We live in a society of excesses where there are no limits. It is the time of uncontrolled consumption. And what can that produce? Without a doubt, people out of control, consuming everything they can, without any planning. At this point, one might ask: Does buying make me happy?
For not many years there has been a commercial maelstrom that invites us to buy everything possible. To the typical Christmas and Three Kings, we must add the longer and more frequent sales every day. When the first ones finish, the second ones begin, then the third ones… and when there has hardly been time to get the word “Sale” out of our heads, they plant others.
Let’s not forget Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day… And with this that we are becoming more and more American, well, we have jumped on the Halloween, Black Friday bandwagon. In short, when to stop this? Can I request a kind of consumer leave or vacation? A time where commercial offers are not peppered and where we are all a little calmer, thinking about living life, and not just buying more and more and more…
The 10 reasons why buying does not make me happy
With this scenario, and with Christmas just around the corner, we wanted to talk to a financial coach, so that he could explain to us if buying really makes me, you and everyone around us happy.
1. I don’t need to have so many things to be happy
I know many people who have closets full of clothes that they never wear. Who pays the gym fee where he never goes? And he has the shelves full of books that he never reads. The list can be extended to eternity, I even know a person who has 3 bicycles, one for road, one for mountain and one stationary, but never uses them. In fact, he is seriously overweight. What did you buy them for? What do you have them for? What are you going to do about it? Do I really need everything I have?
2. I have to live my life, not that of others
Many people get carried away by fashions. Not one is lost. But why do you do it? Because you really like it? Or because others do it and he gets carried away? My life is mine and only mine. I am the sole captain of my ship. And each person is the captain of their own ship. He lives your life and let others live theirs. He buys what you want, not what others want. Are you a unique and responsible human being or are you a simple sheep that follows the herd?
3. Happiness is not measured by what I have, but by what I live every day
Do you think that your value as a person is the sum of the value of all your assets? If so, I ask you to please reflect, my friend. Owning many properties can help you feel better and can give you some financial peace of mind. That’s clear. But that alone will not make you happy. Think that there are many millionaires who are tremendously unhappy.
Goods, among which I include money, in themselves, do not bring happiness. They help, obviously, but they don’t guarantee happiness. I don’t want you to give up your property. I also don’t want to ask you to get rid of them. I simply ask you to also see the non-material side of life. Happiness can be the house you have on the beach, the money you have in the bank, the car you have at the door. Yes. But if you are alone in life, without family or friends, and you limit yourself to working without enjoying the slightest… Is it worth it? Are you really happy?
4. I don’t need to buy so many things to live and be happy
How many cars do you really need to live? And houses? And clothes? I know a person who buys clothes every week. He acquires huge amounts of clothing such as T-shirts, socks, shirts… His closets are overflowing. It doesn’t fit a pin. And how do you make space? Very easy. The t-shirts he buys this week he wears for 7 days and then… he throws them away!! And buy more. And start again. Worst of all, he looks normal.
The closet is so full that you don’t know what’s in it. You could dress the whole building in those clothes. Do you need it? No, not her, not anyone. What does she get out of that lousy financial habit? Throw money away. Also, spend money on things you don’t need. She is fooling herself. Or not?
5. Buying without control is my financial ruin
Buying is not a leap of faith. To buy something, you need money. And if you use it to buy something, then you won’t have that money. Eye! Not everything is shopping in life. You have to use money efficiently, which includes buying in general, but you also have to think about saving and investing. Think less about spending and think more about saving and investing. Your financial situation will improve. I assure.
6. I’m not justifying my actions to others all day
Obviously you have to fulfill your obligations as a husband, father, worker, taxpayer, etc. It’s clear. But that does not mean that you spend all day acting in front of the shop window, because of what they will say, what they will think. Take care of doing what you think is right at all times, always respecting the law and others, but do it for yourself, not by the people around you. Remember that you are the only captain of your ship. Nobody else. Live your life and let others live theirs. It is the best for everyone.
7. I don’t need to spend money I don’t have on things I don’t need to impress people who don’t care
This wonderful quote is the work of actor Will Smith. It’s honestly amazing. First of all, he says that I don’t need to spend the money that I don’t have. It seems obvious, but many people forget it every day. As? Resorting to debts. And, what is worse, borrowing more to cover previous debts, which is a financial tsunami of unpredictable consequences.
Second, it says that I shouldn’t spend money on things I don’t need, which also seems like a no-brainer. But, of course, who can resist the daily avalanche of commercial offers that we receive 24 hours a day? The key question is: Do I really need all of that? So that? Then he talks about impressing people. And I ask you: Do you need to impress your peers with what you wear, eat, buy? Sure? So that?
To top off this amazing quote, mention the people who don’t care about me. That is to say, I try to impress someone, I do whatever it takes to achieve it, and, on top of that, those people can’t even see me… Does it make sense?
8. Buying only makes me happy in the short term
We have already commented before that money in itself does not bring happiness, although it can help a lot. Being sure that the bank is not going to throw me out of the apartment and that I can feed my children gives me a lot of peace of mind, doesn’t it? But once the basic needs are covered, things change. We take it for granted that I need a mobile phone, both personally and professionally. Another thing is that I use one that is worth €100 or that I need one of €1,000. You will be with me that most people do not need to have the best mobile on the market. So that?
Many people continuously give themselves objects with the excuse of “I deserve it.” Well, that’s probably true. But do I need the most expensive mobile? When I buy it, I surely feel like the happiest person in the world, but how long does that feeling last? Until a new more expensive mobile comes out. And, of course, since I deserve it, I also buy it.
In short, everything I buy because I deserve it makes me happy for a few days, weeks or months, but it usually doesn’t make me happy in the long term. For the simple reason that I am continually looking for something more. I am never fully satisfied. I have to reflect on it to get out of that spiral. I have to answer the question: What makes me really happy?
9. Buying compulsively serves to cover my affective deficiencies
Continuing with the previous example of the mobile, I wonder if I really need to have the most sophisticated on the market, with so many features. Do I need them all? Am I going to use them regularly? Do you know someone who does? Do I buy that super mobile to show off, to make up for my lack of self- esteem, to make others like me…? If so, it is enough for me to tell you one word: STOP! Take a step back and reflect on it. Surely you have experienced a similar situation, both you and someone around you.
10. Buying without control takes me away from reality
There are only two options. The first option is that I live in a world of fantasy and illusion, with the best mobile, the most expensive car, the biggest house, the most exclusive clothes… but not because I need it or I like it, but because my family, my friends, my neighbors, my coworkers and others encourage me to do so. Be careful, they may encourage me directly or, however, it may be that I deceive myself and that I myself see myself in the urgent need to equal or surpass them at all levels.
The second option is that I live in a real world, the only one that exists. Here I have the mobile phone that I want (and need), the car that I need, the house that meets my needs and resources, etc.
