America is supposedly in a recession and people are suffering. Parents can't afford to send their kids to school in new clothes and people are starving to death because they can't afford the gas to drive to the grocery store. I think the news (as usual) is making a crisis where none exists. The only problem Americans have is prioritizing spending.
lux·u·ry
- Something expensive or hard to obtain.
- Sumptuous living or surroundings: lives in luxury.
- Something inessential but conducive to pleasure and comfort.
ne·ces·si·ty
- The condition or quality of being necessary. Something necessary: The necessities of life include food, clothing, and shelter.
- Something dictated by invariable physical laws. The force exerted by circumstance.
- The state or fact of being in need.
- Pressing or urgent need, especially that arising from poverty.
My Own Example
I decided to illustrate this by using my own situation. I was curious how much I was spending on luxuries vs necessities each month. So I compared my monthly recurring bills.
My necessities include natural gas, water/sewer, electric and garbage. My luxuries include phone/Internet and cell phone. I left out groceries and gas as they are somewhat discretionary depending on how much you eat and drive.
It turns out that I spend more on Internet and cell phone service than I do on my essential utilities. Notice that I lump my phone service in with luxuries since it's bundled with Internet service. If I moved it to necessities it would be a tie. Also this is my summer bill, during the winter, my gas bill will be much higher.
Also note that I do not have cable TV. If I did the scale would swing back towards luxuries.
I may not be a typical consumer but my spending (not my income) is fairly representative of a lower middle class family. Because of my small house my utility bills are fairly reasonable.
So, if your one of those people claiming that you can barely make ends meet, be honest with yourself. How much are you spending on your cell phone, Internet and cable TV? More than likely those bills are as high as your regular utilities. If you can't afford it, get rid of it.
If you can't afford your cable bill you shouldn't be watching TV. You need to be at work.
My wife is in the social work field. It always amazes me that these "poor" people drive better vehicles than I do. They get a tax refund (Earned Income Tax Credit) even though they don't pay taxes. They have cell phones. They get their hair and nails done. It's all about priorities.
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