Who are the Joneses anyway?

"Keeping Up With the Joneses" is not necessary
America needs to stop “keeping up with the Joneses” because they are not a real family, and if they were, they would be broke and in desperate need of payday loans and credit repair. In fact, the Joneses to which the common phrase refers to are comic strip characters. In the early 1900s, cartoonist Arthur Momand created a comic strip, and the Joneses were neighbors of the comic’s main characters. Although frequently mentioned, the Joneses were never seen. Those Joneses may have had nice things, but they certainly didn’t have credit card debt.
Keeping Up With the Joneses
The American tendency to “keep up with the Joneses” has developed into a horrible habit of trying to satisfy an insatiable desire for material goods. Your want for material goods is limitless, and you cannot afford to quench your every desire. Yet, if your neighbor gets a new car, you need a newer, better car. If your neighbor builds their kids a jungle gym, you have to build your own kids a bigger, cooler jungle gym. Regardless of whether or not you can afford it, you make the purchase with or without payday loans. Americans need to throw out the mentality that having all better, more expensive possessions than their neighbors means they will have a higher socio-economic status. This way of thinking has to stop because American spending is out of control, and Americans are falling deeper and deeper into debt.
Credit Card Debt
Why keep trying to one-up the Joneses if it means your credit card debt is going to be bigger than theirs, too? Buying things you can’t really afford certainly won’t move you up on the socio-economic ladder, especially when your debt starts to catch up to you. People across the nation are feeling the affects of the credit crunch, and credit card debt is at an all time high. In 2002, total credit card debt in the U.S. was $60 billion. Between 2002 and 2005 that figure jumped to $735 billion, and by 2007 the average credit card debt per household was $8400. Over 40% of households spend more than they make. If your household falls in that 40% category,it’s time to take a look at your spending habits and reevaluate.
Credit Repair and Payday Loans
Americans are so accustomed to making purchases with credit. The American addiction to credit cards and material goods is ravaging the U.S. financial system. It is no wonder that America is facing a financial crisis. By the end of 2007, the total consumer credit debt reached a staggering $2.5 trillion. 2.5 trillion dollars! That number isn’t even comprehensible.
Chances are, you might feel like your debt total isn’t comprehensible either. You just can’t wrap your head around the thought that you owe so much money. One of the first and most important steps you can take to overcome your debt is making a budget. Stop living outside of your means, and start spending less than you make. A budget will help you accomplish reasonable spending. After you create a budget, you should take steps to improve your credit. There are credit repair resources available and payday loans to help boost your budget at your disposal. When you get credit repair help and eliminate your debt, the Joneses will be jealous of you.





That is such a good point. It is an easy trap to fall in when the material possessions of others seem to devalue your own. It is always wise to try and appreciate what you do have and actually enjoy it. Most people who are chasing the Jones’ don’t have time to enjoy what they have or spend time with their family.
Keeping wealth in the proper perspective is an advantage not all people have. RESPECT money but do NOT LOVE it or you will always be miserable.
That is so true. When I was living with my mom I always put bills like my cellphone or car payment last because I knew that in the long run my mom would help.I always spent my money quicker then it came. Now that I just moved out, it’s been a major reality check! There’s no more eating out. Instead, I’m buying food in bulk. There’s no more shopping. Instead it’s, your outta high school, who cares if you wear what you wore on Monday!I now have to budget my money because the landlord isn’t gonna pay my bills this time! It sucks but I’m learning the benefits. Starting while I’m young could only hope for a better financial future.
5 Star. Good advise, but hard to follow.
Living on a budget is like being on a diet, hard at first but it gets easier as you see the results. Keeping track of your results will inspire you to continue. You can do it!
Keeping up with the Jones is a two edged sword, it helps the economy in general but sinks the over zealous and jealous in a spiral of debt.Good advise not to get caught up in.
I dont need to keep up with the Joneses…I am the Joneses and you need to keep up with me
just kidding