It's easier to live better now

The labor hours required to buy a color TV or a car are falling. This because of the effciency and productivity gains in the free marketplace.

The quality of the goods are much better as well.  In 1973 (some may remember) the television was 25″ at most, had bad sound, no remote control, only a few channels, and poor resolution.  Today, for less inflation adjusted dollars you can buy a much better TV.

In 1973, I recall, if your odometer turned 100,000 miles it was cause for a celebration.  Today if you only got 100,000 miles out of a car you’d complian that it was a lemon.

Looking at actual Census Bureau data on what the poor have in their homes makes it clear that poor Americans are living better now than ever before.  In fact, poor Americans today live better, by these measures, than did their middle class counterparts did in the 1970’s.  That is to say that many of the poor would have been called middle class in the 1970’s, and the only reason they are called poor today is that the standard of living has risen for all classes.

 – partially excerpted from Deidre McCluskey, CATO Institute 

We are all doing better.

World poverty is falling

“Between 1970 and 2006 the global poverty rate has been cut by nearly three-quarters.  The percentage of the world population living on less than $1 a day went from 26.8% to 5.4%.

The most surprising secular event in history, “The Great Enrichment” of the average individual on the planet by a factor of 10 and in rich countries a factor of 30 or more.  Many humans are now stunningly better off than their ancestors were.  This includes a gigantic improvement of the poorest – your ancestors and mine. By dramatic increases in the size of the pie, the poor have been lifted to 90 or 95% of equal sustinance and dignity, as against 10 or 5% attainable by redistribution of the pie.

That even over the long run there remain some poor people does not mean the system is not working for the poor, so long as their condition is continuing to improve, as it is, and so long as the percentage of the desperately poor is heading toward zero, as it is.”

 – comments from Deidre McCluskey, CATO intitute. 

If at first you don't succeed…

Today’s Think Daily is written by a guest, Brad Glazer, from our YOU write ME a Think Daily message day.

“If at first you don’t succeed, try doing what your coach (trainer) said in the first place.”

When disadvantages are advantages

Many of us say we have disadvantages that put us behind and make it harder for us to be successful.

A poor family growing up, dyslexia, a physical handicap, a less than ideal school, a tough neighborhood, friends who made really bad choices, rough parents, and so much more.  

Sure, these things may be no fun at the time, and for some, leave a mark forever.  But perhaps more often, what these conditions do to us and how they shape our character can be considered strengths.  You can be more resilient, smarter in that way, or street wise. While one personal characteristic is missing, others are sharpened. Or maybe you just know what you DON’T want and/or have developed a burning desire for what you DO want.

What “disadvantages” did you have?  How are these advantages now or in your future? 

They can see it on your face

A sour face comes from sour thoughts.

People can tell what you are thinking in general, and they act accordingly.

Look in the mirror.  What would people say you’re thinking about?

What if I fail?

A victim asks this question out of fear, and tries to justify his failure to try.

A victor asks this question to understand the consequences, make an informed decision, and to chase away fear by deciding in advance to be willing to accept failure.  The victor ALSO asks, “What if I succeed?” to motivate himself, and weighs the answer against his greater goals.

Weigh your options –  as a victor.

The Mind-Body Connection

There is a clear link between the mind and the body.  What you believe and how you think will affect how you behave and perform and feel.  

Change your mind, change your life.

What do YOU think of you?

We wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of us if we knew how little they did.

The important thing is what you think of yourself.

You are always watching.  Make yourself proud.

Happiness is an attitude

We all know people who have every reason to be happy and are not, and people who have every reason to be unhappy and are not.  

It’s not the circumstances, it’s the attitude.

How about you?

Incomplete families cause financial hardship

Let’s talk.

Scenario #1 – Man meets woman, they fall in love, both work, they get married and move into household “A” and have children.  Either one of them stops working to care for the children or they both continue to work and pay for daycare. Things are great.

Scenario #2 – Man meets woman, they fall in love, both work, they get married (or not) and move into household “A” and have children.  Then they split up, he moves out and moves into household “B”, which he cannot afford while paying for child support and alimony back at household “A”.  She likely cannot afford day care so stops working to care for the children on very little income. No fun for anybody.

They both struggle financially supporting two households (likely on one income) and have to reduce their standard of living. (Obviously a one-parent household is not ideal for the children in most cases).

What is my point?  I would not give advice on divorce – I’m sure there are some people that should not be together.  But this is how it turns out financially in most cases and it should be well known so (young) people can do whatever they can to avoid getting into this position in the first place.