textual analysis

Name
Professor
English 100
Date
Buy Yourself Less Stuff
In the article, Buy yourself less stuff, Dunleavey argues that, humans suffer from the universal delusion that indeed, material things have the ultimate power to influence the utmost happiness in people (Dunleavey 1). In the book, the author illustrates the contrast between conspicuous and inconspicuous material desire that influence people decision when it comes to spending and saving their money. Although it may seem obvious that saving and buying less stuff can improve one’s future financial score, people fend off multiple stealth assaults on their money, which affect their financial expectations. Learning to control the habit of overspending and unnecessary purchase of things for the sake of fulfillment can help lead to great financial stability and real happiness.
The author notes that people are gravely flawed in regards to linking material possession and happiness. She argues that while acquiring material things like cars, houses and expensive home appliances seem like the goal that one hopes would make him or her happy, it never usually is, and thus all these possessions turn out to be a disappointment. This trend is common because these things can only make us happy provided that they fit our desires. However, that is not an ordinary case because people never calculate the challenges that come with that particular possession. Thus, they end up disappointed. He further quotes Richard Einstein, a renowned economist who alleges that “You don’t quite have all the things you need but you are quite sure that when you acquire them, you will be satisfied” (Dunleavey 19).

This statement indeed conveys that, while it is never an abominable notion to overrate material things, the impression that these offer a high level of happiness and satisfaction is usually misleading. People are driven by the fundamental desire to have and purchase more and more. Every stage in life comes with new and even more ridiculous expectations. For instance, when one is 25 years old, all they want is a $ 50,000 salary, a Volvo, and a family, but at 35, one realizes that he or she needs a higher pay and a better car. This depiction, according to the author is the never-ending circle of human desires. The more we satisfy various needs, the more others arise as the desire to be better, have more, and feel superior is the wheel that drives human life.
Conversely, people search for happiness in material possession which does not fulfill their happiness in the long run and even after achieving what they wanted they still feel they need more to be happier and the circle continues. “The bulk of human experiences regarding monetary things have a short-lived effect on how happy you are’ (Dunleavey 20), the author says. She points out that human beings inherently cope with any atmosphere that they find themselves in so quickly. Hence, while at first, one may experience the thrill of acquiring something, the former fades away so swiftly that one even forgets that they anticipated the material that they procured. If only people could learn to avoid the excessive spending of money and the must-have supposition, then perhaps they could learn to enjoy orderly life.
The author then depicts that the only way that humans can refrain from the draining habit of wanting to spend and acquire more is through monitoring reasonable techniques of spending. She acknowledges that we can shift from the serial disappointments of life by deflecting focus from material possessions to life itself. She points out that we should overcome the deep-seated mind frame to have everything. She also points out that influence and competition are other forces that hijack our ability to utilize money well. The secret thus is to have a mind frame that limits the spending to an individual’s purchasing power. Spending should be on a level that sits comfortably with our resources. This way, you buy whatever you need absolutely, at the right financial time and thus its depreciating value will not interfere with your happiness.
Dunleavey further argues that bigger is not always better and that people should learn to combat the forces that make them spenders. She affirms that ‘the first step is to become acquainted with the joys of inconspicuous consumption’ (Dunleavey 19). She gives an example where a family that was taking too long to commute from home to work decided to cut their personal and luxury spending to build a home closer to town. In a few years time, these people bid goodbye the hassles of rented houses and public service transport as the home was based right at the heart of the city. Therefore, people must hold a grip on their finances if they are to create a better spending habit. See, when one has an analysis of the spending in comparison with the available resources, he or she make sound decisions regarding allocation. One ought to track the finances to rule out the unnecessary squandering habits. Have clarity of where every penny goes as most people go wrong by spending on everything but not a single thing in particular. Impulse buying is by far the leading cause of excessive spending thus it is also crucial to resist the urge.
Money and wealth are the capital drivers of humanity. Without the means to acquire items, we would not live comfortably. However, regardless of how good spending satisfies the immediate desire; it is usually unable to guarantee a lifetime of happiness as it comes with its challenges. The urge to fit, be better and have more, pushes people into purchasing things beyond their means thus rendering them frustrated as opposed to happy. Individuals can, however, overcoming this excessive need by taking charge of the finances. Budgeting and planning let one live within their means and avoid unnecessary disappointments. After all, people get over new obsessions so quickly thus, the excitement of a ridiculously expensive possession tends to fade away leaving people quite unhappy. Spending is fundamental as it satisfies the human desire and needs, however, for it to bring the supposed happiness, it must be controlled.
Works Cited
BIBLIOGRAPHY Dunleavey, M.P. Money can buy you happiness:How to spend to get the life you want. New York: Harmony, 2007.