Typical American Consumer

Attitudes about spending changed drastically. At this point, more people had access to credit cards because credit card companies stopped limiting their customer base to the wealthy, and began issuing cards to people with moderate to low incomes (Garon, 2012, CNN World). This gave Americans a way to purchase goods and services immediately, even if they didn’t have the cash on hand. The seven to eight percent savings rate maintained in the United States from the 1960s to the 1980s plummeted to less than two percent, and remained so until the first decade of the 21st century (Melicher & Norton, 2014, p. 168).

The main argument throughout this documentary is that credit cards are the main cause of the debt crisis, which occurred in 2006 in America. Credit cards are portrayed throughout this documentary to carry negative consequences, aiding in the corruption of the system, and ultimately creating debt problems that America faces as a nation. The main question we are left with is, can we as a nation live without credit cards?

     With religion playing an important role in the average Americans lives, consumerism began to grow in the white and blue-collar workers. Their families started to spend extra cash instead of saving it. Washing machines, dryers, and new cars became commonly bought items. The Homeowner who needed some extra cash, but couldn’t work enough hours to purchase that item when he needed it, started to use personal credit. This began the craze of credit cards. ”The Diner Club” introduced the first credit card in 1950: By the 1970s the ubiquitous plastic credit card had revolutionized personal and family finance”(Henretta, pg.790). The awareness of addition free time was aware

In the 1800’s I believe it was nearly impossible for people to spend more than they financial could because loans were not as easily accessible. In this modern age a common form of a loan that allows almost anyone to spend beyond their financial capabilities is a credit card. Credit cards are pieces of plastic that allow you to buy products and services with the money of the credit card company. However, this money isn’t given to you for free. All the money you spend must be paid back to the credit card company at the end of each month. This is where a potential problem could be created. If people spend more money than they can pay back they acquire debt. The acquired debt then accrues interest when you don’t pay what you owe. This causes the debtor to generate more debt every time a payment is unpaid.

U.S. consumers remain addicted to credit. Consumer debt continues to rise to record levels and a significant number of households have lost control of their finances. Credit cards can be a useful financial tool when used appropriately. However, research clearly indicates that consumers are not using credit cards wisely and consumers do not understand the terms and conditions of the credit card contract. Adding to this public dilemma, the practices of numerous credit card issuers have been described as predatory. The Credit CARD Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, also known as the Credit CARD Act of 2009, is the first major reform of the credit card industry since the Truth in Lending Act of 1968. The Credit CARD Act of

The economy relies heavily on consumer spending, which it requires people to borrow and go into debt.The system cannot function if borrowers don't pay up their debts or if they don’t have the amount of money to be able to pay for it. Responsible credit card debt is good for the economy because it means spending is occurring and the owner can afford to pay for their debt at any time. The economy suffers when no one is using their credit cards or toward too many people not being able to pay off their credit card debts. It's an economic cycle that has to be sustained you have to have consumption, (Moody’s, 2013).

The government has ensured the money will be repaid through the wage garnishment system. Only a small percentage of consumers endure this process because debt can be collected by numerous means (Arnold). In response, credit debt was virtually non-existent until 1970, now Americans have an average of $3,500. A time used to exist where only the wealthy had access to credit cards, but the credit score industry caused financial companies to feel comfortable with the broadening of credit cards across the population (Indiviglio). Letting consumers purchase those big-ticket items also enables them the ability to spend more holistically. For example, $20 cash is manageable for a few groceries, but a credit card can cover those groceries and a new television simultaneously. Credit cards seem to give consumers an infinite amount of money at their fingertips. After so much debt has risen, creditors resort to the courts. Over a million lawsuits are filed annually concerning credit card debt, which does not seem like a small percentage (Arnold). And through wage garnishment, creditors collect their payment whether the consumer can afford it or not. The consumers should not be treated in this manner for using a credit card in the means that it was distributed for.

The article is about why young Americans (millennials) are afraid of credit cards, and why they do not use them. Americans with credit card debt under the age of thirty-five has dropped to the lowest since 1989. Since the financial disaster in 2008, older Americans have lowered their credit card debt. However, millennials’ credit card debt has dropped faster than any other age group. Young people became scared of credit cards because they do not want to owe money to companies like their parents were or are. If millennials continue to use credit cards less, this will hurt the economy’s growth and the financial system. Since millennials refrain from using credit cards, they will lose out on building credit. Building credit brings advantages like

The American attitude has always been to work as long, and as hard as possible. Not everyone agrees with this idea, but for those who do, why is that? Is it because that is what they were told? Is it because they are truly passionate about what they do? Perhaps it is so they can just afford to buy what is needed to live. However, what about those who work overtime just so they can afford the luxuries like going on vacation, or buying a new phone? This need for luxuries dates back since after the Civil War (“Consumerism,” par 4). Another part of the American culture is shopping, in fact shopping is now perceived as “a patriotic activity” (“Consumerism,” par 1). This is what consumer culture is, the push to buy what isn’t a necessity.

Individual choices are responsible for debt and out-of-control consumerism. To begin with, credit cards have raised new issues as a result of people spending money they do not have. Using a credit card is fine if one pays the monthly credit payment in full, however, if they pay only the monthly minimum, it may take months to years to pay off the credit card debt. Additionally, we live in a materialistic society where what possessions we own reflect on our social status. This leads to out-of-control consumerism now that people are constantly trying to prove they are better than others even if it is out of their budget. In short, these actions are ways in which one can implement their free will. They are not required to buy expensive items nor

The average American spends over 140 dollars a day, and the majority of that it on items that are unnecessary to buy. Most of this money the average American is spending is money they don’t really have. These items are bought with credit which then ends up leading to a big hole of debt. If americans do not stop listening to the advertisers and stop falling into debt with the help of credit cards, consumerism will only continue to grow. Americans need to realize who’s to blame for our consumerism problem.

In response to the Credit CARD Act’s intent on fighting against young consumer perdition with debt, new credit card usage has been halved by those aged 18-20 . It is possible that the halving may not be completely related to the Credit CARD Act, and could possibly stem from the recession itself. However, it has played an important role in reducing unnecessary credit for young consumer. The application process has become somewhat prohibitive. That serves, in effect, to limit the amount of people who will try to obtain credit through credit cards. The goal is to limit acceptance for young consumers who find credit to be necessary and feasible.

One of the first rules in using a card is to use credit instead of debit. What people don't know is that credit cards offer a higher consumer protection against fraud. What makes it better is that many of them come with zero-liability

Credit cards are widely used across the world today to buy things that they can pay off at a later date. Credit cards are a form of plastic money in which at the time of purchase is used to borrow money that you must pay off during a certain time period. This makes people want to apply for credit cards even though they cannot afford the items they are buying. If you do not pay off the credit card then you will be charged a late fee that will make your credit score go down and make it even harder to borrow money for big expenses like a car or a house. Credit cards are the biggest influence of debt because it does not require money up-front, almost anyone can get one, and its plastic money making it easier to spend more than you have.

Consumerism is the center of American culture. Americans tend to confuse their wants with their needs. With new advances in technology, as well as the help of advertisers, people are provided with easy access to new products that seem essential to their everyday life, even though they have survived this long without them. People cannot live without food, clothing, and shelter. But realistically, according to people's different lifestyles, more than food, clothing, and shelter are needed. Most people need to work to survive. Unless a job is either in their own home, or within walking distance, a means of transportation is needed. Whether it be a vehicle, money for a taxi-cab, or a token for a ride on the subway, money must be spent