With the economy in a tailspin, a lot of us have cut way back on our spending. Cutting corners on everything from our morning latte, to the clothes we buy, to the gifts we gave over the holidays. As we look around at our cluttered shelves, packed closets and chaotic countertops, an important question comes up: Why in the world did we buy all this junk in the first place?
According to Newsweek magazine columnist Anna Quindlen – we’ve been on a buying binge for decades. A binge fueled by constant TV commercials and the ever-present credit cards. Back in the “olden days,” kids were thrilled to get an orange in their Christmas stocking and people gave practical gifts – things they needed, like a new winter coat, or six pairs of warm socks. Today, if the Christmas tree isn’t packed with the hottest handbags and videogames – things we want but don’t necessarily need – we’re disappointed. There’s another difference. Back in the day, people saved up to buy a winter coat, they paid cash for the orange, and if a kid got money as a gift, their parents took them to the bank so they could deposit it in a savings account. Today, when most people want something, they plunk down the plastic. Whether they can pay the bill in full or not. It’s one of the main reasons we’re overwhelmed by debt. In fact, within two years, Americans alone will be one trillion dollars in the hole on credit-card debt. We also spend huge amounts of money to replace things that don’t need replacing. Like dumping cathode-ray tube TVs for pricey flat-screen models, just because they look cool. Another example: The average person North American replaces a cell phone every 16 months. Not because it’s old or broken – but because it’s out of style.
As Miss Quindlen says, stuff doesn’t bring salvation. It’s the memories and stories attached to the stuff that does. Like the fact that the teapot in your kitchen was your grandmother’s favorite – or the painting over your fireplace is a souvenir from your honeymoon. So, how can you tell what possessions have meaning in your life? Ask yourself what you’d grab if your house was on fire. I can guarantee it won’t be your fancy microwave, your DVD collection, or the singing Billy the Bass plaque hanging in your den.
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