To be fair, I banter on quite a bit on this blog about following your dreams and not the money, doing what you love etc. But maybe this idealistic streak to my personality, also highlights an ignorance in terms of our countries current financial situation. An article in the latest issue of North and South Magazine has me pondering why chasing our great loves in life instead of dollar bills is such a catch-22. The Great New Zealand Steal, by Tom McLean, really highlights the challenges I, as a 20-something, will face in the future. Gigantic student loans, rising house prices and “government debt being incurred in my name” (McLean).
Without implying at all that senior citizens do not deserve their $357 per week (for an individual living alone), McLean draws attention to the fact that although the previous generation have paid years of tax, they also enjoyed the benefits of largely free university study. And that the current government revenue is not substantial enough to cover superannuation. Debt that our generation will be paying for, along with our student loans and ridiculous mortgage payments as house prices climb. And that is for the lucky ones who will actually own a home. The rest of us will enjoy ludicrously high rents for the rest of our days and only day-dream of home ownership in certain parts of the country.
At a time when “the young face the worst economic prospects in living memory” (McLean), it is no wonder we shy away from the uncertainty of the arts and cower under the safety and security of our desk job and regular paycheque. As humans we desire expression, but we also crave security. And in a time when security is a luxury none of us can literally afford, why would we add to the possibility of our own financial demise by becoming a painter or a poet. We are a bit stuck in a damned if we do, damned if we don’t situation.
What’s the answer? I have no idea. I guess it is about finding a balance. Making better choices as young consumers and making our dollars stretch further so that more time can be devoted to the things and people we love. But our generation can be forgiven for throwing down our paintbrushes and running for a commerce degree at our closest university, can’t we.
Much love XX