Personal Narrative: The Nag Factor

The Binges feel that is necessary to gloat to their acquaintances about their purchases. This unfortunately, has impacted relations with those that they associate themselves with (Verdant 156). Verdant states, “Their self-image is dependent on what they wear, drive, and where they spend their money” (156). They seem to have no regard to money as it is easy for them to make impulse purchases and not give it a second thought. Their house is a cluttered showcase for new and old items which they have accumulated over the years. They prefer to buy new items rather than get the broken ones

At the age of nine, I watched my uncles lowering my father into the ground and what took his life was addiction. All my life I have watched addiction take over the lives of people, I love. My father's side of the family, besides my grandparents, has always faced addiction. Although, addiction runs through my blood, I will not take the same path I have watched people take all my life. I will be the one to end the cycle. Watching the majority of my family waste their life has motivated me to change the direction and better myself from living a life of addiction and misery.

“But the prospect of an end to plenty has uncovered what maybe a pernicious problem, an addiction so out of control that is qualifies as a sickness.” (paragraph 2) In the famous essay “Why Stuff Is Not Salvation” by Anna Quindlen, Quindlen denounces the consumer values of the modern century. She states in paragraph 6: “Now much of the country is made up of people with the acquisition habits of a 7-year-old, desire untethered from need, or the ability to pay.” This quote unveils that a large amount of the United States population spends more money on desired items, that they can’t afford, rather than necessities. This addiction shoves consumers down a rabbit hole of debt and bankruptcy. With this, she expresses her opinion that people would

It is commonly viewed that consumption is a very natural human process, which in fact we humans don’t see as a problem. The reality of consumption is simple; marketing that is leading towards destruction. This whole matter of consumption would not exist if it were not for prestige. With this process of consumption beginning to continue, the human race is becoming closer and closer to non-existence. The human race has just evolved into a world where individuals believe, or pretend, that the Earth's resources are infinite and that they will never be destroyed. That is where they make a vital mistake.

I agree with Hill’s argument that one tends to buy more than what they use. I, for instance, am one of those individuals. Hill mentions this by saying “Members of every socioeconomic bracket can and do deluge themselves with products” (Hill 1). For instance, I remember when I received my first payment from babysitting. I was thrilled with the idea of finally being able to rely on myself to buy all the things I wanted. So, I headed towards the mall and went on a shopping spree. As a result, I arrived home with bags of merchandise as I unloaded them I became aware I had bought a lot of things I didn’t need. As the days passed I became conscious of how I didn’t use much of what I had bought but bought them because I liked the idea of being able to buy whatever I wanted without having anyone tell me what I couldn’t buy. Not only does Hills argument make sense but also makes an important

In Bookmarks, Possessed by Our Possessions, Diane Cole states, “But never has hoarding been so visible as it is today in westernized societies. Perhaps the abundance of inexpensive and easily accessible objects makes it the disorder of the decade” (Cole 3). This quotes is very relevant to my views on how and why America seemed to be consumed by consumption. This isn’t just a coincidence but, an action that has turned into an emotion. Buying items used to be dependent on necessity but now it is based on the feeling. To buy items people enjoy themselves and it turns into a leisurely activity. Because of the emotion shopping creates, individuals who suffer from depression use this as an outlet and tend to buy at

Over my years of school, one big influence on me has always been sports. Ever since a young age, I have always enjoyed playing and watching sports. In my four years in high school, I have fell in love with the sport of lacrosse.

I woke up and took one bite out of my pop tart but that one bite was all I could eat. My legs were shaking, and my heart was pounding. My dad told me, “It is a true honor to even make it this far so go out there and have some fun.” Once I heard this statement, I knew I was ready to go. I arrived at school and boarded the bus. The car ride was an hour and fifteen minutes of hearing the squeaking of the wheel on the bus. My teammates were getting their heads ready for the big game.

Most of us don’t appreciate what we have and despise those who have what we can’t afford. Growing up, my parents rarely denied me new toys, but subconsciously, I knew I should not ask for unnecessary items. Up to this day, I don’t remember a time when I bought something without asking myself multiple times, “How much do I really need this?” This is because my family has never been in a financial position in which we could afford anything and everything we wanted. Just like Mark Twain said, “I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me that position,” I personally would not be able to handle the responsibility which comes with having money at easy disposal because of how I was raised.

Even with my personal problems, I also have had to make other adjustments in my life. We all know college is very expensive, so money is very limited. I was never really good with money until I started going back to school. I am used to shopping and going out to eat everyday. When the time came for me to cut back on my spending, it was like someone stabbed a knife through my heart. It not like I can’t go shopping anymore, it just means I just can’t buy the high-priced, premium items now. For example, I’m used to buying Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. The only way I am saving money is by just staying away from those three stores. In just two months I have saved lots of money.

We humans first concern ourselves with our survival needs: air, food, water and protection from predators. Once we believe that we have obtained all these needs we then look for a mate, we try to make a social connection and have an approval from society. No matter what the outcome entitles, we are never satisfied, never happy. Our minds become bored, needing constantly something to occupy them with a new challenge. A particular set of people know this; taking advantage of our easily controlled attention, advertisers. Advertisers manipulate us to purchase unnecessary things, products that we have no need for, they convince us to be “devoted narcissists”. We are bound to associate brand names that instantly bestow status upon us. Making us believe

Of course the norm for me is that of any citizen living in zone three.

The social norm I broke is making too much eye contact, or staring excessively, at my teachers. While sitting in class, I stared at my teachers more than I stared at my paper or looked around the classroom. It is usually normal for students to stare down at their desks and not look at the teacher a lot.

I grew up as one of the hardest things to commit to, black and alternative. My meaning of alternative is being interested in goth fashion and heavy metal music. From what I was told, being black is listening to hip-hop and dressing like everyone else around them or what is the social norm. Clearly, my definition of alterative is contrasting on what it means to be “black.” I say it's hard to commit because coming from a closed black family, I felt pressed to let go of what I felt about myself just to make them happy. Questions like, ‘’Why are you trying so hard to be different?’’ or ‘’Who told you that was okay?’’ Still replay in my head whenever I decide to wear something that I would feel most comfortable in. Not long ago, I got into an arguement

In the article “I came, I saw, I shopped” It says “...americans don’t have savings...” This line says a lot about how people tend to purchase wants more than needs. When deciding on whether or not to make a purchase unless you are struggling for money the thought of need or want doesn’t cross your mind. The article also states that collectors are in serious debt because the purchases these collectors make are too big for their pockets. These examples are just the beginning, as materialism has been an issue for thousands of years.