Posts Tagged ‘credit card debt’

Debt Consolidation: Hawaii Issue

So I’m on vacation this week, but true to form, I can’t get away from work (or myself), so I’m posting a quick note entitled Debt Consolidation: Hawaii Issue.  This unfortunately won’t include any big number crunching or huge tips, but rather a piece of reflection.  Being on vacation (not using credit, but rather points for airfare, and cash for everything else), I’m trying as hard as possible to not work, or even use my laptop at all.  Obviously I’ve failed, as evidenced by this post.  However, in my quest for sun, fun, and relaxation, I’ve noticed something over here in our American paradise.  Hawaii is expensive!

Ok, ok, I know that seems somewhat obvious to many.  But not every stops to think about how a huge amount of goods must be flown in here on a daily basis to support the population.  With a lack of ground and rail transportation for general goods, shipping costs skyrocket, and that gets passed down to the consumer.  Going into the grocery store and seeing milk at $5-6/gallon and orange juice right about the same, I’ve come to the realization that California isn’t the most expensive place to live.

To top it off, some relatives of mine were eating dinner with friends of theirs that were leaving this beautiful island paradise (Oahu) for Kentucky I believe. They have family there, but more importantly, and in my uncle’s words, ‘it’s called affordable housing.’  That’s right, in addition to the high cost of food and goods, real estate here is also super expensive, often in the $300-$600/square foot range, depending.

Looking at and hearing all of this, I can’t help but wonder what kind of debt the average resident here racks up just getting by.  I’m sure many are managing their finances just fine, but in a town where tourists shop for $300 sunglasses and $150 T-shirts while on vacation, and residents pay twice as much for groceries and more than that for real estate, you know there are people struggling and getting by on credit  cards and such.  Look, you do what you have to, to get by.

That being said, although I’m on vacation, it’s these kinds of observations that keep me motivated, knowing that the info in my blog could help someone, considering how many of us are ‘up to our eyeballs in debt.’

So that being said, to close out the Debt Consolidation Hawaii thoughts, I will say that I know we have a long road in front of us, but we’re going to be on it regardless.  Might as well make sure we’re better off the further we walk.  From Hawaii, aloha, if I’m to keep a happy marriage, you won’t hear from me for at least 4-5 more days.