Unclutterer » Archive » Monopoly: The uncluttered edition
I'm usually a fan of the site "Unclutterer," for its tricks and tips on getting rid of all the crap we keep. However, this post gives me some pause and discomfort. I've never been a huge player of board games, and Monopoly was actually one of the few that we played on a regular basis, particularly on snow days when we HAD to be inside. But the new edition that is talked about here may be a sign of problems for what we are trying to teach about money - gone is the paper money and now relies on electronic banking (a fancy calculator).
While many of the negative comments on the article dealt with this revision eliminating the lessons on math skills, a few did recognize the problems that might arise from reinforcing a cashless (credit-dependent) society. The article even links to another "helpful" article on how to go cashless - really, eliminating coin clutter. But treats paper money as something to be avoided.
For some time, I've struggled with how much debt do I really want to have. I've tried to find a balance of Dave Ramsey, Suze Orman, and common sense. We've been very fortunate not to have any debt up to this point, and don't really want any, though a car and possibly a house is in the near future. What gets me though is the problems that so many other have with being in debt, yet they don't seem to recognize it, and there's so few good examples and resources out there.
I absolutely hate the "Life takes Visa" commercials that show the well-oiled machine being gummed up by someone who has the audacity to use cash for a purchase. I used to be a debit card only person keeping no more than $10 in my wallet and would tease Laura for using cash exclusively. Though she's more of a credit/debit person now, I so see the wisdom and discipline of using cash. I'm certainly less willing to part with it and more ready to think about what I'm buying with cash than credit/debit.
As we're gearing up for our stewardship campaign, I wonder what more can we do to help people struggling with debt and all the issues that contribute to it and are caused by it? I don't know if Dave or Suze are the answers, but they are a start. What drives us to consume so much yet remain feeling so empty? Why do you buy what you buy?
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monopoly: The uncluttered edition
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2 comments:
First, I must confess that I am a debit card person. I rarely have much cash on me. I even pay my tithe through automatic withdrawal. And I'm pretty sure that I've lowered by debt by using the debit card (since debit is real money--sort of). So I confess, but I'm not sure I repent of my cashless state.
However, I have always had a strong consumer bent. The motto in my family growing up was "When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping!" Back then, we didn't have much to spend and we went window shopping, but with the advent of money of my own I did the real thing. Back when I was in my mid-twenties and had a miserable job, I ran into a co-worker at the mall as I was leaving a story with several suits in tow. She asked me what I was doing and I told her that I was spending money to remind myself why I went to work each morning! Ultimately, I think we have two problems as a culture related to buying and consuming. First, we are taught that we are consumers and it is our job. (Think of George Bush a few days after 9/11 telling us that what we can do to help is to go shopping.) Second, I think we shop/consume in order to fill other needs--the need for approval (do I have the right clothes? the right house?), the need for meaning (Why do I go to work each day?), and so on.
As for Monopoly, I confess I am also a clutter queen (just look in my office). However, I always thought part of the fun was all the money and houses and hotels and such. An uncluttered Monopoly just doesn't seem right!!!!!
Hey!
This is not on the subject of the blog... however, I am a "debt" person!... but I just wanted to say I thought your sermon was great today. I do feel guily that I don't "tithe" but I have contributed more to the church this year than ever before.
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