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Leave The Boom And Bust Cycle Of Life

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Stock Market Photo by Perpetual Tourist - Flickr

Growing up in two market bubbles

I was 10 years old when the stock market entered an epic gurgle and burp. The technology bubble was well underway. As a child, I couldn’t help notice the daily papers’ coverage. Cisco, IBM, and Microsoft were going to stun the world, and a wealth of startups were making groundbreaking achievements through the Internet. Stores were moving online — people could buy stuff from their couches. And the market loved it.

Then it all came crashing down. Without profits and expected cash flow, companies petered out. They couldn’t sustain their losses, and the market was late to the realization. Nonetheless, as soon as people began selling the tech sector, stocks were doomed. The NASDAQ collapsed over a one-year period. While some had benefited from the meteoric rise, many failed. They chased moneyed dreams. The market had become a ponzi scheme of sorts, and the burst annihilated portfolios.

Average Joe’s and Jane’s across the world were affected. Money disappeared from pensions, IRAs, 401ks, and regular old investment accounts. Suddenly, people’s spending reduced — sour from massive losses and concerned about financial futures. People cut back because their ability to save and earn was jeopardized.

Putting the past behind us

Over time, these booms and busts are held in reverence. Ah, remember the market crash of 1999-2000? How about Black Monday? Oh, and how about the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009? Those were the days, right?

We try to put these events behind us and focus on the future. Some may say, “We’re long past those idiotic dreams and bubbles. We know better now.” We treat these as abnormalities — one-off events. The mavens repeat their mantras to calm the masses: “Timing is your friend. The market will recover.” But we never fix the underlying, systemic problems; thus, the cycle continues: boom and bust after boom and bust.

Wallets eventually open again. The economy eventually “bounces back.” In time, market optimism returns because consumer discretionary spending increases. Stocks get bid up again. And while we hope another bubble never returns and convince ourselves that a lesson was learned, something in us remains. We are still humans — the ones who caused the bubble in the first place.

That mentality to save every penny in crises fades like the hangover of a party best forgotten. We get excited again, and invest in financial instruments that some “guru” recommends that make little sense to us. We convince ourselves that we know better than to fall into some scam or trap. Eventually, the price of stocks becomes too expensive to sustain their momentum — for whatever the reason — and the roller coaster plummets.

Boom and bust cycles are everywhere

Even beyond the stock market, various points in history talk about cutting back and saving. For instance, the entire country rationed gasoline, coffee, and other necessities for those in combat during World War II. Our sacrifices would win the war. Our rationing would help others in need. And our country helped us collectively achieve this goal. These were frugal times. But after World War II ended, the country entered one of the largest economic growth spurts of all time. Production was enormous and the largest generation followed: the Baby Boomers.

California Drought Map

More recently, an epic drought has swept over California. Crops are unable to grow and farmers are being asked to cut back on water usage. Without rain and irrigation, this might be one of the worst seasons for the West coast. Every time you look at the map of California it’s bright red for “exceptional drought.” There isn’t another level dryer, unless we’re forced to create it.

This exceptional drought has led to more brush and forest fires. People and their homes have been threatened. The state has fought bravely against these disasters, and many are pitching in to conserve and ration their precious water. Smartphone apps have been created to rat out neighbors who are using more than necessary. Residents are being asked to let their lawns brown. Certain crops and foods (i.e., almonds) are being targeted because of their excessive water needs.

The city of glitz and glamour, Los Angeles, has been a focal point for conservation. Rivers are non-existent and the heat bakes the surface. Many celebrities have extolled the value of cutting back, too. But everyone is wondering whether California will be able to weather this drought. What if the rains never return in full force? What if the land stays perpetually scorched? How long could this exceptional drought really last?

At many points in history we’ve done well rationing, scrimping and saving amidst tragedy. We come together and embrace each other as humans. We work together to move beyond struggle. And we ultimately have overcome every major concern we’ve ever faced. But over time, humanity has a painfully ironic inability to hold back and resist the urge to spend and splurge. We seem to perpetuate feast or famine — unable to live in moderation and within means. If history repeats itself (and it does), then we will likely see California boom again if the rains return. People will resume their previous water usage and restaurants will once again drop off full glasses of water without asking first.

Five ways to weather any storm

From the stock markets to droughts to wars, the booms and busts are everywhere. If we admit that we have a cyclical problem, the question becomes, What can we do about it? The following are five rules to follow a middle path in times of tragedy and prosperity:

1. Create a rationed budget

At the heart of saving more and spending less is a good budget, but what if you lopped off $100, $200, $300, or more each month? What if you pretended that the money was gone? In modelling the potential new budget during a tragedy or bust cycle, you can see the depths of your budget. If all else failed and suddenly made less each month, how would your spending change? How would your savings change? How would you cut back? The essential aspect to this thought experiment is actually going forth with it. Enact the rationed budget and see how low you could go. Pretend that the crisis is here, and save for better times. Then, if a problem occurs, you’ll follow a path of moderation.

2. Spending shouldn’t change based on market optimism

It’s easy to get swept away in the good times. People buy enormous houses, $1 million vehicles, and gigantic yachts when the market is doing well. Success looks like materials, so people buy in. To weather storms, spending cannot cave to market swings. Consistency is key. When others start buying wildly and race to the top, you should be thinking about where you’re spending too much.

3. Saving shouldn’t be limited to tough times

Saving money and concentrating on safe investments should always be a first priority. That priority shouldn’t waver or change amidst good times or bad. Tough times are the hardest time to save, actually. Think about it, if times are tough, you’re clearly strapped for cash. Save in the windfalls, booms, and busts. Again, to find the middle path amidst the excitement and tragedy, you need to calmly continue your savings.

4. Don’t trust market makers and commentators

Turn on CNBC and your brain will instantly accommodate talking heads’ suggestions. Their swanky ties, expensive suits, beautiful sets with technology galore, and impressive lifestyles can be captivating. I’ll be the first to admit that being able to eat at wonderful restaurants, travel the world in a jet, and drive a fast car sounds intriguing. But those market makers and commentators are selling a life that is temporary and not available to everyone. I will never own a jet or drive a Ferrari. Why would their advice and financial “expertise” help me? They live in a different category of human. Try to avoid their messages, as it can help you stay frugal.

5. Find a greater purpose/sacrifice to motivate modest lifestyles

Modest lifestyles can be challenging. It means eating out less, owning less, and looking for ways to invest and save every extra penny you have. But doing any of these things means bucking a system that encourages spending everywhere you go. Walk out the door and you’re bombarded by places to go, see, and spend. It’s easier to listen to these messages. To have a lasting, rationed budget or save more, you must find a higher purpose and reason to dig deep. Saying you get to live modestly through booms and busts isn’t enough. For me, I recognize that climate change is directly affected by my consumption behaviors. That changes my behavior. Additionally, I hold powerful regard for time to be peaceful, calm, and at rest. I value time over money.

We can leave the boom and bust cycle. We can protect ourselves and those around us, too. Create a rationed budget, and live it. Spend less than those around you. Save more than you thought you could. Don’t waiver as others panic or lavish themselves. Lastly, find a higher purpose that’ll motivate you when the going gets tough.

I Have Zero Business Degrees

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My Graduation Day 2011

What are my credentials?

Frugaling is a personal finance website where I regularly talk about financial concerns. I provide advice to save and make money, editorialize social justice issues, and argue in favor of minimalism over consumption.

But you might be wondering what credentials I have to proffer this help. Well, that’s a funny thing: I don’t have any. I didn’t get a business-related degree — there’s no formal finance education or economics indoctrination. My words are informed by something greater, and my hope is that they’re not the rote, memorized drivel that many financial advisors spout.

As a kid, I always thought I’d pursue something in finance. In fact, I want to tell you a little story from high school. It was there that I decided that to pursue a financial career path would leave me deeply unsatisfied, but my passion for personal finance never stopped.

Sam, you’re on the line!

I was giddy, but tempered in my high school science course. In about 10 minutes I’d ask my teacher to step outside and make a phone call.

My battery was fully charged, but I had to find a better signal. There was a field, away from the building, that provided a comfortable amount of strength. I dialed the number; I believe it was somewhere in New Jersey. I stayed on the line for what seemed like an abominable amount of time.

Occasionally, a pre-recorded voice piped up, that encouraged me to stay on the line. Then, I heard Jim Cramer’s — host of Mad Money on CNBC — voice and he shouted in my ear, “Sam from Golden, Colorado…” I melted with nervousness, but miraculously stated a ticker symbol (which I cannot remember) for a stock I was interested in.

Stocks were more important than classes

My latter high school days were filled with these moments. While fellow students studied diligently for their ACTs and applied to elite schools such as Duke and Stanford, my time was spent reading, trading, and watching the stock market. Because I was under 18, I forced my mom to co-sign and create a custodial account on an online trading site. I was hooked, and I loved the adrenaline.

Numbers pulsed through me, and I would binge on stock charts for hours. I hogged library computers and printer time to map them. In hallways and breaks, I drew lines on the charts, and practiced what I saw in books and television.

As an autodidact, the stock market provided an endless supply of data to be analyzed and understood. And the spoils went to the most educated people. I wanted to be one of them.

One form changed my degree, life

College was the path I was expected to follow. While my parents and grandparents never “forced” that path, it was strongly encouraged. The university life was where people went from good to great. I was open to that potential.

I applied to two colleges. The one I wanted to go to, Colorado State University, accepted me, but didn’t directly admit me into business. My less-than-stellar grades and contempt of mathematics meant that I would be an “open-option” business student until I proved my competence via good grades.

Prior to departing for Colorado State, there was an open house session. I attended one event geared specifically towards open-option students. For one hour, an advisor talked about academic success and finding your purpose in college.

I remember rolling my eyes, as the cynic in me dreaded the activity to come. We were split up into groups and then given about 10 minutes to complete a form and talk among the members.

The form asked us some simple questions, but one stuck out; it read, “How would you use your degree?” Despite the stupidly simple question, I had not really thought about this question before. I saw a response, “I want to help others.” Then I thought about my business degree — something wasn’t quite right.

I went to my advisor as soon as school started and asked to switch to psychology. There, I envisioned being able to listen and talk with others through their problems. That would be a degree to “help others.”

The psychology of money, spending, and society

After undergrad, I applied to graduate school and got into a counseling psychology doctoral program at the University of Iowa. I still wanted to follow the goals set forth in that open-option day. But in the back of my mind I recognized that investing and money issues still held great interest.

I still invested and read everything I could get my hands on regarding the stock market and business. I changed career paths, but my intrinsic passion for personal finance lingered.

As my own debt and spending spiralled out of control, I started Frugaling to right my course. It worked. I paid off about $40,000 of debt in about a year. I completely revamped my life — now incompatible with wanton spending and extravagances.

But I also started Frugaling as a perfect combination to meld my converging interests. I found that people’s (me included) monetary issues were closely linked to psychological concerns, distress, and stressors.

Psychology and business weren’t divergent topics. Additionally, I realized that most financial gurus blamed personal responsibility and character flaws on poverty, bankruptcy, and inadequate financial planning. There was room for a different voice — informed by psychological concepts and real counseling work with people suffering.

I’m not a financial-affiliated spokesperson

Over the nearly two years that Frugaling has been around, I have become an increasingly more passionate advocate for the underdogs. Financial markets are deeply unforgiving and unequal. People need to stand up and help others across diverse, multicultural backgrounds.

I ask you not to trust me for my financial degrees and letters after my name. I ask you not to trust me for how much money I’ve made for other people. I ask you not to trust me for being personally wealthy. I ask you not to trust me for my reputation (or lack thereof).

All I ask is that you consider the possibility that financial voices of reason come from those outside that insular world. I’m here to stand up for those who’ve been drowned out for too long. And I’m excited to continue building an audience (you included) that is inspired into action over social justice concerns and reducing consumption.

The Empathy Revolution We Need: Worker-Owned, Fair Trade, And Organic Foods

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Equal Exchange is fair trade, worker-owned, and organic food
Equal Exchange’s incredible line of coffees, teas, and more!

Organic foods are expensive!

Prices for organic ground beef are 134% greater than their non-organic alternatives. Growing organic coffee costs about 15% more over conventional methods. And there are a number of reasons why they’re so exorbitant. Organic foods are produced and purchased in smaller quantities. They tend to expire more rapidly without the use of harmful preservatives. The current supply-chain isn’t set up for organics.

For many shoppers, these reasons prevent them from supporting organic farming and foods. But this decision has widespread effects. Firstly, by ingesting pesticide-laden foods such as bell peppers and cucumbers, they can wreak havoc with your body. Secondly, there’s a farmer and/or migrant worker for every vegetable and fruit that might be exposed to the chemically-dubious pesticides. This part of the equation is often overlooked.

One research study looked at migrant workers in California who are regularly exposed to pesticides. The consequences were painful to read. For these workers, chemicals and pesticides account for over 50% of “acute illness.” Many are afflicted with awful skin disorders, and these dangerous chemicals can also cause systemic and ocular (eye) problems. Big agribusiness likely has some responsibility for our misinformation and naivete, but the person that must pick our crops suffers greatly.

When we choose non-organic certified foods, we are complicit in the maltreatment of farmers and workers — contributing to the capitalistic destruction ahead of values-based treatment of others. As someone who self-identifies as empathetic to others’ struggles, I was admittedly ignorant to this part of the puzzle until watching the preceding clip. Remarkably, while I understood the consequence on my own body, I didn’t realize how my purchase affected others.

Frugality isn’t synonymous with selfishness

When I first started my frugal journey, I looked for any way to save money. Shopping at Walmart and Target made a lot of sense. These stores buy massive amounts of product, warehouse it, and negotiate the lowest prices possible with their suppliers. With low margins, shoppers at these stores benefit from “Always Low Prices.” But this marketing mayhem is a trick. We are hurting ourselves with pesticides and preservatives, while hurting our fellow humans that must come into contact with these chemicals (not to mention the horrific, food-stamp-needing wages).

There’s a powerful alternative, and opportunity to break out of this system. It requires two key variables when purchasing food: fair trade and organic certification. Each of these titles protects farmers, workers, and the health of those that come into contact with the product. By utilizing each, we can have a friendly society for all.

Equal Exchange Fairly Traded Logo
Equal Exchange is the leading fair trade, organic, and worker-owned company

We need a revolution, as it’s hurting everyone involved. Fortunately, there’s one company that’s trying to change the entire system: Equal Exchange. They’re leaders in producing fair trade, organic, and worker-owned products.

The empathy revolution we need

Equal Exchange was started by a couple founders that envisioned a friendlier system, and began buying fair trade coffee in 1986. They’ve grown from coffee to tea, chocolates, and more. Their methods support democratically run farms and co-operatives (“co-ops”). Simply put, employees are given respect and rights. They are allowed to vote in important company policies and can receive more profit revenue.

Everything about this counters big business models such as Walmart. “Big Blue” pressures producers with ever decreasing prices and threaten them to deliver despite diminishing revenue. If you grow bell peppers, you’ll be competing with Walmart’s massive supply chain, which forces you to find the cheapest possible way to grow as much as you can. This can encourage nasty practices using cheap and/or illegal farm labor, while splashing boatloads of pesticides over your crops. The entire model is corrupt and toxic.

I’m not sure that being environmentally friendly, respectful to workers, and fair to everyone involved is taught in business school — it goes against the current economic model. The zeitgeist is aimed towards profits and revenue — not health, morality, and respect. Our invisible hand doesn’t account for these important latter points. Equal Exchange’s concept of business includes an important variable: empathy. Isn’t that a crazy idea?!

Yeah, but how does organic, fair trade food taste?

Equal Exchange Milk Chocolate Crisp Bar

Halloween just came and went. If you went trick-or-treating, you probably noticed a gluttonous amount of Hershey’s and Mars candies. Most all the chocolates are made with milk, sugar, and artificial flavors (e.g., engineered vanillin). Most of the candies made by major producers use artificial colors and flavors to fill in the flavor gap. The imperfections are masked.

So, I created a little taste test for myself. I lined up a Snickers bar and one of Equal Exchange’s Milk Chocolate Crisp bars. I bit into the Snickers, and got that heightened rush of sugar and peanuts. Then, I unwrapped the Equal Exchange bar and was blown away. This organic, fair trade chocolate bar was fantastic! There was a distinct cacao taste and liquor mix that was rich, vibrant, and unique. This wasn’t your average Hershey’s bar. Yum!

Then there’s the price question. The Snickers bar (outside of Halloween season) regularly costs about $1.25-1.50. Meanwhile, Equal Exchange’s Milk Chocolate bar costs about $1.59. Do the math: for about a quarter more, you can respect small farmers, their workers, the land, and your body. That’s an incredible value.

The system is broken, but we can work to change it

Every purchase and consumer-based decision we make has tremendous effects on the world around us. The current system discounts everyone involved — workers, ourselves, and the environment. We need an empathy revolution, because what goes around comes around.

While organic and fair trade foods may be too expensive for houses in large amounts of credit and/or student loan debt, I’d encourage those who aim to live a frugal life to consider better alternatives. We all deserve it.

Check out some of Equal Exchange’s products on Amazon!

The Partitioned Life Destroys Creativity And Fosters Income Inequality

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Ralph Steadman Art Cartoonist
I Am Not Like The Others by Ralph Steadman

Recently, I watched a documentary of Ralph Steadman. He’s an infamous cartoonist whose work graced the covers and pages of Hunter S. Thompson’s rowdy reads. Steadman has a natural ability to start with a splash of paint and envision the result. Sometimes what starts as a mean dragon, turns into a wicked politician. It’s a beautiful form of art.

The other day I set out to write a brief update on how much biking is saving me. But something larger was calling. What I realized in crafting my next article was that biking was part of a grander picture. This article is about life, partitioned; perhaps more catchily titled, “The Partitioned Life.”

The specialized workforce we never wanted

The separated, divided, specialized life is largely due to our strict capitalistic culture. Adam Smith, writer of Wealth of Nations and oft-cited theorist about the “invisible hand” of markets, suggested that capitalism would succeed via economic specialization. Essentially, with professional expertise emphasized, we could separate the economy into different vocations. These vocations would enable society to produce at faster rates, because time would simply be spent on one’s expert area.

Lawyers, doctors, and teachers all take distinctly different directions to accomplish their career goals. Most go to graduate school and receive mind-numbing didactic training. But each is partitioned and specialized.

The days of da Vinci are gone. Leonardo da Vinci was a polymath — a man with various skills. This painter, sculptor, philosopher, and anatomist was responsible for early explanation of medicine, astronomy, art, and more. Without his versatile background, each would suffer. He was the antithesis of singular specialization. But our economic interests have destroyed this path. The generalist is less valued compared to the highly-specialized “expert.”

We are partitioned beyond our wages

With disparate workforces, specialized employees are needed for a variety of tasks. Now we need a secretary, assistant, web designer, etc. But each of those three jobs could be accomplished by one person. This is the conundrum and false growth that’s associated with Adam Smith’s legacy. The more specialization associated with our jobs, the more employees that are needed for administrative needs.

Now, we need to partition even further. Picture your local city. What do you see? I see a series of shops, restaurants, bars, research parks, industry, fast food, and gyms. Break it down even further, and I see the burger flipper, salt and pepper shaker, and checkout representative. I see management, accountants, lawyers, bosses on bosses on bosses. We are operating within this highly specialized economy that works beyond vocational structure — it fundamentally affects how we shop.

The following is highly dependent upon your age, demographic, socioeconomic status, and personal interests, but the partitioned life also affects your monthly costs. Last time I flew into New York City, I asked a Millennial what she recommended I do in the city. She talked to me about the bars, restaurants, and museums. Then, she asked if I liked exercise. I do! She suggested Soulcycle.

When I landed, I Googled the name and found the chain was all over the city. Soulcycle has developed a sort of cult following. It intrigued me until I saw the price: $39 for one class. I’m always ballin’ on a budget, and $39 for a bike class was senseless. Needless to say, I didn’t go.

That price, class, and exercise studio impacted me. Here we have an economy so separated and partitioned that people decide to work all day, go home, and then go to a workout class. This Kubrickian hallway seems to be an endless procession of work on work — working to work out.

Bike in Autumn LeavesCrush the divides for creativity, clarity, and savings

Buying and riding a bike 90% of the time has changed my relationship with our economy. Every day I choose my bike, I feel a minor pang of anarchy. I’m doing my own thing to contribute to the collective — not contributing to climate change, capitalistic malignancies, and health problems that are affecting us all.

As mentioned, I started this article with the desire to focus on a number — the true savings associated with riding a bike. Instead, I’ve decided to talk about the bigger economic effect of our partitioned lives. But let me briefly entertain some calculations. With a bike, I pay for my gym membership ($0) and fuel up with food ($0 in gasoline). If you were to analyze your car-less savings, you’d need to immediately start with a couple hundred dollars every month.

Over the last 30 days, I’ve biked about 200 miles. There have been no parking fees, maintenance costs, or police to worry about. If I drove those 200 miles, AAA estimates that that would cost me $156.60 per month. But the savings goes beyond this and works to break the traditional partitions that our economy has parcelled off for us.

Recognizing and appreciating the generalist in all of us

We currently live in one of the most unequal times in American history. We have followed the wizened advice of economic thinkers like Adam Smith, and it’s led us astray. The “invisible hand” and free market principles have led to broken roads, broken budgets, and broken families. We are a country of financial elite and impoverished masses.

Economic specialization is no longer working. We must recognize the generalist is more powerful. Knowing how to repair a bike, being fit, planting your own garden, collectivising, and democratizing are our last hope. It’s our world’s last hope.

We must create an economy and emphasize the power of the generalist. We deserve to give ourselves the opportunity to be radicalized and empowered by the next da Vinci, don’t we?

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