Ask:
I was reading Kim's Blog about the keeping up with the Joneses, and her comment about how credit cards and credit in general make it possible for people to live way beyond their means in a way that wouldn't have been possible 50 years ago really struck a note with me.
I guess I had been unconsciously wondering how it's possible that so many people are able to lead such affluent lifestyles. And then it struck me that "the Joneses" are really the bank and the advertising companies. The ads fill our our heads with pictures of things we then think we need, and the banks and credit card companies make it possible to get them.
I read in "Affluenza" that Saturday morning cartoons were dreamed up by advertising agencies as a way to sell more breakfast cereal. Can you believe that? So, really, we are being duped by these ads to spend more- that is really pretty insulting, how we are being manipulated. The Joneses are just a bunch of ads telling us why we need to buy more stuff. The stores are getting our money, the companies with huge profits are getting the last laugh. And we are just getting further into debt and piled under with stuff.
I don't know about you, but it makes me angry that we are being tricked so easily.
Answer:
I like your analogy about the Jones'. I agree that advertising and marketing are telling us what we want and need. The worst part is that our children are growing up with this as a part of their everyday life, and if we are not careful, they will never know the difference. It's our job as parents to teach them right off the bat how these things work.
Answer:
I have never in my life liked the Jones. I have always been aware of the media influence. I always knew my mom was smarter than others gave her credit. she thought me this at a very young age. My girls do struggle with it. I have thought my girls. The differnce is disposable income. I have more of it than my parents ever did. I have a friend who lets her dd by something everytime they go someplace. It is always a small amount but my kids look at me like can we this time. Of course I always say no. I tell them you don't buy something just because. they understand but still get mad b/c their friend got something and they didn't. dd#2 gets it better than the older one.
allgirls