This forum is not hardcore enough!

andymc29

Just wanted to vent quickly.

Why do people on this forum not ask what people are taking loans for? A lot of people here seem to no have problem with people coming on and asking how to get deeper into debt as long as they can afford the monthly payments.

I used to think this forum was to encourage people to get out of debt and live debt free but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I don't know if maybe it's because I've been listening to Dave Ramsey who takes a very hard line approach regarding debt but I see a lot of posters here advising how to get car loans, swapping between credit cards instead of just paying them off, holding onto low interest loans instead of paying them off and financing things people don't need like expensive cars by getting lower monthly payments. I believe that you can't afford something if you have to finance it, but clearly some people here don't believe that at all.

CTA_2

andymc29 wrote: »

Just wanted to vent quickly.

Why do people on this forum not ask what people are taking loans for? A lot of people here seem to have problem with people coming on and asking how to get deep into debt as long as they can afford the monthly payments.

I used to think this forum was to encourage people to get out of debt and live debt free but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I don't know if maybe it's because I've been listening to Dave Ramsey who takes a very hard line approach regarding debt but I see a lot of posters here advising how to get car loans, swapping between credit cards instead of just paying them off, holding onto low interest loans instead of paying them off and financing things people don't need like expensive cars by getting lower monthly payments. I beleive that you can't afford something if you have to finance it, but clearly some people here don't believe that at all.

What an awful piece. Finance is used on a day to day basis and represents a fantastic way for someone to access what they want.

So long as it is a manageable level of debt, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

whiteguineapig

who is dave ramsey?

andymc29

Dave Ramsey's an American talk show host on the radio. He beleives in debt free living, and to save cash for things you want to buy. So if you want a new car, you drive an old car till you have the money to buy the new car. He only recommends debt when it's a mortgage, nothing else. It makes a lot of sense.

I appreciate that finance is used by most people on a daily basis, but I've seen so many occasions where people lose control of it (including myself in the past) that they end up on here posting SOA's begging for help to get through the month. Surely leading a debt free life is the best way for everyone?

bargainbetty

If you go over to the loans board, you will see a vast number of people asking about taking out extra credit, and being roundly b-slapped for doing it. Nearly every established poster on there will provide information, usually tempered with a cautionary word about the risks and the strong recommendation to skip the loan, re-budget, save to clear the debts/obtain the wanted purchase.

Quite often, we get told to get stuffed. It's public forum, that can happen. People get very stroppy if you tell them what to do - advice should be given freely, but without the expectation of acceptance on forums!

Living with a manageable form of debt isn't the end of the world. I have a mortgage, it's very manageable. For some people, debt is a tool, useful when used wisely.

If you don't like someone's advice, you have the absolute right to say so. Freedom of speech means we all have that. However, it doesn't give you the right to assume people care what you say, or listen, or follow advice. If someone else wants to answer the question, that's not your business. I know it rankles, but people will do as they choose. I 've started to shake my head at some of it too.

You have the right to ignore that and me as well.

antrobus

whiteguineapig wrote: »

who is dave ramsey?

Some American guy who peddles the Financial Peace University which teaches 'God's way of handling money'.

antrobus

andymc29 wrote: »

... Surely leading a debt free life is the best way for everyone?

If everyone was debt free, then no one would get a return on their savings.

seriousDFW

The reason is that DFW is supposed to be a non-judgemental forum so that people feel able to seek advice. Read Martin's guidance at the top of the forum.

Nobody on here advocates getting into more debt, that is a ridiculous and false thing to say. Yes, people will recommend transferring balances from a high-interest rate card to a 0% offer to give people breathing space and to enable posters to pay off debt with less interest paid in the long term. This is sensible advice for those with debt.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but people here accept that people get into debt for a variety of reasons. It is completely inappropriate to judge people as you don't know their circumstances, even if they give a snippet of their background or reason for their debt. Posters do sense whether a bit of tough love is needed and where appropriate this is usually given. However, the key ethos of DFW is that we support people who have come on here, admitted their debt problem and sought practical advice to improve their situation.

Nobody's perfect but this forum works well for so many people, please leave it alone.

andymc29

I just feel like there shouldn't be a problem asking why someone needs to borrow money and suggesting that maybe they don't really need to because they could do something cheaper. And that their goal should really be to clear their debts, not add to them.

RuthnJasper

andymc29 wrote: »

I just feel like there shouldn't be a problem asking why someone needs to borrow money and suggesting that maybe they don't really need to because they could do something cheaper. And that their goal should really be to clear their debts, not add to them.

I just feel that if people don't wish to talk about personal matters on a public forum then the issue shouldn't be forced. It's none of my business.

seriousDFW

andymc29 wrote: »

I just feel like there shouldn't be a problem asking why someone needs to borrow money and suggesting that maybe they don't really need to because they could do something cheaper. And that their goal should really be to clear their debts, not add to them.

I think you've got the wrong end of the stick. I have never seen on this forum people saying "I want a loan/CC to buy something". Maybe on the loans or CC forums, but on DFW people always come here and say "I'm in debt, please give me advice on how to clear them!", which is what you're saying doesn't happen.

DFW means Debt-Free Wannabe, so in general people come here because they do want to clear their debt!