Do you think it has? I have to say, I honestly wonder about that sometimes..

In what way, material possessions?

Material things, spending a lot of $$ on things because it's percieved as "better"... things like that.

Then, absolutely!!

Material things, spending a lot of $$ on things because it's percieved as "better"... things like that.

It depends. I can't eat store brand mayo or mac n cheese, so I always buy name brand. I hate the way walmart jeans fit coompared to Levi's. Does that count as practicality gone out the window?

It depends. I can't eat store brand mayo or mac n cheese, so I always buy name brand. I hate the way walmart jeans fit coompared to Levi's. Does that count as practicality gone out the window?

I'm thinking more along the lines of driving a Mercedes even though you can't make your house payment, or having to have the more expensive house even though you really know you can't afford it, when 200 square feet less will work, or shopping at Banana Republic, when you have an Old Navy Budget. Just things like that...

It depends. I can't eat store brand mayo or mac n cheese, so I always buy name brand. I hate the way walmart jeans fit coompared to Levi's. Does that count as practicality gone out the window?

I'm talking about major purchases, spending frivolously on things that could equate to a new car, or a major savings towards a down payment on a home.

I myself prefer name brand clothing, but paying over $100 for an outfit seems frivolous..

Name brand foods don't bother me, because there are always sales/coupons. Batently blowing money on something just to "keep up with the Joneses" is mainly what I'm talking about.

I'm thinking more along the lines of driving a Mercedes even though you can't make your house payment, or having to have the more expensive house even though you really know you can't afford it, when 200 square feet less will work, or shopping at Banana Republic, when you have an Old Navy Budget. Just things like that...

:yes that's exactly what I mean.

So much of stuff is "required" for status these days, and that's complete BS to me.

I would say that not only practicality, but also REASON has gone out the window.

I think it depends on the person. I know for our family, practicality pretty much rules our finances. My car has been paid off for about 3 years....it runs fine. The kids keep saying we 'need' a new car....I say, it still looks good, still drives great, why do we need a new car.
As far as our house goes, we are buying a new house with more room, but it is MUCH more practical for us to have the new house because of my husband's job. We NEED the space that this house will provide for our business. We also are able to utilize our current house as future income as an investment for our future.

I see what your saying....it doesnt bother me though. I know what we can spend and we stay within our means, if others dont want to...I cant see how it really affects me?

I see what your saying and in a sense I think it has gone out the window. Too many people want to be something they are not. Pay your bills then pay yourself is our philosphy. I like nice things, but I am not going to go into debt and not be able to pay the things I have for them.

Well, we simply can not afford to not be practical :lmao So, we really have no choice in the matter :lol If we aren't practical, our children will seriously suffer for that. If we decide to take on a new car payment, they won't eat. If we overspend on clothing, we can't make our van payment. So, we really HAVE to remain practical and reasonable to have the large family that we want. We make sacrifices and cut corners where we can to achieve larger dreams of ours.

Yup, and I'm definitely guilty of it.

Probably for the millionth time, I'm going to reference my Grandfather - the most practical man I've ever known. I used to think he was just cheap and stubborn, but as I've gotten older, I realize that he grew up in a time when things were completely different, when practicality equated survival. It aggravated him so much to see me come in with another pair of new shoes, when I already had over 20 in the closet. Or when I bought more than a hundred bucks worth of groceries, when the shelves were already filled. I didn't really hear it for a long time, but the lessons were soaking in, and now I try to be more like him every day. I'm trying to strike a balance, where I'm mostly practical, but allow myself to splurge and enjoy myself at times too, without feeling guilty. Sometimes I worry that he didn't get to enjoy too many things because he was too practical, and I wish he could have enjoyed the rewards of his hard work a little more. I hope to fall somewhere in the middle.

Living beyond one's means is certainly nothing new - however, there is much less of a social stigma attached to it than there once was (as with many other things that are becoming so much more common in society these days).

Yes, you know where I shop..lol But then the old man does have a sports car.

I would say that not only practicality, but also REASON has gone out the window.

TOTALLY agree. Generally speaking, both of these concepts are completely LOST.