The Luxury Trap

SLUSK

I saw a program on television called the Luxury Trap, it is about people who live way beyond their means. One case had a nurse who bought lots of crap and generated mountains of credit card debts. In her apartment she had THREE 50 inch flat screen televisions, one of them was put away in a closet!

I wanted to scream, why are people this stupid. When you walk around and see that people use their own houses as their private ATM's you just ask yourself, why do people do this?

What kind of person gets caught up in the luxury trap?
What kind of person gets caught up in the illusion of wealth?

Is the Western world an idiocracy already?

soundsham

obviously public sector earn too much:D

AlmightyCushion

Some people seem to see their credit card as free money especially when they only pay the minimum on it. Also when applying for a loan hearing it only costs €xx amount per week/month it sounds a hell of a lot cheaper. People just need to cop on a lot.

PirateShampoo

All i have in my closet is a bound and gagged hooker.

SEPT 23 1989

bland shallow people who know the price of everything but the value of nothing

this economic depression will thin out their ranks

SLUSK

soundsham wrote: »

obviously public sector earn too much:D

This is a Swedish show and this nurse(not qualified, one step below qualified nurse) had an after tax salary of €1500 month, yet she spent more money than what a GP could afford. She also smoked 2 packs of cigarettes per day and spent loads on takeaway.

I honestly believe that this person deserved to be homeless and begging on the streets. People should not get any help from government when they put themselves in situations like this.

There are to few homeless people More people should be homeless because of their stupidity.

SLUSK

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

bland shallow people who know the price of everything but the value of nothing

this economic depression will thin out their ranks

I personally have more money than most people who make 50%-60% more than me, I love money. It buys me freedom, I laugh at suckers in debt bondage.

DarkJager

We're here for a good time not for a long time

SLUSK

DarkJager wrote: »

We're here for a good time not for a long time

and when it goes to **** you expect to get a tax payer bail out!:mad:

Turd Ferguson

PirateShampoo wrote: »

All i have in my closet is a bound and gagged hooker.

No wonder my ma hasn't been doing the washing up recently

DarkJager

SLUSK wrote: »

and when it goes to **** you expect to get a tax payer bail out!:mad:

Eh..wut?

Kernel

SLUSK wrote: »

and when it goes to **** you expect to get a tax payer bail out!:mad:

Only if you're a bank/property developer.

Catch_22

sweedish nurses you say ?

so you got a copy of this eh "programme" ?

SLUSK

Catch_22 wrote: »

sweedish nurses you say ?

so you got a copy of this eh "programme" ?

I'm sure you would not understand the language and besides she looked kinda rough.

Kernel

It's all about consumerism. People are constantly being fed that buying the latest products will make them happy. They're groomed from birth to be good consumers. There's also another factor of instant gratification vs. long term planning which is a psychology manipulated by lenders and credit card companies.

Neamhshuntasach

I got caught up in it. I used to pay for high class hookers every night. Now i'm the working class hooker.

pikachucheeks

I think it has a lot to do with the media and their portrayal of celebrity life.

There's constant reminders of how much celebrities spend in the press - everything from how much their car(s) cost, to how much they spend on certain items of clothing.

Celebrity life is made out to be glamourous and fun - people then associate being affluent and spending money on material possessions as the way to have a higher quality of life and possibly, to validate themselves.

I think this material element in our society is very sad, thousands of people and families are struggling with debt, as a result. I use Christmas as a prime example - How many people do you know who spend beyond their means at this time of year to provide lavish gifts for their children/family/friends, to keep them happy?

SLUSK

Kernel wrote: »

It's all about consumerism. People are constantly being fed that buying the latest products will make them happy. They're groomed from birth to be good consumers. There's also another factor of instant gratification vs. long term planning which is a psychology manipulated by lenders and credit card companies.

what a bunch of bs! people have responsibilities for their own lives and they cannot run around like children and blame everyone else, I truly despise these people who are not willing to function like proper adults.

My name is URL

Why have cotton when you can have over-priced cotton?

SLUSK

pikachucheeks wrote: »

I think it has a lot to do with the media and their portrayal of celebrity life.

There's constant reminders of how much celebrities spend in the press - everything from how much their car(s) cost, to how much they spend on certain items of clothing.

Celebrity life is made out to be glamourous and fun - pndeople then associate being affluent and spending money on material possessions as the way to have a higher quality of life and possibly, to validate themselves.

I think this material element in our society is very sad, thousands of people and families are struggling with debt, as a result. I use Christmas as a prime example - How many people do you know who spend beyond their means at this time of year to provide lavish gifts for their children/family/friends, to keep them happy?

I don't know to many people, I personally haven't given or received a Christmas gift in years. I don't need presents or all manner of useless items. I own almost nothing and I plan to leave this world behind and go to South East Asia permanently when I can afford it.

DarkJager

SLUSK wrote: »

what a bunch of bs! people have responsibilities for their own lives and they cannot run around like children and blame everyone else, I truly despise these people who are not willing to function like proper adults.

You hit the nail on the head there - people have responsibility for their own lives. So what business is it of yours what they spend their own money on?

Pighead

SLUSK wrote: »

and I plan to leave this world behind and go to South East Asia permanently when I can afford it.

You do realise that South East Asia is located here on planet earth? Are you thinking of somewhere else? Valhalla maybe?

SLUSK

it becomes my business when they receive handouts from government.

DarkJager

Pighead wrote: »

You do realise that South East Asia is located here on planet earth? Are you thinking of somewhere else? Valhalla maybe?

Valhalla is too expensive for his tastes. A nice shack in the back arse of Rwanda perhaps??

SLUSK

Pighead wrote: »

You do realise that South East Asia is located here on planet earth? Are you thinking of somewhere else? Valhalla maybe?

When I said this world I meant the Western world.

DarkJager

SLUSK wrote: »

it becomes my business when they receive handouts from government.

You are not the government so why worry yourself over it? You may like the idea of a mud floor, arse naked with no electricity but most people enjoy purchasing items (useless or not) with the money they earn themselves.

SLUSK

DarkJager wrote: »

You are not the government so why worry yourself over it? You may like the idea of a mud floor, arse naked with no electricity but most people enjoy purchasing items (useless or not) with the money they earn themselves.

You can enjoy a much better standard of living than that without putting yourself one cent into debt.

DarkJager

SLUSK wrote: »

You can enjoy a much better standard of living than that without putting yourself one cent into debt.

But why do you see it as putting yourself in to debt? People know when they buy expensive items that it hits the wallet, but if its something that appeals to them then what harm is it, apart from to the bank balance?

Nothing in this world is free.

orestes

SLUSK wrote: »

it becomes my business when they receive handouts from government.

Are you Swedish?

pikachucheeks

SLUSK wrote: »

I don't know to many people, I personally haven't given or received a Christmas gift in years. I don't need presents or all manner of useless items. I own almost nothing and I plan to leave this world behind and go to South East Asia permanently when I can afford it.

You're in a minority - the world is becoming increasingly more materialistic.
Seemingly, people like owning "useless items" - They like having stuff in their houses they might not even have need to use.

As for Christmas, it's the ultimate cash cow for advertisers and retailers. It gets bigger every year. The original message of the season is pretty much lost, to be replaced by the material.
Thousands of people get into debt over Christmas, due to spending crazy amounts of money on everything from gifts and decorations to luxury food items.

SLUSK

DarkJager wrote: »

But why do you see it as putting yourself in to debt? People know when they buy expensive items that it hits the wallet, but if its something that appeals to them then what harm is it, apart from to the bank balance?

Nothing in this world is free.

Don't buy stuff you can't afford, save until you can afford them. People left right and centre buy stuff on credit and the bills keep racking up. Because of their stupidity I wonder how they managed to survive until adulthood.

Pighead

SLUSK wrote: »

When I said this world I meant the Western world.

No offense but South East Asia is becoming more westernized with every passing year. You'd want to get a hurry on buddy if you want to experience that alternative lifestyle you crave. Otherwise your voyage will be as exotic and exciting as hopping aboard the 11.30 train from Heuston Station to Limerick junction.

DarkJager

SLUSK wrote: »

Don't buy stuff you can't afford, save until you can afford them. People left right and centre buy stuff on credit and the bills keep racking up. Because of their stupidity I wonder how they managed to survive until adulthood.

You are missing my point. Why are such people "stupid" in your eyes? People buy stuff because they want it, they have a right to do what they want with their money after working hard to earn it.

If we all spent our lives just saving money for things we want to buy, we wouldn't even get around to purchasing a third of them.

SLUSK

DarkJager wrote: »

You are missing my point. Why are such people "stupid" in your eyes? People buy stuff because they want it, they have a right to do what they want with their money after working hard to earn it.

If we all spent our lives just saving money for things we want to buy, we wouldn't even get around to purchasing a third of them.

If you borrow money you don't spend your own money.

Every single item I have I have bought with saved money. Never been in debt.

DarkJager

SLUSK wrote: »

If you borrow money you don't spend your own money.

Every single item I have I have bought with saved money. Never been in debt.

If you borrow money you still end up paying it back so what is your point?

TheZohanS

• Swedish
• Nurse
• Pics?

SLUSK

The point is alot of people will not be able to pay it back.
Interest rates are to low because of internventions in the free market. Interest rates should be alot higher and alot of families should be kicked out of their homes they can't really afford in the first place.

pikachucheeks

DarkJager wrote: »

People buy stuff because they want it, they have a right to do what they want with their money after working hard to earn it.

I definitely agree with you - if people have the money to buy things, they can spend it on whatever they want - and they have every right to.
But don't you think it's sad, when people go beyond their means and wind up crippled by debt?

There's a definite pressure in today's society to "keep up with the Jones'" which leads people into difficult financial situations.

It's a shame that so much emphasis and importance is placed on material possessions and that being rich and affluent is given so much weight.

DarkJager

SLUSK wrote: »

The point is alot of people will not be able to pay it back.
Interest rates are to low because of internventions in the free market. Interest rates should be alot higher and alot of families should be kicked out of their homes they can't really afford in the first place.

I'm becoming more and more confused each time you post. So now, people can't borrow money cause its not theirs. The interest rates are "too low", even though money is being siphoned off us left right and centre. Interests rates should go up now and make all the silly people who bought themselves a place to live, homeless.

Maybe you should think about travelling to Mars instead of Asia?

SLUSK

DarkJager wrote: »

I'm becoming more and more confused each time you post. So now, people can't borrow money cause its not theirs. The interest rates are "too low", even though money is being siphoned off us left right and centre. Interests rates should go up now and make all the silly people who bought themselves a place to live, homeless.

Maybe you should think about travelling to Mars instead of Asia?

People who live way beyond their means will eventually end up in a bad situation and it gives me some morbid satisfaction to see them kicked out of their homes.

DarkJager

SLUSK wrote: »

People who live way beyond their means will eventually end up in a bad situation and it gives me some morbid satisfaction to see them kicked out of their homes.

Then you are truly patethic beyond words and I have nothing further to say to you.

SLUSK

DarkJager wrote: »

Then you are truly patethic beyond words and I have nothing further to say to you.

These people are the same who laughed at people like me for not spending like crazy and buy stuff and a house I could not afford. Now when it comes back and bite's them in the ass I get the last laugh. Why is that pathetic of me?

DarkJager

SLUSK wrote: »

These people are the same who laughed at people like me for not spending like crazy and buy stuff and a house I could not afford. Now when it comes back and bite's them in the ass I get the last laugh. Why is that pathetic of me?

Because it could be you or your family in that situation, and leave all your "i'm a better saver than you" nonsense out of it. Would you appreciate somebody laughing at your misfortune, even though it really is none of their business? Answer that.

Bob_Harris

DarkJager wrote: »

Because it could be you or your family in that situation, and leave all your "i'm a better saver than you" nonsense out of it. Would you appreciate somebody laughing at your misfortune, even though it really is none of their business? Answer that.

It's the idiot population of this country that fuelled the housing bubble by paying idiotic prices in this "must own a house" culture of ours.

People can blame the bankers and developers all they like, but at the end of the day if there were no sheep to coax into taking out huge mortgages and loans they couldn't afford to pay back, we wouldn't be in this situation we are in now.

So yeah, maybe it is all of our business. The country faces the possibility of financial ruin for years to come if NAMA fails, so laughing at the "misfortunates" seems acceptable enough to me.

stovelid

SLUSK wrote: »

I own almost nothing and I plan to leave this world behind and go to South East Asia permanently when I can afford it.

I hate it when people let money control their lives.

Latchy

People living byond their means is nothing new .Some are just to stupid with credit they dont know when to stop .Like the womon who goes out and buys 5 luxury handbags at £120 each only to discard them after using once , then struggles to pay the CC bill ......pfft :rolleyes:

Jet Black

From working in a bank its a scary thing to see people owing upwards of 20k on a credit card and paying the minimum payment on it only to be paying off the interest, then they ask can they apply for a loan to buy a new car/jeep. These are the people I said I wanted to be like, the big house, the latest car, nice clothes and 4 holidays a year.
I did not relaise that they owned none of it. This was during the boom and I would hate to see some of them now.

Kipperhell

DarkJager wrote: »

If you borrow money you still end up paying it back so what is your point?

You end up paying more back is part of the point and the other main point being if you spend more money than you earn you can never pay it back.

Use credit by all means but it still has to add up at some point. I know people who are trailing debit behind them with the thought something will sort it out. Reality is it will eventually catch you.

It isn't about saving but spending within your means. If you need to take out a loan for a TV I think you can't afford the TV.

Sofiztikated

SLUSK wrote: »

I own almost nothing and I plan to leave this world behind and go to South East Asia permanently when I can afford it.

That sounds like a right barrel of laughs.

So if you aren't spending your money on anything, why don't you have enough to **** off to Asia already?

Possibly because you are renting and hiring overpriced goods and services?

One thing I have noticed that has come about because of the change, is the amount of mean ****ers around.

mathie

I was watching Dollhouse the other night (yeah I know sorry) and a guy in it said something like 'People strive for perfection. It's part of survival. And when you have everything you strive for you seek out more stuff to strive for'.

If you had no purpose then you might as well be dead

So these people need to realise that material goods does not equate to a 'purpose'.

The amount of people whose hobby is shopping in the 'malls' at the weekend is sickening and as someone mentioned it's a positive from the recession if that culture dies down.

Mr.David

The smell of begrudgery from some posters here is overpowering!:eek: