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- “Queer Eye” host Tan France says he observed 4 key cash variations between Brits and Individuals.
- He does not perceive why Individuals use a lot credit score or have to file their very own taxes.
- France can also be annoyed with the US healthcare system.
Tan France’s memoir, “Naturally Tan,” is an sudden but refreshing supply of non-public finance recommendation and data.
The “Queer Eye” host writes that he grew up in a conservative Pakistani family with mother and father who taught him to keep away from utilizing bank cards in any respect prices. Later in life, he married his husband, Rob, who grew up in a Mormon family that shared the identical sensible and modest cash values.
Within the e book, he advises readers to save lots of a small portion of their paycheck it doesn’t matter what occurs. France additionally says that there is no such thing as a such factor as an “funding piece” relating to vogue, and that he regrets having spent a lot cash on sure vogue tendencies when he was youthful
France, who moved to the US to be along with his husband Rob, additionally writes in regards to the American cash norms that gave him pause when he landed throughout the pond — and the way he adopted some and never others.
1. Individuals drive larger, costlier vehicles
Within the e book, France writes, “After I first moved right here, I did not perceive the attraction of a automobile that may match 75 individuals. The variety of huge SUVs right here blew my thoughts.” He was additionally baffled on the manner that individuals decide one another within the US relying on what sort of automobile you drive and the way new it’s.
He says, reminiscing about his London days, “Again dwelling, in case you have a automobile that is 5 to 10 years outdated, that is seen as a comparatively new automobile and you have executed nicely.” Nonetheless, in America, he observed that individuals appear to equate costly vehicles with success and self-worth.
He provides, “As I am saying this, I’m really at present buying an SUV. I am now an American, and I need a large automobile, too!”
2. Individuals use a lot credit score
Rising up, France’s mother and father taught him to not spend cash that he hadn’t earned but. He says it is the one cash lesson he feels he did proper all through his journey, and he would do it once more. Individuals, nonetheless, have a unique relationship with credit score.”
France writes, “On the entire, in case you have cash in America, you purchase stuff. But when you do not have cash in America, you additionally purchase stuff.”
Circling again to American automobile tradition, France mentioned he could not perceive why Individuals take out loans to purchase fancy new vehicles, particularly when their older fashions nonetheless work.
3. Submitting taxes
France is baffled that the American authorities trusts individuals to file their very own taxes.
He writes, “I believe it is unusual to depart taxes within the arms of the individuals. It is very difficult. And in case you make errors, they’re in your ass like loopy. I figured it should be a subject that should be coated in class because it’s one thing everybody has to be taught, however no. You simply must determine it out.”
In response to the Low Revenue Tax Reform Group within the UK, most individuals with solely a typical 9-5 job need not file a tax return in any respect as a result of their employers take away their tax funds from their salaries.
4. Paying medical health insurance deductibles
Within the e book, France overtly criticizes the American medical health insurance system. He writes, “There are such a lot of issues along with your system. You wind up paying to your care and your medicine and insurance coverage. It does not make any sense. It prices a fortune, however my largest gripe is that you must pay a deductible. I by no means even hear that phrase deductible again dwelling.”
He finds it irritating that Individuals, he and Rob included, must pay hundreds of {dollars} for medical care on high of what they’ve already been paying for years. Earlier than becoming a member of the solid of “Queer Eye,” France was a businessman in search of unbiased medical health insurance. He discovered it tough to fork over $1,000 per 30 days, with a deductible on high of that.
France writes, “It is the most effective con, but it surely’s completely authorized.”
