Many of you may have seen the recent movie trailer “Confessions of a Shopaholic” which debuts this February 13th. Quick movie summary: a young, hot college graduate starts her life in New York City. She can’t help but spend ridiculous amounts of money on Prada shoes, Gucci purses, and designer clothing. Her income falls extremely short when compared to her spending habits. She's an addict. Ironically, she takes a job as a financial journalist, advising others how to manage their money. Personally, I think this movie looks quite comical, and can guarantee I will see it in theaters. Obviously, America as a whole is a consumer society. However, with movies such as the previous example and songs such as Madonna’s “Material Girl” or Gwen Stefani’s “Rich Girl” it seems not only are we entertained by this kind of behavior, but we are also encouraging it. According to the text Signs of Life in the U.S.A., it is essential that we value consumption more than production. “Consumption, not production, is relied upon to carry America out of its economic downturns…it lies at the center of our economic system now” (71-72). So, has the current economic recession made us as college students cut back?
Personally, I have definitely become more aware and conscientious about how I spend my money. However, there are certain items that I have not sacrificed just yet. SHOES. I know this sounds super shallow and materialistic, so don’t judge. But, if I’m having a bad day one trip to the shoe department can turn my frown upside-down.
My friend once sent me a Facebook bumper sticker that stated, “Shopping Cures Depression.” Now, I don’t know about that, but from my experience, just browsing and often buying makes the sun shine a bit brighter on my horizon. Why is that? Why do we, as a culture, buy to reassure a sense of personal fulfillment and temporary happiness?
So, here’s my question to you: On the shopping scene, what is the one thing you don’t see yourself giving up anytime soon? What is your guilty pleasure?
26 comments:
When I go out to specifically buy something, I don't usually skimp. At least when it comes to shoes and purses as well as those timeless pieces I'll always keep. I started this habbit about 7 years ago and since have gotten a rather large collection going and don't plan on stopping. Why not buy something that you know you'll be using forever and get quality stuff? Call me vain, but why settle? I highly doubt I'll be giving up my BCBGs, Coach bags or Tiffany's jewelry anytime soon. High mantainance? I think not. I just know what I want.
My guilty pleasure is music and movies. Being a husband and father, I RARELY get any extra cash these days, but when I do, I love to take my wife to see the next new movie we are both by then DYING to see; and then of course if we like it enough, we HAVE to go buy it at Walmart the day it comes out. As with music, one of my favorite presents to get is an iTunes gift card because I just love getting new music to listen to.
I think when we buy things we are sometimes comforted or distracted from other problems. "Life is really hard and (fill in the blank) is a big problem, but as long as I have (guilty pleasure here) I'm going to make it. One thing I don't think I'll be able to give up is food. I love a good meal, and few things comfort me like steak and a chocolate milkshake.
I'm by no means a shopaholic, but buy quality things when I need them. But if I don't have money, I don't shop. There is one thing, however, on which I will never skimp. That one thing is food. I honestly believe it is important to put quality things into my body. Food becomes a part of me more than something like a DVD does, so I think it's important.
i definitely am likely to go shopping to brighten a bad day- even if i don't buy anything, the act of getting out and spending time on myself, just wandering the aisles, is enough therapy for me, whether it be the grocery store or the mall. and if i do end up buying something, i feel a little better i get excited about wearing the new item, which puts me in a better mood, which makes my daily interactions more enjoyable.
Last Saturday I had absolutely nothing planned and was feeling pretty bored and stale. So I went to the mall to check out their sales and bought a new shirt. It felt GREAT, especially since the shirt was stylish and cheap! It definitely brightened my day (and my wardrobe). Rewarding yourself with new clothes/toys is a great thing, so long as you stay within your means.
Ahhh....my guilty pleasure. As a married student, money doesn't come in too much, and seems to always be going out at an astronomical rate. One thing that I refuse to give up is my all you can eat sushi buffet at Sushi Ya for $18.95. I go about once a month, and as long as I go, the sun shines and life is beautiful.
Shopping is definitely a fast way to brighten up my day. There is just this sense of satisfaction whenever I get something for myself. Whatever it may be, shoes, jeans, etc, it just makes me feel good. I don't do it all the time, but sometimes it's just needed. Sometimes I have to spend money on myself. As far as something I can't give up....eating out. It's way too good.
I can't really attribute any one item that is a guilty pleasure that I can't give up. However, Costco is my heaven on earth. I am convinced it's going to be similar to the Celestial Kingdom. I mean, you go there, they have everything you want in wholesale, you run into every person you know (or so it seems), there are free samples, they have the Bruce Bogtrotter Chocolate Cake (I'm sure you've seen which one I'm talking about) and after you shop, you still get to go to the food court for a hot dog, slice of pizza, frozen yogurt, or what have you. Hands down, my guilty pleasure is Costco Wholesale. The day I give it up, will be the day that I die.
I love getting new clothes! Every time I have to move from an apartment and I have to pack all my clothes, I vow to never buy another shirt or new pair of shoes, but it never fails that I manage to add to my collection every year. I think lots of times we do this because we have to stay up with what everyone else is doing, and although I am not super trendy, I like to get new things on occasion, even though I clearly don't NEED to buy anymore clothes.
Without hesitation, music. Like it is for many, music is a drug for me, something I can't live without. No matter how bad things get with the recession, I will continue to purchase music. I am infinitely happier buying new music in straining times than I would be if I had a few extra dollars but left out the songs.
My guilty pleasure is jeans--I mean, really good jeans that fit really well. I'm good at finding good deals for about anything else, but when it comes to jeans--I can't go cheap.
To answer your other question, though (that I thought was interesting), I think we shop to reassure ourselves because in our culture, having things equals wealth and posterity. That answer might be too simple, but I think it's true. Before the Industrial Revolution in Europe, the more land you had the higher your social status. Now, since we live in a captitalist system, the more "stuff" you have the higher your perceived social status. When we're having a bad day we do things to make ourselves feel more self-important and that includes boosting our social image.
FOREVER 21 IS MY NON-GUILTY PLEASURE. So much happiness contained in an under-ten-dollar purchase. I remember us talking in class about how shopping is a sort of fulfillment. Sadly, I think shopping has become our society's way to mask a deeper unhappiness or lack of satisfaction that we are facing. I'm not saying it's a sin, there are times when it is a necessary evil. But I do think it can become really unhealthy really quickly.
Jewelry. It's all in the jewelry for me. While I also love all of my name brand clothing, outerwear, shoes, and accessories, jewelry is the one thing that I never skimp on. Yes, I pay lots of money for sparkley pretty things, but hear me out on this one. Every other material item you buy will diminish in value; however, precious stones never lose value. The only catch is that you have to fork out a lot of $$ for a good stone from a good jeweler. You can trade a stone in YEARS later and it will still be worth the same as it was when it was purchased. So, unlike TrueReligions or Gucci shoes or Coach bags, a good diamond will never lose value.
Like Brenton said in the second comment on the page, my guilty pleasure would be music. The job I had recently just laid a bunch of people off so money has been pretty tight, but I still cant stay away from the music section. I'm pretty easy to shop before because I can be easily pleased with an itunes gift card. Music is what helps me get through hard times, and I don't see myself giving that up any time soon.
This movie kind of scares me... I will soon be a college grad living in New York. I like shopping. However, in these economic times I have been able to cut back. My guilty pleasure that remains: Purses. I can justify the purchase of just about any purse. I have three new bags in the last three months. Excessive? I like to think of it as diversifying.
I agree that shopping does brighten someone's day at least if it's not excessive. Because if you buy something too much, after the high goes away you will feel the guilt. But as for my guilty pleasures I think are clothes in general. I'm actually not that big into shoes...weird eh? But yeah, clothes - any type brightens up my day. O and getting my hair done! I will always spend $100 on a good hair colour and style instead of something cheap because you wear your hair every day!
My guilty pleasure? I'll take the situation of having a bad day. When I have a bad day, I love Carls Jr. Getting a burger, fries, and large coke...don't bother me, I'm eating. Yeah, that's pretty much the way I feel. I use it as an escape, and I usually accompany the burger with a good dose of SportsCenter.
Shoes. I'm confident with my sexuality and I really like shoes. I'm always looking for a good excuse to purchase the next pair that I've been eying.
My guilty pleasure is entertainment. I have never been very materialistic with clothes and shoes. But I love to be entertained by going to movies.
Without hesitation my guilty pleasure is a season pass to a ski resort. I’ve used my own money to buy season passes since I first started in the 8th grade and it hasn’t changed during college or during the economic downturn. Buying the pass doesn’t make me happier, but using brings tremendous amounts of joy into my life. I’ll always find a way, even if it means financing one (like last year).
When I have a little extra money, I'll usually pull out my list of movies or CDs that I'd like to add to my collection. Those are things that I know will last for a long time and I feel better buying something like that instead of something that won't last long.
I absolutely love getting good deals! Bargain shopping gives me a great sense of satisfaction because I know I am getting something cute, stylish and at a discounted price. My favorite things to shop for are jackets and jewelery. A while ago, I was asked if a pair of earrings I had were Venetian glass. "Nope!" I responded. "They were a Target special." :)
We're going to sound extremely dweeby, but when my wife and I are in the mood to spend we go to two places: Borders and Robert's. For us, rainy days are all about a good book and an art project. So, as with others, please don't judge...
My guilty pleasure is honestly just buying really good food for myself. Buying healthy food really adds up at the grocery store but its worth it to me. Don't get me wrong I also have an addiction for buying clothes but all in all if I'm going to spend a lot of money it will be at the grocery store. Yes, I know I'm boring!
my guilty pleasure- good skiing clothes. Why? I feel like a beginner, or a bad skier if I am on the mountain in last-years torn parka or ripped ski-pants. Why do I feel that way? Maybe it's because I have surrounded myself by ski-clothing advertisements (ski magazines, ski movies, winter x-games on espn etc.) BUt I'm proud to say that is one of the very few ways I am a shopaholic.
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