Comments on: On Envy and Consumerism and Sunglasses

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:24:05 +0000

In reply to Kristin. I have a similar routine -- I plan my purchases throughout my travels and go home and carefully complete them during my summers at home. It gives me plenty of time to think. Plus I have to consider if I want to carry it!

By: Kristin

Kristin — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 09:56:33 +0000

I loved reading this post, you articulated so well the thoughts I’ve had many times. Living off the grid in the jungle in Bocas I learned to live with so much less than I ever thought possible having grown up in the states with everything I could possibly want at my fingertips. The one thing I found too was that when I did make a big purchase I wasn’t spending impulsively like so many people do–I literally thought for months about whether I really would use an item or if it was just a fleeting desire to have something someone else had. If I still felt that I wanted that “thing” after all that time weighing the pros & cons while sitting in my hammock, then I’d make the purchase on my next visit home and have found that by doing so I actually value these items so much more (and actually use them unlike so much impulse buy junk I had bought in the past!). It also kills me to come back and visit with my friends in DC and listen to so many conversations that focus on material things and I don’t even know what the hell brand they are talking about half the time but everyone suddenly MUST HAVE IT. I’m moving back to the states permanently this month and hope to take the values on spending learned in the third world with me as I get re-established but like you said, once you’re back it is hard! Keep up the great writing!

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 13:37:16 +0000

In reply to Jes. Best of luck with this Jes! Another post you might enjoy is "So, How Do You Afford This?" I link to a lot of resources that helped me save.

By: Jes

Jes — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 21:38:40 +0000

I am currently suffering from this issue at the moment. I am desperately trying to save so I can travel, but at the same can’t help but give in to temptation and purchase goods I don’t need. In particular, CLOTHES! I didn’t want to buy them, but the thought took over and for a good couple of weeks I agonised over all these clothes that I wanted to buy, via online shopping and window shopping. In the end I gave in, blew too much money in an act of denial and rebellion, and then felt so guilty for spending my savings on clothes instead of flights. ARGH!! I will continue to struggle as I try to fit corporate career women world and travel world together, and I am now trying REALLY hard to save, save, SAVE!!!!!

By: The little thing called envy | ielfrida

The little thing called envy | ielfrida — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:55:07 +0000

[…] who bought a one way ticket from New York and has been traveling the world since then. She wrote this post and I thought I should share cos it happens to me so very often, that it got me thinking everytime […]

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:32:45 +0000

In reply to Jen. Thanks for your input, Jen! I appreciate your solidarity :) Also yes I just saw that story... I have mixed feelings! I mean I guess I hope that things will become more respectful now, but at the same time I feel that this might be the fun police at work.

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:08:26 +0000

In reply to Grace. I definitely don't see it as criticism... however I also might not call it a misunderstanding. I think we have both pointed out two different parts of the equation!

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:06:32 +0000

In reply to Grace. You definitely make an interesting point Grace! Status is a big part of the equation. I definitely agree that many Westerners (myself included if I'm being introspective) love living in Southeast Asia so much because its so easy to live like a King. You have made me think with this comment, and I really appreciate it!

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 18:26:06 +0000

I definitely admire your honesty and self-reflection/analysis in this post, Alex! I’m not reading your other comments, but I’m hoping that people are respectful and kind to you regarding your thoughts here.

I can sympathize with you. I am a person with a conservative income who often struggles with very unconservative material desires. And not even just things… I’d love to travel the world on a first-class ticket. I want experiences too. I can’t really offer you advice, but I want you to know that you’re not alone, and I do think you are approaching it the right way. You have a pretty rare, global perspective, and you actually use it.

On another moral topic, I read this article on Gadling.com today, and I, of course, totally thought of you and another “moral dilemma” post you penned. I wasn’t sure if you saw it, so I wanted to share: https://www.gadling.com/2012/08/25/rising-death-toll-of-tourists-prompts-bar-closures-on-xong-river

By: Grace

Grace — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 14:46:05 +0000

In reply to Grace. I should say I don't mean this as a condemnation of you in any way at all: it's natural for everyone to desire status (and as I said above, probably as innate a drive as the one for food). I just think you are misunderstanding the situation a little bit.