Why do people buy crap?

1235

Comments

  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    RKCNDY said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
    I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.
    There are people (namely men, though I suppose there are women out there who might do the same) who carry on an actual married relationship with those full-sized real-looking sex dolls. They drive around with them, sit them at the dinner table, watch TV with them, etc etc, literally living with them as a spouse in every way (except it's a 100% one-way street). I saw a documentary about it once. Pretty disturbing and sad IMO, but as you say, it's not hurting anyone, so whatever.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    edited January 2016
    brianlux said:

    I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

    This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • PJ_Soul said:

    brianlux said:

    I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

    This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.
    yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    edited January 2016

    PJ_Soul said:

    brianlux said:

    I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

    This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.
    yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

    Me too. The cost of living is just so high where I live while salaries are stagnant, and with a single income, I just scratch by with what should be a perfectly decent salary, and I'm not a big spender at all. And with the insane inflation here, I just keep getting poorer and poorer, despite promotion at work.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • PJ_Soul said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    brianlux said:

    I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

    This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.
    yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

    Me too. The cost of living is just so high where I live while salaries are stagnant, and with a single income, I just scratch by with what should be a perfectly decent salary, and I'm not a big spender at all. And with the insane inflation here, I just keep getting poorer and poorer, despite promotion at work.
    I could never live there, even though I'd love to. Although, the salary might be higher there, but still. the standard of living is monstrously bigger than it is in Winnipeg.

    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954

    PJ_Soul said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    brianlux said:

    I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

    This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.
    yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

    Me too. The cost of living is just so high where I live while salaries are stagnant, and with a single income, I just scratch by with what should be a perfectly decent salary, and I'm not a big spender at all. And with the insane inflation here, I just keep getting poorer and poorer, despite promotion at work.
    I could never live there, even though I'd love to. Although, the salary might be higher there, but still. the standard of living is monstrously bigger than it is in Winnipeg.

    No, the salaries about about the same. :neutral: That is the problem. If everyone's salaries were comparable to the much higher cost of living there wouldn't be a problem! .... But it really is a great place to live. Not ready to leave for financial security... yet.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • PJ_Soul said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    brianlux said:

    I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

    This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.
    yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

    Me too. The cost of living is just so high where I live while salaries are stagnant, and with a single income, I just scratch by with what should be a perfectly decent salary, and I'm not a big spender at all. And with the insane inflation here, I just keep getting poorer and poorer, despite promotion at work.
    I could never live there, even though I'd love to. Although, the salary might be higher there, but still. the standard of living is monstrously bigger than it is in Winnipeg.

    No, the salaries about about the same. :neutral: That is the problem. If everyone's salaries were comparable to the much higher cost of living there wouldn't be a problem! .... But it really is a great place to live. Not ready to leave for financial security... yet.
    then I don't get how anyone in my salary range could survive there. my wife often says she couldn't handle the rain, but I say it's easier to handle that than the subhuman temperatures we deal with here.

    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    edited January 2016

    PJ_Soul said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    brianlux said:

    I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

    This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.
    yeah, I wouldn't call that over spending. just spending. to many people, ending the month breaking even is a victory. if I needed $500 cash (without using credit), I'd be hard pressed.

    Me too. The cost of living is just so high where I live while salaries are stagnant, and with a single income, I just scratch by with what should be a perfectly decent salary, and I'm not a big spender at all. And with the insane inflation here, I just keep getting poorer and poorer, despite promotion at work.
    I could never live there, even though I'd love to. Although, the salary might be higher there, but still. the standard of living is monstrously bigger than it is in Winnipeg.

    No, the salaries about about the same. :neutral: That is the problem. If everyone's salaries were comparable to the much higher cost of living there wouldn't be a problem! .... But it really is a great place to live. Not ready to leave for financial security... yet.
    then I don't get how anyone in my salary range could survive there. my wife often says she couldn't handle the rain, but I say it's easier to handle that than the subhuman temperatures we deal with here.

    Well, people do survive by living way out in the burbs... They are being forced farther and farther out, so many, many people in Metro Vancouver who work in or closer to Vancouver proper are spending 4 hours commuting every day - it's becoming a real problem. Obviously it's terrible for the traffic too, and they are starting to toll all the bridges now to try and stem that, but there aren't any good alternatives to driving that far out, so people have to pay the tolls, which they can't afford. Not a good situation at all! And me? Well I live in a one bedroom apartment that was very cheaply and poorly built in the 70s, lol.
    But yeah, it is just so beautiful here that I can't imagine downgrading in that sense. Beautiful city, beautiful geography. The winter weather is amazing as far as I'm concerned. Yes it rains a fair bit for half of the year, but there are plenty of rain-free days too, and yes, rain and mild temps are better than subzero temps by a long shot IMO! Anyway, you get used to the rain. But yeah, no spare cash for buying crap, that's for sure!
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • chadwickchadwick Posts: 21,157
    edited January 2016

    ^^^
    This is all good advice.
    I regularly de-clutter, sometimes six months is too long.
    Any dollar store stuff I buy only last a few days anyway so I am good there.
    I enjoy throwing garbage out of the house.

    HFD - To your earlier comment about not being able to watch the Hoarders show. It is very hard to watch because you can't believe that it is real. Once you watch one episode you will forever be scanning your home for shit to throw out, ha.

    My sister and I have often thought about calling up A&E and getting our dad on that show. He's not nearly as bad as the folks I've seen on there, but he's definitely a hoarder. It's bad enough that I really don't like going to his house. And goodness, if I ever do get a girlfriend, I'm surely not taking her there.
    hescalleddyer, can you share an example?
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."

    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    PJ_Soul said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I get most of it. I understand it's a psychological condition, and I get the whole thing behind not being able to control behaviour when it's a psychological condition or mental illness. I just don't get the refusal to clean anything part. That doesn't seem to have anything to do with a problem with attachment to what is hoarded or anything. I don't understand the connection between hoarding and complete filth and a refusal to wipe a counter or clear a cobweb, yet it seems to be so common with severe hoarders.
    the part youre missing is that "refusal to clean" is part of hoarding. It's not just about amassing crap, or attachment to items. It's an inability to remove anything from one's life/surroundings. That includes taking out the trash. What comes from that is that it becomes impossible to reach the cobwebs to clean them because of all the stuff piled up. And there are no clear surfaces to wipe down because every single surface is covered with stuff.

    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
    LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Posts: 16,440
    chadwick said:

    ^^^
    This is all good advice.
    I regularly de-clutter, sometimes six months is too long.
    Any dollar store stuff I buy only last a few days anyway so I am good there.
    I enjoy throwing garbage out of the house.

    HFD - To your earlier comment about not being able to watch the Hoarders show. It is very hard to watch because you can't believe that it is real. Once you watch one episode you will forever be scanning your home for shit to throw out, ha.

    My sister and I have often thought about calling up A&E and getting our dad on that show. He's not nearly as bad as the folks I've seen on there, but he's definitely a hoarder. It's bad enough that I really don't like going to his house. And goodness, if I ever do get a girlfriend, I'm surely not taking her there.
    hescalleddyer, can you share an example?
    Of? My dad's hoarding? Nah.
  • RKCNDYRKCNDY Posts: 31,013
    ldent42 said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I get most of it. I understand it's a psychological condition, and I get the whole thing behind not being able to control behaviour when it's a psychological condition or mental illness. I just don't get the refusal to clean anything part. That doesn't seem to have anything to do with a problem with attachment to what is hoarded or anything. I don't understand the connection between hoarding and complete filth and a refusal to wipe a counter or clear a cobweb, yet it seems to be so common with severe hoarders.
    the part youre missing is that "refusal to clean" is part of hoarding. It's not just about amassing crap, or attachment to items. It's an inability to remove anything from one's life/surroundings. That includes taking out the trash. What comes from that is that it becomes impossible to reach the cobwebs to clean them because of all the stuff piled up. And there are no clear surfaces to wipe down because every single surface is covered with stuff.

    I think some people are just oblivious to cleaning/garbage. Like my boss will eat a frozen meal and just leave the tray laying around the office, for weeks on end, or leave empty water bottles EVERYWHERE...uh, there are 3 wastebaskets and 2 recycle bins in a 350 sq ft office.
    The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

    - Christopher McCandless
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    RKCNDY said:

    ldent42 said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I get most of it. I understand it's a psychological condition, and I get the whole thing behind not being able to control behaviour when it's a psychological condition or mental illness. I just don't get the refusal to clean anything part. That doesn't seem to have anything to do with a problem with attachment to what is hoarded or anything. I don't understand the connection between hoarding and complete filth and a refusal to wipe a counter or clear a cobweb, yet it seems to be so common with severe hoarders.
    the part youre missing is that "refusal to clean" is part of hoarding. It's not just about amassing crap, or attachment to items. It's an inability to remove anything from one's life/surroundings. That includes taking out the trash. What comes from that is that it becomes impossible to reach the cobwebs to clean them because of all the stuff piled up. And there are no clear surfaces to wipe down because every single surface is covered with stuff.

    I think some people are just oblivious to cleaning/garbage. Like my boss will eat a frozen meal and just leave the tray laying around the office, for weeks on end, or leave empty water bottles EVERYWHERE...uh, there are 3 wastebaskets and 2 recycle bins in a 350 sq ft office.
    Yeah, it's not like every gross slob has a psychological disorder. I don't see why a hoarder might not be a hoarder AND a lazy pig.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • PJ_Soul said:

    RKCNDY said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
    I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.
    There are people (namely men, though I suppose there are women out there who might do the same) who carry on an actual married relationship with those full-sized real-looking sex dolls. They drive around with them, sit them at the dinner table, watch TV with them, etc etc, literally living with them as a spouse in every way (except it's a 100% one-way street). I saw a documentary about it once. Pretty disturbing and sad IMO, but as you say, it's not hurting anyone, so whatever.
    It could just be because they don't talk balk.
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    edited January 2016

    PJ_Soul said:

    RKCNDY said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
    I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.
    There are people (namely men, though I suppose there are women out there who might do the same) who carry on an actual married relationship with those full-sized real-looking sex dolls. They drive around with them, sit them at the dinner table, watch TV with them, etc etc, literally living with them as a spouse in every way (except it's a 100% one-way street). I saw a documentary about it once. Pretty disturbing and sad IMO, but as you say, it's not hurting anyone, so whatever.
    It could just be because they don't talk balk.
    Yes, I'm sure they have all kinds of fucked up and/or depressing reasons to live this way.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • SD48277SD48277 Posts: 12,243

    PJ_Soul said:

    RKCNDY said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
    I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.
    There are people (namely men, though I suppose there are women out there who might do the same) who carry on an actual married relationship with those full-sized real-looking sex dolls. They drive around with them, sit them at the dinner table, watch TV with them, etc etc, literally living with them as a spouse in every way (except it's a 100% one-way street). I saw a documentary about it once. Pretty disturbing and sad IMO, but as you say, it's not hurting anyone, so whatever.
    It could just be because they don't talk balk.
    What is balk?
    ELITIST FUK
  • RKCNDYRKCNDY Posts: 31,013
    :chicken:

    yes/no?
    The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

    - Christopher McCandless
  • RKCNDY said:

    :chicken:

    yes/no?

    Dam.
    I meant to say back.
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    RKCNDY said:

    :chicken:

    yes/no?

    Yes.

    And Alice's the Rooster is in my head now! Different vein though.

    I've wondered if we lived in a house vs a less-than-700 sf condo, how much more we might accumulate...moreso in the way of knick-knacks vs purchasing shit-quality stuff. I think we're doing it right for now. Periodic purge and enjoy what we have.
  • Out with the old in with the new.
    Why would you want to a wear a pair of shoes or have a couch/appliance/ etc for 50yrs.
    Ya gotta purge and buy new often.
    Keeps it fresh.
    Quite sure a 50-60 yr old isn't furnished with the same "stuff" they had 20-30yrs ago.
    On the other hand it is pretty cool to visit grandma and grampas house.
  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859

    Out with the old in with the new.
    Why would you want to a wear a pair of shoes or have a couch/appliance/ etc for 50yrs.
    Ya gotta purge and buy new often.
    Keeps it fresh.
    Quite sure a 50-60 yr old isn't furnished with the same "stuff" they had 20-30yrs ago.
    On the other hand it is pretty cool to visit grandma and grampas house.

    you dont know any 50-60 year olds do you
    most of my mother's furniture is older than me.
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
    LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Kind of a common sense thing, I believe.

    The big-ass credenza we have was a wedding gift to my parents from 1959, and has lasted longer than their marriage did.

    It's a beautiful and sturdy motherfucker. Much like my dad was.
  • ldent42 said:

    Out with the old in with the new.
    Why would you want to a wear a pair of shoes or have a couch/appliance/ etc for 50yrs.
    Ya gotta purge and buy new often.
    Keeps it fresh.
    Quite sure a 50-60 yr old isn't furnished with the same "stuff" they had 20-30yrs ago.
    On the other hand it is pretty cool to visit grandma and grampas house.

    you dont know any 50-60 year olds do you
    most of my mother's furniture is older than me.
    come on
  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    hedonist said:

    Kind of a common sense thing, I believe.

    The big-ass credenza we have was a wedding gift to my parents from 1959, and has lasted longer than their marriage did.

    It's a beautiful and sturdy motherfucker. Much like my dad was.

    also it seems like most furniture pieces were just built to last back in the 50s-80s. With really minimal maintenance that shit doesn't get wobbly or dingey.
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
    LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
  • ^^^
    Yes real furniture was built to last.
    There is no way you have a fridge from the 50's in your home.
    There is no way you have a washer or dryer from the 50's in your home.
    If you do well ....
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954

    Out with the old in with the new.
    Why would you want to a wear a pair of shoes or have a couch/appliance/ etc for 50yrs.
    Ya gotta purge and buy new often.
    Keeps it fresh.
    Quite sure a 50-60 yr old isn't furnished with the same "stuff" they had 20-30yrs ago.
    On the other hand it is pretty cool to visit grandma and grampas house.

    What are you talking about? Most people keep nice furniture for their entire lives, and sometimes it even gets passed down after they die.
    What the hell is wrong with you lately anyway??
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    Lol yea okay.
    My washer and dryer in my penthouse apartment on CPW :lol:
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
    LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
  • RKCNDYRKCNDY Posts: 31,013
    ldent42 said:

    hedonist said:

    Kind of a common sense thing, I believe.

    The big-ass credenza we have was a wedding gift to my parents from 1959, and has lasted longer than their marriage did.

    It's a beautiful and sturdy motherfucker. Much like my dad was.

    also it seems like most furniture pieces were just built to last back in the 50s-80s. With really minimal maintenance that shit doesn't get wobbly or dingey.
    This^^^
    I still have some of the furniture I had when I was a kid, made of solid wood, it's held up, still looks great. There was a newspiece that said new furniture burns so fast, if there was a house fire, you don't have much time to get out.
    http://www.today.com/home/newer-homes-furniture-burn-faster-giving-you-less-time-escape-t65826

    I think I will keep my old, well made, stuff. No reason tossing out something perfectly useful.
    The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

    - Christopher McCandless
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    PJ_Soul said:

    brianlux said:

    I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??

    This is a bit accusatory. Of course many people don't save, but I'm also sure many of them just aren't being paid enough given the cost of living, and after paying the bills, rent, buying food, clothes, and maybe a bit on trying to make life slightly less miserable, they don't have any money left for a savings account.
    It does sound that way but if so, I accuse myself for having been there- more than once. But the point I tried to make is that there are so many people in the U.S. who can't scrap together $500. I did some research and some article state that half of the people in the U.S. don't have $500 saving. Even if it was one quarter, that would be 75 million people. Now if the majority of these many millions of people who cannot come up with 500 bucks were in that situation strictly because they don't make enough to do so, I would be the first to come to their collective defense. But I sincerely doubt that this is generally the case. I would be willing to bet that a large proportion of those who don't have $500 do have a shit load of crap (sorry for the redundancy!)

    So am I saying this just to beat up on stupid people who don't know how to save money? No. I blame it on poor parenting and poor education. So many kids and young adults struggle because no one helped them learn to be reasonably frugal and show them that there are better ways to make oneself happy besides constantly needing that short-term fleeting satisfaction that comes from bullshit consumerism. And worst of all, unless we change, that consumerism is going to be our undoing as it contributes to the decline of the environment and the acceleration of mass extinction.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    I saw this great picture the other day and I can't find it now. It was something to the effect of a student saying "teach me how to pay bills, taxes, 401k" and the school system replying "no, no don't worry about that. Now, the hypotenuse of a triangle..."
    I obviously had an exceptionally bad time with the nyc public school system personally, but they don't teach personal finance at all really, which is kind of insane. One of the first college classes I took the guy says to us "if you open a mutual fund and bring me the proof or the statement, I'll give you a C even if you never come into this class again. That's how important it is." I didn't take him up on his offer, but I did open my own investigation into mutual fund and ended up starting my investment portfolio at age 23ish. This was a nighttime intro to business class at community college. I'd not have learned about it any other way.

    These schools have these dumb ass requirements for classes - they should include a basic personal finance course in the curriculum requirements. I mean it's a bit more important than an "urban studies elective" or a year of foreign language, no?


    In related news a former classmate of mine recently had to take out a $500 loan to pay for emergency dental work cuz Medicaid wouldn't cover it. I thought that was fitting here.
    NYC 06/24/08-Auckland 11/27/09-Chch 11/29/09-Newark 05/18/10-Atlanta 09/22/12-Chicago 07/19/13-Brooklyn 10/18/13 & 10/19/13-Hartford 10/25/13-Baltimore 10/27/13-Auckland 1/17/14-GC 1/19/14-Melbourne 1/24/14-Sydney 1/26/14-Amsterdam 6/16/14 & 6/17/14-Milan 6/20/14-Berlin 6/26/14-Leeds 7/8/14-Milton Keynes 7/11/14-St. Louis 10/3/14-NYC 9/26/15
    LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
Sign In or Register to comment.