US CC and Household Debt At Record Levels

[GB-man]

I’m not lending a dime to anyone. Everything I have is for my wife and son. If you’re not them you can fly a kite.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I’m not lending a dime to anyone. Everything I have is for my wife and son. If you’re not them you can fly a kite.

Can't fault you for that

"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by pickettt

No, no it's not Steven. I can appreciate your generosity, but let's not get the two things confused. My brother once asked to borrow money for a car. I told him no, but I'd give him money to buy the car on the condition that we never say another word about it. Another family member need thousands in dental work...I gave the same deal. If you DON'T expect payment, it is not lending.

Am calm and totally cool with the above, though one of the lessons mom & dad taught me is:

"When you lend, you give. Never ask for or expect to be repaid."

-----------------

This 'side topic' is interesting, yet I'd go into the problem with the massive waste of resources on a global scale by humans for senseless war...... and apologies to mods/all as don't want to 'lock' this thread.

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by Ferdelious

I just want to know how everyone is affording to travel these days. Airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, gas and food costs are through the roof. I'm sitting on the sidelines and doing staycations until it all settles down.

The costs now are just astounding.

A friend of mine took his family to Disney recently as he wanted his children to experience it, and I would guess that they spent substantially more on it than I did on my Submariner even before food, which in and of itself will cost thousands of dollars over a week.

And it seems like everyone is traveling this year.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by Gab27

The costs now are just astounding.

A friend of mine took his family to Disney recently as he wanted his children to experience it, and I would guess that they spent substantially more on it than I did on my Submariner even before food, which in and of itself will cost thousands of dollars over a week.

And it seems like everyone is traveling this year.

Disney World is a place that used to cater to middle class families. now seems to cater to wealthy families and well-heeled international visitors.

It's definitely sad that people think being a good parent requires taking their kid to Disney World at least once, especially if that perceived obligation causes financial burden to the family.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Disney World is a place that used to cater to middle class families. now seems to cater to wealthy families and well-heeled international visitors.

It's definitely sad that people think being a good parent requires taking their kid to Disney World at least once, especially if that perceived obligation causes financial burden to the family.

No diffrent than buying the latest IPhone when you can't really afford it. That and I probably could have used any number of other examples.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Disney World is a place that used to cater to middle class families. now seems to cater to wealthy families and well-heeled international visitors.

It's definitely sad that people think being a good parent requires taking their kid to Disney World at least once, especially if that perceived obligation causes financial burden to the family.

…or families with credit cards. Personally, I try to be a good parent by not participating in any of Disney’s…..amusement.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Gab27

The costs now are just astounding.

A friend of mine took his family to Disney recently as he wanted his children to experience it, and I would guess that they spent substantially more on it than I did on my Submariner even before food, which in and of itself will cost thousands of dollars over a week.

And it seems like everyone is traveling this year.

I am wondering how much of this is due to pent-up demand from Covid? I think that people were severely stressed (obviously) and are traveling now to reward themselves for making it through those terrible times and try to get back to normalcy. What this means is there is a high-demand for travel right now, and one thing I remember from college economics was as demand goes up, so does the price. I am conjecturing that after an initial surge of travel, things will level out and prices will drop.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I am wondering how much of this is due to pent-up demand from Covid? I think that people were severely stressed (obviously) and are traveling now to reward themselves for making it through those terrible times and try to get back to normalcy. What this means is there is a high-demand for travel right now, and one thing I remember from college economics was as demand goes up, so does the price. I am conjecturing that after an initial surge of travel, things will level out and prices will drop.

Hence, all the demand having a lot to do with the overall inflation we've been experiencing.

[Kowaco]

Originally Posted by gabrielnovar

honestly I am taking on debt to buy stocks. I figure markets have to come back and if I can hunker down for 4-5 months with debt I will be fine for 10-20 years with good gains

That’s what Jack Bogle said, he didn’t recommend it though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[superdog]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I’m not lending a dime to anyone. Everything I have is for my wife and son. If you’re not them you can fly a kite.

Don’t blame you.

No wide, no kid. But all the same I’m in the mindset that need to be more like you.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Am calm and totally cool with the above, though one of the lessons mom & dad taught me is:

"When you lend, you give. Never ask for or expect to be repaid."

-----------------

This 'side topic' is interesting, yet I'd go into the problem with the massive waste of resources on a global scale by humans for senseless war...... and apologies to mods/all as don't want to 'lock' this thread.

I like this Steven, I’m going to put it to practice. Widens the scope of help. Thank you

[BNA/LION]

Good topic OP.

Fortunately we have prepared and are debt free as well. Thus minimizing our potential exposure to a financial reset should there be one. Diversification in investing, living under your means and staying the course are keys. IMHO

There maybe some pain ahead. It's hard to believe things can keep going at the pace they have been on.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by huncho

that's crazy i had that same exact thing happen to me last year. some guy in an audi suv (also from the middle east or eastern asia, i forgot what he said) told me he needed cash for gas because his card wasn't working and wanted to give me his jewelry. i had nothing on me but figured it was a scam anyway

Do a Google search for gas station gold scam. It's pretty common.

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Disney World is a place that used to cater to middle class families. now seems to cater to wealthy families and well-heeled international visitors.

It's definitely sad that people think being a good parent requires taking their kid to Disney World at least once, especially if that perceived obligation causes financial burden to the family.

I think to some extent there is the perception that a Disney trip is one of those "must-experience" things for children and some of it is probably driven by nostalgia, although I find it especially odd when it entails taking children so young that they are unlikely to even remember it. That said, it certainly appears that Disney has changed a lot since when I was a kid.

In the case of myself, there is a resort town near where I grew up that I always went to as a kid (we went there instead of Disney), and today it is incredibly overpriced and some areas aren't even all that nice, but if I had kids I would definitely want to take them so they could experience some of what I did as a child (my most vivid and happy memories of my grandfather are of times spent down there).

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I am wondering how much of this is due to pent-up demand from Covid? I think that people were severely stressed (obviously) and are traveling now to reward themselves for making it through those terrible times and try to get back to normalcy. What this means is there is a high-demand for travel right now, and one thing I remember from college economics was as demand goes up, so does the price. I am conjecturing that after an initial surge of travel, things will level out and prices will drop.

That's a good point--some of it must be from folks not going on vacation for a few years.

I'm really hoping prices go down, as I just can't financially justify a lot of the travel I hoped to do with the current situation. Until they fall, most of my fun will be stuff that can be done in a day trip or a night or two and doesn't necessitate plane travel.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Do a Google search for gas station gold scam. It's pretty common.

Taken again.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by superdog

Taken again.

In Vegas I get this about every other week. I love when I have my 3 boys in the car and can lecture the perp about living expenses and actual life responsibilities.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by superdog

Taken again.

Your a much nicer person than I will ever be.

I could never imagine being this way and making it in my first profession as a supervisor of as many as 120 soldiers. They would have just walked all over me. In fact had I been like this I probably would have never been in charge of 40 let alone 120 soldiers.

All I can say is this will never be me. But if you don't see this as a fault then I wouldn't sweat it. In fact unless you find it a problem why even bother trying to change? Because if it really turns out not to be you, then just be you. You just have to figure out what you want to do. Some people are better off being who they are.

[BNA/LION]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Do a Google search for gas station gold scam. It's pretty common.

Just looked it up. Wasn't aware of it but it felt wrong all the way around. Thanks for the heads-up.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by superdog

Don’t blame you.

No wide, no kid. But all the same I’m in the mindset that need to be more like you.

Tend to agree with Dan… not sure the benefits are real. Ignorance is bliss is no joke! I’d rather see the good in others but I’m not wired for that.

Need to make a run downstate soon. I’ll DM to see if you’re in town bro

[superdog]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Tend to agree with Dan… not sure the benefits are real. Ignorance is bliss is no joke! I’d rather see the good in others but I’m not wired for that.

Need to make a run downstate soon. I’ll DM to see if you’re in town bro

Would be cool to meet up. Let me know.

I always tend to see the good in people. Which is why I’m often disappointed.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Your a much nicer person than I will ever be.

I could never imagine being this way and making it in my first profession as a supervisor of as many as 120 soldiers. They would have just walked all over me. In fact had I been like this I probably would have never been in charge of 40 let alone 120 soldiers.

All I can say is this will never be me. But if you don't see this as a fault then I wouldn't sweat it. In fact unless you find it a problem why even bother trying to change? Because if it really turns out not to be you, then just be you. You just have to figure out what you want to do. Some people are better off being who they are.

I’ve always been a good leader. Betting I would have been exceptional in the military. Airways a regret I never enlisted.

But people have always followed me, in all types of situations, and I always tend to take control…even when I don’t want to.

Has little to do with how nice I am, or my levels of generosity, and everything to do with my character.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by superdog

I’ve always been a good leader. Betting I would have been exceptional in the military. Airways a regret I never enlisted.

But people have always followed me, in all types of situations, and I always tend to take control…even when I don’t want to.

Has little to do with how nice I am, or my levels of generosity, and everything to do with my character.

Yep, character has a huge thing to do with leadership. No argument there and no harm meant either. However, my experience was that having a good bit of skepticism certainly didn't hurt me either. But people can walk into any number of situations and achieve the same results with different approaches so in the end we'll really never know for sure.

But good point sir.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Yep, character has a huge thing to do with leadership. No argument there and no harm meant either. However, my experience was that having a good bit of skepticism certainly didn't hurt me either. But people can walk into any number of situations and achieve the same results with different approaches so in the end we'll really never know for sure.

But good point sir.

Cheers my man.

[Langnam]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Do a Google search for gas station gold scam. It's pretty common.

Never heard of this, but whenever a stranger interrupts my day or moment, first reaction is; it’s a con.

99% of the time it is.

What I want to say to them is, “I’m not buying what you’re selling.”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Redfoot]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Do a Google search for gas station gold scam. It's pretty common.

Can't wait to see their face when I break out the scale, scratch stone and acid test kit!

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Redfoot

Can't wait to see their face when I break out the scale, scratch stone and acid test kit!

Wait, I buy all my gold from strangers at gas stations. That's why I carry my PMV pro in the glove box.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Wait, I buy all my gold from strangers at gas stations. That's why I carry my PMV pro in the glove box.

You laugh…
807DCE94-F441-4EC9-9525-DF50166780D5.jpeg

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by pickettt

You laugh…
Attachment 1301603

Actually caught a MAJOR dealer selling fake ruthenium coated silver krugs with mine. When I brought it to their attention (not even seeking a $60 / coin refund but simply informing them) I got banned from eBay until I dropped the complaint. I sent the sample data to Sigma Metalytics who confirmed it was a magnetic material whose size and weight perfectly matched ideal proportions.