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St. Cloud State University
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Affluenza affects checkbooks
By Kateri Wozny
Published:
Thursday, February 6, 2003
Kateri Wozny -- Staff Essay
ATTENTION SHOPPERS!! AFFLUENZA HAS STRUCK THE NATION!! PLEASE GO TO YOUR NEAREST CLINIC ASAP TO RECEIVE A SHOT!!
This "disease" is very common among Americans, especially among college students.
But unfortunately, a "shot" isn't going to do the trick. The definition of affluenza, according to author John de Graaf, is something akin to "a painful, contagious, socially-transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste, resulting from the dogged pursuit of more."
People live in a materialistic world where unfortunately, they judge a book by its cover.
Americans carry $1 trillion in personal debt per year, which is $4,000 per man, woman and child.
Individually, affluenza is a dysfunctional relationship with money/wealth, or the pursuit of it.
Individual and cultural symptoms are: an inability to delay gratification and tolerate frustration; a false sense of entitlement; loss of future motivation; low self-esteem; loss of self-confidence; low self-worth and preoccupation with externals. Sudden wealth syndrome and sudden poverty syndrome are both parts of the greater "disease" of affluenza.
Being an active shopper, I know how hard it is to "not have." I HAVE to have the latest trends, I HAVE to look cool, I HAVE to get attention for what I wear.
Being from the Twin Cities which has more diverse stores than St. Cloud is also a factor. People are constantly asking me where I got my outfit.
"Oh...my...god...that is SO ADORABLE!! WHERE did you get it?!" they say as they gawk.
This kind of attention makes me want to go out and buy more trendy clothes.
I have to be careful though, because when I go home to Mom and Dad, the first thing out of there mouth isn't "Hi honey! We're glad you came home to visit!" It's an accusation: "That's new, isn't it?!" That is why I have to be "careful" what I wear home.
Luckily there is a cure for this brainwashing disease. Some things you could do are as follows:
1) Before buying a product, ask yourself: do I need this product? Will I get enough use out of it? Does a friend have it that I could borrow from?
2) Do something fun and rewarding that will take up time, such as going to the gym, baking a pie or volunteering for the community. I found this method to be quite effective.
I used to volunteer at a battered women's shelter. It was a rewarding experience because I was able to put someone else's needs before my own and it definitely took my mind off of shopping.
3) Make an individual budget and ask yourself: should I choose to pay off a bill or go shopping?
According to Bankrate.com, 78 percent of college students own at least one credit card with an average credit debt per student of $2,748; not to mention that 64 percent of college students graduate with loans they need to pay off, averaging $16,928. At this rate, a person could be working for a very long time.
Make good spending choices and time management skills. Going and getting a debt consultation for more tips on saving money is also helpful.
4) Don't let advertising brainwash the brain! Face it: this is a money-driven society where whenever you turn your head to a 90 degree angle, there's an advertisement on a billboard, or maybe on the cover of a magazine in a grocery store. Advertisers make millions of dollars each year. Learn how to not give into their demands.
Affluenza may be spreading across the nation like the Britney Spears craze, but the best thing to do is stay at home with a nice cup of chicken noodle soup, a good book and a television nearby...and away from the shopping malls.
