The Ever-Present Need To Buy New Stuff

[TundraBay]

For some reason we're never happy with what we have. Always need the new, latest thing. I'm as guilty of this as anyone.
Lately the TV thread got me going on this again. How cool it would be to have a 52" LED TV in our TV room, replace that crappy old Sony XBR 300 pound TV that takes up half the room, get something shiny and new. But the Sony still works great, has a very good picture, and like many CRT TVs, no problem with lack of light, clarity, shadowing, etc., I really can't justify replacing it.
The need of people to have the latest, coolest thing is part of the reason for society's debts. Sure, you can go buy a new stainless steel kitchen, re-finance your house if you need to.
Advertising may be partially responsible, pushing our buttons, helping us to realize that what we already have isn't good enough, and access to an endless supply of money makes it easy to "upgrade our life".
Of course, the government is equally guilty, whether it's a billion dollar airplane or submarine or aircraft carrier for the military, (where the desire to spend is most evident) or new government buildings, vanity projects, or possibly undefensible social programs, which they are happy to go into debt for. Well I didn't mean to start up another government-bashing political thread, but just to share the observation that we are somewhat like Magpies, always wanting the nice shiny new thing even when what we have works fine, and would be more prudent to have a bit of savings to get us through tough times.

[convicted21]

Well said... Im guilty also, its like a cancer or an addiction. Just because we might have or have access to the money why do we have spend it so freely?

[garywdixon]

Take a lesson from those who practice and understand the philosophies of Zen.

The world could be a better place.

[longwoodklon]

Have a Rage Against the Machine song as my ringer, this topic reminds me of their song 'Bullet in the Head'. Talks about "in house drive by, they say jump you say how high", basically how commercialism make us all like sheep, wanting the new ipod, new tv, whatever.
Anyone, when subjected to this commercialization will cave in. It's why young kids are targeted, when watching cartoon, by Toys R Us and Disneyland commercials. Why does EVERY kid want to go to Disneyland, its because it is ingrained in their heads.
At least, recognizing the fact is a step toward fighting it. I find myself wanting **** I don't need, and sometimes give in. But even when I do, I at least recognize that I am being a sheep.
Regarding TV's, I gotta say resist man. I worked for a TV manufacuturer for many years. If you gotta have the latest 'must have', you will be buying one every 3 months. Really. I could've had any 60" Plasma from 2004 on, but I still have my 65" PTV in my living room. Why? Because it is a good enough picture(less than 20% of what I watch is HD) and it uses less than 50% energy of a 50" plasma/lcd. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

/Mike

[Marky_Mark]

Guilty here! We justify things in the weirdest ways..I remember my father though, he was not at all like that..Guess the guys from the old school back in the day appreciated the dollars they worked for more than we do now.

[pistolpete]

Not sure I am a "guy from the old school"..really my fathers generation but I have no problem with this...I do NOT feel the need ever to keep up with the Jones'...and it shows...in this economic whirlwind I am sitting pretty...people made fun of me for saving, using what I had and running my vehciles into the ground before buying a replacement...


always ask yourself do you NEED this or do you WANT this...the two are VERY DIFFERENT!!! being in my 40's I'm shocked at the financial mess I see my older and younger friends in....I've got a great job and have been maxing my 401K contrib since day one, started a ROTH IRA yrs ago and am counting on NO HELP from the gov when I retire....I do treat myself with little things here and there for my truck and other misc items but not until I have saved the CASH to do so...being 40 and having absolutely no debt (other than a modest 30 yr mortgage that I plan to pay off in only 15yrs) is a rarity!!!!
I NEVER buy anything on credit unless I have the $$$ to back it...I ask myself when purchasing..."if someone asks me for repayment tomorrow...can I do it? if not I don't buy it"

so take heed folks and start becoming more self dependent and stop relying on the gov, your friends, your parents, your inheritance etc....because all could be gone in a flash....MAKE your own destiny.

[H2O_MAN]

Originally Posted by TundraBay

For some reason we're never happy with what we have.

Some of us are not easily lumped into groups as you are attempting to do.
I am happy with what I have and many folks that I know are quite happy with what they have.







.

[Marky_Mark]

But I would say this would apply to a very large percentage of americans for sure..There are always a select few in any instance ,etc that this would not apply too..And that is how they base every decision on here in America when making policy, is by the majority. Does suck, but is true.

[kanielb1]

This forum also makes us want to buy bigger and better things for our trucks when they are fine as they are from the factory.

[Marky_Mark]

Originally Posted by kanielb1

This forum also makes us want to buy bigger and better things for our trucks when they are fine as they are from the factory.

Ya but stock = ghey!

[TundraBay]

Well my TV is 11 years old (to keep on the TV for a second) and I only use it for movies. All network TV is based on trying to sell you sh!t you don't need, and empty your head of individual or independent thought. At least that's my opinion. My last vehicle I got 100,000 miles on, and only sold it because I couldn't afford to keep repairing it (it wasn't a Toyota) and my wife drives a 6 year old Acura which has treated us pretty well.
I paid off my mortgage 5 years ago after only 6 years -- I could have bought a more expensive house, and I put pretty much my whole income against the house since we can't write off interest in Canada, it made more sense to do it this way. Since then, my mortgage payment equivalent is invested every month, (money market at present, I don't trust equities yet).
Sometimes I do treat myself of course, and this was more when I was younger. Right now I don't really need anything. I don't mind buying used stuff if I do find a need or want. There are a few things I bought and then had buyer's remorse (realized only after the purchase that I didn't really need it. I had convinced myself I wanted it.)
Wants and needs, that is another whole topic. I'd like to be a good example to my kids. I do know they watch and learn much better than listen and learn.
Upon retirement, I plan on no support from the government (except for public health insurance LOL) and I'm not counting on any inheritance either -- I would rather see them spend the inheritance -- they earned it. But I suspect there are people mortgaging their future and think somehow they will be fine. They should see how not fun it is to be old and poor.

[SE2000]

Originally Posted by Marky_Mark

Guilty here! We justify things in the weirdest ways..I remember my father though, he was not at all like that..Guess the guys from the old school back in the day appreciated the dollars they worked for more than we do now.

Originally Posted by Marky_Mark

Ya but stock = ghey!

That is a great example.
Those that save extreme amounts are fearful, those that spend everything are wreckless. Most of us are in the middle. And for anyone who thinks this is an American thing, has not spent much time in other countries. It is inate that we have more than our parents and our children have more than us, problem is it is we equate more with material things.
The tundra for many of us is a "hobby". the popularity of the what did you do this week demonstrates that. So we go overboard on it. Which is what hobbies are for.
I have a friend who has no children. he is in his 80's and still lives with dial up because he was too cheap when they came through his neighborhood and offered cheap vios, he didn't want to spend the money and now he won't get it because they won't give him that price now. He has no kids, over a million in the bank and failing health. He cannot enjoy his earned money.
I am all for spending what I got, saving some for later, and leaving maybe a little to my kids.

[spenser24]

I like the hobby theory.

I'm a two person family with three vehicles and two homes. Bought a truck that is basically a "dog hauler". Proceeded to pay for some mods / upgrades and found ways to justify those as being necessary.

I know my finances and more importantly, I know the current economic conditions in the US. I have to back it ($$) down from time to time and put some expenditures on the back burner. I hope we ALL are doing that, especially when I read some of the truck mods being paid for.

Over the past few months I have read some posts where fellas dumped the truck to pay for school, new house, cheaper car,etc. Sound logic.

I would encourage all to take a deep breath and make sure that you know YOUR big picture when it comes to current expenditures.

[Hickleberry]

Originally Posted by TundraBay

For some reason we're never happy with what we have. Always need the new, latest thing. I'm as guilty of this as anyone.
Lately the TV thread got me going on this again. How cool it would be to have a 52" LED TV in our TV room, replace that crappy old Sony XBR 300 pound TV that takes up half the room, get something shiny and new. But the Sony still works great, has a very good picture, and like many CRT TVs, no problem with lack of light, clarity, shadowing, etc., I really can't justify replacing it.
The need of people to have the latest, coolest thing is part of the reason for society's debts. Sure, you can go buy a new stainless steel kitchen, re-finance your house if you need to.
Advertising may be partially responsible, pushing our buttons, helping us to realize that what we already have isn't good enough, and access to an endless supply of money makes it easy to "upgrade our life".
Of course, the government is equally guilty, whether it's a billion dollar airplane or submarine or aircraft carrier for the military, (where the desire to spend is most evident) or new government buildings, vanity projects, or possibly undefensible social programs, which they are happy to go into debt for. Well I didn't mean to start up another government-bashing political thread, but just to share the observation that we are somewhat like Magpies, always wanting the nice shiny new thing even when what we have works fine, and would be more prudent to have a bit of savings to get us through tough times.

I just look at my pile of Cdn Tire money and wonder what to spend it on, then I count it and realize its only $18.00, but I want to spend it anyway.

[Gutz]

As long as you don't replace your wife every two years, you're ok. XD