Comments on: O, The Big Poorhouse http://oshouldknow.com/2008/10/03/o-the-big-poorhouse/ Other Things O Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:08:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Boise Programmer http://oshouldknow.com/2008/10/03/o-the-big-poorhouse/#comment-71 Boise Programmer Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:17:13 +0000 http://oshouldknow.com/?p=60#comment-71 I would even take this one step further. I've thought for years that the high rate of divorce is directly driving the economy, in many ways. Instead of taking the time to make a phone call or send an email, my ex and her mom think the solution to forgotten or misplaced items is to keep buying more. I look in the closet and see 5 skateboard helmets, I look in the laundry room and see dozens of pairs of socks and underwear that are worn one day a week. Add to this the fuel needed to shuttle kids back and forth to school on split workweek visitations, daycare spending, eating out more often from being rushed, etc. Top it off with a housing boom unlike anything we've seen, fueled not by nuclear households but by overfinanced single parents wanting to have the bigger home than their ex partner. It's the maroschino cherry on top of a fiat currency system that is bound to fail sooner or later. I would even take this one step further. I’ve thought for years that the high rate of divorce is directly driving the economy, in many ways. Instead of taking the time to make a phone call or send an email, my ex and her mom think the solution to forgotten or misplaced items is to keep buying more. I look in the closet and see 5 skateboard helmets, I look in the laundry room and see dozens of pairs of socks and underwear that are worn one day a week.

Add to this the fuel needed to shuttle kids back and forth to school on split workweek visitations, daycare spending, eating out more often from being rushed, etc. Top it off with a housing boom unlike anything we’ve seen, fueled not by nuclear households but by overfinanced single parents wanting to have the bigger home than their ex partner.

It’s the maroschino cherry on top of a fiat currency system that is bound to fail sooner or later.

]]> By: Jess http://oshouldknow.com/2008/10/03/o-the-big-poorhouse/#comment-70 Jess Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:43:31 +0000 http://oshouldknow.com/?p=60#comment-70 I hear you Patti on the need to simplify! I have that feeling when I look around at all that I have accrued, thinking that a simple puff of smoke that makes it all disappear wouldn't be a bad thing. I'm trying to get back to the simple life these next few months with big time cut backs on consumption, cooking from home, and homemade holiday gifts for everyone (Family cookbooks headed their way!) Great post Steph I hear you Patti on the need to simplify! I have that feeling when I look around at all that I have accrued, thinking that a simple puff of smoke that makes it all disappear wouldn’t be a bad thing. I’m trying to get back to the simple life these next few months with big time cut backs on consumption, cooking from home, and homemade holiday gifts for everyone (Family cookbooks headed their way!) Great post Steph

]]> By: Patti http://oshouldknow.com/2008/10/03/o-the-big-poorhouse/#comment-69 Patti Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:09:15 +0000 http://oshouldknow.com/?p=60#comment-69 Steph, it appears we've been living parallel lives! I too look around and see stuff and more stuff that needs dusted, maintained, repaired or put away somewhere, but there's no place to put it because other stuff is already there. This is our year to simplify! Great post. Steph, it appears we’ve been living parallel lives! I too look around and see stuff and more stuff that needs dusted, maintained, repaired or put away somewhere, but there’s no place to put it because other stuff is already there. This is our year to simplify! Great post.

]]> By: Jennifer Miller http://oshouldknow.com/2008/10/03/o-the-big-poorhouse/#comment-68 Jennifer Miller Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:55:33 +0000 http://oshouldknow.com/?p=60#comment-68 I just stumbled upon you looking for financial advice. LOVE your site. Somebody at Harpo should be paying attention. Hire this woman! I just stumbled upon you looking for financial advice. LOVE your site. Somebody at Harpo should be paying attention. Hire this woman!

]]> By: Olive http://oshouldknow.com/2008/10/03/o-the-big-poorhouse/#comment-67 Olive Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:48:28 +0000 http://oshouldknow.com/?p=60#comment-67 This is one of your best posts. It's true that people just keep buying and buying. We bought one of those big houses four years ago and now we are sorry. It is not only unneccessary, but hard to keep clean and our kids are always spread out all over the house vs. interacting tightly as a family. Thanks so much for your continued insight on the world. You make me laugh, even with such a serious topic. Blog on Big O! This is one of your best posts. It’s true that people just keep buying and buying. We bought one of those big houses four years ago and now we are sorry. It is not only unneccessary, but hard to keep clean and our kids are always spread out all over the house vs. interacting tightly as a family. Thanks so much for your continued insight on the world. You make me laugh, even with such a serious topic. Blog on Big O!

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