I already drive a cheap Neon and live in a cheap cookie-cutter house, and buy pants at The Dollar Store... I couldn't imagine downsizing much more. But I agree that what you have isn't the measure of your humanity. I really can't see how how having more than you need can improve your life one bit. It just ends up bringing a lot of stress, especially if these things aren't purchased outright!
How people spend their hard earned money is no big thing to me. As long as my hard earned money isnt used to bail them out.
But do you NEED to downsize now, or do you have money in the bank? Those who are frugal have their financial lives built upon a secure foundation. This mess has been good for my business. Three years ago, when someone blew up their two year old 4.7L Dodge Ram engine (they missed the part about Dodge meaning to avoide), they would say "screw it," trade it in, take the loss, and take out a 0% loan on a new car. People would literally tell me, "I can't afford that" when I'd quote 'em 1500-2500 for an engine, and say "I'm just gonna go get a new car." Well, good for them, I guess. I'm getting a lot of calls now from people I quoted originally a year ago. I think there are a lot of businesses like this that are floating under the radar, but especially in the automotive industry. There's nothing wrong with having nice things. What's wrong is having them when you can't pay for them. Last night, I got a Kenmore Elite Washer and Dryer that were 18 months old. I paid 450 cash for them, delivered and installed. I've put 3 loads of laundry through them, and they work great. I've been buying my clothes off of eBay lately. You can get new stuff there at great prices! Finally, I don't eat out a lot and eat pretty plainly. Chicken breast. Quaker oats. Spinach. Turnip greens. I enjoy having nice things that I got a bargain on. I also enjoy having the extra money in the bank. Remember, America: You don't have to be smart to spend money.
i thought it was about this slump in economy leading our society away from being materialistic and basing social status on what we own.
Most people's possessions are purchased with debt and maintained with debt. It's a false social status, a veneer over a pitted and cracked concrete.
Hmm . . . well, regular unleaded gas is about $3-$3.50 a gallon rather than $5+. And you can buy a used Hummer real cheap.
Is that "hummer," as in a "beefed-up fucking Tahoe with different sheetmetal," or the real thing? I already know the answer. The loophole that allowed civilians to buy old military models has been closed, and the commercial models-now discontinued-were going for upwards of $100k.
People are always shocked when they call in for Hummer engines and I sell them an engine from a 1500 series Sierra. They have no clue what they're driving.
Certainly not the real thing, but the point was more that the consumer H2 knockoff vehicle has done a terrible job of retaining resale value compared to other cars. I fully understand and appreciate the righteous wrath of Uncle Albert being directed at anyone who would confuse an H2 for the real deal. I know the difference, but I apologize for my laziness.
