Are things getting more simple or complex?
Dear thoughtful reader,
My car is in the shop today for a leaking radiator. What started out as a drip two days ago turned into catastrophic radiator failure this morning. Amazing how fast a car ailment can come on. The car’s getting on in mileage so heftier repair items are happening with more frequency. Once they’re all fixed I hope it’s smooth sailing for another 50,000 miles.
Still cheaper than a new car payment though. When I was younger, I had to have a new car every 3 or 4 years. I struggled with the payment, but it seemed worth it to look cool in my new car. Now, I’ll do anything to avoid a car payment. It feels like an albatross I don’t want to carry around my neck.
Car payments got me thinking of all the monthly items we now have to pay for: cell phone, cable, internet, regular phone, electricity, mortgage, car insurance, home insurance, water delivery. If you commute, you can add on train tickets, parking passes, etc. It’s hard to get ahead with all these seemingly mandatory monthly payments.
Although many of us may crave simplicity, we’re getting complexity disguised as simplicity. At least that’s how I see it. But maybe you disagree with me? Maybe you feel you’re getting more simplicity with all your gadgets and monthly payments?
Please tell me more!
Muse thx. Giulietta
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Hi G.,
I’m with you about simplicity, but looking at that list…if we don’t have a mortgage or rent, we don’t have a roof over our heads, and we need water, and communication in case something happens. Some people get a deal with a cable company to bundle up the cable, phone, and internet, but it takes a bit of paying attention to avoid a deal that includes 500 channels nobody needs (I guess that’s an example of disguised simplicity). If you have to manage and be trained in how to use all of those extra other gadgets and worry about them being stolen, well then no, that’s not simplicity.
Thanks!
I recently paid off my car, and it is so freeing. Some of the items do make our life easier plus someone is making a living and money is circulating in the economy. At the same time, I’m earnestly aiming to be completely debt free! I agree, simplicity is liberating.
Hi Sally & Silky (Two S’s),
Enjoyed your thoughts on debt and simplicity. It’s a fine line to walk for sure.
Good point Silky — I guess for people to work, we all need to buy things we don’t really need, which perpetuates our own working. Hopefully, we come out on top.
Sally, I hear you on the worrying about items being stolen. That’s the main problem with accumulating things, you feel compelled to protect them and worry about them. And when we get to be senior citizens we unload all the stuff we’ve been protecting and hoarding for 1/16th the price.
Maybe there’s a better way? Thx G.