Life's Aspirations

[ck1]

Why are so many of people's goals focussed on what they can buy - expensive cars, big houses, massive TVs. Is it just me that sees somebody in a Ferrari and thinks they've spent a lot of cash to sit in the same crappy traffic as I am, and people who have a 70inch telly are watching the same rubbish as me. Why do people get comfort in all this 'stuff'. So much of the 'celebrity' news is based around how much somebody has spent on a handbag, is this any sign of success?

[Sparkles62]

I've never been very materialistic, and have always been happy with my lot.
I agree with you about things like the tv's and cars, if you have a car and it works, why do you need one that costs mega money, or does 220 mph, you still use the same road as everyone else, with the same speed limits.

[Zacs-Master]

Yes, but some people have different definitions of life and how to live it. It's very subjective.

[Electrochem]

Couldn't agree more! Far too many people base success on material possessions. I am more interested in what people have achieved, particularly in the face of adversity. I know quite a few people who have a lot in terms of money and possessions, but some of them are the meanest people around. Many of them have never worked to get what they have, as it's all been handed to them on a plate. My late mother-in-law never had much in the way of wealth, but she was one of the most generous people I have ever known and would do anything for anybody. We have all become far too greedy in my opinion.

[B00]

Yes a jalopy will still get you from A to B, but if you can do it more comfortably in something more flashy- why not?

[ummmm]

I think it depends how much money they have.

Even if I won the EuroMillions I can't see me ever spending more than 20k on a car. I'm more interested in the colour and does it look pretty :-)

[Octavius]

"So much of the 'celebrity' news is based around how much somebody has spent on a handbag, is this any sign of success?"

It's called 'getting noticed' and as a celebrity, this is indeed a mark and measure of success.

[ummmm]

I really don't understand the handbag thing or the obsession with shoes. It's not just rich people either...

[jno]

some brands are self-evidently better than others

http://danmurphys.com.au/media/DM/Product/750x2000/116541_0_9999_v1_m56577569846797014.jpg

and who wouldn't prefer to drink great wine rather than ordinary wine if they could afford it?

Likewise HDTV on a big screen is noticeably better than on the lilttle 10-inch screen with three lines to the inch I had in the 1960s.

But when it's stuff that goes on my feet, comfort beats designer names every time.

[FredPuli43]

The need to reassure themselves that they are doing well and to announce it to the world. That's why so many luxury goods announce themselves by a big logo; the standard Louis Vuitton bags, for example. Now, I have never felt the need to advertise some product . If I buy an LV bag, I buy one which is definitely not standard, so it doesn't advertise Louis Vuitton , with LV all over it. It's there as a bag, not to tell the world I have paid X thousand Swiss Francs or pounds for it .

Ferraris? If you like that kind of car, that's what you like, but the show- offs always buy the sports models . You never see one in a saloon; nobody would know they'd got a Ferrari !

70 inch telly? Only person who needs one is someone in the film industry, and it is for their spare room !

[Sycamore3House]

I can never understand why people want 'a new model' whether it be a TV, car, mobile phone, fridge freezer, settee, any sort of furniture when what they have is in good condition or still works.
If I won any amount of money today or whenever I cannot see the point in trading in my 12 year old Honda until it really really breaks. Handbags & shoes what is the point! Even though I could afford new things I will always buy 2nd hand first on certain things.

[ummmm]

The size of your TV should be in proportion to the room it's in. I removed a 48" TV from my living room because it was too big for the room. It now lives in a cupboard...

[Mattk]

"The size of your TV should be in proportion to the room it's in. I removed a 48" TV from my living room because it was too big for the room. It now lives in a cupboard..."

Wow! Must be a big cupboard!

[mccfluff]

i like my big tv, but then i have quite bad eyesight....

[Zacs-Master]

Didn't you realise that before you bought it ummmm?

[Octavius]

"the show- offs always buy the sports models"

If you have the money for it, why is it showing off? And a saloon Ferrari - jeeez who would buy one of them?! They are more likely to have 3 or 4 cars for occasions, including a saloon, an estate, a 4x4 and a sporty weekender.

[Zacs-Master]

Maybe the people who enjoy life a little more buy the sports model and sacrifice other things to be able to afford it. Jeez, people are so judgemental.

[Baldric]

We like nice things, but didn't buy them to impress anyone. If you can afford to indulge yourself a little, why not?

[mccfluff]

I've just got my first car (well its being delivered 03/09)
if i had the money i'd be getting an f type and i wouldn't be caring what anyone else thought, and an r8.

as i don't i'm getting something a lot smaller...... a lot :-)

[Traci66]

I buy things that please me, I do not buy them so others look and think I'm loaded, my car is twelve years old now, but when I bought it it was 'flash'. I still have it because I like it.

[Psybbo]

Like Baldric, I like nice things to enjoy, but comfortable shoes and an organiser shoulderbag