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Dakar² · Oct 18, 2006, 10:31 AM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15305043/from/RS.2/

As the U.S. population crossed the 300 million mark sometime around 7:46 a.m. Tuesday (according to the U.S. Census Bureau), the typical family is doing a whole lot better than their grandparents were in 1967, the year the population first surpassed 200 million.

Yes, despite their material prosperity, the Medians are a grumpy lot. A Parade Magazine survey (a good source for all things median) performed by Mark Clements Research in April showed that 48 percent of Americans believe they're worse off than their parents were.

"It's now easy for us to see how other people around the world live, not just how our neighbors live," says Barry Schwartz, a professor of psychology at Swarthmore College. Schwartz also argues that the plethora of consumer choices today, while generally a good thing, can be a catalyst for bringing people down. Not everyone can have a new flat screen television with both a 60 inch screen and premium sound.

Chock full of numbers, but what's more interesting is the general feeling of dissatisfaction average Americans have with their financial position, despite how much better things are now.

I have a deep appreciation for how well I live today, but the media does do a fantastic job of showing me what I don't have, where I don't go, and what I don't do.

Nicko · Oct 18, 2006, 11:07 AM

YOu better go out right now and buy something. That will fill you with happiness

Sky Captain · Oct 18, 2006, 11:08 AM

At least we can.

nonhuman · Oct 18, 2006, 12:06 PM

A Parade Magazine survey (a good source for all things median)

I love it.

itai195 · Oct 18, 2006, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Dakar�

Chock full of numbers, but what's more interesting is the general feeling of dissatisfaction average Americans have with their financial position, despite how much better things are now.

There are a lot of reasons that could be cited for this. IMO a large factor is that income inequality is much greater today than it was 40 years ago. And while the standard of living is quite a bit higher, people are also saving less and carrying more debt.

Dakar² · Oct 18, 2006, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by itai195

There are a lot of reasons that could be cited for this. IMO a large factor is that income inequality is much greater today than it was 40 years ago.

Not only that, but you're shown that so much more often.

Originally Posted by itai195

And while the standard of living is quite a bit higher, people are also saving less and carrying more debt.

I forgot about that. Yeah, that stress has to weigh in there somewhere.

Sky Captain · Oct 18, 2006, 01:10 PM

It's called living outside of their means.
No one forces them to do it.

Dakar² · Oct 18, 2006, 01:14 PM

You're right. But the consumerist culture encourages it like mad.

Sky Captain · Oct 18, 2006, 03:02 PM

Kinda like recreational drugs.
No one forces people to try them.
Or to continue to use them.
But no one can become chemically dependent on purchasing crap.

I don't buy crap.
Granted I've purchased things like a DVD player and a few home electronics.
But I purchase what I can afford. Usually on sale and not the top brand.
And I invest part of my income into land purchases.

Dakar² · Oct 18, 2006, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Sky Captain

Kinda like recreational drugs.
No one forces people to try them.
Or to continue to use them.
But no one can become chemically dependent on purchasing crap.

Not at all like recreational drugs, which aren't being pushed on us 10 minutes for every hour of tv we watch, make up a nice chunk of the magazines and newspapers we read, and the billboards we see every time we drive somewhere.

ironknee · Oct 18, 2006, 04:06 PM

i get about 10 credit card applications a week

Zeeb · Oct 18, 2006, 04:30 PM

This is interesting. Why do I keep seeing on the news how two parents these days have to work 60 hours a week just to get the same things(house, car, schooling) their parents provided to them when just one parent worked a 40 hour job?

mitchell_pgh · Oct 18, 2006, 04:42 PM

IMHO, things aren't going to get much better until we grow out of the technological dependancies.

At times I just shake my head when I find myself with a cell phone, iPod, PSP, and a digital camera in my pockets... or me spending hours wasting away on this forum.

The sad truth is, we are becoming a much less social society.

QUESTION When is the last time you saw your "best friend?"

Sky Captain · Oct 18, 2006, 05:04 PM

My "friends" only call when they want something.
Like airline passes.

I have more than my parents did.
And my dad worked for/retired from AT&T.

Many people today have made poor life choices.
I bought a modest home.
And my wife is frugle. I paid off my car.
My wife's car is paid for.
We don't "need" new cars.
Even my Beech I bought very used.

Responsible choices.

ironknee · Oct 18, 2006, 05:06 PM

back then, visa was bankamericard

and better music

Railroader · Oct 18, 2006, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by Zeeb

This is interesting. Why do I keep seeing on the news how two parents these days have to work 60 hours a week just to get the same things(house, car, schooling) their parents provided to them when just one parent worked a 40 hour job?

Because today's families think they deserve now what their parents have now. So they go in debt to have that and then they actually pay far more for what they have.

puppetswhokill · Oct 19, 2006, 12:43 AM

We need more Wal-Marts!

Dakar² · Oct 19, 2006, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Because today's families think they deserve now what their parents have now. So they go in debt to have that and then they actually pay far more for what they have.

They definitely think they deserve something, but unless their parents had four tvs, two cars, and an endless amount of subscription services, I think they're getting their inspiration from elsewhere.

Dakar² · Oct 19, 2006, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by Sky Captain

Many people today have made poor life choices.
...Responsible choices.

I couldn't agree more. After I left high school and did college and all that, I've always thought it'd have been handy if they had some kind of class in high school that gave you a general idea of what you were in for after you left, and what not to do.

Dakar² · Oct 19, 2006, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

The sad truth is, we are becoming a much less social society.

Depends what you mean by social. I just think we've moved much more to communication by means that isn't face to face or even voice.

Railroader · Oct 19, 2006, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Dakar²

They definitely think they deserve something, but unless their parents had four tvs, two cars, and an endless amount of subscription services, I think they're getting their inspiration from elsewhere.

You have a good point there.

But my parents have a TV in nearly every room of their house. I have one. But mine is a nicer model than theirs. They also don't have TiVo, which I think should be a God given right.

Sky Captain · Oct 19, 2006, 09:07 AM

I don't have a TiVO.
Last Friday, my Nephew came up with his daughter.
They stayed with my Uncle for the weekend.
I made the hour and a half drive to see him.
And it didn't bother me I missed Battlestar Galactica. It's just TV.

ShortcutToMoncton · Oct 19, 2006, 01:34 PM

Well, I for one am perfectly content to keep buying more pretty things that I want, even if I can't really afford them.

Case in point: my new snowboard that should arrive next week. On Tuesday I got depressed because I wasn't ready for my midterm yesterday, so I ordered it just to cheer myself up. Can I afford $600 right now? No. Do I have a credit card with enough space to fit? Yes. Voilá! Now I only hope I can somehow afford to make it to Lake Louise this winter!

Ahhhh, but it will be a monsterous 185cm of orgasmic beauty when it arrives, though. I pity the foo that thinks they're gonna catch up to me when I'm on that thing....

greg