Consumerism

In lieu of the release and record-breaking sales of the iPad2...

This is totally worth watching til the end. Thanks to my friend Simone for finding this.



The iPad2 has been selling like crazy, which means everyone has $600+ laying around the house to blow on it. I'm so happy the US economic crisis is over!

Or is it?

Shell out $600 for a tablet just because it's *cool*. ...Just certainly not my priority.

The iPad is just an illustration here. Consumerism is rampant, and only tends to get worse. There are trillions of products offered to us in the stores and we dash to buy it, just because...

Having a baby? No problem? We have diaper pails with refills, machines that will prepare a bottle for you (just like you'd prepare an espresso!), swings, wiper warmers, etc. What will you actually use? Is it worth it to spend $$$$ on a $150 designer diaper bag that you will carry around for a couple of years? Our diaper bag was a roomy, navy blue Eddie Bauer I got as a baby shower gift, unisex, and can still be used for other purposes (price tag $30). Don't get me started on the $900 strollers. There's certainly quality strollers out there that cost 4 times less.

A few years ago, we invested in an expensive KitchenAid mixer for the kitchen. I had an old hand-held mixer that just wasn't powerful enough to whip all the different frostings I decorate cakes with. I did my research. I found out that while the investment was a bit steep (more or less $200), the appliance would last a lifetime.

The same thing when I had to replace our vacuum cleaner and ended up investing on a Dyson. The price tag on that baby was $400, but I managed to pay $320 with a coupon. And I'll likely never have to spend money on a vacuum cleaner ever again.

*I swear I am not being paid for merchandising here.*

The bottom line is I'm certainly not perfect, but I learned to only buy what I need, and I do my homework before I spend my hard-earned cash. I don't need to replace the car every 2 years. I don't replace my computer every 2 years. Ultimately, everyone spends their money to buy whatever they want. A $600 tablet, a $700 Christian Loboutin pump, a $1,200 Coach handbag. Take your pick. Whatever makes you happy :)