tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post2898701286579519277..comments2024-03-26T00:14:00.509-07:00Comments on Crunchy Chicken: Affluenza book discussion (chapters 1 - 5)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-72079344746182613162008-02-04T06:50:00.000-08:002008-02-04T06:50:00.000-08:00#1. When I was in high school, the mall was a maj...#1. When I was in high school, the mall was a major social event, mostly because I lived in a rural area and the mall was the closest thing to "civilization" we had. I don't know that we ever really shopped, though. These days malls just leave me feeling disoriented and sad. I hate the idea of every mall across America having more or less the same stuff everywhere. I don't really have Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-54802838496094630932008-01-27T18:56:00.000-08:002008-01-27T18:56:00.000-08:00Malls-- I believe they are one of Dante's levels o...Malls-- I believe they are one of Dante's levels of hell--I loathe the mall and when forced to shop- I only go in stores that have outside access to them (ie Target) I cannot stand the "hallways" of the mall.<BR/>I can't understand my 14 year old boy- wants to be dropped off at the mall w. his friends. We have acres of woods, tools, dirtbikes, paintball...and they want to go to the mall? No, Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-90812671768733060032008-01-27T12:59:00.000-08:002008-01-27T12:59:00.000-08:00Just started reading a variety of blogs. I love wh...Just started reading a variety of blogs. I love what you have to say, as it reflects many of my thoughts. <BR/>I won't be reading the book, as it will depress me... We are up to our eyeballs in debt and I'm trying to get it controlled. I have 2 years until the mortgage rate changes and we are completely screwed, so I have to take drastic action NOW. I have to monitor our spending so that we Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-65466012270695146242008-01-22T16:01:00.000-08:002008-01-22T16:01:00.000-08:00I got over alot of these affluenza symptoms a numb...I got over alot of these affluenza symptoms a number of years ago. I really did. <BR/><BR/>For instance, I put money in savings even though it's earning less than my credit cards are accruing (and let's not even talk about those student loans).<BR/><BR/>I also shop for many critical items: lipstick, beer, jeans on sale at Anthropologie. I tend to buy impulsive purchases that aren't really Natural Louisvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02077556427666746717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-46882663560578091552008-01-19T15:26:00.000-08:002008-01-19T15:26:00.000-08:00I'm debating whether or not to read this book. My...I'm debating whether or not to read this book. My wife (who is a loyal Crunchy Chicken reader) just finished it. A co-worker of mine has been telling me for years to try and find Affluenza and Escape from Affluenza and how much I'd love the PBS shows. Finally - I found the orignal on YouTube. Just do a quick search and you can find it. My first take away was that this documentary is 10+ Jason Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01666031764035075998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-74212851461539338282008-01-19T05:53:00.000-08:002008-01-19T05:53:00.000-08:00I could relate to each of these chapters on some l...I could relate to each of these chapters on some level. And, like Deb g, I would say I am a recovering victim of Affluenza. A few years ago I read a fantastic book on Feng Shui called Move Your Stuff Change Your Life and I started looking at the value of things in a whole new way. At the same time, since moving to LA I have found that the malls have pay parking garages. So, while I might spend $Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04764437077561164662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-57306877439777123752008-01-16T11:36:00.000-08:002008-01-16T11:36:00.000-08:00(1). I like malls. Before me moved we lived reaso...(1). I like malls. Before me moved we lived reasonably close to a large mall in a very nice part of town. When the temp would reach over 90/100 we would load up and head to the mall. Did we shop?? NO! We looked for change. The food court had a strange floor and the money would blend in with it. Also, if you went into the stores geared to teenagers you could always find money on the floor.Haybughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09819891687623678045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-48710219102905195972008-01-16T07:25:00.000-08:002008-01-16T07:25:00.000-08:001. I do not like malls at all and visit them very ...1. I do not like malls at all and visit them very infrequently. I do my regular grocery shopping locally and seem to visit the same stores for needed products though I live in a large city with many, many stores to choose from. The only catalogs I get are seed catalogs. I do make some purchases online when it is something I need and can find a good price.<BR/><BR/>2. We have no credit card debt. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-27190920039524955722008-01-15T21:25:00.000-08:002008-01-15T21:25:00.000-08:00I have been reading a book called The Circle of Si...I have been reading a book called The Circle of Simplicity... it was written in 1998, but it applies very well to now, even a decade later. We have gotten to a mass consuming phase, and forgotten how to be humans, in touch with ourselves and instead material products make up our lives. However, we know money and products won't make us happy... everyone thinks they will be the exception to that Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-9026455901492160762008-01-15T20:20:00.000-08:002008-01-15T20:20:00.000-08:00katecontinued, I love the tiny house on your new p...katecontinued, I love the tiny house on your new post, and my Grandma's house defines home for me too. When I see that tiny house video, I feel my lifestyle is positively bloated.<BR/><BR/>We stay away from media mostly, but I am susceptible to Home and Garden TV, plants, and craft supplies. I have been able to give up my magazine fetish since I realized I was spending more time reading about Susan M.B. Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11188989826167040019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-17288738293506631002008-01-15T19:32:00.000-08:002008-01-15T19:32:00.000-08:00I haven't read the book, but just wanted to commen...I haven't read the book, but just wanted to comment on what you wrote about chapter 5. I really struggle with all the choices there are. When I invest my money in something, I want to get it right, but all the options tend to make me panicky and sometimes I just jump to get the decision over and done with. I'm a bit of a nightmare with restaurant menus that way, and it almost always leads to Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17588832912375311757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-31752351385398990292008-01-15T18:34:00.000-08:002008-01-15T18:34:00.000-08:00No malls, no credit cards, no keeping up, no clut...No malls, no credit cards, no keeping up, no clutter crisis beyond ongoing purges & no real needs, though I'd like a solar oven and a wonder washer - both from <A HREF="http://pathtofreedom.com/peddlerswagon/homestead/ecogoods/index.shtml" REL="nofollow">Peddler's Wagon.</A> <BR/><BR/>I haven't read the book, but it sounds really timely. <BR/><BR/>I wrote <A HREF="http://katecontinuedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02464606210207324034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-49256183926044325902008-01-15T18:10:00.000-08:002008-01-15T18:10:00.000-08:00i read this book a long time ago, and i thought i ...i read this book a long time ago, and i thought i would just lurk through but i just felt compelled to comment! after reading this book years ago, we definitely stopped the "social" shopping in place of very focused and directed shopping. i do sometimes end up "looking for bargains" at target occasionally but i try not to make the mall a social place...i think in most ways, chapter 1 causes all Phyllis Sommerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-58939002392664881002008-01-15T16:59:00.000-08:002008-01-15T16:59:00.000-08:00I am not reading the book at this moment but plan ...I am not reading the book at this moment but plan to pick it up at the library within the next couple of weeks.<BR/><BR/>1. I hate the mall. Hate shopping, unless it is a thrift store I have to have something I need to even browse and then it takes me forever to research it. My most recent purchase was a compost tumbler and that took several months to decide!. I used to buy online a lot but now IAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-58248710326588467502008-01-15T16:57:00.000-08:002008-01-15T16:57:00.000-08:00I've never participated in a book club before so t...I've never participated in a book club before so this could be interesting. I first saw the videos Affluenza and Escape from Affluenza about 4 or 5 years ago and they did make quite an impact on me, if only in small ways. There were images in those videos that are stamped in my memory.<BR/><BR/>Chapter 1: After I saw the movie I decided that I no longer wanted to use shopping as recreation. JacquiGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580912233349212417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-30280821179535462852008-01-15T16:30:00.000-08:002008-01-15T16:30:00.000-08:00Thanks for the discussion Crunchy. I read this bo...Thanks for the discussion Crunchy. I read this book a year ago and it was great to read it again and see how far my little family has come!<BR/><BR/><B>Shopping</B>: Malls strike fear in me. Overpriced crap.<BR/><BR/><B>Credit Card</B>: Use one card that gets paid off every month. Always have the cash to pay it off. I feel credit is safer than swiping your bank account-linked ATM card Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10071261767244278953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-43780676580135796642008-01-15T16:06:00.000-08:002008-01-15T16:06:00.000-08:00Chapter 1: I HATE shopping. Hate it. That said, I ...Chapter 1: I HATE shopping. Hate it. That said, I AM guilty of buying extra things that are on "sale" when i do have to go to the store. For instance, I'll go to the store to buy socks and end up with a couple of clearance tshirts for the kids (when they already have too many clothes) just because they were cheap. And I'm definitely guilty of buying things to make my daughter feel better. she's Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04351690627854517599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-9239327639714376362008-01-15T15:31:00.000-08:002008-01-15T15:31:00.000-08:00Anonymous, regarding declaring bankruptcy vs. taki...Anonymous, regarding declaring bankruptcy vs. taking out a home equity loan to pay off your debt, it really depends on the situation. If you're so up to your ears in credit card debt that you won't be able to pay it off even with a lower interest rate, then bankruptcy may be a more attractive option. If, on the other hand, you don't have an overwhelming amount of debt, and paying it off at a DChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16638079335012155807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-16610322482250025722008-01-15T14:24:00.000-08:002008-01-15T14:24:00.000-08:00I'm going to try to answer all of these questions ...I'm going to try to answer all of these questions with one story:<BR/><BR/>I graduated from college and got my own apartment in August. I had to furnish/equip the entire thing and buy a car. The one item I was most excited about buying over the endless days of shopping: an adjustable wrench. I love tools because they allow me to build things! I got to put together my own furniture (which alsocrstn85https://www.blogger.com/profile/13549871309834864781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-4277700103761049712008-01-15T14:23:00.000-08:002008-01-15T14:23:00.000-08:00DC (in reference to Chapter 2):Wouldn't declaring ...DC (in reference to Chapter 2):<BR/>Wouldn't declaring bankruptcy be better than possibly losing your house by getting a home equity loan? What if your a debt slave and have no hope of ever paying off the credit card debt? It's odd that no one mentions bankruptcy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-50717386884650312572008-01-15T12:07:00.000-08:002008-01-15T12:07:00.000-08:00I've been reading this book voraciously since I go...I've been reading this book voraciously since I got it last week. I quite like it, although there are some moral judgments in there from time to time I could do without, but that could be just me.<BR/><BR/>1) Shopping Fever: The older I get the more I avoid malls. Too crowded, noisy and obnoxious. We have a really big mall here, "West Edmonton Mall" that people who visit us often want to go Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03908227916944431265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-37592956992903561462008-01-15T11:59:00.000-08:002008-01-15T11:59:00.000-08:00I do not go to the mall, but I do shop online - a ...I do not go to the mall, but I do shop online - a lot of ebay - so I am having a negative impact on the environment because of the effects of shipping. I ordered the book online so I am waiting for the high I get when the mailman/UPS driver delivers a package. <BR/><BR/>I am a person who WANTS - I don't remember a time when I didn't want and I also don't remember a time when I didn't have Mrs. Gray's Classhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01598848369138213143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-81971264630074515012008-01-15T10:40:00.000-08:002008-01-15T10:40:00.000-08:00Shopping:I hate the Mall et all..but I LOVE thrift...Shopping:<BR/>I hate the Mall et all..<BR/>but I LOVE thrift stores and pawn shops and craigslist/freecycle. It's the thrill of the hunt for the thing I need that is cheap, used, and of natural materials.<BR/><BR/>Credit:<BR/>I have a credit card. I do NOT ever carry a balance on it. In fact, I rarely use it... mostly for online purchases since there is greater protection for a credit card Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17377889829748572675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-30204590814039474232008-01-15T09:38:00.000-08:002008-01-15T09:38:00.000-08:00Chapter 1- I haven't been to the mall in 2 years, ...Chapter 1- I haven't been to the mall in 2 years, but I do find bookstores are my place to browse and buy impulsively. Same with the warehouse store. I go in to buy organic milk because it's cheaper and walk out with convenience foods I really don't need. And maybe a bushel of white socks.<BR/><BR/>Chapter 2- I do use my credit card because I try to do most of my shopping via eBay.<BR/><BR/>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-28357419470342291402008-01-15T09:06:00.000-08:002008-01-15T09:06:00.000-08:00Chapter 1 – shopping as recreationI’d rather lop o...Chapter 1 – shopping as recreation<BR/><BR/>I’d rather lop off a limb than spend any time in a mall, so no... my preferred social events revolve around making things, rather than buying them.<BR/><BR/>I don’t really “shop”, per se... I only go to a store when I need something specific (although that doesn’t prevent me from making impulse purchases while I’m there... especially tools or art Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com