Just How Spoiled ARE Americans?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jack Kelly @ Nov 18 2006, 02:19 PM) [snapback]351472[/snapback]</div>

We have friends who bought an expensive new house ($500K), redid the basement (including a home-theater system) bought a second motorcycle, the wife got a new Jeep, top-of-the-line, she's paying $600/month for it. Then they complain that they're not putting money away for retirement. To make matters worse, their cleaning business went thru a bit of a downturn (one of the clients they lost was a Chevy/Hummer dealership that's cutting back expenses sharply).

When their daughter was diagnosed with asthma, we find out they had canceled their health insurance - not sell an extra motorcycle or go to a smaller car (perhaps even without leather powered seats?), but cancel health insurance!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prius biker @ Nov 19 2006, 07:35 PM) [snapback]351839[/snapback]</div>

I know my toy metal trucks, Erector Set, and Famous Monsters magazines are worth way more now than when I was a kid. I'm glad my parents saved those memories for me.

I think it's safe to say I'm spoiled since I am able to respond to this thread. I'm sure there is something more worthwhile I could be doing with my time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(koa @ Nov 20 2006, 03:17 PM) [snapback]352239[/snapback]</div>

Touche.

 

I was in Russia (Moscow, St. Petersberg and Novagrod) in October, we are definately spoiled........

 

Before reading this thread, I held some faith that most Prius owners choose not to consume as much as others, however it seems that narcissism prevails here too, regardless, arggh - maybe you're not old enough, but excess was really awesome in the 80's

PS: there are ways to offset your air travel CO2 emissions if you are a frequent traveller / can't enjoy your own environment, e.g. http://www.renewablechoice.com/

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dbermanmd @ Nov 20 2006, 01:23 PM) [snapback]352162[/snapback]</div>

Sounds like rosy laissez-faire capitalism on the surface.
What if your neighbors money might not be hard earned, e.g. backdated stock options, or well taxed, offshore income?
What if "free" trade markets allow dumping and unfairly screw low/middle income workers, for the great benefit of CEOs?
What if people ignore external costs (pollution, GHGs) all for the sake of their latest consumer pursuit?

 

I've been gone for 4 days so I'm catching up on PriusChat. Several thoughts come to mind reading this thread.

I was a spoiled kid in many ways, and as a single adult I still consider myself pretty darned spoiled! I have everything I need (material stuff) and I have my indulgences when I decide to choose betweeen that and something else. I.e.: no credit cards. I tend to be extremely gererous with my family and friends, but I guess you could call that selfish, in that the things I buy for other people tend to give me as much or more pleasure than the recipient.

I am very cheap about some things and totally over the top on others. For example, I only buy VERY inexpensive ( factory outlet) summer clothes, but last year I spent close to $2000 on a new winter clothes. Go figure... I live in a small apartment (okay, it does have 2 1/2 baths), but I have 2 VERY expensive oil paintings. What can I say -- they give me much pleasure. I will b!tch about paying $2 for a can of asparagus and I only buy store brand food, and I refuse to spend any more than absolutely necessary on socks. But then there are other things...

ANYWAY... part of being single is not having to justify my decisions. Also, I have a very bizarre reasoning system. For example, I just paid over $500 on an artificial christmas tree. I've been working on this purchase since July... found the least expensive acceptable one (yes, I'm very picky) was almost $300 before shipping, and my thought is if I am going to spend that much money, I might as well spend more to get exactly what I want. The funny thing is that in all probability, no one will see the tree but me (and my cats!). But ut will make me very happy, so there you are.

On a little different subject, I agree that one deserves what one works for. That being said, I suppose some people would say I live off the government. I am permanently disabled, and my income consists of Social Security disability and state retirement disability. However, I worked very hard for many years for the state, and I feel I have, in a sense, earned what I get in disability. Believe me -- If I had a choice between not being disabled and working 50 hours a week and living with my disability, I'd choose the work hands down.

On to the next topic -- kids who have expensive toys... I have a nephew who has absolutely anything he wants. His parents are divorced, and his grandparents (not on my side) are very wealthy. This 13-year-old kid pays more taxes than my sister! And even though he doesn't want for anything, he's a great kid with strong values. Again, go figure.

Thanks for letting me rattle on -- it's going to be a long stressful week, and I am trying desperately to keepmy mind distracted. Last weekend I had an episode that my dr thinks may have been a mini-stroke. I had all the standard tests this morning, but I probably won't know what's next till Thursday or Friday. Anyway, thanks for listening.

Peace --

Marjorie.