How Much Stuff Do You Need?

"Overconsumption is clearly a fundamental problem, not solution, in the maintenance of a healthy economy and planet."

-- David Wann. Simple Prosperity, p. 10.

On the news yesterday there was talk of the Federal Reserve cutting the prime interest rate again in hopes of stimulating consumer spending and avoiding a recession. Their approach is a prime example of the Buy More Crap Theory of Economic Growth. No one cares whether consumers are making smart purchases, necessary purchases, or wasteful purchases; the mantra is just buy, buy, buy!

We can't spend our way out of economic hardship. In fact, overconsumption and overspending are what got us into trouble in the first place. How can you expect economic stability if your whole economy is based on "let's buy more useless shit from China."

And let's not forget happiness. In case you hadn't noticed, it can't be bought. Sure everyone needs the basic necessities of life -- food, clothing, shelter and beer. But economic researchers find that in the USA once a person's income moves above approximately $50,000 a year, incremental satisfaction begins to decrease. In other words what economists call "the law of diminishing returns" begins to kick in. Once you have a good income, making more money does not make you happier. And for alot of people, the exact opposite occurs -- more money creates more problems and less real happiness.

So, far we haven't even touched upon the impact of overconsumption on the planet. We'll leave that for another day, but suffice it to say, it's not pretty. Using more than you need strips the planet of its resources and creates hardship for others. Enough said.

So, just for today, don't buy whatever tickles your fancy. Don't replace a perfectly functional item with a brand new shiny one just because you can. Fuck the Fed! Don't participate in inflating the economic bubble more than it already is. Let the sucker burst! Maybe then, at least, people will begin to pay attention and rebuild a viable, sustainable, cooperative economy based on human needs and true happiness, instead of Madison Avenue consumerism and government hype.

Just for today don't be the little consumerist gerbil that keeps the economic wheel turning. Enjoy what you have.