Gas Prices
I want to start out by discussing gas prices. I'm just as ticked as the next guy that prices are skyrocketing. I don't believe getting the government involved will help (when was the last time the government did something right?). Who really wants Uncle Sam taking over more control of our lives? Just as there is a solution to the border, there is a solution to our gas crunch, but our politicians (not statesmen, because they almost don't exist) are more concerned about pleasing their lobbyists and parties than doing what's right for our country.
Well, I also believe there is a silver lining or two to this current crisis. I just saw a story that got me a little excited over the possibilities. UTA is talking about increasinig development around their transit centers (including the intermodal hub in downtown Salt Lake City). It gets me excited because we'll be taken from our 'boxes of isolation' (i.e.: cars, SUVs, trucks, etc.) and thrown in together with a bunch of strangers where we'll have to actually talk and get along. In addition, we'll see more walkable communities where stores are brought to us rather than us having to drive 10, 15, 20 minutes or more to get our shopping done. This will also force us to communicate more with our fellow men and break down any barriers of misunderstanding that exist because of the current set up of our society. I know, the internet/TV/video games will act as a counterweight to this, but the possibilities are exciting.
Another silver lining is the fact that companies are forced to develop cleaner, more efficient vehicles. They're also forced to develop viable alternative technologies to oil, which will benefit us greatly in the long term by taking us off our dependence on foreign oil and help clean up the environment.
Park City
Micaela and I stayed up at a nice resort below the Canyons Resort in Park City last weekend. A time share company (West Gate Resorts) put us up there for free if we would listen to a 90-minute presentation. We vowed we wouldn't buy into it, but as our tour of the facilities progressed, Micaela and I became more and more interested. By the end we were really considering buying, but asked for a week to decide. Our salesman said that would be fine and then talked to his manager. The manager gave us an offer we couln't refuse. He offered us a unit that was available because the previous owners had upgraded; he offered it to us at the price the original owner paid for it which means we would get instant equity just by purchasing the unit. We bit the bullett and got it. We've had some buyers' remorse but are happy to have it and hope that we and our family will get many years of enjoyment from it.
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2 comments:
I think that you shouldn't have buyers remorse because we have looked many times into time share/ownership things and you are going to pay the same amount if you went on vacation plus it forces you to take them time away for yourselves (which many people don't make the time to do, like us). I think that its an excellent investment.
I also hate the rising gas prices, it has greatly affected me because I can't afford to drive anywhere especially to my friends (they all live 30 minutes away) which mean alot of gas to go visit. I liked your way of thinking about it having some positive attributes, never looked at it on a social level.
You will love it. My parents have a time share and we love using it.
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