Comments on: Konsuming Kids

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:18:28 +0000

I checked the site on the New York Times website- It surprised me that Canadians spend more money on alchol and tabacco than clothing and shoes. I shouldn’t have been though since I have a parent in my home daycare that comes to the door smoking everyday but asks to pay me next week because she didn’t save the money for payday…quite frustrating…maybe she should watch your show!!

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:59:42 +0000

What twist on the new show?? I agree with bigasssuperstar. Was rather disappointed with the season opener and the couple featured – there didn’t appear to be a whole heck of a lot of learning going on except how to build a pre-fab house. Oh well – I’m still a fan of Gail’s way, and will stay tuned for next week!

By: bigasssuperstar

bigasssuperstar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:39:40 +0000

Loved the new show … “dickwad” made me pause the PVR in order to laugh a while. But I’m hoping there’s not a season-long shift away from the nuts ‘n bolts money stuff toward challenges and relationships. Of course that’s the warm ‘n fuzzy stuff that makes it a story and not just a spreadsheet exercise, but I get a lot out of how the debt repayment and savings figures are achieved, and felt like the number-shifting was largely ignored once the jars were laid out.
Looking forward to the rest of the season!

By: Jean L

Jean L — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:32:27 +0000

LOved the show last night, Gail. Was stunned but laughed out loud with the “repeat after me” bit…. And I love the twist on the show!

By: admin

admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:58:33 +0000

Blair, you can check out the YTV website that has some interesting stuff. If you find more, let me know. g

By: Tracy J

Tracy J — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:38:09 +0000

My timer is set for the new show!!!!

Kids are easy targets, I am constantly challenging my children to think for themselves after they are attracted to an item on TV, or when “all the other kids have one”.

I have a hard nosed approach to “stuff” for them. If they started peskering me, I ask them to put it on a wish list, and if they still want it by Christmas, then they can hope for it from a relative. And if they don’t get it for Christmas, they have the option to buy it with their own money (with my approval). Gifts “just because” don’t happen often around here…. the “just because” treats are hugs, going to the pool, their favourite dinner, and more EXPERIENCE things like that.

By: Holly

Holly — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:56:25 +0000

A great book that discusses how advertisers target kids is “Made you Look” by Shari Graydon. It’s written for upper elementary students and I’m sure it would open a few eyes. It’s also Canadian, how cool is that? Take a look for it at your local library if you’re discussing this issue with your kids.

I bought it so I could use it in my job as a teacher as it has a section about how advertisers target that captive audience in their desks. I’m also thinking it will come in handy when my toddler starts asking for Disney paraphernalia.

By: Blair

Blair — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:43:13 +0000

Another terrific post, Gail. As a father, and economics teacher, I find this post (along with all the other ones!) very useful. Would you know of a source (website?) that I could use regarding more advertising statistics than the ones mentioned?

Thanks in advance, and see you tonight on the tube,
Blair

By: julie

julie — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:21:59 +0000

Great post. I came across the excerpt below from the book “Debt is Slavery” by Michael Mihalik along the same lines. It is a lot more satisfying to be a creator than a consumer. It is an amazing to get full use out of things, to use them until they wear out. My little brother, a cancer survivor, did the cycling portion of an Ironman race on a $400 road bike. The guys with $10,000 bikes looked at him funny but he finished ahead of hundreds of them! It’s really not about the stuff at all, at all..
***

Be a creator, not a consumer.

Anyone can buy a $2,000 vintage Fender Stratocaster guitar, but can they play it?

Which is better, owning the most expensive tennis racket money can buy or winning the local tournament?

Instead of buying a $200 pair of basketball shoes, why not dedicated another 30 minutes a day to practicing ball-handling?

I am not saying that everyone should stop buying stuff. There’s nothing wrong with owning a $2,000 electric guitar. And not everybody will win the local tennis tournament.

But it’s much more satisfying to be a creator than a consumer. We should focus on improving our skills and abilities, not increasing our stack of possessions.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:35:38 +0000

“I was talking to a mom recently whose son is off at university for his first year. He’s a very talented artist and photographer, but sees no financial future in following his bliss. At 19, he’s already prioritizing Stuff over Fulfilment. Wow!”

Gail, I don’t quite get what’s so wrong with this approach. He’s may be right that there’s no financial future in this, and what’s wrong with getting an education and something to fall back on in case he decides to take a gamble on his artistry and fails? In fact, I bet if he did try to be an artist and failed, he’d be criticized for doing so without a backup or getting a ‘useless’ degree (personally, I think all degrees are useful but have different fiscal returns). Now I don’t know if he’s planning on doing this a backup or not, but the point is that we live in a capitalist society and he’s recognizing this early, nor does this mean he’ll never take a picture again in his life. Good for him, smart kid.

By: Nicki

Nicki — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:17:25 +0000

Great post Gail. I have been working on this with our children. Our 10 year old gets it, but our 6 year old still spends every cent she has available as soon as she gets a chance (she puts aside $1 per week of her allowance into savings but only because I insist). I am hoping as she gets a bit older and more mature, her impulse control will improve and she will understand that it’s just stuff.

Advertising really is something. Last week I heard a radio ad from the Bay advertising a big sale they were having, and in the ad the woman says “you deserve nice things”. I just shook my head. I guess that’s how they help people justify their purchases.

By: J

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:50:28 +0000

Finally! New season! Thanks for the summary of what’s airing when – I’ve been meaning to ask but never got up the nerve.

I do enjoy shopping as an activity – the thing to realize is that it can be fun without buying a single thing. Cool little curiosities are fun to play with in the store… at home they’re just one more thing collecting dust.

By: Lise

Lise — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:48:55 +0000

This is so true Gail! I read a book about this recently called “Consumed:How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults, and Swallow Citizens Whole” by Benjamin Barber. It was certainly eye opening and I kept nodding while reading the book (he does go off on tangents but the core message is bang on). It certainly has made me think twice when the urge to go shopping hits. We have been encouraged to become a country of consumers rather than citizens. He also mentions in the book what happens when people become exhausted trying to keep up with the consumer ideal – just read the papers, it is happening now.

By: psychsarah

psychsarah — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:00:25 +0000

This is such an amazing post Gail! I think the last paragraph should be made into posters for all parents who try to replace time and energy with stuff for their kids. I think the discussion points you raised are an incredible tool for parents-thanks!