If I Were Famous...

“If I were famous, what I would wear would be called fashion”, remarked our six year old after our conversation had ended. ...Wisdom from the mouth of a six year old - many years ago -  still resonates today. ... The conversation continued, as I addressed the financial burden created when purchases are made in haste and at a price that jeopardizes one's financial future, one item at a time. A pattern of ritualistic buying can be detrimental to our future well being.

We buy clothing/accessories emblazoned with the name or insignia of a manufacturer. We have paid for the privilege of wearing these items with nary a discount in sight. Is this not advertising? Are we a walking billboard? (The company’s name rightfully belongs inside, on the label.) Celebrities whose incomes are in the stratosphere are given the same products, at no cost, many times, simply to endorse the products the rest of us must buy at full cost - if we want and can afford them. When the name is on the front of a garment or accessory, should we not expect a discount, as we advertise for the company every time the items are worn or used in public? Of course, we also have the option of not buying these items at all.

We are encouraged, repeatedly, to become dissatisfied with the newest gadgets because a newer, quicker version is just around the corner. Newer is not necessarily synonymous with better. We must change our thinking. ... We feel compelled to buy, buy, yet the euphoria we derive from the act of buying rarely remains with us for too long before it is repeated over again.  Companies are watching their bottom line. Are we? ...The day after our purchase is made, it is now officially used or like new. The money might have been saved for something we want or need more which we are not aware of at the time. ... When we give in to temptation, on a regular basis, we are collectively helping the celebrity afford the luxury of buying a summer home, cottage and our once in a lifetime vacation- several times over. We must pause to reflect on how we validate ourselves. Buying is not the ticket as our six year old told me those many years ago. After all, if he were famous, his every purchase, would become the latest fashion trend for the buying public to emulate. We both agreed that influencing others in that way was not nice.

Imagine...