Skip to main content

Is more really merrier?

I like Christmas, but it's a little bit ruined by advertising that keeps telling us to spend more.

This is one of the bluntest - it straight out says that the path to happiness is spending.


Of course, more accurate (but less grammatical) slogans would be:
  • the more the stressier
  • the more the costlier
  • the more the debtier
  • the more the exhaustinger (from shopping)
  • the more the wastier (of food and unwanted gifts)

But of course it's not the shops' job to tell the truth. Their job is selling.

Perhaps it's our job to realise that it's nonsense and to focus on what really makes Christmas merry.

If you'd like your Christmas to be more about love and giving than about shopping and credit cards, why not grab my free Christmas Resource. It's got 5 websites to help your Christmas have less stuff and more joy. Have yourself a merry little Christmas.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Latte Factor

For the first time ever I'm reviewing a novel. Latte Factor is a short story  - around 120 pages - and is equal parts of inspirational story and financial education. The combination of the two is quite rare, and done quite nicely. The story is about Zoey Daniels, associate editor for a travel magazine. Although she's never been outside the USA  - "a travel editor who's never travelled". She struggles with money and is considering a higher-paying job at the company her friend Jessica works for. The job would provide more income, but would also be more stressful and demanding. She already has a nightmare about being on an increasingly-fast treadmill that she struggles to stay on. Her current boss Barbara - aware only of the money situation - suggests she talk to Henry at the coffee shop. This peculiar suggestion is where Zoey's life begins to turn a corner. Spoiler Alert Being a book of fiction, I don't want to spoil the story for you. It's a book you ca...

Dollars and Sense

Dan Ariely is an expert on human psychology and decisions. His book  Dollars and Sense is focussed on how to avoid "money mishaps" . That can include paying too much for something; buying something that doesn't provide value; or in some cases not buying something that we really should buy. We can be better spenders of money by avoiding money mishaps. We can get more value for our money - or get the same value for less money. So what are the mishaps? Here are some highlights. Opportunity Cost This is the idea of thinking about what else we could do with money - and whether that's better value.  In one experiment, people were given the option of (A) a $1000 stereo or (B) a $700 stereo and $300 cash. People chose option A. Then people where given the option of (A) a $1000 stereo or (B) a $700 stereo and $300 worth of music. Now they chose option B. In the first choice, people gave up the $300 because they wanted the more expensive stereo. But when forced to think of some...

Minimalism Documentary - for FREE online

 The Minimalists' first documentary - "Minimalism" is now available to stream for free. If you'd like to know more, check out my original review of the movie. Otherwise, kick back and enjoy the movie...