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Harmonium1923 · 51-55, M
I completely agree. Though I did have an interesting conversation with my mother about how there are many expenses we consider necessary today that were not the case just a few decades ago: cable TV, cell phones, computers and tablets, Internet, ..... Her point was that is one reason why so many families have two working spouses these days (which then also creates day care costs). Obviously there’s more going on than that but I thought it was an interesting point.
QuixoticSoul · 41-45, M
@Harmonium1923 All of that stuff can be had on the cheap tbh, it's a matter of priorities. If you have internet, you don't need cable TV. Last gen phones and tablets are dirt cheap. Etc, etc. Of course, the market is better than ever at making people buy stuff they don't actually need.
It's definitely an issue, but people tend focus on it as a way to ignore the inexorable rise in the fundamentals like housing and education, and corresponding stagnation in real wages. Single-income families were on their way out long before we got smartphones.
It's definitely an issue, but people tend focus on it as a way to ignore the inexorable rise in the fundamentals like housing and education, and corresponding stagnation in real wages. Single-income families were on their way out long before we got smartphones.
PoetryNEmotion · F
@Harmonium1923 I think people need to understand that they don't NEED all of those things. I think about retirement a lot. How I will have to keep working. I am researching alternative careers. I am onto something I think. Priorities. I think many see others with all the bells and whistles so they try to compete. How big a home does one need? Does one need a tv in every room? Do your kids too? How much stuff is enough? I was once married to a very material person. No matter how much he had, it wasn't enough. It was sad and pathetic. Buy only what you need. Wants and needs are two separate idea. Hi, H!