Meaningful Returns

There was a piece in the Washington Post on Thursday about how, for a variety of reasons, people are simply spending less, despite an economy which wouldn’t necessarily predict that pattern.

There are some interesting tidbits in the article, but I just have one thing to say:

It is not your patriotic duty to spend money. It’s not. There have been and probably always will be politicians and pundits who insinuate that, yes, in fact, it IS your duty to buy that new car or update your whole wardrobe or whatever. But, no.

The same goes for “saving on taxes,” “because it’s on sale,” and “because my neighbor got one.” In fact, if the primary reason you’re purchasing a good or service is not: “Because it serves its intended purpose well, I like it, and I can afford it,” then probably step back and think twice about the purchase.

Catching a tax deduction, sniffing out sales, feeling social pressure–even being concerned about the macroeconomy–these are not inherently bad things. But they should never be the primary reason for a purchase.