“Shopping is the entertainment of the poor” — Tom Delamater

Most women have watched an episode of Sex and the City and can relate on some level to Carrie’s love of shopping and shoes. Much has been written about women and their compulsion to shop. But recently, I had a conversation with a friend and he mentioned that his father has a slightly different perspective on consumerism.

He thinks that shopping is more of an epidemic with low-income families. In other words, he argues, “The poor go to Wal-Mart, hang out at the mall, or watch the Home Shopping Network on the weekends or just to fill their leisure time. The ‘better off’ go outdoors or do cultural things.”

Perhaps, we are over generalizing with this statement but his observation makes sense. The “better off” or wealthier people have more options with how to fill their time. Should we wander around Target vs. play a round of golf. Stroll the mall and visit the food court on Saturday night vs. attending a performance of The Three Tenors. Get the picture. It makes sense.

Shopping is entertainment. Most people cannot go to the mall and just look. And let’s face it, most Americans are just scrapping to get by. This is stressful. In a Bankrate.com article, Olivia Mellan says, “People under stress revert to their oldest, most primal survival mode, and it is always dysfunctional. If overspending is already a part of your personality, then your response to the stress will be to spend money.”

“Money is a drug,” says financial planner Wayne von Borstel. “It’s the No. 1 drug in America. It gives you a quick high every time you spend it. If you have a good day, you go out and spend money. If you have a bad day, you go out and spend money. It makes us feel good. But no matter how much money you make — financial success is related to whether you save or spend.”

Stop spending is the key for everyone. Rich or poor: if you hang out at the mall, then you’ll likely spend money. There are plenty of things that people can do that don’t cost a dime. Go for a walk or hike, visit the park, or attend free lectures at the bookstore or library. There are ways to spend your time and not spend money.