Not Buying Stuff

So, I was reading a blog on myspace about spending. I've been in quite a rut lately with money and I'm thinking of not spending anymore than I have to. I guess there is a new "trend" where people just stop buying stuff. I'm thinking about trying it...not for the sake of the trend but for the sake of not buying stuff. It's hard, though, because I'm one of those types of people that buys random things when something is missing in my life...the things I tend to buy are really of no use to me, but I do it anyway.

When you think about it, though, material items are just that...they are objects of use and sometimes-power, status. I can fix my old shoes and tattered jeans. I can fix my car, my computer. Why go out and buy new things when there is still potential life in the things I own?

Maybe this will be a good way to train myself to stop impulse-buying. No more craft supplies, no more random clothes, bags, goodies. Just the necessities...groceries, gas, bills.

 

I think buying useless shit is pointless for the most part. To copy fight club, you're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your clothes. Don't buy shit you dont need with the money from a job most people probably dont like.


but on the other side. I KNOW, as a girl, when I was really depressed younger, that a new pair of nice jeans that fit perfectly, and a haircut, or a fucking tube of lipgloss. Can really work wonders.

depends on the situation but I dont know what bf/husband/parent wouldnt be happy that their gf or daughter quit buying shit.

 

my boyfriend doesn't believe me. Haha.

 

Its the way to live.

I've made great changes in my life over the past few months... and I can only slap myself on the head when I look at the *thousands* of dollars blown for no good reason. I love my car, and I love what I've done to it... but its a never ending pit of "almost" being satisfied... I had to just ask, why am I working for possesions that truly mean nothing - especially when I know I'll never be satisfied.

Such is life in excess - never being satisfied because there is always that bit more you can buy, or that next step up in quality... its a life based on inadequacy - very few can afford everything they want. Those that can aren't any happier because they can, in fact being so rich causes many a problem with friend and family... and thats what really matters.

 

yeah and I figure if I stop spending...which, I'm really not as bad as most....once in a great while I'll buy something that isn't totally necessary, it'll make me stronger if I ever do have the money.

I've noticed, though, since I've been financially unstable, that I don't really want to go shopping. I'm making my Christmas gifts and I'm using all of the things I own without buying more to make something for someone else. I think this can work out due to the fact that I'm not crazy about going out and buying things.

 

Wow common sense is a trend now?

I cant believe you would call it a trend. Its called being smart. Materialism is one of the largest evils in our world. If everyone demanded peace instead of a new TV there would be peace. I grew up poor, so maybe it was easier for me to understand. Now that I have more money, I dont buy material items very often. Maybe once every couple months ill spend $20 on myself... and I did buy a computer Other than that... I dont buy into the whole Material items make me happy bullshit.

 

I sure hope it becomes one

No need to speak (type?) in such harsh tones.

 

They're doing it for the sake of the economy...it's not like it's some sort of fashion trend.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/17/1076779970333.html

 

Sorry I tried to edit it before anybody seen.

 

For the economy? Thats backwards as it says at the beginning of your link.

The economy runs on the fact that people are greedy and will buy MORE and MORE and MORE to keep up to there friends and neighbours.

 

I think this is the very mentality that our society needs to re-adopt. The core behind all our problems is the never-ending search for the next great gadget... EVERYONE has to have an Ipod, etc etc etc. We got so tied up in entertainment that the entire country forgot about politics.

Life has to get easier, less responsibility, less effort. This is what allows people to pop pills to solve every emotional problem they may have, instead of just dealing with it.

It all begins with an emphasis on possesions.

All things in moderation

Btw making x-mas presents is so much better than spending money. Anyone can spend money and buy something... only you can make your specific gift. Your giving something of much more value than money or possesions.

 

it's not the economists that are following this trend.

People are doing this because they realize how full their closets are, and they realize what they have and what they need. That's what's "trendy" about it

 

I was talking to a friend about this...it's sad that the youth of today thrive off of video games, digital cameras, HDTV. I remember growing up and the teddy bear and dolls I got kept me satisfied for years. I never needed video games and cameras to make me happy. We were forced to use our imaginations. Now, there are gadgets that do the imagination part for the kids.

I'm not great at it by all means...haha. I have my gifts worked out better this year, though. I'm making jewelry for my aunts and we took some nice pictures of my brother and I that we will frame and also give out. I'm also making some cards for the family that matters. I'm giving my best friend stuff that I know she'll use rather than buying it because I already have it and don't use it. And I'm writing my dad a letter, thanking him for rebuilding our relationship, and I plan on putting it in a nice homemade card. One of my uncles is getting a book I made of quotes by Howard Zinn and other peace activists because that's the number one thing we share in common-hating the economy/government/way of the world. So, I have a lot of work ahead of me this week-finishing these gifts, but it's fun!

Thanks, though! It means a lot when someone likes the idea of gift making. Some consider it childish, only because they don't have the care to go and make something-the fancy stores and Visa card are a lot more appealing. I think it's a waste of money. Most of these people don't even use the stuff you buy unless you buy something they told you to buy specifically

 

Maybe we don't need a best buy every 10 miles... Honestly I don't care if all the major cooperations fell flat on their face as a result of everyone in the US ceasing to spend excessively.

Speaking with our wallets, the value of the dollar itself would go way up.

 

This is why we must ensure the next generation doesn't play right into the hands laid out in front of them... They can't be lead down the same path of possesion and inadequacy... its not good for them or the country.

What we are getting is kids raised entirely by the TV, because their parents are now the ones who were also raised by the TV. Its hard for both young and old minds alike to draw the difference between real life and TV... people look at TV and assume thats "normal", or thats "right", or thats "terrible"... whatever the TV portrays. Same goes for movies, music, video games... all of the above is no more than a way to brainwash the entire population over a few decades.

Those that don't buy into it become fewer, because thats not the "easy" way to live.

So far its all worked exceedingly well... its hard to walk down the street and find someone who isn't entirely apathetic.

Those are *good* gifts... gifts with meaning. I could only be so lucky to get something so thoughtful.

Anyone who thinks making gifts is childish has no idea what a gift means - do you know someone who actually thinks like this???

 

yeah...a few friends and coworkers would rather go out and buy the gadgets rather than make the memories...it's difficult trying to convince these people that money isn't important during the holidays...they're so brainwashed, though, by all of the things mentioned with media, government, etc. that it's difficult for them to understand that taking something and making it into something better is not only gratifying, but heartfelt and perfect as a gift.

 

I went a way to college last year and something about that envoirment seemed to cause me to want to spend and spend. I maxed out my debit card and was the victim of an internet scam. I am now 3,000 dollars in debt that is my fault. So I left school and came back home. Now I want to be a teacher/artist/musican. I have cut back my spending significantly everytime I am tempted to buy what I don't need I think about where that got before and I go home and either forget about what I wanted to I make it myself so I don't waste money. But some money is needed. So how do u make enough money to live, without having a typical job.

 

i'm gonna go buy a bunch of stuff just because i need that stuff

 

people read into everything, hardcore.

not everything is evil/not everything is good.

sometimes having something that makes you happy, such as working on your car, or for me, mmmm new charcoal and pencils, is fine. No matter if its ALWAYS going to be a work in progess. so im not totally against buying things just for pleasure.

but if i had a bf I much rather get a song he wrote or a picture he made.well, a cute teddy bear wouldnt hurt either.

all in balance.or atleast all from the heart.

 

I like buying things I can use, out of pleasure. But I also have a lot of stuff...I want to start using that stuff before getting more, i.e. crafts, hobbies, whatever