Why My Parents Were Debt Free
I started thinking about all of the negative press the large companies are getting and how they are contributing to our nation's troubled economy. I feel that the regular citizen is also responsible. I can't help but think of my parents, who were debt free. I realize that this was a different time, a time when things were cheaper and the dollar was worth more but paychecks were also less and spending was not out of hand like it is now. My parents way of Iife is a goal that I am striving for.
1. Mom's view - Pay for everything in cash except for a house loan or maybe a car loan. Mom's first house was paid off by the time she was thirty. If you do charge something pay the bill before they tack on the interest. She paid for a brand new car in cash. Dad was an engineer and Mom was a waitress.
Our problem including me - Most people in the U.S. have not only one credit card but many. When you go shopping they lure you in by telling you that you will get a percentage off of your purchase item if you sign up for a credit card. The cards are usually a high interest rate and with percentage off you are tempted to purchase more items which will take you forever to pay back the debt. It's not prestigious to have multiple credit cards when you have to barter with a credit counseling company to pay back debt. Also multiple cards will actually prevent you from be able to get a car or house loan because even if you don't use all of them loan companies will look at it as though you are able to charge on each active card which could possibly increase your debt.
2. Dad's view - Why does every kid need their own bedroom. This is what my father used to say and he was right. I can remember being just as happy sharing a bedroom than when I eventually did get my own room. My parents waited till they could afford to give me my own room and Dad built it himself.
Our problem - We all have way too much room, big houses larger mortgages, more maintanence. Also, some people have rooms that they don't use or rarely use. They have a lot of wasted space.
3. Dad's view - Kids have too much these days. Dad used to tell me that when he grew up in Switzerland he usually got a salami for Christmas and not all the presents that kids get today and he was perfectly fine with it.
Our problem - Although Dad was teased by my sister's and I about this one, (I pictured him excitedly opening his gift of a sad little salami year after year and no mention of a drink and bread to go with it), I do agree that things don't make kids happy and instead of adding to our debt with expensive toys why not give kids what they really need and that is time with their parents. Kids seem lonlier than ever especially teenagers.
4. Mom's view - Why eat out all of the time if you can make a meal with a fraction of the cost that you spend on a restaurant meal. If choose to dine out go at lunchtime when it's cheaper and if the restaurant offers big meals share with someone. Also never buy a child an adult meal a kids meal is the same thing only cheaper.
Our problem - We say we don't have the time to make meals but I think that people were busier years ago making meals from scratch. It's so easy to throw together a dinner now with crock pots and microwaves. One thing I learned from my Mom and grandmother is that you can create quite a good meal with very little. It's just as enjoyable to sit together as a family at a candlelit table than to eat at a restaurant. Use that dining room that your paying for that just sits there collecting dust. How many times have you gone out to eat and thought that you could make the exact same meal that probably would taster better for less.
5. Mom's view - Why own so many clothes you can only wear one outfit at a time.
Our problem - We buy too many clothes, especially women. I sometimes have to have the same shirt in several different colors. I need to work on that one. I have a cousin that does it right she has a few basic pieces of clothing and is very good at mixing and matching things and always looks stylish.
6. Mom's view - Pick up that penny it's a start of a million.
Our problem - We either think that we're too good or we're too lazy to save the change. Mom never overlooked the change even when she had Alzheimers and lived with me she would stop and hand me a coin that had dropped on my floor. She would tell me to put it in a piggy bank and I would tell her that it would take a lot of pennies to reach my million. Who was I to criticize Mom she had no debt and I did. I definately have kept my change through the years, but now I don't hesitate to also pick up that dropped penny.
I'm not a expert on debt relief but I know my parents were. They are both deceased now but I feel that if all of us lived like they did we would no longer be struggling in this economy.
About the Author
I am a want to be writer. I took a course in writing children's books years ago and loved it. The problem is giving myself a push to write on a regular basis. When it's up to par it feels like writing comes together like a puzzle but when I'm not in the mood it shows in my writing.
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