What'll be interesting is watching the effect hyperinflation has on lottery ticket sales. When by the time the winnings are paid out, they aren't worth much more than the original ticket, I think people will find better uses for their money.

Lottery: Tax on the stupid.

If they hate being poor, why are they pissing their money away?

Oh, wait...
Tr0mBoNe: Lottery: Tax on the stupid.

Yup.

I farking hate the people that clog up customer service at my supermarket, who stand there and do one scratch off after another like they were in Vegas playing the slots.

The lottery actually fills two roles. On the one hand, it's a tax that's generally borne by the less intelligent and less affluent members of the population. On the other hand, it provides a notable boost to people who struggle with issues of low self-esteem, giving them repeated opportunities to inflate their flagging egos by simply not participating in an event that has no other significance in their lives. You'll find a similar dual effect with certain luxury goods, like diamond rings, and other services, most notably in the areas of entertainment. By simultaneously raising revenues and providing widespread, freely available psychological benefit, resources like lotteries prove time and again their value and rightful place in our society.

Pocket Ninja: The lottery actually fills two roles. On the one hand, it's a tax that's generally borne by the less intelligent and less affluent members of the population. On the other hand, it provides a notable boost to people who struggle with issues of low self-esteem, giving them repeated opportunities to inflate their flagging egos by simply not participating in an event that has no other significance in their lives. You'll find a similar dual effect with certain luxury goods, like diamond rings, and other services, most notably in the areas of entertainment. By simultaneously raising revenues and providing widespread, freely available psychological benefit, resources like lotteries prove time and again their value and rightful place in our society.

Dude, you're just no fun anymore. :(

I've diversified my portfolio to include both powerball and lotto.

I quit putting into my 401k after the stock market went down because I lost a bunch of money. Instead, I buy as many lotto tickets as I can. No scratch offs except for the $20 Money Maker's. I have lost less than with my 401k.

The local news just had a story that Maine is down on lottery sales.
But I'm sure we're up on Allen's Coffee Brandy.

Senescent Dawn: What'll be interesting is watching the effect hyperinflation has on lottery ticket sales. When by the time the winnings are paid out, they aren't worth much more than the original ticket, I think people will find better uses for their money.

Silver and shotguns shells. Tangible assets are what will be important. Silver had a significant decrease in price with all the other metals when the bubble popped.

Don't look at silver as a way to make money. It's a way to hedge your bets against the dollar going tits up. Buying stock in companies traded in foreign currencies is a good idea as well. Considering the downturn, there are some deals out there if you have the cash to do so.

Assets that are both practical as well as having a high liquidity/low depreciation, such as guns, are desirable.

Though one could make the argument that the dollar has already failed.



/Off the soapbox

Crosshair: Silver and shotguns shells. Tangible assets are what will be important. Silver had a significant decrease in price with all the other metals when the bubble popped.

I've only been in a real job for two years, so I've got no real money to throw around. We've got enough in precious metals where we could afford to eat for probably around two years, if we're eating rice and oats and beans. Hopefully that's enough of a cushion to weather the worst of it.

You're better off investing in crack and whiskey than in the lotto.

They apparently hate math even more.

studebaker hoch: You're better off investing in crack and whiskey than in the lotto.

Waaaay ahead of you, my friend.

Tr0mBoNe: Lottery: Tax on the stupid.

/It's the stupid/lazy/gimmie crowd tax

Crosshair: Senescent Dawn:
Though one could make the argument that the dollar has already failed.
/Off the soapbox

This is one thing I enjoy about watching older movies; for example, those from the Hitchcock era. Families were supported on a single salary. Nowadays, the husband and wife both work, and question whether they have enough money to even have a kid. Yet all of this is lost in the media discussion of corporations "too big to fail" and secret muslims.

jonasborg: No scratch offs except for the $20 Money Maker's.

Cardboard crack

meh, I'll buy a hoosier lottery ticket once in a while. Of course im smart enough to know that its pretty much impossible, but as long as you look at it as two or three dollars for the chance to think about "what would I do with that money?" theres nothing stupid about it. Hell, sometimes me and my old man will pick one up and drink a cup of coffee, and talk about the kind of house we'd buy or the business we'd start.

Of course, the majority of people have to go to speedway, and grunt out " three 21's, 2 of them number 5's.. NO NUMBER 5 NOT 6, etc..and waste mine and your time. Those are the people that bring the rise in lottery buyings. ugh.

Senescent Dawn: I've only been in a real job for two years, so I've got no real money to throw around. We've got enough in precious metals where we could afford to eat for probably around two years, if we're eating rice and oats and beans. Hopefully that's enough of a cushion to weather the worst of it.

Having desirable skills is also a good thing to have that can be traded for goods and services. Driving trucks, cooking, carpentry, etc.

I'm good at taking very old computers and building/tweaking them into usable computers, among other skills like sewing. (My PCs are horribly obsolete by what is available now, but they cost me next to nothing to build them.)

I think it's dumb not to play the lottery every now and then. It's one dollar. Dig up some change from under the couch cushions.

/fun to dream

ecmoRandomNumbers: Dude, you're just no fun anymore. :(

Dude, you're harshin' my buzz.

Lottery bashers have to be some of the dumbest motherfarkers on Fark.

thereadlines: This is one thing I enjoy about watching older movies; for example, those from the Hitchcock era. Families were supported on a single salary. Nowadays, the husband and wife both work, and question whether they have enough money to even have a kid. Yet all of this is lost in the media discussion of corporations "too big to fail" and secret muslims.

Many years ago, people didn't pay for cable, cell phones, or internet. Their electric bills were probably no where near as big. They actually saved up to buy a car, because one wasn't needed right away, since generally they could walk or take a bus where ever they needed. A lot of things have changed in life that people decide to spend money on.

MIguy: Lottery bashers players have to be some of the dumbest motherfarkers on Fark.

simple fix

MIguy: Lottery bashers have to be some of the dumbest motherfarkers on Fark.

Why?

Lotteries are for suckers.

Shirley Jackson proved this.

oh, and...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY-UXQi4E5c

Darn it, no linky
Link (new window)

psyon:
Many years ago, people didn't pay for cable, cell phones, or internet. Their electric bills were probably no where near as big. They actually saved up to buy a car, because one wasn't needed right away, since generally they could walk or take a bus where ever they needed. A lot of things have changed in life that people decide to spend money on.

THIS.

You don't NEED $4 lattes every morning.
You don't NEED to eat at restaurants once a week.
You don't NEED to take $4000 vacations.
You don't NEED those 2 seperate $400/mo car payments.
You don't NEED that $150/mo gym membership
You don't NEED that $100/mo cable bill.
You don't NEED that $100/mo cell phone bill.
You don't NEED that $50/mo Internet bill.
Even your rent could be less--you don't NEED 1 bedroom per person.

Every time someone whines about how it's so not fair to NEED to work 2+ jobs to "make ends meet," chances are they have a really warped view of needs vs. luxuries.

I think it's harmless fun to buy a $1 ticket and enjoy the slim chance that you might win millions.

Where the moron tax comes in, is where people buy $10 worth of tickets, because 10 in ten million is SOOO much better odds than 1 in ten million.

psyon: thereadlines: This is one thing I enjoy about watching older movies; for example, those from the Hitchcock era. Families were supported on a single salary. Nowadays, the husband and wife both work, and question whether they have enough money to even have a kid. Yet all of this is lost in the media discussion of corporations "too big to fail" and secret muslims.

Many years ago, people didn't pay for cable, cell phones, or internet. Their electric bills were probably no where near as big. They actually saved up to buy a car, because one wasn't needed right away, since generally they could walk or take a bus where ever they needed. A lot of things have changed in life that people decide to spend money on.

It is a popular perspective that changes in consumerism establish the difference. However, you must also consider that technological advancements increase efficiency, and consequently devalue goods and services. People used to pay for milkmen. Now they pay for cell phones. I don't think you're going to make up the difference between now and then by consumerism alone.

Probably not much different than "investing in GM and other stalwarts of industry.

Crosshair

I just clicked your profile and I imagine that you're the kind of guy who enjoys The Simpsons. Do you remember the episode where Comic Book Guy is walking down the street and sees a missile closing in on him and utters the line "oh, I've wasted my life"? Just sayin', man...

thereadlines:
This is one thing I enjoy about watching older movies; for example, those from the Hitchcock era. Families were supported on a single salary. Nowadays, the husband and wife both work, and question whether they have enough money to even have a kid. Yet all of this is lost in the media discussion of corporations "too big to fail" and secret muslims.

You get your information about our nation's economic history from watching old movies? To set a baseline for your current reality? My eyes just rolled out of my head.

But I just read that lottery sales were DOWN.

WTF?

stiletto_the_wise: psyon:
Many years ago, people didn't pay for cable, cell phones, or internet. Their electric bills were probably no where near as big. They actually saved up to buy a car, because one wasn't needed right away, since generally they could walk or take a bus where ever they needed. A lot of things have changed in life that people decide to spend money on.

THIS.

You don't NEED $4 lattes every morning.
You don't NEED to eat at restaurants once a week.
You don't NEED to take $4000 vacations.
You don't NEED those 2 seperate $400/mo car payments.
You don't NEED that $150/mo gym membership
You don't NEED that $100/mo cable bill.
You don't NEED that $100/mo cell phone bill.
You don't NEED that $50/mo Internet bill.
Even your rent could be less--you don't NEED 1 bedroom per person.

Every time someone whines about how it's so not fair to NEED to work 2+ jobs to "make ends meet," chances are they have a really warped view of needs vs. luxuries.

I don't know anyone who indulges in any of that except for the Internet bill at $50/mo. $400/mo car loan? Wow. $100/mo cell phone? You need to switch carriers.

unit63: thereadlines:
This is one thing I enjoy about watching older movies; for example, those from the Hitchcock era. Families were supported on a single salary. Nowadays, the husband and wife both work, and question whether they have enough money to even have a kid. Yet all of this is lost in the media discussion of corporations "too big to fail" and secret muslims.

You get your information about our nation's economic history from watching old movies? To set a baseline for your current reality? My eyes just rolled out of my head.

I said it was one thing I enjoy about watching them. Clearly I enjoy them for other reasons as well. What is your problem?

thereadlines:

I don't know anyone who indulges in any of that except for the Internet bill at $50/mo. $400/mo car loan? Wow. $100/mo cell phone? You need to switch carriers.

$400/mo doesn't sound too ridiculous to me. I have an '07 Honda Civic (not exactly a luxury car) for the practicalilty and great gas mileage, and my monthly payment is $370 ($20,000 car).

I suppose I could have bought a used car for less, but what new car is so drastically cheaper?

thereadlines: It is a popular perspective that changes in consumerism establish the difference. However, you must also consider that technological advancements increase efficiency, and consequently devalue goods and services. People used to pay for milkmen. Now they pay for cell phones. I don't think you're going to make up the difference between now and then by consumerism alone.

People still buy milk, but rather than have it delivered, we spend the gas money to goto the store to pay for it.

Because People in power are Stupid: I've diversified my portfolio to include both powerball and lotto.

Winner//well here not on your tickets.

Alex Chilton

I used to be into the Simpsons, but haven't watched it in years. Don't remember most of the episodes. (Probably would if I watched them again.)

The "let's buy every little thing that's offered" generation is getting their wake up call right about now.

Then again, with the people who lived within their means having to bail them out, the spenders may well have been the smartest kids in the room.

/We all have to pay, but only they got the lattes. :(

My SO's brother has been bringing their elderly grandfather a few scratch tickets every week for the past couple months. Gramp is ninety and can't get around much, and he really enjoys having that little something to look forward to. Nevermind the fact that the old coot has had an incredible streak of luck. I think he's made a hundred bucks so far, heh.

/He is also savvy with the stock market, probably because it's the only thing he watches on TV all day. Everytime we go over there to visit I try to get some good hints.

Imagine if you took that same dollar-a-week habit and invested the proceeds in certificates of deposit at current rates. Why, in a year, your fifty-two dollars would become fifty-two dollars and seventy-eight cents.

Nakito: Imagine if you took that same dollar-a-week habit and invested the proceeds in certificates of deposit at current rates. Why, in a year, your fifty-two dollars would become fifty-two dollars and seventy-eight cents.

Exactly. I don't buy into the mocking of people who splurge on one lotto per week. You probably lose a buck in change every week in your couch cushions.

It's the idiots who spend $20+ on scratch tickets, lotto, powerball, etc, that are really the dumbasses.

Tr0mBoNe: Lottery: Tax on the stupid.

Just out of curiosity, do you have insurance?

stiletto_the_wise:
Every time someone whines about how it's so not fair to NEED to work 2+ jobs to "make ends meet," chances are they have a really warped view of needs vs. luxuries.

There is certainly this, but there is also overall inflation and descreasing affordability even for a "simpler" life.

ie Even if you wanted to live in the shiattiest little apartment in my city, it's still relatively expensive relative to income, compared to living costs in previous decades. Then there are basic assumptions that people have certain technology these days.

So yeah, I agree that most people have warped views on want vs need, but there is also this overall effect of inflating living costs which have risen even when you account for that. Or maybe it's just the effect of relative deprivation.

The trouble with the lottery bashers is that they lack the ability to distinguish between people who spend $5/week for funsies and the occasional idiot who bets the rent and grocery money every week. Being a self-righteous, self-important scold does that sort of thing to a person.

Me in line for Rolaids at the 7-11:

Guy in Front of me: Check this ticket.
Clerk: Sorry. Not a winner.

Guy in Front of me: How about this one?
Clerk: Sorry. Nope. Sorry

Guy in Front of me: How about this one?
Clerk: Sorry. Nope.

Guy in Front of me: Check this ticket.
Clerk: Sorry.

Guy in Front of me: How about this one?
Clerk: Sorry. Nope.

Guy in Front of me: Check this one.
Clerk: Sorry. Nope.

Guy in Front of me: How about this one?
Clerk: Sorry. We already checked that one.

Guy in Front of me: Can you check it again?
Clerk: Sure. Still no winner.

Guy in Front of me: OK. I'll have 30 new tickets please

MIguy: Lottery bashers have to be some of the dumbest motherfarkers on Fark.

Nah. They're pretty stupid, but they're hardly the dumbest.
Now, the ones that pay $5 to do it... those are some pretty dumb farks.


Tr0mBoNe: : Tax on the stupid.