Keeping Up With The Joneses

I was watching House Hunters on Hulu last night and was disgusted by the episode (which of course made it that much more entertaining to watch). It was about a young gal in her twenties, living with her parents while working so she could save money to move out. Sounds responsible right?

Here's the kicker. Her parents lived in what can only be called a mansion, but the point of this young ladies house search was that her parents wanted her to move out so that they would have their "space" back. This girl was younger than me and had stuff in several rooms of her parents house including half of their garage. Again think mansion sized rooms. Appalling.
The parents decided to help her out financially with a down payment since she hadn't saved up enough on her own and they wanted her out.

House Hunters always shows three homes the people look at. This girl's budget was $400,000. Yes, a 20 something was looking for a $400,000 dollar condo so her parents wouldn't have to share their mansion with her. APPALLING. And of course out of the three homes the girl chose the most expensive one that was actually OVER her budget.

I DON'T GET IT. This is everything that is wrong with our countries' financial health. Why do people my age think they can afford something like that? Her parents are not doing her any favors because if she couldn't save up for a down payment do they really think she will be responsible with her mortgage payments? SERIOUSLY!

DJ and I have started doing Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. We're not taking the classes but we're reading the books. If you haven't read them I highly suggest it! It is taking a lot of the money "tension" out of our life and most importantly out of our marriage. It is about being in control of every penny you spend at the beginning of each month, and "snow-balling" debt. We've got a long way to go but we are working towards being debt free.

One thing I've become more aware of is how EASY for people to get a loan or credit cards and just make those "monthly payments to pay it down". It is HARD to wait. It is HARD to have to save up for something you really want, but it feels AMAZING when you pay in cash and know that you don't owe anyone anything.

I keep thinking what our nation would be like if more people payed with real money and stopped borrowing. If more people stopped caring about what others thought and like Dave says, "live like no one else so later you can live like no one else".

We like it but it is definitely a challenge. It takes total commitment to stick to it. Check it out at www.daveramsey.com.
I think I will go watch some more House Hunters now and get some affirmation for our financial decisions ;).
And just for fun...