Do You Suffer From Affluenza?
Af-flu-en-za n. 1. The bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses. 2. An epidemic of stress, overwork, waste and indebtedness caused by dogged pursuit of the American Dream. 3. An unsustainable addiction to economic growth.
Below is a brief and somewhat comical soap opera-ish video on this disease.
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In a poll released last week (there’s a poll and study for everything, which I find to be a waste of money, but then we’d have no numbers) it showed that because of debt “23 percent of people had severe depression, 51 percent had muscle tension and 27 percent had ulcers or digestive tract problems”. Debt not only affects people financially, but also physically.
I will admit, it’s not easy delaying pleasure when it comes to spending money and buying stuff. I love nice things, I want nice things, I feel I deserve nice things, but I’m not willing to go into debt (any more) to get them. Not wanting to continue making payments on stuff for the rest of my life keeps my Affluenza bug under control. How do you go about keeping your life simple or have you been bitten? Has debt caused you any health (loss of sleep) problems? If so, what do you plan to do about it?
Hi Natural,
In years past I had the “bug”. Not so much to live up to the Joneses, but because I felt I deserved pretty things, and I was impatient.
Now the bug is almost gone. I love living more simply and only buy things I can afford.
Besides, no one really cares what we have anyway.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Most Bloggers Are Quitters - Are You
I’ve never been a big fan of trying to keep up with everyone else. Different things make different people happy. I’m a simple guy, more times than not, I like the simple things.
As far as debt causing sleep problems, I can say that I’ve been down that road. But only because of trying to find a way to pay for school, not because I’m living in an apartment I can’t afford. *shrugs* Ah well. Tis life.
TOPolks last blog post..Sunday Night Selections
This is funny in a sad sort of way.
I don’t like stuff. I hate clutter. Whenever I want something, I envision the space it will take and the clutter it will add. More often than not, I don’t want it anymore.
Vereds last blog post..Best Shot Monday: Would You Put THIS In Your Front Yard?
I have never been one to try to maintain the same “lifestyle” as those around me… however, I do love having nice and new shiny things. As I get older I have figured out new and improved ways to get those things without causing my husband and I to live in cardboard box.
I think I’m pretty simple. I would rather have quality over quantity. What I’ve always spent tons of money on is books, seminars, and online courses. I love learning new things. I do know people who have affluenza though, in fact, I know a lot of people who have affluenza. I wonder if they’ll be coming up with a vaccine soon
Marelisas last blog post..A Guide for Creating New Habits
it’s a struggle sometimes keeping thinggs simple but it’s worth the effort…:)
Confuseds last blog post..Almost
I’m glad to say that we don’t have the “bug”. Unfortunately because of loss of jobs and diminished income, we’ve incurred some debts. The good news is that we are chipping away. Slowly but surely and always steady.
chriss last blog post..Difference Between School and Work
I have to say that even though it’s appropriate, it kinda bugged me that the production quality of Affluenza was so cheap-looking. I get the bug now and then (mostly for clothes and books), but I think I was born cheap.
What’s kept me afloat is my need to be different from everyone. “What? You think it’s cool to spend money? Then I’m going to spend as little money as possible! Take that!” (Another bad soap opera-ish dramatization for you there…)
Saras last blog post..The Lost Art of Doing Nothing
Somebody told me the Joneses were broke Barbara. It’s hard not to be affected by wanting stuff, especially when ads are constantly in front of you.
TOPolk, I hear ya on the school thing, that’s an almost necessity. At least you will have something to show for your debt other than things that sit around lose their value.
Vered, yeah funny sad is right. I like stuff, but I hate clutter, so when I need to buy something, I toss out something I haven’t used or give it away.
Monique, hey there! You know what’s interesting about people maintaining lifestyles and people trying to keep up with them, they only show you what’s good. We don’t know how they got that stuff or how or if they are paying for it. I know people that have nice things and have a hard time paying for them. Is this cardboard box mortgage/rent free?
Marelisa quality over quantity is always something to think about when buying, I too love to buy books and magazines…I try to keep that to a minimum by going to the library or finding a way to get it free, to me.
Confused, in the long run, I think it is. It’s a huge struggle, but the payoff in a few years is sweet.
Chris, I’ve been there. It’s easy to incur debt, one accident, medical problem, loss of job or divorce can flip our world upside down. Sometimes, it’s not easy to prepare for this stuff, but the what if’s in life need to be anticipated. Slowly but steady is the way to go!
Sara, I had a chuckle over the clip. It was a PBS show I believe that operates on donations. I too am like you when it comes to clothes and books, I could easily lose my mind, so I don’t go window shopping a lot to tempt me.
Naturals last blog post..Do You Suffer From Affluenza?
We were never able to keep up with the Jones, or anyone else for that matter when we were young. We did what we could and continued to put money into savings and my husband slaved away at 2 careers. We did with what we could afford and no more. We retired in our early and mid 50’s and retired well (much better than we lived). It’s possible to have it all during a lifetime, just not all at once (for most people).
I’m in a holding pattern reward myself only when I can afford to in small lasting ways- new plant in garden- new stationery things I see often-Mind over mattter mostly..discipline- diversion with lots of projects that are self fulfilling and fun..sk
sandys last blog post..
You got a very informative post. I will remind myself of the “bug” the next time I buy those cute and shiny things I am addicted with.
What you have written is all true. Debt does not only affect our lives but also affects our health and social lives. It can make cripple our self esteem.
Love Lots!
Metropolismom
Metropolismoms last blog post..Overcoming Resistance With Play
I love to buy little things that don’t cost a lot but my husband wants to wait until he can get exactly what he wants. After 5 years of marriage and one beautiful baby, we have finally settled down enough to buy a nice dining room set to showcase all of those wedding presents ( I sure hope they are not broken!).
The price tag on the new furniture almost gagged me but I think it will be worth it- I’m learning to wait for the good things in life.
Louises last blog post..Grilled Lobster and Summer Vegetables with Spicy Herbed Butter
Hi Natural,
I love your questions:) My wise father taught me by example not to feel entitled to lots of stuff. My father has plenty of money, very prestigious job. But if you met him, you’d NEVER know it. He loves his job, and that’s the reason he does it. Everyone he works with owns 2-3 homes, drive luxury cars, and so on. My father drives a Subaru (why?? don’t know, could have chosen a Honda, but whatever) and lives in a townhouse. He never brags, and he couldn’t care less about things he has or things other people have. Only if they are kind, honest, and fun.
I have learned soooo much from his example. Some people who know my dad feel sorry for him for not living it up. But I know better. He is the freest, happiest person I know, though he has very few things.
I do my best to follow his example.
Holly Kays last blog post..I Am Wearing My Husband’s Underwear
I used to have the bug..but now I’m totally cured!
Thanks for visitng my blog Natural
I know this sounds a bit weird, but I’ve had to learn to SPEND money rather than not spend it. I’m better at spending it now, but I’m a bit like Vered - I don’t really want the “stuff” hanging around.
MamaFlo, I wanna be you when I grow up. Retirement mid 50’s? You both did something right. I don’t understand trying to keep up, for what?
We should reward ourselves Sandy, we work hard, we deserve something, but not to the point of over indulging.
Thanks Metropolismom. Most of us get bitten by the “bug”, it’s fun to buy things, but “Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences” - Robert Louis Stevenson
Welcome Louise! Enjoy your furniture! I always think about if I’m going to have to dust something when it comes to little things and furniture. Your hubby has great discipline.
Holly Kay, thanks and welcome to my blog. I always say you can tell the wealthy people from the wannabes. The wannabes show you everything they have, with some wealthy people you have to hear it through the grapevine that they are rich. Your father reads like a great dad.
You’re wearing your husband’s what? I’ll be right back….oh now I know why. Hey, whatever works.
No More Spending, keep up the great work. From reading your blog, you sound like you’re on your way to reaching your goal. Btw, what cured you? Thanks for stopping by.
Robin, I can help you with that. :)I hear ya on having stuff around, especially if it’s just sitting there unused. I never had the problem of learning how to spend money, that came, well naturally.
Naturals last blog post..Do You Suffer From Affluenza?
I am terrified of winding up broke. And that’s probably just how I would wind up, if my husband weren’t so careful. We always pay off our credit cards, never buy on installment, never overreach our budget. I love to spend, but I’m more afraid of debt.
JD at I Do Thingss last blog post..I Eat (some of the) Lucky Charms so you don’t have to
JD, that’s a healthy fear to me, a protection. Debt and making payments suck.
I could care LESS about keeping up with the Jones. or anyone really.
But, money stress can and does make me physically sick from time to time.
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..I AM HOME
meleah rebeccah, I hear ya on that one, not if I have to pay for it.
it can make you sick, keep you up at night, turn your hair gray. i had a money dream last night about a 300$ car repair. my dreams, well some of them, are not for entertainment purposes…it’s a freaking warning of something to come….i remember getting upset and worrying in my dream. could just be a reminder that i need an oil change.
Valerie,
If you ask my husband, he will tell you that I am the least bit interested in keeping up with anyone. I don’t care who has a new car, a new house, a big new job, or just won the lottery. I just don’t care.
As long as I’m free to buy good food, good books, and good music, watch some of my favourite shows and write, write, write, I’m happy as a pig in poop.
Even as a young adult, while other girls were gaga over new wheels, or flashy suits, I just rolled my eyes. I always went for the poor musician types.
Kat
Poetikat’s last blog post..Here I go again!
I hear ya Kat. People show you the nice stuff they have but they sure as heck don’t show you the payments and sleepless nights over bills. Even if they can pay for it easily, I still don’t care..it’s nice to have, but none of that can save your life.
I feel like you do..don’t care about the car or the suit, but the man inside both.