Moderation is Key

Moderation is key. We have all heard it. When it comes to American consumption though, people with money can be quite careless and selfish with their money. From buying a $50 shirt instead of a $5 shirt just for a logo in the corner, to spending hundreds of dollars on season tickets to see just a game or two, there are definitely smarter ways in which we could be spending our money, and that's where Singer has a lot to say. Singer explains that poverty can be "solved" by Americans reconsidering how and where they spend their money. He explains that by cutting down on going out to eat, on buying expensive clothes, etc, that there will be extra money that can and should be used to donate to charities and help out people in poverty. Singer builds up the idea that a minimalist life is the answer, but as the article continues to poke and prod at your wallet, one big question is asked, "How much is too much?"


Giving up going out to dinner or spending money on new clothes though you might have some that still fit does not seem like a big problem at first glance, but looking into Singer's article makes it apparent that his argument is flawed. People get money from jobs, and jobs can pay their workers by making profit which comes from the money consumers are paying for their product. If everyone who adds to the economy decided to take on a minimalist life, there would be less money in the economy, thereby less jobs, and more people needing money. So for people who are making money and contributing to the economy and sustaining a livable situation, giving up as much as Singer wants you to is unreasonable and not smart. But Singer's argument would be a lot more reasonable if he talked about the excess of money not circling through the economy, like the millions of dollars that top income earners accumulate and just continue to pass on. If all of the extra money that can’t be used by these high income people was donated that would be a giant step forward to decrease poverty.


Yes living more moderately and donating is a good answer to helping eliminate problems, but completely changing your lifestyle is going far beyond helpful. Moderation is key.