I got to thinking today at how it’s possible that so many people have an infinite amount of spending money and how much more of a consumer driven society we have become. Whether it’s the massive car payments on the fully loaded vehicles, the numerous monthly subscriptions to services we don’t need, the expensive preschool and daycare tuition, or the $200 shoes.
I am cheap. No, not cheap as in I’d gladly let someone else foot the bill, but cheap as in, I put a lot of thought into every single thing I buy. Do I really need it? Is it cost effective? How much enjoyment will I really get it out of it? When I go grocery shopping I calculate the cost per ounce of everything, and most things that I buy are store brand. Same goes for all the toys we buy. Why spend a ton of money on an Ipod when I can go buy an MP3 player for $50? It still plays the same music, right? Will my 5 year old son know the difference between an old Playstation or the new Wii? Probably not.
My husband makes a decent salary. It pays the bills and then some, but since I don’t work, the “and then some” part needs to be carefully thought over before its spent. I just don’t get how other people can afford to put their kids in all kinds of activities, have gym memberships, drive $40k vehicles, and still have enough money that eating out for every meal becomes standard practice. Maybe its because I refuse to carry a balance on my credit card. Or maybe I’m wrong and people really do make a lot more than I think.
Today I was watching Oprah (yes… I was that bored! You know its bad when I begin watching soap operas..luckily that hasn’t happened yet.). There was this lady on there that was so proud of herself because she created a pajama program for foster kids and kids in shelters. Oprah in turn got her audience to donate 36,000 pairs of pajamas. Now, I don’t mean to be a Grinch or anything, but it seems to me that foster kids could use a lot more than pajamas. They were acting as if the poor kids had missed out on so much because they didn’t own a pair of PJ’s. It just made me think about how consumer driven we are that we can’t even imagine not having something to change in to go to sleep. I bet these kids are happy to even have a bed to sleep in!! I remember when I was growing up, kids didn’t have 6 pairs of PJs. 1 or 2 was the norm. That is still the norm at my house. If they need more they can use old sweats and tshirts.
I am cheap. No, not cheap as in I’d gladly let someone else foot the bill, but cheap as in, I put a lot of thought into every single thing I buy. Do I really need it? Is it cost effective? How much enjoyment will I really get it out of it? When I go grocery shopping I calculate the cost per ounce of everything, and most things that I buy are store brand. Same goes for all the toys we buy. Why spend a ton of money on an Ipod when I can go buy an MP3 player for $50? It still plays the same music, right? Will my 5 year old son know the difference between an old Playstation or the new Wii? Probably not.
My husband makes a decent salary. It pays the bills and then some, but since I don’t work, the “and then some” part needs to be carefully thought over before its spent. I just don’t get how other people can afford to put their kids in all kinds of activities, have gym memberships, drive $40k vehicles, and still have enough money that eating out for every meal becomes standard practice. Maybe its because I refuse to carry a balance on my credit card. Or maybe I’m wrong and people really do make a lot more than I think.
Today I was watching Oprah (yes… I was that bored! You know its bad when I begin watching soap operas..luckily that hasn’t happened yet.). There was this lady on there that was so proud of herself because she created a pajama program for foster kids and kids in shelters. Oprah in turn got her audience to donate 36,000 pairs of pajamas. Now, I don’t mean to be a Grinch or anything, but it seems to me that foster kids could use a lot more than pajamas. They were acting as if the poor kids had missed out on so much because they didn’t own a pair of PJ’s. It just made me think about how consumer driven we are that we can’t even imagine not having something to change in to go to sleep. I bet these kids are happy to even have a bed to sleep in!! I remember when I was growing up, kids didn’t have 6 pairs of PJs. 1 or 2 was the norm. That is still the norm at my house. If they need more they can use old sweats and tshirts.
I've decided that stuff doesnt make me happy. Its experiencing stuff that makes me happy. Going new places, doing new things, meeting new people, and learning new things. If I could choose a trip around the world or a brand new fully loaded Cadillac Escalade, I'd most likely choose the trip.
Speaking of which...I need to start working on Jake about that 10th year anniversary trip. Hawaii isnt going to cut it this time. :o)
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