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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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 Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 2:02 am Post subject: |
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| World Traveler wrote: |
| Old fat expat wrote: |
| Umm, the link you posted actually says they are |
My point was, on paper, one person could have 20 times less net worth than another, and yet not have 20 times less possessions. |
And yet, when the man who owns his home free and clear loses his job, he can at least hypothetically sell his home, while when the man whose home is mortgaged loses his job, his inability to make his mortgage payments may well mean he loses his home shortly afterwards. The notion that homes, cars, and so forth purchased with loans and credit are really yours only just recently got many Americans into no inconsiderable amount of trouble. While yes, at any given moment a debtor may experience as much hedonistic pleasure as an owner, his circumstances are far less secure. And if anything, I suspect that 20 fold difference probably underestimates the real disparity in well being, since it fails to take into account the fact that net worth does not necessarily have a linear relationship with well being. The stresses of debt and poverty are considerable, and the psychological difference between having money or assets and always being a paycheck away from total bankruptcy ought not to be underestimated, regardless of how many nice objects one might have sitting around the house. |
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The Cosmic Hum
Joined: 09 May 2003
Location: Sonic Space
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| Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:32 am Post subject: |
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| Fox wrote: |
| The stresses of debt and poverty are considerable, and the psychological difference between having money or assets and always being a paycheck away from total bankruptcy ought not to be underestimated, regardless of how many nice objects one might have sitting around the house. |
No doubt about this. Financial stress has a tremendous deficit effect on mental and physical health.
However, being close to poverty at all times is less objectionable when surrounded by nice objects. |
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:07 am Post subject: |
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| The Cosmic Hum wrote: |
However, being close to poverty at all times is less objectionable when surrounded by nice objects. |
It's hard for me to see it that way, but admittedly I tend towards the austere and try to live a minimalist lifestyle well below my means, so I'm probably not a good model. |
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Old fat expat
Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Location: a caravan of dust, making for a windy prairie
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| Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:44 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| My point was, on paper, one person could have 20 times less net worth than another, and yet not have 20 times less possessions. |
A 60 month lease on a Lexis might make you feel like you own it, but you do not. The leasing company/bank owns the car. On the other hand, the guy that owns the Lexis and has a bank account has purchasing power the leaser does not.
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| There are people with zero/negative net worth living a good life. |
True. Especially so with mortgages, something you may acquire if you sell your time forward in 30 year chunks. If you are stable and your job/career is stable, it can be a comfortable situation. If you are black it is harder to get a bank to support that situation (not impossible-just harder). |
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Leon
Joined: 31 May 2010
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| Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:49 am Post subject: |
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| Fox wrote: |
| The Cosmic Hum wrote: |
However, being close to poverty at all times is less objectionable when surrounded by nice objects. |
It's hard for me to see it that way, but admittedly I tend towards the austere and try to live a minimalist lifestyle well below my means, so I'm probably not a good model. |
I don't get this argument. Sure poverty is much nicer with air conditioning, a fridge, a TV, etc., but so is wealth. It's not like the wealthy have always had these things, either. It's not because the poor's relative position has gotten better, it hasn't, it's that everyone's lives, in the US at least, have gotten better due to technology.
Humans measure things by comparing to other's level of relative success. If everyone has a tv, than having a tv will bring me no greater level of satisfaction or sense of security. None of these things compares to the stress of financial instability, so maybe it is less objectionable, but not much so. |
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The Cosmic Hum
Joined: 09 May 2003
Location: Sonic Space
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| Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Leon wrote: |
| Fox wrote: |
| The Cosmic Hum wrote: |
However, being close to poverty at all times is less objectionable when surrounded by nice objects. |
It's hard for me to see it that way, but admittedly I tend towards the austere and try to live a minimalist lifestyle well below my means, so I'm probably not a good model. |
I don't get this argument. Sure poverty is much nicer with air conditioning, a fridge, a TV, etc., but so is wealth. It's not like the wealthy have always had these things, either. It's not because the poor's relative position has gotten better, it hasn't, it's that everyone's lives, in the US at least, have gotten better due to technology.
Humans measure things by comparing to other's level of relative success. If everyone has a tv, than having a tv will bring me no greater level of satisfaction or sense of security. None of these things compares to the stress of financial instability, so maybe it is less objectionable, but not much so. |
What's not to get?
A house and a warm bed is real comfort.
A box on the street is less real comfort.
And much more so...no?
Regardless of financial stability...or the lack of.
However, you seem to be focusing on relative success, which is not the same as poverty.
Certainly, money in the bank and a modest life style is an ideal for some compared to financial debt and a luxurious lifestyle...but only for some.
In today's world, debt is not the stress it once was.
The ability to go further into debt is a source of great comfort for many people.
Relative success is the greater stress, even if only by appearance.
The illusion of wealth brings some people greater comfort than money in the bank.
Probably due to massive insecurities, slick advertising and a gullible market. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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| World Traveler wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
do me the favor of speaking only for yourself. Some of us utilized foresight in picking enjoyable and lucrative employment opportunities. We have gone over this in detail before. I and others offered you advice on how to do the same in at least 2 separate threads that I recall.
That you choose not to take said advice is your call...try and realize though that not everyone here is in the same situation |
C'mon, man. You are being ridiculous. You and I have the same job: teaching assistant at a South Korean public school. The only difference is I am finishing up my first year, while you have been in the same position (without advancement) for over ten years. You are older than me and have been at it for longer but because you make slightly more money than me think you are better? You and your friend PatrickGHBusan didn't offer me any real advice, just vague, patronizing platitudes pretending to be advice (but really just a way for you to brag and pat yourself on the back). |
Again a number of errors...but then why spoil a perfect record of errors I suppose?
Yes that is ONE of my jobS ( note the plural) teaching at a Korean public school and no I have not been in the same position for over ten years. I got my start in hakwons and have taught at other public schools. As far as advancement goes the only advancement iI personally care about is financial advancement. Given that in each job I've increased my salary...I'd say I'm doing all right. Add to that the fact that I personally enjoy teaching and there you have it. As for "slightly more money" I rather doubt that. If that job is your sole source of income and it is a typical wage for a first timer...then I'd say I make nearly twice that.
(none of the above is a secret, I've posted snippets of it in one post or another over the last few years)
As for offering advice that was not just me and Mr Busan but also Mr catflap as well. We gave you some solid advice. Yes we spoke in generalities but not knowing your specific employment desires or qualifications or long-term goals...we could hardly do otherwise. |
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