I believe that one of the topics that we need to encourage is openness about debt. In my world people will not talk about how much they owe on a car, on their house, their credit cards, 2nd mortgages, how much money they make - silence about these realities only supports the predatory practices of unscrupulous lenders, banks, mortgage companies, etc. Silence also keeps people in the dark about and unable to learn from each other. The stories coming out now about how people took out loans for homes that they could not afford are very important. I remember when my broker told me that I could get much more money and buy a much nicer house - I knew this was crazy talk and told them all no thanks. Unfortunately most people didn't understand this - and they weren't getting information from folks around them.
We need to be open and honest about debt. If I have 7500.00 on my credit card and go out and buy a 1400.00 tv - somebody in my life needs to talk to me about that, maybe even do an intervention.
Yesterday an old friend who is retired called and in our conversation he let me know that he was looking at buying a mercedes used for 9k. I asked him why - he's got a great car that he loves. I asked him about his values. His last comment to me on the topic was - you only live once. That conversation went very well and I think that it got him thinking. Before he hung up, he said he probably won't buy the car but just wants to look.
Tell me if you think that this sounds crazy. I've been thinking and talking quietly about it for some time. I would like to be more outspoken. Thanks
