Marketing and the Shopping Conspiracy - Documentary

[alarmguy]

I think this is a fantastic documentary to watch on Netflix
It might even help some who wonder why they cant afford certain things in life, where their priorities are.
One example which those who know me, I always say life has never been more easy in the USA.

I mean look around at all the devices people are using, the cars they are driving by taking out massive loans, some are backwards on 2 generations of car loans, the boats, jetskis, motorcycles, take out meals, constant dining out instead of cooking their own meals, Uber eats and the others, sports programing on their TVs, pay TV included, expensive cell phones and plans. Lost the desire to own a home and rent an apartment or rent a home because they rather have the other stuff.

There was a time that people did not spend money on almost all the above, instead they bought a house that would build equity. There was no internet and that is where my post is leading.
This is a great Netflix Documentary. For those who struggle it may help them get on the right track. For others, well all of us have that extra disposable income for all this junk (me included) but in this documentary it shows why you buy it.

The age of the internet, the human brain is a science and they know how to get you to buy stuff, whether you agree or not.

Marketing and the Shopping Conspiracy - Watch the trailer
https://www.netflix.com/title/81554996

 

[JeffKeryk]

My solution: Start teaching personal finance in grade school. Give kids a fighting chance.

 

[alarmguy]

My solution: Start teaching personal finance in grade school. Give kids a fighting chance.

Boy if there is one thing in this world that we BOTH 100% COMPLETELY agree on it is this. Sadly it will never happen because of the amount of money that would/does pour in from lobbyists representing corporations/banks. But who knows, maybe one day we will beat them.

 

[TheOilWizard]

"I always say life has never been more easy in the USA." - and that may very well be the case for many that view this forum, but look at it objectively from the perspective of someone that is just starting off or not financially secure, yet. Look at the average wages, the cost of literally everything. Home affordability down significantly since even the 1970's. There is some truth to what you posted, but I do think it's reflective of your own personal experience.

Regarding tech like cell phones and internet. Again, some truth to this, but I also think that many of these techs platforms are mandatory for everyday life. Employers expect to call you and you answer, they need you to Google something on-the-spot and find the answer, etc. Our lives have become dependent on tech.

 

[wings&wheels]

My solution: Start teaching personal finance in grade school. Give kids a fighting chance.

...and basic economics, the two are related.

 

[Vil_Riker]

The wealth of the Americans is impressive - all these large vehicles, fashionable clothing, large homes and conspicuous consumption is the envy of the world. We have managed to borrow and spend without any repercussions for the first time ever in human history thanks to the financial whizzes.

 

[Kira]

What would happen if every country in the world sold or spent their stash of US$?

 

[VolvoZ]

I cannot watch it on Netflix. Don’t have an account. Too much money. I’m sure it is an interesting documentary.

But to call it a conspiracy is a bit much. Businesses are just capitalizing on human’s desire for entertainment, toys, food, prestige, etc. The desire has been there since the beginning of time, pretty much.

 

[oldhp]

Well I think the USA is in for a SHOCK in about 4-6 months when all the crops that didn't get harvested and beef cows that aren't taken care from farms going under because of NO HELP. We all could/would/will be in trouble. But not the super rich with their tax cuts. They'll just by whatever they need elsewhere, or fly to France for breakfast.

 

[Klutch9]

My solution: Start teaching personal finance in grade school. Give kids a fighting chance.

I think this is key. Many people, poor and wealthy in between, are just financially illiterate. My dad taught me practical financial knowledge since I was a teenager, and the idea of financial literacy has stuck with me since. My son is 8, and although most financial stuff is beyond him for now, I still try to mention things here and there to help him think about this stuff.

 

[Owen Lucas]

My solution: Start teaching personal finance in grade school. Give kids a fighting chance.

The best approach is now having all the kids pull out their phones, and have them watch educational TikTok about personal finance, maybe a dozen 15 second clips would get the point across lol.

I always say life has never been more easy in the USA.

100%. There's a reason hoards of people want to migrate to the US.

You can start from $0 and if you have the drive, you can become a billionaire. In fact, many wealthy people have gone broke only to rebuild even stronger.

Travelling to Europe, some of these countries which may seem like a paradise to live in, are actually dirt poor by our standards. The average monthly wage in Greece is $800, so many people don't work or care about their jobs. No wonder you can't get good service anywhere lol.

 

[supton]

Boy if there is one thing in this world that we BOTH 100% COMPLETELY agree on it is this. Sadly it will never happen because of the amount of money that would/does pour in from lobbyists representing corporations/banks. But who knows, maybe one day we will beat them.

My kids had to take financial classes in high school. I'm not sure they learned much--and I know that if I had been forced to do so, I wouldn't have learned anything either.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

I'm all for the classes, but just having a class won't make it happen--otherwise, every kid would be a whiz at math, and reading, and writing, since they have to take it all 12 years, right? Yet having the info presented, and being tested on it, doesn't mean proficiency is obtained.

 

[alarmguy]

My kids had to take financial classes in high school. I'm not sure they learned much--and I know that if I had been forced to do so, I wouldn't have learned anything either.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

I'm all for the classes, but just having a class won't make it happen--otherwise, every kid would be a whiz at math, and reading, and writing, since they have to take it all 12 years, right? Yet having the info presented, and being tested on it, doesn't mean proficiency is obtained.

I dont disagree however, if they dont have the information we will never know. Meaning we never lead the horse to the water in this country. Kids cant make a choice if they dont know what the choices are, I am sure some of the kids would get it, just like some kids get math, reading and writing correctly.

 

[alarmguy]

I think this is key. Many people, poor and wealthy in between, are just financially illiterate. My dad taught me practical financial knowledge since I was a teenager, and the idea of financial literacy has stuck with me since. My son is 8, and although most financial stuff is beyond him for now, I still try to mention things here and there to help him think about this stuff.

I did this with my kids. My daughter took it to an extreme *LOL* Wife and I laugh about it but it's actually very sane. She will retire one day with many millions. She fully understands loan amortization and consequences of buying stuff they shouldn't and boy she doesnt spend*LOL* Yet bought her own house this year, no help from us.

My son, mostly at least understands the consequences of spending and to his credit, he and his wife, 2 kids just moved into a new 5 BR home weeks ago... but he does like to buy stuff and I wish he would tone it down a little yet he works hard and can do it.

Then there is one other daughter who I will never figure out *LOL*

So the order or my posts tells the story. We were mostly successful in teaching about the hazards of borrowing money for things you dont have the cash for. All three are fully independent of any support from us yet success is measured differently between the three in that sense they are all successful \.

 

[Pew]

I dont disagree however, if they dont have the information we will never know. Meaning we never lead the horse to the water in this country. Kids cant make a choice if they dont know what the choices are, I am sure some of the kids would get it, just like some kids get math, reading and writing correctly.

Yea we really shouldn't blame the kids who don't know where the water is because they were never brought to the water.

I had home economics in middle that included personal finances. However, it seems like most districts now have removed home economics classes. Whether to save money or too boost their own "district education grade", who knows. The lady friend has two kids, one that graduated a few years ago and a HS senior and neither one of their HS had/have a home economics class that teaches personal accounting. The only class that does is a math class for struggling students that partially covers personal finances because of percentages. My younger sister graduated HS a few years ago and her highschools never offered a home economics or personal finance class unfortunately.

 

[dishdude]

I never understood why K-12 doesn't teach personal finance. I sat through algebra, something I have never used in real life yet nothing about how mortgages, car loans, credit card interest, budgeting...stuff everyone needs to know was skipped all together.

 

[Astro14]

The wealth of the Americans is impressive - all these large vehicles, fashionable clothing, large homes and conspicuous consumption is the envy of the world. We have managed to borrow and spend without any repercussions for the first time ever in human history thanks to the financial whizzes.

I would not say that the wealth of Americans is impressive.

The consumption is impressive.

The expectation for what a lifestyle should be is impressive.

The actual wealth is very different than the consumption.

 

[JohnnyG]

Along those same lines, my wife just read a book "Attention K-Mart Shoppers" which goes into a lot of detail on how these stores and various mergers came to be.

Pretty sure you can get on Amazon with S&H Green Stamps.

 

[ATex7239]

I watched it when it first came out, it’s pretty eye-opening to see the amount of consumption/waste that takes place.

Everyone’s gotta have a mini mansion, two big gas guzzling trucks/SUV’s in the driveway, all the latest electronics, a refrigerator full of food that’ll probably get thrown away because of eating out most of time, closet packed with clothes, etc.

Teaching kids financial responsibility will definitely help but it’s more than just finances. It’s teaching kids how to not be over consumers and wasteful.

Maybe we turn this around one day.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Reading this post, and listeningto people, makes me think there are 2 basic groups:

1. Complainers, conspiracy people, stone throwers. "It's horrible!"
2. Those who choose to do something about it.

The 1st thing you shoud do when you find yourself in a hole, is to stop digging.