We are a nation of consumers, and as such we are often caught up in the “bigger is better†syndrome, or feel a nagging compulsion to own the best and brightest gadget as soon as it comes out. As a Servicemember you know the allure. Knowing this, it is easy to make some generalized predictions about the spending for the average American. In the spirit of this, here are some stereotypical projections or predictions:
Credit- One prediction that is easy to make is you will be offered credit you don’t need, in the form of a mailing, a bulk mailing in your mailbox, or even perhaps a bulk Internet offer. Perhaps your favorite store will send you an “exclusive offer for credit.â€Â Or it could be a bank. Beware. Many people live without considerable debt for years, then become reeled in by tantalizing credit that in truth, they don’t need.
Big Buy- You will have something catch your eye, and be tempted to purchase something that you would not have considered having or owning previously. Maybe it is a fast car. Or, maybe a piece of electronic gadgetry that will make you “first on your block.†This is one of the most insidious types of un-needed credit, and lures many people into its “clutches.â€Â But it will be something you really don’t need, and cant afford anyway. So, don’t buy it.
Stuff- You will buy, purchase, and obtain more stuff. Most of the homes in America have gone up by fifty percent in size in the last three decades. We are a nation of consumers, and do we really NEED an automatic card shuffler, anyway? And in a year from now, you will have even more stuff. Well, at least the self-storage business is not due to fail anytime soon. And best of all for the devil that is unneeded debt; you will be tempted to move into a bigger, larger house or home.
Crisis Bills- Sometime in the next calendar year you will have something come up you didn’t expect. Things such as a medical bill, or repairs on a vehicle, or even home repair costs. As a rule you wont have any savings, so you will be forced to spend credit or borrow, after all who can blame you it’s a necessity and a need, right? Wrong. As a nation we need to plan, there is no plan to fail, but we sometimes do fail to have a plan. Or sufficient savings to meet unexpected needs.
Savings- Even if you have some form of savings, predictions say you wont save enough. Most Americans do not save nearly enough. And making payments will frustrate and confuse you because you will feel like you are not accomplishing anything.
