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The Money Exchange:
Give Us Your Two Cents Worth
We surveyed Chicago Public Radio listeners via our E-update in the fall of 2004 to get their input on money stories we should be covering during our Chicago Matters: Money Talks series.
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Why do many of us buy things we don't need?
What are your strategies for living more simply? |
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From a listener concerned
about consumerism:
How did we go from the era when my mother, age 68, had three dresses and a pair of shoes during her middle-class childhood to my eleven-year-old niece who has closer to several pair of pants, uncountable tops, skirts, etc. and several shoes, boots, and sandals?
From a critic of mindless spending:
Catholic social teaching states that the economy exists for people, and NOT the other way around. I am tired of hearing that “consumer spending is down” as if I should go out and spend some money just so that the numbers will improve. Money is a tool. What would happen to the economy if we all bought fresh food and spent a day cooking from scratch and relaxing with our family and friends, instead of mindlessly spending?!
See what others have to say (3) >> |
Are you concerned about the future of social security or your pension?
What is your strategy to plan for retirement? |
From a listener who’s worried about retirement:
 I've had a tough life financially and am finally getting to the point where I can put funds away. I would really like to know more about just the basics. Finance and Retirement 101 is what I need. I listen to financial talk shows on various stations, and they're so far beyond me I get lost and I wonder if I'll ever figure it out.
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Why do we often perceive our personal worth as tied to our salary? |
From a listener who quit a job to become a teacher and then quit teaching because the salary was too low:
Briefly, I worked rather successfully in corporate America for twenty-five years. I wasn't completely happy, though, and often dreamed of teaching in high school. It was hard to leave because of the huge cut in pay and the sacrifices I would have to make financially.
Last winter, though, I heard of a program called GATE offered through the Golden Apple Foundation. It seemed perfect for me. I applied, was accepted, and started student teaching this summer. In September I got my own classroom and I was living the dream. I was pleasantly surprised how many friends and acquaintances supported me and even confessed to having the same desire.
The reality of teaching day to day was a lot different from what I expected. especially when I received my first paycheck. I was in denial about whether I could really live on what Chicago Public Schools pays. I could not, because of a mortgage and child support payments.
So I'm back at my old job and my dream of teaching seems just like that. It was all a dream and I'm sitting in front of the same computer I was five months ago. I'm not sure I was such a good teacher, but I do know that the money kept me from finding out.
By the way, a fellow teacher is facing an even worse financial situation (she's a single mom) and is borrowing from her parents and shuffling debt on her credit cards so that she can keep teaching.
Factoid: Illinois ranks 47th amongst all states in spending on education.
See what others have to say (1) >> |
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the individual writers. They do not necessarily represent the opinions of Chicago Public Radio. Chicago Public Radio values viewers' response and we read all letters. Due to volume, we regret we cannot publish every letter; we publish as many as we can which reflect proportionally the range of views. All letters are subject to editing for length and clarity. Postings deemed irrelevant, including messages of a commercial or promotional nature, those containing profanity, and those containing copyrighted material. Personal attacks; hateful, racially, or ethnically offensive or derogatory content; and harassment or threats against others, including libel or unsubstantiated accusations, are not tolerated.
Sources
1. Alex Baker, “Life and Debt: Why American Families are Borowing to the Hilt.” Century Foundation, 2004.
2. © 2003 Society for the Advancement of Education, 2003 Gale Group. Taken from an article written by John A. Challenger, May 2003.
3. 2004 Wage and Salary Survey, Crain's Chicago Business.
*1. ISBE Data Analysis and Progress Reporting Division, Teacher Service Record Analysis. Based on data provided at the beginning of each school year. Includes full-time teachers, grades Pre-K-12. Also includes board paid retirement contributions, stipends, and retirement incentives where applicable.
2. Data computed from personnel information provided by Department of Personnel, Chicago Board of Education.
3. Salary Data includes extra duty pay, board paid retirement, flexible benefit plan, and other compensation treated as earnings by teacher's retirement system.
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Survey Responses
Below are the top ten issues that recieved the most response
when we conducted the surevey last fall.
| 1. |
Stories relating to personal debt |
| 2. |
Tax policy/the economy/federal budget deficit |
| 3. |
Growing wealth gap and what we can do about it |
| 4. |
Rampant consumerism vs. spiritual wealth |
| 5. |
Money management for adults and kids |
| 6. |
How people can afford to retire |
| 7. |
Bartering and living more simply |
| 8. |
Money and relationships/
meaning of money in our lives |
| 9. |
Gender wealth gap |
| 10. |
Greed and corruption in personal, political, and corporate realm |
Thanks to everyone for sharing your ideas and
concerns.
Check out our Audio Library
to see how these topics are covered >> |
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