Convenience or Cost: Digital Temptation
Within Arms Reach
How close are you right now to an internet connected device? Whether it’s a phone, IPad, tablet, or laptop, most people can be connected to the internet by simply reaching out their hand. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the creation of ultra-convenience has led to some financially destructive behaviours.
Supply vs. Demand
As we all learned in economics 101, the law of supply and demand shows that if there’s demand for a product or service, people will find a way to provide it. Retailers have always known that the best way to promote sales is to make the transaction process faster and easier for the consumer.
The Urge to Have It Now
That being said, the creation of the internet was a bonanza for retailers. Naturally retailers quickly seized an opportunity to increase sales by creating websites and applications to allow simple and convenient on-line purchasing of their merchandise. Delivery of the merchandise directly to your door was an added convenience.
Thus was born our current state of instant spending and gratification. If you want it, you can have it, NOW. Is instant gratification and the ease of on line purchases a good thing? Absolutely. The concept resulted from the demand for convenience and I happen to like that convenience. When used sensibly, this convenience enriches our lives. But here’s the catch; it has to be used sensibly. This is where we must all realize that convenience doesn’t justify satisfying our wants.
For too many people the urge to have it now is overwhelming. So what’s the answer? We go back to the old school values we’ve all been taught and chose not to follow. Like sacrifice, willpower and determination, not to mention self-control.
Look again at that internet connected device within arms reach. Is it a path to enriching your life or the facilitator to an endless drain on your finances to satisfy your wants and desires?
In my E-books (“Water Barrel” and “The Balance”) I discuss simple methods to live sensibly for today, take charge of your financial affairs, and invest safely for the long term. For more information please visit David Penna Amazon.
As always, I am not a qualified financial advisor. I just relate financial management to my own experience which may not resemble yours at all. Advice is frequently worth exactly what you paid for it. Most of mine came from expensive experiences.