Catalyst

I watched the ABC show Catalyst yesterday, and there was a segment on shopping addictions. I'm pretty sure I don't have one of those; just the occasional IKEA compulsion, which I've successfully pared down to once a year now. And maybe the occasional internet shopping binge (all in the name of finding gifts, of course!). ;)

The reason I'm mentioning it is that the comment of one of the interviewees caught my attention. His words were:

"If we only ever bought what we absolutely needed, our economy would come crashing down."

It's fascinating that our modern culture and wealth is built upon the spending and overspending of said income on things we don't actually need. If we were to give up our luxury extras overnight, chaos would immediately ensue. So should we keep buying stuff in the name of bolstering our economy?
I've decided to put together another list:

Things I don't need but can't do without?*

1. iPod (well, I could do without it if I had to, but I like justifying its existence by claiming spiritual edification)
2. Computer - It's incredibly helpful, but is it necessary for life? It certainly makes youth & children's ministry easier.
3. New clothes
4. Kitchen gadgets - mixmaster, etc. Do I really need extra appliances that mimic the oven?
5. Extra freezer for leftovers, loaves of bread, meat etc.
6. Espresso coffee maker
7. Electric blanket (only because the weather's cold at the moment!)
   

Things I don't need and should really give up:

1. TV - some of you think you can do without it. Try turning it off for a couple of weeks and wait for withdrawal symptoms (I notice the absence of Playschool)!
   
2. Chocolate - oh, but...
   
3. Homemaker magazines (they just make me want to buy more unnecessary stuff, though it may look very pretty!)
4. Window shopping. It has the same effect as the magazines.
5. Hoarding Toys - my children's rooms are overflowing with things they never play with. My house is overflowing with things I never touch. All this achieves is the necessity to buy more storage items.
   

Things that I actually really need:
Any list here would look too pious. We all know deep down what are the absolutely necessary things in life, and they don't take up too much space!

* In a pinch, I could manage without these things, but I've realised that I'm a decadent Westerner attached to pretty stuff.