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I agree. Your "standard of living" is safe and comfortable shelter, adequate nutrition, and the resources to afford you freedom to pursue happiness and dignity. Anything above that is "standard of smug gloating". None of us will see our standard of living declining to anywhere ner the minimum. The worst that will happen is your wife will have to explain to the other soccer moms what happened to her Escalade. Her standard of smug gloating will take a hit.
I have a 15 year old car, I never eat out, I live in an inner city apartment, I walk to the library and the supermarket, I watch movies on cable, my clothes and furniture are from thrift shops. I have some money in savings accounts, I pay my credit card in full every month.
I know people who have a new car, they dine out frequently, they wear designer clothes, they see all the latest films, carry a high balance on their credit card, they have a mortgage and car payments..
If those people changed places with me, they would not be lowering their standard of living. They would be raising it.
I have a 15 year old car, I never eat out, I live in an inner city apartment, I walk to the library and the supermarket, I watch movies on cable, my clothes and furniture are from thrift shops. I have some money in savings accounts, I pay my credit card in full every month.
I know people who have a new car, they dine out frequently, they wear designer clothes, they see all the latest films, carry a high balance on their credit card, they have a mortgage and car payments..
If those people changed places with me, they would not be lowering their standard of living. They would be raising it.
I forgot to mention---I sleep well.
You are correct. They would be raising their standard of living. Being in debt is slavery, no matter what you can "afford" to do with that credit card.
Sure, I have one or two toys, but they're things that are paid for and that I could easily afford.
I live in a pretty small house, drive a used car that's paid for, don't even have cable, eat out once a week, only buy new cloths and shoes when they're needed or on sale for a good price (I ain't talking 200-hundred dollar Air Jordans), and haven't knocked anybody up.
It sure is hell not drowning in debt, not having to live paycheck to paycheck, and, perhaps most importantly, not having to put up with any bs if I didn't want to.
What is American gonna do if they suffer the same tragic fate I have.
We have new cars, we dine out frequently, we wear some designer clothes - but always buy new clothes, we see all the latest films, carry a low balance on their credit card, they have no mortgage or car payments. We have a summer home and a winter home. We have a private aircraft and boat (which allows us to really enjoy our family)
We have new cars, we dine out frequently, we wear some designer clothes - but always buy new clothes, we see all the latest films, carry a low balance on their credit card, they have no mortgage or car payments. We have a summer home and a winter home. We have a private aircraft and boat (which allows us to really enjoy our family)
But, JTUR88 believes that even if you can afford it - you shouldn't do it. He / She believes that everyone should live as he / she does.
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