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How have you experienced "lifestyle creep"? - 11/16/2009 12:38:44 PM
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Fritzpw_Admin
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quote:
How Much Does Your Lifestyle Matter to You?
Steve Scalici, CFP(r) - Treasure Coast Financial
As a child of the 80’s, I grew up watching Robin Leach. He brought the lives of celebrities into my home with the hit show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. I loved his English accent, but I loved what he represented even more: outrageous wealth. A 400 foot yacht with a basketball court? Now that’s living. That was something I could get on board with. When I was younger, I was impressed by people who could buy anything they wanted. Now I’m impressed by people who could buy anything they want, but choose not to because they realize that ‘stuff” has no lasting value.
We’re in the middle of a five part series that explores the five uses of money. This month, we’re looking at lifestyle. In our effort to attain the “lifestyles of the rich and famous” we often overspend and become the poster children for the “lifestyles of the poor and infamous.” It doesn’t usually happen overnight, but it does happen over time. There is a phenomenon called “lifestyle creep.” While there is no official definition that I can find for lifestyle creep, I have come up with this definition:
Lifestyle creep (v.) – the allocation of additional resources dedicated to selfish wants. The subtle change we make when our wants become our needs.
The Apostle Paul wrote these words to his disciple, Timothy when he was teaching him how to address a certain group of people.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (NIV). 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (Online Bible)
Some of you are reading this and just tuned out. You think this doesn’t apply to you because he’s talking to rich people. But, how do you define rich? Most of us don’t feel rich because we know many others who have more than us. But, have you ever stopped to think how much you really have? According to Global Rich List ( www.globalrichlist.com ), if you earn $37,000 per year, you are in the top four percent of wage earners in the world. If you earn $50,000 per year, you are in the top one percent of wage earners in the world. Put in that perspective, most of us are doing just fine and would be considered rich. Paul is talking to us!
Read the rest of How Much Does Your Lifestyle Matter to You?
Really liked this quote:
"Many think the main reason for giving unto the Lord is because the church needs money. No. The most important reason to give is because you need to be a giver."
How have you experienced "lifestyle creep" in your family? In your church?
_____________________________
Fred "Fritz" Alberti
Director of Social Media
fritz@salemwebnetwork.com
Read today's Bible verse from my favorite online Bible
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RE: How have you experienced "lifestyle creep"? - 11/16/2009 1:50:05 PM
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GroupW
Posts: 2766
Joined: 11/16/2007
From: Up in the hills of Colorado (very BIG hills...)
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Definitions:
"Preaching" - when something you say is true, but true for someone else.
"Meddling" - when something some else says is true about YOU.
Ya' stopped preachin' here and started meddlin'....
BT
_____________________________
“For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant and wrong.” -H.L. Mencken
"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so." -Bertrand Russell
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RE: How have you experienced "lifestyle creep"? - 11/19/2009 6:25:42 PM
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creationtalk
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I think there is a dangerous and false thinking going on in this article snippet--That is that there is something wrong with being able to go beyond meeting your basic needs.
That is not what I get from the quote.
Yes, I have experienced "lifestyle creep" in that my lifestyle has risen with my income and circumstances:
I have been very poor--on food stamps, living on savings, lost my home to debt etc. There were months when the only reason I ate was because people left bags of groceries at the church for me.
Today I am doing much better. I make enough to cover my basic needs plus provide for wants. Because of this I am able to give more generously to various ministries. I can also afford to hire people I know who are out of work providing them with a small income while keeping their self-sufficiency. I can help friends or family members in need by giving them money to help with medical bills or whatever.
The increase in "lifestyle" has been accompanied by an increase in Giving. I know Who has provided my increase, and He gets the credit. I know that it is He in whom I should trust, not the $$ in the bank. This is Paul's message--remember who is your provider and trust in him. It does not really have anything to do with lifestyle.
As the group "Holy Smoke" used to always say "God wants you blessed so you can be a blessing to others."
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RE: How have you experienced "lifestyle creep"? - 11/19/2009 9:14:06 PM
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10SNE1?
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I don't think the article is saying that there is anything wrong with earning more money and certainly not that there is anything wrong with being able to provide for your family and bless others.
Lifestyle Creep, to me, means that as my dh gets a nice raise every year...we find that we just happen to have more and more "needs". Instead of asking how we could use some of that to be a blessing to others.
I think Lifestyle Creep of churches and a preponderance of Christian Niche Marketing is also a serious issue which needs a serious look. Do we really need to be spending good money on "inspirational" cheesy mass produced "art' when children are hungry, both in our own country and aboard?
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RE: How have you experienced "lifestyle creep"? - 11/19/2009 9:29:24 PM
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10SNE1?
Posts: 223
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Fritzpw_Admin
Really liked this quote:
"Many think the main reason for giving unto the Lord is because the church needs money. No. The most important reason to give is because you need to be a giver."
I'm not sure about this quote. Do the words of Jesus really lead us to make giving about us? "We need to be a giver"? Or do we simply need to give because Christ had compassion and mercy on the poor,sick, orphan, widow.."the least of these" and, as His followers, the test of our faith is that we will do likewise?
The young families/young adults I know aren't too keen on the "church needs the money" part either.
"The church needs the money" has become harder and harder to defend when the church uses the money to build massive buildings, send staff on expensive vacations called "Conferences" and put in professional quality production systems for the weekly 30 minute worship show.
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RE: How have you experienced "lifestyle creep"? - 11/20/2009 9:20:15 PM
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clydewolf
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Of course we have all experienced "Lifestyle Creep".
When the Pilgrims settled at Plymouth, only the Pastor had wood floors in the house. The others had dirt floors.
Technology dictates this to a large extent.
3 of my 4 grandparents never saw electricity in their home.
Did your parents have a computer(s) in their home?
How about a car without AC?
Or a refrigerator or food freezer?
TV or color TV and then we go to HD, with surround sound.
Cell Phones with all the Apps?
Programable thermostats in our home.
Consider the many medical advances in our hospitals and ambulances.
Look around you lifesyle creep is there.
Some of the creep is mandatory, some is by choice.
Some of the creep helps us, some entertains us, some distracts us.
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RE: How have you experienced "lifestyle creep"? - 11/24/2009 3:44:34 PM
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crankius
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 10SNE1?
... for the weekly 30 minute worship show.
_____________________________
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:16
God's Attributes
Notable Words
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RE: How have you experienced "lifestyle creep"? - 11/26/2009 10:24:04 AM
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FreeEagle
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From: Minnesota
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Everyone in America is RICH! Even the poorest of US are Rich, when compared to other countries. In all honesty I think the richest of these are those with little, and have learned to give from their hearts. In Galatians 6:7-10 is very clear about this; Do not be deceived God can not be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. So number one as Christians, by the very nature of God's word we receive blessings because we give from the heart. (not only financial giving, but also giving of our selves) So then comes the question "What then should we do with our blessings? As this post started we are to provide for our families, we are to continue to give and do good for others (as noted above), and as Jesus clearly states in Matthew 25:14-30, that we are to multiply and invest our blessings. Jesus also gives us an example of people getting paid "what they ask for" (Matthew 20:1-16). This is further enhanced with Proverbs 11:24-25 One man gives freely and gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. And then in Proverbs 24:3-4 we learn of the overflow of the blessed, By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge it's rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. The Problem with most churches is they build the Commercial Jesus - Come support our coffee bar, look at the big building your $ is buying" Look at the speakers and lights, etc, etc. Jesus warned us of these acts : Matthew 6:1 "Be Careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do , you will have no reward in heaven. In Mark 7:6 Jesus gives a better description of these people: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.
_____________________________
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
Psalms 32 8-
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RE: How have you experienced "lifestyle creep"? - 11/26/2009 1:59:02 PM
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Mrs.Wifey
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From: The Gorgeous plains of Colorado
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 3cappuccinosmom
quote:
Everyone in America is RICH! Even the poorest of US are Rich, when compared to other countries. In all honesty I think the richest of these are those with little, and have learned to give from their hearts.
This reminds me of an interview I heard yesterday, where the interviewee was talking about his "thanksgiving moment". He said he was driving down the highway, and he realized his modest life was more comfortable and convenient than the lives of kings a few hundred years ago. We have all experienced lifestyle creep, at least in the West.
DH and I were talking about this the other day as we sat in the food court of the mall, all three of us eating different types of foods. Specifically, about how easy it is for us to obtain the necessary spices for cooking such foods and how the world has changed in just a couple hundred years.
_____________________________
Ryanne- trying hard to be my husband's girlfriend and my daughter's mother.
I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money- you can keep "the change."
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RE: How have you experienced "lifestyle creep"? - 11/28/2009 2:18:10 AM
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Peloton
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Joined: 4/5/2009
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I like that, Lifestyle Creep.
Isn't Lifestyle Creep the reason for the real estate bust? Everybody wanted a house, the bigger the better, with all of the extras but had not the means to pay for it all. But, your loan officer said that a ARM was ok, the appraisers overvalued homes, the banks loaned money on houses to unqualified people, the ARM readjusted, the market corrected. The perfect storm, all brought to you by the word greed and lifestyle creep.
I have friends who are now selling their Toy Haulers and all the toys they put in them. You can get some real good deals on Quads, Motorcycles, Rinos, and the like. There are also repos all the time for high end cars, Harleys, and those 40-45' motorcoaches. I think you can see lifestyle creep all around you.
About the only indulgence I have is that I purchased another bicycle about three years ago (cash) and am saving my quarters for another. Other than that, my wife and I live simple. However, we have moved on up to the Riverlakes area of Bakersfield to be closer to work and our doctors (so we tell ourselves). So, yes, we be creepin', however so slowly, but it is still creepin'. Can't creep much though, we're not getting any younger and retirement is sounding better all the time, even though not on the horizon yet.
What we need is a miracle in our 401k's. It could happen...
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RE: How have you experienced "lifestyle creep"? - 11/28/2009 4:38:41 PM
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clydewolf
Posts: 73
Joined: 8/6/2009
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Well for the first 25 years of my career, I did not have a 401k plan available. Then the employer instituted a 401k plan....
More lifestyle creep.
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