Fuel for Thought

Sign of the Times

We cannot afford to live in this time of rampant inflation. 

These politicians have no idea of what those of us in the real world have to endure because of their policies. 

I can't afford gas to go to work. 

I can't afford the groceries my family needs on my meager paycheck. 

We require a living wage. 

No doubt you have heard one or all of these statements lately. Perhaps you were the one to parrot one of them. 

Think about all of these statements, if you feel they ring true, then please, I implore you to read this until the end. 

In this country, even our poorest citizens live better than many people in other parts of the world. 

Right now inflation is high, but you have a choice to decide what to do with your money. You choose where to spend it, or to save it. You choose to buy the one grande cup of cafe latte with hazelnut syrup, extra whipped cream and a salted caramel drizzle at the drive through, while you idle away precious gasoline, instead of brewing your own coffee at home while your car sits in the garage. You choose to not make changes in your life to better your financial situation, but also choose to complain about the high cost of "wants" over "needs". You want Dom Perignon, but your budget calls for Pabst Blue Ribbon. And technically, both of these are wants, not needs. 

If you cannot afford the gas to get to work, there are many other ways to commute. Carpool, Vanpool, buses, trains. Or you could just slow down when you drive. Make your commute more affordable by slowing down and saving the expensive gas in your tank. 

Politicians worry about you during elections, not afterwards. You take care of yourself and stop worrying about when the government will prop up your finances. 

So you require a living wage, do you? Let me tell you a little known fact, every wage can be a living wage, it just depends on how you choose to live. The poorest people in this country are living on the "wage" they get. It may not be up to Her Majesty's high standard of living, but they are living on it nonetheless. You may want better wages, but to say you need a living wage seems like a oxymoron. If you truly think you need a "living" wage, go out and get a better job to support the lifestyle you want to live or learn to live on less than you earn. If you truly are under employed, use your time improving your skills to attain a higher paying position. Just asking or demanding more money for the same old job skills will only have your employer looking to cut costs elsewhere or eliminating your very own position altogether. Those of you struggling with the world today should read a little history. This country has been through much worse than a little inflation. 

This is not just a heartless diatribe, I know there are plenty of people struggling with unemployment, hunger and homelessness currently or in their near future, but the ones who are complaining the most are doing so via the luxury of social media, which indicates they are either employed or have a revenue source of some kind, otherwise, they would be busy hunting and gathering for their next meal.

Appreciate what you have. Live on less than you earn. Once inflation drops again (and it will), you will have even more when you learn that you don’t need the excesses. 

See you down the road,

Greg