What is it that drives people to buy really expensive items, especially when they can’t afford it?

Why do people take on massive amounts of debt to buy a brand new $50,000 car, when a second hand $5,000 car would suffice?

Sure, there are a small number of people that are truly passionate about cars. But I see hundreds of expensive cars on the road every single day. Surely car enthusiasts don’t make up the majority of the population where I live. Furthermore, is debt really the way to fund a hobby?

The same is true of not only cars, but many other items – designer clothing, jewellery, smart devices. This stuff is very expensive and yet I see it seemingly everywhere. I don’t think the world is filled with people that are truly passionate about fashion and designer labels. I also know from speaking to people that own the latest IPhones and Galaxy phones, that they don’t know the first thing about technology.

What are all these people doing spending all this money on stuff they don’t really care about?

I’ll tell you what – we are all so busy trying to impress each other, trying to keep up with the Jones and trying to gain external validation, that it is sending us broke.

We are living like we are rich and it is sending us broke.

I don’t have children myself, but I hear anecdotally that the fear of missing out greatly intensifies when children are involved!

People are going to argue with me. No one wants to believe that they act irrationally. Nor do they want to believe that they base their self esteem on the validation of others. Some really have convinced themselves that the Ralph Lauren Polo that they bought for $129, was because it’s a good quality top. It definitely had nothing to do with the little horse on the front advertising to the world that you’re a rich and classy guy who can afford to buy a genuine Polo. Nor will they accept rational arguments about buying quality products for less.

Have we all gone bonkers? Since when did appearing rich become more important than actually building wealth?

However here’s the kicker. Though you are seeking validation from external sources, you will never really get it. You will never prop up your self esteem from trying to impress others. The only way to really feel good about yourself is within yourself. It comes from self improvement and self confidence.

Additionally, I find that most people you are trying to impress don’t actually care about your car or your phone. Everyone is far too busy trying to gain validation themselves to even notice. So it really is all in our own head. It’s also quite humbling to realise that most people don’t really care about how you are doing financially.

Always needing to drive a nice car, have overtly branded clothing and the latest gadgets will guarantee you a life of poverty.

On the other hand, learning to be content with what you have and not caring about what others think of you will truly fill you with confidence and happiness. You’ll be forced to consider the things you really care about in life and spend your time on those things.

I have got to the point where I would actually be embarrassed to drive around in an expensive car. To me, driving around in an expensive car signals someone who is careless with their cash. It is funny but now I take a great deal of pride driving around in my cheap, second hand Yaris.

My frugal lifestyle brings me a high level of contentment actually. Every time I make a good financial decision I become a little more gratified.

There also comes a point where you just say no to those multiple times per day coffee invites at work. The first one can feel a bit awkward, but after a while your colleagues just learn to expect it from you.

They don’t actually care either. They just want their own coffee fix and are being polite in the process.

So sit back, put your feet up, sip on your cup of instant coffee and be a little smug that you are working toward a future of Financial Independence. The only person you need to impress is yourself.

Shuffling to better myself.

Pat the Shuffler

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