Have you ever noticed that people walking around today feel they are entitled to have certain things? It is almost as if they believe it is their birthright to enjoy some of the finer things in life. The fact that they cannot comfortably afford them is irrelevant. What matters is they are able to purchase the product because doing without is unfathomable to them.
Debt: Fuels Consummerism
People can afford to buy what they cannot afford. This is something that the last couple of generations have experienced. Being able to pay for something is no longer a barrier to 'owning' that product. Instant gratification is provided by walking out of the store with the item...today. Saving up to make the purchase seems to have drifted the way of the rotary phone (some of you might need to look that up in a search engine). It is an archaic concept that is in need of restoration.
Debt is the engine that fuels most people's spending. The reason why people can afford what they cannot afford is because someone is willing to underwrite it. Credit card companies are the most common ally in this effort. They give consumers billions of dollars each year in 'free' money. Enter into a store and walk out with a product even if you find yourself a few hundred dollars short. Just charge it. Plastic allows us to stretch out our dollars.
This phenomenon has done something to us as a society in general. Basically, it allowed us to enjoy a standard of living that is higher than we could afford. If you look at the average household debt, you will realize there were tens of thousands of dollars worth of products and services received which never should have been purchased. People simply overextended. Yet, when they are told, they get belligerent about it. Money, in particular their spending, is a touchy subject.
Our culture is infected with the mindset that says 'I deserve'. Again, the idea of being able to afford is of little issue. Most are conditioned to go into debt to buy those items which provide instant gratification. As long as you can afford the monthly payment, all is well. Thus, one believes he or she is entitled to a new car every couple of years. Big screen televisions and $400 cell phones...add it to the list. I want it therefore I should have it. No longer are the 'toys' in life reserved for the affluent.
It is a well known fact that the poverty stricken areas are filled with Xboxes, Ipads, laptop computers, big screen t.vs, and $150 sneakers. These are items which should be out of reach for people who are in this financial situation. But not here. People believe that it is their given right to have the things that everyone else does. If someone else can afford, then I should have it too. And this is why so many live in slavery.
I recently saw an article where a woman was upset because an organization that she went to for assistance with her power bill was not offering help due to budgetary cutbacks. This woman's story appeared on the front page of the newspaper. She was one who was employed so she had money coming in. This is not a woman who sat around all day abusing drugs and alcohol.
You would think this is a woman who needs legitimate help. Well, I am certain she could not pay her power bill. However, I do not believe she is a victim of circumstances. The reason is what appeared in the background of the picture of her. Directly behind her was an Xbox hooked up to a big screen television. Of course, this situation is compounded by having a stack of games that run $50 apiece. Thus, I conclude this person is not a victim since she was receiving monthly help with her electric. She is one who simply opted to spend her resources on luxuries as opposed to the necessity.
This is what I mean about entitlement mentality. People feel they should have the things about the basic necessities even if it means sacrificing them. Here is a women who couldnt pay the electric yet had money for luxuries. She, and more accurately her children, felt entitled to the games. The idea of not being able to afford them never entered the equation. Of course, this lesson is being taught to her children too.
This practice is not limited to the poor. At every level of the financial spectrum people are impoverishing themselves with their choices. This woman chose to spend it on games and other entertainment; the middle class leases automobiles they cannot afford; the upper middle class buys a McMansion. Regardless of the dollar amounts, the truth is that overspending as a result of entitlement mentality is a quick path to slavery.
People can afford to buy what they cannot afford. This is something that the last couple of generations have experienced. Being able to pay for something is no longer a barrier to 'owning' that product. Instant gratification is provided by walking out of the store with the item...today. Saving up to make the purchase seems to have drifted the way of the rotary phone (some of you might need to look that up in a search engine). It is an archaic concept that is in need of restoration.
Debt is the engine that fuels most people's spending. The reason why people can afford what they cannot afford is because someone is willing to underwrite it. Credit card companies are the most common ally in this effort. They give consumers billions of dollars each year in 'free' money. Enter into a store and walk out with a product even if you find yourself a few hundred dollars short. Just charge it. Plastic allows us to stretch out our dollars.
This phenomenon has done something to us as a society in general. Basically, it allowed us to enjoy a standard of living that is higher than we could afford. If you look at the average household debt, you will realize there were tens of thousands of dollars worth of products and services received which never should have been purchased. People simply overextended. Yet, when they are told, they get belligerent about it. Money, in particular their spending, is a touchy subject.
Entitlement Mentality
Our culture is infected with the mindset that says 'I deserve'. Again, the idea of being able to afford is of little issue. Most are conditioned to go into debt to buy those items which provide instant gratification. As long as you can afford the monthly payment, all is well. Thus, one believes he or she is entitled to a new car every couple of years. Big screen televisions and $400 cell phones...add it to the list. I want it therefore I should have it. No longer are the 'toys' in life reserved for the affluent.
It is a well known fact that the poverty stricken areas are filled with Xboxes, Ipads, laptop computers, big screen t.vs, and $150 sneakers. These are items which should be out of reach for people who are in this financial situation. But not here. People believe that it is their given right to have the things that everyone else does. If someone else can afford, then I should have it too. And this is why so many live in slavery.
I recently saw an article where a woman was upset because an organization that she went to for assistance with her power bill was not offering help due to budgetary cutbacks. This woman's story appeared on the front page of the newspaper. She was one who was employed so she had money coming in. This is not a woman who sat around all day abusing drugs and alcohol.
You would think this is a woman who needs legitimate help. Well, I am certain she could not pay her power bill. However, I do not believe she is a victim of circumstances. The reason is what appeared in the background of the picture of her. Directly behind her was an Xbox hooked up to a big screen television. Of course, this situation is compounded by having a stack of games that run $50 apiece. Thus, I conclude this person is not a victim since she was receiving monthly help with her electric. She is one who simply opted to spend her resources on luxuries as opposed to the necessity.
This is what I mean about entitlement mentality. People feel they should have the things about the basic necessities even if it means sacrificing them. Here is a women who couldnt pay the electric yet had money for luxuries. She, and more accurately her children, felt entitled to the games. The idea of not being able to afford them never entered the equation. Of course, this lesson is being taught to her children too.
This practice is not limited to the poor. At every level of the financial spectrum people are impoverishing themselves with their choices. This woman chose to spend it on games and other entertainment; the middle class leases automobiles they cannot afford; the upper middle class buys a McMansion. Regardless of the dollar amounts, the truth is that overspending as a result of entitlement mentality is a quick path to slavery.
The Solution
People need to break free from this mindset. Freedom is not made up of entitlement. The truth is that we leave this planet with exactly what we came in with: nothing. However, for the time we are here, we make choices as to how we live our lives. If you feel entitled to something that you cannot afford, you are positioning yourself to having to work for your creditor. That is slavery. Freedom means being able to live your life as you see fit. Most people spend their entire lives working and have little to nothing to show for it at the end. They followed the dogma society spelled out only to find it wasnt true. Sadly, this realization comes to late.
Freedom means knowing that you do not need 'things' to establish your worth. Living within one's means is about enjoying the comforts of life without having to overextend yourself. When people overextend, whether it is personal, a business, or a government, bad things happen. It usually is only a matter of time before the house of cards come tumbling down. Being entitled and being free are at completely different ends of the spectrum. Most of society feels entitled, thus they are not free.
People need to break free from this mindset. Freedom is not made up of entitlement. The truth is that we leave this planet with exactly what we came in with: nothing. However, for the time we are here, we make choices as to how we live our lives. If you feel entitled to something that you cannot afford, you are positioning yourself to having to work for your creditor. That is slavery. Freedom means being able to live your life as you see fit. Most people spend their entire lives working and have little to nothing to show for it at the end. They followed the dogma society spelled out only to find it wasnt true. Sadly, this realization comes to late.
Freedom means knowing that you do not need 'things' to establish your worth. Living within one's means is about enjoying the comforts of life without having to overextend yourself. When people overextend, whether it is personal, a business, or a government, bad things happen. It usually is only a matter of time before the house of cards come tumbling down. Being entitled and being free are at completely different ends of the spectrum. Most of society feels entitled, thus they are not free.
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