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Are you easy to please?

Some people like Toyota Corollas, while others will settle for nothing "less" than a BMW.

Some people can do with a Casio watch, while others swear by more high-end brands like Movado.

Some people must have a "10" for a partner; others are perfectly content with a "4"  as long as the person has a great personality.

People often use words like "simple," "non-materialistic" and "low-maintenance" to describe me. As I've stated in earlier posts, I'm almost completely impervious to the avalanche of advertising appeals that most people fall prey to. (It also helped that I majored in marketing and minored in psychology.)

I'm not saying it's bad to splurge on an item here and there, but I've found that far too many consumers have no concept of what it's like to live within their means. An urge to splurge will suddenly come over them at the mall, leading them to rack up ever-increasing heaps of credit card debt.

In my view, this all boils down to one thing: Some people are easier to please than others. It could be the result of myriad factors (upbringing, inheritance, excess spending on material possessions to make up for something else lacking in their lives, etc.), but it's clear some people won't settle for anything "less than the best."

The Great Recession taught us how important it is to save and spend responsibly. A pleasant day needn't consist of a meal at a luxurious restaurant or a joyride in a Maserati. I think people need to make an earnest effort to feel content with the simpler things in life.

The easier it is for one to be satisfied with something, the less likely he is to put a dent in his bank account. Does this mean that one is settling for less? On the contrary: I think less is more.






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