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07-28-2008, 07:37 PM
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#281
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35,712
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Well, I am sure that we have all noticed that this thread is the most popular, i.e. with the most replies, and highest readership. I wonder what has made it so. Is it because of the plight of our debtor woman being so interesting? Or is it because of the articulate and thoughtful discussions? Well, except for some short (emphasis on short) outbursts of heated argument. Or is it because of the hilarious diversions?
I went back and read through this thread. I could not help burst out laughing when I got to the place where our ladelfina valiantly and singlehandedly kept the discussion on the topic, while the others seemingly conspired to sabotage the thread. Did you guys PM each other to do this? If so, I was certainly not in on this, being a newbie.
I think this thread deserves a special nomination in this forum. I am not creative enough to think of an apt descriptive adjective.
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07-28-2008, 08:23 PM
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#282
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NW-Bound
Did you guys PM each other to do this?
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Nah. We're well trained and we all know our roles.
Quote:
I am not creative enough to think of an apt descriptive adjective.
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hmmm...cluster...uh oh, I guess thats a naughty word...
__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
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07-28-2008, 08:51 PM
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#283
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 622
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny
hmmm...cluster...uh oh, I guess thats a naughty word...
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What's wrong with a little clusterfun?
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07-28-2008, 09:12 PM
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#284
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
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Thats easy for you to say...the words "beaver cheese" werent automatically translated to YOUR username the last few years... :
__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
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07-29-2008, 06:17 AM
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#285
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,360
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ladypatriot
Why not increase regulations on advertising and marketing? I'm not being sarcastic. If you need to increase regulation on credit lending, why not increase regulation on what drives the consumers' need to buy more than they need and more expensive stuff than they need, whether it's a house or a handbag?
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Yes, we could more tightly regulate advertising, but it would make little real difference. The basic problem is the stupidity / greed of the average 'consumer' (what an ugly word!), and that's a more difficult matter.
Conspicuous consumption has a much longer history than that of the advertising industry.
__________________
"To know what you prefer, instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive". Robert Louis Stevenson, An Inland Voyage (1878)
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07-29-2008, 06:27 AM
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#286
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ladypatriot
Why not increase regulations on advertising and marketing? I'm not being sarcastic. If you need to increase regulation on credit lending, why not increase regulation on what drives the consumers' need to buy more than they need and more expensive stuff than they need, whether it's a house or a handbag?
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Might require some real big changes in the law of the land, which would be impeded by some mighty well-funded lobbyists. AFAIK, advertising rests on the first amendment, which would bring in such a varied cross section of lobbyists that any such reform would go nowhere fast.
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
- George Orwell
Ezekiel 23:20
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07-29-2008, 06:33 AM
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#287
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 699
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny
FYI...$42873 adjusted for inflation from 1980 to 2007 is $120962.86
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This is encouraging. Are you sure numbers are current dollars ? I couldn't tell in article.
Would be stupid for authors to not adjust for inflation - but they are looking for the most "extreme chart" possible...
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07-29-2008, 07:21 AM
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#288
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
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I think I can safely prairie dog the numbers by saying that I dont know anyone at all that has even close to 120k worth of non-mortgage debt. What'd that be, a Mercedes and a Lexus with zero down and an extra $30k of credit card debt? As an 'average person'?
__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
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07-29-2008, 08:04 AM
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#289
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny
I think I can safely prairie dog the numbers by saying that I dont know anyone at all that has even close to 120k worth of non-mortgage debt. What'd that be, a Mercedes and a Lexus with zero down and an extra $30k of credit card debt? As an 'average person'?
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My mortgage debt is less than that, and "other" debt is $0: priceless!
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire
...not doing anything of true substance...
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07-29-2008, 08:16 AM
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#290
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 13,566
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I for one feel that CuteFuzzyBunny did not put the full effort required into derailing the thread--not even one picture of Vida Guerra for HFWR and the rest of the dirty old men!
__________________
“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching.”
Gerard Arthur Way
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07-29-2008, 08:16 AM
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#291
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 546
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny
I think I can safely prairie dog the numbers by saying that I dont know anyone at all that has even close to 120k worth of non-mortgage debt. What'd that be, a Mercedes and a Lexus with zero down and an extra $30k of credit card debt? As an 'average person'?
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I think the number includes mortgages and is not indexed to inflation, but then again it may not be the "median" person, but may actually be referring to the "average" person. In other words, Bill Gates makes $100,000,000 a year and his 9 neighbors each make $10,000. The "average" person (depending on how calculated) could make $10,000 a year or $10,010,000 a year. One person with a $600,000 mortgage, two $35,000 car loans and $50,000 of credit card debt ($720,000) makes up for 5 without debt to have an "average" of $120,000 each. And, considering the percentage of Americans who have SOME debt, it is likely that it is weighted upwards in this manner (in both measurements)
Also, I would agree about the buying on margin difference. A stock is intended to produce future income through dividends earnings or capital gains. By leveraging to buy a house, you are playing an investment (in the real estate market), but your alternative isn't to hold onto the money/spend it elsewhere (as it is in case of stocks) but is to rent. If you can own at $1000 a month (maybe save about $700 a year in taxes too) and rent at $700 a month. Would you be willing to spend that extra $250 a month to get into the real estate market and have the confidence of owning your own home? I am not saying anyone has to, but I am strongly for this idea/point.
Also, NWBound, I was trying to keep us on topic
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07-29-2008, 08:21 AM
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#292
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarah in SC
I for one feel that CuteFuzzyBunny did not put the full effort required into derailing the thread--not even one picture of Vida Guerra for HFWR and the rest of the dirty old men!
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I know, I really didnt put my best effort into it. I'd make a few perfectly valid excuse, but real men dont whine.
I'm pretty sure my track record speaks for itself as far as my ability to fully and properly derail a thread. Heck, I think I'm the only person on earth who has ever made Ho$uc speechless.
__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
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07-29-2008, 08:27 AM
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#293
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
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I may be dirty, but I'm not that old...
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire
...not doing anything of true substance...
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07-29-2008, 08:42 AM
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#294
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,855
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny
I know, I really didnt put my best effort into it. I'd make a few perfectly valid excuse, but real men dont whine.
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C'mon, not even the one where Vida has "I love moderators!" tattooed on her, ah, assets?
__________________
*
Co-author (with my daughter) of “Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence.”
Author of the book written on E-R.org: "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement."
I don't spend much time here— please send a PM.
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07-29-2008, 08:50 AM
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#295
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,483
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nords
C'mon, not even the one where Vida has "I love moderators!" tattooed on her, ah, assets?
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Where is Vida??
__________________
Consult with your own advisor or representative. My thoughts should not be construed as investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results (love that one).......:)
This Thread is USELESS without pics.........:)
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07-29-2008, 08:56 AM
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#296
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nords
C'mon, not even the one where Vida has "I love moderators!" tattooed on her, ah, assets?
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Thats the only other one I havent used yet thats 'pg-13' rated. Everything else is a clear cut 'r'.
__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
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07-29-2008, 09:12 AM
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#297
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35,712
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I believe the $120K debt/person includes the mortgage. Recently, I saw a statistics on home ownership in the US. Quite a large percentage (IIRC >30%?) owns their home free of mortgage. It is a lot more than I would have thought. Many relatives and friends I know who are 50 or older own their home. Perhaps even the spendthrifts realize they need to own their home once they get near retirement age.
It may not be as bleak as people fear.
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07-29-2008, 09:41 AM
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#298
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,360
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny
I think I can safely prairie dog the numbers
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Okay, time for some prairie dog photos.
__________________
"To know what you prefer, instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive". Robert Louis Stevenson, An Inland Voyage (1878)
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