Materialism, Overspending, and Foreclosure in PG County (Baltimore, Lake Arbor: credit card, student loans)
Washington, DC suburbs in MarylandCalvert County, Charles County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County
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I am actually from Baltimore, MD but I am currently a student an HBCU in MD, I don't want to generalize anyone but In my experiences with other students from the PG/DC area. I have noticed a completely ridiculous amount of materialism and greed. These kids come to school everyday in Prada, Gucci, and any other expensive name brand you could think of. I just really don't understand, isn't college supposed to be the time of struggle so that we can reap the benefits later.
I have many friends from the DC/PG area, and all they boast is the fact that they are the "Wealthiest Predominantly Black County in America"! Which I believe is a good thing, but what they fail to realize is that they also have one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. I think its unfortunate but many people in PG county have fell victim to overspending and materialism. I have three friends whose parents work six figure jobs and are facing foreclosure but yet they drive new cars, and spend money like their is no tomorrow.
I think overspending is a plague affecting many people but, its overwhelming with the people of Prince Georges County. I also noticed that they have this false sense of superiority, like there better than me because I don't drive a new car, I don't wear overpriced labels, and my parents don't have a 20 thousand dollar mortgage! And they automatically assume everyone from Baltimore is poor, when in all actuality my families cars and homes are paid for, and my parents together pull nearly 500k a year.Their parents make 100k a year and are facing foreclosure, I drive an old car, wear regular clothing that anyone else can afford, and my family lives in a nice but modest home! "Maybe I should be wearing The Prada and Gucci"
Please post your thoughts and feelings!!!
(Not bashing pg i love the county, but lets keep it real)
+1.
The reason people are getting so worked up is because no one likes admitting theres a problem, and they DEFINITELY don't like trying to come up with a solution. That's why there's so much finger pointing going around about the foreclosure crisis. Sure some people may have been genuinely hoodwinked, but I'm sure most knew they couldn't afford the houses they were bidding on..they just want to have the best because they feel they deserve it.
I used to live in PGC when I was in elementary school (Forestville), and now that I think about it, there was always a bit of materialism in the atmosphere (of course I didn't notice this at the time, I didn't even know what materialism was). People would get made fun of if their shoes came from Payless, girls would get made fun of if their hair wasn't looking the best, and sometimes kids got fun of if they had reduced or free lunch.
It's just that materialism/superiority mentality. You could say that materialism affects everyone, but I think it's more prevalent in DC, the wealthiest metro area in the country. Sure, affects all races & economic backgrounds, but it seems that the black people are getting the brunt of the situation.
I remember for my personal finance class, we had to watch some Oprah episode where she had three families that were deeply in debt (I think it was called Oprah's debt diet). They had a black family from Maryland, and I'm pretty sure they lived in PGC. They were pulling a decent amount of money, but we're heavily in debt. New cars, hair done, always eating out, etc. It kinda portrayed that materialism mentality. It also helped me realize that having everything doesn't really make you happy. It's false security and happiness.
Most of my family lives in Baltimore too (west i think) & there's a whole different mentality there, despite being only 45 minutes apart. It definitely feels more down to earth and even a little more laid back. There's definitely materialism/greed in Baltimore, but it's nowhere near on the same level.
Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
26,700 posts, read 41,710,416 times
Reputation: 41376
Quote:
Originally Posted by CHICAGOLAND92
+1.
The reason people are getting so worked up is because no one likes admitting theres a problem, and they DEFINITELY don't like trying to come up with a solution. That's why there's so much finger pointing going around about the foreclosure crisis. Sure some people may have been genuinely hoodwinked, but I'm sure most knew they couldn't afford the houses they were bidding on..they just want to have the best because they feel they deserve it.
I used to live in PGC when I was in elementary school (Forestville), and now that I think about it, there was always a bit of materialism in the atmosphere (of course I didn't notice this at the time, I didn't even know what materialism was). People would get made fun of if their shoes came from Payless, girls would get made fun of if their hair wasn't looking the best, and sometimes kids got fun of if they had reduced or free lunch.
It's just that materialism/superiority mentality. You could say that materialism affects everyone, but I think it's more prevalent in DC, the wealthiest metro area in the country. Sure, affects all races & economic backgrounds, but it seems that the black people are getting the brunt of the situation.
I remember for my personal finance class, we had to watch some Oprah episode where she had three families that were deeply in debt (I think it was called Oprah's debt diet). They had a black family from Maryland, and I'm pretty sure they lived in PGC. They were pulling a decent amount of money, but we're heavily in debt. New cars, hair done, always eating out, etc. It kinda portrayed that materialism mentality. It also helped me realize that having everything doesn't really make you happy. It's false security and happiness.
Most of my family lives in Baltimore too (west i think) & there's a whole different mentality there, despite being only 45 minutes apart. It definitely feels more down to earth and even a little more laid back. There's definitely materialism/greed in Baltimore, but it's nowhere near on the same level.
I think they are rerunning that story on Weds I think. I watched the first two episodes. The wife was definitely the problem. I give the husband credit b/c I would have split if my wife was in that foolishness. 5 cars? Having to forge your husband's signature to get one of them? Even sadder is that there are probably even worse stories in PGC.
Wow it sounds like some of you don't read the news. Right now so many cases of mortgage fraud are being investigated by the govt they do not have enough investigators to handle all the cases. In some cases people were lied to and signed documents that were forged or altered. In addition, people are losing their jobs or working at the jobs that may pay less than what they were making when they moved in to those $500,000.00 homes. We are in bad economic times and everyone dealing with foreclosure was not living beyond their means. I sometimes think that psychology some African-Americans are fearful of success and expect all African-Americans to feel the same way. Everybody does not have to struggle and some of those kids at Bowie State may have parents that can afford to buy them designer gear. Would I buy my children designer stuff if I could afford it sure? What is the point in working hard if you cannot enjoy your money? Nothing wrong with being pennywise but it is ridiculous to expect all African-Americans to struggle and never have any of the fine things in life.
I hope the original poster does not take offense but people from Baltimore are not known for their fashion sense and you would probably hear the same stuff if you want to University of Maryland or any school in the Northern part of the U.S. We live in a materialistic world and as long as you are happy with your clothes and car you should not worry about your classmates
Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
26,700 posts, read 41,710,416 times
Reputation: 41376
Quote:
Originally Posted by laura21
What is the point in working hard if you cannot enjoy your money? Nothing wrong with being pennywise but it is ridiculous to expect all African-Americans to struggle and never have any of the fine things in life.
What's the point of working hard and making that money if you p*$# it away in stupid worthless material posessions? I'm not against buying a few toys if you make some good money but I do think when God blesses you to make good money you have a responsibility to use it well and more importantly don't blow it.
Also the main issue here as I see it is people going to any lengths to get material possessions including most obviously getting into debt.
There are very few post on this forum that **** me off but this is one of them. Listen, no ones bashing pg county so all you pg residents can stop being so defensive, im bashing every person who goes to work everyday drives a luxury car, shops on credit, spends money like there is no tomorrow and at the end of the month cant afford their mortgage! This is not about hard working families who were swindled or lost income during the recession!! And i wish people would stop using mortgage scams as an excuse, because not only is this one of the wealthiest metros in the world, its also one of the most educated. And idk about you but i don't hang with too many people afraid of success. That sounds stupid!! I don't expect all african- americans to struggle because me and my family live very well! I expect people to go to work and live to prosper. Living to prosper means saving money, and sometimes shopping at macy's instead of neimann marcus, and sometimes driving a honda instead of acura!
Oh p.s. Yeah last time is checked the baltimore-washington metro area wasn't the fashion capital of the world!!
Obviously i can see where your head is, fashion shouldn't be your priority, forget my closet, ~~~check my bank account~~~
trust me people from dc, baltimore, pg or wherever you may be from are ~not~ known for being the most fashionable people alive!!! Ask anyone from nyc!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by laura21
wow it sounds like some of you don't read the news. Right now so many cases of mortgage fraud are being investigated by the govt they do not have enough investigators to handle all the cases. In some cases people were lied to and signed documents that were forged or altered. In addition, people are losing their jobs or working at the jobs that may pay less than what they were making when they moved in to those $500,000.00 homes. We are in bad economic times and everyone dealing with foreclosure was not living beyond their means. I sometimes think that psychology some african-americans are fearful of success and expect all african-americans to feel the same way. Everybody does not have to struggle and some of those kids at bowie state may have parents that can afford to buy them designer gear. Would i buy my children designer stuff if i could afford it sure? What is the point in working hard if you cannot enjoy your money? Nothing wrong with being pennywise but it is ridiculous to expect all african-americans to struggle and never have any of the fine things in life.
I hope the original poster does not take offense but people from baltimore are not known for their fashion sense and you would probably hear the same stuff if you want to university of maryland or any school in the northern part of the u.s. We live in a materialistic world and as long as you are happy with your clothes and car you should not worry about your classmates
Yes, Laura21, parents can buy their children "designer gear" if they so desire. I don't think the post was about just buying designer duds. It's more about worshipping designer duds. You, know, you have to buy them AND display them, brag about them, act like they define you, go into debt for them, etc. My take is that for those who have to do that, they really can't afford it, because they would "act like they've been somewhere" and not make a big deal about it.
Well Bmorefella, I think when you originally started the thread it was your observation about your fellow college mates and P.G. in particular. I think that is why some have gotten a little defensive about the county. It's bad enough that everyone from Northern Va to the rest of Maryland always bad mouth's both Baltimore and P.G.
Personally I think shopping at Macy is almost as expensive as Neiman Marcus, I would love people to shop at JC Penny during the door buster sale. You gotta love that. Throw Marshalls in there to while your at it. I think that mostly everyone has touched on and even highlighted that we live in a materialistic society now a days. I think you tend to see it a lot in large cities and where a good portion of the population is doing well for themselves. I can tell you right now that the expectation we have in this area will not be the same in a place like Fayetteville, North Carolina. Why you may ask? Because it's different way of thinking. Fayetteville has no where near as many jobs as area the Baltimore-DC areas. The pay is much lower down there. It's simple. To many people down there making 35-50K is great. Not to say you don't have ghetto fabulous people down there, but the focus is not merely on showboating. Atleast that is what I've come across. I guess what I'm trying to say is even though we have such a materialistic society, that mentality is not the case for certain regions of this country.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bmorefella
There are very few post on this forum that **** me off but this is one of them. Listen, no ones bashing pg county so all you pg residents can stop being so defensive, im bashing every person who goes to work everyday drives a luxury car, shops on credit, spends money like there is no tomorrow and at the end of the month cant afford their mortgage! This is not about hard working families who were swindled or lost income during the recession!! And i wish people would stop using mortgage scams as an excuse, because not only is this one of the wealthiest metros in the world, its also one of the most educated. And idk about you but i don't hang with too many people afraid of success. That sounds stupid!! I don't expect all african- americans to struggle because me and my family live very well! I expect people to go to work and live to prosper. Living to prosper means saving money, and sometimes shopping at macy's instead of neimann marcus, and sometimes driving a honda instead of acura!
Oh p.s. Yeah last time is checked the baltimore-washington metro area wasn't the fashion capital of the world!!
Obviously i can see where your head is, fashion shouldn't be your priority, forget my closet, ~~~check my bank account~~~
trust me people from dc, baltimore, pg or wherever you may be from are ~not~ known for being the most fashionable people alive!!! Ask anyone from nyc!!!
Bmore--LOL
People have gotten all twisted and out of sorts.
If you make an observation just know to discuss with friends from now on and not hypersensitive people on some message board..lol they simply cannot 'comprehend' anything.
Jaded- I am going to answer a few of your questions. After that we are going to agree to disagree.
1. I AM a black female. Raised in a predominately black neighborhood. From the midwest, had MAJORITY white friends growing up. Went to a PWC, got a degree, then had more black friends AND co-workers. Worked amongst black, white and hispanic populations. Also worked for a non traditional college-among other jobs dealing hands on with the public. Studied marketing, retailing trends AND just a general observer of people in general.
2. Of COURSE I know that the majority of people that are on welfare are white. I NEVER said otherwise.
3. You STILL have skipped over the fact that "our" culture is the one that has a history of killing folks to rob someone for some Jordans, gold chains, cars, car jackings etc. This was rampant in the 90's. Even now it is a problem in the inner city.
4. Americans in general ARE materialistic BUT that was not the topic the OP started. I was addressing his topic and how it negatively affects blacks worse than any other group because i have seen first hand women that will spend $200 on a hairdo BEFORE they buy clothes for the babies they have. My husband yrs ago worked for an athletic goods store and when the first of the month came the store was jammed packed full of women spending $100's on shoes. Sorry hun but I am not some backwoods Betty sitting on the sidelines and don't know what i am talking about. I have seen this junk with my own dag on eyes and it is DIGUSTING!.
None of these statements support the OPs narrow-minded and over simplified comments about blacks and materialism. Our "culture" does not have a history of killing folks to rob someone for some Jordans, etc. Kids were being killed in the inner city for Jordans and yes, they were black, but how did their actions define the entire culture? The media distorts much, and I can tell you believe much of its hype.
I've learned that living on the East Coast means having to deal with these types of generalizations. It's sad. But I see that regardless of one's education, these stereotypes persist. Here that is.
Because people of all incomes have this really stupid habit of spending every penny they earn.
When the bottom falls out, they don't know what to do.
Live beneath your means. Far beneath your means. The security you will have is priceless.
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