Material possessions are overrated - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brad Russ · 07-31-2011, 07:10 PM

Iv'e noticed in the last few years how little I care about material possessions anymore. I have minus 10desire to buy new toys and crap. lol Still enjoy giving gifts though. it's been atleast two years since I bought a luxury item for myself, and my attitude becomes more this way with each passing day. Afterall, You can't take it with you. Heck, I'm trying my butt off to get rid of most of my possessions, much less collecting more. I don't have a cell phone, and couldn't care less, don't have many extra features on my computer, because I'm content with what I do have. Anyone else feel this way?? What are your thoughts on material possessions, and money?

James · 08-01-2011, 01:27 AM

I pretty much feel the same, too, Brad. I have lost interest in getting the latest top-of-the-line gadgets like big-screen TVs--I'm satisfied with the one I bought at Wal*Mart (about 20 inches, more or less) six years ago for $115! I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into getting a cellphone, too! For Christmas 2007 I got a TomTom GPS thingy, but I rarely used it and it's collecting dust somewhere in my apartment.

I'm thinking the Internet has something to do with it since there's so much stuff out there to keep me satisfied indefinitely!

tiredmike59 · 08-01-2011, 01:47 AM

I don't have a cell phone either,never did.
I never use my regular phone,I keep the ringer off because I kept getting people calling trying to sell me hearing aids. I started playing games with
them, " HUH ? WHAT ? WHAT DID YOU SAY ? I CAN'T HEAR YOU " .
They would get mad and hang up. As far as all my other junk, thats
just what it is, junk.

Family Ties Forever! · 08-01-2011, 02:12 AM

I know what you mean.
Though things like pictures that are irreplaceable I can't imagine not having those. They have sentimental value. Also things from years and years ago that used to belong to my great-grandpa and grandma I can't imagine anyone throwing those out. We have the captian's hat my great-grandpa wore for decades. He was a sea captain. My mother still has his uniform. We have a very old trunk that is turn of the century (1900), a very old cedar chest and a really old rocking chair. There are also containers full of differnt sized elephant figurines that my great-grandma collected over the years. There used to be a picture of the boat my great-grandpa drove, that was in a picture frame, but my mother took that to her house. It might seem like junk, but it's nice to have.

Penny Lane · 08-01-2011, 03:54 AM

The older that I get the more I like giving than receiving.It is said that people who have enough to get along are happier than those who have too much.
And here is an old saying that sums it up...............

Enough is as good as a feast.

Brad Russ · 08-01-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

I pretty much feel the same, too, Brad. I have lost interest in getting the latest top-of-the-line gadgets like big-screen TVs--I'm satisfied with the one I bought at Wal*Mart (about 20 inches, more or less) six years ago for $115! I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into getting a cellphone, too! For Christmas 2007 I got a TomTom GPS thingy, but I rarely used it and it's collecting dust somewhere in my apartment.

I'm thinking the Internet has something to do with it since there's so much stuff out there to keep me satisfied indefinitely!

Exactly, there's so much to do online that iv'e become spoiled with all that is right at my fingertips. Answers to every question imaginable, SO, Facebook, Youtube, Wikipedia, Netflix, and on and on and on. Three or four years ago my mom and old roomate Mariann, bought me a pre-paid cellphone because sometimes I would disappear for two to three days at a time, and nobody would have any idea where I was. Scared the crap out of them, but fortunately I'm more considerate now, and no longer do that. Anyway, I used the cell phone for about a year, but it's been atleast three years since I last used it. I don't have many friends anyway, so there's really no point in wasting money on it.

James · 08-01-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

The older that I get the more I like giving than receiving.It is said that people who have enough to get along are happier than those who have too much.
And here is an old saying that sums it up...............

Enough is as good as a feast.

Totally, Marlene! Nowadays at Christmas and my birthday all I want is to have money sent to my favorite charities! I still buy material gifts for others on those occasions, tho'.

Brad Russ · 08-01-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Totally, Marlene! Nowadays at Christmas and my birthday all I want is to have money sent to my favorite charities! I still buy material gifts for others on those occasions, tho'.

I pretty much have to beg people not to buy me any gifts for Christmas. I appreciate it when they do, but it usually just ends up collecting dust in the back of my closet. LOVE what you do, having them send money to your favorite charities. One of my favs which I have been giving to for years now is St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Love the calandar they send every year with drawings for each month that were drawn by many of the patients. They also send you a card each Christmas, that they want you to fill out, and they put the cards on the Christmas tree, and then pass each card out to a young boy or girl battling cancer on Christmas day. I love your idea of having people give to your favorite charities. I think that's what I'll do this Christmas as well.

OH Nuts! · 08-01-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Russ

I pretty much have to beg people not to buy me any gifts for Christmas. I appreciate it when they do, but it usually just ends up collecting dust in the back of my closet. LOVE what you do, having them send money to your favorite charities. One of my favs which I have been giving to for years now is St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Love the calandar they send every year with drawings for each month that were drawn by many of the patients. They also send you a card each Christmas, that they want you to fill out, and they put the cards on the Christmas tree, and then pass each card out to a young boy or girl battling cancer on Christmas day. I love your idea of having people give to your favorite charities. I think that's what I'll do this Christmas as well.

I think not being into a lot of material stuff is a sign of spiritual growth Brad, so good for you. I find I want less "stuff" each passing day. And for stuff I still want to hang on to, find more efficient ways to store them. Like converting all my VHSs to DVD. I've given a way a lot of stuff to Goodwill. The only material thing that I still kind of hoard are photographs. I have 5 big albums but I'm working on that one. It's seems to be the toughest nut to crack. Furniture has been easiest for me - my grand total is a single bed, a fold out cot, 2 bridge tables and 3 chairs. Very Bed, Bath and Beyond - but I don't care - its enough for me - and in its own pristine way - has a simple beauty.

Brad Russ · 08-01-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

I think not being into a lot of material stuff is a sign of spiritual growth Brad, so good for you. I find I want less "stuff" each passing day. And for stuff I still want to hand on to, find more efficient ways to store them. Like converting all my VHSs to DVD. I've given a way a lot of stuff to Goodwill. The only material thing that I still kind of hoard are photographs. I have 5 big albums but I'm working on that one. It's seems to be the toughest nut to crack. Furniture has been easiest for me - my grand total is a single bed, a fold out cot, 2 bridge tables and 3 chairs. Very Bed, Bath and Beyond - but I don't care - its enough for me - and in its own pristine way - has a simple beauty.

Thanks so much, I really appreciate that. I'm actually amazed at how much different I am, then I was a couple months back. Everyone around me has seen the difference, and they don't understand it. It's all God, and has nothing to do with me. To go from where I was to where I am, is nothing short of a miracle, and is all the proof I need to know God is real. Can't deny a changed life! Anyway, thanks again!

OH Nuts! · 08-02-2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Russ

Thanks so much, I really appreciate that. I'm actually amazed at how much different I am, then I was a couple months back. Everyone around me has seen the difference, and they don't understand it. It's all God, and has nothing to do with me. To go from where I was to where I am, is nothing short of a miracle, and is all the proof I need to know God is real. Can't deny a changed life! Anyway, thanks again!

I really do believe the less material stuff we have (or covet) the closer it allows us to commune with God or a Higher Power.

Brad Russ · 08-02-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

I really do believe the less material stuff we have (or covet) the closer it allows us to commune with God or a Higher Power.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. Thank you so much for putting a smile on my face. You are awesome my friend. Hope you have a great evening!

07-31-2011, 07:10 PM	#1
Brad Russ Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	Material possessions are overrated Iv'e noticed in the last few years how little I care about material possessions anymore. I have minus 10desire to buy new toys and crap. lol Still enjoy giving gifts though. it's been atleast two years since I bought a luxury item for myself, and my attitude becomes more this way with each passing day. Afterall, You can't take it with you. Heck, I'm trying my butt off to get rid of most of my possessions, much less collecting more. I don't have a cell phone, and couldn't care less, don't have many extra features on my computer, because I'm content with what I do have. Anyone else feel this way?? What are your thoughts on material possessions, and money?

08-01-2011, 02:12 AM	#4
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Star Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,216	I know what you mean. Though things like pictures that are irreplaceable I can't imagine not having those. They have sentimental value. Also things from years and years ago that used to belong to my great-grandpa and grandma I can't imagine anyone throwing those out. We have the captian's hat my great-grandpa wore for decades. He was a sea captain. My mother still has his uniform. We have a very old trunk that is turn of the century (1900), a very old cedar chest and a really old rocking chair. There are also containers full of differnt sized elephant figurines that my great-grandma collected over the years. There used to be a picture of the boat my great-grandpa drove, that was in a picture frame, but my mother took that to her house. It might seem like junk, but it's nice to have.
	__________________ Jenny

08-01-2011, 03:54 AM	#5
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,524	The older that I get the more I like giving than receiving.It is said that people who have enough to get along are happier than those who have too much. And here is an old saying that sums it up............... Enough is as good as a feast.
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

08-01-2011, 01:27 AM	#2
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	I pretty much feel the same, too, Brad. I have lost interest in getting the latest top-of-the-line gadgets like big-screen TVs--I'm satisfied with the one I bought at Wal*Mart (about 20 inches, more or less) six years ago for $115! I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into getting a cellphone, too! For Christmas 2007 I got a TomTom GPS thingy, but I rarely used it and it's collecting dust somewhere in my apartment. I'm thinking the Internet has something to do with it since there's so much stuff out there to keep me satisfied indefinitely!

08-01-2011, 01:47 AM	#3
tiredmike59 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 05, 2010 Location: OUTLAW STATE {MO} Posts: 1,868	I don't have a cell phone either,never did. I never use my regular phone,I keep the ringer off because I kept getting people calling trying to sell me hearing aids. I started playing games with them, " HUH ? WHAT ? WHAT DID YOU SAY ? I CAN'T HEAR YOU " . They would get mad and hang up. As far as all my other junk, thats just what it is, junk.