Here is what I call the ‘Eldering Consumer Checklist’ in this new marketplace. Actually it is a checklist for all consumers—it just comes more naturally as we get older and start living on a fixed (finite) income. We can take it with us and ask these questions before we spend a nickel on anything.
- Is this something I need? (As in, will I suffer without this?)
- Will I need this in the future? (Does this have continuing value?)
- Does the production of this item (or service) harm or potentially harm others?
- Does my consuming this contribute to our collective quality of life?
- In consuming this, who should I thank? Is there anyone I should apologize to?
“But wait a minute!” you say. “What about all the things I don’t really need but really do want”? My answer is that you still have a choice. But as long as our