I Deserve It

We have become an "I deserve it" generation. Whether we know it or not, in the last 70 years we have lost the concept of living within our means and instead have become slaves of debt. The norm for my generation includes a mortgage, student loans, car payment and a minimum of one or two credit cards. Buying something when you have the money for it is a thing of the past. The average household owes well over $15k and that doesn't include home mortgages. Before there were loans and credit cards people actually saved up for their homes, bought their cars with cash and didn't have EVERYTHING they wanted (new iPhone, latest Nike's etc.), but they still survived.  Ask yourself this; is it that the cost of everything is so high that we need a loan to afford the things that we need/want or is it that we feel that we are entitled to have the things we can't afford? 

Debt has become a norm in America, ask the US government.  It is a very hard culture to crack and I only see it getting worse unless everyone starts taking personal responsibility and living out of the norm.  I passed a billboard the other day that said "Get Engaged...for only $129 a month".  Really? It was an advertisement for engagement rings.  What a way to start a marriage.  The "I deserve it" equals "over-extended", its no wonder that America has such high cases of anxiety, depression, divorce etc, etc.  Stop and think about it, where would you be if you never took out a loan (yes a mortgage, car and student loans count) or never signed up for a credit card.  What wouldn't you have and would you be able to survive? For most of us that is a hard question because we can't remember back that far. Try this one, how much money have you paid in interest on these loans in the past five years and what better things could you have done with that money? 

Dave Ramsey of Financial Peace has some great advise on how to obtain a debt free lifestyle. As Craig Groeschel from LifeChurch puts it "say no for a little, so you can say yes forever".  It is truly a freeing experience when you are not a "slave to the lender".   

Beautiful Fields of Corn

Have you ever driven through the country during the summer months and taken notice to the beautiful fields of corn rhythmically waving in the breeze?  They stand as a symbol to me of a simple and hard working lifestyle.  They always take me a step back from the hustle and bustle of every day life separating me from the technology that powers our fast paced society.  I enjoy the calming effects as I drive by and spend a few seconds in pure inner peace.  I never really thought any further about the fields until recently.

Why are there so many corn fields? Most of the corn fields alternated with soy bean fields, who needs that many soy beans?  This is where the peace and tranquility takes a screeching stop and is run over by big business, yet again. Corn and soy are both inexpensive crops and are now staple ingredients in almost all processed foods.  If you don't believe it, just look at the label.  There is usually some sort of corn or soy derivative listed.  Ahh yes, that is why we need all of these beautiful fields of corn and soy.

Okay, why is this so bad? First of all, the hard working farmers that are producing these crops are basically owned by big business, it is a catch 22. If they don't sell out to big business than they have a hard time surviving in the market monopolized by corporations, but if they do sell out they are practically indentured servants.  It is really disheartening what is happening to our farming society.  Big corporations usually dictate the who, what, when, where and how to grow their crop.  If they don't follow their strict guidelines, including using their GE seeds (See my article about GMO's), they risk losing their only customer and in turn their livelihood.  The documentary Food, Inc. can give you more incite to this if you are interested. 

Corn also has a very high Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio. A healthy diet should have a ration as close to 5:1 Omega 6 to 3 as possible, or lower.  Corn has a ratio of above 40:1. A ratio this lopsided is linked to many diseases including heart disease and diabetes.  Now, eating one ear of corn for dinner is one thing, but now imagine all of the other places that you are ingesting this high ratio of Omega 6 to 3's.  No wonder America has so many health problems. 

Bottom line, support your local farmers by buying local, it might cost a little more, but it is worth it.  Also, start reading labels.  Play it safe and avoid products that contain corn or soy additives so that your health does not suffer.  It takes time and adjustment at first, but eventually it becomes human nature.