Is This is What Americans Consider Sacrifice These Days?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I don't think these were the answers people spontaneously gave to an open-ended question. I think these were the choices they were given to select from to answer it.

How would I even answer the question given those choices? I'm not sure. Would I say I've sacrificed going to the movies to make ends meet? I'm not sure. In fact, I have not been going to the movies, so that helps ends meet. Bit then, I haven't gone to the movies in 21 years, so can I say I sacrificed it this past year? If I really wanted go go and did not, well, then maybe it was a sacrifice. But I never really wanted to go to the movies in all those years, so where's the sacrifice?

Same with some of the other stuff on the list. I barely want any jewelry and do not find it hard at all not to get any year, after year, after year. I know that saves a lot of money compared to someone who buys jewelry two, three, or more times a year. Not buying jewelry helps makes ends meet, so do I tick off the box next to this choice?

Okay, then, where is the box to say that I sacrificed buying a Kentucky horse farm, a luxury yacht harbored in Spain, and my own mine so that I could make sure the pink granite in my kitchen remodel all matches?

[Caoineag]

I am afraid I agree with DisneySteve. Probably doesn't help that my family always placed a priority on having a vacation (ours never cost alot so you had to be pretty poor not to afford them). The last three on the list have never been a priority for me but that doesn't mean someone might not value them.

[DebbieL]

Yes, when you are used to going on vacations, going out to eat, etc., it is a sacrifice (to you) to give those things up. I see nothing wrong with the use of the word here. I would consider it a sacrifice if I couldn't have any of life's luxuries. I save and do all the right things too, but I enjoy ordering pizza on Friday night when I'm burned out and don't feel like cooking. Going to Disneyland every couple years gives me and my family something to really look forward to and dream about during the everyday working life!

I'm with Disneysteve on this one - and obviously another Disney fan I need my fix! If I lost my livelihood tomorrow, of course I would have to make some sacrifices of luxuries for awhile - and I would most definitely consider them sacrifices.

[tripods68]

This is interesting how you view the world versus how others view you. Of course, the experiences you have differs greatly from everyone else based on culture, religion, politics, education, income, or social standings. This is all relative in every society. The beauty of this country is you can live the "American Dream" and people should not be judge how people live their life no matter how different it is about your own. The survey definitely brings out debate into questions and it polarizes about the "jonases" even more.

[scfr]

Yes - it's very likely there was a problem with the way the survey was worded. If the question had been "where have you cut back, trimmed your spending, etc" and these replies were given, I would not have a problem with it.

But the word "sacrifice" is just too strong. A definition I saw referred to giving up something precious. If you came in to my house and asked me what is precious, if it doesn't breath and eat it is not making the list!

I have no problem whatsoever with spending. I truly enjoy a nice vacation every once and awhile, and I also enjoy my creature comforts.

My problem is with referring to giving up luxuries as a "sacrifice" as it just seems so overly-dramatic. [Thanks BA ... you got the gist of my OP perfectly.] I don't want to start thinking of giving up such things as sacrifice, or I will become desensitized when people start referring to "making sacrifices" ... Depending on my mood, I will either think "so what?" or "good for you!"

I suppose what I really hope for is that more people will start monitoring their inflow vs. outflow more carefully, keep their spending under control, and live more of a sustainable lifestyle so that they do not ever have to make "sacrifices" of any sort, major or trivial.

Oh ... and I'm sorry about not weighing in earlier, but this past week I've either (depending on your perspective):
A. Had the priviledge of working a lot
OR
B. Been sacrificing a lot of leisure time

[txex86]

But the word "sacrifice" is just too strong.

I agree that "sacrifice" is too strong as a description. I prefer the word "compromise" in the context given.

[Tim_1983]

I guess they are lucky to view those things as sacrifices.

[disneysteve]

But the word "sacrifice" is just too strong. A definition I saw referred to giving up something precious.

Now you have to define precious.

I can tell you that if we suddenly had to cancel our vacations because of financial difficulty, we would definitely consider it a sacrifice.

[DebbieL]

Me too, Disneysteve. Sacrifice is simply to forfeit one thing for another thing which you deem more important (rent, electricity, food, etc.). I would give up my trips before I would give up the necessities in life (obviously), but it would still be a sacrifice to me. I absolutely CHERISH my vacations - especially the ones where I can be a big kid again (Disneyland). There is value in the restorative, soul feeding qualities of a vacation. We all need something to plan for and look forward to, otherwise what are we saving all this money for? I need some fun in my life and not just a bare existence.

[ThriftoRama]

I think those are considered sacrifices because they have become identifiers or expectations of what comes along with an american middle class lifestyle. Just a thought.

[disneysteve]

I think those are considered sacrifices because they have become identifiers or expectations of what comes along with an american middle class lifestyle. Just a thought.

Could be true, although I look at it more from a personal level. An annual trip to Disney World is part of our lifestyle. A summer vacation is part of our lifestyle. Several other smaller trips during the year is part of our lifestyle. Having to give up - or sacrifice - those things would be a significant change to our lifestyle. Are they luxuries? Sure. We realize that and greatly appreciate that we are able to do those things regularly. But giving them up would still be a sacrifice.

[Homebody]

None of the original list is a sacrifice to me either. We have never taken annual vacations, more like every 5 years and they have all been to Disneyland!

However, everyone's idea of sacrifice is different. A sacrifice for us would be giving up cable TV, where as other people don't really watch TV. We rarely dine out for dinner, but have been going once a week together to lunch when I run errands in town. I know giving up coffee would be a sacrifice (we make our own). Mmmm I don't know that may be considered a necessity!

Jewelry and designer clothes though?? I find it actually sad.

[veronak]

I agree, but to some not eating out or buying designer clothes is a huge sacrifice

[scfr]

Now you have to define precious.

I supsected someone might bring this up, "Mr. Miriam-Webster"

But don't you think that if people would simply make adjustments to their lifestyle when called for, except for in the most catastrophic and extraordinary circumstances, they could maintain a sustainable lifestyle and never have to feel like they were making "sacrifices"?

I'll use your example of vacations, because you are a very financially-savy and smart guy ... If you experienced a drop in income or spike in expenses, wouldn't you have a "kitchen table talk" with your wife and daughter and discuss options, and decide that maybe you would skip the summer vacation, or stay closer to home (take day trips in to neighboring towns to cut out hotel cost), or make the trip to Disney and once every 1-1/2 year thing instead of every year ... In other words, start scaling back gradually, instead of trying to maintain the usual routine and then waiting until things had spun out of control and you had to cut out vacations completely? And if you were able to keep doing the things you valued, just perhaps less frequently or on a smaller scale, would you really view it as a "sacrifice" or just simply "doing what you had to do"?

Perhaps I just have a more stoic outlook on things than most, but I don't see doing what needs to be done under the circumstances as sacrifice.

[Taribor]

I'm not arrogant enough to pretend I know what is a sacrifice to other people.