Addiction to buying

Have you ever thought of yourself as addicted to buying things? Not just a pack of gum here, a new shirt there. But the desire to compile the latest technology, the latest style of clothing? I wouldn't classify myself as addicted to buying things, but rather lying to myself about simplicity.

I am constantly telling myself I could really use a flat screen LCD HDTV television because I could plug my computer into it and it would take up less space in our home. There is also the long lens I want for the camera, a new Mac that has the latest video editing equipment, a better video camera, another car, our own home, golf shoes, rechargeable battery pack for the X-box 360 controller, and the list goes on.

It doesn't help when the tv is littered with ads about what is new and what you need in your home. It is true that there are thousands of items that can make our lives easier, but do we need them? Probably not.

When Lizzy and I were first married we were within walking distance to Wal-Mart. We went there at least 2 or 3 times a week. Sometimes it was for food or a simple item. But almost every time we came home with something we didn't need. With every move into a new home, we have gotten further away from stores. Which is probably a good thing.

The accumulation of "stuff" just shows that we are gullible to the advertising, myself included. I think one of the exciting things about buying something is that you now have something new to use or look at. In our day and age we quickly become bored with stuff and need something new on a constant basis.

Lately I have been trying to sell the stuff I don't use and either save the money or put it towards something else. For instance I'm trying to sell one tv to get a better but smaller one. So in essence it's still something new, but I am trying to buy it with money from the old one.

Do we really need two TVs? Probably not, but by getting rid of one at a price I can save up for another instead of buying a new one then trying to sell the old one. In the Bible Jesus talks about how nothing we have here will go with us to heaven except our soul.

Your soul won't be able to carry your 52" HDTV with your surround sound system to heaven, even if it playing Billy Graham. I think we fail to remember that earth is our temporary home. We are essentially aliens, we do not belong here but are visiting.

I think the media puts pressure on us to buy things and our neighbors. We all look at each other and what each other has and either decides not for me, or I need to get one of those. More often than not it is probably "I need to get one of those."

For some people the addiction of buying things puts their family at risk. They max out multiple credit cards, lie to their spouse, and end up hurting the family. I encourage you to be aware of your spending, think about the need vs. the want. And if you really need to buy something new or want to, do your research. Find out where the best deal is.

It is never a good idea to buy without intention. What I mean by this is, if you walk into the store not planning to buy a tv and walk out of the store with a tv, you probably didn't need it and made a bad decision. If we only bought what we went to get we would probably save close to 1,000 dollars a year if not more. There are so many times we walk out of the store with a movie and something else we didn't need.

Spending isn't bad, just be wise about it and plan ahead.