Re: Wall of Shame
This just in. I am now accepting financial grants. Loans not accepted, grants only, lol. I haven't always been on the right path financially, it took a daughter, and a trip to a Dave Ramsey show to get me on the right path, and it didn't take me long to get my head screwed on straight after that.
The biggest issue that out country seems to have is that we find it necessary to create a illusion of wealth. Bigger, nicer houses, and cars, and toys are all part of what creates this illusion, and there are plenty of banks that are wanting to get in on the game, and make the money, regardless of what it does to the future of the individual that they are loaning the money to. Just look at the way the credit card companies advertise. Platinum cards, Gold, ect.. These cards make the user feel like he's rich, powerful, and special, when in fact their no better, or different than the next person.
The high end scopes fall under the same category, better equipment doesn't make the shooter, but it does increase confidence. I wouldn't be surprised if there are quite a few people on this site that have been making minimum payments on their CC that they charged that new S&B, or Premier scope to. If you can afford it, that's great, I wish I could, but my oldest daughter is getting ready to go to private school, my youngest will be following suit in a few years. There are things that I want, but don't need, but I figure out ways to get those things that I want without affecting the budget for the things that are needed (i.e. kids education #1 priority).
I just wonder if the economy is slow right now because folks don't have money (which is what we're being told), or if it's slow because a lot more people have seen the light, and are curbinb spending to enable better financial practices. I hope it's the latter. Yes, it's not a good thing in the short term for the economy, but it would be a GREAT thing in the long run.
Branden