Overheard by the Pool

[Allan from Fallbrook]

bsrsharma: Had to be HELOC money. Most of the developments I am familiar with up there are fairly new and most of these parents were Orange County transplants who couldn’t afford to buy/live in OC, and so they came down to Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, etc. within the last couple of years.

I happen to know a lot of coaches up there as well, and quite a few of them are losing players due to families selling and moving from California, or they have players where the parents are now facing financial difficulties.

I spoke with one coach who has a returning player that he has coached two years previously. The player’s dad was known as a big spender over the previous two years when it came to the team, purchasing everything from equipment to individual player items. Different story this year. The dad had to scrape just to cover the entry fee for Pop Warner.

I realize that this is anecdotal at best, but it does illustrate that the party seems to be coming to an end. I know that locally, quite a few folks are quietly selling off RVs, boats, third cars, etc. that were purchased with HELOCs and seconds.

[bsrsharma]

“parents are now facing financial difficulties”

From “diamond bracelets with platinum engraving” to “financial difficulties” must be one hard fall for a lot of these folks. It is sickening to see the financial stupidity that has engulfed such a large section of the middle (and not so middle) classes that is supposed to be the backbone of the nation.

[bsrsharma]

“parents are now facing financial difficulties”

From “diamond bracelets with platinum engraving” to “financial difficulties” must be one hard fall for a lot of these folks. It is sickening to see the financial stupidity that has engulfed such a large section of the middle (and not so middle) classes that is supposed to be the backbone of the nation.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

bsrsharma: This is my third season coaching in Fallbrook. I attend coaches meetings every year and can recall seeing Mercedes C and E series, BMW 5 and 7 series and big SUVs the previous two seasons in the parking lot at the meetings. Not this year. Now, it’s more Chevy and Ford pickups and Toyota Camrys.

You get the sense of the air coming out of the balloon when you speak with folks, too. Previous couple of years it was this feeling of hubris (money to burn, house is appreciating) and now you get this underlying sense of anxiety.

I know a lot of folks that are buying groceries with credit cards, are not going on summer vacation to Disney World (or at all) this year or are pulling their kids out of private school.

I grew up in a pretty affluent area of the SF/Bay Area and went to Catholic school for 12 years. My dad was an aerospace engineer in Palo Alto. All in all, I had a pretty good life growing up, but it was nothing compared to the over the top, excessively lavish lifestyles that some of these families are enjoying (or were enjoying).

I remember seeing an H2 Hummer with an Xbox, DVD player (overhead) and video screens on the headrests for the kids in the back. The mom explained that her kids needed their “entertainment” and it was easier to spend the money on this gear than listen to them complain on road trips.

Gotta love those credit cards and that HELOC!

[Allan from Fallbrook]

bsrsharma: This is my third season coaching in Fallbrook. I attend coaches meetings every year and can recall seeing Mercedes C and E series, BMW 5 and 7 series and big SUVs the previous two seasons in the parking lot at the meetings. Not this year. Now, it’s more Chevy and Ford pickups and Toyota Camrys.

You get the sense of the air coming out of the balloon when you speak with folks, too. Previous couple of years it was this feeling of hubris (money to burn, house is appreciating) and now you get this underlying sense of anxiety.

I know a lot of folks that are buying groceries with credit cards, are not going on summer vacation to Disney World (or at all) this year or are pulling their kids out of private school.

I grew up in a pretty affluent area of the SF/Bay Area and went to Catholic school for 12 years. My dad was an aerospace engineer in Palo Alto. All in all, I had a pretty good life growing up, but it was nothing compared to the over the top, excessively lavish lifestyles that some of these families are enjoying (or were enjoying).

I remember seeing an H2 Hummer with an Xbox, DVD player (overhead) and video screens on the headrests for the kids in the back. The mom explained that her kids needed their “entertainment” and it was easier to spend the money on this gear than listen to them complain on road trips.

Gotta love those credit cards and that HELOC!

[JES]

All of that excess they can’t take with them when they leave this world. Reconcile that with a flyer I saw at a local Jimmy Johns at lunch today. “Spaghetti dinner this Saturday at First Baptist Church to raise money for 7 year old Joy who was diagnosed with a brain tumor last month. Her father is a grad student and the funds raised will go to pay for her medical bills.” I will let you know how the spaghetti tastes:)

[JES]

All of that excess they can’t take with them when they leave this world. Reconcile that with a flyer I saw at a local Jimmy Johns at lunch today. “Spaghetti dinner this Saturday at First Baptist Church to raise money for 7 year old Joy who was diagnosed with a brain tumor last month. Her father is a grad student and the funds raised will go to pay for her medical bills.” I will let you know how the spaghetti tastes:)

[Allan from Fallbrook]

JES: Absolutely right. Societally speaking, our priorities have gotten so far out of whack, it isn’t even funny.

I build my football teams around hard work, perserverance, and staying the course no matter how tough it gets. Every single season, I have dozens of parents come up to me to say thanks. These kids all respond positively to the message and are very different when they leave the season.

I can remember Little League and Pop Warner as a kid and how much you had to work for your position and for the right to play on the team. Somewhere along the line, we have lost that ethic. Now, you don’t have to work to earn, you can just charge it. Or suck the money out of your overpriced house in the form of an equity line.

Maybe it is my Catholic upbringing, but I do agree with you about not taking it with you. And in spite of all this material wealth, a whole helluva lot of these people seem downright miserable.

Good for you for helping out, by the way.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

JES: Absolutely right. Societally speaking, our priorities have gotten so far out of whack, it isn’t even funny.

I build my football teams around hard work, perserverance, and staying the course no matter how tough it gets. Every single season, I have dozens of parents come up to me to say thanks. These kids all respond positively to the message and are very different when they leave the season.

I can remember Little League and Pop Warner as a kid and how much you had to work for your position and for the right to play on the team. Somewhere along the line, we have lost that ethic. Now, you don’t have to work to earn, you can just charge it. Or suck the money out of your overpriced house in the form of an equity line.

Maybe it is my Catholic upbringing, but I do agree with you about not taking it with you. And in spite of all this material wealth, a whole helluva lot of these people seem downright miserable.

Good for you for helping out, by the way.

[teddyboy]

I grew up in a minority neighborhood with blue collar parents. We didn’t have much, but we were comfortable. Growing up in the 60’s -70’s was completely different then it is now. I went to a public school, didn’t own a car until I was outta high school, and old enough to work to pay for it. I had my share of toys back then, and boy those were the days. They don’t make toys like that anymore :o), but it’s nothing compared to the conspicuous consumption that has been going on the past several years. I’m a video game junkie myself, but to have it in an suv?!

I make a decent living as a mechanical designer. When prices come down enough, I should be able to afford a nice home of my own in the area of my choosing.

[teddyboy]

I grew up in a minority neighborhood with blue collar parents. We didn’t have much, but we were comfortable. Growing up in the 60’s -70’s was completely different then it is now. I went to a public school, didn’t own a car until I was outta high school, and old enough to work to pay for it. I had my share of toys back then, and boy those were the days. They don’t make toys like that anymore :o), but it’s nothing compared to the conspicuous consumption that has been going on the past several years. I’m a video game junkie myself, but to have it in an suv?!

I make a decent living as a mechanical designer. When prices come down enough, I should be able to afford a nice home of my own in the area of my choosing.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Teddyboy: Remember when going to McDonald’s was a big deal? As a kid, I got to go to Mickey D’s maybe 3 to 4x per month and, let me tell you, it was a big deal! I used to get real gleeped up about that, mainly due to the infrequency of going. My kids bug me about going there literally daily.

I also didn’t have a lot of toys growing up (mainly because of the emphasis on sports and outdoor activities) and I was taught to take care of the ones I did have.

Somewhere along the line, a divergence occurred, especially with kids and the values system. They have so many things and things are so easily acquired, that nothing really has value anymore. Sadly, the parents aren’t much better.

Not to sound overly simplistic, but much of what we’re seeing now is really just keeping up with the Joneses, both for the parents and the kids. Toys, toys, toys.

I’m a total Xbox junkie and I have to remind myself when I’m in Game Crazy with my son to practice some restraint and discretion. It ain’t fun, but I also remember the message I am sending to him when we’re there as well.

As a country and a society, I think we need a good swift kick in the pants. Perhaps this upcoming bust is it. Then again, probably not. We don’t seem very adept at picking up the message anymore.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Teddyboy: Remember when going to McDonald’s was a big deal? As a kid, I got to go to Mickey D’s maybe 3 to 4x per month and, let me tell you, it was a big deal! I used to get real gleeped up about that, mainly due to the infrequency of going. My kids bug me about going there literally daily.

I also didn’t have a lot of toys growing up (mainly because of the emphasis on sports and outdoor activities) and I was taught to take care of the ones I did have.

Somewhere along the line, a divergence occurred, especially with kids and the values system. They have so many things and things are so easily acquired, that nothing really has value anymore. Sadly, the parents aren’t much better.

Not to sound overly simplistic, but much of what we’re seeing now is really just keeping up with the Joneses, both for the parents and the kids. Toys, toys, toys.

I’m a total Xbox junkie and I have to remind myself when I’m in Game Crazy with my son to practice some restraint and discretion. It ain’t fun, but I also remember the message I am sending to him when we’re there as well.

As a country and a society, I think we need a good swift kick in the pants. Perhaps this upcoming bust is it. Then again, probably not. We don’t seem very adept at picking up the message anymore.

[mixxalot]

Excess consumption and happiness

I grew up dirt poor but we always had plenty of food to eat and played a lot outside and went hiking and fishing a lot as a kid. Was great in spite of not having many material things. My parents did get me a computer (Commodore 64) when I was 14 and it was a blast learning how to write computer programs in BASIC 20 years ago as a kid and using the 300 Baud modem to get online before anyone knew what the internet was. I had to mow lawns for neighbors as a kid to see movies and have fun but it taught me to be frugal and how to save and wise on finances. I look at spoiled kids today and frown when I see them renting a crappy apartment and driving expensive brand new leased BMW, Lexus and Infinitis !!!!

I saw a major difference between consuming Americans and the frugal Japanese and Koreans when I lived and worked overseas in Asia. They dressed modest, took subway and lived at home with their parents. However they had a ton of savings in the bank.

[mixxalot]

Excess consumption and happiness

I grew up dirt poor but we always had plenty of food to eat and played a lot outside and went hiking and fishing a lot as a kid. Was great in spite of not having many material things. My parents did get me a computer (Commodore 64) when I was 14 and it was a blast learning how to write computer programs in BASIC 20 years ago as a kid and using the 300 Baud modem to get online before anyone knew what the internet was. I had to mow lawns for neighbors as a kid to see movies and have fun but it taught me to be frugal and how to save and wise on finances. I look at spoiled kids today and frown when I see them renting a crappy apartment and driving expensive brand new leased BMW, Lexus and Infinitis !!!!

I saw a major difference between consuming Americans and the frugal Japanese and Koreans when I lived and worked overseas in Asia. They dressed modest, took subway and lived at home with their parents. However they had a ton of savings in the bank.

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