Harder and Harder to keep up with the Jones'

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,738
126
CNN

"when wealthier families see their incomes rise at a faster pace than everyone else, their spending can create what he calls an "expenditure cascade." That is, the demand for bigger and better homes or safer cars can create new standards for those lower down on the economic scale."

it's a losing battle. dont do it.

Discuss
 

AMDZen

Lifer
Apr 15, 2004
12,589
0
76
The supposed "statistics" represented on this news article seem artificial and redundant. I tried reading it through, but it started making less and less sense.

according to a report released Thursday by two liberal think tanks

Oh thats why.
 

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
Originally posted by: Cooler
what if you are the jones?

Wait till the people around you declare bankruptcy or get their stuff repoed, buy at low low prices. If they have hot daughters (wives), buy at low low prices.
 

Cooler

Diamond Member
Mar 31, 2005
3,835
0
0
Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Originally posted by: Cooler
what if you are the jones?

Wait till the people around you declare bankruptcy or get their stuff repoed, buy at low low prices. If they have hot daughters (wives), buy at low low prices.

Thats a good idea.

Edit i am now Platinum Member
 
Dec 28, 2001
11,391
3
0
Originally posted by: JEDI
CNN

"when wealthier families see their incomes rise at a faster pace than everyone else, their spending can create what he calls an "expenditure cascade." That is, the demand for bigger and better homes or safer cars can create new standards for those lower down on the economic scale."

it's a losing battle. dont do it.

Discuss

Trickle down economics at work.

Oh wait, they don't work, do they? :roll:

(Sorry, did not mean to push it into P&N territory :()
 

mundane

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2002
5,603
8
81
Originally posted by: Mwilding
Buy what you can afford. Enjoy life.

/end thread.

Why is this so difficult for people? We're too damn competitive, always comparing ourselves (measured as shows of wealth) with everyone else.

It took me far too long to understand that material posessions really don't amount to much. We should be less concerned with what we want and appreciate what we have.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: diegoalcatraz
Originally posted by: Mwilding
Buy what you can afford. Enjoy life.

/end thread.

Why is this so difficult for people? We're too damn competitive, always comparing ourselves (measured as shows of wealth) with everyone else.

It took me far too long to understand that material posessions really don't amount to much. We should be less concerned with what we want and appreciate what we have.

Big TV > food.
 

tw1164

Diamond Member
Dec 8, 1999
3,995
0
76
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: diegoalcatraz
Originally posted by: Mwilding
Buy what you can afford. Enjoy life.

/end thread.

Why is this so difficult for people? We're too damn competitive, always comparing ourselves (measured as shows of wealth) with everyone else.

It took me far too long to understand that material posessions really don't amount to much. We should be less concerned with what we want and appreciate what we have.

Big TV > food.


Well a lot of Americans are overweight....
 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
Let's tax those widgets because only rich people can afford them. Oh wait, that'll decrease demand for widgets and screw over the non-rich people who work to sell/service widgets. Doh. Wait, those non-rich people are too stupid to figure that out. Let's join the Democrat party and campaign on this issue! Yay we're in power! Who cares people lost jobs!
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Originally posted by: JS80
Let's tax those widgets because only rich people can afford them. Oh wait, that'll decrease demand for widgets and screw over the non-rich people who work to sell/service widgets. Doh. Wait, those non-rich people are too stupid to figure that out. Let's join the Democrat party and campaign on this issue! Yay we're in power! Who cares people lost jobs!
Hi. Can I get combo #2, no onions?
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
The biggest evidence that it's true is cell phones and cable. You have families who are hurting for money but they are paying over $150 a month to have digital cable and equip everyone in the family who can speak with a cell phone.

Yes, it's easy to convince yourself that certain things are real "necessities", but come on.
 

JoeyM

Senior member
Nov 18, 2003
362
6
81
Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Originally posted by: Cooler
what if you are the jones?

Wait till the people around you declare bankruptcy or get their stuff repoed, buy at low low prices. If they have hot daughters (wives), buy at low low prices.



There will be reckoning some day. Unfortunately, those of us who live within our means will be forced to bail the rest of the population out. Majority rules!