Cope or die, not complain or die
My Nancy says:
I heard a report yesterday where a gentleman from Toronto was saying, he had a dinner party; there were 12 guests, they were all in their 30s, and the main topic of conversation was the bloody horrible economy. And yet, not one person at the table had lost his or her job; one had just bought a house, two had bought cars, and he and his wife were planning a European vacation. It’s good to remember that, while it sometimes feels as though we’re moving inexorably toward a very scary economic edge, we also live day to day, and how is it going for you?
I think most of us have felt some impact, if only as a result of larger impacts felt by others. For example, I noticed that luxury hotels are no longer re-stocking toiletries with full bottles as soon as I’ve used just a small amount. Bloomingdales isn’t letting me keep the Burberry-branded hangers when I buy (deeply discounted) clothes from them. But, really, big whoop. I try to live well below my means anyway - I have the lowest basic cost of living of anyone I know, in any city on earth, even though I live in one of the most expensive cost of living areas on the planet - so I guess that helps. (This was not always the case.)
Lots of people have it hard, and it doesn’t help them at all for me to wring my hands and wonder where it’s all going to end. It’s going to end where it’s going to end, and in the meantime, life goes on. My needs are met every day. I suspect most of the people kvetching the most loudly could say the same. The poor and meek are too busy trying to figure out how to make it through the day to spend time whining.
Filed under: Life
For as long as I keep my job, the recession has been pretty good to me, stocking up the new place at 20-30% off.
After that, we don’t spend much either except for eating out.
I’m sick and tired of people whingeing how much money they’ve lost on their house when a) it was totally overvalued in the first place and b) they have no intention of actually selling the place.
May I add the people who tell you every day that the market is down “stock market is down” in a maudlin voice when they have decades before retirement and should be aware that long term investing means “long term?” I’m getting the reputation as Office Beaotch for yelling ‘GET OUT OF MY OFFICE’ when the 39 year old guy comes in and moans about his retirement portfolio. I embrace this new identity.