tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post9059653144496120206..comments2024-03-27T09:17:51.095-07:00Comments on Done by Forty: What's it Like in America?Done By Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-31628526753028729592014-01-13T11:24:16.236-07:002014-01-13T11:24:16.236-07:00It really does break your heart to hear how so man...It really does break your heart to hear how so many people live abroad. I'm hoping that family can send one of their own here...but it's a long shot.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-87829293937548500882014-01-12T13:23:41.454-07:002014-01-12T13:23:41.454-07:00Rightfully so, things *are* pretty good in the US,...Rightfully so, things *are* pretty good in the US, and your consumer goods are repeatedly cheaper than here in Aust, but we do have a higher 'basic' wage and an economy built less on tips too.SarahN @ livetolisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01429385342825413879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-46487430361125214212014-01-11T21:33:14.173-07:002014-01-11T21:33:14.173-07:00I've been thinking about this a lot lately...h...I've been thinking about this a lot lately...how lucky we are. Like we won just by being BORN in this part of the world. How insane is that? And then I think of all the mothers with babies born in poverty or even worse, war torn countries, and I cry. I just want to help them all. It really makes me stop and think when I have a "problem." My problems are nothing. I really hope they are able to send a family member here.femmefrugalityhttp://femmefrugality.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-29254734026844394772014-01-11T19:01:51.287-07:002014-01-11T19:01:51.287-07:00I hadn't thought about it like that, Sarah. We...I hadn't thought about it like that, Sarah. We don't have universal healthcare or affordable tuition. Still, I do feel pretty lucky.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-2760587527622148012014-01-11T19:00:33.193-07:002014-01-11T19:00:33.193-07:00That's a pretty cool way to spend a spring bre...That's a pretty cool way to spend a spring break, Tara. I'd love to do something like that.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-27915924148470979712014-01-10T23:44:16.781-07:002014-01-10T23:44:16.781-07:00Well then it seems Australia is even a luckier cou...Well then it seems Australia is even a luckier country, cause we CAN go to Cuba (and I have). Actually - that was my comment to DB40 - I often find it interesting that the US is so upbeat, mainly in light of the healthcare that isn't truly universal and the very high cost of tertiary education compared to parts of Europe/UK and Australia.SarahN @ livetolisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01429385342825413879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-18435604142292313462014-01-10T13:59:45.891-07:002014-01-10T13:59:45.891-07:00Thanks for sharing your story. I remember spendin...Thanks for sharing your story. I remember spending a few days on my Alternative Spring Break trip in college in a "shanty town" in Juarez, Mexico and volunteering at a local women's community center. We were staying in the home of someone who was considered "well off" because their home was made of cinderblock with a roof, hard floors, and electricity (but no running water and no full walls). The house was actually illegal as they were technically squatters too. To see people work so hard and be happy with what they had was kind of astounding. <br /><br />It's good to be remembered of these situations so it can give us clarity when we start complaining unnecessarily about the small stuff.Tara @ Streets Ahead Livinghttp://streetsaheadliving.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-80059942935713416472014-01-09T22:07:31.938-07:002014-01-09T22:07:31.938-07:00Hi, Lisa. I'm a little ashamed to say that I&#...Hi, Lisa. I'm a little ashamed to say that I've never been to the Philippines. It's on the list, but wish I had a better connection to that side of the family. It's great that you were able to see the home your mother grew up in.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-14894543960889393812014-01-09T15:31:37.165-07:002014-01-09T15:31:37.165-07:00This post definitely strikes some chords with me. ...This post definitely strikes some chords with me. First off, my mom came over to America from the Philippines, too, and she wouldn't stop talking about how "lucky" I am and how grateful I should be. I didn't really believe her until I actually visited the house she was raised in. Many people around the globe live on much less than we do. It's easy to forget that when you're living it everyday. But when you step outside your reality, you can't help but be grateful.Lisa E. @ Lisa Vs. The Loanshttp://www.lisavstheloans.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-90441677802684423742014-01-08T16:27:04.433-07:002014-01-08T16:27:04.433-07:00I think they see an opportunity for geographic arb...I think they see an opportunity for geographic arbitrage in reverse. If a family member in the States sends home even a small percentage of his pay, it's a huge boon for the family: potentially enough to send another, and repeat the process.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-80565480039194931562014-01-08T16:25:36.761-07:002014-01-08T16:25:36.761-07:00Very interesting story. People pretty much do what...Very interesting story. People pretty much do whatever it takes to get by everyplace in the world. I find it interesting that you can feed a whole family and then some with $2, but that is a good example of the cost of living (CoL) in rural Peru. And then of course, wages kind of go hand-in-hand with the CoL. Unfortunately, that leads them to view anyplace with higher wages as being dreamily desirable.Bryce @ Save and Conquerhttp://www.saveandconquer.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-3664363539965361682014-01-08T16:22:37.523-07:002014-01-08T16:22:37.523-07:00Interesting! Do people in New Zealand feel bad for...Interesting! Do people in New Zealand feel bad for Americans?Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-53901336523387008062014-01-08T16:16:52.329-07:002014-01-08T16:16:52.329-07:00If you can't see the difference between violat...If you can't see the difference between violating the speed limit and violating the embargo against Cuba, I can't help you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-55752707754607507672014-01-08T13:42:56.864-07:002014-01-08T13:42:56.864-07:00In comparison, I think people often say the same a...In comparison, I think people often say the same about America vs NZ - people come here for the lifestyle, it's a lot more relaxed and the environment is beautiful and there are lots of outdoors things to do but it's a lot more expensive. I felt guilty often travelling through SE Asia and telling locals about where we were from and what life was like, knowing most of them will never leave their own country and how hard their daily struggle is.NZ Musehttp://nzmuse.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-83189806296317119882014-01-08T12:59:41.635-07:002014-01-08T12:59:41.635-07:00That's a really kind comment, Jacob. Thank you...That's a really kind comment, Jacob. Thank you for that. It's fantastic to hear such nice things about something I wrote.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-43615718879700072352014-01-08T12:46:55.643-07:002014-01-08T12:46:55.643-07:00I've never been outside the USofA, so it's...I've never been outside the USofA, so it's a bit difficult to comprehend. But I've read enough fine stories like this to appreciate the opportunities that I've been provided. Stuff like this always brings back a healthy perspective on life, work, and everything in between. Great stuffCash Cow Couplehttp://cashcowcouple.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-72906766586851413562014-01-08T11:55:02.932-07:002014-01-08T11:55:02.932-07:00Kind of a cool way to have a backup water system, ...Kind of a cool way to have a backup water system, too. In the event of a prolonged problem with water from the city, those people are probably a lot better situated to deal with that than most Americans would be.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-78740192464884608662014-01-08T11:19:30.981-07:002014-01-08T11:19:30.981-07:00One of our manufacturing plants is there. It is r...One of our manufacturing plants is there. It is really interesting to be able to work and get to know the people who work there. For instance, I noticed large tanks on top of the houses. At first I thought, water harvesting? But that would be the wrong place for a tank. They told me that the city supplied water is only on for certain times during the day so everyone has a water tank on the roof so that they have gravity fed water available when the water is shut off. How strange to me and normal for them.Daizyhttp://www.myfrugalfreedom.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-56765943935849026572014-01-08T08:05:09.697-07:002014-01-08T08:05:09.697-07:00Thanks, Tonya! Plus you can always compare the awe...Thanks, Tonya! Plus you can always compare the awesome beach you have in SoCal to the lack of beach we have here. Poor me!Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-54923069346485088342014-01-08T08:04:33.198-07:002014-01-08T08:04:33.198-07:00Yeah, not to discount the way the poor live in thi...Yeah, not to discount the way the poor live in this country, there are a lot of programs here to help at least mitigate the suffering.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-88677287104804495172014-01-08T08:03:53.069-07:002014-01-08T08:03:53.069-07:00Thanks so much for the comment, Matt. I should hav...Thanks so much for the comment, Matt. I should have touched on the fact that there really are people who suffer in this country...kind of glossed over that wrinkle. On the whole though, we have it good, like you say.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-85142571063962281332014-01-08T07:19:51.615-07:002014-01-08T07:19:51.615-07:00It's so easy to take for granted what we have ...It's so easy to take for granted what we have here because most of us don't have anything to compare it to. I can compare the small apartment I live in now to the house I grew up in which was bigger and more comfortable, and think "oh poor me." but that's nothing really. It's good to keep that in perspective and I think stories like this do that. Tonya@Budget and the Beachhttp://www.budgetandthebeach.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-30172664264843501862014-01-08T06:29:45.805-07:002014-01-08T06:29:45.805-07:00This is a great story. I've often heard that ...This is a great story. I've often heard that "poor people" in American aren't really even poor and that's true when you consider how people live around the world. People in 3rd world countries may not have access to any water or any food, where poor people in America do have access to some social services and welfare programs that will feed them at the very least.Holly@ClubThriftyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16943656467827987350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-12906129172356037292014-01-08T05:09:41.054-07:002014-01-08T05:09:41.054-07:00Really awesome story! Stuff like this really makes...Really awesome story! Stuff like this really makes you put things in perspective huh? It can be so "tough" when we can't go on that big vacation this year, right? Look, there are people who really and truly struggle in this country. It is not all rainbows and sunshine. But the reality is that most of us really have it very good, and even more of us would have it good if we took the time to make slightly better decisions.<br /><br />On another note, I enjoyed your little exchange with "Anonymous" just above me. People man. People.Matt Beckerhttp://momanddadmoney.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-45876362564343016872014-01-07T22:21:47.727-07:002014-01-07T22:21:47.727-07:00Ha! Because I think it's fine for a blogger to...Ha! Because I think it's fine for a blogger to visit Cuba, that means I don't truly love my country? Those are some pretty broad strokes to paint with based off of a random blog comment. So all it takes is breaking a law to prove you don't love America? I sure hope you've never driven over the speed limit!<br /><br />But you're certainly entitled to your opinion. That's another great thing about this country though: anyone can speak his mind.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.com