Society has conditioned us to buy. We buy new cars which look virtually the same as the previous year's model, we buy new phones, which only have a larger screen or claim to work slightly faster (as if we would notice anyways), we buy clothes in order to be "in season" however there is no difference in wearing last year's fall colors this year as both are still fall colors. Unless of course it is in your profession to wear the latest trends or are surrounded by people who you deem important who will criticize your for wearing last years clothes. So why do we do it? Why do we feel the constant need to buy, knowing that next year we will have to do it all over again?
In the moment one can argue, "because I really want it" however as legitimate an argument this may sound, it satisfies the want instead of the need, and if you find yourself buying it again later down the road, then it shows you originally bought it to satisfy your want.
This is why I share a tiny piece of advice. Buy old things that work really well. I have always thought and continue to believe that things made decades ago were not made with the intent of breaking early on. The manufacturers themselves believed that people wanted quality not quantity. This is why we still see classic cars on the road, or cars that were "built like tanks" . If you think about today, you can either buy a plastic car that looks good or buy metal car that not only feels sturdy but was also considered a premium for somebody else back in the day.
Now this doesn't just apply to cars, it can be anything: radios, walkman, game consoles, etc. the point is to buy something that a.) works and is in really good condition for its age b.) is past the outdated stage and has entered retro, vintage, or classic stage and c.) is something that you like how it looks.
Not only are you teaching yourself to get out of the "I need the latest" mentality, but you are teaching yourself to appreciate things for the purpose they serve, to appreciate that back in the day it cost someone a lot of money for what you currently get to enjoy for much less, but most importantly it removes the burden of having to get the newest and instead enjoy the fact that the older it gets the rarer it gets and the more classic it becomes.
The biggest material things I need in my life besides foods, water, and shelter are my transportation, my music, and my communication.
To satisfy the need I have a 1989 Honda Crx,
a 1980s Panasonic walkman, and Samsung Note 4. And although you can argue the phone isn't necessarily old, I argue that it isn't the latest, I don't owe it, and it serves its purpose. I feel that by having older things I can focus on what matters in life and not on what next to buy.
So what DOES matter in life?...
You should read up on Edward Bernays. He is the reason people need that new car or the new fashion. If it wasent for him most people would be happy with their old stuff. As for what does matter in life, I would say friends, family, maximizing your usage of time while you are alive to achieve your goals and the personal connections we make with people. That is what is important in life to me. Oh, and good food, good drink and good conversations. xD
You an I @skeptic are on the exact same page! Our time here is very limited and goes by in the blink of an eye. That is precisely why getting out of this mentality is so important, we need to slow down and use our time to create those connections and memories you speak of.
:D
From watching one to many top gear, I dont think old cars are the 'takes a beating but keeps on ticking' machines a lot of poeple think they are, they break down a lot but it takes a bit of tinkering to get them back on the road. I myself had a old vw beetle and a beat up old 1400 nissan pickup. Great cars!
Completely agree with you @frostymulder on the fact that not all old cars are built like tanks. I guess I meant it more in the sense that the mechanics of older cars are generally simpler than todays cars given that older cars didn't depend on as many electronic components. Also in the earlier decades companies tried to put their best cars forward as competition was fierce, those that weren't simply when out of business. Older cars that we see today are typically from companies that delivered quality cars i.e. your old vw beetle, hence the reason they're still running around.