tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690822573598832386.post1736684831544186348..comments2021-08-04T06:52:03.570-10:00Comments on Jamin Jones: Living With Less (and Loving It!)(Ben) Jamin Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07837329435564826327noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690822573598832386.post-13998781803301134482011-10-15T16:18:07.576-10:002011-10-15T16:18:07.576-10:00I agree with Ben in so many ways but, yes, I know ...I agree with Ben in so many ways but, yes, I know what you mean, Tatiana. I went to art school and making art had always been a priority, that and dancing all night and having time to be with the people I love and running down to the water to watch the sun rise and gifts that money can't buy. I have always lived simply, not a dumpster diver but a thrift store shopper on a tight budget. Right now, I have no TV, no computer, not even a lap top, no stereo system; in fact I have never bought any of the above. I rent an art studio and walk 3 or so blocks to work. I do own a house but we only owe $21,000 on it. No credit cards for the past 5 or so years. However, I do think we cannot forget that many of those caught in this financial are hard working, intelligent people who made the best decisions they could make at the time, based on information that they had at the time. People that we might have been able to trust, in another generation- your local lawyer or banker or stock broker (our grandfather was a stock broker for Wachovia and, my understanding is, he handled money for the Reynolds, Hanes, and other wealthy families but lived pretty simply). I think those relationships with "family retainers" is one of the biggest changes that has occurred since our parent's time. In those instances, it is not the greed of the homeowners who got stuck with a huge mortgage but the greed of those at the top. When my son was looking at college loans, the college gave us the names of three loan companies which were "preferred". I went with my credit union because that was my preference. Later that year, stories broke about college loan officers who had been taking kickbacks from these banks. The loan officer at Johns Hopkins was fired- or resigned- she probably did not suffer much consequence. Meanwhile, I know a lot of people who have lived very simply, worked very hard, taken good but never had jobs with health care and benefits and have been nearly crushed by simply trying to pay the basic bills. There is such a huge disparity in income and the value that we place on some jobs over others; no amount of hard work will lift some, especially <br />those without health care out of a day to day struggle.Annettenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690822573598832386.post-7371345318628859082011-10-12T09:24:45.031-10:002011-10-12T09:24:45.031-10:00I am hoping for positive changes for everybody.......I am hoping for positive changes for everybody.....!<br />Have a nice day!<br /><br />: )Tatianahttp://www.fargosisters.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690822573598832386.post-30842781188234075282011-10-11T14:29:01.213-10:002011-10-11T14:29:01.213-10:00Tati - Thanks for your comments! I didn't int...Tati - Thanks for your comments! I didn't intend to point a finger to any individual as being greedy, and certainly not you or others who have similar situations. I think society as a whole (bankers and many regular folks) fell into a mania trying to get rich quick (example folks flipping houses every six months) and many individuals such as yourself were unfortunately caught and misled into this trap. The entire real estate bubble was a mass hysteria - just like the Dutch tulip bulbs back in the day (and yet so few saw this obvious correlation). And I agree that there are many inequities that should have been corrected long ago. So If protesting can actually bring about a positive change then go for it. But it's going to have to effect the next election to do that and right now I see that as a slim chance. Meanwhile there might be more positive steps you can take to fix your own financial situation - perhaps by walking away from a badly underwater condo in LV. Is that a consideration? --ben(Ben) Jamin Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07837329435564826327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690822573598832386.post-50949872856105549642011-10-11T13:44:06.615-10:002011-10-11T13:44:06.615-10:00Well written!
It is great that you are happy livin...Well written!<br />It is great that you are happy living the way you do. Yes, less can often be more.<br />But I think that the protests against Wall Street are important. <br />It's not that people want bigger houses and feel entitled to drive brand new cars. It's about being heard and that they are tired of corruption, injustice and large corporations running things, the bail outs of the super rich.<br />4 out of 5 home owners in Vegas are under water, me included, not because the people were greedy, they did not see this coming at all. I know that I am not greedy. I have a 1993 Toyota 4 Runner that I drive in Alaska and a 1987 4 Runner in Vegas, perfectly content with that.<br />It's not about blaming others for your misfortune. We all have misfortunes, that's life.<br />The economy and the state of the country concers everyone and everyones future. People are fed up and what to be heard. That's a good thing. Maybe they are trying to turn the lemons into lemonade?<br /><br />Enjoy the waves!<br />: )Tatianahttp://www.fargosisters.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690822573598832386.post-1386013772340068732011-10-09T16:04:20.026-10:002011-10-09T16:04:20.026-10:00Well said. I hope your recovery is a quick one and...Well said. I hope your recovery is a quick one and you get back on the water soon. I'm getting ready to start reading the Hillenbrand book....looking forward to it.Waterturtlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00976341793884447213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5690822573598832386.post-32666146599887638032011-10-09T14:54:49.224-10:002011-10-09T14:54:49.224-10:00Great post. We're planning to move closer to t...Great post. We're planning to move closer to the water for better windsurfing access next year, and it will definitely be to a smaller house. We may spend the difference on an old van :) <br /><br />I love reading your blog, hope your recovery remains on track.Peterhttp://boardsurfr.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com