No, no, not that size. And yes, KB (and I believe Jake as well) is definitely a size queen in that regard.
But I'm referring to the super-size nature of American culture. I was having a great girl-chat session with my buddy Andrew (see his amazingly personal and interesting blog/diary at andrewwnichols.blogspot.com) last week and he asked me what I thought caused the mortgage/financial crisis. I said simply, greed. Not just by the bankers, investors, and all of dem. I'm referring to American's "need" for the grandiose: the Hummer, the huge house that you don't need, the fancy car you can't afford, the purses, the "poppin' bottles", all of that excess.
Andrew, a new homeowner, mentioned that he was approved for a loan in the range of $300,000 and was encouraged by his real estate agent to look for a bigger piece of property than what he eventually settled on. He declined, and instead bought a small place that fit his lifestyle perfectly - and was "only" $135,000 - less than half of what he could have bought. I immediately chided the real estate agent for the prodding of Andrew - of course she/he would encourage him to buy a bigger house. The higher the purchase price, the higher their commission.
I think more people should be like Andrew and not take out the maximum line of credit - for a credit card, mortgage, student loan, etc. Live within your means - actually, live below your means. I have to say this was a hard lesson for me to learn - after all, I was raised in LA where people would drive their fancy Mercedes Benz's and Lexi all over town...and park it in the garage (or on the street) of a down trodden one-bedroom apartment in the hood. It was all about image and keeping up with those fuckers the Jones'. My mama waited until she was retired and stacked her chips before she finally got her Benz. Growing up we never had a fancy car or wore designer labels (Slauson swapmeet holler!) but we lived in a nice house in a safe neighborhood.
I had a friend at USC who spent $4000 on a Dior purse and lived in her grandma's converted garage in Compton. Huh? Meanwhile, ya girl KB rocked her Nine West clutch and Steve Maddens...and lived in a spacious apartment near campus. Years later in Philly, I tried to dissuade a friend from buying a 4-story house. Why did a single woman who travelled frequently need such a grand home? I suppose she wanted it because she could have it. So she did. I believe it has been on the market now for over a year...
Even folks are super-sizing their families! Who on earth needs (or can support) 18 kids? Or 8? Someone please stop the madness.
I'm not saying I'm the black Suzie Orman, but I think my priorities in terms of spending are somewhat intact.
Off to H&M for some discount shopping and then I'm catching a matinee (bringing my own snacks of course - healthier and incredibly cheaper than the $13 medium sized popcorn).
Xoxo,
Even folks are super-sizing their families! Who on earth needs (or can support) 18 kids? Or 8? Someone please stop the madness.
I'm not saying I'm the black Suzie Orman, but I think my priorities in terms of spending are somewhat intact.
Off to H&M for some discount shopping and then I'm catching a matinee (bringing my own snacks of course - healthier and incredibly cheaper than the $13 medium sized popcorn).
Xoxo,
KB
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9 comments:
I'm all about sneaking snacks into the movie theater's.
In fact, when I was a kid my mom would drop my cousin's and I off at the theater and tell us to pay for one movie and watch as many as we could while she did the grocery shopping and such.
She also taught me a great trick at the Mexican restaurants... fill up on the chips and salsa for lunch and then take the meal home for dinner! So, to say the least I was definitely raised with some interesting lessons on saving a buck.
I think there is a fine balance... and I am trying to find that balance for myself.
As far as the condo I purchased, it just made sense to me to buy a studio. I know one day I will have kids, but until I do so, one big room is enough for me and the limited amount of stuff I have.
It's funny actually, I am writing this comment in my place right now and as I look around I feel like "this is kind of a big place!" It's about 400 square feet - I think it's perfect for right now.
I also have to admit that I think about the 95% of people around the world who live on less than $30,000 a year. Or the many people who can't even access clean water to drink because their villages don't have the money to drill a well. I believe the more money I am able to save by living below my means, the more I can give to others and programs to help people with the actual necessities of life (food, shelter, water).
However, I still feel it is important to "do me" in the sense of taking care of myself and treating myself well.
I don't want to get to a point in my life that I harp on the fact that many people live on less than a dollar a day and bring myself down because of this. That wouldn't help them or me. However, don't we (those who are more fortunate financially - whether in the US or elsewhere) kind of have a moral obligation to give back?
Okay, I realize this is a long comment... but one final point. I have wrote in my journal, and have discussed this with my friends, but I will say it again here: I truly believe that we are all one. Whether it is that we are all from the same God, from the same energy, or whatever name you want to give it... I believe we are all of one source. If that is true, then helping out another is really just helping out myself.
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