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It's hard to see these "millions of americans" as victims in this matter. It's almost always possible to just _not buy_ something if you can't afford it.
by hughes 12y ago
It's hard to see these "millions of americans" as victims in this matter. It's almost always possible to just _not buy_ something if you can't afford it.
- lewispollard 12y agoIn theory, yes - but there are entire armies of marketing and sales people who'll use every trick in the book to convince your fickle brain otherwise.
- Kalium 12y agoJust like millions of Americans conscientiously choose to not buy food and life-saving medical care each day! Life isn't always as simple as "don't buy more things".
- zo1 12y agoDon't forget these two: "Save when you can, instead of spending". And "don't have kids you can't take care of, so they don't end up starving and unable to pay for 'life-saving medical care' when they're older."
- Kalium 12y agoDon't forget to fully anticipate the future with perfect accuracy so you can be sure that you'll be certain of your ability to afford kids. Life is uncertain and variable. Demanding that people make choices based on unknowable futures is a bit silly.
- zo1 12y ago"Life is uncertain and variable. Demanding that people make choices based on unknowable futures is a bit silly." And what about demanding that other people pick up your burden if the unknowable future impacts you negatively? It works both ways, you know. You are 100% correct, life is uncertain and variable. And there is no way for anyone to fully anticipate the future with perfect accuracy. However, that right there is the most powerful reason that should be compelling individuals to be more careful and risk-averse. Especially when it comes to family, kids and health.
- jon-wood 12y agoThat depends what the something is. Of course you don't need a 42" TV when you can't afford it, but whether you have money in the bank or not you'll still need to eat, and travel to work.
- fennecfoxen 12y agoWell, sure getting into debt to begin with doesn't make you a victim ... but there's definitely some opportunity for victimization once they go into default; it's an opaque process that most people don't know enough about up front. Think 30% penalty-APRs on your credit cards or five-figure collection fees tacked onto student loan debts. To what extent is this the real price of the risk and prices you're exposing the lenders to, and to what extent is it simply exploitation? A clear answer is hard to come by.
- lotsofmangos 12y agoMaybe if you have no dependents and never get ill. If you have a family to support or have a period of illness, credit is very hard to avoid.
- onion2k 12y agoThat depends on what it is. Food, shelter, electricity, water, healthcare, and transportation are inelastic[1] - we buy them regardless of price because we can't live without them. Whether or not we can afford them is largely irrelevant. Also, don't underestimate change. Buying a house or a car that you can afford now is one thing, but that doesn't mean things won't change in a way that means you can't afford them in the future. Things happen that can negatively impact your income. [1] http://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/inelastic.asp http://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/inelastic.asp
- emir_ 12y agoIf one is unemployed, can't find a job for x amount of time, do you think it is acceptable to use credit cards to survive during that period of time?
- lotsofmangos 12y agoI thought at that point you are supposed to max out as many credit cards as possible while making the next Clerks or El Mariachi.