tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post388820343416185411..comments2023-12-23T02:16:43.463-08:00Comments on "Rational Preparedness" : The Blog: Assessing and Planning for the Potential of Financial CollapseJaneofVirginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320442534060401465noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-56421993932478523452012-05-10T18:50:44.322-07:002012-05-10T18:50:44.322-07:00Crystal Mary, Thank you for your comments. Just as...Crystal Mary, Thank you for your comments. Just as in Australia, and Russia, and England and Belgium, there are lots of different types of people in the US. In different states, and in different communities, people conduct themselves differently from one another. My Amish friends, for example, squeeze pennies beyond most peoples imaginings. I have always been frugal, and this allowed us to send our children to college, allowed us to build and pay for this farm, to prep, and have an alternate place to live if/when necessary. There are frugal people, who always have been, but they are quiet. Yes, in some places in the US, particularly some of the cities, they do eat out often, live beyond their means, and age their clothes prematurely using a clothes dryer, when hanging it on a hanger for 20 minutes would do the job. Their spending patterns are based on what my father used to call "conspicuous consumption". The one good thing that this recession has done for people is it has forced some of them to see that we should buy things we need, and that our families need, not things which cause our neighbors hearts to beat with envy. Thanks again for posting.JaneofVirginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15320442534060401465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-80610495857135944442012-05-10T18:42:39.364-07:002012-05-10T18:42:39.364-07:00Gorges, Thanks for your recommendation I saw tod...Gorges, Thanks for your recommendation I saw today on your blog. I vacillate between being positive about the world to come, and being downright annoyed and occasionally depressed at how so many people are incompetent in their jobs, and this puts our nation at a decided disadvantage when competing with others. I know that my own children and their friends are fine people and that the world would do well in their hands, but it can be tough going some days. I pray continually.JaneofVirginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15320442534060401465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-16370999360419923652012-05-10T18:10:26.448-07:002012-05-10T18:10:26.448-07:00Hello, I am an Australian who lived in the U.S. fo...Hello, I am an Australian who lived in the U.S. for three years and married an American. We now live back in Australia. Some things I was stunned by over there was how people often ate out almost every meal. And so much is throw away. People live beyond their means. I hated using a clothes drier, not only is it expensive but I don't believe its healthy. I like the old clothes line.A drier may be helpful in winter, but in the warmer months, why can't people use clothes lines. Over here windows are open almost all the time and aircons are not used to the extreme as in the U.S. Please don't think I am running your country down.. But there are many ways of saving money that people should all be doing to pull their own weight against a collapse. Credit cards are another disaster. I grew up saving for what I got and not having it until I had the money. I still do this, and am better off for it. As a woman on my own I owned two homes. One has been sold since I married again. I owe no body anything, I give to charities, and I feel I live well. I believe many people need re-educating as to how to live. For myself I believe it has to begin with everyone being accountable for themselves...and that means politicians also.Sr Crystal Mary Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03509227559164880311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185219031783989911.post-53651246600811584282012-05-10T17:28:59.893-07:002012-05-10T17:28:59.893-07:00I'm not the least bit optimistic, but I keep p...I'm not the least bit optimistic, but I keep praying that God will turn this country around by drawing us closer to Him. If he does, the problems that caused this problem will be solved, and this one along with it.Gorges Smythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08777621500611603786noreply@blogger.com