Posted on 04/20/2016 7:58:31 AM PDT by pabianice
Since 2013, the Federal Reserve Board has conducted a survey to “monitor the financial and economic status of American consumers.” Most of the data in the latest survey, frankly, are less than earth-shattering: 49 percent of part-time workers would prefer to work more hours at their current wage; 29 percent of Americans expect to earn a higher income in the coming year; 43 percent of homeowners who have owned their home for at least a year believe its value has increased. But the answer to one question was astonishing. The Fed asked respondents how they would pay for a $400 emergency. The answer: 47 percent of respondents said that either they would cover the expense by borrowing or selling something, or they would not be able to come up with the $400 at all. Four hundred dollars! Who knew?
Well, I knew. I knew because I am in that 47 percent. True Money Stories Americans weigh in on financial shame Read more
I know what it is like to have to juggle creditors to make it through a week. I know what it is like to have to swallow my pride and constantly dun people to pay me so that I can pay others. I know what it is like to have liens slapped on me and to have my bank account levied by creditors. I know what it is like to be down to my last $5—literally—while I wait for a paycheck to arrive, and I know what it is like to subsist for days on a diet of eggs. I know what it is like to dread going to the mailbox, because there will always be new bills to pay but seldom a check with which to pay them...
(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...
We live within our means, it's not hard and once you're in the habit it's easy to maintain. The ol' lady's truck is a 2005 but low miles and very dependable. My "new" truck is a 2002. Zero debt, rarely if ever use credit card.
My main indulgence is my Harley (2007) but it would be gone if I couldn't afford the maintenance and insurance.
This is why the military encourages servicemen to take EE Bonds; instant emergency fund.
yep.
The funny thing is I was going to GIVE her $100 to buy groceries for the month but she said no. She came back to borrow $600. Guess the $100 freebie wasn’t enough. lol
“Guess they expect me to just give it to them so I usually tell them no. I have a good friend who borrowed $600 last month and is supposed to pay me back in a week. I expect it to end our friendship.”
Always tell friends, and usually tell family, “No.” You provided the reason for the former in your post. It almost always ends badly, in my limited experience.
” ... there was someone in my life that I really didn’t want to be around any more.
So I loaned them money. Haven’t seen them since.”
Ha! I loaned money to a girlfriend back in my single days. We broke up six months later. I was shocked, though, to receive a check for the full amount plus a generous interest rate a couple of years later. I had written off that loan at the time of the break-up.
bkmk
This isn’t simply the result of Obama.. its the result of 40 years of selling america down the toilet by both parties.
We are in the same situation as you.
Two good tools are Dave Ramsey (live like no one else now, live like no one else later) and the book “The millionaire next door”. I required my kids to read that book.
That's only a small part of the problem.
The problem is far more the choices people make (living beyond their means, not accepting the need to scale back, playing keeping up with the Jones') than anything else.
Sales taxes are high throughout the Old Confederacy; it’s the result of seeking to get some payment out of the parasite class. They won’t pay income tax, but they will pay sales tax. Contrast in Massachusetts where sales tax is 6.25% (but not on groceries or clothing) and the income tax is 5%; property taxes can be insane, depending on where you live.
“Don’t have it & I’d have to borrow it to get it” usually turns them away.
People don’t manage what they have.
Massachusetts income tax is also 6.25% “emergency tax” added about 15 years ago.
I know that. But I’m at the-point where I don’t care if it ends badly. Tired of being surrounded by constantly needy people. I’d rather be by myself.
Nope, 5.1% to be precise: http://www.mass.gov/dor/all-taxes/income/
Read later
It might be worth it when President Dipstick is out of office and he is revealed as the jackass he is for all the world to see.
Because he WILL be seen as a fool by most, imo.
I always thought DS9 is the best of the new series.
Dunno about that.
Whenever he speaks publically, he has lots of trained seals in the audience.
They will never see that.
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