Thanks for emphasizing the positive side of things. Especially in the age of instant information and global access, it's easy to lose sight of the things that make us so very human.
Thanks for these balancing thoughts Fred.
When you're in the thick of things (financial meltdown) having someone bring balance to the context you're processing in is 'just what the doctor ordered!'
If we only thought 'on the other hand' more often then some of our extreme thought and behaviour would tone down.
Cmon now, do you think McD's would put the pieces on cups when someone will just throw it away? They lose a tax write off. Hurts them more than it helps them. They save those pieces internally for someone to write in, then mail them off randomly. Why do you think there is such a small limit on write-ins? And chances are better than average if someone is writing in then they are playing the game, meaning they get to have their tax write-off and make someone happy. So unless you write in for a piece, you have no possibility of winning any of the high dollar prizes. Such a simple idea, figured more people would realize that by now.
Not Boardwalk, obviously, hahaha, but Park Place. Well, answer me this, good sir: do I have good chances if I don't aim very high?
Here's a better question: when you say they put out three Boardwalks, and 15,000 Meditterean Avenues, do you mean per McDonalds stamp delivery, or all over the country?
Time is the most important asset we are given. Yet it's characteristics are so vastly different from anything else. I want to always have time for the people I love.
I lived in NYC for almost ten years and was broke for all of it, but still had a hard time being frugal. There's just too much to do and too many ways to spend money. Having said that, however, I do believe that there are ways to enjoy the city on a shoestring budget. I sure did.
As for change, I think it can be scary, but often times good things can come from it, especially when you're not happy with your current situation. Like you said, sometimes we have to be forced into it, but for the most part, it's never as bad as it seems.
Linsey, I am so with you on that one. I know so many young, successful families that work like dogs and never spend time together. Sure, they have a nice house, but they don't even know their own kids. As you mentioned, it depends on the family, but I'm believer that you'll never regret time spent with your family watching your kids grow. Regret over having lost that time because you were too busy working, however, has become a cliche in our culture.
Caleb, I think it's natural for people to want to feel successful, but somehow I think the key is finding your own definition of success. Not an easy thing to do.
And Shanei, kudos to your adaptability during these times. It's a great way to be together, however, and I've always found that eating out too often makes me feel awful, not to mention the fact that it makes you realize how much you really need.
We all need balance in our lives. Sometimes, balance comes from within, other times, we need external stimulus. Most level headed people can take this opportunity to make a positive change. I definitely see some truth in your post. This economic turmoil is definitely the balance the global finance is seeing now. Its a great opportunity for those who are hard working and creative. Every problem is an opportunity.
I very much like tv. great storyteller and communication medium.
if its not for you, kudos.
seriously though, is anyone really kidding themselves that the internet is better?
lol if you seriously have one on the rare pieces you can have the common piece. why get boardwalk then spend 130 dollars on food to get park place f*ck that, i have 6 park places.
also that list is different now, there is only 1 boardwalk!! they all get printed off they get put in some roller it mixes them all up and they go out to cups boxes etc. theres no certain item clause, no regional distribution just plain old luck.
When I was 14 I got my first real job. After about 4 days I quit.
When I came home and told my father I had quit he asked me why. My response was that I will never again sell an hour of my life for a handful of dollars. Ever.
I have basically worked for myself ever since starting my first full blown business at the age of 18.
Two decades later I would discover from my mother that my father, who has since passed, had never been more proud of me than in that moment.
Love the idea of looking for the positive in down times. Definitely people are learning to be more frugal and, no doubt, that can and go a long way toward happiness in the long run! For me and my boyfriend, we are learning more and more how to cook and entertain ourselves at home. We used to be diehard restaurant goers, but my quitting my day job and blogging full time really forced us to adjust quickly to a much more strict budget. Heck, we hardly budgeted at all before! Now, we count every dollar (not quite to the counting every penny stage yet, but I see it coming) and it doesn't feel like deprivation or scarcity at all. It feels more like taking care of ourselves and being smart. And, that's a very good feeling that actually makes us feel proud! : )
Another interesting viewpoint on the tipping thing.
We have also gone to Old Country Buffet, and I would LOVE it if my server brought us our drinks. They don't do that here, but I would tip extra for the privelege. When I'm out and about with the 4 kids (and my husband isn't with us), it can be a delicate balancing act getting all the kids their plates, making sure they don't get left alone at the tables, hitting the restrooms, and keeping them from trashing our table area. I have always had the best service at most buffets, which include things outside of their jurisdiction (i.e. getting extra napkins, wiping emergency spills, helping me with extra plates of food, etc.) I appreciate when they make my day that much more pleasant, and a tip is definitely in order in these instances.
But if you were a capable single diner, I could see how this may not be the case.
I would think that you could actually prove that this could be linked to a person's psychological need to feel more successful. When it is hard to get a raise or to start a business, one may turn face toward their body in order to satisfy that need to feel like they are doing something productive and successful. What do you think?
At the Old Country Buffets where I live the 'waiters' come by and ask what you want to drink and take plates. Taking plates is helpful, but the drinks thing drives me nuts.
Why does it drive me nuts? Because I want to peruse the drink machines (which are included in the price of the buffet) and get my own drink. With all the servers trying to get drinks for people they sit and tie up the machines for 6-8 cups at a time and don't get out of the way for a customer who is standing there with a plate and tray waiting to fill his cup.
Regardless of if doing drinks is a good service or not, they certainly don't deserve a full tip for doing so much less than waiters at other restaurants.
LOVE your post! I'm in the same boat - no TV and I love it. I've lost 104 pounds since I got rid of my TV a year and a half ago because now I get out and exercise instead of parking my butt on the couch (don't have one of those either).
It's amazing how much more you appreciate life when TV is out of the picture.
While it will definitely depend on the family, we have found these kinds of situations to almost always be a blessing in disguise. Both times my husband was affected by layoffs, we had a chance to reconnect as a family, set new goals, and ultimately come up with a new solution for income (that was better than the way were doing things before.) Self-employment was the final result of the last debaucle, and we are much happier as a result. I only wish everyone had an equal opportunity have do this.
Though I might make a different decision, I can see the rationale behind a college student with presumably no assets not having health insurance. For me, the health insurance payments and coverage are a wash at best; it is the catastrophic illness that may deplete other assets that I am protecting against. I'll mention that high-deductible individual insurance (with large lifetime amounts) may actually be less than a group plan, which can be outrageously expensive.
If people did stop consuming at the rate the do at the moment, then maybe the general focus would change from constant success to enjoying life and finding a divine purpose other than being a full-time customer :) ... OK maybe a bit too far?
“Expansion becomes impossible without abundant cheap energy. So I think that the debt of the world is going bad. That speaks of a financial crisis, unseen, probably equalling the Great Depression of 1930; it’s probable we face the Second Great Depression. It would be a chain reaction, one bank would fail, and another one would fail, industries will close…” Dr. Colin Campbell, geologist, founder of the nowadays respected Association for the Study of Peak Oil (2006 interview).
Michael Meacher, a British Labour MP and former Environment Minister identifies the Peak Oil crisis as “an apocalyptic scenario” . A Deutsche Bank paper on oil depletion goes in the same direction:
“The end-of-the-fossil-hydrocarbons scenario is not a doom-and-gloom picture painted by pessimistic end-of-the-world prophets, but a view of scarcity in the coming years and decades that must be taken seriously.”
To read more on Peak Oil and the Financial Crisis please consult the following article:
Watching movies online is a tragic when if we don't know where to turn on. At the beginning date of my hobby of watching movies online it is more than hours I have wasted to find a correct information. Some times I have given it up. Sick of running hire and there but when I using blogs and reading and guiding by articles found this site called http://www.80millionmoviesfree.com from time been I used it is so far so good. Think you may try it out too. Because I know the importance of correct details and source
There are definately things (as a college student living with my parents and off part time money) I won't give up, and some luxuries I am willing to pass up. The most controversial thing I don't view as a necessity is health insurance.
Gasp.
My friends are usually flabbergasted when I mention this, but I've been insurance-free since last year, and I'm healthier then my peers. I take meticulous care of my body, despite the fact that I smoke cigarettes. I watch what I eat, I get enough fresh air, I do strengthening exercises, I make damn sure I get the right vitamins (although, I've had food allergies all my life, so I'm used to monitoring these things), I don't drink or do drugs, I drink at least two liters of water a day, visit free health screenings, and try to get enough sleep. When I feel a cold coming on, I double my orange juice intake and take iron supplements.
I lean in favor of paying out of pocket, if a health issue does appear, as it will probably come out to be MUCH less expensive i n the long run. Of course, I do plan on getting insurance once I get out of college, but right now it would be such a huge drain on my finances that I couldn't manage to go to school
Thanks, Philip, for this informative post. It's one of the clearest explanations of why the banks are in trouble that I've seen.
By the way, you mention that there aren't runs on banks this time. Just a year ago in the UK there were lines of people at the door of a bank called Northern Rock. They were the first UK casualty to the liquidity crisis initiated by the sub-prime loan fallout. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Rock if you're interested.
Thanks for emphasizing the positive side of things. Especially in the age of instant information and global access, it's easy to lose sight of the things that make us so very human.
Wholesale is AT LEAST 50% off retail. For books its more, for information.... don't ask.
So the answer to your question is EVERYONE!!!
What the hell does it matter to you?! Your telling me if you had the chance to win something or nothing you wouldnt try!! YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for these balancing thoughts Fred.
When you're in the thick of things (financial meltdown) having someone bring balance to the context you're processing in is 'just what the doctor ordered!'
If we only thought 'on the other hand' more often then some of our extreme thought and behaviour would tone down.
Cmon now, do you think McD's would put the pieces on cups when someone will just throw it away? They lose a tax write off. Hurts them more than it helps them. They save those pieces internally for someone to write in, then mail them off randomly. Why do you think there is such a small limit on write-ins? And chances are better than average if someone is writing in then they are playing the game, meaning they get to have their tax write-off and make someone happy. So unless you write in for a piece, you have no possibility of winning any of the high dollar prizes. Such a simple idea, figured more people would realize that by now.
Not Boardwalk, obviously, hahaha, but Park Place. Well, answer me this, good sir: do I have good chances if I don't aim very high?
Here's a better question: when you say they put out three Boardwalks, and 15,000 Meditterean Avenues, do you mean per McDonalds stamp delivery, or all over the country?
Time is the most important asset we are given. Yet it's characteristics are so vastly different from anything else. I want to always have time for the people I love.
I lived in NYC for almost ten years and was broke for all of it, but still had a hard time being frugal. There's just too much to do and too many ways to spend money. Having said that, however, I do believe that there are ways to enjoy the city on a shoestring budget. I sure did.
As for change, I think it can be scary, but often times good things can come from it, especially when you're not happy with your current situation. Like you said, sometimes we have to be forced into it, but for the most part, it's never as bad as it seems.
Linsey, I am so with you on that one. I know so many young, successful families that work like dogs and never spend time together. Sure, they have a nice house, but they don't even know their own kids. As you mentioned, it depends on the family, but I'm believer that you'll never regret time spent with your family watching your kids grow. Regret over having lost that time because you were too busy working, however, has become a cliche in our culture.
Caleb, I think it's natural for people to want to feel successful, but somehow I think the key is finding your own definition of success. Not an easy thing to do.
And Shanei, kudos to your adaptability during these times. It's a great way to be together, however, and I've always found that eating out too often makes me feel awful, not to mention the fact that it makes you realize how much you really need.
We all need balance in our lives. Sometimes, balance comes from within, other times, we need external stimulus. Most level headed people can take this opportunity to make a positive change. I definitely see some truth in your post. This economic turmoil is definitely the balance the global finance is seeing now. Its a great opportunity for those who are hard working and creative. Every problem is an opportunity.
I very much like tv. great storyteller and communication medium.
if its not for you, kudos.
seriously though, is anyone really kidding themselves that the internet is better?
lol if you seriously have one on the rare pieces you can have the common piece. why get boardwalk then spend 130 dollars on food to get park place f*ck that, i have 6 park places.
also that list is different now, there is only 1 boardwalk!! they all get printed off they get put in some roller it mixes them all up and they go out to cups boxes etc. theres no certain item clause, no regional distribution just plain old luck.
When I was 14 I got my first real job. After about 4 days I quit.
When I came home and told my father I had quit he asked me why. My response was that I will never again sell an hour of my life for a handful of dollars. Ever.
I have basically worked for myself ever since starting my first full blown business at the age of 18.
Two decades later I would discover from my mother that my father, who has since passed, had never been more proud of me than in that moment.
Love the idea of looking for the positive in down times. Definitely people are learning to be more frugal and, no doubt, that can and go a long way toward happiness in the long run! For me and my boyfriend, we are learning more and more how to cook and entertain ourselves at home. We used to be diehard restaurant goers, but my quitting my day job and blogging full time really forced us to adjust quickly to a much more strict budget. Heck, we hardly budgeted at all before! Now, we count every dollar (not quite to the counting every penny stage yet, but I see it coming) and it doesn't feel like deprivation or scarcity at all. It feels more like taking care of ourselves and being smart. And, that's a very good feeling that actually makes us feel proud! : )
Another interesting viewpoint on the tipping thing.
We have also gone to Old Country Buffet, and I would LOVE it if my server brought us our drinks. They don't do that here, but I would tip extra for the privelege. When I'm out and about with the 4 kids (and my husband isn't with us), it can be a delicate balancing act getting all the kids their plates, making sure they don't get left alone at the tables, hitting the restrooms, and keeping them from trashing our table area. I have always had the best service at most buffets, which include things outside of their jurisdiction (i.e. getting extra napkins, wiping emergency spills, helping me with extra plates of food, etc.) I appreciate when they make my day that much more pleasant, and a tip is definitely in order in these instances.
But if you were a capable single diner, I could see how this may not be the case.
Linsey
I would think that you could actually prove that this could be linked to a person's psychological need to feel more successful. When it is hard to get a raise or to start a business, one may turn face toward their body in order to satisfy that need to feel like they are doing something productive and successful. What do you think?
Caleb (caleb.online09@gmail.com)
www.mefinanciallyfree.blogspot.com
At the Old Country Buffets where I live the 'waiters' come by and ask what you want to drink and take plates. Taking plates is helpful, but the drinks thing drives me nuts.
Why does it drive me nuts? Because I want to peruse the drink machines (which are included in the price of the buffet) and get my own drink. With all the servers trying to get drinks for people they sit and tie up the machines for 6-8 cups at a time and don't get out of the way for a customer who is standing there with a plate and tray waiting to fill his cup.
Regardless of if doing drinks is a good service or not, they certainly don't deserve a full tip for doing so much less than waiters at other restaurants.
LOVE your post! I'm in the same boat - no TV and I love it. I've lost 104 pounds since I got rid of my TV a year and a half ago because now I get out and exercise instead of parking my butt on the couch (don't have one of those either).
It's amazing how much more you appreciate life when TV is out of the picture.
While it will definitely depend on the family, we have found these kinds of situations to almost always be a blessing in disguise. Both times my husband was affected by layoffs, we had a chance to reconnect as a family, set new goals, and ultimately come up with a new solution for income (that was better than the way were doing things before.) Self-employment was the final result of the last debaucle, and we are much happier as a result. I only wish everyone had an equal opportunity have do this.
Linsey Knerl
Wise Bread
Though I might make a different decision, I can see the rationale behind a college student with presumably no assets not having health insurance. For me, the health insurance payments and coverage are a wash at best; it is the catastrophic illness that may deplete other assets that I am protecting against. I'll mention that high-deductible individual insurance (with large lifetime amounts) may actually be less than a group plan, which can be outrageously expensive.
If people did stop consuming at the rate the do at the moment, then maybe the general focus would change from constant success to enjoying life and finding a divine purpose other than being a full-time customer :) ... OK maybe a bit too far?
“Expansion becomes impossible without abundant cheap energy. So I think that the debt of the world is going bad. That speaks of a financial crisis, unseen, probably equalling the Great Depression of 1930; it’s probable we face the Second Great Depression. It would be a chain reaction, one bank would fail, and another one would fail, industries will close…” Dr. Colin Campbell, geologist, founder of the nowadays respected Association for the Study of Peak Oil (2006 interview).
Michael Meacher, a British Labour MP and former Environment Minister identifies the Peak Oil crisis as “an apocalyptic scenario” . A Deutsche Bank paper on oil depletion goes in the same direction:
“The end-of-the-fossil-hydrocarbons scenario is not a doom-and-gloom picture painted by pessimistic end-of-the-world prophets, but a view of scarcity in the coming years and decades that must be taken seriously.”
To read more on Peak Oil and the Financial Crisis please consult the following article:
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-112467
Watching movies online is a tragic when if we don't know where to turn on. At the beginning date of my hobby of watching movies online it is more than hours I have wasted to find a correct information. Some times I have given it up. Sick of running hire and there but when I using blogs and reading and guiding by articles found this site called http://www.80millionmoviesfree.com from time been I used it is so far so good. Think you may try it out too. Because I know the importance of correct details and source
There are definately things (as a college student living with my parents and off part time money) I won't give up, and some luxuries I am willing to pass up. The most controversial thing I don't view as a necessity is health insurance.
Gasp.
My friends are usually flabbergasted when I mention this, but I've been insurance-free since last year, and I'm healthier then my peers. I take meticulous care of my body, despite the fact that I smoke cigarettes. I watch what I eat, I get enough fresh air, I do strengthening exercises, I make damn sure I get the right vitamins (although, I've had food allergies all my life, so I'm used to monitoring these things), I don't drink or do drugs, I drink at least two liters of water a day, visit free health screenings, and try to get enough sleep. When I feel a cold coming on, I double my orange juice intake and take iron supplements.
I lean in favor of paying out of pocket, if a health issue does appear, as it will probably come out to be MUCH less expensive i n the long run. Of course, I do plan on getting insurance once I get out of college, but right now it would be such a huge drain on my finances that I couldn't manage to go to school
Thanks, Philip, for this informative post. It's one of the clearest explanations of why the banks are in trouble that I've seen.
By the way, you mention that there aren't runs on banks this time. Just a year ago in the UK there were lines of people at the door of a bank called Northern Rock. They were the first UK casualty to the liquidity crisis initiated by the sub-prime loan fallout. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Rock if you're interested.
Keep up the good work!