Home
Log in / Sign Up
    Private Messages   Rules   New User Guide   FAQ   Advertise   Contact Us  
Forum -> The Social Scene -> Chit Chat
Why do we have deep urges to BUY BUY BUY?
1  2  Next



Post new topic   Reply to topic View latest: 24h 48h 72h

thegiver  




 
 
    
 

Post Sun, Jun 30 2024, 7:16 pm
I feel like spending all my free time shopping. It must be a form of avodah Zara distracting from avodas Hashem. What is this mad consumerism?

Any good explanations?
Back to top

write4right




 
 
    
 

Post Sun, Jun 30 2024, 7:21 pm
Because we're in this world to acquire more and more spiritual possessions, but we often express that in buying stuff.

ETA: I think I heard this from Rav Avigdor Miller


Last edited by write4right on Sun, Jun 30 2024, 7:34 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top

pinkpeonies




 
 
    
 

Post Sun, Jun 30 2024, 7:32 pm
write4right wrote:
Because we're in this world to acquire more and more spiritual possessions, but we often express that in buying stuff.


Wow!!!
Back to top

allthingsblue  




 
 
    
 

Post Sun, Jun 30 2024, 7:35 pm
Read the second perek of Yeshaya

Hint: materialism is the nisayon of the generation before the geulah comes
Back to top

Goldengoose




 
 
    
 

Post Sun, Jun 30 2024, 7:51 pm
allthingsblue wrote:
Read the second perek of Yeshaya

Hint: materialism is the nisayon of the generation before the geulah comes


that brings me comfort. thank you.
Back to top

steak4me




 
 
    
 

Post Sun, Jun 30 2024, 8:00 pm
thegiver wrote:
I feel like spending all my free time shopping. It must be a form of avodah Zara distracting from avodas Hashem. What is this mad consumerism?

Any good explanations?


Ahhh that’s where the name Zara comes from. I was wondering
Back to top

mom2mysouls  




 
 
    
 

Post Sun, Jun 30 2024, 8:01 pm
My neighbor claims that buying something gives you a quick high, and people that are generally not so happy, are the ones shopping daily.

IMO I think today's stuff are so junky that a pair of shoes that once lasted almost a full year doesn't last anymore. Same for clothing. Everything is cheap quality.

But it's also possible that there are so many items/ideas (seen on social media) easily acquired through Amazon etc. Shopping is easy, and everyone is upgrading with more modern and cool stuff. People just feel like going along with the trend.
Back to top

TheCoolMom




 
 
    
 

Post Sun, Jun 30 2024, 8:13 pm
Such beautiful explanations!
Now I need to check out all the carts on my browsing tabs. See you in $7000 from now.
Back to top

  allthingsblue




 
 
    
 

Post Sun, Jun 30 2024, 8:24 pm
Goldengoose wrote:
that brings me comfort. thank you.


Read the perek before you take comfort.

It was musar from a Navi.
Back to top

advocate




 
 
    
 

Post Sun, Jun 30 2024, 9:42 pm
I think another idea I've heard is that women have the power of newness, and that desire is (mis)channeled into shopping.
Back to top

zaq  




 
 
    
 

Post Mon, Jul 01 2024, 11:02 am
My thoughts:
1. Because you look at stuff. Velo taturu acharei levavchem veacharei EINEICHEM. The eye sees, the heart desires.

2. Because you read or listen to advertisements designed to seduce you into believing that if only you had that vacation home in Sudan/Wives Scent LowRent rattlesnake skin toothbrush holder/Squid ink skin cream / James Bond 007 escape vehicle/platinum necklace with genuine moon rock pendant and matching bracelet with a chunk of the Berlin Wall, you would look, feel, and be beautiful, rich, s*xy, brilliant, popular and successful.

3. Because you don't think before you buy or are so disorganized that you don't remember what you have and therefore always buy more.

4. Because you lack self-esteem and secretly believe that having stuff buys you respect.

5. Because you lack values and openly believe that having stuff makes you respectable.

6. Because there is something lacking in your life, and the temporary joy you feel when you acquire stuff is your unconscious attempt to make up for that lack.

7. Because you were truly poor in your early life and are trying to make up for it now.

8. Because you have terminal FOMO and live in terror of not having precisely the right thing when you want it.


Last edited by zaq on Mon, Jul 01 2024, 3:54 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top

Bnei Berak 10  




 
 
    
 

Post Mon, Jul 01 2024, 11:19 am
mom2mysouls wrote:
My neighbor claims that buying something gives you a quick high, and people that are generally not so happy, are the ones shopping daily.

IMO I think today's stuff are so junky that a pair of shoes that once lasted almost a full year doesn't last anymore. Same for clothing. Everything is cheap quality.

But it's also possible that there are so many items/ideas (seen on social media) easily acquired through Amazon etc. Shopping is easy, and everyone is upgrading with more modern and cool stuff. People just feel like going along with the trend.

Your neighbour is correct. There are scientific studies.
Back to top

  Bnei Berak 10  




 
 
    
 

Post Mon, Jul 01 2024, 11:24 am
zaq wrote:
My thoughts:
1. Because you look at stuff. Velo taturu acharei levavchem veacharei EINEICHEM. The eye sees, the heart desires.

2. Because you read or listen to advertisements designed to seduce you into believing that if only you had that vacation home in Sudan/Wives Scent LowRent rattlesnake skin toothbrush holder/Squid ink skin cream / James Bond 007 escape vehicle/platinum necklace with genuine moon rock pendant and matching bracelet with a chunk of the Berlin Wall, you would look, feel, and be beautiful, rich, s*xy, brilliant, popular and successful.

3. Because you don't think before you buy or are so disorganized that you remember what you have and therefore always buy more.

4. Because you lack self-esteem and secretly believe that having stuff buys you respect.

5. Because you lack values and openly believe that having stuff makes you respectable.

6. Because there is something lacking in your life, and the temporary joy you feel when you acquire stuff is your unconscious attempt to make up for that lack.

7. Because you were truly poor in your early life and are trying to make up for it now.

8. Because you have terminal FOMO and live in terror of not having precisely the right thing when you want it.

THIS
May I add: The 'Why not?' mindsetting. A frugal person needs a good reason why an item needs to be bought.
Back to top

  Bnei Berak 10  




 
 
    
 

Post Mon, Jul 01 2024, 11:27 am
thegiver wrote:
I feel like spending all my free time shopping. It must be a form of avodah Zara distracting from avodas Hashem. What is this mad consumerism?

Any good explanations?

Kudos for being so brutally honest!
What are you shopping?
Back to top

  thegiver  




 
 
    
 

Post Mon, Jul 01 2024, 8:04 pm
advocate wrote:
I think another idea I've heard is that women have the power of newness, and that desire is (mis)channeled into shopping.


Please explain
Back to top

penguin




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 02 2024, 3:32 am
Rabbanit Yemima says if you're sad, pick yourself up and go shopping! Of course I am sure she means within your budget, otherwise you'll end up sadder...
Back to top

  mom2mysouls




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 02 2024, 11:02 am
Bnei Berak 10 wrote:
Your neighbour is correct. There are scientific studies.


Agree.
But even though I'm a content person, those containers that fit my shelf perfectly make me happier every day. Things look neat and organized.
Like everything in life, shopping needs a balance.
Back to top

  zaq  




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 02 2024, 12:23 pm
Speak for yourself. Not everyone is cursed with a yetzer hara for this.
Back to top

  Bnei Berak 10




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 02 2024, 12:55 pm
mom2mysouls wrote:
Agree.
But even though I'm a content person, those containers that fit my shelf perfectly make me happier every day. Things look neat and organized.
Like everything in life, shopping needs a balance.

Balance is the key word.
I'm trying to implement "if it will have a purpose and a use it's existence is justified.
I get a small thin rubber mat as a gift to facilitate opening difficult lids. It's *bright orange*. I absolutely hate orange with all my heart and soul. It survives and thrives in my drawer only because it's useful.
Back to top

Cheiny




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 02 2024, 1:18 pm
mom2mysouls wrote:
My neighbor claims that buying something gives you a quick high, and people that are generally not so happy, are the ones shopping daily.

IMO I think today's stuff are so junky that a pair of shoes that once lasted almost a full year doesn't last anymore. Same for clothing. Everything is cheap quality.

But it's also possible that there are so many items/ideas (seen on social media) easily acquired through Amazon etc. Shopping is easy, and everyone is upgrading with more modern and cool stuff. People just feel like going along with the trend.


Shopping can also be an addiction for some people. It’s usually to try to fill a void inside. But of course it will only feel good for a short while and then the emptiness and need are back. That need can never be filled with things.
Back to top
Page 1 of 2 1  2  Next Recent Topics




Post new topic   Reply to topic    Forum -> The Social Scene -> Chit Chat

Related Topics Replies Last Post
Where to buy cheap handbags in Flatbush -time sensitive 1 Yesterday at 11:28 am View last post
Lap Child Birthday mid travel, buy return ticket?
by amother
5 Thu, Nov 21 2024, 1:27 am View last post
Do you know where to buy an ATV for a 12 year old?
by amother
0 Wed, Nov 20 2024, 8:31 pm View last post
Cameras...what do u buy?
by abound
6 Wed, Nov 20 2024, 6:57 pm View last post
Where can I buy a hatfall?
by amother
4 Tue, Nov 19 2024, 1:12 pm View last post