Can you believe it? Two posts in a week? I enjoy writing and thinking. I hope you do too!
So on Monday and Wednesday mornings I work at BYU Laundry where I make deliveries to the MTC and other places around campus (Motion Picture Studio for one, where Haun's Mill in "Legacy" is actually in Provo). Lately, I get to drive to Hobble Creek Canyon near Springville. I love getting paid 1+ hours to sit there. My co-worker, Drew, from Georgia is awesome. His accent and attitude on life is very similar to mine.
So today we were driving and talking about stuff. His girlfriend/fiancee must be similar in thinking to Megan as well. We were talking about wedding rings and he said that she didn't want a diamond wedding ring because she's opposed to the poor labor conditions for African diamond miners. Haha! Awesome. I was originally opposed to the high price, but that is a better reason! Lucky that Megan didn't want one.
He also talked about his roommate "buying" a bunch of toys: truck, PS3, tons of Blu-Rays, Wii, $1600 wedding ring, etc. When I say "buy," I really mean "go into debt!" So it got me thinking...why do people give little notice to someone who acts in this way, putting themselves in bondage for years to come? If they don't give little notice, they call it "setting up your own household." However, if Megan and I live simply and don't go to movies or eat out and save 60% of our paychecks, but then travel often (and pay cash), people say we aren't planning for the future.
Sounds a little funny huh?
sounds like you have a good plan going Jordan. You and Meg are really doing well and I am so glad for you. By the by...Scuba Diving in the Puget Sound is wonderful. Next time you go up to visit Dad and Karen go to Oak Harbor to the Dive Shop and get set up with gear there. Good prices, good people. And dive the Keystone Break Water 80' of anenemone wall and giant octopus nest there! It's terrific!
ReplyDeleteThere's a multi-faceted answer to WHY others go into debt for these things.
ReplyDelete1 - they are taught that this is the way it is or should be (complete oblivion)
2 - they know it is wrong but they compulsively spend
3 - they want to be fiscally responsible but have a lack of skills in this area
It takes some people longer to realize that stuff is just stuff. Some stuff you need, but most you don't. I sometimes get a little too minimalistic ("Honey, we really don't need the larger plates -- we never use them and anyway we shouldn't be eating large portions! And what's with all these forks? We only need two!)
But I digress. You are an accountant: good with numbers. Not all people are like this. I understand your point, but is it really fair to compare your strength to others' weaknesses?
P.S. I think it's great that you guys travel! It stinks that others don't understand the way you do things. Ryan and I have talked about you vs. us and we thought, well, that's where they spend their money: traveling. And that works for them, which is great!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you! Experiences are much better than toys. And nothing is better than a debt-free future.
ReplyDelete