The Material Life

Fade

The Beat Strangler
Administrator
illest o.g.
With everything going down the toilet in today's world, especially the U.S., here's my opinion about the cause of all the problems: being materialistic.

People today have too many toys, plain and simple. I hear "experts" on the news comparing today's financial crisis to the Great Depression of the 1920's and 1930's, LOL we're nowhere near that! Back then I think the unemployment rate was around 25%, men were doing any job they could just to be able to eat, not so they could go by a new car.

I lead a simple life to some I guess, I have a cell phone but rarely use it, I don't have a car, I don't own a home, I don't even have a credit card! (The credit card thing will change now that I'm working full time LOL). I had credit cards years ago and fucked it up and went through hell trying to pay them off, but I learned my lesson. But the point is that all this whining from people today about their problems is enough to annoy the shit out of me. If you don't have money then you don't get that 50" LCD TV. Forget about all this credit stuff, buy now, pay later, it's not worth it.

The past few years I was doing web design freelance, which meant that I basically had next to nothing in my back account. Working full time now, I finally have actual money in my account and plus I have no debts, and you know what? That feels fucking amazing! Seeing what everyone's going through just makes me feel even better, knowing I don't have to worry about my house, car, student loans, etc because I have none.

I know, I know, some people NEED a car because of where they live but most don't. Having a house is a great thing if you can afford it, but don't go into a lifetime of debt for it. I'm not knocking anyone that is in a fucked up financial situation right now, all I'm saying is I'm glad I'm not in that mess and that most people need to step back and assess their situation.

Do you really need 2 sofas? 2 cars? A laptop when you already have a desktop? Do you really have to eat out 5 times a week? Too many people go to the McD's drive-thru, pay for their happy meal on credit, go home to their big house, watch DVD's on their 50" TV, then they complain that they're broke. Think about that for a minute.

So what's the bottom line? Most people today are SPOILED. In the past when I had hardly any money and I wanted to buy myself something, I would ask myself: "Do I NEED this or WANT this?". And by doing that, even now that I have money I still ask myself that question. It's a simple rule to live by and I suggest that most of you try it. Needing and wanting, there's a big difference.

Are you pissed off? Good. The point of this thread is to make people realize that all these toys and materialistic crap is nothing. Live your life, have fun, and remember that there's always a positive side to every situation (unless someone is about to kick your ass in a bar fight, there's nothing positive about that). Who wants to go through life worrying about money? Not me.
 

Pug

IllMuzik Mortician
Moderator
ill o.g.
I feel ya.

I have a pretty shitty job right now that doesn't pay well, but I have no debts. Only thing is that with what I'm getting paid now, I barely have any savings in my bank. I can pay off bills no problem, but my future is somewhat questionable haha. Anyways, I live in a basement apartment, and the only shit I ever buy is records, games and clothes... anyways, every pay I get, I put 10% into a savings account for the future, the rest goes towards bills and rents and all that bullshit. Like Fade, I don't have a car, I don't even have a bus pass, I usually bike to get where I need to go. You don't need alot to be happy.
 

mono

the invisible visible
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 20
agree. heard some guy on tv say that the main objection of people in poor countries is to minimize suffering, while the main goal of people in rich countries is to maximize amusement. the latter is much harder to satisfy.
 

Ash Holmz

The Bed-Stuy Fly Guy
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 207
wow. real talk fade. well said. Although u left out one reason why people buy shit on credit. Females. Lol i remeber the first date I went on with my now wife, I spent mad money on the Captial One acting like I had dough. After a week, once it was clear i bagged her, it was back to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and kool-aid. Word.
 

H&R

DJ Nice // Crack City
ill o.g.
I agree but disagree ... I like my technology, I would never walk like 10 miles to a friends
house when I can drive and get there in like 10 minutes (or take 30 min by city bus), my laptop
allows me to work on my music anywhere and in studios, and as for my tv it doubles as my desk
top monitor lol ... But you are right though that is why people are in debt.

Saying most people dont need cars is crazy though ... How do you go to the supermarket Fade LOL ?
 

Fade

The Beat Strangler
Administrator
illest o.g.
agree. heard some guy on tv say that the main objection of people in poor countries is to minimize suffering, while the main goal of people in rich countries is to maximize amusement. the latter is much harder to satisfy.
Exactly. People need to put things into perspective.
I agree but disagree ... I like my technology, I would never walk like 10 miles to a friends
house when I can drive and get there in like 10 minutes (or take 30 min by city bus), my laptop
allows me to work on my music anywhere and in studios, and as for my tv it doubles as my desk
top monitor lol ... But you are right though that is why people are in debt.

Saying most people dont need cars is crazy though ... How do you go to the supermarket Fade LOL ?
Ya true, but I've always lived near a bus stop or metro, so taking a bus ride is nothing to me, although if I have to go really far then I'll find another way, that's all. Plus there's a mall 5 minutes walking from my place so forget the car LOL.
wow. real talk fade. well said. Although u left out one reason why people buy shit on credit. Females. Lol i remeber the first date I went on with my now wife, I spent mad money on the Captial One acting like I had dough. After a week, once it was clear i bagged her, it was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and kool-aid. Word.
LOL true. Again though, it's all about putting things into perspective.
 

Quality

Godson of the Clapper
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 19
You definitely make a good point fade. But I think its all about a balance. Don't be greedy, but just balance out the things that you want and need. Its fine to have technology, but its important to make sure you don't become obsessed over it. Credit cards can come in handy, but you don't need 6...one is plenty. Just make sure you can afford to pay the balance. The main problem is that people don't know how to balance money, fun, work, family, whatever...
 

Fade

The Beat Strangler
Administrator
illest o.g.
Bart, exactly. I'm not saying don't get a big TV or don't get an MPC, but in moderation. Find a balance. It's true, 1 credit card is great, why do you NEED another one?
 

DJ Excellence

ILLIEN
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 264
I agree with the excessive materialism, however on the other end , those financial institutions who are involved in subprime lending are also clearly at fault, giving money to individuals that don't necessarily have the knowledge and experience to make wise financial decisions (knowing that they wouldn't be able to pay as planned resulting in fines and increased interest rates....a very stupid business model because in the long run, the borrower cannot pay at all) .... in conclusion both sides are guilty.
 

Shonsteez

Gurpologist
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 33
Yo Fade you pretty much summarized what I titled my debut album after - "Mind over Material".....
Ive been on the strain of thought for who knows how long now so I figured what better name for an album?
But yea man, i feel u on that shit.
 

H&R

DJ Nice // Crack City
ill o.g.
Ya true, but I've always lived near a bus stop or metro, so taking a bus ride is nothing to me, although if I have to go really far then I'll find another way, that's all. Plus there's a mall 5 minutes walking from my place so forget the car LOL.

Haha you picked a one stop shop area were everything is conviently right next door ...

Fade's a pimp he doesn't go visit/pick up women ... They go directly to his house :) LOL
My friend doesn't have a car and women catch taxi's, city bus, rides, etc to his house
to smash and then catch a taxi back home ... Idk how he does it haha
 

Fade

The Beat Strangler
Administrator
illest o.g.
Haha you picked a one stop shop area were everything is conviently right next door ...

LOL that's the way to go though. I'd rather be near a mall and not have to worry about a car, rather than have a car and spend dough just to get to the mall!
 

Ash Holmz

The Bed-Stuy Fly Guy
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 207
^^^ hell yeah edit: @ steez

on a side note, driving a chick home the next day after a one night SSMMMASHHH is mad awkward right? Nobody really says anything druing the whole ride, partly becuase you forgot the chicks name, and partly because your thinking in your head ** "damn this chick is a slut, thats all it took to fuc her? Im no Denzel. She prolly fuced somebody last night too, but I should get the number anyway incase im extra horny on a weeknight" **
 

H&R

DJ Nice // Crack City
ill o.g.
^^^ hell yeah edit: @ steez

on a side note, driving a chick home the next day after a one night SSMMMASHHH is mad awkward right? Nobody really says anything druing the whole ride, partly becuase you forgot the chicks name, and partly because your thinking in your head ** "damn this chick is a slut, thats all it took to fuc her? Im no Denzel. She prolly fuced somebody last night too, but I should get the number anyway incase im extra horny on a weeknight" **

Na, they gotta go home that same night or sometime before 6am ... No spending
the night at my spot unless I respect/like you cause I don't wanna see you in the
morning LOL
 

Ash Holmz

The Bed-Stuy Fly Guy
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 207
^^ LOL. I would if I could. when it happens Im too drunk to even kick them out... I immediately pass out after the skeet .. Its like a chain reaction ... One time I woke up next to a white girl wit nothing on but some retro Jordans.

That werent even mine.
 

LDB

Banned
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 73
Oh hell nallll...that's how you get got. Never ever..... and I mean ever never fall asleep beside a one night stand! Handle your bizness and drop her off or kick her out.....which ever one works the best. There is no way in hell I could close my eyes in a room with a one night chicken head..uh uh...nope!
 
Top