David Chilton on need, greed and habit
An article in the January 10, 2009 Toronto Globe and Mail's Business section, "Professional cheapskates give their 2 cents on coping during tough times", offered some good advice and reminders. I'm not linking it because that cheapjack rag will charge you $4 to download.
David Chilton, author of The Wealthy Barber, says,
"The single biggest mistake people make in financial planning is buying more stuff. Not convinced? Help a friend move- conspicuous consumption has overwhelmed us."
It's a rather chilling exercise to review what I bought over the last six months, and ask myself if I needed it. What about those patent flats I bought in Paris, that nestle unworn in their flannel bag? ("Don't you have about ten pairs of black shoes?" Le Duc asked when I bought them, but did I listen?)
If one has the means, there's more to life than strictly need; beautiful objects or sensory pleasures are on sale a
t every turn. There are times when beauty lifts the spirit, sustains us. No, I don't need a lush fuscia cyclamen, but I'll enjoy its bloom for weeks in this bleak winter.
It's the just-another category that I want to expunge. One of my girlfriends saw me at a holiday party. She admired my new sweater and said, "Oh, I've seen that skirt before." In fact, I wore it for the first time that evening. But I have several so similar, how could she tell?
I'm determined to consume more thoughtfully, to reduce not only expense and clutter, but also because I feel lighter and happier when I wake from the trance of more.
David Chilton, author of The Wealthy Barber, says,
"The single biggest mistake people make in financial planning is buying more stuff. Not convinced? Help a friend move- conspicuous consumption has overwhelmed us."
It's a rather chilling exercise to review what I bought over the last six months, and ask myself if I needed it. What about those patent flats I bought in Paris, that nestle unworn in their flannel bag? ("Don't you have about ten pairs of black shoes?" Le Duc asked when I bought them, but did I listen?)
If one has the means, there's more to life than strictly need; beautiful objects or sensory pleasures are on sale a
t every turn. There are times when beauty lifts the spirit, sustains us. No, I don't need a lush fuscia cyclamen, but I'll enjoy its bloom for weeks in this bleak winter. It's the just-another category that I want to expunge. One of my girlfriends saw me at a holiday party. She admired my new sweater and said, "Oh, I've seen that skirt before." In fact, I wore it for the first time that evening. But I have several so similar, how could she tell?
I'm determined to consume more thoughtfully, to reduce not only expense and clutter, but also because I feel lighter and happier when I wake from the trance of more.
Comments
Wendy: Can't wait to see.
Pseu: Oh I do that too! Then find the second item stuffed away unworn, tags still on. Back in the day when I lived with GFs we swapped our things around so they actually got more use. I should return to that practice!
Cybill: I have huge boxes of shoes labeled "Not Worn Much". These are the only new ones.
Vacations are especially dangerous. I have a friend who went to a fully funded conference; this made her so giddy that she bought a $400 TEAL leather coat--and this was 20 years ago.
When I'm on vacation, I have so little with me that I forget that I have 8 black cardigans...
I don't have a conclusion here or any words of wisdom, but check out that French philosopher, either in the NYT or in my post.
Or..as per yesterday...if you already discussed this in your post and I read right over it, forgive me yet again. I am so tired from work!
It has been too long since I moved, but a few family crises have brought home how much of a burden the stuff of life can be.
I do not say that I live my life by it, but in these days of cutting back and more frugal living it's a consolation. And recently I'm rediscovering clothes that haven't seen the light of day for several years which is better than having new as it's like rediscovering old friends.
I made an assessment of my wardrobe recently and decided that it's lacking nothing. I have an outfit for every occasion that life throws my way and the same for jewellery.
So I'm not buying anything at the moment. I've avoided all the post-Christmas sales (except a pair of brown bootees which I really did need as my last pair were letting in water!) and I do feel much better for it. It's like only eating when you're really hungry - your food is so much tastier!
And I agree that too much materialism clutters the mind. With pared down consumption suddenly that beautiful fuchsia cyclamen can be seen in isolation and its beauty can fill the senses. Spirituality needs space to live and breathe.
However, let's remember that we are the lucky ones who still have the power to decide whether or not to buy - how many now no longer have that choice?
Frugal: Something more to go on would help me, like a link to your post or the date.
Mardel: My mother gradually reduced her "stuff", yet at 98 died with an apartment stuffed full of odd things like marrow spoons, stimu-dents and dozens of handbags. Maybe the stuff props us up?
I am also now gradually working on the rest of my clutter - my 16 year old daughter catalogued my books for me during a recent holiday as she was bored and I found I had numerous duplicates! I found a book swap website and have traded a number for books my daughter wanted.
I too have called a moratorium on buying clothes - in my case because I have put on a lot of weight in the last year. If I refuse to allow myself to buy any clothes till I have lost that weight, it will give me an incentive. The only thing I can't resist is black ankle boots - but then, my weight doesn't affect the fit!
Your friend's comment about your skirt just goes to show how our society has become so "disposable." A skirt worn twice? Wow! She really must LIKE it!
We all are going to learn SO much from this grey time, Duchesse. We're going to humbly change forever, and we're going to look back in embarrassment at our own and our country's (well I can speak for the U.S. here) excesses.
P.S. The cyclamen goes on the grocery budget, so no worries!
Karen: Yes, a time of examination: ia so like how people are talking about this instead of just "work, buy, display, repeat."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/fashion/15paris.html?pagewanted=print
A mere five slices of foie gras will do me just fine!