Financial Destroyers
May 18th 2008 15:18
Vices and addictions can deplete a wallet rather quickly, and can be quick solutions to bigger problems. I'm not here to preach or lecture but rather make you 'think' about it. The only person you should be answering is yourself, because in the long run if you can live with it, more power to you. This will probably make sense as you read on, and somethings may be referring to extreme cases.
We all have ways to unwind and lower our stress factor. Some like to fish, some like to smoke, some like to drink, etc., you see my point. Keeping your habits is fine unless they become an addiction. The real addiction is when you spend too much money on that habit. Here are a few examples:
Keeping Up With The Joneses
You might say that that is not a vice or habit that can hurt you financially. Oh, but it can, and many people become obsessed to keep up with their neighbors. I even seen this scenario when one family made much less money than the others. Materialistic possessions and a wealth of credit cards will drive you to financial ruin. Most people can't keep a credit card for emergencies like they claim. The immediate gratification that comes with the card is too tempting!
Use debit cards, layaway, save up for anything you desire to buy. Don't have the money? Do without or wait.
Gambling
Once your in you will never let go. States make so much money that gambling aside from casinos is encouraged. After all, all it takes is a dollar and a dream!
Casinos are springing up on almost any sovreign Native American land. People brag how much they win, but keep quiet how much they spend, and keep spending, for one big win. Horses, cards, sports parlees, etc., gambling is a laughing if you win and crying if you lose game. Until one leaves their jobs, they pretty much haven't hit 'The Big One!'
Even if they can afford to retire they will still have go and gamble and keep giving their dollar for a chance to dream. They end up spending their golden years working at the Golden Arches asking if you want fries with that!
Drinking Alcohol
Nothing is wrong with having a drink or two. It's when you drink 'too much' that most money can be depleted. This both by the cost of alcohol and the mental and health problems caused by alcohol. The cost can also involve legal matters such as being caught driving while intoxicated.
Illegal Drugs
Same as above. You can also add legal costs and rip-offs that add to financial meltdowns.
Smoking Cigarettes
I quit smoking 10 years ago because of my health. My doctor said quit or die after being diagnosed with a tumor. I was up to three packs a day at the time. My brand was Marlboro and was loyal to that brand. Aside from my health, my addiction cost up to $9(US) a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That pretty much was over $3300 a year. Today, if I was still alive, I would spend up to $15 a day! Do the math.
I quit cold turkey and it worked. I also WANTED to quit, and unless you want to quit, NOTHING will work. I strongly advise against Chantix for quitting as that will be a topic in my health blog soon.
Fishing
Fishing is acually cheap and relieves stress. The costs are equipment, bait, gas(if you have to drive), a fishing license(that will be costly if you don't have one!), rent-a-boat(I prefer offshore), food(unless you bring your own), and other minor expenses.
The problem with fishing is when any other of the top habits come on the trip!
We all have ways to unwind and lower our stress factor. Some like to fish, some like to smoke, some like to drink, etc., you see my point. Keeping your habits is fine unless they become an addiction. The real addiction is when you spend too much money on that habit. Here are a few examples:
Keeping Up With The Joneses
You might say that that is not a vice or habit that can hurt you financially. Oh, but it can, and many people become obsessed to keep up with their neighbors. I even seen this scenario when one family made much less money than the others. Materialistic possessions and a wealth of credit cards will drive you to financial ruin. Most people can't keep a credit card for emergencies like they claim. The immediate gratification that comes with the card is too tempting!
Use debit cards, layaway, save up for anything you desire to buy. Don't have the money? Do without or wait.
Gambling
Once your in you will never let go. States make so much money that gambling aside from casinos is encouraged. After all, all it takes is a dollar and a dream!
Casinos are springing up on almost any sovreign Native American land. People brag how much they win, but keep quiet how much they spend, and keep spending, for one big win. Horses, cards, sports parlees, etc., gambling is a laughing if you win and crying if you lose game. Until one leaves their jobs, they pretty much haven't hit 'The Big One!'
Even if they can afford to retire they will still have go and gamble and keep giving their dollar for a chance to dream. They end up spending their golden years working at the Golden Arches asking if you want fries with that!
Drinking Alcohol
Nothing is wrong with having a drink or two. It's when you drink 'too much' that most money can be depleted. This both by the cost of alcohol and the mental and health problems caused by alcohol. The cost can also involve legal matters such as being caught driving while intoxicated.
Illegal Drugs
Same as above. You can also add legal costs and rip-offs that add to financial meltdowns.
Smoking Cigarettes
I quit smoking 10 years ago because of my health. My doctor said quit or die after being diagnosed with a tumor. I was up to three packs a day at the time. My brand was Marlboro and was loyal to that brand. Aside from my health, my addiction cost up to $9(US) a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That pretty much was over $3300 a year. Today, if I was still alive, I would spend up to $15 a day! Do the math.
I quit cold turkey and it worked. I also WANTED to quit, and unless you want to quit, NOTHING will work. I strongly advise against Chantix for quitting as that will be a topic in my health blog soon.
Fishing
Fishing is acually cheap and relieves stress. The costs are equipment, bait, gas(if you have to drive), a fishing license(that will be costly if you don't have one!), rent-a-boat(I prefer offshore), food(unless you bring your own), and other minor expenses.
The problem with fishing is when any other of the top habits come on the trip!
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