One thing central to American culture that really turns my stomach. Spending money for fun. Consumption for its own sake.
Here’s the thing - even i do it. i disgust myself in that way. But it’s a salve, a drug. Sometimes, one can’t help but give in. Not that i have much money by US standards, but such things are relative to the rest of the world too. Other people don’t necessarily live this way. i buy things i don’t really need: an electric razor, music, new sneakers before my old ones wear out, books that remain unread or only partially read, Chinese takeout, pot, so on and so on . . .
This is SO ingrained for most Americans, even the poor. i think our country and its culture was to a significant extent built on that. Dunno where that leaves us …
Consumption is the counter balance to production which keeps the flow (the currency) momentous and alive. The preoccupation of momentum is prerequisite to prevention… of entropy and annihilation.
I think it has gotten worse. Despite the aweful sound of ‘when I was a kid…’, when I was a kid, most of my fun had a very low overhead. I went out, met friends and strangers and played games, made up fanstasy stuff, explored the area. Indoor activity was also low overhead. Now everything is a paid for activity. The poor may actually have an advantage in this way. I would not say it would offset the disadvantages, but in some way they may not have to option to be less alive.
Maybe that’s just what they want you to believe. But even if it is true, what about the side effects of the whole process? What about the destruction left in the wake of mass consumerism? What about the psychological and emotional effects on the individual? Is it a trade off?
It probably has gotten worse, and will only get worse still.
Perhaps you’re romanticizing the poor a bit, i think most of them are too busy yearning for the stuff they don’t have to live fuller lives than the rest of us.
I’d feel worse about buying a $3 shirt at the Salvation Army that I don’t need, than spending $100,000 on some quality land to manage well and enjoy. I think aligning your values well enough that even a spontaneous purchase doesn’t make you remorseful is the main thing to consider. Though alternative economic systems aren’t a bad idea at all, and the ability to need less and still flourish is a skill that anyone should find beneficial.
When I leave the house I take only the money I need and no more. I have no cards. Its hard but, it works. The hardest time is when I cash my paycheck and pick up supplies in town. Its a three hour trek and sometimes you just can’t resist. Especially now that I got a raise and she gives me an allowance for supplies. The worst is when my son looks at some junkfood or object longingly and weellll hell, I break. Its bad because I am the only one employed in our home right now. Spending must be tight. But, what is life without that little occasional smile of indulgence.
Make a strict list. But upon that list always have $5.00 (or whatever) for those “indulgences”.
You probably have enough discipline to hold to a pre-made list as long as there is a little pre-made tolerance.
I never go to town without a strict list. It does include indulgences to a point. I can go to a Dollar general and pick up a weeks worth of deserts and junkfood for three adults for less than 30$.
Its just those times my adult kid is with me that I go soft. Although he is learning to not do so because I have been giving him my check amount and receipts and asking him to figure out where we can save. Friday I indulged, I am curious how next week will play out. Next step will be his father, the biggest spender. But, him I indulge, he was born to a family of 10 kids and poor as hell. He had to help support his family for alot of years. Then we were stone cold broke for 15 years. I think as hard as he has worked indulgence is in order. Yes?
I think this is a negative fantasy. The neighborhood I lived in was very mixed economically and I don’t remember the poor kids moping around or any kids moping around. It was get out on the the street or down to the park and…stickball, hide and seek, football, exploring behind the buildings - against family rules, but…-hopscotch, and so on. I am sure that their parents were struggling and that what you are saying also became more important as time went on, but this did not diminish their participation in what I was talking about. And note: I did say it doesn’t outweigh the negatives.
Dad was Sgt.in the military, we got toys only for birthdays and christmas, more than half the gifts we would open were clothes or other useful items. We were expected to entertain ourselves. I did get alot of books due to me not being able to go outside…I guess a bored sickly kid needs some help in the entertainment dept. I figure the books were more for mom’s peace and quiet than me.
Something that has always pissed me off: You’ve all listened to some has-everything raving about those “moochers” who are living on welfare in some run-down shack, but they have a shiny new car or the big screen TV and how they don’t deserve any of it. I wonder is those well-off assholes can understand that those welfare people already know they aren’t going to have the american dream. They will never own their own home, never have decent medical care, their children won’t go to college, etc. Well godammit, they’re going to have SOMETHING that makes them feel good. So it’s the new car they will only have till it’s re-possessed, or the big screen TV, or just something that says they are part of life’s success story. It’s sad, but it’s only human to want to be part of the big picture. Yeah, they consume the wrong things, but to not understand why is just the haves looking down on the have-nots.
For what its worth Tent, I agree. You have to realize though that most of us are at that edge of the class or been there or scared to death. Beans, meatless spaghetti, stews of odd natures, etc. fed my family. Most here are not born of privilege, we have all tasted or lived with poverty in a form. CHRIST a baby, no work and rent and utilities due. Tent I have a right. My family has held on by scraping. I am the only employed in my family. The guys are working too try and make the difference, its not easy. Most of us now see the abyss.
Kris, I have no problem with the occasional splurge. It isn’t as if I don’t do my share of that. But going back to UPF’s concern, it isn’t just the occasional “treat” beyond need, it is the mindless buying of junk or the latest and newest that is the negative side of consumerism. The big boys better hope that after they’ve drained us of the last penny, that there is some place that will replace our consumerism. If they don’t have that group of consumers somewhere, then they will have killed the golden goose - or is that the flock of sheep?
We all should do what we have to do to supply need. There should always be a little room for want. Defining and deciding which is which can be problematic… “But honey! I NEED it!”
I spent 1000 bucks in the last three or 4 days partying and going out because 1) some friends flew in from Denver, then we went to Atlanta for a game, then 2) a friend flew in from St Augustine who I hadn’t seen in a while, so she and I partied it up and had a great time.
I have no remorse about it. As a matter of fact, I’m about to get on Amazon and order some air max 2013’s. Mine are starting to look dirty.
I figure the books were more for mom’s peace and quiet than me. 