How much debts do you have?

Austerity · 23-09-2010 4:16am #1

I was wondering how much debt you people are in, me I have no debts because I own nearly nothing. Just a backpack, some clothes and my laptop computer. I have a whole bunch of savings. I spend my life working my way from country to country not worrying about much because I have no debts I need to service.

Why don't everyone abandon their consumerist lifestyles and stay out of debt? Once you are in debt you are no longer free.

foxinsox · 23-09-2010 4:21am

Austerity wrote: »

I was wondering how much debt you people are in, me I have no debts because I own nearly nothing. Just a backpack, some clothes and my laptop computer. I have a whole bunch of savings. I spend my life working my way from country to country not worrying about much because I have no debts I need to service.

Why don't everyone abandon their consumerist lifestyles and stay out of debt? Once you are in debt you are no longer free.

I couldn't possibly tell you how much money I owe, it's private.

I would love to abandon my consumerist lifestyle and stay out of debt

BUT:

The bank probably don't want my house back!

My kids would probably object!

My kids couldn't possibly have a chance of backpacking without an education and some money from me!

I probably should buy food for my family!

I like shoes!

I like my car!

Jesus Wept · 23-09-2010 4:28am

Austerity wrote: »

I was wondering how much debt you people are in, me I have no debts because I own nearly nothing. Just a backpack, some clothes and my laptop computer. I have a whole bunch of savings. I spend my life working my way from country to country not worrying about much because I have no debts I need to service.

Why don't everyone abandon their consumerist lifestyles and stay out of debt? Once you are in debt you are no longer free.

Good advice, your timing is pretty piss poor though, don't you think?

Had you made the post five or ten years ago it would have held some merit, where as now it just seems like someone rubbing people's nose in it.
For example: Suggesting that people, a lot of whom may be in debt and/or in negative equity 'abandon their consumerist lifestyle and stay out of debt'.
They are already there.

kowloon · 23-09-2010 4:31am

I couldn't possibly fit all my beautiful, shiny consumer goods into one backpack.

Mackman · 23-09-2010 4:34am

Austerity wrote: »

me I have no debts because I own nearly nothing.

You dont need to borrow money to buy stuff. Ever try saving for things? That whole concept seems to be lost on some people

Austerity · 23-09-2010 4:42am

Mackman wrote: »

You dont need to borrow money to buy stuff. Ever try saving for things? That whole concept seems to be lost on some people

I have never borrowed money to buy things and besides I don't like buying things, owning things means you need to store them when you go away and so on.

Austerity · 23-09-2010 4:45am

The-Rigger wrote: »

Good advice, your timing is pretty piss poor though, don't you think?

Had you made the post five or ten years ago it would have held some merit, where as now it just seems like someone rubbing people's nose in it.
For example: Suggesting that people, a lot of whom may be in debt and/or in negative equity 'abandon their consumerist lifestyle and stay out of debt'.
They are already there.

Getting your self into debt to buy shiny things, using your house as collateral seems to have been a normal thing in Ireland. Well this is not considered normal in many countries around the globe.

Mackman · 23-09-2010 4:48am

Austerity wrote: »

I have never borrowed money to buy things and besides I don't like buying things, owning things means you need to store them when you go away and so on.

I didnt say you did, i was commenting on the rediculous idea that in order to have possessions, you need to borrow money

foxinsox · 23-09-2010 4:48am

Mackman wrote: »

You dont need to borrow money to buy stuff. Ever try saving for things? That whole concept seems to be lost on some people

Very true, the only debt I have is my house.
But trying to save can be very hard nowadays...

Although no matter how much you save, there are very very few people that would be able to buy a house without borrowing and getting themselves into debt.

Mortgages seem to be the biggest debt in this country, people struggle to pay mortgage and then other bills mount up... the downward spiral starts there...

Mackman · 23-09-2010 4:50am

foxinsox wrote: »

Very true, the only debt I have is my house.
But trying to save can be very hard nowadays...

Although no matter how much you save, there are very very few people that would be able to buy a house without borrowing and getting themselves into debt.

Mortgages seem to be the biggest debt in this country, people struggle to pay mortgage and then other bills mount up... the downward spiral starts there...

Mortgages aside of course

, i was talking about cars, tv's, etc

foxinsox · 23-09-2010 4:55am

Mackman wrote: »

Mortgages aside of course , i was talking about cars, tv's, etc

I know what you mean...

I could never understand people "purchasing" things when they actually don't have the money...

I've never bought anything on HP (maybe that term is old fashioned) but if I didn't have the cash I couldn't afford it.

Signing the dotted line for a house was the scariest thing I ever did... But so many people bought properties way beyond their means ..the banks didn't hold people down and force them to borrow huge sums of money to buy ridicously priced houses in the first place.

Just my opinion anyway

Snowie · 23-09-2010 5:07am

none I love saying that still **** with money

old_aussie · 23-09-2010 5:07am

I have no debts.

I own the 3 bedroom house, plus I own a quarter share in a 2 bedroom unit.

I own a relatively new 4 cyl car.

I have over $200,000 in a defined superannuation scheme, cannot loose money.

So laughing basically all the way to the bank.

I was never a dole bludger.

Snowie · 23-09-2010 5:08am

old_aussie wrote: »

I have no debts.

I own the 3 bedroom house, plus I own a quarter share in a 2 bedroom unit.

I own a relatively new 4 cyl car.

I have over $200,000 in a defined superannuation scheme, cannot loose money.

So laughing basically all the way to the bank.

I was never a dole bludger.

yeah and your a convict.......you just steel stuff

foxinsox · 23-09-2010 5:10am

old_aussie wrote: »

I have no debts.

I own the 3 bedroom house, plus I own a quarter share in a 2 bedroom unit.

I own a relatively new 4 cyl car.

I have over $200,000 in a defined superannuation scheme, cannot loose money.

So laughing basically all the way to the bank.

I was never a dole bludger.

a/s/l?

Sticky_Fingers · 23-09-2010 5:51am

old_aussie wrote: »

So laughing basically all the way to the bank.

..........................._
........................../..\
......................../......\

...--/.........\
..................... |$$$$$$|
ha ha ha......-> |$BANK$|
......................|$$$$$$|

Godsentme · 23-09-2010 5:57am

old_aussie wrote: »

I have no debts.

I own the 3 bedroom house, plus I own a quarter share in a 2 bedroom unit.

I own a relatively new 4 cyl car.

I have over $200,000 in a defined superannuation scheme, cannot loose money.

So laughing basically all the way to the bank.

I was never a dole bludger.

Got any spare Horse on ya by any chance???

Mr Benevolent · 23-09-2010 5:58am

old_aussie wrote: »

I have no debts.

I own the 3 bedroom house, plus I own a quarter share in a 2 bedroom unit.

I own a relatively new 4 cyl car.

I have over $200,000 in a defined superannuation scheme, cannot loose money.

So laughing basically all the way to the bank.

I was never a dole bludger.

But you're in Australia, so you have a debt to society. Seriously though, it's a nice place, if a touch xenophobic.

Personally I have no debt except the obvious government-created stuff. What is it, 50k a head?

Terry · 23-09-2010 6:13am

Austerity wrote: »

Why don't everyone abandon their consumerist lifestyles and stay out of debt? Once you are in debt you are no longer free.

Because we are not all hippies who live out of backpacks.

Austerity wrote: »

Getting your self into debt to buy shiny things, using your house as collateral seems to have been a normal thing in Ireland. Well this is not considered normal in many countries around the globe.

We're an abnormal type, don't you know?

23-09-2010 8:03am

old_aussie wrote: »

I have no debts.

I own the 3 bedroom house, plus I own a quarter share in a 2 bedroom unit.

I own a relatively new 4 cyl car.

I have over $200,000 in a defined superannuation scheme, cannot loose money.

.

But can you tight it?

Is that like defined benefit by the way? I'm curious how it "can't lose money"

Max Power1 · 23-09-2010 8:10am

No debts at all, just cleared my credit card bill. I have a small amount (a couple of grand or so, nothing major) saved up for a rainy day, which I intend to add a couple of hundred minimum a month to. I dont subscribe to this "hire purchase" mentality. If I cant afford something, I dont buy it.

old_aussie · 23-09-2010 8:15am

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

yeah and your a convict.......you just steel stuff

I can now see why so many Irish are busting a gut to get to Australia.;)

Your just a bludger by the sound of it, and a jealous one at that

And yes, at one time I did work in the steel industry, and bloody hard work too.

Flyer1 · 23-09-2010 8:15am

No debts

People owe me money :mad:

Absurdum · 23-09-2010 8:21am

about €30 billion, give or take a few

it wouldn't be so bad if I actually had something to show for it :rolleyes:

stovelid · 23-09-2010 8:23am

Austerity wrote: »

I was wondering how much debt you people are in, me I have no debts because I own nearly nothing. Just a backpack, some clothes and my laptop computer. I have a whole bunch of savings. I spend my life working my way from country to country not worrying about much because I have no debts I need to service.

Why don't everyone abandon their consumerist lifestyles and stay out of debt? Once you are in debt you are no longer free.

Pity there isn't a market for 24 carat smugness. You'd be minted.

Austerity · 23-09-2010 8:31am

Why are you calling me smug?

Absurdum · 23-09-2010 8:32am

Austerity wrote: »

Why are you calling me smug?

because you won't pay my credit card bill you smug smugger!!!!!!!!!!!!

phill106 · 23-09-2010 8:34am

Austerity wrote: »

Why are you calling me smug?

Because you are a bit. Thread was about how much debts you have, yet you feel the need to mention you have loads of money.

Sticky_Fingers · 23-09-2010 8:34am

old_aussie wrote: »

Your just a bludger by the sound of it, and a jealous one at that

I'm sorry I only speak English, oh silly me, I'll try again:
ME SORRY ME ONLY SPEEKIE THE ENGLESH

23-09-2010 8:35am

Austerity wrote: »

Why are you calling me smug?

because most people in this country are living hand to mouth living in houses worth way less than they paid for and worrying whether they will have a job or be able to feed their kids next week .

Wompa1 · 23-09-2010 8:35am

Don't owe a penny. I save for anything I want or need. I try not to let my account dip below 500 euro.

kfallon · 23-09-2010 8:41am

Absolutely debt free, don't even owe any mates as much as a fiver!

And got a nice few quid in the Credit Union and Bank :cool:

Sticky_Fingers · 23-09-2010 8:44am

^^^+1 if you can't afford it you can't have it, mammy always said that the if you owe the banks money they own your arse for the duration so make sure whatever you spend the money on is worth it. Personally I have never been in debt and would only consider it for a major purchase like a house and thats only after I saved my balls off so I don't owe the c£nts more then absolutely necessary. My dad worked for the banks and he despised them If he were alive today he would burn the fockers to the ground.

stovelid · 23-09-2010 8:53am

Austerity wrote: »

Why are you calling me smug?

It's related to your smugness in no small way.

Sea Sharp · 23-09-2010 8:54am

zero. Took out a loan for 2k in 08 but got it all paid off a few months back.
Now I'm trying to save for one of those inevitable 50,000 Euro Dublin apartments.:)

onedaylikethis · 23-09-2010 8:55am

old_aussie wrote: »

I have no debts.

I own the 3 bedroom house, plus I own a quarter share in a 2 bedroom unit.

I own a relatively new 4 cyl car.

I have over $200,000 in a defined superannuation scheme, cannot loose money.

So laughing basically all the way to the bank.

I was never a dole bludger.

bludge [blʌdʒ] Austral and NZ informal
vb 1. (when intr, often foll by on) to scrounge from (someone)
2. (intr) to evade work
3. (intr) Archaic to act as a pimp

Smug, nasty, offensive and full of sh1t.:mad:

Austerity · 23-09-2010 8:55am

stovelid wrote: »

It's related to your smugness in no small way.

I am in no way trying to act superior to other people, I am just trying to warn people from getting into debt to buy shiny gadgets and cars. What is smug about that?

Max Power1 · 23-09-2010 8:57am

Jude White Neptune wrote: »

because most people in this country are living hand to mouth living in houses worth way less than they paid for and worrying whether they will have a job or be able to feed their kids next week .

Should have thought of that before buying the houses! It was obvious to the dogs on the street that prices of houses in the last few years were unsustainable and were going to plummet.

Quiet_thought · 23-09-2010 8:59am

+1 for the smugness....

Yes I have a small debt. However it is not from buying shiny things that I could not afford. It was for college. I have never been a 'dole bludger', I worked through college but a small amount of money was needed to make ends meet. I chose to take that debt on myself instead of putting the hand out to my parents.
So basically, yes I have a debt, no I don't feel like that makes me a consumerist idiot.

helimachoptor · 23-09-2010 9:01am

The house, but its rented and probably will be rented for the next 5 years. Also have a shed load of savings

Jaxxy · 23-09-2010 9:03am

I have ****loads of debt. But I don't really care because I enjoy my life.

kippy · 23-09-2010 9:06am

Austerity wrote: »

I am in no way trying to act superior to other people, I am just trying to warn people from getting into debt to buy shiny gadgets and cars. What is smug about that?

Some people like/need shiny gadgets and cars.

Theres really no issues with getting into debt, even getting into what some whould call major debt. The issues occur when you cannot pay back that debt.

Fair play to you and your lack of debt. It seems to be because of personal choices you have taken and the circumstances you prefer at the moment.

I've a credit card - find it difficult to travel without one to be honest - so fair play to you for managing that.
I've a mortgage - would have found it difficult to have a house other wise to be honest.
I've some credit union debt also for good measure - which I used for major expenses on the house when we wanted to put some more money into it.
Does it bother me? Not a chance? I am happy out, good job thankfully and good health.
I did all my travelling, living free etc.. when I was younger, now I am a bit older and I have a few expenses which are associated with being married, owning a house and enjoying life, I'll hopefully soon have kids and that'll be a further expense (not that I mind).
Debt will probably be part of my life for the foreseeable - doesnt bother me one bit so long as I can pay it back.

gurramok · 23-09-2010 9:06am

No debt but have savings. Only debt i'm likely to have is a mortgage if I ever leap from renting to buying a gaff

curlzy · 23-09-2010 9:07am

I've no debt at all, colour me smug. Ah not really, I've nothing to be smug about I was just very lucky, my parental unit taught me to save for things I want, not borrow and I also got a good job straight out of school which I still have. So yeah I'm lucky.

Austerity · 23-09-2010 9:07am

JaxxYChicK wrote: »

I have ****loads of debt. But I don't really care because I enjoy my life.

What do you plan to do if you lose your job and can't find another one?

The_B_Man · 23-09-2010 9:09am

I've just gone into debt there in me BoI account. I requested a new card and they charged me €5.90 to send it out! I had 5.51 in there, so now I'm 0.39c in debt!

AIB are sending me out a new card as well. I've plenty of money in that one but they better not feckin charge me for a new one!!

phill106 · 23-09-2010 9:09am

Austerity wrote: »

What do you plan to do if you lose your job and can't find another one?

Hopefully she has payment protection and mortgage insurance.
Saved my ass.

seven-iron · 23-09-2010 9:11am

Why don't everyone abandon their consumerist lifestyles and stay out of debt? Once you are in debt you are no longer free

I like my lifestyle, debt or no debt.

And I certainly wouldn't change it to go hopping from one country to another with a backpack and laptop.

Jaxxy · 23-09-2010 9:12am

Austerity wrote: »

What do you plan to do if you lose your job and can't find another one?

Readjust my payment plan accordingly to reflect my new circumstances? It's really not that hard. Needless to say I won't be losing any sleep over it. As another person has already said, I'm happy, have a good job and my health.

Degsy · 23-09-2010 9:14am

phill106 wrote: »

Because you are a bit. Thread was about how much debts you have, yet you feel the need to mention you have loads of money.

Yet he can only afford a backback and goes mooching around doing casual jobs..i'm burning with envy!

Degsy · 23-09-2010 9:16am

Austerity wrote: »

What do you plan to do if you lose your job and can't find another one?

I presumbe he could recession-proof himself by getting a backpack and growing some dreddlocks :rolleyes:

How much debts do you have?

Comments