Keeping Up With the Jones'
Why is it that when you see your neighbor driving a nicer car than you that you feel
the need to get a car that is as nice or nicer? Have you noticed that feeling more over the last several years? I was sucked into that vortex. I grew up in a family that was very money conscious. We lived in a nice area, but had probably one of the smallest houses, just what we needed, nothing more, nothing less. My parents drove nice cars, but nothing fancy. They never had credit card debt, always paid cash for their cars and only bought cars when they needed them (what a concept!). Since that was the way I grew up, that was the way I thought.
Thenthings changed. I am not sure if it was just California or the United States, or the entire world, but things changed. All of a sudden, sufficient was not good enough. It was like we all caught this disease that made us think we needed and deserved more than we could afford (myself included). When my husband and I decided to have children, we knew we needed a larger vehicle, so instead of buying a practical larger vehicle, we went for a full size SUV with navigation, DVD, fancy rims and tires. Did we really need all thatno. But, why shouldn't I have the best? Right?
I remember feeling pangs of jealousy if my friends had a bigger or nicer house than me. Wanting a new car after buying the last one six months before because the new one had Blue Tooth technology that my current car did not have. What did all this do for me (and probably the rest of America)? It got us into a lot of trouble financially. Why did I feel the need to have the name brand jeans from an upscale store, when I could go to a discount store and get the same ones for half the price? I look back now and I don't know what got into me.
One day, I literally just woke up. I got it. My material possessions did not define who I was as a person, nor did they define my family. I don't think my friends really care if I am wearing name brand clothes, and if they do, then they really are not true friends, are they?
As a society, we seemed to get really attached to our material possessions and where that placed us in society. I saw one of the heirs to the Johnson & Johnson fortune on Oprah several weeks ago and he noted that it was not "cool" any more to flaunt your wealth. Thank goodness! When you think about it, it is pretty sad that society got to the point where it was cool to basically rub in everyone's face how "wealthy" they were. Maybe we have turned the corner and America has learned a lesson. What is that lesson? There are a couple I would like to share with you that I have learned from personal experience.
Material possessions do not define who you are.
It is more important to have money in your savings account than material possessions.
Take note of how your possessions make you feel. (i.e. If you are buried under an enormous mortgage or car loan, consider selling the house/car. You will be amazed at how much better you feel without the weight of that mortgage/car loan on your back.)
Who cares what other people have, you need to look at what is right for you and your family.
Now, I am not saying everyone should go out and buy the most economical house, car, clothes, etc. I just want people to start being conscious of needs versus wants and what fits into their budget. If you do that, you should be on the right path in no time.
Keeping Up With the Jones'
By: Kristi LeGue
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