Priorities and Inequality

Money is on everyone’s mind these days. Whether you have it, need it, or are trying hard to protect yours, financial stress is attacking everyone. But what grows more obvious is the inequality among people and the varied priorities.

When you have money, it’s easy to spend. It is also easy to consider non-essential things as priorities. When you aren’t worrying about making payments, you can make luxuries a priority.    The things some people only dream about having are things others couldn’t dream about not having.  Some dream of a nicer car.  Others dream of having a car.

But, as days go forward, I think it will become obvious that money will be a luxury many will not have. Priorities will quickly change from having that high-priced phone to having a turkey for Thanksgiving. For others, the priorities will change from having a Thanksgiving dinner to having food to put on the table.

People who are used to living without things will survive in this economy because they are already used to having to make do with whatever they have. They don’t even dream about having a high-priced phone. They’ve never had their nails done. They might spend a couple of bucks on a cheap bottle of nail polish and be happy with that.

However, those who are accustomed to shelling out big bucks on luxury or status items may feel the pinch as prices continue to rise. They may also find themselves on the outskirts of society, because the people who are living without will soon number much higher than those who have money.

I don’t have much, but even I am considering my priorities. When I go shopping, I like to treat myself to an iced coffee. It’s only a couple of dollars, and it’s a special treat for me. But, at this point, I have to consider that an unnecessary luxury. It’s something I can live without and the money I would spend on the coffee would buy a loaf of bread.

Priorities. Sometimes it feels like an ugly word. But it really is another way of saying “Responsibilities.” Because that’s what it comes down to – being responsible enough to prioritize things that are necessary and refraining from things that you can live without.

I fully expect our economy to tank before too long. If we don’t learn to stand together and help each other, we will all perish. But if we can join hands despite our differences and offer even a little help, we can all make it through together.