Column
By Kerri Testement
Attitudes about spending need to change
I’m not rich, but my house is nicer than my parents’ first home as newlyweds. They had a modest ranch-style house outside the suburbs of Houston, Texas.
And my house is probably more spacious than my grandparents’ first home. They had an even smaller house that looked like something on a farm. Small, quaint and no frills.
Sixty years later, my generation expects better things. We crave new houses with all of the “perks” — bonus rooms, hardwood floors, tiled bathrooms, spacious yards and large garages to store not only the cars, but the clutter as well.
My parents didn’t get that much stuff in their first house. My grandparents think we live in a mansion, compared to their first home.
And it’s not just houses, it’s every material item that seems to be bigger, better and more expensive than what previous generations expected.
My parents didn’t have an entire aisle of toothpaste, cereal or toilet paper at the grocery story to choose from when they were my age. My grandparents had few choices — they were just happy if they could afford the necessities.
My grandparents also grew up in the Depression — they know how to pinch every penny that comes their way. They know what are true “needs” and “wants” when it comes to spending money. And they know how to put those pennies in the bank.
My generation (myself included) lives in an era of excessive spending. Too many of us know how to spend money. Saving money, however, is done when there’s money left over from spending.
It’s that kind of attitude that may get a rude awakening soon. The economy is sliding downward, and there are fears of a long-lasting recession. Now is the time for consumers to watch their spending and save what they can, should things continue to get worse.
Some people even believe this economic downturn signals the time for a fundamental change in how Americans spend money. For the nation as a whole, our spending habits and lack of saving money are spiraling out of control. We “consume” too many things that people a generation ago in this country didn’t buy.
I recently heard of a new concept of “anti-consumerism.” The idea is that a family determines that for a set period of time (usually a few weeks) to buy only the “necessities.”
That means no eating in restaurants, no shopping for new clothes, no new toys for the kids and no “impulse” shopping at the grocery store. In the meantime, families learn how to control their spending by not only shopping more wisely, but forgoing some purchases entirely.
It sounds a bit “liberal” and even “anti-American” (our capitalist society depends on consumers spending their money), but those who have tried it say it works. And it’s not just their pocketbooks noticing the difference; those families say they are happier because their finances are in better shape.
No doubt, we can’t keep spending more of the money we don’t have without suffering the consequences.
Kerri Testement is the news editor of The Braselton News. She can be reached at kerri@mainstreetnews.com
Tour de Georgia an opportunity for local area
Next week’s Braselton hosting of the Tour de Georgia at Road Atlanta is a big deal for the local community. Anchored by Chateau Elan, tourism is a key part of the area’s business focus. Road Atlanta, Lanier Speedway and the area’s gateway to Lake Lanier and the North Georgia mountains generate tourism in this part of the state.
The large Tour de Georgia cycling event brings a new dimension to the area’s tourism. Last year, some 515,000 spectators watched the event around the state (although not all at the same time.) In the short term, the event will bring additional tourism dollars to area hotels, restaurants and gas stations.
In the long term, the positive exposure this event can give to Braselton, Hoschton and the surrounding communities could be vital for additional quality growth. Attracting high-end businesses and quality residential developments is important to area leaders. One way they do that is by showcasing not just the hard infrastructure of roads, water and land, but also the intangibles of “quality of life” concerns.
Access to recreation and to quality community events are part of this quality of life yardstick.
The hosting of an important stage in this international cycling event is an opportunity for Braselton and the surrounding area to showcase local assets and perhaps plant some seeds for future, positive growth projects.
