More, more, more! Are you suffering from affluenza?

Ten tips to overcoming the disease of the decade

As the new line of spring and summer clothes hits the stores, you might find yourself suddenly confused between that age-old question of need versus want. Do you really need another bikini? The six you have tucked away in your dresser drawer just look so… faded, so… tired, so… last-year.

You can justify your purchases a million ways. But there is always the opportunity cost. Every expenditure that seems so vitally important to your happiness, your success or your personal well-being comes at the price of saving for something else longer term. It’s the challenge of immediate versus delayed gratification.

Wanting and achieving are part of the human condition. As we grow, learn and work, we aspire not only to “be” more, we aspire to “have” more. Experts say that “being” ultimately provides more personal satisfaction than “having”. The trouble is that many people today confuse having with being. It’s this confusion that leads to the unhealthy state of “affluenza”.

Wikipedia defines affluenza as:

1. A painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more;
2. The bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to “keep up with the Joneses”.

So if you find yourself trapped in a state of desperately desiring that shiny new SUV, imagining how it will change your life, propel you to new career heights and bag you the perfect boyfriend, here are a few tips to help you overcome the dreaded affluenza bug.

• Tip #1 - Use what you have. Take a closer look at all you have already accumulated. There is still life in that old table. There are still good times to be had in last-year’s sundresses. Mining your own treasures and breathing new life into your existing possessions can provide immense gratification.
• Tip #2 - Give it a year, or a season. Buying the latest fashions or technological innovation at the top of the market is for suckers. Late-adopters fork out less cash and benefit from more reliable versions. Let other people work out the kinks.
• Tip #3 - Get one, give one. It’s all about balance. If you must buy something new, make space for it in your life by giving up something old. There will always be people who have more than you and there will always be people with less. Many people would love what you have. As you bring new items into your home, donate your old ones to Goodwill in equal measure.
• Tip #4 – Ye olde savings jar. Try this for a month or two: every time you are tempted to make a new purchase on something you suspect you don’t really need, but dearly want, take the cash and stash it in an envelope, jar, or money market account. Tell yourself that at the end of the month, if you still need the item, then you can buy it. You may be shocked when you realize how so many magazines, pairs of shoes, or dinners-out can quickly add up to the price of a Caribbean holiday.
• Tip # 5 – Your home is an evolution. Do you find yourself looking around your rooms or garden, seeing only what needs to be bought, rather than congratulating yourself on what you’ve already achieved? When you move into a new space, it’s normal to want it to be perfectly furnished and decorated immediately. But the beauty of a home is that it is a reflection of your own evolution. Refining and building over time is a more natural and harmonious way to live.
• Tip #6 - Don’t look fabulous, BE fabulous. No amount of expensive highlights or Louboutin heels can compensate for a bad attitude or an unhealthy lifestyle. A well-rested forehead is infinitely cheaper and more attractive than one filled with Botox. Bright eyes, glowing skin and a genuine smile trump expensive outfits every time.
• Tip #7 – Wear your clothes, don’t let them wear you. A plain sweater and jeans from the Gap will do more to provide a backdrop for your beauty than expensive jewellery or a boldly emblazoned logo that commands all the attention. Would you rather have someone say, “wow, you look great” or “wow, that’s a great pair of shoes”? Take your pick.
• Tip #8 – You are not what you drive. Yes, it’s lovely to enjoy a smooth ride in an elegant car now and then, but ultimately, it’s just transportation. Do not rely on your car to make a statement as to who you are. Not everyone will translate a message you might like. Save the drive for essential trips and get your family riding bikes and walking. Dispositions will magically improve without the opportunity for backseat arguments.
• Tip #9 – Understand diminishing utility. When you’re really hungry, a carrot tastes much sweeter. When you haven’t had a vacation in years, a weekend at the lake feels amazing. The more you consume, the less satisfaction the next bit of consumption will give you. Take a break from accumulating for a while, so that when you do buy yourself a treat, the enjoyment will be much richer.
• Tip #10 – Take pleasure in the state of desire. If you had everything you could possibly want, where would all that energy go? Would you look for new things to want? Or would you become restless without having anything to aspire to? By racing to quickly attain the things you want, you miss out on the excitement of desiring and earning your achievements over time.

Fortunately, affluenza is a totally curable disease. Healing begins with slowing down and focusing on how wonderful, clever and happy you are. The cure will come once you stop stressing about frivolous accessories you don’t have and surely don’t need.

 

Psst - Smart (golden) girls have one eye on the designers and the other on their closets for fashion inspiration. But if you just seem to be missing a few items to pull a look together, we love French Connection, Lancome Canada and Moda Queen to help ensure we arrive fashionably late. You’re fabulous anyway. Nobody will be looking at their watch when you enter the room - no matter what you have on. Do you have your kids in tow? Keep them looking sharp with great deals from PleaseMum.com. (From your friends at Golden Girl Finance)

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