If you like beer and have ever dreamed of the ultimate freebie a sign that reads “FREE BEER TOMORROW’ may have caught your attention. You realize the momentary joy that quickly vanishes when the reality of the futility hits you and your hopes are dashed. It is a case of a clever tavern owner capturing your attention if only for a moment. When I saw the sign for the umpteenth time the other day I thought about how futile it is to chase an ever moving target.
The sad thing is that same “tomorrow” is exactly what our quest for materialism has become. We buy the newest and the best thingamagiggy only to find that a newer and better thingamagiggy is available the next week. The promise of “FREE BEER TOMORROW” never comes nor does contentment if all you want is the newest, the best or the biggest. Somewhat more perplexing is the quest for “the most expensive”. Yes, some people I have known have actually bragged about purchasing the most expensive thingamagiggy.
As we gain income wants replace needs as the criteria for purchasing goods and services. We all want a better life. This is good and natural but please don’t get so caught up in your quest for a better life that you are blinded by the hope of ever getting everything you want. You won’t. Such a quest can only leave to empty frustration. There is always more, always something better or new and improved.
If getting the new thingamagiggy doesn’t cause enough angst we have the ever frustrating race to get ‘more’ or “the most”. It is the American dream to have more .More than your friends, more than your coworkers, more than your neighbors and certainly much more than you rivals. This endless obsession is unsustainable and fulfilling. We all need to be able to identify the point of enough.
You have all seen this type of affliction. Maybe it has even infected you. It did me for a brief time until I realized who I was and that I was not that person. If you cannot sense what is enough or must have the newest and the best I hope you are prepared for disappointment. I hope you will look within to find purpose. I hope you will learn more about yourself and how you relate to the totality of our economic circumstances. My belief is that we all must question a culture that puts such a high priority on conspicuous consumption.
It is my hope and desire to help all of us identify what is “really Important” to each of us and build a life around that. It may take an examination of our collective selves and that is what this place is all about. I want to help build a community both online and offline, where we can all support each other in pursuit of prosperity. Where we can share ideas on ways to save, grow and prosper. Hopefully we can reshape our collective thinking to create a positive environment for all.
Your comments and suggestions can be of great value to all. Please share any ideas you have that can be of benefit to others on how to save, spend, invest and most important how to enjoy life in the process.