Need, greed and economy oversimplified

I’m not really a big fan of shopping. I’m likely to consider a shopping day without a specific purpose more of a waste of time than a treat, though if it’s in a secondhand store I’ll make exceptions.

I don’t mind shopping for necessities, but why do I find myself at the check out counter with some “I-could-live-without” items?  

I like to think I buy necessities. Looking around at what we’ve accumulated during nearly 38 years of marriage, though, I realize more than a few times I’ve strayed from buying only necessities. Sure, a few items are gifts; a few were passed down as freebies, but still I can spot a few “that-would-be-fun-to-have” items that took my change, too. 

I suspect I’m guilty of interchanging my “needs” and “wants” more often than is really necessary.

Thankfully, both Paul and I don’t make purchases unless we have the actual money available. We don’t want debt. We avoid paying interest on credit cards. 

I envision a burn barrel waiting for interest money. I’ll donate to good causes, but a burn barrel doesn’t make my list. I’m so ancient I also think synonyms for “burn barrel spending” or visuals for money going up in smoke includes lotto tickets, slot machines and cigarettes.

Working in public health verified that smokers could have purchased houses or cars or college educations with what went up in smoke while also compromising health.

Most of us have wasted money, but hopefully not the lessons learned along the way.

We gradually learned to avoid hasty decisions on big ticket items. If the deal’s only good for today, we probably won’t want it tomorrow. Distance from lessons makes some lessons humorous, but we’re glad they’re behind us.

Many of us like the smell of new, but good used can prevent going into debt. 

Marketing 101 urges sellers to meet our need or appeal to our greed. Why do hard sells when we’re embodying need and greed? 

Look around at purchases in our homes, our garage or around “the place”. By mentally labeling those purchases with either “need” or “greed” stickers, we can trace our buying habits.

Admittedly, some purchases resist falling into those two categories. Maybe like me, we claim we bought a few items because they were such good bargains.

Who doesn’t love bargains? Whether we’re purchasing items, or eating out on a two-for-one meal deal, bargains entice many of us.

Is it wisdom or greed that makes us like bargains, and does it matter?

I’ve been wondering if bargains actually threaten our economy.

If we Americans didn’t like thinking we’re good at bargain hunting, would our economy be stronger? How many jobs would have stayed in the US if we had been willing to pay the full price for work by fellow-Americans? Are big-ticket items inflated because we intend to bargain with the seller? Why do “bargain stores” do big business, while independent, one-of-a-kind stores, merchants and craftspeople struggle to stay open? Which prices most closely reflect the cost of creating items here at home with enough profit left over to stay in business?

Some can’t sell houses, cars, crafts, or other goods unless the buyer has to sell at cost or a loss. Can employers keep workers at a fair wage if we’re all bargain hunting?

It’s probably oversimplified thinking, but I’m wondering how much my/our pleasure in bargain hunting ends up threatening our independence and the stability of our capitalistic nation.