Life's Simple Pleasures
A friend of my husband asked me how in the world I do not own any Louis Vuitton, Prada, Tod’s, Burberry or Chanel bag, the carry-on status symbol of choice for the modern woman.
I had to smile.
Okay. I have to admit that I am not immune to their charms. If anything, I love soft leather, and I certainly can appreciate wonderful craftsmanship. The ooohs and aaahs of the woman who realizes what it is is also a great incentive, I will not lie.
But I never really felt the urge to whip out my credit card so that I can have it in my arms, never been to the point of really considering buying, never felt for it that urgent fire that one gets when one wants something, and now. Really.
Because, internally, I could not justify its cost. I do not understand why in the world it would have to cost an arm and a leg, or why in the world I had to have it just because every one else has it.
(hubby said that women buy bags for other women – those who can appreciate it – and it is the wanting to be the envy of that other woman that drives many a woman into bankruptcy… i told him maybe it is the same for men, except for them, it is cars, or trophy mistresses)
I would rather put my money in the stockmarket, or invest it in a business, or …
Let’s do that again.
While I would put my money in the stockmarket, or invest it in a business, I will entertain the thought of travel too (say, 70 percent of the time).
Because show me pictures of faraway places – snow capped mountains, private villas with a butler (at half the price), lodges in deep brown and adorned with elk antlers, being massaged into oblivion, having a romantic candlelit dinner with only the white sand, sparkling and beautiful, and the lullaby of the sea for company – would spark a yes from me and I would play with money and dates in my head until I could justify going.
That is my thing.
I found out that my thing is the in thing now (post recession).
A New York Times article said people are happier when they spend money on experiences rather than material things. If I can quote: New studies of consumption and happiness show, for instance, that people are happier when they spend money on experiences instead of material objects, when they relish what they plan to buy long before they buy it, and when they stop trying to outdo the Joneses….
If they are creating memories rather than just collecting stuff.
Experiences over possessions.
The article actually started with the story of a couple who went to the extreme of limiting their possessions to just 100 things and then giving everything else away (and in the process, eliminating their $30,000 debt).
Amazing.
That they found out the pleasure of owning do not last very long. But a trip, a night at the theatre, adult ballet lessons, sleeping in with the kids, a Saturday night dinner with the whole family, even though fraught with little fights or inconveniences or little mishaps, would seem rose-colored when looked at through the (thankfully) hazy veil of memory.
I do not want to say never because I do not know whether I will succumb to a designer bag the future (maybe when they invent a bag that can double as something else?). But having what I have, knowing what I know, and feeling what I feel, I am oddly glad too, in a way.
Article by Issa. Photo by Madelene Uyehara. Copyright 2010.
Website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
Email: issa@youwanttoberich.com
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I read that same article and was truly inspired! Though I probably won’t go to the extent of selling my TV, and ensuring that my stuff never gets above the 100-item count, I still do recognize the importance of having a clutter-free life.
as for the phenomenon of designer bags, I gave in and got myself an LV, not for anything else, but for the fact that I am truly, truly, kuripot with myself. I guess what I wanted was to prove to myself that money doesn’t have a hold over me. I don’t know if that makes sense, but this was how I viewed it. To be honest however, once I got it, I wanted to return it and get my money back! Hahaha!
Wow, great article! I really enjoy your site which makes an inspiration to create my blog, Our Fullest Life – http://ourfullestlife.com/
Allow me to include you to my roll of Blessed Sites. I’ll keep coming back to your site as our family is exploring the place too.
Hope you can allow me also to repost this article and will link back to your site.
Heaven Bless You more!
Jinkee Rabena Umali
@T Hahaha… Cute story about you wanting to return your LV 🙂 I really think I would be doing the same thing. It’s good they can be sold – for less, yes – but then if you are tired of it, at least there’s that option (I am mainly talking to me in case I do give in *wink*). Thanks for visiting my site! 🙂
@Jinkee You have a beautiful site! Congratulations! 🙂 And of course you can repost this article, or any of my articles. Thanks so much for reading me and I hope to see you soon 🙂
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This is a very good read! This article was actually shared over Face Book and that’s how I discovered your blog. Consider me a new follower.
While I do not fancy myself over LVs and Chanels, I’m not immune to the desire to own other gadgets aside from my Nokia E63 and Toshiba Portege. However, I have to agree with you that I’d rather invest my money in stocks to let it grow. If ever I have the urge to spend, I prefer to spend it over a dining experience with friends. The bonding is much more worthwhile than the gadgets I plan to buy.
=)
@Ken Ahhh… I understand what you mean when you say gadgets… my husband is the same way. He says iPad with such yearning (but I still have not given in). I love dinners too, with my husband and children, and with my best-est friends. You are right – the bonding and happiness those moments give are much more lasting. Thank you for reading me and finding me via Facebook too, wow. Please also consider me a new follower. More power to you 🙂