Since 1980, we have transformed ourselves from the world's biggest creditor
nation to the nation most in debt.  Mirroring this change, personal debt has skyrocketed.  Credit cards allow us to get it "now," and make it easy to dig ourselves into some very deep holes.
         I grew up glued to the TV, with its constant portrayal of affluence combined with ads claiming we could buy our way to happiness--if only we had enough money!  My generation (I'm 41) was raised with the myth of ever increasing abundance, and we're still trying to fulfill that idea.  Our politicians and economic system continually push "growth," but as Edward Abbey observed:  "unlimited growth in a finite system is the ideology of the cancer cell."  Yet we seem to think that only "more" will satisfy us.  The number of square feet that is considered "adequate" for a home has risen dramatically in the past 30 years-- and now, well, "we need furniture" to fill those rooms.  What about the heating bill?  And so on.
         One concept we didn't learn very well is "enough."  Knowing for oneself how
much is sufficient is crucial for satisfaction.  I love this book "Your Money or Your Life," by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin.  As they point out, there is no finite end point to "more":  as soon as we get it, we still want--more.
         Along with and in contradiction to the myth that more is always better, my
generation grew up with a disdain for money, preferring (at least in theory) higher spiritual or humanitarian values.  Thus we don't respect a buck, and tend to throw one away all too easily.  But our lives require a constant stream of bucks (especially when we get into debt), so we devote huge quantities of time and energy to jobs that often aren't maximizing our gifts and talents, and therefore we fail to make our best possible contribution to the world.
         "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go."  The pace of our lives is constantly
accelerating, and our jobs are more demanding all the time.  The break-up of families is often attributed to a lack of moral fiber, but the demands of modern life must share the blame:  to pay the bills, both must work.  Childcare is expensive, but what can you do?  We're tired after work, so we often skip cooking, eating convenience foods, "fast" foods, or at restaurants instead--at the expense of both our pocketbooks and (often) our health as well.  On the job, we must "keep our cool" and "put our best foot forward." Unfortunately, our anger and despair are then sometimes inflicted upon those we love most--when we're tired and don't have the energy to work through these interpersonal challenges.  Resentments build; violence and divorce statistics are compiled.
         The problems with the world don't exist because Americans aren't working hard enough.  Rather, we are working too hard at most of the wrong things.  We need instead to slow down, breathe deeply, and reflect on the course we want to set for our lives.
         It sometimes seems to me that there are two great classes of people in our country:  the overworked, and the unemployed.  Can't we have a happy medium?  Can't we create more time to garden, to cook wholesome food, to be involved in our community and nurture ties with family and friends?
         A return to frugality will help reclaim the minutes and hours of our lives.  Frugality means a return to some old fashioned values:  don't waste, enjoy the simple pleasures, be creative and resourceful, fix up the old thing (rather than landfilling it and buying a new one), share with neighbors, eat your vegetables, watch for sales, buy in bulk, wait till you can afford it, and sometimes--yes--just do without.
         It's good for the environment, too:  the possessions we fill our lives with--along with the gas we put in our cars--all come from the earth.  We are killing ourselves with cheap oil and rich food.  It's good to know that what's best for our wallet is also usually best for our health and for the planet.
         A profound first step for many people is simply to turn off the TV:  "unplug the plug-in drug."  This device seeks constantly to fill us with a mythology of happiness derived from ever increasing "consumption."  Turn it off!  Take a walk, call a friend, take a nap, join a cause, work in the yard, read a book, take a class, go rollerskating, or just plain do nothing.  It's OK!  Have fun!
         Let's reclaim our time--its all we really have in this life.  Knowing what is "enough" and a return to frugality will help us do this and will dramatically improve the quality of our lives.
 
 

          "The Center for a New American Dream" is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing and shifting North American consumption while fostering opportunities for people to lead secure and fulfilling lives. The organization helps individuals, communities, and businesses establish sustainable practices that will ensure a healthy planet for future generations."   This site is truly awesome. You'll find all the information you need on this topic right here, or on links from here.   Start with the "Main Menu".  Happy travels!
           All-Consuming Passion:  Waking up from the American Dream is a very thought provoking compilation of statistics regarding comsumption, lifestyles, happiness, and the planet.  Click back for voluminous material from PlanetKeepers and EcoFuture.
          The Tightwad Gazette Fan Club has lots of information, practical tips, and the experiences of others in living frugally.  Many links, too, at the bottom of the page.
           "Af-flu-en-za n. 1. The bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses. 2. An epidemic of stress, overwork, waste and indebtedness caused by dogged pursuit of the American Dream. 3. An unsustainable addiction to economic growth. 4. A television program that could change your life."
          "Commercial Alert is an organization devoted to helping families, parents, children, and communities defend themselves against harmful, immoral or intrusive advertising and marketing, and the excesses of commercialism."