Consumerism Withdrawal - Do you suffer from it?

This is one problem with the economic downturn that I thought of. Consumerism Withdrawal.

The premise of the economy for the last 20 years has been consumption. Living the American dream. People have done a pretty good job spending, and consuming.

There have been many posts in the blogosphere where people explain that they're going to cut back spending and go on a spending diet. They talk about how they're not going to go shopping for a month, or not buy anything on credit for the next three months. Ultimately with those posts, I just roll my eyes, and wonder about their resolve.

Once you've tasted luxury and spending, it's hard to give it up.

With all of the lay offs and the credit crunch that we're experiencing, I'm sure that many people are suffering from consumerism Withdrawal.

This is more like being forced to go on a diet because of food shortage. In this case, credit is tight, and people have overspent.

If you're suffering from consumerism withdrawal, there are a few things you can do to help the situation:


1. Learn to enjoy life with what you've got
   The problem with consumerism is that we're always looking for the next big toy, or the next fashion. We're satisfied for a small time with what we've purchased. Much of what people have purchased is to satisfy wants and not needs.
   
   The best thing to do is to learn to appreciate what you've got already.
   That's a pretty hard thing to do, if you're used to a constant diet of new things all the time.
   
   I've found that I really only enjoy a few of the possessions that I own. the rest are just sitting in a closet doing nothing.
   
   Enjoying what you've already got, means that you won't need to spend any money on goodies.
   
   
2. Take the time to strengthen your balance sheet
   If we're going to be in a recession for the next year or so, why not take the time to pay down debt and save up some money.
   
   This is really not fun, and it's pretty boring, compared with shopping all the time for the latest gadget.
   
   My thinking is this: if you've got money saved up, and you're not in debt,
   you'll sleep better, and won't need to go through withdrawals at the retail store.
   
   Having some money saved up, means that you'll be able to go into the store and make some moderate purchases, based on your available cash.
   Buying things with cash will give you a little taste of having something new, without the pains of paying down credit later.
   
   
3. Take the time to enjoy the free things in life: family and friends.
   I've gone on a cash diet for the last few years, by choice. In doing so, I've learned to really enjoy free things. Going for a walk, visiting with a friend. I enjoy looking at flowers more.
   
   There are many things you can do for free. Sometimes we look at these FREE things as boring and unexciting. If you're used to hyper spending at the stores and for entertainment, then going to the museum would probably be boring.
   
   If you detox off of the sugar rush of retail spending for a few months, perhaps the free things in life will start to look good again.
   
   Yes, that's what I'm saying.. hyper retail spending using your credit card is like eating alot of refined sugar products. They taste great, give you a sugar rush for the moment, and then give you a big let down afters. You get addicted to sugar, and retail shopping for the buzz it gives you.
   
   The free things in life are more wholistic. They're not as exciting, but they are better for you in the long run.

I see Canadians and Americans going on a consumerism diet for the next year or so. Let's take the time to get back into shape financially and as well, start to enjoy less expensive more healthy activities again.