Just How Spoiled ARE Americans?

[Jack Kelly]

Several things recently have triggered my eye-rolling response when it comes to how ridiculously wealthy (in stuff bought) most of us relatively are, even if stats say the average credit-card-carrying family is carrying a debt load of $8K+ and most make the minimum payment toward interest each month.

Yes, I'm lower-middle-to-middle-class, so my perspective is a bit different from the average Prius buyer.

But OMG: the PlayStation 3 thing (and the thought that many parents---and their kids---don't bat an eye thinking about $650 Christmas presents for 13-year-olds) got my sap flowing.

The other thing that caught my eye was my local Safeway's replacement of its beat-up shopping carts with new ones WITH CUP-HOLDERS! Who among us can no longer bear a 45-minute grocery run without gourmet coffee and/or a snack?

For you, what ARE our worst excesses? (Or is there no such thing, in the overall picture, since it's all supply and demand?) Anything give you a double-take lately?

[dragonfly]

$343,000,000,000 spent so far on a stupid war that's gained us nothing... unless you have stock in Halliburton.

[SW03ES]

The PS3 thing isn't as much for 13 year olds as you might think. The vast majority of those standing in line are people who are planning to purchase and resell for a profit. The people buying them for $2k on eBay aren't 13 year olds, they're 20-30 year old men and they're buying them for themselves.

I am shocked though by the riots over the thing...

As for cupholders on shopping carts, I don't see what the big deal with that is. Whats wrong with having something to drink while you're shopping? Nothing affluent about that.

I have absolutely no problem with people spending their money on whatever they want. I think its a shame that so many people and families carry debt so they can purchase things and deny themselves any kind of wealth later on in life because of that fact, but if you have it, spend it. We don't live a very flashy lifestyle but we do spend money on three things we really enjoy:

1. Vacations. We love going on vacation and we go away for probably 3-4 weeks a year. I'd say we spend $12k a year or so on vacations.

2. Eating out. We also enjoy eating out vs eating at home. We don't have any kids (that will change no doubt when we have kids) and we eat out probably 3-4 times a week.

3. (and this is me) My car, I enjoy driving a nice car. You can see though that I don't go overboard with that.

Some people would think spending $12k a year on vacations is excess, but we work hard and we have the money so I have no problem spending it on something we really enjoy.

[airportkid]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Nov 18 2006, 12:28 PM) [snapback]351476[/snapback]</div>

Some people would think spending $12k a year on vacations is excess ...[/b]

If we are the least traveled citizens of the developed world, I would say that $12K isn't nearly enough! The old cliche that nothing broadens the mind like travel may have lost its rhetorical punch, but its truth has lost none of its potence. I would even go so far as to venture a theory that there's a direct positive correlation between liberal mindset and travel experience: that the more widely traveled are more likely to have liberal viewpoints - certainly at the very least their viewpoints would tend to be more inclusive than exclusive.

Makes getting along with those who are different easier as well. Should you think getting along is important. Opinions obviously differ on this point, else weapons sales wouldn't be anywhere near the profitable enterprise it is.

Mark Baird
Alameda CA

[MarinJohn]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(airportkid @ Nov 18 2006, 02:37 PM) [snapback]351490[/snapback]</div>

I would even go so far as to venture a theory that there's a direct positive correlation between liberal mindset and travel experience: that the more widely traveled are more likely to have liberal viewpoints - certainly at the very least their viewpoints would tend to be more inclusive than exclusive.



Mark Baird
Alameda CA
[/b]

And may I add travel experience creates thankfulness for all we have but take for granted, and compassion for those living without. Much of the world doesn't have the 'life experience' to even miss what we take for granted. Basics such as food, shelter, medical care, steady income, an expectation that the next generation will do better than the previous. Pity them if you will, but pity us for not realizing that it's not 'things' which lead to happiness, but rather a mindset even the poorest have access to. Happiness is a great equalizer. Rich or poor, some find it and some don't. Stress is another equalizer. In my experience it's a byproduct of wealth. Generalizations all, but my travels have taught me much gratitude.

[qbee42]

I too rolled my eyes about the cup holders.

Tom

[Schmika]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dragonfly @ Nov 18 2006, 05:22 PM) [snapback]351473[/snapback]</div>

$343,000,000,000 spent so far on a stupid war that's gained us nothing... unless you have stock in Halliburton.
[/b]

Non-sequitor and flame-baiting.

[livelychick]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jack Kelly @ Nov 18 2006, 03:19 PM) [snapback]351472[/snapback]</div>

For you, what ARE our worst excesses? (Or is there no such thing, in the overall picture, since it's all supply and demand?) Anything give you a double-take lately?
[/b]

My brother works for Nordstrom's and called me the other night asking what I would like for a Christmas gift. We're not rich (any of us) and keep a limit on what we spend on each other...I told him a nice chunky necklace if he got a good deal. The next night, I was watching NBC Nightly News as I always do, and saw Ann Curry's piece on Darfur. I called my brother back and told him a Darfur-supporting charity I would rather him donate to rather than buy my stupid unnecessary necklace.

I'm solidly middle class, but I am appalled at the excess. I've become more cognizant of it myself of late. Have you noticed that everything has become disposable? We don't get stuff fixed or wait until it breaks to replace it...we just replace it because we want something "new" and throw fully functional stuff out. Electronic equipment is one HUGE example...it always gives me a doubletake when I see a perfectly good monitor or TV sitting at a curb waiting for the trash to pick it up. I know it's because of obsolescence, etc., but when the hell does it stop? What the hell are we racing toward?

[galaxee]

we've got everything we need, but can't afford to buy anything above and beyond what we need.

wait. let me rephrase that.

we've got all the stuff we need, but can't afford to buy any stuff above and beyond what we need. were actually thinking of selling some stuff we don't use often, or stuff we could downgrade (er, prius) for extra money. we're definitely not spoiled in terms of health lately.

[Alnilam]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Nov 19 2006, 02:04 PM) [snapback]351799[/snapback]</div>

I too rolled my eyes about the cup holders.

Tom
[/b]

Follow the money!

Grocery stores, out here anyways, SELL hot coffee to the customers, with a good markup, at little self-serve kiosks. What do you do with it when you are putting the apples in the plastic bag? Remember the haunting refrain, "Cleanup on aisle 7!"?

Ergo, coffee cup holders.