The list goes on and on. A tried and true marketing campaign is to market a product or service as a way for the consumers to reward themselves. Its effective because we can justify an expense as a affirmation of our self-worth. But rewarding ourselves by spending is a trap. Our reward usually take the form of a consummable or temporary good that has no lasting value and/or that provides a brief sense of satisfaction at best.
Even in small amounts these little rewards are a cheat. Let’s say you “rewarded” yourself with a $5 expense each week. That’s $260 a year. At the end of the year, will that “reward” feel like $260 well-spent? What did it really leave you with? Satisfaction and/or self-esteem? Or a little more debt and/or bigger love-handles?
The next time you’re tempted to “reward” yourself with something that you know is a frivolous expense, stop and think. Which do you deserve: this impulse purchase of $5 or the value of that $5 after 5 years of compounding at a rate of 3.5%? How much more rewarding will it be if you take $260 worth of annual “rewards” and compounded it at 3.5% for 5 years in a standard savings account? I’m sure you could come up with other equally satisfying better ways of using that amount you spend on “rewards”.
Yes, we’re talking about delayed satisfaction in a physical sense but a much larger immdiate psychological reward in knowing how big of a reward you’re giving yourself by saving and waiting. You DO deserve it and more! You are worth it! You’re worth not falling for marketing tactics that prey on your insecurities. Stop cheapening yourself by rewarding yourself with junk. Managing your expenses wisely isn’t an act of deprivation, its an act of self-love.
The film bills itself as “Pointedly topical and consummately nonpartisan, I.O.U.S.A. drives home the message that the only time for America’s financial future is now“.
What really has me interested is the film revolves around U.S. Comptroller General David Walker as he travels the country explaining to citizens how our fiscal policies are unsustainable.
I haven’t been able to find the trailer for the film but here is an interview from Sundance with the director:
I’m looking forward to seeing this one and as soon as I have theatrical or DVD release schedule, I’ll post it here. There is also a forthcoming book tie-in. Click here to pre-order I.O.U.S.A., the book from Amazon.
If anyone has seen this film yet, I’d like to hear what they thought of it.
And of course there was my own contribution to the carnival- a very humorous Socially Irresponsible Investment Bank video that skewers some people’s warped perceptions of investment banks.
If you find Wall St and stock market stuff boring, you really need to check out Wallstrip.
Wallstrip describes itself as “stock culture meets pop culture”. Their video series is both entertaining as hell and informative. Here’s a great example.
If you know precious little about trading this precious metal we call gold and you could use a good laugh, this video is for you:
Second-Hand Home Improvement Supplies
Second-hand doesn’t necessarily mean second-rate. There’s great quality stuff out there if you know where to look. I’ve saved a ton of money doing this!
Take Advantage of Education Reimbursement
It amazes me how many people just ignore this valuable job benefit! Blueprint for Financial Prosperity explains why you should be taking advantage of it.
Comparing Working vs. Staying Home
As a current stay-at-home dad, I can vouch for the financial and lifestyle advantages of skipping work altogether!
Also make sure you check out my contribution to the Festival of Frugality- Free Home Bar Plans and Wine Rack Plans. The best way to save money on alcohol is not to drink. For those of us for whom that is not an option, a DIY home pub is great way to spend less.
This trailer was first posted to YouTube back in December and was accompanied by a note that said the full documentary was to follow but mentioned no release date.
I haven’t been able to track down the source yet for more details. If anyone knows anything about this documentary or how to contact the filmmakers, please let me know. I think we’re due a hard-hitting documentary on the student loan industry and its collusion with the Federal government.
We Americans are sabotaging our own future by allowing college tuition to spiral out of control and by allowing student borrowers to be misled and preyed upon by unscrupulous lending institutions.
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