Life Style Creep, Retail Therapy and Treasure
This post was in part inspired by Joel and Alexis who write over at Fi180. I was listening to my favorite podcast and was struck by some comments made by this super couple in episode 024. Alexis spoke about spending tons of money (six figures) and having no idea what they spent it on, or what they bought. They spoke about going into Target and buying stuff. Stuff that they did not need or really want. Somehow it (retail therapy) was just something they did.
Later I read what I thought was a brilliantly written blog article by Abby Jungé entitled: "Why I Ended My Love Affair with Target." I love this article and if you like to shop, or find some (or too much) pleasure in retail therapy, I highly recommend reading this blog post. Abby talks about going there to find joy and actually finding the joy short lived and then having to deal with the emotions of having spent too much money on stuff she did not really need or want.
I did not write this post to bash Target. I too shop there from time to time. This post hinges on the question: What brings you real and lasting joy? At the core of modern western culture is a materialism and the notion that we have to keep up with the proverbial Joneses. The fact that the Joneses are all broke is besides the point. We go to Walmart or Target or... and buy buy buy. As if in some fashion the stuff we get will make some lasting difference in our lives and bring us both happiness and joy. "Oh look another shiny thing I must have." The problem is that stuff does bring temporary joy. Sadly retail therapy, momentarily, works. Yes for a brief moment we derive pleasure from shopping and getting some new possession. The endorphins kick in when we acquire that new special something that is only on sale this week and ... Then the moment passes. The shiny thing loses its shininess and we are bored with it. It must be replaced with something else, something new and exhilarating.
There is an ancient Massorite text that warns against the dangers of putting a lot of trust, emphasis and delight in stuff - in material and temporary things. This text encourages us to put our focus on deeper, more spiritual experiences that give us a lasting emotional connection for ourselves, with others and with God. It suggests that where our treasure lies, there is our heart also. What do you take pleasure in doing? For me, choosing Financial Independence (FI) is not simply about hitting a financial number so that I can retire. Fi is rather about a life philosophy of intentionally choosing experiences over things. Fi is about having relationships and community, rather than about stuff I am able to acquire. If I am intellectually honest with myself, I have all the stuff I need. Every one of my needs are abundantly met and most of my wants too. In fact, some of my "wants" I am not even really sure I want; I only think I want them right now. It is my connections with people; the joy that comes through a shared experience or activity and in the simple reaching out to others, that give me my energy, my joy, and fills me with passion.
As my paycheck has ever so slowly grown over nearly three decades of working for my church, I have done an ok job of not engaging in life-style-creep. I am saving more than I have ever saved before, and I am happy: happy with what I have; happy with what I don't have; and happy with the people and community in my life today. I am well on my way to being FI.
I have come to believe that real happiness, energy and passion-for-life comes from loving other people and trying to be of service to them. So here is my closing challenge, called the Rule-o-72 (different from the Rule of 72). Next time you want something (yes I know it is new and shiny) wait 72 hours. If you still want that thing after 72 hours and know precisely where you will put it in your house, then go ahead - buy it.
As for me, I am going to keep choosing people over objects & experiences over stuff. I'm trying to store up a different kind of treasure, deep within the far recesses of my heart and mind where nothing can rust and destroy them and where "thieves cannot break in and steal them." The philosophy of commercialism would have you believe that "he who dies with the most toys wins." What a ridiculous race to win! PastorFi suggest this: "He who dies with the most toys is dead." For where you treasure lies, there is your heart also.
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