More people need to admit to what consumerism really is; in most cases (if not all) it’s a soulless vacuum.

Also, gloves don’t quite make you stronger, but they make you tougher, which helps you use and improve your strength.

I beg to differ. Products (books) can make me more knowledgeable which can help me act smarter and wiser. Products (tools) can help me leverage my strength. And, as is really being driven home by the book I’m reading, Kingsley Amis’ Lucky Jim, being happier makes it a lot easier to be a better person. And products (good mattresses, warm hats, cocoa powder, etc.) can make me happier.

That said, I do like the new perspective you offer, though for me, I’ll be wording it thus: “Does this purchase indicate a failure and, if so, do I want to find some other way to deal with the failure?” Certainly most of my purchases lately have been indicative of failures (I’ve been eating out a lot when I’d rather be bringing food from home). But in other areas, I’m much happier specializing and getting money. (Looking at other recent purchases, I don’t consider my purchases of water, Netflix rentals or even auto insurance to be indicative of failure, and I consider only part of my purchase of electricity so.)

Thanks for the fun fact.

I live in NH. I think this is the best place in the world to live.

I suggest you visit that particular region during the high tourism seasons. The rampant consumerism at the “outlet” stores in North Conway is very entertaining.

On the other hand, the taxes are low (watch out for the dividend tax that nobody seems to talk about!) lots of outdoor activities, and plenty of interesting ex-pats from Europe (James Turck, et. alia).

Cheers.

We can easily think up similar examples. For example, it is almost a law of boat ownership that the larger the boat is the less likely it is to leave dock. Presumably the owner doesn’t have the time or the energy to go out because he is too busy or tired from working.

The story about the Mexican fisherman explains the problem nicely.

First one that comes to mind is Education. Education has come in handy as my most valuable investment.In fact because I am involved in a tech career education counts as skill too. The other day I figured it at at least 20% per year on the initial outlay and loss of funds during those years.

We (Jacob and I ) also spend money on healthy sports….me kiteboarding and Jacob on hockey and sailing.Its called fun!!

All saving and no fun makes Jack a dull boy. I feel the trick is to build up an investment portfolio to then spend money on the basics but more importantly to spend money for ….fun!

–>> Nice, I like that. I need to work on widening my own margins so I have more money to invest.

My house is paid for, I have no mortgage. I have a 20′ x 40′ garden area this year to grow some low-cost groceries. I get satisfaction from hiking, long bike rides, time at the library, and visits with my family, friends, and neighbors. Life is good…

Jacob, that’s precisely the neck of the woods I want to eventually settle down in. I grew up about a 90 minute drive from where the cottage is. Maybe we could share co-ownership of a modest sailboat?

AlexK definitely is reasonable. There is something to be said about specializing IF you want to work. Making yourself stand out as an expert in your field in the corporate world will get you money if that’s the environment that you want to spend time in.

When you’re retired, being a jack of all trades is more useful, especially as one of Jacob’s goals is to be self-sufficient.

Yes, it always amazes me at my job when I speak with people below the poverty level because they always pay a cable TV bill (and often an expensive cell phone bill too).

I love the house. I could find a house for around that price in my area but it would be hard to match the setting.

I pay people to do things for me because my time could be used more efficiently elsewhere. On Saturday I could do some yard work, or buy and fix a motorcycle and sell it for a $500 profit, and then pay someone $40 to do the yard work.

The reason why I’m mentioning this is I’m reading “The Millionaire Mind” by the same author as “The Millionaire Next Door” and it says most millionaires are not do-it-yourself people. The ones who are DIY people are much less wealthy than the ones who are not. There is something to be said for finding something you do well, than doing that exclusively.

There are alot of small places like that around if you are willing to get out of the super desirable metro areas. If there is a will there is a way for sure.

This subject reminds me of the book…How to retire by 35. It was a great read!