You are here: Home / Archives for Relationships

The Slowly Disappearing Middle Class in America

It was not all that long ago that the middle class was a solid demographic, a place where a family could have a comfortable lifestyle.  Parents were able to work reasonable hours and be home to support their children in after-school activities. There was always money to buy some of the finer things in life such as a vacation or a luxury vehicle.

Within a short span of 20 years, the middle class in America is slowly being lost. No longer was an employee valued for putting in a life’s career. Instead, they became a liability and were let go in favor of younger and cheaper labor.  Families became scattered as employees followed the jobs. Cities that were once major business hubs have withered on the vine, causing many to look far afield to find employment.

A long lasting economic crisis combined with a housing bubble now burst are squeezing those who once could be middle class. It is that much more difficult for people with a four year degree to get employed, and those who are work that much harder to keep their jobs. Crushing debt in the form of school loans is taking its toll as well, keeping many from being able to gain traction.

The unfortunate thing here is that unless something changes in the business atmosphere, the rich will keep exploiting those who are on the bottom rung of the ladder. Executives feel they deserve millions of dollars for their services, and stresses the employment base to a breaking point. As a result, the middle class life is eroding into something unrecognizable.

Filed Under: Relationships, Technology Tagged With: , , , ,

Lower Class is Purely a State of Mind

There is this idea that being lower class means that someone is poor and will never experience the finer things in life. Which is simply not true. It does not take being materialistic to enjoy life. What is more important is that everyone in the household is happy and content, while making the best out of their situation.

Modern society is simply one of consumerism and materialism. Keeping up with the Joneses is the mantra of the day. When someone is poor, they cannot purchase the items that those who are wealthier than they are can. For those who understand their financial limitations and come to the conclusion that they can do without, life becomes much less burdensome. Seeing to the basics in life becomes a priority.

And therein lies the rub. Who says that being materialistic is the only way to live? Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can make life a lot easier, true. But being maxed out to the gills with debt brings the upper class to that of being lower. Having no extra money on a high salary is no different than having no extra money on a smaller one.

Of course, living life as a have not will always make a person feel miserable. But that is a choice, nothing else. There is nothing wrong with accepting the fact that one’s situation is not as good as they’d like it to be. Doing so takes a large burden off of all of the individuals in the household. In fact, it could even be a jumping off point to do something to change things.

Filed Under: Relationships, Trends Tagged With: , , , ,

Making a Proposal Unforgettable

Proposing engagement is one of the most exciting events in a person’s life, as it opens the door to a new and exciting journey of husband and wife. However, it can also be a frightening task for many men, since the response may not be favorable, or her reaction to the proposal spot or the ring that is chosen may be less than perfect. For many men, this is a day that they want their potential spouse to be surprised by, but they don’t know exactly how to go about making it perfect without detailed instructions.

The first step is choosing a ring. Asking around to the friends and family of the partner is a great option, as long as they promise not to spill the beans and ruin the surprise. Many women have discussed cut, color, and style of engagement rings they desire with their mothers, sisters, or best friends, so they can be a great resource.

Another option is to casually discuss the desired style with the woman, without having to pinpoint a day or time that the proposal will happen. This can certainly take away the element of surprise slightly, but the actual proposal can still catch her off guard. Choosing a meaningful spot to propose is a key in making it memorable.

Some men like to return to the spot of a first date, or a particularly special date to both parties. This adds to the significance, since it requires some thought to choose a location where a date was previously held. Some men also like to invite family members to the occasion, while others prefer it to be more intimate with just the couple present. Music, flowers, and other special mementos can add to the ambience of the proposal and will definitely help to make the night unforgettable for the woman.

Filed Under: Relationships, Trends Tagged With: , , , ,

Impressing Your Man on a First Date

First dates are stressful. This could be the next important man in your life and you want to make a good impression. While everyone claims what you wear isn’t important, every woman knows it is. What you wear is almost as important as how much makeup you wear or how you look. It really sets the mood for how your date will perceive you. This importance on what to wear makes many women stress over what outfit to choose for a first date. Luckily, there are things that you can take into consideration to make sure that you are dressing appropriately, yet stylishly, for that first date. Here is a look at what factors to consider when choosing clothes for a first date.

Location. Think about whether you will be inside or outside. This will determine if you should dress for the weather or if you can afford to wear what you want because you will be indoors.

Activity Level. You need to take into account what you will be doing on your date. If you are going to be walking around or very active you might want to consider dressing up nice but in an outfit that has the ability to move around freely. A great suggestion for dressing for active events includes wearing Apple Bottom jeans and a cute shirt that you might have gotten at your last trip to Drjays. On the flip side, if you are going to dinner and sitting down you might be able to wear that cute little black dress you love so much.

Occasion. Consider what type of occasion you are going out for as well as protocol for the location you are going to. Try to think if the dress code would be fancy and formal, or informal and casual. This will help you decide what outfit is appropriate for the situation.

Filed Under: General, Relationships Tagged With: , , , ,

Where Older Generations More Materialist

As we look back through family history we might uncover the grandmother who never threw anything away, or the great grandparents who always wanted to show you the refrigerator that they bought twenty years before. Many of us think that these older generations were more materialist, but they were not. They had simply worked harder for the luxuries that we take for granted.

Older generations, especially the ones that grew up during the Great Depression saw their families lose everything they ever owned. They watched as everything was rationed and the economy struggled to regain its footing. For many of them they know the reality to losing everything and do not want to face that kind of lifestyle again. So they keep things to ensure that they will always have them. For them, the fear of returning back that kind of lifestyle is not something that we could ever understand. Their need to hang onto materials is not born out of being materialistic but rather it comes from being fearful of the future.

Older generations that cam before us had to work harder for what they have than we do. I do not think that anyone would decide to rent a house that did not have heat and air conditioning and did not have a refridgertor. While these items are standard for our time, our grandparents had to work to provide these types of equipment for their families. They are not materialistic in wanting to show you their accomplishments and lifestyle, they are proud of the way that they have been able to provide for their family.

For many younger generations it is hard to imagine the lifestyle that older generations came from. We take for granted that we will have running water and appliances. In most cases, we even demand the best. While it might look that our grandparents are hoarding their possesssion or are showing signs of materialism, we need to understand the hardships that they have seen that have made them the way they are.

Filed Under: General, Relationships Tagged With: , , , , ,

Attempting to Change Family Traditions

Most of the time, when you marry or begin living with some else your lifestyle is forced to change. You will have to live with someone else who has their own set of beliefs and traditions. In many cases where two families come together they are forced to compromise on one tradition or another. However, there are some traditions that you can change and some that you cannot, and if you want to keep the peace you will have to learn which is which.

If the tradition that you are trying to change is based in religion then you should think twice before trying to change it. Many younger generations do not share the same faith as their parents or do not see the point of several old traditions. Or you might be in the position of entering a family with an alternative religious practice to yourself. Either way, you need to respect the tradition and not try to change it. Many of these traditions are kept and honored around the holidays so rather than offend anyone, participate in the tradition even if you do not observe it.

If the tradition is not based in religion then you will have a better chance of changing it because you will not seem like you are trying to go against someone’s beliefs. Make sure that you bring up that you want to change the tradition well before the tradition is supposed to take place. If you wait until right before it is supposed to happen people will feel caught off guard and attacked. Speak about the tradition before and come to compromise with your loved ones that will still bring the family together. Make sure that you are replacing the tradition with one that still brings everyone together. Changing a tradition and not including everyone will seem hurtful and rude.

Filed Under: Relationships, Technology Tagged With: , , ,

Affordable College Degrees

A classic Catch-22 scenario is knowing that a college education will get you a better paying job, but you can’t afford a college education without a better paying job. Although that might be what is holding some folks back from pursuing a higher education, the truth of the matter is that there has never been a better time to go after that degree. There are many established financial programs available to help students get a degree and get ahead.

The first step for anyone researching financial aid for college should be to see what the government is offering. There are local, state and federal programs available to any U.S. citizen. Many of these programs have actually improved under the current administration. There are many student loan options available at very low interest rates. Don’t worry about those horror stories of paying off student loans for the rest of your life. In some circumstances, you could get those loans paid off if you opt for a teaching position in a city school.

Pell Grants are another great resource to apply for. These are small amounts of money given to students who can prove financial hardship. The maximum amount of these grants is in the neighborhood of $5,000, but unlike student loans, Pell Grants don’t have to be paid back. You might be saying, “I can’t go to Harvard on $5,000!” True, but you can apply that grant to a wide variety of programs that offer online degrees.

Nearly every accredited college and university now has some form of distance learning. This is a perfect way to achieve a degree that is affordable and works around your busy schedule. Conceivably you can stay at your job during the day and devote a few hours at night to your online courses. Knowledge is knowledge, whether you get that in a classroom or on your computer.

Filed Under: General, Relationships Tagged With: , ,
Newer Posts »