tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31089463.post614991734310593281..comments2023-07-15T00:08:54.797-05:00Comments on The Closet Therapist: It Finally Happened: Gas Costs More Than A Cup of Starbucks CoffeeThe Closet Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09138262027540101507noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31089463.post-89206974523370129272008-05-07T09:55:00.000-05:002008-05-07T09:55:00.000-05:00Mdmom- Wow! I loved reading all the information ...Mdmom- Wow! I loved reading all the information in your comment. <BR/><BR/>I can't imagine anyone having to put 50% down on a house. We put 5% down and felt like it was a lot. There would definitely be fewer homeowners, although maybe there would be just fewer very expensive cars on the road. It seems that Americans choose to spend their money on cars and keep the homes highly mortgaged.<BR/><BR/>It's sad that the American way of life is pervading other countries. I hope everyone learns from our example with our individual debt and out lending crisis.<BR/><BR/>Oh, the high taxes of socialized medicine. I am not sure which is better, but between medical insurance and the cost of doctors, I think we all pay a pretty penny. I imagine socialized medicine does put a heavy burden on many during their healthy years though.<BR/><BR/>That's great that you can live close to things. If I were walking around here, people would think I was stranded and ask me if I needed help. Being with one car is a sacrifice here, so it's interesting to know that it's the norm or even a luxury in other places. <BR/><BR/>Knowledge of how other countries do things is so enlightening! I love to know how other people view their personal finances and manage daily lives. Thank you so much!The Closet Therapisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09138262027540101507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31089463.post-52908081823623846412008-05-04T01:53:00.000-05:002008-05-04T01:53:00.000-05:00you are right about the differences in thinking in...you are right about the differences in thinking in different countries. here, the norm is 50% down on a house, mortgage the other 50%. and even with that 50% down, the banks still want co-signers on the loan. financing on cars is a relatively new phenomena, most people either have company cars as a perk, or buy them outright, as we did. cars are generally smaller as gas is a small fortune (about 4x as much as in the u.s., the price on the board is the same amount more or less but here it's per liter, not gallon) and most families have only one car, but that is changing, unfortunately, as people here with money try to mimic the american way of life, which isn't really practical for the realities of this country. <BR/><BR/>real credit cards have just been introduced in the past two years, beforehand we used debitcards, which made spending more "real." and they are not handed out to everyone. those who are invited to have a card but have no history are given extremely small credit lines. but all is not rosy -- there is tremendous bank overdraft here that is being remedied as the banks are capping that as well. i see that there is much more awareness in this country of the cost of things and the value. our tax bills are huge as we all pay for socialized medicine among other priorities. <BR/><BR/>we all know what our currency is trading at against the dollar, because our economy is somewhat dependant -- but how many average americans not in finance know the status of the dollar -- or even care? (well, maybe now people care) i didn't when i lived in the u.s. it's not important when your currency is the world standard. <BR/><BR/>we chose to live in an urban center so that we wouldn't be so dependant on our car, both in terms of my daily needs and my husband's commute to work. the trade-off is more expensive housing, but with our crazy gas prices, it's worthwhile.<BR/><BR/>i definitely think more of the big picture here, and whether or not something is worth spending on, whether it's planning my errands for walking-distance downtown so as not to even start up the car, and really thinking about whether something is a need or a want...nikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10940223046751850440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31089463.post-71267080909833484892008-05-03T08:32:00.000-05:002008-05-03T08:32:00.000-05:00Stephanie-Thank you!! Now we have lovely red gera...Stephanie-<BR/><BR/>Thank you!! Now we have lovely red geraniums in front of the house and it makes me feel like I'm in the south of France. :) <BR/><BR/>I think saving may be more addictive than spending. We have to be careful not to become Scrooges and count our gold coins every night. My favorite expression to hubby is "Do you know how much money I saved you!" Just not having my hair highlighted alone has added up to thousands in salon visits and hair maintenance products. So what if I like perfume because I'm so thrifty in the hair department.<BR/><BR/>Phew! Getting out of debt has been a challenge at times, but I think it has instilled values in our marriage from the start that will last us forever.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your comment!The Closet Therapisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09138262027540101507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31089463.post-68167518119323709392008-05-03T08:27:00.000-05:002008-05-03T08:27:00.000-05:00LBR-I know what you mean about ebay. Again, it's ...LBR-I know what you mean about ebay. Again, it's paying to sell something and then the standing in the line at the post office. I've done it a few times, but it usually feels a let down compared to the money received. <BR/><BR/>When I moved to Texas I let go of 1/4 of my furniture and countless carloads. It has always been a dream of mine to "travel light". I guess it's the free spirit in me who wants to only have a carload full of stuff to escape. Well, we are beyond a carload now, but at least the makeup collection continues to dwindle. I'm down to a carload of makeup at least. :) Progress, not perfection...The Closet Therapisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09138262027540101507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31089463.post-43638665486512899952008-05-01T19:53:00.000-05:002008-05-01T19:53:00.000-05:00Great topic! Over the past several years I have b...Great topic! Over the past several years I have been transformed from a spender to someone who really enjoys saving money. Congratulations on making the hard choices and sacrifices to start your marriage off on the right financial footing. <BR/><BR/>Your house is cute!<BR/><BR/>StephanieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31089463.post-92191631372828266392008-04-30T10:17:00.000-05:002008-04-30T10:17:00.000-05:00I find the whole selling stuff on Ebay to add more...I find the whole selling stuff on Ebay to add more internal clutter than I feel like it offers in financial return. I prefer giving stuff to Goodwill and I have held the occasional garage sale. There are only a few things that I regret letting go of. But for the most part getting rid of clutter and un-used stuff always ends up improving my chi.<BR/>Congrats on your accomplishments. I know how hard it can be to let go of stuff. Yay, you! :-)La Belette Rougehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686717070120116918noreply@blogger.com