What makes the Americans spend the money they dont have, and force them to borrow from expensive sources.?

Question

I am in this country not for long, and I have observed that Americans have a tendency to spend money that they dont have and therfore most of them are under heavy credit card or other debts.

Their desire to spend the money they havent earned yet is beyond my comprehension. What makes this nation spend so foolishly?

Answer 1

There are countless reasons:

Bankruptcy used to be a quick and easy process. 2 years after filing one could establish enough credit to buy a house.

We all have no patience. We need the newest toy now.

We have no respect for each other and especially collectors from credit card companies.

Parents do not teach responsibility anymore.

Personal finance classes not taught as much anymore.

Pick your posion, they're all valid reasons.

Credit card companies go after students on campus. They used to market there and let students go into debt. Don't know if this practice is still legal.

Answer 2

Being in an economics class at the moment, this is an easy question to answer. Americans spend what they don't hve because it's so easy to get credit. It's so easy to give someone that little piece of plastic to pay for something. It's harder to part with the money you have because you're not getting anything back. With the plastic you get it right back. This country has, and sadly, always will spend money foolishly, because most americans have not learne the true value of a dollar, or the value of hard work. Most people don't also realize how easy it is to save even a small amount of money, and end up rich in 20 years. Putting away 150 dollars a month at 12% interest could yield the investor well over a milion dollars by the time they are 29 (if they start as soon as they can at 18) Also, the availability, and sheer number of credit card applications offering no interest fo a few months gives people a way out. If this country started cracking down and not giving people so many options, Americans would change surely.

Answer 3

Most people dont realize that they are borrowing from expensiove sources. You need to pay up a credit card real quick and they are totally calling you up 24/7 to retrieve that , and then you find out another company loaning you some money, you dont usually end up caring how much interest and stuff the 2nd company is charging you and end up borrowing anyways to pay up the first one. Eventually you find out that the cycle keeps going and you have a huge loan on your back with exceptionally high charges. The best way to avoid this is to stay away from people who are lending you money when they arent supposed to. Usually those kind of campanies have the highest interest rates.

Answer 4

You are right, man, it makes no sense. Usually they learn it from their parents. People get greedy and think the world owes them something. They want it now, so they buy it on credit, rather than save up until they can afford it. Many people do not even understand how credit cards work, and credit card companies often prey on young people's ignorance. Better education might alleviate this problem.

Answer 5

unfortunately shopping an buying new matrial items make people happy. So people tend to go shopping to make them feel better, unfortunately what depresses people the most is money problems, so they keep borrowing & chargeing. This world has become a keep up with the Jones world, how sad is that? Spending with-in your means seems not to exsist anymore.

Answer 6

I think that family has alot to with the way Americans spend money. They want to give and provide there children whatever they can so they won't have to go without. We want better for them in every way.From clothes,education,material things, whatever. As long as our children have more than what we ever had it is worth it.

Answer 7

It is because our government runs the country on this model. If the president can pay for a war without accounting for it in the budget, then that has got to work for the everyday Joe.

Answer 8

In a word, GREED. Those of the fortunate taking advantage of the less fortunate. Thank your Congressman and the Federal Reserve bank.

Answer 9

Because we live in a society where bigger and more expensive is considered better. The car you drive, the house & neighborhood you live in, and other materialistic things are the measure of a person's worth. Unfortunately, this is the society we live in.

Foolish, I know.

Answer 10

Mostly the economy is set up for the rich man and therefore the poorer person can't even afford the necessities after their bills are paid that is if they can even afford to pay the bills