Shopping

By Kayla

“There are people who have money and people who are rich.”
~Coco Chanel

It’s all there: racks of over priced, yet tempting articles of clothing; show rooms cleverly displaying luscious fabrics atop plush sofas; rows of perfectly in sync, flat screen televisions, flashing the latest movies; isles of delicious meals awaiting your dinner table; shelves crammed with the most innovative, stainless steel blenders; boxes of loud, colorful toys every child seeks; towering stands overflowing with gift cards, labeled with cheery messages; tables stacked with the newest best sellers and classic titles; and to top it all of – the most necessary aspect – crowds of people shuffling about, throwing items into their carts, and moving on to the next possession they can get their hands on. Shopping is inevitable; we must buy in order to live. Almost every aspect of life requires shopping, whether it is for clothes, food, toiletries, household items, furniture, electronics, books, cars, or even homes. However, while many people in places such as the United States incorporate shopping into their everyday lives, they may not realize how much of a privilege it is. We are consumers - we buy what is necessary and we buy needlessly. Shopping is part of our economy, our culture, and our everyday lives.

"Confessions of a Shopaholic"


Americans have the tendency to buy excessively. Many people buy because they want something whether they need it or not. Yet in America, our vice of careless shopping has come to a screeching halt due to our difficult economic times. I admit that from time to time I blow my money on that one super cute, yet super expensive jacket that really has no intended occasion, or that pallet of bronzer to give that I-just-came-home-from-Hawaii glow, which I may or may not wear. In perspective, however, these few splurges are minor in comparison to the many big investments that millions of people across the country make, which in return, give them the unpleasant reality of debt. Recently, the decline of sales at stores across America has been evident, in response to the hardships that many people are facing. Referring to the decrease of sales that took place on the usually enormous shopping turnout, Black Friday, Joe Wilcox of www.microsoftwatch.net wrote, “Consumers spent $2.03 billion, compared with $2.21 billion a year ago, at brick-and-mortar retail stores. Black Friday has generally been a day of big promotions, but not this year. ComScore earlier reported big online promotions, and I observed many, but NPD found fewer in stores this year.” It is quite apparent that people are finally realizing the extent of money problems that this country is experiencing, and a change in the way we live has definitely taken effect.

The age-old quote, “money can’t buy happiness” is a lesson that takes time to learn. In our culture, having the biggest houses, the sportiest cars, the trendiest clothes, the newest technology, and the best of everything is craved among society. It gives us confidence and makes us feel good. However, being able to buy what we want, when we want it is just wishful thinking for most of us. Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “It is an unfortunate human failing that a full pocketbook often groans more loudly than an empty stomach.” When we look at the big picture, all of these material things are great, but what good are they if we are not really happy? Happiness to me is being with my friends and family, having a good time, and laughing. I have come to learn that being in competition with everyone around me is exhausting and pointless; there will always be somebody with the better “something”, but I can’t let it affect the way I live my life. In some cases, insecurity issues lead to problems that result in shopping addictions, as shown in the clips below. Buying something new, despite the fact that it is unaffordable at the time, is a form of assurance and stress relief for many people who suffer from the disease. While spending money is a quick fix for these insecurities at the time, eventually their problems will only heighten. A small as it seems, shopping can destroy one’s life in more than just monetary ways.

True Life - MTV Shows

Shopping is an activity that is constantly changing throughout the stages of one’s life. When we are young, we watch our parents shop, and think little of it – not understanding the hard earned money that goes into buying those items. I remember the series of questions that my naïve mind twirled around as a child: why can’t everything be free? Why do people work if everything could easily be free? If I everything were free, wouldn’t that eliminate problems? Then we phase into a more mature stage of life, a stage that recognizes all the expenses of life. I am now at the point in my life where I don’t want to rely on my parents for all of my many material desires. I am also at the point where I choose to save my money on most occasions, despite the fact that I get a pit in my stomach upon passing up items that belong in my wardrobe. There was recently a time at the mall where I forced myself to leave a store due to the overwhelming desire to buy virtually everything in my sight. While I move into my adult life, shopping is going to become less of a fun activity and more of a burden, as bills, groceries, and mandatory payments flood into my life. In spite of the harsh reality of growing up, I think there will always be room for the occasional shopping spree. ;]