How Being Materialistic Can Actually Make You Happy

I really loved my BMW!!!!

I had to get rid of my 7-series for financial reasons. I hate to admit it, but that car made me happy. I loved the reaction I would get when people saw me getting into it, especially people I went to highschool with who were way cooler than I thought I could ever be. The looks on their faces when I drove off in that car was priceless!! I guess I am/was a greedy selfish person.

Megan Colas of FL @ Sep 21, 2009 08:50:01 AM

A couple of thoughts by Joe

The spending of money or wealth is only a tool. Similar to your box of tools in the garage or your job skills. We just happen to live in a world today where your "job tools" are exchanged for money and this money buys other items created by "job tools" of others who work for that company. I can hardly see any difference between spending on a vacation or a couch in the scheme of one's life. I will draw the line that out of control spending leading to enormous debt is a current social problem. That issue is where this article should have led us. Buy a vacation and a couch if you can afford it! Most adults have a family and extended family to spend time and money.

Joe Pesce of TX @ May 05, 2009 16:27:01 PM

The happiness is in the purchase...

Maybe material possessions can't buy happiness. I feel as if it's the purchase that makes everything worthwhile. It's the feeling of achievement you get when you save up for something for a long period of time and then eventually make that purchase. So, maybe it's not how many items that make you happy, but how many expensive items that make you happy. This leaves us with something to think about.

Ross M. of IN @ May 05, 2009 09:11:23 AM

I won't think of my car when I am facing death

Until I truly became happy I got that HIGH from shopping. I finally learned to curb my spending by returning many of the items I bought. That worked for awhile, but it was years later (I believe when I finally matured) that I stopped looking outside of myself to find happiness. I started helping others...first taking care of a sick parent, then donating food to pantries, later donating winter coats and blankets to the homeless, sending checks to a charity in Appalachia, and now doing those things plus working as a Eucharistic minister in a nursing home where the elderly are often so lonely. I also became very involved in my children's sports and activities (being the team soccer mom, etc). I seldom shop these days and when I do it's usally on-line for items I really need (shoes to replace wornout ones, etc). Material items are "stuff." In the big scheme of life they are not what matters. I doubt anybody thinks about their fancy cars and vacations when they are facing death. Too many people worship "stuff" and not enough use their fiscal wealth to help others in need. It's a sad commentary about our greedy, selfish society.

FLNonny of FL @ May 05, 2009 08:48:10 AM