Affluenza is a disease that until recently ran rampant around the world particularly the United States.  Recently, it seems to be in remission.  This disease is characterized by a desire for new and more of everything, heavy debt loads, conspicuous consumption, and a general need to keep up with or exceed the proverbial Joneses.  Those afflicted don't save and will use their homes to finance their illness.  They can usually be found at high-end coffee houses or in cathedrals of consumerism (My Recent Visit to a Cathedral of Consumerism) where they have got to have it now to appease their childish desires and reinforce their lack of self esteem and personal satisfaction (More on Child Worship . . . and Child Worship and the Self Esteem Movement).

Lately, many of the afflicted are in remission and are suffering from withdrawal.  They have found religion, at least temporarily, and are changing their ways.  Many now want to know, "How to Become Frugal?", shop where I shop, and seem very interested in this whole concept of Simple Living (Simple Living—What if You Had Less, But Better? and Another Look: What If We Had Less, But Better?).  Even the media is playing along-- Frugality in TV Ads and Our Culture.  I have to laugh because a junkie is a junkie, and as soon as possible they will resume their quest for fashionable domination and high-end living at the best restaurants in town (When Did Going Out to Dinner Go From Being a Special Event to Being a Way of Life?).

My advice to those of you who are truly frugal, and like me seek to live a quality life on a limited budget (Quality of Life . . .), is answer their questions about how to get a balance of quality and value (Quality and Value), but sit back and watch their behavior, not just what their mouths are doing.  I plan to enjoy the show . . . my ex-wife now shops and does things I was once ridiculed for doing, as I wasn't completely wrong, now was I (Spendthrift Manor and Frugal Homestead).

As for any true converts, welcome to the world of the thinking man and woman (Just Because You Can-- Should You?).  A place where logic, common sense, and planning go into purchase decisions (Purchase Decisions: A Recap).  A place where we don't give a damn what the Joneses have nor what they are doing.

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Related posts:
Views on Consumerism Revisited
A Different Way to Look at Life and Stuff
Are You Un-American?
What Happened to Self-Sufficiency?
More Thoughts on Frugality . . .
Frugality Defined
Busting Your Monthly Nut
Guest Post: Spending Our Money (Part III)-- Excuses of a Spendthrift
Guest Post: Spending Our Money (Part II)-- Satisfying Our Wants
Guest Post: Spending Our Money (Part I)-- Meeting Our Needs
One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure
Spending Money Recap