Disconnected

I was recently reading an article over at LifeHacker about the real/perceived benefits of moving to a simplified lifestyle. Rarely do I make my way through the comments as frankly, I am not interested in what most readers have to write, however one of the very first comments got my attention. Not for its wittiness or profound insight, rather for its absolute stupidity. Its one of those moments that ones head actually hurts after reading.

The commenter explains that he simply cannot live a simple lifestyle as he lives in “the real world.” A world that requires material possessions that not only have a hefty price tag, but must come in abundance. This is because his image maters in his position in life and work and that success is measured by what car one drives and what house one lives in. I can go on, but my head is starting to hurt again… be right back, need some more Vicodin…

Stupidity aside, I will attempt to answer this guys response using something those of us living in the “real world” call logic.

Point 1: The number one problem with the American people right now is debt. Americans continue to spend more than they make or spend everything they do make. Why? Because they need to beat the Joneses. Furthermore, they have such poor self-esteem that they need to over-compensate with material items.

Point 2: Freedom comes from not owing anything to anyone. Having complete freedom means being able to do what you want to do and when you want to do it. In this case, it sounds to me that he “must” purchase these items in abundance because he “must” maintain an “image” that his profession requires, ergo he does not have the financial freedom to leave said job. The people with the most power are the people without debt. The people with cash. The people that can do what they want, say what they want, be fearless, and not worry about what others think. Want power, save money.

Point 3: Moving to a simple lifestyle does not mean one must sacrifice on quality; just quantity. Think of it this way; do you want to eat at a buffet for dinner or a fine dinning establishment? I am one that likes the very best in everything from cars, clothes, computers, electronics, etc… I buy the best suites, but I buy just two. I buy the best clothes, but buy just what I need. I buy the best electronics, but just the necessities. You get the point. I always ask myself, do I really need this item? Will it improve my way of life or hurt it? For example, Cable TV; hurt. Internet; Improve. Phone, MP3, Camera, Video; hurt. iPhone; improve.

Point 4: Rich people can never be judged by what they wear, drive, or have. Most, in fact all of my doctor-, attorney-, broker-friends have the $80,000 car(s), $500,000 home(s), $20,000 sound systems, etc… and everyone of them are in debt. This is now the norm. Their net-worth is in the red. They have car payments, mortgages, credit card payments, and the like. Then I have friends that own small and medium sized businesses. The ones that started a business from the ground up. They drive $20,000 used cars, live in $300,000 home(s) and usually many more that they invest in, and live a very nice, but modest lifestyle. They own their cars, they own their homes, they own everything. Everything they have is theirs and the kicker is they have hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in savings. Now, who is the smarter person? They don’t care what others think.

Point 5: Simple is just that; simple. Ask any scientist and the simplest solution is usually the correct solution. Keep things simple and less can go wrong. It makes life easier and reduces stress. We need people like this guy as it makes money for people like me. I want him to spend money on the items I sell and the services I provide.

Keep adding to my bank account buddy! I live comfortably, being able to purchase just about anything I want, but I live simply and I certainly don’t need to keep up with the Joneses. Give me freedom not debt.

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