In a world full of poverty, why are so many wasting so much money?

Question

The telly is full of ads again for Mothers day. Another big money making gain for all the retail companies when all is needed is to show how much you love someone with kindness not gifts. Am I the only person who feels like this?

Answer 1

No, you are not alone, I couldn't agree more.

Answer 2

I agree with the fact that it's appalling that there should be any poverty in the world in this day and age, but if you feel strongly about this matter then you would have to take the same stance for birthdays, Christmas, Weddings, going out for meals and basically anything that you spend money on that can be done cheaper. You should then donate all the money that you save by not spending it on these things, to a feed the world charity. I always send a card on Mothering Sunday, but what I do object to is the other cards you see for the occassion, i.e. from your Husband, grandson/daughter and believe it or not I have even seen ones from your cat,dog and various other ones. There are a lot of people in this country that don't earn a great deal of money and can't afford to buy the ones they love expensive gifts (my parents wouldn't want one anyway) or go to visit them as they are either working or the cost of the transport is to expensive. There are also enough Millionaires and Billionaires in the world who could afford to wipe out poverty if they so wished. I know there are a lot of them that donate to various charities, but lets be fair, what someone like say Bill Gates contributes is probably the equivilant of you or I contributing a penny on the basis of what he earns and we earn. When we have children in need in this Country do you ever see the figures jump in Millions? It should do as we have our fair share of Multi Millionaires including our Monarchy who are supposed to care about us so much, the trouble is that "so much" doesn't extend to spending some of there vast wealth on helping the needy, at the end of he day how many millions do people need to last them a life time?

Answer 3

I agree with you as far as people spending so much on material things and ignoring the fact that poverty exists, but purchasing a gift for someone on a special day is not where the problem lies...its purchasing every single game and gadget that comes out in the market that is not necessary. A little donation can go a long way, but how many really want to do it.

Answer 4

The ones wasting the money are the ones who don't suffer from poverty. If Mother's Day was cancelled, do you suppose everyone would donate the money they would have spent on flowers to the needy? They wouldn't. I agree it's a huge commercial rip-off, but it really doesn't have any bearing on world poverty.

Answer 5

its still nice to receive that little gift tho on a special day, i agree with u about a day like valentines day tho, that is a waste of money. my mum and dad live over 200 miles away and its hard to show them kindness and love, thats why i think gifts are appropriate for some special days.

Answer 6

So we all stop buying crap and what happens?

Well what do ya know - There's even more poverty because all the people who make the crap are suddenly out of work.

Just follow your conscience but remember life basically sucks - but it's a whole lot better than the alternative.

Answer 7

Yes, you are correct, there is so much waste in this world, the West lives in luxary while the poor struggle in poverty.

Answer 8

Probably not. However, buying something for someone you love is a gesture of love for someone, it certainly is not a waste.

Answer 9

i feel this way too,,i don't think you have to go overboard with gifts,,, actually I decided years ago not to go overboard at christmas,,,it just takes away from the spirit of it all

Answer 10

You ain't alone. My husband feels the same.