Facebook is a Whole New Way to Keep Up With the Joneses

It used to be that people would compare themselves with their family, friends and neighbors.  It makes sense, if you think about it.  People are most likely to compare themselves to what and who they see on a daily basis.  If your neighbor buys a new car, you might be more inclined to feel the need to get yourself a new car.  I mean, if Billy next door can afford one, so can you, right?  (Never mind that Billy makes three times as much money as you).

In this new era of digital relationships and reconnecting with old school friends, the scope of influence has drastically increased.  Now, you not only compare yourself with your friends, family and neighbors but you also see how all of your old acquaintances are doing on Facebook.  If an old friend that you went to high school with posts a picture of their new car, you see it.  If someone you barely knew in grade school decides to buy a new house and post a picture, you see it.  Whether you like it or not, you may very well start looking at what you have relative to what someone you barely know and could care less about has.

I’ve found myself looking at other people from my past and thinking, “Wow, they are doing really well.”  I’ve had to consciously acknowledge that it’s irrelevant to my financial position.  Life isn’t about comparing what you have relative to others, rather it’s really about making your own personal financial decisions.  While we’ve certainly struggled to keep that fresh in our minds over the years, it has definitely helped my wife and I avoid “keeping up with the Joneses”.