Originally Posted by
009jim
I always figured that young people were not buying cars or homes because they blow all their money on things like iphone, plasma tv, computer, internet, games, etc. Us older people did not have such compulsion to have all this junk in our youth so we socked away our pennies to save for the big things. Modern day advertising is very persuasive, so much so that young folks probably believe they would not even be able to socialise without this new electronic junk.
Blow is such a strong word. Have you counted up how many iPhones it would take to equal the cost of a car? Us older people, Geezers In Training (GITs), are living electronically too.
I can remember when it was normal to upgrade your car every 2-3 years with a new one. We bought new color TVs, audio systems, jet skis, motorcycles, fancy 10 speed bicycles, vacations in exotic places. Socking away our pennies? Who do you think were buying all those Mc Mansions in brand new suburbs 50 miles from work? It's not modern day advertising that leads non-GITs to lead an electronic life. It's the whole world around them.
I know you have internet access, I suspect you have a cell phone, both things that very few people had in 1990. Life has changed since then. It's been a mind boggling change, especially for those of us who were conditioned to believe that reality is based on freeways, suburban houses and TV. Our apple cart has been upset. But that doesn't give us the knowledge to declare that others with different values are blowing their money. From reports I hear, generally they are harder pressed and less likely to spend frivolously.