Birthdays
Recently, there was an ABC News report on "Bank-breaking Birthdays" where parents spend crazy amounts of money on their children's birthdays. Well, we already know all that from watching Sweet 16 (for those of us who have cable TV - not me, can't afford it). But now it's progressed to the younger ages and children as young as 1 year-old are having elaborate birthdays that cost more than some weddings (well, cost more than my wedding, anyway). Let's analyze this.
One couple spent 50K on their daughter's first birthday. If they have the money for it and don't go in to a huge debt and make 5 million dollars/year, then fine. But if they're like most Americans who make the average salary of 40K/year, even with a combined income of 80K...are they insane? Is keeping up with the Jonses THAT important? In a word, yes. Obviously, it is. And again, if people can afford 50K birthday parties, then fine. But most people cannot, and they're doing it anyway. Nothing new, but stupid nonetheless.
HOWEVER, all this whining and complaining about $3/gallon gas, *I* don't make enough money, *I* should get everything for free (including healthcare) and someone else should pay for it, *I* don't want to pay taxes because *I* don't have any money is so inconsistent, it would make anyone unsympathetic.
"Can't pay your taxes? Too bad. Who told you to blow 50K on that birthday party and buy a 40K SUV and that 2 million dollar home when you only make 40K/year?"
The only exception to this is the cost of education. I do admit that education doesn't come cheap in this country and it's perfectly acceptable to take out huge loans to pay tuition. I think 30k/year for grade school is a little extreme, though.
One couple spent 50K on their daughter's first birthday. If they have the money for it and don't go in to a huge debt and make 5 million dollars/year, then fine. But if they're like most Americans who make the average salary of 40K/year, even with a combined income of 80K...are they insane? Is keeping up with the Jonses THAT important? In a word, yes. Obviously, it is. And again, if people can afford 50K birthday parties, then fine. But most people cannot, and they're doing it anyway. Nothing new, but stupid nonetheless.
HOWEVER, all this whining and complaining about $3/gallon gas, *I* don't make enough money, *I* should get everything for free (including healthcare) and someone else should pay for it, *I* don't want to pay taxes because *I* don't have any money is so inconsistent, it would make anyone unsympathetic.
"Can't pay your taxes? Too bad. Who told you to blow 50K on that birthday party and buy a 40K SUV and that 2 million dollar home when you only make 40K/year?"
The only exception to this is the cost of education. I do admit that education doesn't come cheap in this country and it's perfectly acceptable to take out huge loans to pay tuition. I think 30k/year for grade school is a little extreme, though.
posted by V-Hume at 8:15 AM
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