Consumer Dreams

[infinite monkey]

I was wandering through Sears before Christmas. I'm not really a 'material' person; a friend once said my apartment in the sky fit me because I'm a bohemian...and I retain a lot of that simplicity in my current living space.

But omg I could get all material real quick like. I saw a fridge I wanted SO much. I mean, it looked beautiful to me. I opened the door and these lovely blue lights illuminated this amazing pristine space where I could imagine all sorts of lovely frozen products, fresh produce, canned beverages, even MILK.

I am currently using a larger dorm type fridge. I mean, it's just me, and I haven't tried saving up for a better one because it's amazing what you can get used to.

And a washer/dryer. My stackable needs new parts and I can't find the model number because the previous owner nearly built it in and I can't get to the back of it. The washers and dryers available are AMAZING. I can't imagine washing and drying my clothes so quickly and efficiently.

When I win the lottery I will have all the latest gadgets: appliances and computers and TVs and game systems. I will have a small movie theater with the most amazing sound system and the latest greatest computer because I'll be able to afford my own techie to set it all up.

I suppose if I win the lottery I'll need to decide if I want to live in a cottage far away from it all or if I want all the above mentioned goodies. Of course, if I won the lottery I wouldn't have so much need to get away from it all. Maybe I could combine a bit of both.

Just consumerist musings. Luxury: maybe I could get used to it.

[monster]

Why were you wandering through Sears? I did that last Saturday tying to find the door to the rest of the mall after having dropped Hebe at her Drivers Ed. PURE HELL. Ugly sweaters left right and center, way too many overpriced fleecy blankets and cosmetic sets and signs everywhere about "This is how to Gift"... I mean, I know gift is a verb, but why can't we just give presents? Like in the old days. Somehow "gifting" take what little humanity/personal touch there was in it and corporationizes it.

bah Humbug (Willy Wonker Brand, $6.99/lb, buy two, get one 36% off.).

[infinite monkey]

It was christmas eve. We'd already had the immediate family christmas at one brother's house, i was looking for something for the Dirty Santa exchange at my other brother's house. Thought maybe there'd be something that stood out to me in the 'gifty' displays but i ended up going another way.

There were angels singing when i opened one fridge, i swear.

[monster]

Originally Posted by infinite monkey

i was looking for something for the Dirty Santa exchange at my other brother's house. Thought maybe there'd be something that stood out to me in the 'gifty' displays but i ended up going another way.

you pooped in a recycled gift bag?

[Undertoad]

I have downsized in several ways for the farmhouse and I don't regret anything

Those fuckin expensive appliances break down just as fast as the cheap ones

I had to create a ghetto fix for the broken door of the oven I bought when I had money

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Those fuckin expensive appliances break down just as fast as the cheap ones

probably faster. The more bells and whistles, the more things to break.

[infinite monkey]

UT is also a bohemian. I paid for quality with my car, because of the need for a reliable commute.

Glatt is so right. You can't even get a toaster fixed these days. Many think that the more bells and whistles preclude planned obsolescence. We know it isn't really true.

PO just makes us all more consumeristic. The phrase "it's always something" was born from that principle.

I mean, they can send a man to the moon...

[infinite monkey]

Originally Posted by monster

you pooped in a recycled gift bag?

Surprisingly, no:

I bought the Yahtzee electronic game, a set of "left center right' dice and some foodstuffs for a game night. It went over fabulously.

[DanaC]

I only spend proper money on a couple of things in life. Apart from a stop gap pair bought in a hurry from the market to stand in whilst i continue my search for the perfect pair, boots are something I don't buy cheap. I have a minor obsession with boots. I love them and I can happily spend hours browsing them. This is the only item of clothing for which this holds true.

Computers. I don't go into the high end but nor will I buy cheap as chips. If I buy a new computer, I try to build in enough power and capability to withstand a year or so of gaming develoment. Actually this goes for tech generally. I would rather wait and do without a tablet until I can get a good one, than buy something less fun in the meantime. I don't feel the need to get new tech as it comes out. If I have something that works (a desktop and a laptop) I see no reason to spend hundreds of pounds on a new gadget (iPad). But when I do renew, I'll renew reasonably well.

That's pretty much it. Everything else remains in situ until it abolutely does not work. If it can be made to work or worked around, I'll keep it. My keyboard is held up in typing position on one side by a lighter. It has been for three years. I used a phone with no working screen for two years.

[limey]

Mattress :p

Sent by thought transference.

[DanaC]

*laughs*

yeah....

[richlevy]

It's amazing how some of those older (mid-60's) appliances fared. We replaced our basement freezer recently. It was over 30 years old. The only issues were a bad door seal, energy efficiency, and lack of parts that was going to hit us when it finally did go belly up. We've had a few instances where one of the kids did not check the door and we lost the contents. This freezer has an alarm and adjustable temperature settings on the outside of the door.

We are big on service contracts. Unfortunately, shortly after this mostly voluntary purchase, our 15-year-old front load washer went belly up and was declared a total loss by the service company, which gave us $199 dollars towards the purchase of a new machine.

I know washers have way more moving parts than freezers, but I don't remember ever having to pay for a new compressor and I don't remember ever having to put in more refrigerant, although I'm not the one who schedules service and maintenance calls. I just think that things built before the 80's were built to last.

[Griff]

In the search for energy efficiency compressors and motors got a lot smaller and are required to run more. Our refrigerator is about 10 years old and did have a faulty temp sensor about 4 years ago. I don't expect it to last as long as an older unit. I'm partial to chest type freezers because they always close properly and the cold doesn't pour out when you open the door.

[Trilby]

Originally Posted by infinite monkey

There were angels singing when i opened one fridge, i swear.

that was Zule.

Consumerism/materialism is patriarchal.

That being said, I'm one of the most materialistic people I know.

[Sundae]

I browse houses online as if they are porn.
It gets so I really think I own them. I have three on the go at the moment.
I'd only buy one of course - I'm not greedy.

That and obsessively make holiday plans.
I am currently planning my luxury rail trip across India on the Maharajas Express. I need a travel partner if anyone is up for it, because they charge per cabin, not per person. I mean, millionaire or not, I resent paying effectively double what everyone else on board is paying.

And I have finally learned that although solo travel is better than no travel, I do actually get lonely sometimes. Blame living with the 'rents - my tolerance levels are higher as is my need to go "Ooh look at that!" to validate my experience.