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Life Advice & Visual Arts
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How do you deal with debt? (student loans and other debt)
- Thread starter Finder
- Start date
Finder
Bluelight Crew
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- Feb 29, 2000
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- 32,361
^Kind of a personal question, no?
Since I've posted this I have managed to consolidate my credit card debt and have been regularly paying it down. Should be out from under it by next year. Now all that's left is half of a small car loan from earlier this summer and my student loans (still).
Since I've posted this I have managed to consolidate my credit card debt and have been regularly paying it down. Should be out from under it by next year. Now all that's left is half of a small car loan from earlier this summer and my student loans (still).
Rogue Robot
Bluelight Crew
glad you updated, finder. i'm not quite in this situation yet, but i will have an absurd amount of money to pay back once i'm done with my MS. however, since i can't get a loan to save my life right now, it probably won't be as bad as i think it will be.
Jamshyd
Bluelight Crew
Only in a few culturesFinder said:
.In most cultures, this is as casual as "what did you have for lunch yesterday?"
Pander Bear
Bluelight Crew
you mean the cultures that get pwned by the cultures where its taboo?
Just making an observation.
as for paying off debt: reader pays off $14,000 USD in 20 months by following tips from the consumerist
its easy, you just have to make a sound plan, and stick to it.
Just making an observation.
as for paying off debt: reader pays off $14,000 USD in 20 months by following tips from the consumerist
its easy, you just have to make a sound plan, and stick to it.
randycaver
Bluelight Crew
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2001
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- 21,709
omg lawl i had no idea i was spending 600/year on pedicures! it amazes me the stupid shit people spend money on.
granted i used to spend $100+/week on unmentionables, so i have no room to talk
granted i used to spend $100+/week on unmentionables, so i have no room to talk
If you eliminate the smug faggotry surrounding people's attitudes about their income, then I find that candor and honesty can give context to discussions about money and debt; sort of like knowing someone's political leanings can give context to their attitudes about domestic and world issues.
Maybe if there wasn't such a 'hush' shrouding the topic of personal income, and people didn't insist on using it as a personal barometer of worth, there might be a bit more transparency in regards to economic disparities for people with similar jobs, or those living in different areas of the world. It may spur people to better careers, or ask for a well-deserved raise, or perhaps even give someone a renewed sense of appreciation for what they already have.
So to answer your question Finder, no. Any fears or reservations I have to talk about my own or other people's income falls second to my determination to break what I consider to be a stupid and counter-productive social trend. The entire taboo assumes that people are jackasses who can't help feeling either a smug sense of pride or disappointed entitlement whenever the issue of wage or salary is brought up.
As far as debt, from what I understand the entire North American economy relies on consumer debt to put more money into the system. You'll notice that whenever there's an economic upswing or downswing, it always has to do with how money is being lent. If everyone were to pay off their mortgage tomorrow, the entire economy would collapse in on itself. If you're middle class, then having debt is part of your responsibility to maintain the status quo.
edit: After re-reading it, I think this came off bitchier than I meant it to. Subtract about two degrees of bitchiness from this upon reading.
Maybe if there wasn't such a 'hush' shrouding the topic of personal income, and people didn't insist on using it as a personal barometer of worth, there might be a bit more transparency in regards to economic disparities for people with similar jobs, or those living in different areas of the world. It may spur people to better careers, or ask for a well-deserved raise, or perhaps even give someone a renewed sense of appreciation for what they already have.
So to answer your question Finder, no. Any fears or reservations I have to talk about my own or other people's income falls second to my determination to break what I consider to be a stupid and counter-productive social trend. The entire taboo assumes that people are jackasses who can't help feeling either a smug sense of pride or disappointed entitlement whenever the issue of wage or salary is brought up.
As far as debt, from what I understand the entire North American economy relies on consumer debt to put more money into the system. You'll notice that whenever there's an economic upswing or downswing, it always has to do with how money is being lent. If everyone were to pay off their mortgage tomorrow, the entire economy would collapse in on itself. If you're middle class, then having debt is part of your responsibility to maintain the status quo.
edit: After re-reading it, I think this came off bitchier than I meant it to. Subtract about two degrees of bitchiness from this upon reading.
Last edited:
Pander Bear
Bluelight Crew
american hegemony in the developing world (where jammy is presently). It was a harmless jab, kyk, so I encourage you to find a new avenue for your anger.
Perpetual Indulgence
Bluelighter
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- Jun 13, 2004
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- 20,518
I have no problem answering this type of question unless it is coming from a co-worker. My net salary for 2007 would be approx $45,000 US. I enrolled in my company's 401K in Jan 2001. Even when my salary was less, I always stayed on top of my bills and still managed to have fun.Kyk said:
Johnny blue
Bluelight Crew
Ya man definitely pay the highest interest first, and becarefull consolidating loans because you can easily get fucked. My financial advisor is a long time friend so I don't do shit without him but I wouldn't wanna pay him either.
Jamshyd
Bluelight Crew
I am Canadian but I currently live in Thailand...Kyk said:
And yes, PB's comment was a welcome joke. I'll give an example if you want one though:
It used to be a normal subject of discussion to ask about income in the middle-east (ok, Jordan specifically). Now that American culture is being imported in bulk there, so have American values. Only in the past few years has it become taboo to ask one about one's income in Jordan. That, or marrying your cousins.
I also have no problem answering this question unless I am asked by the people who usually do ask: piss-poor taxi-drivers in 3rd world countries. I generally lie about it and make it seem much lower, and am quick to point out that my family and I are below the poverty line in Canada.
