have is working and what I can do to feel like I'm moving forward in life. I'm sure that part of it is a normal part of life, but there are days where it is an unhealthy obsession. Is it paranoia? I'm not sure. Lately things have gotten to the point where it is kinda controlling how I live. I'm always worried about falling behind or getting into trouble because of the way the money flows. We do tend to stretch ourselves thin some months, but I think that this is a typical American thing. Our economy thrives on impulse buys and debt. Of course now they have 10 commercials selling you stuff, 15 more to try and give you a new credit card and then 30 commercials saying that your credit score is on the line and the guilt sets in. I find that I deprive myself of things that I want because I don't want to fall into the "trappings" of the debt that is caused by it. I don't mean that I live a life without the good stuff. We have a lot of computers, tv service, broadband internet, cell phones. I think more of it comes down to balance. We have to balance the good bills (house, utilities, insurance, food) and taking care of the kids and the homeschool program vs the desires and wants that the tv and internet show me all day long.
One rant I must make here is what the heck have they done to cars and trucks these days that make the base price and "normal" payment so darn outrageous? Take a look at any decent vehicle that is family oriented: Large Sedan, Minivan/Crossover, SUV.. they are all above $25,000 just to start looking. Don't even start looking at options on them, you might as well add a second car on top of it. The banks and dealerships are glad to help you stretch out your payments to make them affordable and you can make that $350 a month payment for the next seven years. I swear it's all a gimick to push you to keep paying on everything and holding the average person under their thumbs. You can pay this huge amount for a long time on a vehicle that you will get bored with or won't last nearly as long as you are paying for it. But wait, they have this nice lease option with lower payments. Of course if you actually drive the pretty car instead of leaving it in the driveway, you'll pay out the nose when you have to return it and of course then we have to get you into the next new thing. Want to save the planet and us alternative fuels? HA! You're going to pay even more for your car and the government might give you a tax break but then you have to try and find someplace to give you the alternative fuel of your choice. End of rant for now...
Like I said. I have a problem. Is this the same for everyone?
posted by Corey at
9:18 PM
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