That's the thought that goes through my mind when I make purchases. I'm not perfect. I still succumb to the, "The cost is just too great to leave this in the store" spending philosophy. It's all part of consumerism. That's the idea of advertisers telling us that we need stuff in order to be happier, make others happy or find ways to make life easier. Subliminal and oftentimes blatant notions that we must have stuff to feel "fabulous", "amazing", or have the "most amazing skin", the "silkiest hair" or that a pair of shoes can make us run and jump higher.
I discovered a group that's led by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. On their album there's a song called "Wing$". This song is about consumerism and the violence and status that is associated with it - with the endorsements from celebrities to sell products and how it affects us as consumers. It's pretty deep! The song is centered around shoes but it can be associated with just about anything you buy.
Are the things we buy the stuff that make us happy? I'll be the first to say that shopping used to give me a "high". I'd buy something and be so happy that I got it only to realize that it was more about just the experience of having it for the first few days or weeks. After that, I wouldn't appreciate the purchase and more times than I care to mention, wouldn't use it. Case in point, my acoustic guitar. I always wanted one for the fantasy of having a guitar and being able to strum the strings in a magnificent melody. Well, that didn't quite happen. I ended up with an instrument that lives in a brilliant red cloth case tucked away in my closet, that hasn't seen the light of day in over 8 years.
The role you play in consumerism becomes even more important now that it's tax time. I have filed my taxes and have since gotten my refund. The plan is to use 90% of it to pay toward debt. I still have a couple of bill collectors calling the house and this will take care of that. The rest will go toward my bank consolidation loan. The remaining 10%? I bought myself a reasonably priced juice extractor and will use the remaining cash on my trip to a professional conference. I will also buy a new entryway door for my townhouse to continue working on the investment of my home.
Without careful consideration, it would be easy to buy myself stuff with this large tax refund.What do I really want? I really want to be out of debt. Therefore, I will put $2000 toward that bank loan.
What's your plan of action if you're getting a tax refund?
Educate. Empower. Economize.
I hear you! I have not filed my taxes yet, but will soon. I do want to pay off something and then pay something else, without stopping and creating more debt. I want to pay off my couch and a small credit card for now, then work towards the medical bills, and the dreaded student loans. arggg If I just had all the 5 and 10 dollar store trips over the years back.
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