"Trading Up"
 

Well, I'm sitting here watching CBS's "Sunday Morning" while getting ready for church. I don't normally go, but I have an overwhelming desire to sing Christmas songs. Anyway, the last story was fascinating to me.

The subject was "Trading Up", an American phenomenon where middle class people buy a limited number of top-of-the-line luxury items. These items are in a category that the consumer values. For some people, it's a great car. Other women insist on their dream kitchen. These items are sometimes bought after scrimping in other categories, such as buying generic toliet paper or driving an older car.

Do you "Trade up" on certain items? Compared to income, my roomate trades up on liquor. She will not drink cheap liquor. What do you think of this phenomenon? I personally think it must be uniquely American (International TFP-ers, feel free to dispute me if I'm wrong) I haven't formed my own opinion yet...I believe I'm going to read the book, aptly titled "Trading Up". Has anyone read it? All right, enough questions...discuss.

I've not read the book, nor did I see the news report.

I do feel that the American consumer, on a whole, is obsessed with bigger, better, faster. We're a country built on the backs of the common worker, where greed is the official religion and the Almighty Buck is our god.

It's a shame.

I trade up on my computer and body lotions. I'm a capitalist pig, I admit it.

I don't think there's anything "top of the line" that I buy. But I do buy quality stuff.

For example, I like to buy Crown Royale whiskey. I drive a Toyota Highlander. My home theatre system is all Sony.

I didn't buy the high end JVC digital camcorder with 3 megapixel still capability, because I already have a 3 megapixel still camera, so I bought the JVC that just does great video.

I don't think I have anything super luxery.

There is always something that a person wants to have the best of. There are lots of consumer goods that people just need what is necessary, but everyone wants to have something that is better than anyone else has, something that sets them apart from the crowd. Basically a status symbol

The best example I can think of is I have a friend of mine who has a used, beat-up looking car. But he has put a couple thousand dollars into the stereo system for that car. The stereo is worth more than the car. It pretty much breaks down to "needs" and "wants".

The car for him is a need (transportation to work) and the stereo system is a want (luxury item, status symbol)

Well, I'll be trading up and upgraing my PC to make it even better and faster in a month. I should be using that money to pay off a bill, but as much as I've been working I deserve to reward myself, right?

What's the alternative to "trading up?"

Why is it so wrong to treat money as a means to an end, rather than an end itself? I think its great that people can get the things they like, if they have the means, rather than just hoarding it.

Oh and I've seen Communism fail first-hand - this is not the way to a happy life. I trade up when it comes to technology - computer upgrades, better camera, an mp3 player, etc. and I'd rather be a content "capitalist pig" whose accomplishments mean something.

There's a envious and bitter little communist in all of us, so I'm not judging anyone who feels consumerism is bad... it just doesn't make sense to me why they'd feel this way.

Trade up? No I make no sacrfices on any aspect of my life. I consume at an even keel. I don't yuppify my life either.

I buy the best quality that I can afford with consideration to quantitiy. So while I eat Hershey's chocolate, I do once in a while treat myself to something more upscale when the opportunity arises.

I won't use the cheap TP. I don't buy off brand bread (it just doesn't taste quite right.) Other than that -- NOPE!

If they had luxury toilet paper available at WalMart, I'd be in line to buy! But seriously, I think there's just some things that people savor. For me, I love to splurge on my hair since I'm frugal when it comes to clothes and makeup, for the most part.

i traded in my mercedes for a year's supply of gold rimmed toilet paper, -lol.

i suppose that i am picky, and there are a few things that i have a hard time, taking a lesser equivilent on, like i won't buy cheap cigarettes, and i prefer to buy the top of the line electronics, when they are needed, but i don't make a point to say " i am gonna buy single ply TP at Walmart for 5 yrs so i can buy this new car or whatever".

I don't necessarily think this is a uniquely American trait. I think you'll find that "consumer awareness" or simple competitiveness for the latest and greatest item or fad is much more prevalent in Japan for example.

With regards to buying items that are "above your normal purchasing power", I'm sure nearly everyone does that sometimes.

When I was growing up my parents used to only buy really good quality stuff. However, we were quite financially challenged (thank you very much, 1970's oil crisis!) when my father's business went bust and we nearly lost our house, home and contents on several ocassions. However my mother used to say "Why buy anything but the best?" So she would scrimp and save and do without until she could buy that Waterford Crystal set of glasses, that solid oak kitchen. And I mean, scrimp and save for years.

Day to day stuff were considered just that. But high quality fancy goods (conceptually like the "good china", if you will) were always considered a worthy purchase. It's just that we had to do with shit for years before getting it.

I'm slightly different. I make good money and due to growing up in an environment where we were poor (to be perfectly honest), I spend money hand over fist. This is my curse, as even now 15 years in the rat race, making more money than almost all my friends, I still have no house or investments to show.

I have lots of nice, very expensive clothes, a lovely $60,000 car, a couple of hundred bottles of good wine... but I still rent an apartment.

Oh well.

At least I have good memories....


Mr Mephisto

Clothes.

I spend way too much money on my clothes. But it's all in the name of fashion.

I've been "downscaling" for several years in order to escape the rat-race life I lived for a quarter-century. On occasion I really, really miss something, but for the most part it's interesting and challenging, and I feel soooo much better about myself, my life and my values. Unfortunately, there's starting to be a bit of publicity about thyis becoming a trend--hope that doesn't mean I have to go back to the old life pissing away a lot of money and having little to show for it--well, except some great memories.

I'm super spoiled when it comes to linens. My mom gave us nice high-thread-count sheets for our first anniversary, and there's no going back to 180 count percale after that.

My friends, I trade up to keep the ones who are quality people and ditch the ones who aren't. My friends or choice in the qulality of my frioends has remained unchanged for quite awhile. I consider friendship to be a luxury and I should treat it as such, never taking it for granted.

I suppose it would be being frugal always and never buying the more expensive product given more than one choice, even if you had plenty of cash. Or if you have big bucks, always buying the best and never compromising on anything.
I tend to be cheap on everything. I've never seen the value of a $1000 suit or a $60,000+ automobile. I have a 32" Toshiba TV I bought back in '96. It still works great. I have debated buying another, but I just can't bring myself to spend the money until the thing breaks and isn't worth repairing. If anything I tend to trade up on computers, but considering I replaced my Pentium II 266 Mhz computer this last Spring with a low end PC, I don'y consider myself an especially conspicuous consumer.

I think the real issue is differentiating between "trading up" for the sake of looking cooler, making some statement versus being willing to spend and value something that may cost more.

You're not necessarily "yuppifying" your life by spending more on something. I'd rather spend more on something if I know it will work well and I can count on it, be it a car, good pair of shoes, TV, computer, cell phone, etc.

If I prefer Post raisin bran over the store bought crap and I'm willing to pay the difference, it doesn't make you a sell out...

Most people try to keep up with the JONES. This has gone on as long as there have been JONES. Nothing wrong with getting better thing's in life. Shows you have good taste and have spent time researching the good buys. I feel the greatest luxaries in life are those that just make you feel good because you have them. The trouble comes when people buy way over their heads to impress other people, and end up filing chapter 13 to get out of debt.

and how about getting the high class, out of your spending bracket materialistic objects, for prices you can afford.

ie: finding good deals, and haggling prices down to acceptable levels

I am a student with part-time job, but I keep up the same standards of living as my well-paid IT nerd live-in-bf. I usually buy cheap cosmetics and then go get still expensive designer clothes from sales. But I can take a cheap skirt rather than the designer one if it looks just as cool. The label isn't the thing but the style. I also drink red wines or drinks at bar, but can live with cereal, yoghurt and pasta when paycheck comes in 3 days.. :)

The little luxuries of life make it worth living. So why not save in some other thing, better than living over the budget. If it really makes a person happy, then go for it, but if the point is to keep up with tje Jones, then it's not good.

Oh yeah. Lingerie. Mmmmmmm. Gossard...

I don't think I trade up really, I just buy what I can afford. Maybe I splurge on computer parts occasionally but that is it :)

Amen, my pretty bald brother.

Good clothes feel different from the K-Mart knockoffs, which I used to wear.

I buy quality razors, shampoo, deodorant, and aftershave. I don't waste money on cheap headphones or computer components. I DO buy cheapo soda and consumables whenever possible; if it's not going to be around long enough for me to enjoy it, why bother? I guess I'd say the same thing Cynthetiq did (I buy the best quality that I can afford with consideration to quantitiy.), although I'm not sure we mean exactly the same thing.

When it is worth it to me, I will upgrade. I insist upon great computers and pretty good cars (just because I will have them for awhile). I spent a bit of money on a nice air conditioner when ours went out since it was a long-term investment. For my clothes, we shop at Walmart and other discount stores as they don't last long, and my wife and I aren't particularly worried about fashion.

I think that many will agree..

Higher grade products will often last longer... ...so in the long run, it costs LESS to buy a better product that will not have to be maintained or replaced as often.

-SF

Personally, i tend to buy things for their quality instead of price or brand names. It´s all about feeling comfortable and secure with what you are buying.

In feb, I was going to by a sony plasma tv 42" for 10k (btw it is now 6k) instead, I quit my job and took a 3 month holiday. Did I trade up for vacation time or did I downsize? I'm not sure how my actions fit into this terminology.

There are several things I would rather do with out rather then buying cheap versions of. Alcohol and Meat are the two best examples I can think of. I dont really think of it as "trading up". I am just trying to enjoy life more. Its not really in my best interest do use large quanitys either one of those things. So I am better off drinking water and eating beans and rice until I want to make a special occasion out of filet mignon and 20 year old scotch. The infreqeuncy and the quality makes indulging all the pleasant.