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  3. Why do Americans pretend they're not broke when most Americans are in debt?

Why do Americans pretend they're not broke when most Americans are in debt?

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  • A [email protected]

    I am absolutely beyond broke on paper. My debts are well into the six figures and my bank account is in the low five figures.

    I'm in my 40s and have a whopping $15k for retirement and no assets.

    It's pretty awesome.

    X This user is from outside of this forum
    X This user is from outside of this forum
    [email protected]
    wrote last edited by
    #10

    I've been there. It sucks. But it was possible for me to get out. It took years. Be careful, and be ready to catch any luck that might come your way.

    S 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • return2ozma@lemmy.worldR [email protected]
      This post did not contain any content.
      sunbrrnslapper@lemmy.worldS This user is from outside of this forum
      sunbrrnslapper@lemmy.worldS This user is from outside of this forum
      [email protected]
      wrote last edited by
      #11

      Ok, not an exact answer, but... In 2008, John Oliver had a bit that I thought captured the US culture of consumerism. He basically said that many countries could invent or even build an inflatable BBQ - but only Americans would actually buy an inflatable BBQ. Anywho, spending money, independent of whether a person has it, seems to be a cultural phenomenon in the US.

      S 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • sunbrrnslapper@lemmy.worldS [email protected]

        Ok, not an exact answer, but... In 2008, John Oliver had a bit that I thought captured the US culture of consumerism. He basically said that many countries could invent or even build an inflatable BBQ - but only Americans would actually buy an inflatable BBQ. Anywho, spending money, independent of whether a person has it, seems to be a cultural phenomenon in the US.

        S This user is from outside of this forum
        S This user is from outside of this forum
        [email protected]
        wrote last edited by
        #12

        Country Last Previous Unit
        Norway 210 206 %
        Luxembourg 187 182 %
        Netherlands 181 184 %
        Canada 171 173 %
        New Zealand 169 168 %
        Denmark 169 174 %
        Sweden 151 156 %
        Finland 108 112 %
        Cyprus 97.14 105 %
        Belgium 95.93 102 %
        France 95.35 102 %
        Euro Area 93.09 96.79 %

        https://tradingeconomics.com/country-list/households-debt-to-income

        Can't find US on there but I am know it ain't first.

        Debt is the westoid material condition... The quality of life people enjoy requires it.

        sunbrrnslapper@lemmy.worldS 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • return2ozma@lemmy.worldR [email protected]
          This post did not contain any content.
          1 This user is from outside of this forum
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          [email protected]
          wrote last edited by
          #13

          Honestly, not being a dick and caveat for me not knowing shit about you, but if you are curious enough about the topic to ask, you should take a quick finance course. Not like enroll in college or anything. I wanna say there are tons and tons of free to access resources for learning how debt and assets work that will undoubtedly improve how you manage your own money.

          Just to save the search (I use Udemy the most but definitely have not checked out all of these platforms personally, so do yo own due diligence lol)

          BYU personal finance courses

          • PERSONAL FINANCE FOR SELF-RELIANCE COURSE - In our course of working with and developing courses in personal finance, we found that the best beginning program had already been developed. As such, we have received permission from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to use their Personal Finances for Self-Reliance program materials on this website.

          • MONEY WISE FINANCIAL COURSE - This beginning course gives you a broad introduction to the many different areas of personal finance, with the hope that you will continue your study to understand better the topics covered in this website.

          Personal Finance 101: Everything You Need to Know

          • At the end of this course, students will be able to...
          • Build excellent credit
          • Manage debt, including student loans
          • Invest wisely and effortlessly
          • File a tax return
          • Get a great bank account
          • Understand credit cards
          • Understand and get six types of insurance
          • Make a spending plan
          • Buy a car
          • Find a great apartment
          • Buy a house
          • Get a jump start on retirement
          • Save for college
          • Get out of credit card debt
          • Avoid identity theft and fraud
          • Understand an estate plan
          • Navigate dating and finances
          • Navigate marriage and finances
          • Navigate children and finances
          • Navigate divorce and finance

          Become financially savvy with free online courses from MIT

          • August 21, 2024 - MIT Open Learning
          • Explore the foundations and practical applications of finance for your personal and professional development.

          Fuck it, lol, here is a link to a list of 30 free financial courses for all types of financing.

          S 1 Reply Last reply
          6
          • A [email protected]

            I am absolutely beyond broke on paper. My debts are well into the six figures and my bank account is in the low five figures.

            I'm in my 40s and have a whopping $15k for retirement and no assets.

            It's pretty awesome.

            R This user is from outside of this forum
            R This user is from outside of this forum
            [email protected]
            wrote last edited by
            #14

            I had $17k in the 401k when I was laid off from my last job - it had been twice that but there was that big collapse. Raised a lot of kids and couldn't put much away. Always something but never much. That was in my 40s.

            I am dug out now, mostly, in my 50s, not to the point I think I'll retire but oh my God when I look at the difference between them and now it's crazy, there is so much more.

            I just want to say, don't give up hope. I would never have dreamed that this would turn around and it did. And the kids grew up too.

            A 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • 1 [email protected]

              Honestly, not being a dick and caveat for me not knowing shit about you, but if you are curious enough about the topic to ask, you should take a quick finance course. Not like enroll in college or anything. I wanna say there are tons and tons of free to access resources for learning how debt and assets work that will undoubtedly improve how you manage your own money.

              Just to save the search (I use Udemy the most but definitely have not checked out all of these platforms personally, so do yo own due diligence lol)

              BYU personal finance courses

              • PERSONAL FINANCE FOR SELF-RELIANCE COURSE - In our course of working with and developing courses in personal finance, we found that the best beginning program had already been developed. As such, we have received permission from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to use their Personal Finances for Self-Reliance program materials on this website.

              • MONEY WISE FINANCIAL COURSE - This beginning course gives you a broad introduction to the many different areas of personal finance, with the hope that you will continue your study to understand better the topics covered in this website.

              Personal Finance 101: Everything You Need to Know

              • At the end of this course, students will be able to...
              • Build excellent credit
              • Manage debt, including student loans
              • Invest wisely and effortlessly
              • File a tax return
              • Get a great bank account
              • Understand credit cards
              • Understand and get six types of insurance
              • Make a spending plan
              • Buy a car
              • Find a great apartment
              • Buy a house
              • Get a jump start on retirement
              • Save for college
              • Get out of credit card debt
              • Avoid identity theft and fraud
              • Understand an estate plan
              • Navigate dating and finances
              • Navigate marriage and finances
              • Navigate children and finances
              • Navigate divorce and finance

              Become financially savvy with free online courses from MIT

              • August 21, 2024 - MIT Open Learning
              • Explore the foundations and practical applications of finance for your personal and professional development.

              Fuck it, lol, here is a link to a list of 30 free financial courses for all types of financing.

              S This user is from outside of this forum
              S This user is from outside of this forum
              [email protected]
              wrote last edited by
              #15

              No idea who down voted you but holy shit, some people om here resent the idea of having to educate themselves.

              Hopefully threat actors but JFC

              Do we have a personal finance community on fedi?!

              I am sure there is enough middle age cucks here to provide proper info for specific questions.

              M 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • X [email protected]

                I've been there. It sucks. But it was possible for me to get out. It took years. Be careful, and be ready to catch any luck that might come your way.

                S This user is from outside of this forum
                S This user is from outside of this forum
                [email protected]
                wrote last edited by
                #16

                That's all we can do here. Sadly only some of us will be able tobreak out.

                But if everyone did their best, it would deny owners so. i profit at least.

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • R [email protected]

                  How else are we supposed to know who's better than who?

                  I This user is from outside of this forum
                  I This user is from outside of this forum
                  [email protected]
                  wrote last edited by
                  #17

                  I thought you guys used race and gender for that?

                  jewbacca117@lemmy.worldJ 1 Reply Last reply
                  25
                  • R [email protected]

                    How else are we supposed to know who's better than who?

                    B This user is from outside of this forum
                    B This user is from outside of this forum
                    [email protected]
                    wrote last edited by
                    #18

                    The Jones's are a bunch of chatty kathy pricks.

                    R 1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • return2ozma@lemmy.worldR [email protected]
                      This post did not contain any content.
                      T This user is from outside of this forum
                      T This user is from outside of this forum
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                      wrote last edited by
                      #19

                      If you own a house or vehicle in the USA there's a good chance you're in debt.

                      B 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • I [email protected]

                        I thought you guys used race and gender for that?

                        jewbacca117@lemmy.worldJ This user is from outside of this forum
                        jewbacca117@lemmy.worldJ This user is from outside of this forum
                        [email protected]
                        wrote last edited by
                        #20

                        Oh that too. We make sure to remind the poor white folk they are still better than rich black people

                        R notyou@sopuli.xyzN 2 Replies Last reply
                        17
                        • return2ozma@lemmy.worldR [email protected]
                          This post did not contain any content.
                          H This user is from outside of this forum
                          H This user is from outside of this forum
                          [email protected]
                          wrote last edited by
                          #21

                          In debt doesn’t mean you’re broke. Not having money to spend is being broke. I’m pretty sure most Americans will admit they’re in debt.

                          H 1 Reply Last reply
                          1
                          • jewbacca117@lemmy.worldJ [email protected]

                            Oh that too. We make sure to remind the poor white folk they are still better than rich black people

                            R This user is from outside of this forum
                            R This user is from outside of this forum
                            [email protected]
                            wrote last edited by
                            #22

                            You said people and folk, but I think you meant men.

                            infinitevalence@discuss.onlineI jewbacca117@lemmy.worldJ 2 Replies Last reply
                            5
                            • B [email protected]

                              The Jones's are a bunch of chatty kathy pricks.

                              R This user is from outside of this forum
                              R This user is from outside of this forum
                              [email protected]
                              wrote last edited by
                              #23

                              Yeah, but they have a hot tub.

                              B 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • S [email protected]

                                Country Last Previous Unit
                                Norway 210 206 %
                                Luxembourg 187 182 %
                                Netherlands 181 184 %
                                Canada 171 173 %
                                New Zealand 169 168 %
                                Denmark 169 174 %
                                Sweden 151 156 %
                                Finland 108 112 %
                                Cyprus 97.14 105 %
                                Belgium 95.93 102 %
                                France 95.35 102 %
                                Euro Area 93.09 96.79 %

                                https://tradingeconomics.com/country-list/households-debt-to-income

                                Can't find US on there but I am know it ain't first.

                                Debt is the westoid material condition... The quality of life people enjoy requires it.

                                sunbrrnslapper@lemmy.worldS This user is from outside of this forum
                                sunbrrnslapper@lemmy.worldS This user is from outside of this forum
                                [email protected]
                                wrote last edited by
                                #24

                                Yeah, I was wondering about the US too. Also, I was expecting to see debt:income more like 30%. Am I reading this list wrong?

                                S 1 Reply Last reply
                                1
                                • return2ozma@lemmy.worldR [email protected]
                                  This post did not contain any content.
                                  H This user is from outside of this forum
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                                  wrote last edited by
                                  #25

                                  I owe nothing!

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • return2ozma@lemmy.worldR [email protected]
                                    This post did not contain any content.
                                    C This user is from outside of this forum
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                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #26

                                    Maybe the real curency was the debt we found along the way?

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    10
                                    • R [email protected]

                                      Yeah, but they have a hot tub.

                                      B This user is from outside of this forum
                                      B This user is from outside of this forum
                                      [email protected]
                                      wrote last edited by
                                      #27

                                      I mean, I have a hot tub. Granted, it been sitting on its side for about 5 years, the critters have claimed it as their own and now live inside, and the siding is rotted to hell, but it's there.

                                      R 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • R [email protected]

                                        You said people and folk, but I think you meant men.

                                        infinitevalence@discuss.onlineI This user is from outside of this forum
                                        infinitevalence@discuss.onlineI This user is from outside of this forum
                                        [email protected]
                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #28

                                        Its implied.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        2
                                        • undefined@lemmy.hogru.chU [email protected]

                                          Right? Who the fuck has a house?

                                          N This user is from outside of this forum
                                          N This user is from outside of this forum
                                          [email protected]
                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #29

                                          I do, but I bought it used.

                                          P 1 Reply Last reply
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