The Urge to Upgrade

I am an American consumer. I like to buy and buy often. Newly purchased merchandise and services seem to instantly brighten my mood and erase the stresses of the day. And, at times, I do overspend. That's what credit cards are for, right?

Even when I know I have enough of something, I'm always urged to buy more because of the "upgrade" mentality that pervades our society. Once you purchase something, be it a house, car or a pair of shoes, its value begins to depreciate. Suddenly, the car that you purchased for 20, 000 is worth $15,000 and even the house that you thought would appreciate in value is in need of repairs.

That's where human innovation comes to your rescue. New products and services are always being created. Functional and aesthetic "improvements" are always being made on past creations. New products now tout energy efficiency, sleeker silhouettes and richer hues. Clever marketing creates voids where there was once a product that satisfied both your needs and wants. The urge to upgrade takes you to your nearest retail shop and the next you know you're buying a toothbrush that removes 5% more plaque than conventional brushes in clinical trials.

But as energy and food prices continue to soar, I've begun counteract the urge to upgrade and remind myself of the things that I already I have. Two mantras of frugality have become particularly close to my heart in the past few months: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and "Quality not quantity." Billboards still remind me daily of my fashion inadequacy and for a few seconds I think, "Hmmm, those red velvet shoes are just what I need to spice up my shoe collection!" But then I erase the glow from my eyes with a recollection of the two aforementioned mantras and of the three out of twenty-something pairs of shoes that I wear regularly. I've even started to scale back on my already sizable collection of "things": the multitude of products to care for hair, face, body, nails, hands, feet and eyes and the various accoutrements that adorn them. I now consolidate products from facial moisturizers and toners to mp3 players and cell phones. I refuse to have two of anything where one will suffice. It has been difficult (not watching TV helps immensely) but I'm making progress and saving space and money. I make wish-lists of the new things I want and take a few weeks to really analyze the my reasons for wanting to make the purchase:

• Do I need it? What do I need it for? Do I have something very similar to it already?
• Why do I want it? To keep up with the Pitts? To make me feel better?
• Can I afford it or will this purchase keep me from doing/buying something more important?
• How will it improve my life or benefit me?
• Is it high quality? Will I be able to maintain it for a long period of time?

As I've written this post, the Beyonce song "Upgrade U" has been ringing in my ears and it still makes a lot of sense to me. Who wouldn't want to upgrade their polyester lined blazer for a silk (natural/non-carcinogenic) lined blazer or wear a high quality, shiny Cartier wristwatch? I know it sounds so anti-progress and so anti-American but "best" only lasts until someone creates (or you discover something) "better." At some point, you just have to control your insatiable appetite for bigger and better things. Furthermore, rampant consumerism isn't healthy for the environment, your savings or your psyche. Contrary to popular belief, millionaires aren't the happiest people, money doesn't buy happiness and sometimes older is better than new. I know that it may sound hokey, but ultimately creativity and self-esteem are key to locking up the urge to upgrade.