View Full Version : The true cost of stuff
Trailbender
10-23-2010, 12:02
I thought this was an interesting read.
http://mnmlist.com/the-true-cost-of-stuff/
kayak karl
10-23-2010, 12:13
QUOTE "There is no way to calculate the true cost of stuff, as it’s way too complicated to put numbers on."
been married 3 times, i got numbers:D
4eyedbuzzard
10-23-2010, 13:14
or, if you prefer a better story to go with such a philosophy - Walden (http://thoreau.eserver.org/walden00.html)
Trailbender
10-23-2010, 13:30
Either way, you are starting to hear of more frugality, people saving money, recycling, "going green". People are getting sick of the mindless consumerism. By now, most people have realized it is not making them happy, but a slave. I think minimalism, or at least more controlled consumption may begin to take hold. Maybe not, and we can sit here and watch this country destroy itself in an orgy of gluttony.
4eyedbuzzard
10-23-2010, 13:41
Honestly, I could put the few possessions I really desire AND need in the back of my car and bug-out tommorrow - some clothes, hiking gear, golf gear, fishing gear, etc. But, there just isn't any point in doing so right now - and the dogs would be po'ed. Maybe in a few years when I retire. I'd like to see the RE market come back a bit, sell off most everything, and live like a wealthy homeless person for a while. We did that for 4 months when the kids were little - sold the house, moved, and lived in the camper for a whole summer with no home. But as the school year approached we bought a house and settled in. Ah, yes, freedom.
Trailbender
10-23-2010, 14:11
Yeah, before I even did a thru, I realized freedom came from owning less, not more.
restless
10-23-2010, 15:27
Either way, you are starting to hear of more frugality, people saving money, recycling, "going green". People are getting sick of the mindless consumerism. By now, most people have realized it is not making them happy, but a slave. I think minimalism, or at least more controlled consumption may begin to take hold. Maybe not, and we can sit here and watch this country destroy itself in an orgy of gluttony.
Recycling? My idea of recycling is throwing my empy beer can out the window of my pickup truck while driving down a forest road. And I really don't want to watch our country destroy itself in an orgy of gluttony. I'd much rather be an active participant.:D
Either way, you are starting to hear of more frugality, people saving money, recycling, "going green".
A lot of people are actually buying more now. The "green movement" is nothing more than consumerism.
George Carlin on Stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac
Text version of the above video (After clicking link scroll down the page):
http://www.writers-free-reference.com/funny/story085.htm
Either way, you are starting to hear of more frugality, people saving money, recycling, "going green". People are getting sick of the mindless consumerism. By now, most people have realized it is not making them happy, but a slave. I think minimalism, or at least more controlled consumption may begin to take hold. Maybe not, and we can sit here and watch this country destroy itself in an orgy of gluttony.I believe this couple are among the people you are describing who have discovered that less can mean alot more:http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110275/but-will-it-make-you-happy
Jonnycat
10-23-2010, 20:45
I own a lot of tools, which extend my ability to create things. I am absolutely unapologetic about my belongings, as they facilitate my ability to engage in the various behaviors which give me pleasure.
I have a car so I can go hiking whenever I want to. Skiing, too.
I have a bicycle that I can ride whenever I want to.
I have a stove to cook myself delicious food, and a comfortable chair upon which to sil my ass while I consume the food.
I have a large bed, and a goose down comforter to keep me warm at night.
I have many more things, all of which I am thankful for, none of which are a burden to me.
Trailbender
10-23-2010, 21:16
I own a lot of tools, which extend my ability to create things. I am absolutely unapologetic about my belongings, as they facilitate my ability to engage in the various behaviors which give me pleasure.
I have a car so I can go hiking whenever I want to. Skiing, too.
I have a bicycle that I can ride whenever I want to.
I have a stove to cook myself delicious food, and a comfortable chair upon which to sil my ass while I consume the food.
I have a large bed, and a goose down comforter to keep me warm at night.
I have many more things, all of which I am thankful for, none of which are a burden to me.
I was referring more to people that just buy stuff to have things that they think will make them happy. Someone can have a ton of stuff and not be materialistic.