Materialism? Consumerism?

[Heeno]

Originally Posted by Casper

Said perfectly.^^^^

I am not rich financially, nor am I poor.
Anyone that knows me knows I am surronded by a loving family and great friends. I have the greatest wealth ever in my wonderful wife, 4 amazing children, parents who raised me exceptionally well and friends who are true, honest and appreciated more than they realise. None of this is material, all of it is important.

Now, as for material, I have a fair bit of that too and I dont feel guilty one little bit..why should I? I work hard and I work smart. My wife and I have gone through the VERY hard times as well as the good times. Whatever we have we have earned together. Why should I feel that because I have nice things that I should be a materialistic consumer? So what if I am? I have always put my family first.. even when I've made the big stuff ups. I have been a good person all my life, lived through some rough times and come out the other side.

I feel no guilt for whatever part of me is a materialistic consumer... it alone has provided motivation in some of the bad times. When it comes to needing to be a commercial whore to feed your family.. then so be it. Thats what needs to be done. I'm not a hippie, I'm not going to climb into a teepee and pretend it doesnt matter.

So be a materialist consumer if you want... just so long as you also place importance on the non materialistc, non consumer things in life theres nothing wrong with it.

very well said casper, i agree fully, if you can afford it...why not, people that show it off, who cares let them, they have obviously done really well for themselves.

[RSgerry]

Originally Posted by bindi

Hey thanks mate... I suppose it's cos I am considering doing what's called Downshifting.

We are now almost completely debt free, but the kids and I have been missing dad/hubby as he's been working his ring off. And we've been asking ourselves which is more important, money or being happy? Because even though we had money, we weren't happier by a long shot. Sure, we could buy more things, but deep down we were all quite miserable. We missed laughing with each other, playing games, being stupid, watching Scrubs/Black Books etc and laughing till our sides hurt... basically sharing our lives.

bindi...you must have been reading my mind. for the last few weeks i have been thinking these exact same thoughts. i am financially secure and have been wondering about how to make a difference. my work pays well enough but is quite boring and i have been feeling more and more dissatisfied because i realised that i am not making a difference to anybody elses life (besides mrs RSgerry who is obviously deliriously happy). it has left me feeling like there is something missing. sadly, i am not allowed to give blood due to having lived in the UK and have been considering helping people with financial counselling. sadly, i am housebound for now as i cant drive due to an operation on my ankle, but it is something i would like to do.

you are right about the materialism. you get to a point where enough is enough. i think we still need our toys...playstations, fun cars, big tvs etc, but i have reached a point where i am happy in that respect. the XR6 is now 3 1/2 years old, but i still love driving it. i used to be very materialistic, but feel that i have reached saturation point.

i recently met someone who just helps others and it has left me feeling that there is more to life than just accumulating wealth. you know what they say "he who dies with the most toys still dies". or, in the immortal words of the monty python team "you start with nothing, you go back to nothing, so what have you lost? nothing"

Originally Posted by bindi

Hey thanks mate... I suppose it's cos I am considering doing what's called Downshifting.

We are now almost completely debt free, but the kids and I have been missing dad/hubby as he's been working his ring off. And we've been asking ourselves which is more important, money or being happy? Because even though we had money, we weren't happier by a long shot. Sure, we could buy more things, but deep down we were all quite miserable. We missed laughing with each other, playing games, being stupid, watching Scrubs/Black Books etc and laughing till our sides hurt... basically sharing our lives.

Downshifting means that my hubby and I will find part time work and share the household tasks/raising of kids etc (instead of me doing it all plus try and get my own business happening, while he does nothing but work) and actually have a life. Time to see friends. Time to enjoy life. Sure, we will have to go without the Nikes, the IPods, the PSPs, but we'll be better off without them.

Kids are really being targetted in the materialistic push to have more, consume more, work longer/harder/till they start having chest pains - as if it is a measure of success. Kids in turn nag and harrass their parents into buying them these things, and the parents (who may have gone without in their childhoods) want to give their children everything they never had and give in.

Who the hell determines who is successful by what they OWN? Does anyone else think this is [messed] up?

Anyway, that's just what I think

Yes, we have it all wrong. Companies produce stuff we don't need and overpaid advertising executives try to make us buy it using fancy commercials during boring TV shows. We then buy them, get bored with them and add them to the pile of other toys we've got bored with.

My wife and I used to really enjoy watching motorsport together but there's nothing interesting to watch any more. The V8 supercars is just a boring procession of antiquated machinery driven by louts (just like on the road to work), the non-V8 supercar Bathurst allows cheating just so an "Australian" car can win, the F1 Grand Prix is a boring procession of high-tech machinery driven by louts and the list goes on. All because it's big business and seen as a way make money.

We've been trying to reduce our expenditure and simplify our lives too, but it's difficult in our "modern" world. So the Falcon gets used until it wears out, with nothing being spent on it except necessary maintenance items. We'll be happy with our single toilet and shelve plans to build an en-suite and ours won't be the most manicured garden in the street. We've been trying to spend more time doing what's important rather than pursuing "toys".

Anyway enough of my rambling...

[cogdoc]

Pay the toll of the car behind you, and ask the attendant to tell the next person through to have a great day. Compliment someone in a non come on way, and watch their reaction. Actually engage people in conversation, make eye contact, especially the person at the servo or the bank. Be genuine. Let people in, in traffic. This costs you about 10 seconds! The more you look for ways to be kind, the more will become apparent. Money is the obvious, but easy way out. It's easy to give the koala $2 to go away.....

Try it, you'll like it. Imagine if it was you that scored a free meal or a free toll?

[Sourbastard]

Originally Posted by cogdoc

Compliment someone in a non come on way

Nice post. Will you sleep with me?

what..... too much of a come on?

[bindi]

Originally Posted by cogdoc

Pay the toll of the car behind you, and ask the attendant to tell the next person through to have a great day. Compliment someone in a non come on way, and watch their reaction. Actually engage people in conversation, make eye contact, especially the person at the servo or the bank. Be genuine. Let people in, in traffic. This costs you about 10 seconds! The more you look for ways to be kind, the more will become apparent. Money is the obvious, but easy way out. It's easy to give the koala $2 to go away.....

They are some simple, kind ideas to help others. Just a little bit goes a long way, and Karma is a biggie too.

When standing in queues, people look bored, stressed and fed up. I have a giggle with the person standing next to me by saying something simple like "Well, there's nothing we can do now except stand around and look gorgeous. It's a hard job, but we'll be those brave soldiers!" At least they laugh, others overhear and say "I'm being gorgeous too!" and it breaks tension, especially with queue rage on the rise...

I am not saying that those who wish to pursue their dreams of owning more STUFF as wrong particularly, but there's gotta be more to life? When you're working 12 hour days in a job you can't stand, feeling used and abused by your company (just another number), and can't say SHOVE IT because you are bound up in other people/banks depending on your money, you are STUCK IN A RUT. So sad.

Aren't we just slaves to brand names, advertising and marketing? For example. You could always go buy that $800 decent fridge. Or you could get caught up in it, and instead go for an LG internet fridge with more storage space for your beer (which you drink in huge amounts to drown out the finance companies you have yet to pay). LG is Lucky Goldstar, remember that crap brand? Now they have renamed and marketed themselves to be the top of the line range (bull).

Do we really need an $80 Billabong shirt? Why not a $20 Target one? Why do we have to buy a shirt at four times the price, what are we trying to prove to the outside world? That we're cool? That we make alot of money? Trying to look younger than we are? They are still made by the same sweatshop in some thirdworld country!

Another item that readily comes to mind. I never spend more than $20 (absolute maximum!) on a pair of sunnies... because I leave them on the top of the car when I go to fill up and drive off, or I put them in my handbang and pull them out all bent when I shoved my purse in there, etc etc etc. Why the heck would I pay $200+ for the same thing that I am just going to kill? lol

Anyway, I think you all understand what I am saying here.

You blame PMS and you die : :jab: :newangel:

[BA GT-HO]

Originally Posted by bindi

Another item that readily comes to mind. I never spend more than $20 (absolute maximum!) on a pair of sunnies... because I leave them on the top of the car when I go to fill up and drive off, or I put them in my handbang and pull them out all bent when I shoved my purse in there, etc etc etc. Why the heck would I pay $200+ for the same thing that I am just going to kill?

Hmmmm..

I shelled out $140 for a pair of sunnies in Melbourne 2 and a half years ago after years of buying cheap ones and the expensive ones still have not fallen apart and are still in mint condition unlike the $20 ones.The $20 servo sunnies would not protect your eyes from anything would they? I would estimate I would have spent close to $140 by now on servo sunnies anyway, plus when you buy something worth that much you tend to look after them and not be lazy and leave them lying around..

The way I see it we are born, educated, work and die. Why not have some fun in between all that by indulging in some 'material' goods. Hell I bought an XR6T when I was 20 because I was lucky with my job at the time. Had that for a year and a half and got rid of it because my work may be going under soon. Was it worth it? Hell yes. So I lost some money, but who cares. I didn't mind going to work and paying for it.

I would rather work hard for 10 hours and come outside to my nice car that I can take home the long way and remind myself why I bother working everyday than not having anything 'material.'

Its a fine line I reckon. You have to remember to put money aside for more important things aswell.

Originally Posted by bindi

Anyway, I think you all understand what I am saying here.

Yes, my wife was just given a mobile phone by her friend. There's nothing wrong with it (exept maybe needs a new battery) but her friend had to get the latest one with a camera in it.

These companies must be having a real laugh. Now you can take a picture on your phone so you can send it to your fridge so the toaster can have a giggle at it.

[MITCHAY]

Money can buy you a lot of things but it cannot buy you real friends or a good family. Hell i like lots of nice stuff and have got a lot of it. There is nothing in my house that aint name brand. But if you aint got any friends what is really the point? If it wasnt for my mates i wouldnt have a life.

Sure id still have all my possesions but wouldnt go out anywhere or have any social life. I can only go out once a week now which still kills me so i can only imagine if i didnt have that day off.

I will still do my best to better myself in life but i would do it because I like it not to bignote myself to anyone else. Work will never become my life.

The problem isnt with people earning big bucks and buying nice things it just sometimes its because of the wrong reasons.

[Sourbastard]

I bought a giant cowboy hat for myself and my dad yesterday, and im not even a cowboy. But its cool, and you dont have one.

[GreenMachine]

"Money won't buy you happiness, but it'll let you park your yacht right next to it"

Dave Gilmour, Pink Floyd.

[Walkinshaw]

I am a whore for the money

[Sourbastard]

Originally Posted by Walkinshaw

I am a whore for the money

*Waves a 50 dollar note*

come give a cowboy a lapdance sweetie!

[Casper]

Pass the Grange 81 and grey poopaa serving wenches.

[KEV EB XR8]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

*Waves a 50 dollar note*

come give a cowboy a lapdance sweetie!

sorry cant help myself ,, this guy kills me ive read all the different replys and then he comes on an havent stopped laughin

keep it up ya sourbastard ya make me cry ha ha

[MustangNicko]

To sum it up life is consumed by temporary happiness. Always has been always will be.

[xr8ute]

Originally Posted by bindi

Is anyone here like me, and thinking there is more to life?

I swear to god, when I find the right girl, I am going to build a big house on a farm and bring up my family there with nothing but non-commercial TV and radio.

They can fang around on minibikes and ponys, climb trees, swim in the dam, look after the animals....blah blah.

I am sick of consumerist bull that makes people work 60+ hours a week so they can buy their $3000 wide-screen TV, and then complain that school teachers aren't raising their kids properly.

I am sick of politicians that make government by digging up more dirt on their opponents than their opponents dig up on them.

I am sick of political partys whose "factions" spend more time fighting between themselves than they do supporting the communities they were elected to represent.

Hmmm...if I don't get out for a surf soon, my brain is going to explode.

The time has come to get a bit hippy py:

[RED_EL_XR8]

Mr Larson can hopefully have the last word. back to reality now.

[MO]

Well some very interesting posts here,I guess it's what makes the individual happy if its owning the latest and greatest car,tv,stereo whatever so be it however if having a roof over your head and a second hand car and small tv/stereo is for you so be it.

The big point out of all the posts is family,friends,love,laughter,enjoying the times with each other and being happy and content with your lot in life.

Just as an aside I used to be very materialistic but two divorces and a bankruptcy gave me a wake up call.

Now I am happy no more chasing the dollar to get the latest and greatest.

[XA-Coupe]

When you are retired and farting dog food because it's all you can afford on the government pension, feel happy.
Yes, you can work too much ... but you need to think of the future and it doesn't involve a Pal or Lucky Dog diet in my case. I will work hard for what I can.

[RED_EL_XR8]

Originally Posted by XA Coupe

When you are retired and farting dog food because it's all you can afford on the government pension, feel happy.
Yes, you can work too much ... but you need to think of the future and it doesn't involve a Pal or Lucky Dog diet in my case. I will work hard for what I can.

Red throws a stick and whistles fetch to prove the theory!!

Does this mean all you have to do to keep the poor content is rub their bellies?

[conordec]

each to their own...

all i want is 4 things....

a GT............. DONE
health............FINE
house paid......4/5ths DONE
decent mrs.....DONE

once I pay off this house, thats when I'll come back to australia, change my career totally to something that has meaning, not neccessarily $$$$$$$$, enjoy LIFE, cos god knows, I have no life at present!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hmmmm, beer o'clock!

[MO]

Originally Posted by XA Coupe

When you are retired and farting dog food because it's all you can afford on the government pension, feel happy.
Yes, you can work too much ... but you need to think of the future and it doesn't involve a Pal or Lucky Dog diet in my case. I will work hard for what I can.

I don't disagree and no I'm not on the Govt old age pension...I did think of the future and it cost me thousands for the lawyers to keep the es from getting their hands on my super..in fact my cases set legal precedent for a few years until the Feds got in and changed the rules.

As for living on a diet of canned dog food ....crap there are that many agencies out there that bring food etc to the front door of those in need its not funny.

[XA-Coupe]

Originally Posted by John McMaster

I don't disagree and no I'm not on the Govt old age pension...I did think of the future and it cost me thousands for the lawyers to keep the es from getting their hands on my super..in fact my cases set legal precedent for a few years until the Feds got in and changed the rules.

As for living on a diet of canned dog food ....crap there are that many agencies out there that bring food etc to the front door of those in need its not funny.

My comment was notwithstanding Acts of God, Cyclones and a legal system that exists in it's own sheltered world.

[Sourbastard]

When I came back from the states with my ex wife and daughter, i slept on the floor, ate unmarked canned food from the food bank and day old bread.

Now ive sorted out my life so I can now afford to buy the essentials like sequent ball gowns, hats made of fruit, and lawn ornaments that look like little elves.

Frankly, the world can get stuffed as to how I live my life, i'll do what I want, ill be a consumer whore if i want, and you will bloody love it. If I want to live like a monk with nothing to call my own cept a 10 cent haircut, ill move to tibet, and you will love that also.

People should mind their own bloody business before they start judging people based soley on what they own or earn. In short, if you dont like it, feel free to take a deep breath and drop dead.

[MO]

Didi Mao..didi Mao

SB take a deep breath and let it out slowly no one has knocked the way ppl choose to live..they've spoken about their preference.

Have another bourbon and chill.

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by xr8ute

I swear to god, when I find the right girl, I am going to build a big house on a farm and bring up my family there with nothing but non-commercial TV and radio.

They can fang around on minibikes and ponys, climb trees, swim in the dam, look after the animals....blah blah.

I am sick of consumerist bull that makes people work 60+ hours a week so they can buy their $3000 wide-screen TV, and then complain that school teachers aren't raising their kids properly.

I am sick of politicians that make government by digging up more dirt on their opponents than their opponents dig up on them.

I am sick of political partys whose "factions" spend more time fighting between themselves than they do supporting the communities they were elected to represent.

Hmmm...if I don't get out for a surf soon, my brain is going to explode.

The time has come to get a bit hippy py:

well said good on you dude i so wish you succeed . this is the funniest thread i've read in this post . you and 20,000,000 other australians share the same dream . bugger worrying about work and money . this is the way to live . right next door to one of kylie minogues retreats. now all we'll have to do is work 7 days a week and a second job at night live on cornflakes and pineapples for 60 years and then we will be able to afford that deposit . AHHH THEN I'LL BE HAPPY HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA- STOP FOR A BREATH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA..... :

[Sourbastard]

Originally Posted by John McMaster

Didi Mao..didi Mao

SB take a deep breath and let it out slowly no one has knocked the way ppl choose to live..they've spoken about their preference.

Have another bourbon and chill.

Chieu Hoi mate.

[MO]

Sae wae dee carp...(sp)

[RED_EL_XR8]

sang choi bo !!!