Less is More

Want to buy a house for $50K? Well you can right here in the DC Metro area. It's true and it's unreal all at the same time. Everywhere you look these days houses are going into foreclosure, being abandoned and just taking six months or more to sell at prices lower than the appraised tax value.

House flipping has naturally taken a hit as well. With our most recent flip we sold it not in our regular fast pace of less than a week or even less than 24 hours but it took two months, two price drops and accepting an offer that made us little profit. It's disheartening at best but it is a sign of the times.

Reading the Washington Post fashion section in the Sunday Source this past weekend it became clear that even in that realm things are taking a hit. Designers are not offering up a lot of new things this season either. What was in style last summer or a spring must-have is the same this year. Gladiator sandals, patent shoes and bags, chunky jewelry and bright, bold colors are in again. Stores are reluctant to put new items on their shelves that most likely will not move as we have less and less disposable income.

While this can all seem quite depressing, especially if you are trying to sell or keep your home (a whole other issue not related to this post), I have found that it can also be a time of reflection. While consumerism is down due to lack of funds (what are you doing with your economic stimulus check? Let me guess. Paying bills?) it helps to realize that sometimes we need that step back to think about how we essentially need to consume less. Less is more. Those with more are statistically proven to not be any happier than those who consume or have less. Some people are even taking this time to buy nothing. While the 'Story of Stuff' has been making the rounds on YouTube it certainly warrants another look. We are indeed a nation of consumers and it is scary.

I'll step off my tiny soap box now and let you think about this for a second. Maybe if you are not of the mind to not buy anything for one whole month maybe try to just buy and consume less. OK, back on the box. Use less gas by eating out less. Sit down with our families more. Only buy what is on our list at Target this week. I know that is a tough one for everyone including yours truly. Try it for a day, a week, or a month and see where it gets you. Our wallets will be fatter and I can bet that our hearts will be a bit lighter too. It could be a great Project Life Change idea and something fun for the whole family.

I'm off the box now. And I don't feel like making my Target run today after all. I do however feel like going to the library and taking a walk with my kid.

Wii Crazy

While ellipticizing my butt and thighs at the gym the other day I was again astounded by the Wii craze. There it was on the news, lines of sheep (ahem)people lined up for the Wii. Yes, the Wii is BIG FUN. I personally would love to own one. But do I want to sit outside in the freezing cold outside a big box store for over 24hours to obtain one? That would be a no. I prefer to wait. Which means I'll probably never buy one.

It hit me then that those lines are such a distraction. People get so wrapped up in the media-induced frenzy of Black Friday and getting 'the gift' of the season for kids and adults EVERY YEAR that the message of the season really does get lost. How can you think of goodwill towards men when you are jockeying in line for hours on end while catching your death? What comes of it? Nothing. You play with the new toy for a while, then next year like everyone else in the rat race, you find yourself in line again. There you are waiting for a golden ticket to hopefully get you inside the warm store and purchase that ultimate gift. Why?

Then, I saw this video and it cemented all my feelings of our holiday consumption and our every day consumption. I am guilty of getting lost in the "what did you get me?!" too. I admit it. I love getting gifts and I want them to be the most thoughtful gift ever, each time. I shop 'til I drop for presents too. I shop for no reason. I can be a greedy little whore of a consumer. I've been in DA (Debtors Anonymous) and it nearly ruined my life and marriage at one point. When Oprah had her show on shopaholics I answered yes to 9 out of 10 questions. Instead of putting down the bottle I had to put down the cards. Every one has their vice and mine was shopping. I realize now the error of my ways. I saw first hand how it can destroy relationships just like any other addiction.

Here is the thing. This country? Is addicted to consuming. We jump like lemmings over a cliff to get a new product. We are in fact consumed. I'm not trying to rain on your holiday parade or anything. I'm just trying to make a point. We only keep 1% of what we buy. 1 freakn' tiny percent. Stuff is made to be useless. We complain about the quality of products not being what they should, but hm... are they not designed for us to discard them right quick? Is that what is happening? So while it might be late in the game this year it isn't for 2008. My resolution for the new year is not just going to be fighting the urge to smoke but also to just consume less. To buy less. Save more. Anyone else want to join me? Anyone else want to get off the roller coaster of consuming just for the sake of consuming?

I've been SBUX sober for over two months now and while the shakes and urges can be pretty damn strong it's just one less thing I'm consuming.