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24 signs that you're a mega-consumer

Posted Apr 14 2008, 07:35 PM by Karen Datko
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Do you automatically think that "budget" is the name of a rental-car company? Chances are you have a problem with spending.

A post by Ron at The Wisdom Journal identifies 24 signs to look for to determine if you're a mega-consumer. He said he was inspired to write the post after his kids noticed that someone they know has four yard sales a year and asked, "How much stuff do they have?"

Another sign: "You cannot fit anything else in your garage -- and you don't even have your car in there."

Ron isn't writing about people who have so much money that they never have to worry about how much they spend. He's speaking to those who spend and don't know where that money is coming from.

These are folks who "go to those free time-share weekends and fall for the spiel," have tons of clothes but never have anything to wear, and have already spent their tax rebate check even though it hasn't arrived.

Other signs: "You have HSN and QVC on speed-dial." "You evaluate every purchase in light of its monthly payment, or what your limit is on Visa, or which credit card you're not late on." "Your motto is, I came, I saw, I wanted, I bought."

Comments

 

Panic and worry kills!

What happened to wax paper sandwich bags - glass bottles - walking to the corner market?  Seems we're always jumping in the gasguzzler to drive to a megachain to buy plastic, artificially colored chemicals.    akeem

Hey Easily Annoyed. I agree but how else could they throw in a few more ads  to add more leverage to the article or to entice the mega-consumer to buy MORE!!

American Consumerism has just about reached its' peak.  We've already started to see the results of our financial irresponsibilty in the retail and housing markets.  This downturn should serve as a "detoxing" period for us.  

I recently went to the funeral of a former colleague. The pastor commented on the deceased's contentment in life. She wasn't consumed with material things but rather of giving to and serving others. The pastor made the statement "we come into this world with nothing and we leave this world with nothing." I left the funeral wondering why I spending so much time accumulating and wanting "things" when they soon lose their appeal and luster within such a short time.

     I   AGREE WITH EASILY ANNOYED

SPENDING IS WHAT DRIVES OUR ECONOMY, AS LONG AS YOU CAN MAKE THE PAYMENTS AND ENJOY YOUR TOYS,WHETHER IT BE VACATIONS OR BOATS,CARS,CAMPING OR WHAT EVER I`M NOT SAVING MY MONEY FOR THE NURSING HOMES,THESE TOYS ALSO KEEP ME IN GREAT SHAPE AND WE SHARE WITH KIDS ANS GRAND KIDS

Sorry, but its nobody's fault but the consumer if he/she spends more than they can afford.  We live in an "instant gratification" society that has not learned to live on what they make, that tries to constantly "keep up with the Jone's", and where image is everything.  I'm not talking about those that are actually poor.  I'm talking about people who make $50K or more a year, but spend $100K or more per year on things they don't "need".  I live very comfortably and very well and pay cash for everything.  Long ago, I made out a budget on a spreadsheet and have it made out through the end of the year with known income and fixed expenses.  I know how much I have for "discretionary" spending.  I love my debt-free life!

If I didn't carefully pre-shop (thanks God for the internet) on all items greater than $50 I easily could have racked up at least $30,000 more in expenditures over the last 15 years.

To an extent it's not always how much you make but how you make with it although I'd rather be on the high end looking to scale down then the poor or lower middle who are really getting hurt these days.  Feel for them and will donate more to charity.

If you people are worried about your rebate check of $600.00 you are broke . Your government is not the answer, get off your asses and work. Get off the dole!!!!! Start becoming your own person and direct your own life, stop looking for a hand out. I am so tired of blaming everybody else, look in the mirror, it is not "there fault" it is your decisions that direct your life!!!!

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