Wow! Is it ever! Who are these people who borrow money for toys and vacations? Do they not pay attention to a little thing called interest? Interest on a loan is a great thing - when you're the one collecting it.
Our immediate gratification, consumption-driven culture never ceases to amaze me. Apparently, somebody has statistics to show that a good marriage is built on a solid foundation of debt. Oh, and they are in the loan business. " Big hat, no cattle " is a scenario for a doomed marriage .
Student loans have become a hot political issue. That is too bad because the true solution to the issue will be delayed. There are a few simple principles in play here. First Issue: Supply and Demand. With the massive government subsidization of higher education, it is no wonder that college tuition is out of control. This subsidy has created an increasing demand curve against a relatively fixed supply so of course the cost of tuition has outstripped inflation for many years. Second Issue: Return on Investment. The conventional “wisdom” that “everyone should be able to get a college degree” has left us with millions of new graduates with thousands in debt because their schools misled them into thinking that getting a job with a unique degree would be an easy path to success. Third Issue: Caveat Emptor. Parents are not teaching their children fiscal responsibility! Their children are targeted by predatory financial institutions for credit cards and assume debts for material things b...