To Ask if You are Materialistic?

[BeLikeThatSometimes]

And if so, is there anything wrong with it?

I have dreamt about nice clothes and “stuff” in general as far as I remember back, perhaps because we had limited budget growing up and nobody was spoilt.

Now reasonably successful professional, my tastes and aspirations are different but I still think a lot about material things and how they make life more enjoyable and beautiful. My friends and parents are not like this, my mother is big on culture, my grown up daughter values experiences more, and I feel shallow and indulgent I’m comparison, obsessing over prospect of new hand towels, shoes, body lotion, bedding, garden furniture etc. Not a hoarder but always something “next on the list” to research, check out etc - not always buy!

Anyone else like this?

I'm like this. I like nice things and there is nothing wrong with it. I can't afford them every time but it's okay to dream about them!

No.

We grew up poor and I so wished I had stuff like my well off friends. Once we bought our own home we worked hard, updated as and when we could, but still didn’t have lots.

We are now more financially secure than ever, but are also older, and have come to realise that it’s just clutter. I’m big on recycling and reducing consumption these days. All this ‘stuff’, it’s just so unimportant.

It also doesn’t seem to be bringing you happiness if you are always trying to get your next ‘fix’.

I used to covet stuff, then I bought a £1000 bag reduced through various vouchers and discounts to £500. After a week I realised I just don’t care about bags (I’d been staring at this bag on-line for months). Best £500 I ever spent, very freeing. I’m with pp, it’s just stuff.

Nope. I’m the opposite, always trying to get rid of stuff, find it hard with sentimental things and things I’ve inherited, but I actually would happily own at least 50% less of what I have.

Nothing wrong with this of it makes you happy.

I don't splurge like I used to because in my experience, things that make life best are other people and you having time for yourself.

£££££ looks better in a bank than spent on a Bottega tho

Yes and no. (Although I might be confused about what being materialistic entails).

I don’t really covet new things, but I am somewhat protective over the things I do have.

I like nice things. I would rather spend more getting a good product and own it for years

Yes and no, I like to have nice things but don't really like shopping and try to keep things decluttered. We only own one set of bedding for example, but it's good quality.

Oh and I don't think there's anything wrong particularly with liking stuff and buying stuff. There's plenty of shittier ways to be

I don't like things but I do like culture and experiences. All three cost money, all three were things I didn't have growing up and valuing one over the other doesn't make anyone an inherently bad person. You still need money for culture, accessing culture works on the same pleasure receptors as accessing 'stuff'...

how they make life more enjoyable and beautiful I just don't feel this way. I don't get why people care much about stuff.

I do have some things that mean a lot to me, but they are sentimental things.

I'm not very materialistic and my life is enjoyable and beautiful, to me.

Hell yes.

I had no money growing up.

I have a Louis Vuitton bag now.

I, and my children, are secure and safe and the bag represents this.

The older I get, the less stuff I actually want. I’m getting rid of things almost weekly.
I’ve discovered it’s quite freeing. Less to worry about.

Yes. I like nice things and am happy to spend money on them, I see absolutely no reason to deprive myself of things I enjoy because others may consider me shallow. I also like travel, languages, literature, history, and politics to name a few. It doesn’t have to be either/or.

I'm materialistic, I like the things and shopping makes me happy. In the past I've spent silly money on bags and other frivolous things which I could absolutely afford at the time, wanting something for ages then being able to buy it was/is an addictive feeling.

I'm still materialistic now but I have no spare money for purchases and I feel inferior without splurges. It's definitely something I really don't like about myself. It doesn't mean I don't value experiences though, since having children I value experiences more than material possessions but when I can't have the possessions it depresses me.

No. It's just a distraction from real life, isn't it. I really dislike fast fashion and fast homewares and the idea of constantly updating and getting new things. It's a bit like drinking or taking drugs, what are you trying to get from it that you can't get elsewhere?

I do sometimes spend a while browsing and choosing clothes having said that, but that's because I have unusual tastes, buy as little as possible (so what I DO buy has to be right) and try to buy second hand, which takes more effort.

I’m not into clutter but like occasional well chosen new or second hand items which have longevity. We are careful with cash, we need to be. Having experiences is a high priority but they could be free or payed for

^ this! I love travel, experiences, time with family/friends (usually sharing said experiences) but I also love ‘nice stuff’ in my home because it gives me pleasure every day. I like nice clothes, shoes, bags, makeup etc because they make me feel good about myself.

@BeLikeThatSometimes ignore the hair shirt brigade and do whatever makes you happy! I am of an age now that used to be referred to as a ‘pensioner’, only the government has fucked me over there!!

I spent yesterday sacrificing to get my qualifications, get started in my career, rear
my children while pretty much working for my pension to pay childcare… put them through uni… and the rest!

There are no pockets in a shroud and if I want to do/buy the things I love before I shuffle the mortal coil, I’ll be fucked if I let anyone judge me or make me feel bad!!

No I'm not materialistic. I'm into culture, and will think nothing of buying tickets for shows in London for me and my DCs, and days out and educational stuff. I grew up poor and have ended up financially comfortable but just get no pleasure out of buying stuff. My sister loves to have nice things in her home though and always has loads of unworn clothes and a new look for her flat every time I visit.

I did go through a bit of a phase of buying stuff and seeking out labels etc, which I think came from my anxiety from being poor when I was younger. But nowadays it just doesn't interest me. I have plenty of spare money nowadays and I find it satisfying to watch it build up and grow through investments.

Nothing particularly wrong with wanting to buy things but the issue is thinking they'll bring happiness. A bit Zen but is broadly true.

It also depends on whether we think consumption or conspicuous consumption is good for the planet. Unfortunately our economy is based on us continually buying and aspiring to buying more crap than we need.

We should really stop but it's easier said than done.

Yes, but only some stuff. I don’t spend a lot of money on clothes or handbags or furniture or other things that people regularly see. But I have some things that I like and that are important to me: my china (dozens of mismatched antique teacups), my bike (nothing fancy), my musical instruments which I only play when no one can hear me . I also have a favourite pen. I’m really attached to these kinds of things.

Definitely not. I’d rather spend money on holidays, trips, experiences. There’s so much overconsumption in the world and I don’t want to add to it

No. Stuff doesn’t make me happy. I want less. I hate clutter.

I just debated this with my SIL who spent £250 on pink suede boots today that will be worn once.

I do like buying useful stuff though - like new running shoes. Or a tent! I also love experiences like tickets to a show.

No I'm indifferent to 'stuff', flash cars, labels etc. I am however very poor and if I won the lottery still wouldn't buy things but I would do lots of travelling with my kids and see the world together.

I like things a lot but I'm not continually replacing stuff for the sake of it, e.g. 20 years ago I bought a 1950s sideboard second hand on ebay. It cost me £150 (it was a good buy, MCM is much more fashionable now and the same sideboard can be found on Vinterior for 10x that price now). It still gives me great pleasure every day, it's so beautiful. I get a lot of satisfaction from searching for the perfect piece for the house and always look at what is available second hand / vintage / antique before I look at new.

I'm materialistic in that I like things and get pleasure from living in a beautiful house and planning changes but I don't change things unnecessarily (e.g. our current house had a nice kitchen put in 4 years before we bought so won't change that any time soon and even the 15-20 year old bathroom is good quality and so all I did was paint the walls and get blinds for the windows, no plans to replace for a while).