Before I touch upon the massive news out of Helsinki (refer to footnote), I have a message for my fellow earthlings: if you're living in nations considered poor (financially, not socially) that believe the bounty in a rich country equates to financial freedom and less heartache when it comes to ones circumstances, think again...
Top 20 nations by household debt (as a % of GDP), according to the International Monetary Fund.
1. Switzerland (129.50)
2. Australia (119.40)
3. Denmark (115.10)
4. Netherlands (102.10)
5. Canada (101.30)
6. Norway (100.20)
7. New Zealand (94.40)
8. South Korea (92.10)
9. Sweden (88.40)
10. United Kingdom (86.60)
11. United States (75.00)
12. Hong Kong (73.20)
13. Thailand (68.90)
14. Malaysia (68.00)
15. Luxembourg (67.60)
16. Finland (66.80)
17. Portugal (66.20)
18. Belgium (61.30)
19. France (60.20)
20. Spain (58.30)
The irony is that the above list include nations that are among the best places to live, which goes a long way to explaining this conundrum. Residents feel comfortable in having a safety net, so they take risks with their personal finances, however there is a limit, if the debt bubble bursts, not even a first world country can be a barrier to suicide that is many a time a by-product of debt.
If you live in one of the aforementioned nations and are happy, then be sure to drop me a line and tell me why you like being a slave to a financial institution. (You're also welcome to share my blog with your community to start a dialogue on the evil that is debt). We live in a world where you no longer need to be tied down by a car or home, why have a massive mortgage when you can exercise for free without wheels, (transit and ride share for those lazy types). I get that in some countries allowing the bank to have equity in your home is normal and giving rent to landlords is frowned upon or vice versa (we'll leave the debate as to which is the lesser evil for another day), but we have to better as earthlings and rise above simply copying one another by piling on financial stress.
With that in mind, I have a Christmas (no offence to the majority of the world that doesn't adhere to Christianity, Americans dictate what the world follows and that most superficial time of year sadly wins, maybe one day we'll get back to celebrating the true Saint Nicholas meaning, but I won't hold my breath) proposition: instead of hoarding gifts and showing off your debt via big cars and houses in your annual Christmas letter (people still do this, although I get most of you are all about flaunting wealth created by debt via social media) undertake a complete debt detox, that's right, rid yourself of spoiling banks, we all know that they specialize in playing roulette with your livelihood.
Message to humans living in the developing world still wanting to flee to the First World: rich nations aren't all that, never have been, never will be. Take a look at the above list if you need any indication as to why rich folk have a tendency to commit suicide over finances - sad! Debt is indeed a dirty 4-letter word.
Footnote (or as I like to call it, going off tangent)
It's a great day for female empowerment, in a nation where feminism thrives, Finland. Sanna Marin become the world's youngest serving female Prime Minister (don't worry Austria, your Chancellor is still younger at 33) after Antti Rinne resigned as Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader. Even though it's not an electoral victory, it's till impressive that someone born on November 16, 1985 and raised by two mothers is entrusted with national leadership. To top it off, SDP are in a coalition government with four other parties, three led by woman under 35 (Li Andersson, 32; Katri Kulmuni, 32; Maria Ohisalo, 34; Anna-Maja Henriksson, 55). As readers are aware, I was in Helsinki in March (proudly giving a thumbs up to the greatest nation on earth), where I was present during a climate charge protest on the steps of Parliament. Let's hope Marin brings fresh ideas to the table, Finns love hockey, education and taking care of the underprivileged, let's hope climate change is placed on the same pedestal. https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2019/03/heitere-from-lands-of-suomi-and-eesti.html
It's a great day for female empowerment, in a nation where feminism thrives, Finland. Sanna Marin become the world's youngest serving female Prime Minister (don't worry Austria, your Chancellor is still younger at 33) after Antti Rinne resigned as Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader. Even though it's not an electoral victory, it's till impressive that someone born on November 16, 1985 and raised by two mothers is entrusted with national leadership. To top it off, SDP are in a coalition government with four other parties, three led by woman under 35 (Li Andersson, 32; Katri Kulmuni, 32; Maria Ohisalo, 34; Anna-Maja Henriksson, 55). As readers are aware, I was in Helsinki in March (proudly giving a thumbs up to the greatest nation on earth), where I was present during a climate charge protest on the steps of Parliament. Let's hope Marin brings fresh ideas to the table, Finns love hockey, education and taking care of the underprivileged, let's hope climate change is placed on the same pedestal. https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2019/03/heitere-from-lands-of-suomi-and-eesti.html
