Debt for life

My mother told me to save my pennies for a rainy day. She never did but I remembered. My ex’s parents told me tales of sharing a ten-cent beer. They penny pinched to death. In the end, they never traveled far as a family. Camping was all they had. My Dad at times, bought cheap stuff for a cheap price. I think he spent more fixing the cheap stuff. These days he spends more but the expensive stuff still acts cheap. What I’ve learned is be mindful with the things we buy.

            I have bought cheap stuff. In the end, usually the expensive stuff lasts longer. I find that in clothes, cars, and computers. That does not seem to work with women. Expensive women don’t seem to last. Expensive shoes wear out just the same. I really think expensive tires wear out too. I can’t say expensive beer is worth it, but I do like it better. With some things cheap is cheap. In some things expensive is dangerous.

            I bring all this up because of debt. They say that over 60% of millennials will be in debt when they retire. I have read they won’t have pensions, savings, or homes. This is the disposable generation. They buy and throw away. My generation saved, gathered, and collected. I don’t know if that’s true. Yet, I know an older person, and they complain that there is no money to retire. What? Maybe all generations have debt problems.

            I know a couple that made a good living. They ran a successful business. Late in life they say they have no money. What happened? I wonder if that expensive car was worth it. The expensive house or appliances made all the difference. They never traveled much. Where is all the money?  I know another couple that spend a ton on travel. So much so, that I wonder where all the money comes from. There are people who buy new phones for 700 bucks. Others make sure they always buy top of the line. Was all this cash or debt?

            What does God have to say about debt? This is true 1000% of the time Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” Borrow and you will pay more. Get in debt and you will pay more. Spend money you don’t have and you will pay more. Capitol one exists just because it is good business. People are in the spending more than they should business. That is good for capitol one.

            I want a new stereo. I happened to purchase two Sonos Speakers. They are little, wireless, but they pack a punch. These two puppies are always on sale. Why? It’s because they are so good, you will want the rest of the expensive parts. Oh, I want it. yet, I have to wait. I refuse to get in debt. I will go to Greece, but it took five years to save. That is not the norm these days.

            I plan on being debt free at 58. No mortgage, car loan, or visa bills. When I retire I will have almost half the bills than when I was working. I am worried about others. Yet, I can’t save them. It’s sad to me that government is killing us with debt. I keep reading that debt is not that bad. However, I can see the belts tightening and the purses closing in government. A bill is still a bill no matter who you are.

            Times have been quite lean for many these days. I don’t recall so many businesses going under. Maybe my memory is short. I know people are not happy with our leaders. Don’t you know they reflect ourselves? They spend because we want to be spent on. We own debt because we love to be spent on. It’s actually simple math. Spend more and have less to work with. Work more and have less time off. Live longer and work longer means you die the same as the guy who worked less but died sooner. Why not spend less, work less, and live longer. I know that does not make cents does it?

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