The effects of this downturn have been hard for the majority and devastating for some. I’ve had family members and friends who’ve lost their jobs and nearly everyone I know has had to cut back on expenses. It seems like we’ve let an irrational need to keep up with everyone who we perceive leads a better life than we do, dictate our spending habits. Marketing has also perpetuated this need: to the substantial detriment of us all. At least that’s my opinion. Just look at the TV commercials. Two neighbors in their driveways washing their cars, nice houses, white picket fence between the yards, kids riding by on their bicycles. One makes a comment about the other’s car, one smirks and one feels inferior. It isn’t enough to have a sensible car. You’ve got to have the luxury SUV with the leather interior and GPS tracking system so you don’t get lost on the way to your broker’s office. Why? It’s same thing with our homes. It’s no longer acceptable for a family of four to live in a modest home. Check out any number of real estate or renovation shows on TV. A family of four now needs a 5,000 square foot “McMansion”. Or the “Sweet Sixteen” shows where teenagers think its normal and expected for their parents to hire celebrities to attend their birthday parties and receive a $50,000 Lexus for turning 16. So back to the quote. I’m not advocating that we shouldn’t enjoy the best we can afford. What I believe is that we should stop comparing ourselves to what we think other people have and stop feeling inferior because of it. I believe if we took time to think about what really makes us happy and consider what we can realistically afford that we would be happier. For me it’s spending time with family and friends, shopping for bargains at Target, Chinese take out and reading. I just don’t see how struggling to pay for a “champagne” lifestyle makes anyone truly happy. What do you think?
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