Number of the Week

[Eziekial]

Most people feel a crunch due to credit card debt. Once you get from out of that cycle, you feel a huge burden lifted off you. I'm not a financial wizard, however I do know a few things about planning and getting set up right to dig out of debt. If you need some advice, feel free to send me a PM or e-mail.

Oh and Success is getting what you want; Happiness is wanting what you've got.

[Diekan]

I can't understand how more of you don't see what *I* see.

While I agree that there are a lot of people out there who've put themselves in a bad situation by over using their credit cards for things they don't really need; there are still a great number of people who simply are not being paid enough.

I'm not sure if Americans think they're too good to do certain types of jobs or not, but I do believe that most people aren't going to waste their time on 8 dollars an hour when they're having to fork out 800 a month for rent (for a dive). Maybe it's a combination of both? I don't know for sure.

I ran across a site some time ago (maybe by a couple of months) and found that the cost of living has increased (overall) by something like 200% while wages have barely moved. Something is WRONG here, and I am having a hard time believing it's so easily chalked up to American egotism.

I don't think the average American is expecting to graduate from school (whether high school or other) and step into a job where they can drive a new Lexus every year and live in a 50 room mansion. I DO think the average American is simply *expecting* to earn enough money to afford a decent home, a decent vehicle, take a vacation once a year, and put away for a retirement. And, THAT is not likely on the shit wages we're being forced to take this day and age.

Do you really think today's companies can't afford to pay a decent wage (that's more in tune with the cost of living)? Or, are you like me and believe it's simply a matter of greed?

Yes, there are people out there who will increase their standards of living every time they get a real raise, but there are a good many who don't.

I just don't understand why most of you can't see the big picture here.

[Ginzburgh]

Well thanks for showing us the light.

[Lyion]

Do you really think today's companies can't afford to pay a decent wage (that's more in tune with the cost of living)? Or, are you like me and believe it's simply a matter of greed?

Yes, there are people out there who will increase their standards of living every time they get a real raise, but there are a good many who don't.

I just don't understand why most of you can't see the big picture here.

Do not confuse greed with capitalism.

Capitalism is a matter of supply and demand. Some people WILL succeed and continue to make more money and be valuable by reputation and by having a marketable skillset. Others will not.

If you have no skills to offer and no motivation then yeah, you'll float from job to job. Likewise, you need to have a plan and some luck. I hear more and more people gripe about fields when others are out there making a killing? Why? They hard charge.

American business is about making money. It has always been about making cash. However business needs someone to make money from and some way 'to win'. If you hire crap workers and salesmen you will have an asstastic company.

If you don't want to be a 'worker', the simplest way to make good cash is to be a kickass salesman. If you can sell, you will always have a job and you'll do well.

[mappatazee]

80-20 rule.

You redistribute wealth and implement perfect fair trade (hypothetical): 80% of the wealth will eventually return to 20% of the people. And the remaining 80% of the people will have 20% of the wealth. That's how people are.