Monday, September 14, 2009

Something is definitely wrong with Canada’s economic model

This from the Sept. 12 issue of The London Free Press:

“The recession is confusing a lot of consumers who are told to save money for a rainy day but also are encouraged to spend to help boost the economy.

“It's a conundrum economists call "the paradox of thrift," which means too much savings can lead to an overall drop in consumption and threaten a nation's economic growth.”


So, should I save (which is almost the same as reducing my debt load - a very good thing) or buy that leaf blower so we can build more items we hardly need?


["All we need is love": Ollie and his dad]

Hmmmm.... sounds like an easy choice, doesn’t it?

Not when we live in a land with 60 - 100 years worth of materialistic momentum, and that wants to maintain an excessive lifestyle for as many as possible - for as long as possible.

Not when we live in a land that barely knows word one about conservation and preserving limited resources for future generations.

My recommendation:

Save your money. Reduce your personal or family debt. Live smaller each year.

Take quiet moments and think about how little you need to spend on stuff to be really happy.

Think about what rampant consumerism has done to your province, country, planet - besides fill your basement and garage with stuff you seldom use or need.

Live small and prosper.

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