Are Your Priorities Backwards?

 

I keep seeing this commercial on T.V. and everytime it drives me just as crazy as the time before! The line that drives me absolutely mad is this one: “Far too many Americans health care and financial security are at risk.” It goes on to say that, Health Care costs are driving American families into bankruptcy.” AHHHHHHH! That is exactly what is wrong with this country today!!

What is driving American families into bankruptcy is American families! It is US that is responsible for these stupid decisions that we make, not health care costs! Sure health care costs may be high for some people to afford and yes there is probably something that can be done to bring these costs down. If you have a plan and no debt, bankruptcy will never be an option, and health care could be more affordable.

People are filing bankruptcy because of DEBT and they have NO savings plan! I would be willing to bet that if American families started paying a little more attention to the rising cost of their own debt, they would probably see that health care isn’t the problem at all! It’s time that American families regain control of their wallets and kick the lenders to the curb!!

It is about PRIORITY! How many people do you know complain about health care but drive a car they can’t afford? Sometimes there are two cars they can’t afford that are carrying payments. If you can’t afford health care then you can’t afford a car payment!! People are also buying bigger houses that they can’t afford and when times get hard who do you think we can blame? Not the decision to over buy, let’s blame health care costs!

Blaming the Government seems all too easy! It is time we realize that we are responsible for ourselves and our families. The Government is inept and to be honest I want the Government out of my life, don’t you? Look in the mirror to see who is really at fault for bankruptcies, because it is there that you will see the probable cause. 19% of all bankruptcies are filed by people under 25! Usually due to credit cards and student loans!!

Things that people might own while complaining about not having health care: 

  1. A NEW car or two.
  2. Big screen T.V.
  3. Surround sound for that T.V.
  4. Cable T.V
  5. TOO MUCH house!
  6. Pets
  7. Memberships
  8. Credit cards
  9. TOYS
  10. Expensive eating out costs
I am sure that you could think of many more things to add to this list, so feel free to do so! My opinion is that if you do not have health care, then you should have none of the above. Credit cards should be cut up regardless! Take control of your life and learn how to become debt free! If we didn’t have DEBT, health care costs wouldn’t seem so bad. After all we have the best health care in the history of the world!I want to make it clear that this post is in no way meant to belittle anyone who has had to file bankruptcy. I almost filed myself many years ago, and have done MANY stupid things with money. We all do stupid things and sometimes it costs us money, but the bottom line is we still owe the money and filing bankruptcy is not the solution. Gaining control of our finances and changing our behavior is! The point is to stop blaming other people for what ultimately is our responsibility! Are your priorities backwards? 

 

About Brad Chaffee

13 Responses to “Are Your Priorities Backwards?”

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  1. mecrafty says:

    Wow – great thoughts! Interesting – Morgan Freeman, Dakota Fanning, Ben Affleck, Reese Witherspoon, Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Jeremy Pivin, and Garth Brooks. How much $$ did AARP and the other sponsors of that commercial dump into that? How far would all of that money have gone to actually help fund something really important?
    That’s the thing that gets me anymore, is how much money companies send into advertising the consumer, debt driven lifestyle. I’ve become acutely aware of that since hopping on this wagon!
    I think this is your best post yet!
    MECRAFTY

  2. Mecrafty says:

    Okay – now you got my thoughts going. It’s interesting that this was the post after a conversation I had with my DSIL. Her best friends parents are moving in with her because they were at an assisted care center and went through $200K in 1 year in costs and are essentially broke except for the little bit that comes from Social Insecurity.
    DSIL started complaining about “this is how the government takes care of people” and I retorted that “that’s our fault for depending on the government to take care of us.”
    Knowing the way DSIL and people in her social group exist, I’d be willing to bet her friends parents spent too much time in debt and not enough time saving up for retirement because they figured they’d be taken care of! Sorry folks!
    Trust me, in my job I see what happens to elderly people who don’t plan for their retirement, and all the healthcare that goes along with aging – and I AIN’T GONNA BE ONE OF THEM!!!!!!!!
    Peace out!
    MECRAFTY

  3. Brad Chaffee says:

    The thing that gets me the most is they try and pretend that this is a bi-partisan advertisement by what they say in the beginning. Then they act like we should just take what they are saying as fact, after all they are famous!

    I would like some proof that health care costs are the reason people are filing bankruptcy! I would like them to prove that my financial security is at risk because of these health care costs! How about the cost of taxes? How about the cost of going to see a movie? I say stick to the movies and leave the politics to people who actually have a clue!!

    Best one yet, huh? Thanks very much that is very encouraging!

  4. idkmynameismikki says:

    Yea Brad go ahead and get in peoples face!! Don’t be nice!! lol

    I had a co-worker tell me I have “Good job” I should be greatful. In the same breath she said what happen to our clock we can’t function without the time!!

    Now I don’t know about the rest of you but I don’t want to be at my job 40 + more years wondering what time it is so I can leave, thats not happiness to me.

    I want to work a job I love and be rewarded at the same time.

    anyways this co-worker happens to have a nice 07 envoy truck which happen to sit in the drive way of her home for a year because she couldn’t afford the gas!! I paid my stupid tax no more for me!

  5. Enemy of Debt says:

    I know what you mean Mikki!

    Accepting the norm is not for me anymore either! Doing what you love to do and getting paid for it is very exciting, oppose to the normal thank God it’s Friday, OH NO it’s Monday routine!

    As far as stupid tax we have all been stupid and I’m sure that I will pay some stupid tax again but what I do know for sure is that it won’t be from borrowing!

    We are working to become recession proof, and our credit score matters NO MORE! People at work think I’m crazy when I say that. It’s hard to comprehend when you have normal money practices.

  6. idkmynameismikki says:

    Right Brad its like we are speaking a foreign language lol I guess we are considered officially weird when people don’t understand what we are talking about. Its getting pretty entertaining to see peoples reactions

    • Shin says:

      Most of these places are scams. Call you crdeit card companies and tell them that you are in danger of bankruptcy and you would like to work out an alternate payment plan. The regular customer service people usually can’t do this, ask for loss prevention. They will probably freeze your account so that you can’t use it anymore and then set up a payment plan. They want to avoid you being pushed into bankruptcy because then they lose their money.

  7. bgedwards says:

    Good job, Brad!! You are right and so are the comments from idkmynameismikki!! We
    need to be adult and plan for our future. We are working on really being weird
    right now!!

    People may think we are crazy, but they will see one day, won’t they!! I heard
    someone yell, We’re debt free!!! today and it sounded so fun that I can’t wait!

  8. Thanks for stopping by Golda!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!

  9. Tim Ramsey says:

    I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog.

    Tim Ramsey

  10. Brad Chaffee says:

    Thank you very much for stopping by Tim! I appreciate your comments and look forward to hearing from you more often. I am glad you like it.

    If you ever want me to write about something specific just drop me a line. Spread the word about Enemy of Debt and have a GREAT day!

  11. Emilie in Minneapolis says:

    I live in a neighborhood close to the University of Minnesota. Spring Semester ended last Friday, so students are moving out and leaving their unwanted possessions on the curb. While there is a high number of 5th hand sofas and suchlike, I can also get you a working Mr. Coffee (do you want the silvertone or the white model) a couple of toasters, blankets, and your choice of two large screen TVs. AND, that was only what I spotted on this morning’s dog walk.

  12. financialwizardess says:

    I like your list. I am in great financial shape (and my job provides excellent health insurance). Lets see…
    1. A NEW car or two. – I have ONE new car and two that are newish but paid off. The new one was a nice luxury because we had to fit a 3rd car seat in, so we got a minivan
    2. Big screen T.V. – nope
    3. Surround sound for that T.V. – nope
    4. Cable T.V – yes, we have that
    5. TOO MUCH house! – nope
    6. Pets – yes, we have those
    7. Memberships – nope
    8. Credit cards – yes, but they're paid in full each month and earn us vacation miles
    9. TOYS – nope, unless you count my 15 year old rollerblades or my walmart 10 speed
    10. Expensive eating out costs – nope, we limit this to special occasions and only go to olive garden or something like that (and no alcohol – man they overcharge for that! no dessert either, we do that at home after we've had time to digest – OH and take out is great because you drink your own drinks from home and dont' have to tip)

    Anyway, just loved your list and thought I'd comment as someone who's doing well…

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