I am putting this here for future cutting and pasting.
A question I answered in the forums (& a pet peeve of mine I do keep bringing up).
QUESTION: "Someone remind we I am working so hard to be responsible with debt?"
MY ANSWER: So you can enjoy low interest rates, own your assets outright, refinance at will, enjoy lower interest rates on just about everything.
So you don't have to juggle all your bills and worry where you are going to live tomorrow or how you are going to afford the mortgage you can't afford, for the LONG run. (A lot of the programs being offered do little more than prolong the inevitable, in my opinion).
So you can sleep at night.
{I know way too many people on the brink of losing their home - I wouldn't trade places with them for NOTHING. Loan modifications, forgiven liens, and all. They can HAVE it}.
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I think I understand some of the sentiment for people who are struggling. IT's like welfare. Anyone doing well would be insane to be jealous of those on welfare. But often times those on the brink are jealous of the handouts. IF only they did a little less, they would get more help.
& I will just never *get* that. I think ideally, to not be on welfare, should be the road to something better. I have relatives and friends who have had to rely on welfare to survive. But I think some of the happiest days of their lives was when they no longer needed it. & that was very early on a long journey to financial self sufficiency.
Anyway, I don't want to say, "NEVER gripe about the welfare system." Or, "NEVER gripe about Obama's mortgage plan." Sure, there is plenty to gripe about.
But being bitter about BEING financially responsible? From my perspective there are clearly many more benefits, in the long run, to being financially responsible. Too many to count. Tangible and intangible. I guess I forget how short sighted our society has become... No one can look past today. *sigh*
Be Proud for Being Responsible!
March 5th, 2009 at 05:18 pm
March 5th, 2009 at 05:24 pm 1236273857
March 5th, 2009 at 06:03 pm 1236276188
It does annoy me to hear people with huge CC debt gloat about their CC debt settlement for a fraction of what they owed... But, then again, I wouldn't trade places and I'm thankful (and proud) I've never been a drag on anyone.
March 5th, 2009 at 10:21 pm 1236291686
What I object to is irresponsible people not being held accountable for their behavior. And responsible people needing to pay a larger and larger price.
And that's whether it's the CEO who collected $100 million while driving the company into the ground or the neighbor who bought a house with a ninja loan for 103% value of the house.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:40 pm 1236296427
I wanted to clarify in regards to Analise's comment. I am not saying only people who are doing well should be proud. I guess along with Merch's comments, people who take responsibility for their own actions, they should be proud about that. Whether you are struggling or doing well, just be proud you are trying your best to do the right thing!
March 6th, 2009 at 05:16 am 1236316567
March 11th, 2009 at 12:37 am 1236731849
anyway, so my point is, i would never aim to earn less so i could recieve a handout. whenever i hear of something that i don't get because i earn 'too much', i think to myself, that that is an achievement, to not require assistance.