Fancy Things

Okay, so someone brought this up today, and I really want to expand a little on it... What is it with the obsession with material things? Especially with the way the economy is, you would think that people would be able to pull back a little bit- eat more at home, don't go shopping, cancel the memberships, etc.

So, when things started getting a little tighter in my budget (gas was getting more expensive, groceries, utilities) we did little things to cut back: canceled the tanning membership (for my health too), started dying my own hair (saving $100 every 3 months), we planned one date night every week and committed to spending less than $30 each meal. I didn't shop much to begin with, but a small closet will also cramp your shopping style. We just tried to cut back our lifestyle so that we were saving SOMETHING.

During all of my efforts to save money, I have run into several people who refuse to cut back on their spending! (my exposure is greater because I work at a bank). I dont understand why we feel sorry for people who are losing their homes because they had to go to Olive Garden and take the whole family. You can't make your house payment, but you have a Coach purse, or a Louis Vuitton (I probably didn't even spell that correctly).

The American obsession with material things is sad and it really repulses me. You don't have to have expensive cars to survive (I prove that), you dont need armani shoes, gucci bags, a thousand accessories, and $100 jeans. We have become accustomed to this lifestyle of immediate gratification, and we want for nothing (except our homes :) ) I am personally satisfied when the balance of my bank account rises, not when I see another girl envy me for the clothes I am wearing- trust me, NO ONE does that! :) No one envies my old navy tee and my aeropostale jeans, with my seven year old flip flops! But you know what, I am saving for a house, paying off my loans, I don't owe much more on my car, and I am perfectly okay with all of that. I even wish I was okay with less...

I think it is admirable for people to be minimalists, and our elders were forced into lives of minimalism when the economy was bad in the past... now, people refuse to give up the lifestyle, so the government feels like they need to get involved- which is never a good idea in my opinion, but that is another story altogether! People should be saving for their kids' college, investing their retirement, living frugally, or at least more frugally than they currently are!

Anyway, my whole point, is to get rid of the Fancy Things. Seriously, they are not adding value to your life, or your bank account!