THE CURE FOR OVER-CONSUMPTION IS SIMPLE

Many of us are still trying to catch up financially after suffering from a bout of holiday-induced Affluenza.  First came Thanksgiving, then Christmas, New Years and Valentine's Day.  Americans work longer hours than any other people in the world to pay for this good life.  It seems as if we have forgotten that the best things in life are free.

If we spent more time at home enjoying the people we love, we would feel less need to throw money at the holidays.  Many of us compensate for that loss of time by eating out, buying new cars, going on vacation and so on.  Sadly, we must work even longer hours away from home to pay for these things.

With Easter Sunday 7 weeks away, this is the good time to take stock of what drives us to consume so much.  Perhaps it is the media, which tells us that we can buy happiness.  Maybe it's the pleas from our government, which tell us that spending money is patriotic.

The cure for Affluenza, that all-consuming need to spend money, is simple.  Stop trading so much time for money and use that extra time to seek out the priceless.  Imagine the pleasure in spending more time with our family and friends, talking story, going for walks, watching the birds and stopping to smell the flowers along the way.

Camille Armantrout

Makawao