Why do poor people always rationalize why they don't have things outside their means?

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: waggy

and some poeple are.

Right most people are it seems.

This topic was not about those people...everyone is attacking side issues.

It's about the person that over-rationalizes why they don't have these things when it's out of their ballpark anyway.

Maybe because that lets them spend less time pining for/worrying about what they don't, and may possibly never, have? It's not exactly healthy to walk around all day thinking, "gee, I REALLY REALLY want a brand new BMW, but I'll probably never be able to afford one."

 

[cardiac]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: waggy

and some poeple are.

Right most people are it seems.

This topic was not about those people...everyone is attacking side issues.

It's about the person that over-rationalizes why they don't have these things when it's out of their ballpark anyway.

Maybe they do need to justify it to themselves, that it is better to "get by" than to overspend and be in debt up to their ears......

I don't talk about my finances/purchases to anyone really, as it's not their business. Wanted to bring it up here to make a point; and I don't know hardly any of you

Bob

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I don't get it.

Usually they talk about how eating out is such a waste of money considering the food is utter crap (not sure where they have been but they always seem to have some story of a $100/plate meal ending poorly).

That they actually prefer their $5k car over anything new out of any automaker.

They wouldn't want a larger house because then it would be 'uncomfortable' (not acknowledging a better home even the same size as what they have).

That they prefer watching movies on their $300 home theatre in a box over even IMAX because it's more realistic at home (HT can be better at home, but not with a box system usually).

It's not like you asked them to volunteer this, but they always seem to want to provide it.

Yeah you can make store sauce and pasta at home for like $1, but going out means I don't have to clean, take the time to cook and I will be out doing something rather than sitting home.

I know a few people with assets totaling several million dollars each, yet they live in modest homes and drive cars that are several years old. Like many of us, they don't feel the need to try and impress anyone, they've made a habit out of being frugal and have trouble understanding why someone would waste money on a flashy car or a home that's bigger than they need. They live good lives, their happy, and they have buckets of money in the bank.
Don't be so quick to judge, you're not that good.

 

[rchiu]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: waggy

and some poeple are.

Right most people are it seems.

This topic was not about those people...everyone is attacking side issues.

It's about the person that over-rationalizes why they don't have these things when it's out of their ballpark anyway.

So they are poor, do you have to rub it in and have them admit that their stuff, their life and everything is inferior to people who have more money? Does that make yourself feel better about yourself?

 

[DrPizza]

Perhaps a better question: why do people live paycheck to paycheck, with their credit cards nearly maxed, lease a car because they can't afford the higher payments to own that car, and take out 40 year loans, just so they can afford the payments on the most expensive house they could possibly purchase??

Why did one of my mortgage brokers ask me, "why the f*** are you looking at houses in that price range. With your income, you should be looking at houses in this price range."

I've found that there are many people who purchase the most expensive status symbols they can afford. The only people they impress are themselves, and the other conspicuous consumption idiots who generally are not happy with their lives, but rationalize that they're living a wonderful life because they can eat out at a chain restaurant and go to the Imax theater on the weekend. But, god forbid they have to wash any dishes at home - there's not enough money left in the family budget to purchase a new bottle of cascade for their dishwasher.

 

[Wheezer]

Sounds to me like the OP is some spoiled brat still living at home sponging off mommy and daddy.

 

[her209]

Poor people are poor because they have little to no money.

:laugh:

 

[Capt Caveman]

Wow. Another thread showing the OP has a very distorted view of reality.

Nice generalizations.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: her209
Poor people are poor because they have little to no money.

:laugh:

holly shit!? really?

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Perhaps a better question: why do people live paycheck to paycheck, with their credit cards nearly maxed, lease a car because they can't afford the higher payments to own that car, and take out 40 year loans, just so they can afford the payments on the most expensive house they could possibly purchase??

Why did one of my mortgage brokers ask me, "why the f*** are you looking at houses in that price range. With your income, you should be looking at houses in this price range."

I've found that there are many people who purchase the most expensive status symbols they can afford. The only people they impress are themselves, and the other conspicuous consumption idiots who generally are not happy with their lives, but rationalize that they're living a wonderful life because they can eat out at a chain restaurant and go to the Imax theater on the weekend. But, god forbid they have to wash any dishes at home - there's not enough money left in the family budget to purchase a new bottle of cascade for their dishwasher.

That's just it - your average middle class earner will easily spend himself broke just trying to live like the rich folks on TV, and that's another operative word: "Trying." You can work your entire life and never be able to afford your own private jet. Or maybe you would be able to buy it, but you'd need a loan to fuel it. Once.

This of course can be "good" for the economy, as it keeps people addicted to buying things that they don't need. It keeps them distracted with constantly working away their entire lives, and worrying about paying enourmous bills. While these people are busy screwing themselves over, they're being told by the media that they're on the right track to becoming rich, and that they just need to keep it up a little while longer. Of course that "little while" will lead into retirement age, at which point retirement is impossible because of all the debt. So, keep on working.

George Carlin said it well: The owners of the country (big business owners) "don't want a population full of citizens capable of critical thinking. They don't want well informed, well educated people capable of critical thinking. They're not interested in that, that doesn't help them. That's against their interest. They don't want people who are smart enough to sit around the kitchen table to figure out how badly they're gettin' f-'d by a system that threw them overboard 30 f-'n years ago. They don't want that. You know what they want? They want obedient workers."

"It's called the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it."

 

[SsupernovaE]

Many poor people say those things as a mantra to combat the constant guilt and feelings of inadequacy perpetrated by our culture. The fact that you take it so personally just goes to show you that perhaps you are a prime example of why they feel they need to justify themselves.

BTW, I am piss poor.

 

[Strk]

So I guess there's something wrong with me since I'd rather go to the Olive Garden than some expensive place.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Turin39789
I said it before, I don't run into those people I don't usually talk about "things" with other poeple, unless it's how my vehicles have found a way to break down again.

It sounds like you have people of fewer means come to you constantly and tell you how much better their ford tempo is than your corvette. It just doesn't seem likely/rational.

Perhaps give us some examples/scenarios?

Not so hard to think of examples, an office party out in mixed company...hanging out with friends...just striking up converation at a bar/nite spot.

You get on a subject of say cars, vacations or going to a certain place to eat. Most of the group is talking about that...but there usually seems one in a group that is usually the less income person trying to justify why all that stuff is stupid and a waste of money.

To other's talking self-defense/being defensive, that is not normal though.

I am not putting people down like many are reading into this or going off on some ass tangent about billionaires living frugally. That's fine, I don't waste money on a lot of excessive things. I don't find value in many new cars. If I could afford an Aston Martin, I would probably have one. Likewise on homes, I probably wouldn't want that much bigger of a place...but I'd love another 1/4 acre or so of land, a garage twice the size of mine and to be on the ocean. I like my home though.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: mfs378
What do you expect, people to acknowledge that they want things they will never have? When they don't it actually upsets you?

No kidding. What's wrong with trying to make yourself feel better about your situation?

BTW-I'm baking bread today (not with a bread machine either) and smoking a rack of babyback ribs on the BBQ. It smells so freaking good in here right now...

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Wow. Another thread showing the OP has a very distorted view of reality.

Nice generalizations.

do you just reply to my posts with the same comment each time?

 

[Auric]

Eating out is more of a "have to" thing due to laziness, lack of kitchen or inability to cook. It takes longer, is rarely tastier, is invariably more dangerous food-safety wise, and the atmos is usually worse than at home if only because of noise in the best case; and for all this it costs more. One thing I do not like about travelling is being dependent upon the "restaurant experience" for food. So a condo/villa/suite is preferable. Then, a restaurant is not a necessity but remains an option (least likely for breaky).

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

I don't know. Nobody here knows. If you're looking for an answer you're posting on the wrong forum. This is AT, everyone makes 500k minimum and has a 10" cock. Go over to Hardforum if you want an answer. Or, stop trying to bump your self-esteem by posting idiotic topics. Whichever.

 

[jagec]

Sounds like the OP is trying to justify spending ten times what his neighbors do on everything, and getting frustrated when they seem to be just as happy as he is. Can't they SEE that his stuff costs more, therefore is better? Shouldn't they be burning with envy? Trying to keep up, or at least being miserable when they can't afford to?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
Maybe they're just satisfied with their life.

Ya, it sucks when people with less money than you are happier. Gee, I wonder how that could be possible.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I don't get it.

Usually they talk about how eating out is such a waste of money considering the food is utter crap (not sure where they have been but they always seem to have some story of a $100/plate meal ending poorly).

That they actually prefer their $5k car over anything new out of any automaker.

They wouldn't want a larger house because then it would be 'uncomfortable' (not acknowledging a better home even the same size as what they have).

That they prefer watching movies on their $300 home theatre in a box over even IMAX because it's more realistic at home (HT can be better at home, but not with a box system usually).

It's not like you asked them to volunteer this, but they always seem to want to provide it.

Yeah you can make store sauce and pasta at home for like $1, but going out means I don't have to clean, take the time to cook and I will be out doing something rather than sitting home.

I don't think I've ever said those things,

But I love my $2500 1972 VW and will probably keep it for the rest of my life if I can manage. Same goes for the $500 motorcycle I bought, it needs some fixing up but I think Ill hang on to it and do as good of a restore as I can.

Larger house = more to clean, but I could go a little larger than this rental.

I'm running a 27 inch hand me down, but I don't watch much tv so I'm happy with it. I'd feel akward having a $5000 setup that I watched rarely. I'd also seriously be uncomfortable with having it in my house, it's just too much.

Also, slow food movement, cook at home ftw. But I do go out for good gumbo and sushi and convenience sometimes.


I mean there has to be a point where you stop buying more stuff that you don't need. Some people get there faster than others.

exactly.

you don't need the best of everything ot be happy. I have no desire to have a new car or a expensive one.

same with my house. I did the 3k+sqft gig. sure its nice having a big house. but we had so much wasted space it was silly. the house we have now is perfect. though wish we did go with a 3 car garage.

For yers i thought it was silly tha tpeople would buy 3-4 car garages. heh now that i have kids i understand it.

A 3 car garage would be nice. WE currently have a 2500 sqft home. WE think 2200 sqft is the sweet spot though for us. We are married with a newborn and a 2 year old. I'd rather havea 1500 sqft home with a nice yard than no yard and 3000 sqft. ALL that matters to me now is what kind of childhood my kids will have. And a big home doesn't matter when considering this.

Having said all this, I would like a 3000 sqft home, but only so I can have some extra toys of my own likea home theater.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Oh, and in regards to what the OP said, I've heard wealthy people and poor people say the same exact things.

 

[Kntx]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I don't get it.

Usually they talk about how eating out is such a waste of money considering the food is utter crap (not sure where they have been but they always seem to have some story of a $100/plate meal ending poorly).

That they actually prefer their $5k car over anything new out of any automaker.

They wouldn't want a larger house because then it would be 'uncomfortable' (not acknowledging a better home even the same size as what they have).

That they prefer watching movies on their $300 home theatre in a box over even IMAX because it's more realistic at home (HT can be better at home, but not with a box system usually).

It's not like you asked them to volunteer this, but they always seem to want to provide it.

Yeah you can make store sauce and pasta at home for like $1, but going out means I don't have to clean, take the time to cook and I will be out doing something rather than sitting home.

Why aren't those god damned poor people more jealous of my $50,000 car!??! THAT'S WHY I BOUGHT IT!!!! lol.

 

[jlee]

My $5k truck is better than anything new from any manufacturer...because something new comes with payments.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Perhaps a better question: why do people live paycheck to paycheck, with their credit cards nearly maxed, lease a car because they can't afford the higher payments to own that car, and take out 40 year loans, just so they can afford the payments on the most expensive house they could possibly purchase??

Why did one of my mortgage brokers ask me, "why the f*** are you looking at houses in that price range. With your income, you should be looking at houses in this price range."

I've found that there are many people who purchase the most expensive status symbols they can afford. The only people they impress are themselves, and the other conspicuous consumption idiots who generally are not happy with their lives, but rationalize that they're living a wonderful life because they can eat out at a chain restaurant and go to the Imax theater on the weekend. But, god forbid they have to wash any dishes at home - there's not enough money left in the family budget to purchase a new bottle of cascade for their dishwasher.

Man, you are smart. I quite enjoy handling my money how I do and laugh when other people try to suggest how I should financially plan.

 

[DrPizza]

I was able to close with no money down, paid off two credit cards of a few thousand dollars, and paid $3000 to my first year insurance premium. Plus he gave $600 in repair money.

Most people don't have $500 per month to just burn.

Don't have $500 per month to just burn? With the kind of home that has a $3000 annual insurance premium?? Had enough money to pay off 2 credit cards, rather than having a sizeable down payment? Sounds like you're stretching your budget to its very limit. Exactly as I and others have posted: there are a lot of people living beyond their means, or at the very edge of their means.