Good morning. I went golfing a while ago with a friend who I know doesn’t earn a lot of money, yet he had a $500 golf set. His driver alone cost over $150. I asked him how many times a year he golfed and he said only once or twice. Once or twice! And yet he thinks he needs to have a top of the line golf set. I mean, come on, if you’re golfing once or twice a year I would think a decent $200 golf set would do just fine.
I have come across a number of people with this same trait. They think they need to have “The Best”. There is nothing inherently wrong with that except these are people that can’t pay their bills each month. Their money picture is all out of balance, meaning, in some areas they are lacking and other areas they have too much. Their house is falling apart or they can’t afford to pay their bills and yet they’ll go out and buy an item and it will be the top of the line or the biggest or the best and of course the most expensive.
Another example is an individual I know who is struggling with money. She went out and bought a brand new $700 computer. Now a $700 computer may not seem like such a big deal to most of you, but I know for a fact that you can purchase a great computer for around $400. I recently got one for my family and it works great and is very powerful. I don’t know what she got for the extra $300 but I guarantee you she doesn’t need it. All she is using her computer for is to access the internet and do simple word processing. But for some reason she was compelled to get “The Best.”
Its purchases like that that baffle me sometimes. Whether it’s a computer or clothes or a car or a camera – if you’ve got the money then go ahead and get the best. But if you don’t have the money you shouldn’t be buying top of the line items.
I’ve never bought a brand new car in my life and I don’t know if I ever will. You can buy great used vehicles for a fraction of the cost of new ones. I pay cash. I don’t go into debt. The car I drive right now is a great car and it didn’t cost much at all. It has all the luxury features, all the bells and whistles, and I’m very happy with it. Mostly I’m happy because it didn’t cost me a dime in interest. I paid for it with a check. It’s a fraction of the cost that many people, who make less money than me, spend on their brand new cars. I can then take that extra money and do fun things like go on a cruise with my wife, which is what I’m doing next week. I would much rather use the money for other things than sinking it into a vehicle or an expensive computer.
The point I’m trying to make is this: If you have the money, great. I don’t have a big problem with you having nice things or even the best things. I do have a problem if you buy those things when you can’t afford it. If you’re struggling and you can barely buy food or clothes for your kids then why do stupid things like buy an expensive car or an expensive computer or an expensive camera that you don’t need? Why do you think you have to have “The Best?” You can get along fine with good quality things. You can be perfectly happy and content without the 72″ big-screen TV – really! Many people do.
The next time you feel compelled to purchase “The Best,” stop and think. Why are you buying it? Are there cheaper models that will do just fine? Can you purchase it used? Can you skip the purchase altogether? Be wise. Think before spending. The best may end up not being the best after all.
Thank you.
Master Yourself, Master Your Life
Copyright © 2009 Gary N. Larson
While I understand your point of this post and know that you have the best of intentions, it is my opinion that you may want to undergo a bit more of reflection prior to publishing. You come off as awefully judgemental in many of your posts and, quite honestly, lack the credentials to be offering advice on “living simply” or, much less, on “perfectionism.”
I feel for your friend with whom you spent the day playing golf, because instead of offering your friendship and enjoying his company, you were too preoccupied with his purchase of a $500 golf set (which I would have you know, is indeed a modest price for a set of golf clubs). Where you argue here under “Master your Money” that people often get caught up in buying “the best,” another could easily write a post in response with the thesis of using your money wisely (i.e. investing it, or making more charitable contributuions) However, just as you are excited to spend your excess money to go on a cruise with your wife “for fun,” your friend was probably excited to use his golf clubs twice a year “for fun.”
Ashleigh,
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your opinion and thanks for taking the time to share it with me. I was curious as to what credentials you feel a person needs to have to write about living a simple life or about perfectionism. I felt that living well beneath my means, being totally debt free and being able to pay cash for everything I buy should count for something.
My stated purpose of this web site is pretty clear as you can read on my ABOUT page:
“I believe that actions speak louder than words and that a proven track record holds more weight than a certificate or degree on the wall. So I tend to write more from personal experience than from theory. It’s easier and more credible to teach something you have already done yourself. I’m not an expert, coach, consultant or doctor. I write from real experience from real life.”
I deal and counsel with people every week who have fallen into the “Buying the Best” trap and see where it gets them. It breaks my heart to see them buy that $700 computer or other high end items and then not be able to buy groceries. If that’s judgmental then so be it.
And maybe you missed the part of the post where I said:
“The point I’m trying to make is this: If you have the money, great. I don’t have a big problem with you having nice things or even the best things. I do have a problem if you buy those things when you can’t afford it.”
That doesn’t sound too unreasonable to me. If you can afford to go on a cruise then do it. I can and do. But even better I also invest my money and contribute over 10% of my income to charity. Being judgmental of others goes both ways.
Have a nice day.
Garold