I need it, I want it...Buy, Buy, Buy!
Every year billions of dollars are spent by advertisers to make us believe that what we have and who we are aren’t enough. That we need something “better”—looks, food, toys, fun. You name it.
I’m as guilty as the rest when it comes to getting caught up in what the world offers. I’m quick to whip out my VISA card and slow to distinguish my needs from my wants.
And it’s not only “things” that draw me—just the other day I took my daughter to get her hair cut and found myself eagerly flipping through the pages of People magazine—catching up on who’s dating whom and who’s wearing what, and lapping up those voyeuristic photos of glamorous stars caught in their sweatpants and ball caps while shopping at the grocery store.
When I take the time to think about it, I realize how silly this tug is. The people we idolize are simply people, after all. The ‘stuff’ we desire is nothing more than man’s attempt to create something beautiful and worthwhile. The successes we strive after are limited in scope and nature.
So why do we get caught up in worshipping the world’s idols? And more important how can we keep our kids from falling into the same trap? First, we must to realize that we are being deceived by the world’s definition of “need”. I think by continually focusing on our living God we can train ourselves and our kids to not live apart from the world, but to serve Him in it. We can train ourselves to distinguish between reality and lies.
How do you handle this in your own family?
Labels: advertising, contentment, family values, media, money, on-line shopping
Guest Blogger...Cara Putnam
So Saturday I was shopping online -- otherwise known as procrastinating when I should have been revising.
I'm looking for one or two specific items, but found myself on piperlime.com. I guess it's a shoe store loosely affiliated with Gap. Let me tell you, the sale prices were great. I almost pulled the trigger and bought a couple pairs of shoes, but I hesitated. The sales shoes did not allow returns. I can understand in one way: they don't want someone like me to buy six pairs of shoes only to return four later. Yet, with my long, narrow feet, I've learned that I need to try things on before I find something that fits right, so they lost a sale...
And there were some really cute ballet flats on clearance! I almost felt like Ashley Stockingdale or the star of some other chick lit as I was looking at $300 shoes marked down to $50. Who doesn't love that!
Lafayette is a great town, but the shopping is abysmal for someone my size. There is one store in town other than GAP where I can buy clothes that fit but don't make me look like I'm trying to pretend I'm 16 again. Don't get me wrong, I loved being 16...but I'm not anymore. And even if I were, I'm really not into belly showing styles.
There are many things I will buy online: Books, skirts, simple shirts, dresses. And I love going on a site like GAP.com and raiding the sale page. Books are pretty easy. You see the cover, read a review and purchase. But clothes, only if I can return them -- and preferably if I can return them in a store where I don't have to pay shipping. Call me cheap, but I can't stand the thought of paying for shipping twice. Ugh!
So what do you shop for online? What store has surprised you with its level of service and ease of returns? What shopping secrets do you have to share with a bargain hunter like me...cause you know I'll need to procrastinate again soon!
Cara C. Putman
Canteen Dreams -- October 2007; Sandhill Dreams -- May 2008 and Captive
Dreams -- September 2008 (Heartsong Presents)
Deadly Exposure -- June 2008 (LI Suspense)
The Law, Life & Books: http://carasmusings.blogspot.com
Original Writer for Jake Tremaine at Scenes & Beans: http://kannerlake.blogspot.comLabels: books, clothing, gap, on-line shopping, shoes, shopping
