I have been known to state a version of the of the Oscar Wilde quote to my children when they are asking for some unnecessary item, that they appear to know the price of everything but the value of nothing.
------------- Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
I will buy what I need with the occasional treat. OK the kids have just got tablets for Christmas, but that was because I got a bundle deal, and if it gives me five minutes peace without them fighting it is worth it.
They most definately do not have designer clothes - altough Alice now has a Juicy tracksuit (or whatever the latest term for them is) as we were passed a bundle of clothes from a lovely neighbour whose granddaugher had outgrown them - no I am not to proud to accept handme down clothes - they are great.
My clothes have to be practical. OK I did buy myself a new best coat last week - it is a lovely long black fur (fake) one. A local charity shop has been donated several and I couldn't resist when I happened to be in when the latest box came, and we were looking through them.
Pip want's a Macbook, because he is interested in graphics and video so I have said that he must save up, and not waste any money that he may get for things like Christmas and Birthdays.
Alice is going to a big Scout camp next August and I have told her that she must save up for her spending money.
Both will be helping with car boot/table sales.
So many kids would be better off with a game os Snakes and Ladders and have their parents spend a few hours playing with them than all the latest gadgets and no quality time.
Quote: Originally posted by millermicm on 10/12/2013
We see it on her too. The must have new car, the must have new caravan, tent, cookers etc.
I'd best stop posting then, awaiting new van being built this week, car is just a year old and the cooker is barely 5 years old.
I earned the money when working and paid large amounts into a pension and now enjoy the fruits borne from labour, I'll spend it on what I want when I want without an great conscience.
I don't think I'm a deal different to many other people. I always negotiate deals and try to get value for my hard-earned cash.
I don't believe I'm materialistic at all.
'd best stop posting then, awaiting new van being built this week, car is just a year old and the cooker is barely 5 years old.
I earned the money when working and paid large amounts into a pension and now enjoy the fruits borne from labour, I'll spend it on what I want when I want without an great conscience.
I don't think I'm a deal different to many other people. I always negotiate deals and try to get value for my hard-earned cash.
I don't believe I'm materialistic at all.
No doubt this will provoke responses.
I dont see how you are being materialistic in buying things you will need or that you like.
From the article:
" The two varieties of materialism that have this (negative) effect – using possessions as a yardstick of success, and seeking happiness through acquisition
Materialism forces us into comparison with the possessions of others, a race both cruelly illustrated and crudely propelled by that toxic website. There is no end to it. If you have four Rolexes while another has five, you are a Rolex short of contentment. The material pursuit of self-esteem reduces your self-esteem."
------------- John
May/June.....France
Aug.......somewhere else in France
We were adequately comfy sleeping on our run of the mill 5cm SIMS (on camp beds), but couldn't resist topping them of with the tenner-apiece Aldi ones, to double them up. Even comfier, and no need to "upgrade" (other than the fact we were carrying/using 4 SIMS for two of us!)
Now, having seen a couple of folk on here, waxing lyrical about the Exped mega mats, we looked at them, decided they weren't quite suitable for camp beds, and went for the next best thing... The Exped Comfort SIM 10's.... Over £220 for a pair of SIMS we didn't actually need!
Still, we now have something to unwrap on xmas morning! (And for one of us, at least, it's a surprise!!!)
I see materialism most days doing the school run.One very blatent person who loved to let everyone know about her latest purchase has just discovered they dont sell cancer cures in the shops and shes gone off the radar.
Very sad tbh as she could probably do wth the support.
You cant buy health and happiness only quick fixes that dont last long.
Ive seen others sneer at our house as im doing it up bit by bit as we can afford it rather than borrow to do it.We have loads of equity and wont be long before we are mortgage free because we take this approach.Others around us have houses that look the biz but have long mortgages.Ours will be worth more and mortgage free in a few years but for them its all about appearances.
A lot of our close friends are like us though so its no big deal.They get it that we use buses instead of the car and why my wife is always trawling through charity shops for bargains.
Its only now many are feeling the pinch financially that our camping holidays dont seem so silly to them.Only the other day i spoke to a lad in my sons class about the 3k holiday he had been on and he couldnt remember anything about it.
I tried not to laugh when he said he wanted to come camping with us as my son had told him about the rope swings over the river !
Sure if you can afford to buy what you want then why not if thats your thing, but buying to fill a void inside your soul never works longterm.
I embrace the French attitude, they can't understand why we get rid of perfectly good things (perhaps at car boot sales) and then have to buy others to replace them.
And when you see their houses, the outsides at least, you can see they have no oneupmanship there. You can tell the villages with Brit owners, the houses are all done up and pristine.
I seen quite a bit of it in my last job. Young couples earning good salaries. Had no children but still had 4 bedroom new build house, both having expensive cars and 2 -3 holidays abroad a year.
Now there is nothing wrong with that if you can afford it but the same couples were always complaining of being skint and sniffing about at break time for any spare sandwiches from those of us who had a packed lunch and got our priorities right also living within our means.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
"People were created to be loved
Things were created to be used
The reason the world is in CHAOS
is because
Things are being loved and people are being used"
Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 10/12/2013
Yep interesting read that article, people are often aghast when I tell them that my TV is of the old CRT style, I will replace it when it fails.
Ha ha. Try telling people you don't have TV of any type. They look at you like you've spouted antlers.
Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 12/12/2013
From a forum on another website:
"People were created to be loved
Things were created to be used
The reason the world is in CHAOS
is because
Things are being loved and people are being used"
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Materialism - keep on buying!
I bought my car in 1997 and love it still the old wreck lol
same here!
