Ajigglin
Well-known member
I was going to make this same suggestion to singer82.
Resolution "LOW-BUY" 2014! Who wants to play?
- Thread starter PixieDancer
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Kaori
Well-known member
Quote: Originally Posted by HerGreyness
and yes, there is a "Lipstick Indicator" in economics .. it follows the Hamburger indicator which gives us a generalized view of inflation.
Found even more economic indicators http://www.businessinsider.com/bizarre-economic-indicators-2012-8#buttered-popcorn-index-1
It looks like the economy wont be getting any better yet
and yes, there is a "Lipstick Indicator" in economics .. it follows the Hamburger indicator which gives us a generalized view of inflation.
Found even more economic indicators http://www.businessinsider.com/bizarre-economic-indicators-2012-8#buttered-popcorn-index-1
It looks like the economy wont be getting any better yet
Knope2012
Well-known member
This is one of the main reasons my husband and I are considering moving back to England. Especially in my field, salaries are being cut (when they were very low to begin with), and I honestly don't see anything getting better for a long time. He's also having a hard time finding anything above retail despite years of experience because his references are in England. We're just disillusioned all around right now.
Kaori
Well-known member
It may be best for the time being. But the economy is going downwards in Europe as well
My hubby tried applying to some jobs in England but nothing, not even an interview, ugh =.=
ma146rina
Well-known member
That's so true. Even when i was realizing that i was buying something due to a hype some ppl created or some smart marketing strategies i still wanted to get it.I feel exactly the same way.. It's almost like you need a therapist just to counteract the amount of advertising you're exposed to on a daily basis and bring yourself back to neutral again. That's part of the reason I love hanging out in this thread so much.. it's a nice counterbalance to the buying frenzy. We can be our own (and each others') therapists..
I knew i was being stupid and still couldn't stop myself. I feel this thread has helped me a lot
HerGreyness you're an amazing lady!
Knope2012
Well-known member
Yeah, we're hoping that my husband being an EU citizen and having management experience will help. It's so hard to get in there anyway, though, especially with the recent pushbacks against immigration. Most days, I honestly wish I had gone there instead of having him come here. I'm back in school to get a teaching certification, so we won't be able to consider it for a few years, and the laws have gotten really strict. We might have to go to my husband's home country first, and go from thereIt may be best for the time being. But the economy is going downwards in Europe as well
kait0
Well-known member
I enjoyed reading you guys' thoughts on TF, and super HE products. For me, right now, I just have no business splurging like that. I've spent too much in a very short period. I'm young, and I have my whole life to buy beautiful cosmetics - what's the point of having it all right now? I won't enjoy it or feel good about it, I will feel guilty and anxious! I may get a Burberry lipstick and/or an eyeshadow, but I need to think about it.
User38
Well-known member
oh dear... there are a million wacky indicators but some are legend and some just unfounded.. but all funny!
no, sadly the economy is still in the dumps but most recent indicators are that the U.S. will be the first out of the world wide malaise unless something really unforeseen happens. Even China, whose economy has been booming for years is having a correction.
Glitteryvegas
Well-known member
Interesting that you said this....I did a teaching practicum in India for approximately 2 months (and an extra 1 month of travel). It was an amazing and eye opening experience in terms of consumption and the way that other people live. I would say, in my estimation, that it impacted me deeply forever, but on the surface for only a few months after my return. What I mean is this - when you are there and surrounded with the realities that many people face every day, it does make you re-evaluate your life and your belief systems in relation to how we live in the West. You begin to notice how many things that we have in relation to others and when you return, you really are so thankful for everything (hot running water, for example). However, after a few months, you 're-climatise' to your surroundings again and the reverse culture shock wears off.....which means you go right back to the same as before. I think lasting change can't come from external exposure, no matter how shocking and (oftentimes) upsetting it is at the time (and so many things that I witnessed were shocking or upsetting). I think that in order to last, the change that we seek must be obtained in relation to the lives that we live in our every day surroundings. We adapt to our surroundings, so this isn't surprising to me. I think the gulf between intention and actualization is sometimes huge and overwhelming, and it can be complicated when commitments are made when we aren't in our regular 'habitat' so to speak. This was a struggle that my peers had as well, and we had so many conversations about it during our time together. I'm not saying seeing the ways that other people live doesn't impact a person, but I think the impact wears off after a while once we return to the comforts of home.This is so true. Sometimes I think that the best way to get over my makeup addiction (or consumption addiction in general) would be to do overseas mission work for a while to get some perspective and learn to be thankful for what I have. It's easy to get swept away in the rush of consumerism when everywhere you look, there's some ad, person, blog, or the like enticing you to *buy buy buy*.
And yet I continue to buy massive amounts of makeup (gave into the Urban Decay F&F sale today, for one).
Interestingly (but not surprisingly!), the people with so little in India (including the kids that i worked with!) seemed happier than people I know here in Canada. That is because in the town where I worked, the feeling of community was prevalent - and as we know, good relationships are a key to happiness.
Just my two cents based on my experiences though!
User38
Well-known member
It is true that availability to consumer goods makes us "greedier" for them. It seems that we can't get enough of them. How many is too many? How much is too much?
Glitteryvegas, you had a great opportunity to see the outside world.. and your observations about life there seem very precise. But how can we change when we are consistently bombarded by information, movie stars, reality TV, magazines, Youtube, bloggers -- who seemingly spend money as if they had a machine in the basement printing it out.
This is generally not the scenario for most middle class people. It's fantasy and maybe it's time to turn down some of the fantasy and live in the real world.
I don't know -- I am prey to my own insecurities especially after my husband's death and subsequent familial losses.. hell, even my two doggies died.
honestly, I think we have to all stay positive and sure of what we need and want out of life -- be it in India, the UK or the US.. something has to change in us in order to keep going forward.
it is lovely to share our
Glitteryvegas, you had a great opportunity to see the outside world.. and your observations about life there seem very precise. But how can we change when we are consistently bombarded by information, movie stars, reality TV, magazines, Youtube, bloggers -- who seemingly spend money as if they had a machine in the basement printing it out.
This is generally not the scenario for most middle class people. It's fantasy and maybe it's time to turn down some of the fantasy and live in the real world.
I don't know -- I am prey to my own insecurities especially after my husband's death and subsequent familial losses.. hell, even my two doggies died.
honestly, I think we have to all stay positive and sure of what we need and want out of life -- be it in India, the UK or the US.. something has to change in us in order to keep going forward.
it is lovely to share our
Knope2012
Well-known member
Excellent post. I am so sorry for all your losses, HerGreyness. Staying positive can be incredibly hard, but it really is the key. I think YouTube and Beauty Bloggers are also giving us something of a false reality, as many of their products are provided for free. Obviously, the average consumer couldn't keep up with the thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of products shown through these mediums, but it's become almost desirable to try to keep up with them. The life they present is a fantasy too; it's just sometimes hard to see that.It is true that availability to consumer goods makes us "greedier" for them. It seems that we can't get enough of them. How many is too many? How much is too much?
Glitteryvegas, you had a great opportunity to see the outside world.. and your observations about life there seem very precise. But how can we change when we are consistently bombarded by information, movie stars, reality TV, magazines, Youtube, bloggers -- who seemingly spend money as if they had a machine in the basement printing it out.
This is generally not the scenario for most middle class people. It's fantasy and maybe it's time to turn down some of the fantasy and live in the real world.
I don't know -- I am prey to my own insecurities especially after my husband's death and subsequent familial losses.. hell, even my two doggies died.
honestly, I think we have to all stay positive and sure of what we need and want out of life -- be it in India, the UK or the US.. something has to change in us in order to keep going forward.
it is lovely to share our
We definitely can't change what we see or what we're presented with, but I guess the best option is to keep a level head and to stay grounded in spite of all of the pressure on multiple levels. For me, personally, I need to decide if what I want out of life is lots of debt and material goods, or if I'd like the chance to do something more. Unless my financial circumstances drastically change, that'll be the way it'll be my whole life.
ARmakeupjunkie
Well-known member
I know right! It was actually a lot cheaper for me to make the 15 hour round trip to the nearest Ikea to pick up two of the Alex units than having one shipped. Of course, that's not the reason I made the trip, just an added bonus.
Audrey C
Well-known member
My first swap package arrived today! I can't believe that it took less than a week to arrive from Europe.
I really like Coygirl - it looks fabulous over a light application of Bobbi Brown Pale Pink Pot Rouge (already had that on). I have heaps of peach/coral and neutral blush, but only three pink ones. This was a great add to my collection and I love the Sheertone finish.
Hope my swap buddies enjoy their packages as much as I am!
I really like Coygirl - it looks fabulous over a light application of Bobbi Brown Pale Pink Pot Rouge (already had that on). I have heaps of peach/coral and neutral blush, but only three pink ones. This was a great add to my collection and I love the Sheertone finish.
Hope my swap buddies enjoy their packages as much as I am!
User38
Well-known member
I have little information on bloggers or YouTubers, but I do know that many get free goods for testing and for reviews. Some pay for their products, but they are tax deductible too.. I am referring to the bigger bloggers who don't need to work except for their blogs. If you read a few you will see the marked preferences for certain products or lines -- they also get money for the advertising or pumping of products as well as the hits they get on search engines. Sponsorships are also money makers. So, they are salespeople in our houses on our computers, in our phones or ipads.. but they follow us around selling us what we might not even need or consider buying. It's subliminal -- they infiltrate our minds and create our needs for us.
I am very hesitant to read some bloggers or look at Youtube because I know many times they are less than honest.
don't worry.. you will find your way and it will be your decision for your life in future.
my losses have been hurting me for the last few years -- it sometimes has felt that it was some kind of karmal conspiracy. But then I realize I am very fortunate in many ways and continue to plod on.
that is my motto: Plod.. I would not have been able to continue my life and responsibilities without my plodding.
oh, and a smile.. always.
xoxox
I am very hesitant to read some bloggers or look at Youtube because I know many times they are less than honest.
don't worry.. you will find your way and it will be your decision for your life in future.
my losses have been hurting me for the last few years -- it sometimes has felt that it was some kind of karmal conspiracy. But then I realize I am very fortunate in many ways and continue to plod on.
that is my motto: Plod.. I would not have been able to continue my life and responsibilities without my plodding.
oh, and a smile.. always.
xoxox
Knope2012
Well-known member
I had to do this a few weeks ago. We were going to have an Ikea desk shipped here and the shipping was nuts, so we ended up just making a day trip to get some things. Ours was thankfully three hours round trip though, instead of 15!
Glitteryvegas
Well-known member
YEP. THIS.It is true that availability to consumer goods makes us "greedier" for them. It seems that we can't get enough of them. How many is too many? How much is too much?
Glitteryvegas, you had a great opportunity to see the outside world.. and your observations about life there seem very precise. But how can we change when we are consistently bombarded by information, movie stars, reality TV, magazines, Youtube, bloggers -- who seemingly spend money as if they had a machine in the basement printing it out.
This is generally not the scenario for most middle class people. It's fantasy and maybe it's time to turn down some of the fantasy and live in the real world.
I don't know -- I am prey to my own insecurities especially after my husband's death and subsequent familial losses.. hell, even my two doggies died.
honestly, I think we have to all stay positive and sure of what we need and want out of life -- be it in India, the UK or the US.. something has to change in us in order to keep going forward.
it is lovely to share our
Turn OFF the fantasy (the TV, the magazines, the websites, youtube, etc. etc. even specktra to some extent) and DO SOMETHING. Open a book, take a bath, go for a walk, get a hobby - whatever it is. Anything is better than buying.
Countries like India have so much marketing too and many upscale shopping districts, etc. The gap between the upper and lower classes there is absolutely astonishing. I think the difference is that many people (the average person living their life) don't have the time or $$ to worry about these things in many other places in the world. They simply don't have the luxury of worrying about what lipstick is coming out this week, etc. I'm not putting those of us who have time to worry about that down per se, but think about what we could accomplish if we weren't buying into all of this BS? I mean honestly, what kinds of meaningful things can we be doing with our time? That, in itself, is reason enough for a low buy. We have the time and $$ (presumably) to do other things rather than buy into this. Our 'burden' is learning how to not waste our time and resources - what a burden to have.
That is amazing.
I have hope for us all!!!
Knope2012
Well-known member
Thank you for this, your posts are always very insightful. I've definitely noticed that some of the big bloggers have a definite preference for certain brands. Plodding truly is the only way to continue on. Just getting up and forcing myself to go throughout my day happened more often than not in 2013. Smiling also definitely helps! I have a lot of goals for this year, and I'm just going to try to make small changes and not let myself fall into the same patterns.
