Patrick Deneen alerts us to an encouraging new trend: making austerity cool. It's not really coming about out of an intent to be virtuous, but out of necessity, given the grim economic forecast. In an interesting twist, though, USA Today reports that people are becoming competitively frugal -- turning "keeping up with the Joneses" inside out. That's great! Forecasters suggest that this is not just a temporary thing, but a long-term shift:
Small cuts can also have a big effect on the economy. If cutting back becomes a cultural mind-set, it can be very hard to turn around."The new status isn't how much you've got, but your ability to show what you don't spend," says futurist Watts Wacker, who advises businesses on trends.
"This is a seminal moment. It's not a fad that will die out when the economy picks up."
"Crunchy Cons" -- the book -- is all about this kind of thing, so I'm glad to see some evidence of the culture shifting, for whatever reason. If people are becoming more responsible in their spending and consumption habits, that's great. If you haven't read the book yet, you'd probably enjoy its accounts of conservative-minded people who have shifted out of the consumerist mindset for reasons of philosophical and/or religious conviction. There are some good ideas there about how and why to simplify your life and your family's life.
The political theorist Deneen remarks:
It may be that this period through which we lived - our fifty year petroleum party - will force us out of a kind of fanciful childhood through a new kind of habituation in austerity. The practice of virtue does not take place in a vacuum, but in the recognition that the world is not so ordered for our self-indulgence, and that we, and our children and theirs, suffer as a result. Thus, some come to the realization: "It's not just leaner times. [Says one respondent], 'I won't go back to my old ways when the economy improves. It's hard for friends to understand, but I'm working on becoming more of a minimalist. It's a relief to have less.'Perhaps it is through a kind of chastening of our indulgences that a new habituation in virtue can begin. Or, perhaps it's just another cultural "trend" that will be lining the garbage bins today to make room for the next trend. I suspect the latter. At least in the short to medium term.
Has the bad economic forecast changed your spending behavior?
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I dearly WANT to pay someone to clean our house twice a month, but my husband has convinced me that he and the kids will do it instead.
I dearly WANT to pay someone to clean our house twice a month, but my husband has convinced me that he and the kids will do it instead.
I have my house cleaned twice a month. It pains my frugal husband, but he's not quite pained enough to commit to doing it himself. I've been having my house cleaned for 11 years now (not by inexpensive immigrants, either, lest anyone jump to conclusions), and there are a lot of non-essentials I will give up -- e.g. cable tv, internet access, cell phone, Starbucks -- before I give up the housecleaner. I'm out of the house for 12 hours a day, working and commuting, and as long as I can afford it, I'm cutting myself this slack.
I love reading pre WWII-England novels where young Mrs. ffollet-Twyggs is admired by all her friends because she makes do with just one man outside a daily woman in the mornings. Hehehe!
Mrs. Pringle
(debt free, BTW, except for the mortgage)
I'm lucky enough to have a permanent job after several years of "temping" and I am making an effort to both put more of a percentage of my income in my 401(K) and to actually open a savings account.
I realized recently that (aside from the 401(K)) I spend more on gifts for friends and family and on gifts to charity than I save (a lot more, since I've been saving 0% aside from the 401(K)). This year, I'm going to give smaller gifts and not give to charity until the end of the year, after I've put some savings in the bank.
Hooray for this blog. For years I have been touting to family and friends who could ill afford to 'keep up with the Jones'" to go on an austerity program. Rather than whine and cry about what they don't have, I suggest that they thank the Lord for all that they have been blessed with. We are not all created equal. Some are born into wealth,some not, but it is how well you control what you do have within your means and by spending less. Does the doggie really need the $45. bath by a pro? How many toys do your kids really need. They won't love you any more or less. Must little kiddies dress in designer wear? Start cutting back in all areas. Try using that thing against the wall with four burners and cook a homemade meal. With less, our minds begin to feel less cluttered, we can think much clearer about what's really important. The basics: food, water and a roof over our heads, a safe country.
I have recently become very aware of our families excess. When I see the corporate leaders excess I have realized that conserving on any income is common sense. I needed this wake up call to slow down. We do not need all that we consume. I feel that at this time in our lives less is more...
I have recently given up the gardner, $50.00 hair cuts (now $l6.00), I pump regular at the gas station, I have cut my Cable Tv to Basic...and will continue to look for other ways to economize.
I am planning on purchasing savings bonds for the grandchildren for Christmas instead of a carload of toys they will get one.
As I am writing this I am listening to the news and hear of a man who killed himself and his family as it was the only honorable way to settle his debt....
I am greatful for what I have and will not abuse my good fortune in the future.
Suzanne
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