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It can't be also because of the abudnace of choices, don't do people know how to practice some self control? I am not even the most minimalist/frugal of a consumer, but even I know already my pursuits when it comes to what I want, with age I definitely become less picky and more decisive, not being a brand slob also helps.
I think 'society' in general generates the 'keeping up with the Joneses' mentality. Bigger houses, fancier cars, pedigreed educations.... not that I ever bought into that, surprisingly. But I'm not sure it was a conscious choice, it was just how things worked out.
I wanted to be able to support myself, have a home, live in a safe place, etc. Simple things....and I am still very happy with that perspective. It's living among the others who DON'T share that view can be a challenge, but I do me. ]
I pretty much have everything I need and want. (except warm weather, which I've decided is a 'need' at this point in my life). 10 below zero here today in VT.
I'm going to seriously pursue 'the last move.'
I think 'society' in general generates the 'keeping up with the Joneses' mentality. Bigger houses, fancier cars, pedigreed educations.... not that I ever bought into that, surprisingly. But I'm not sure it was a conscious choice, it was just how things worked out.
I wanted to be able to support myself, have a home, live in a safe place, etc. Simple things....and I am still very happy with that perspective. It's living among the others who DON'T share that view can be a challenge, but I do me. ]
I pretty much have everything I need and want. (except warm weather, which I've decided is a 'need' at this point in my life). 10 below zero here today in VT.
I'm going to seriously pursue 'the last move.'
But if people feel inadequate for not having the latest mateial goods, is that really the advertising's fault? People pressure other people to always buy the latest PS5, Iphone, Tesla, etc
But if people feel inadequate for not having the latest mateial goods, is that really the advertising's fault? People pressure other people to always buy the latest PS5, Iphone, Tesla, etc
I actually think demand for luxury material goods is at all time low.
I mean, Playstation is like a toy. And an iphone for the functionality it provides is solid buy.
Everybody's new prerogative is building wealth. Saving money is seen as a badge of honor. Money is seen as possible freedom.
I mean, people do buy real estate, but it's more in the vein of an investment rather than showing off. And again, listening to people on CD Forum has only re-inforced that.
People would rather drive a Honda CRV and have 2 million dollars in the bank these days. And believe it or not, I believe that makes life more competitive and more cut-throat.
The reason for the faster pace is that most people Gen X and later subscribe to the 'time spent not doing anything useful is time wasted' theory. Or the 'each hour you get is like a sand in a running hourglass'.
Therefore, people are trying to make as much money as they can for the least amount of hours they can work. So, they can spend the time outside of work ... travelling and doing interesting things, or trying to improve their lives, or ... if they have kids, spending time with their kids.
I can tell you that my parents thought differently. They were more goal oriented. That goal being ... have kids and buy a decent home, and live in that home, and save for retirement, and ... well that's about it.
They expected to work as many hours as they needed to work, and free time consisted of doing family stuff and church, and ... well that's about it.
People want more material things than ever before in history. Who is satisfied anymore by living in a small apartment and going to a nearby park for a vacation?
To get those material things, people have to work harder and have faster paced lives.
People would rather drive a Honda CRV and have 2 million dollars in the bank these days. And believe it or not, I believe that makes life more competitive and more cut-throat.
I've love to read your explanation behind this comment...
Because, quite frankly, I don't agree at all.
Unburdening myself from the unnecessary material items that add only nominal value but leave you in debt (i.e. a new car payment) has been quite freeing. My largest liability right now is my mortgage. But that is on a house that has increased $100k in value in two years and continues to go up in value. That's pure equity. The car I own is eight years old; I paid $7500 cash for it last winter. No outstanding credit card debt to speak of.
I split the mortgage with my wife and the rest is just money to invest or have fun with. We make sure all our savings and safety net accounts are funded and then we spend the rest on ourselves--usually by going out to eat or for drinks with friends or traveling. And we have these luxuries despite modest incomes and career paths.
As a result of these new habits and securities, I don't feel obligated to crappy employers. I don't feel obligated to living in one place--I can move anywhere. I don't feel obligated to much at all, in fact, other than to my wife. That is liberating. FWIW, I don't give two bleeps about what someone on CDF thinks I should do. These aren't friends, family, or advisers--they're complete strangers and in some cases maybe fictional characters altogether.
People want more material things than ever before in history. Who is satisfied anymore by living in a small apartment and going to a nearby park for a vacation?
To get those material things, people have to work harder and have faster paced lives.
Vacations are not material, vacations are experiences.
And people would rather own a small apartment than rent a luxury one.
How many people do you know who brag about renting a $4,000 apartment? Paying a $4,000 mortgage towards a home sale that could be your nest egg? That is the thing CD forum people would brag about.
I've love to read your explanation behind this comment...
Because, quite frankly, I don't agree at all.
Unburdening myself from the unnecessary material items that add only nominal value but leave you in debt (i.e. a new car payment) has been quite freeing. My largest liability right now is my mortgage. But that is on a house that has increased $100k in value in two years and continues to go up in value. That's pure equity. The car I own is eight years old; I paid $7500 cash for it last winter. No outstanding credit card debt to speak of.
I split the mortgage with my wife and the rest is just money to invest or have fun with. We make sure all our savings and safety net accounts are funded and then we spend the rest on ourselves--usually by going out to eat or for drinks with friends or traveling.
As a result of these new habits and securities, I don't feel obligated to crappy employers. I don't feel obligated to living in one place. I don't feel obligated to much at all, in fact, other than to my wife. That is liberating. FWIW, I don't give two bleeps about what someone on CDF thinks I should do. A lot of these accounts are paid fake accounts and trolls and loner ruralites anyway.
Seems like you agree with me, so what do I have to explain.
People think money = freedom/time. So they try and accumulate as much as they can rather than waste them on material possessions that hold no equity.
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