Comments on: Appreciating what you have is hard

By: Jo

Jo — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 07:25:07 +0000

Volunteering is a great way to experience how other people live, and not only that, but to do something about it, and help out, even if only for a short period of time!

African Impact has humanitarian and conservation volunteer projects in Africa, and are proud to be a part of making a difference on this continent.

Check out http://www.africanimpact.com

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:12:37 +0000

You are so right, people here don’t know how bad it can get. I would say to learn, you need to go and live in other countries to get an idea. I lived in Portugal for 2 years and was considered privileged as I made maybe $900/mo in 1991/1992. I lived poor, and saw people lots poorer. It makes me understand what are wants and what are needs. That experience made me appreciate how it is here, and I don’t plan on leaving again.

By: Moneymonk

Moneymonk — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:00:44 +0000

@ Ritesh

“Poor in America still have a cars, air-conditioners, disneyland vacations ”

You seem not to know poor people in America. Poor people do not have AC or disneyland vacations and cars

You must have that confused with the middle class

By: Moneymonk

Moneymonk — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:57:11 +0000

“The Only Way to Appreciate What You Have…is to experience the other side of life. ”

oh so true

I have learned that in America, we are so advertised to death, Everytime you turn a corner or watch TV you are marketed.

That’s why it’s hard to save because we are a nation of consumers.

I learned my lesson, I do what 98% of Americans don’t do. I just started doing the opposite

By: Luke @ Money & Fitness

Luke @ Money & Fitness — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:28:43 +0000

Great post and I think it is harder than people realize to know what it is like to come from nothing. When I was growing up, my mom raised my sister and I so I understood what being poor was (My mom did a heck of a job). But if I put my kids in a better situation when they are older, will they appreciate what they have or just expect it to be there? Hopefully this isn’t too far off topic!

By: plonkee

plonkee — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:36:26 +0000

Just want to point out that the collapse of an economy is not necessarily going to happen if a communist government takes over (there’s a democratically elected communist goverment in Bengal, India), and a non-communist government isn’t necessarily going to preside over prosperity – take a look at Argentina, Zimbabwe, or the German Weimar Republic.

But, in real life that’s completely irrelevant. I am in a great situation – there’s a stable political system, a stable economy, free speech, free education, free healthcare. I could do with remembering that a bit too.

By: Ritesh

Ritesh — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:46:53 +0000

I am an immigrant from India, living in the US for past 7 years. I can totally relate my life and life of millions of countrymen to the story of this couple from Chile. You are absolutely right – we have it VERY good here in America. Poor in America still have a cars, air-conditioners, disneyland vacations – for most people in India (or any other 3rd world country) -that is a Luxury! That is what people dream about all their lives and only a handful can achieve it. I am very thankful that I got to see both sides and consider myself extremely lucky to be here today ( although we are heading back in a couple of years, we just miss our family too much). so yes, people, please appreciate what you have here in America ! good post.

By: Bobbi

Bobbi — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:03:31 +0000

Another way to appreciate life:
Don’t watch stupid self-indulgent shows like Gossip Girl and the new Beverly Hills 90210!

By: Susie

Susie — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:21:51 +0000

Nice article, although the one point I would disagree with is that “most” people wouldn’t consider a $100K+ salary as “rich”. I think most people WOULD because most people in the United States do not earn that much money. It truly is about perspective.

As you noted from the responses to your last article, no one ever believes they, themselves, are rich (in terms financial). Which showed that it is nearly impossible to self-identify as rich. You might be able to self-identify as “satisfied” but will still not believe yourself to be rich. Which leads me to believe that “rich” has to be identified by others rather than the self – i.e., if the majority of other US citizens would look at your income and deem that a ‘rich’ income, then there you go. (And I specify US since, as you note in your article, there are degrees of poverty that make someone able to live in a car seem rich).

By: Susy

Susy — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:48:20 +0000

True True.

I grew up in Colombia and have seen real poverty first hand. Even the very poor here in the U.S. have it way better than the poor in other countries simply because have the distinct advantage of living in the U.S. where we can improve our lot in life through hard work. Many of worlds poor work 80 hours weeks their entire lives and will never be able to afford enough food to feed themselves, let alone actually own anything.