I haven't finished this book yet, but I am so excited about what it says that I have to post it. It is called the Two Income Trap and it describes why more families are filing for bankruptcy and losing their homes to foreclosure than ever before. They aren't in this position because of irresponsible spending or by ignoring debt--as the credit card companies and mortgage lenders would have us believe. In fact, many of these families are hard-working families like yours or mine who just had the misfortune of having one member of the family get laid off, had a medical emergency or even got a divorce. These events send families into a financial tailspin from which it is hard or impossible to recover.
One of the reasons why it is hard to recover is because credit cards have such high rates of interests and area allowed to compound fees and even solicit families in trouble to apply for MORE credit with even higher rates of interest.
Another problem is sub-prime mortgages, which we have also heard a lot about in the news. These mortgages are offered to lower income people, but also to minorities, or those who aren't as aware of what they are signing. These loans have hidden fees and high rates of interest.
Why are lower and middle income families getting stuck with these high payments and high interest rates??? Usury and Deregulation of the credit/ mortgage industry.
Read this book and you will be as angry as I am about it. I want to join a group to protest these practices and fight for the rights of the middle class. I'm tired of hearing about how the economy is doing so well, and that the welfare of big business is good for the economy. It's time for a change, and a change of attitude and opinion towards the hard-working middle and lower class who are still just as hard-working and as 50 years ago. The only difference is that after they have tried all methods of paying back bills and trying to stay ahead, credit card companies swoop down on them and offer credit limits to "tide them over" and take advantage of their weakened state until they are buried under a mound of debt, late payment fees, interest on debt and fees etc. etc.
I'll get off my soapbox now, but you have to read this book!
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2 comments:
Woohoo!!! Preach it, Angela! Randy and I were just talking this morning about a big bank out here going bankrupt soon (because of fraudulent lending), and that they will be saved by the government, but all the people who received loans (sub-prime) from them are now facing real troubles. It really is sad.
One more... you should read Overspent American by Juliet Schor. I'm reading it right now, and it addresses America's desire to live at a "richer" level than they can afford (which has been encouraged by lenders).
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