The American Family is drowning in debt. They’re on a never ending treadmill, fueled by consumption, marketing, and a society that seems focused on the accumulation of “stuff”. But
getting off that treadmill of debt is not only possible, but essential for the American Family to take back their lives, and rid themselves of the stress levels that accompany their debt addiction. It requires a more simple lifestyle along with an adherence to some spending discipline and the reevaluation of priorities.
I remember a simpler time. . .
I remember a time when families used to save for things on their wish lists. They paid in cash. Young families didn’t expect to have it all as they started their families. And going into debt was reserved for true emergencies. We simply did without until we could afford “it”. And believe it or not, we were still happy!
Fast forward to today
We want everything NOW – yesterday even! We don’t want to wait . . . for anything. Instant gratification is the name of the game. Overindulgence is rampant. And we’re drowning in debt.
We look at our neighbors and want what they have. The shiny new car. An updated kitchen, complete with granite, of course. The snazzy new wardrobe. The new must-have gadgets. We want it all. And we want it NOW!
So we work hard . . . really hard. Sometimes so hard we hardly have time to enjoy the life for which we are supposedly working. We’re on a treadmill . . . a debt treadmill . . . literally running in place and getting nowhere. We’ve been conditioned into thinking there are certain things we must have to be happy, that say we’ve made it. Yet for many, the money runs out before the bills are paid. The American family is tired too; maybe too tired to realize they’re going around in circles. So we pull out the plastic or head to the bank for a loan, ensuring we’ll never get off that treadmill. As a society, we’ve literally built our lives on debt. And we are suffocating. Living a lifestyle, all built on debt is enslaving.
A society drowning in debt . . .
Somewhere along the way, debt became acceptable, even expected and encouraged. What happened to the days when a young family drove a beater car because that’s all their budget allowed? Now, many young families often drive nicer cars than their parents do. Kids take music lessons and dance classes at younger and younger ages, all paid for by money-strapped parents who think they must “expose” their kids to life and opportunity, no matter the cost.
Government is no role model!
The government has even gotten into the act, borrowing two of every five dollars it spends. And when we, the consumer, put away our wallets, during tight times, Uncle Sam entices us with stimulus packages and incentives. Spend on new appliances, we may not yet need (appliance rebate program). Spend on a new car, though the old junker still works (cash for clunkers). Spend on new windows and doors for our homes (cash for caulkers). Spend – Spend – Spend!
We’re baited . . . then hooked!
Every day, we’re inundated with fliers and ads, enticing us. “Only three days to get this once in a lifetime deal,” the commercial promises. “Buy now – pay later,” has become the norm. “Why wait, when you can have what you want and enjoy it NOW!” And if your mailbox is like mine, you receive numerous offers on a weekly basis to open a new charge card, or utilize that Cash Advance Credit Line. They even send checks in the mail, tempting us like candy to a child. We’re baited and hooked, so to speak. And so the debt treadmill continues.
One step away from disaster!
Sure, there’s been a resurgence of couponing and frugality of late. But the vast majority of American families still live by plastic from day to day – just one paycheck away from disaster. Many, I contend, have forgotten how to have fun without spending. And for some, shopping has even become a hobby in and of it’s self! People buy the Sunday newspaper, not for the news, but instead for the ads! So on most weekends, you’ll find the shopping malls packed with the great American consumer, as we clamor to get those early-bird specials. And restaurants are packed with waiting lines out the door. Does anyone remember how to cook anymore? We rationalize that we deserve to treat ourselves, we work so hard after all. And we’re propping up the economy, right?
So the spending continues . . .
As we fill our homes and lives with more and more STUFF, the debt starts to bury us. And we feel trapped. We feel that we have no options. This is our life. Is it any wonder we are a nation drowning in debt? It is what we live and breathe. We are truly addicted to debt!
Families – individuals – our nation!
Values lost
We seem to have lost the values held by our grandparents. They had backyard gardens, and canned vegetables in the summer. It wasn’t their hobby, it was their way of life. They darned their socks, and mended their clothes. Kids wore hand-me-downs, and didn’t complain. Weekends were spent playing board games, kick ball, or doing chores. Vacations were for visiting grandparents on the farm, and Sundays were for sitting on the porch with neighbors sipping lemonade. People didn’t complain about how dated their furniture was, or how much they wanted to trade in their old jalopy for a new model. They were just happy if they were privileged enough to own any car. Life was much simpler, and people made do with less – much less. And, dare I say, were happy with less.
But there is hope
There’s a movement to get back to the basics . . . to get back to those simpler days, when life didn’t revolve around pulling out your wallet to have fun. And a realization that happiness can’t be bought, or found at the store. There’s more interest these days in learning how to live a more simplified life, and get back to the basics. A life not enslaved to paying off debt, or getting into debt in the first place. And once again, people are remembering that life can still be full and exciting without putting themselves into debt forever!
Join the movement . . .
So there’s a movement out there. A movement of people like you and me, who want to buck the status-quo. They’re making some changes, small at first, and changing their lives – their priorities – their spending. They’re getting back to what matters in life. Looking at their lives, and getting back to the values held a generation ago. They’re not concerned with “keeping up with the Jones’ “ anymore. They’re tired of being saddled with unending debt. They’re being creative, trail blazers really, and re-making their lives.
The kids might balk at it at first, but have patience. Show them how much fun you can have in the backyard – plan scavenger hunts, balloon tosses, and gunny sack races. Have old-fashioned popcorn movie nights on weekends, and visit family and friends on Sundays. Eat at home around the dinner table, and catch up on what’s going on in your very own family. Take time with each other, instead of spending money. One day at the dinner table, you might just be shocked to hear your youngster proclaim that they like the new change. Before you know it, living a more frugal and simple lifestyle will be second nature, and life will most likely have a different joy. Because the stresses that come with financial burdens can be all consuming, and suck the very life out of parents.
So get off the debt treadmill . . .
So take the first step. Start making changes, and slowly but surely you can simplify your life. Get back to the basics. Make life about family and togetherness, and not about filling your home with more and more toys. Put away those credit cards. Cut them up if you dare (maybe save one for emergencies).
With each purchase you consider, consciously and deliberately think about how long it takes to earn those dollars – or pay them back. Don’t let society dictate what you must own, or buy to be happy.
It’s really not about accumulating the most “stuff” in life. Happiness does not come from a store! Your financial freedom awaits . . .