Why Does Everything Revolve Around Money?

This is the way I see economic materialism (plain and simple) …

You come into this world with nothing and when you die guess what … you also have nothing! I know it sounds kind of depressing (actually, really depressing) but it is not, if you think about it. Chew on this for a second: material possessions are ok, but they will always just be things (nothing more, nothing less). You’ll forget about them when they’re long and gone, but you can’t say the same about your friends and family (who’ll help you make the lasting memories). Now what if you only had six months to live? Would you still care about these trivial things, which the advertisers and marketers say that you MUST have? Yea, probably not! I know that it’s pretty fun to buy nice things, but I also know that this stuff can get lost, stolen or ruined (or just plain forgotten about in the back of your closet or garage)!

Do you know what? I’m at my happiest when money doesn’t even enter into the equation. Sure, I sometimes enjoy material things but never do I take it to extremes. I have more than what I need to live comfortable right now in my life, and at the present I am living well below my means (btw: I have no debt whatsoever and plenty of money in my accounts). Ok, I do have a really sweet Philadelphia Sports Memorabilia collection, which means a lot to me. However, most of this stuff was given to me by my family and friends on my birthdays and for Christmases. Do you see how the equation works now (stuff + gifts from loved ones = cherished. As opposed to: stuff + credit cards and empty wallets = sadness)?

Aren’t we all just a little too materialistic? I guess so … if you put it that way (blame the media for starters). Does that mean we are all destined to be unhappy? Not really! Do I want to make more money, you ask? HELLS to the YES! But what makes me rise above economic materialism is that I have very specific goals in mind for my family’s future. I want to be independently wealthy enough to be able to quit a future job that I’m not happy with. I want to be able to pay for my children’s college, and maybe even own a bigger home down the road. I also want to be able to drive a car without worrying that it’ll break down all the time. These are all honest goals, and did you notice that I didn’t once mention any trips to the mall, or the phrase “brand new”?

So yes, to be 100% honest with you, I’m a bit materialistic. However, I’m also very realistic. I know that money cannot, or never will be able to buy you happiness in and of itself, but it sure doesn’t hurt to have some in case of an emergency. Get this people: being poor doesn’t mean you are unhappy, despite what the media is trying to burn into your brains. One could even argue that those who try to rise above their current social status may become even more depressed, because it’ll always be an uphill, fighting-tooth-and-nail struggle to get out their prior circumstances, which will only lead to wanting the best clothes, cars and homes that their parents could have never afforded!

So maybe there is some truth in the coined phrase “materialism breeds unhappiness”. And maybe people are becoming more and more miserable due to their “spending just for the sake of spending” rituals (look at the millions of people riddled with debt in this country). Or take all the rich and famous people (when they’re away from the spotlight, of course) who can spend money like water and never run out — do you think they’re really happy? Yea, you’re right … probably not! Now after all this money talk, isn’t it pretty clear to see that we all should at least slow down on the buying unnecessary objects (that never make us truly happy anyways)?

My friend, happiness truly stems from within and once you realize this fact you’ll be much better off in life. Plus, your home will be that much less cluttered as well!