Posted by cricket on November 17, 2005, at 15:37:53
In reply to Re: just one more... » alexandra_k, posted by AuntieMel on November 17, 2005, at 13:44:55
> A lot of the problem is that those with money know how to handle it, amass it, make it work for them. And they pass this economic knowledge down.
>
> Those with much less money never had that training.
>
> Accumulating wealth has more to do with living habits than earning potential. Read also "The Millionaire Next Door" - most millionaires don't *look* like millionaires - they shop at discount stores, buy used cars and generally just live below their means.
>
> I can't see (except for the most destitute homeless) why anyone who makes ends meet couldn't do it on 5% to 10% less and save and invest the rest. It really doesn't take cutting much - a CD here, a movie there, a meatless night, whatever fits.Hi AuntieMel. I absolutely agree with you that it's not about earning, it's about saving.
However, the problem is so much deeper than that.
And right now I am speaking from my own personal experience and not from any statistics or sociological study or anything like that.
When you live in a neighborhood where it's almost impossible to get decent food (fresh produce or bread) and everything is fast food or chemical ridden sugar laden indefinite shelf life cr*p...When you work at a mind numbing job for 10 hours a day ...
Then ride public transportation (standing, jammed in like a sardine) for another two hours ...
When you come home to a cramped apartment with a bunch of other people and you have nowhere to go to be alone and think for a moment...
When everything is noise and dirt and bad smells ...
When your only form of more mind numbing entertainment is a television that parades images of glamor and glitz and incredible wealth before your very weary eyes ...When you lie in bed at night and listen to the gun shots...
Then someone could give me all the lessons in money saving in the world but you know what I still want those jeans that are way too expensive and that fancy coffee latte junk and even that Ipod because you know what for one moment that makes me feel okay, that I'm like other people.
I know many would say I'd be better off saving that $100 or $1,000. But $1,000 is not going to get me out of here, not even $10,000 will do that. $100,000 - maybe? But where in the world would that come from?
And that's why so many people live for the lottery. What else is there to hope for?
poster:cricket
thread:578654
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20050924/msgs/579707.html