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American dream?

Few people know what the American dream is, but it is generally accepted that in the United States it is fulfilled by almost everyone. Our compatriot Marina shared her feedback and observations about us. We offer to go with her on a virtual journey and see how they live in America.

Marina has been living and studying in Los Angeles for more than three years. Says the average American family has an annual income of about $58,000. To an uninformed person, the amount may seem impressive (“People live!”), But in fact, everything is not so rosy for residents in North America.

America: paying bills

Every second family of ordinary Americans rents a house or pays off a mortgage. A small two-story house costs about $3,000-5,000 a month, not including utility bills. Medical insurance, car insurance, unpaid student loans, cell phones and utilities are expensive. Cars are more often rented than bought. Each member of the family has their own car. Depending on the brand, year of issue and the amount of the deposit, the price of a monthly payment for it varies from $200 and more, on average - from $200 to $400. People prefer leasing for the simple reason that the car can be changed every, say, two years, or bought back much cheaper at the end of the contract. Another important point is that in the event of a car malfunction, the leasing company takes over all expenses. But if none of the family members has a stable credit history, they cannot even dream of a house or a car for rent.

All of America lives on credit

When asked how ordinary Americans live, Marina replies that all of America lives on credit. Children from an early age know that credit cards are indispensable.

Many people have savings accounts, to which the specified amount is transferred monthly from the current account by the bank. Thus, the Americans are reinsured for a rainy day. Indeed, in the event of a loss of work by one of the family members, a catastrophe can really happen - there will simply be nothing to pay for loans and bills. So it's safe to say that most Americans save for "just in case" and for retirement, and not for something specific, like repairs or traveling abroad, as is customary in our country.
Americans have a reason to plan their finances for the future. Here, education is free in schools, but for kindergarten, parents are forced to pay at least $ 700 a month for one child. In addition, it is expensive for American parents to pay for sports sections, in which it is customary to send children here.

Products in wholesale stores at low prices - the norm for Americans

Shopping in the United States is usually made in wholesale stores. Interestingly, in such places prices are lower than in Russian supermarkets. Here you can buy an expired delicacy like tiger prawns without two days, choose cheap household appliances and detergents.

Low prices in such stores are not least associated with the low quality of products. It always looks fresh, but bursting from pesticides vegetables and fruits, meat swollen to incredible sizes from hormones.

There are special supermarkets for organic food. Needless to say, only very wealthy citizens can afford to go there every day?

Americans prefer sales

Americans have a simple attitude to the choice of clothes - they do not chase after fashion and do not spend a large amount of money on it.

Most of the local population dresses very simply, and after the clothes wear out, they are taken to the Salvation Army, a humanitarian aid center. Discount branded clothing stores are a paradise for white Americans, as well as for immigrants from Eastern Europe and the Middle East. What costs thousands of dollars in Russia or Ukraine can be found here for 50 bucks.

In US department stores, sales never end, they mostly accompany holidays like Mother's Day, Veterans Day, Independence Day, and so on. After the holiday, the discount increases to sell everything that was not possible for the holiday. The famous Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving in the USA - it starts with it, however, as in Europe) is a big event. Lines form many hours before the frenzy begins, and some especially desperate buyers bring tents and spend the night in front of the store. Most often this can be observed in front of household appliances stores. On Black Friday, you can buy a computer or, for example, a TV for $150. But in order not to mislead readers, there are about ten such computers and TVs for the entire sale. And they don't give more than one.

US residents spend hundreds of dollars a year on coffee

According to my observations, Americans spend a very large amount of money on coffee. A typical morning in California starts with long lines at Starbucks. The next run to the coffee shop will be at lunch time, and perhaps the American or American will “miss” another glass after work. Interestingly, millions of people around the country spend hundreds of dollars a year on coffee, with absolutely no concern that it can be prepared at home much faster, and most importantly, much cheaper.

The same popularity, perhaps, enjoy and fast food restaurants. Despite the fascination with fast food and microwaveable frozen meals, almost every self-respecting American considers it a duty to have a gym membership. It is not necessary to go there every week, but you need to have a subscription. At the same time, there are things that are being spent less and less money lately. There were two excellent bookstores not far from my house, with a cafeteria on the ground floor where you could sit comfortably with a book. Now, to my great regret, in their place is a shoe store and a restaurant. Otherwise, spending depends on income and whims.

Americans never lend money

Accustomed to credit, Americans, despite this, never allow themselves to borrow money. It's just not accepted here.

Quite recently I had a dialogue with an acquaintance, an American of Filipino origin. I asked him why he missed the whole semester
at the university, to which he honestly and without a shadow of embarrassment replied that he could not afford it. Then I asked why he did not ask for money from one of his friends, at least from me, I would not refuse. He thanked me very sincerely, but in his eyes I realized that my words for him were something out of the ordinary. By the way, this is also indicative for the inhabitants of the European Union.

I thought about it and realized that after 5 years spent in this country, it would not have occurred to me to go with such a scrupulous request to an American.

Summing up the above, it is safe to say that the American dream is just another life in the USA. Well, where we are not expected, in a word.————————————————————————————

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