An Adjustment and the Religion of Stuff

I can safely say I have learned more in my time of unemployment than I have in the entirety of my life so far.   With so much free time, I’ve read a lot of books I had been meaning to read but “never had the time”.  I (and my wife) had also had to make changes in how we purchase, where, when, and why.  In a word, we’ve become more efficient.

We have this idea in our society that we don’t have the time to do things.  That’s bs.  We make time for whatever we want to do.  Granted, most of us, desire to work for a large portion of our weekly/daylight time.   We chose (or are lucky and have) the ability to work because we like money.  We like money, because it affords us to buy stuff.

The Religion of Stuff.

I used to be a pious member of this religion.  The joy of buying something new, grabbing, and indiscriminately buying it.  I took for granted in my daily purchases for what in some parts of the world is a weeks/months worth of income.  Now, I buy only the luxury items that I know I will enjoy, for a long time.  Gone is the impulse buy.  We can survive on one income.  It would just take an adjustment.

But it’s an adjustment we need to make as a country.  We don’t need two incomes.  We don’t need everything new, we don’t need to buy shiny stuff.  Sure, there’s a time and a place, but the problems arise because the things we either have to (or choose to) replace aren’t made for longevity.

Be thrifty, don’t buy into the keeping up with the Jones.  Live within your means, and live the best you can within those means.  I have many friends who feel the need to constantly make more and more money.  When really (and perhaps its critical of me) but what they are trying hard to do is live outside a sustainable way of life.  Maybe they bought a house that, though large and really nice, wasn’t fundamentally necessary to their life.  Or maybe you have two brand new cars.  I can appreciate having one new car, as constant repairs can be a real drag on your financing.  But buying two cars on credit seems a little absurd now.   To be fair, when I’m able to, I do plan to buy a new car.  But It’s not going to be some fancy shiny thing.  I want something with four doors, a wheel, and maybe a stereo.

What would I recommend?  If you’re shopping for the big ticket items, like a house, look around, find a deal.  Find something that needs some tlc.  A good roof and a solid exterior without rot is a great place to start.  A starter home is called that because it’s where you start.  Don’t buy the house you want to end up in right off the bat, even if you can afford it (or think you can).  Better to live somewhere where if there’s an unexpected bill, you aren’t having to worry about a roof.

Buy a newer, but still used, car.  A lot of dealers will sell a warranty on “certified” preowned (used) cars.  You aren’t paying for the initial depreciation that happens when you buy a new car (when you buy a new car, you’re immediately in the whole for quite a bit once you drive it off a lot).

If you feel that need for impulse buying on something.  Perhaps a new dress, new pair of shoes, stop and wait a week.  We’ve been trained that “it could be gone if you don’t buy it now”, but frankly, the extra time to think is good for you.  Maybe you don’t really need it, or perhaps you were just having a really bad day and only would have purchased said item  because of the mood you are in.

There’s some logic to credit.  Buying a new washer, dryer, and other energy efficient appliances can save you money in the long term–especially if you are a home owner.  Try to have 25-50% of the cost up front, and look for financing offers.  Yes, they tend to be in 6-12 months, but really you should have your debts paid off quickly, they aren’t something you want to hang on to.

Live well and within your means.  We get trapped by the ideals of consumerism, and seek for greater levels of employment, for little or no real gain.  Will that promotion for 2.5% really bring an increase of 2.5% or more of happiness to your life?  Most of the people I know who “climb” the ladder, get more and more haggard the higher they climb.  Don’t sell your happiness, there’s no price high enough.  And no one is willing to pay for it if it’s something your losing on a daily basis.