This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Questioning materialism in a materialistic society
More is what we’re taught to desire. We aren’t taught to question our desires but to buy on autopilot without considering the financial, mental, and physical consequences.
When was the last time you had the urge to buy something but put it back and made yourself wait days to weeks before deciding to initiate the purchase – no matter how big or small?
Most people don’t know how to implement self-discipline with their money, so they frequently buy without consideration.
The One Inevitable Thing As You Gain More Money
As you accumulate wealth, there is usually one constant: acquisition.
There is no hiding the fact that most people acquire more things as they acquire more money. It’s an unquestionable habit; it almost seems innate. We don’t even think about it because before we get more money, we’re already considering what we will buy when we get it.
The acquisition of things is fine, but when we acquire without a second to think about the purchase, we become mindless spenders. What ends up happening when you’re a mindless spender?
A Couple Of Things:
You save less.
You run up large bills of debt.
You accumulate an abundance of material things.
You experience less physical freedom due to all of the stuff you own.
All these things don’t occur for everyone, but I’m sure people can relate to at least one of the items on this list.
I Could Buy That, But Why?
Whether you have more disposable resources or fewer, there are things we can buy at will that are nice-to-haves. The question concerns whether we should make the purchase or hold off.
There are many things I can buy today, just as there are many things you could buy today. But should we?
Most of our purchases outside of our basic needs are superfluous. We don’t need them now, nor will we ever need them.
What To Do For Your Next Purchase
The next time you consider buying a car, a house, a new gadget, a new phone, a new computer, a new gaming system, a new closet, new furniture, new decor for the house, a vacation, new fashion, or whatever you fancy, ask yourself:
Why am I buying this, and what do I hope to accomplish with the purchase?
If your answer to this question is meaningful and makes sense, proceed. But if your answer to this question is filled with vanity and lack of purpose, then halt.
If your answer suggests you should proceed forward, there is one final question you should ask yourself:
How will this purchase affect my financial situation? Avoid making purchases that hurt you financially.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.