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by brianmcc 450 days ago
Agree re chicken wings but there are plenty of reasonable and responsible credit options for spreading payments for a relatively unusual purchase - at least, not a daily or weekly necessity - like a TV
2 comments

> Agree re chicken wings but there are plenty of reasonable and responsible credit options for spreading payments for a relatively unusual purchase - at least, not a daily or weekly necessity - like a TV

That stopped being true a long time ago, at least in the US. TVs can be had incredibly cheaply nowadays. A quick Amazon search shows many models available for circa $100. That's like less than a dozen fast food meals.

If you need a TV, save your money and buy one you can afford. A predatory payment plan should not be used.

OK but US really is in a world of its own these for a lot of things. In the UK it's very common to get 0% interest installments.

Which is not to have a go at the US, but to just make the point that buying domestic appliances is not a simple "bad credit" case. Unlike chicken wings.

Not really - for something like a TV you can wait or get a more modest model. And if waiting would take too long then it's probably not a reasonable expense for you.
Sorry no but domestic white goods such as TVs, fridges, laundry appliances, etc are the perfect use case for small credit plans where doing without or "saving up" is a poor alternative, and sensible non-extortionate credit options have been around for literally decades for this reason.
i get the vibe from this comment you probably believe all poor people are poor because of their spemding habits :)
There are obviously external forces that contribute to anyone’s circumstances rich or poor.

But, ultimately, you can only spend as much as you make in income, or go bankrupt. Choosing to tack on an interest payment to your costs is often an unnecessary additional cost for people. That’s true if you’re poor buying a rudimentary TV or rich maxing out credit cards to furnish your mansion.

Depends. If your poor in America, then spending is often part of the equation. If your poor in India then perhaps not.