"Since 1980, we have transformed ourselves from the world's biggest creditor nation to the nation most in debt. Mirroring this change, personal debt has skyrocketed. Credit cards allow us to get it "now," and make it easy to dig ourselves into some very deep holes.
I grew up glued to the TV, with its constant portrayal of affluence combined with ads claiming we could buy our way to happiness--if only we had enough money! My generation (I'm 41) was raised with the myth of ever increasing abundance, and we're still trying to fulfill that idea.
Our politicians and economic system continually push "growth," but as Edward Abbey observed: "unlimited growth in a finite system is the ideology of the cancer cell."
Yet we seem to think that only "more" will satisfy us. The number of square feet that is considered "adequate" for a home has risen dramatically in the past 30 years-- and now, well, "we need furniture" to fill those rooms. What about the heating bill? And so on.
One concept we didn't learn very well is "enough."
Knowing for oneself how much is sufficient is crucial for satisfaction." ~~Brian Julian, A Return to Frugality
|