Originally Posted by jamesdenver
in another post i referenced the phrase "manufactured wants" and someone argued with that term. we're so oversaturated with marketing;/advertising/commercial messages, i don't think enough people quickly disect whether they truly can use something or they actually need it.
Most of people's manufactured wants comes from the television set. It surprised me how little I wanted to buy things once I stopped watching television. I really believe this is the reason people want to buy the latest cars because you're programmed to need an SUV after watching hundreds of hours of commercials.
After nearly going bankrupt several years ago trying to live a lifestyle I couldn't afford, I'm through with commercialism. My TV cannot get reception without cable so I have a subscription with NetFlix and get to watch the movies without the commericals. My cable TV is gone and I log onto this forum at work and using my cell phone at 14.4K!! My large collection of books were sold during my recent move and I'm getting rid of the rest! I'm sick of clutter.
I've been bad with cycling in general. I'm discovering the reason I'm purchaing is to get rid of depression. I've found that nothing makes you want to go out and shop like being depressed so I have to catch myself. This summer, I'm selling off four of my bikes and live with two. You'll see people on this forum buying a bicycle each year on credit! Even though this is a procycling forum, don't fall into this trap.
I find it hard to believe that after living my life with credit card debt, I'm finally free for good. Don't get into this trap even for a bicycle.