What a Week on the Internet!

What an interesting week I had on the Internet!

It started with the amazing story of Ted Williams – dubbed the man with the “Golden Pipes.” It really demonstrated the power of viral communication – this time in a positive way. The week ended with the Twittersphere that was humming with the sad tragedy in Arizona. Again the speed on which information travels these days is amazing.

But the item I learned last week that I got really hung up on was about haul videos. Though I just learned about it last week, it turns out the Internet has been talking about this for over a year.

Never heard of it? Let me explain it then.

Here’s how it works. First, kids power shop, buying as much as they can afford and often even more. Then they post a video of all they hauled home. Kids say it is no different than trying on clothes for their friends just on a larger scale.

I first learned about this last week while watching a Boston news segment on WBZ TV.

Not surprisingly, there are websites dedicated to this like HaulVideos.Net . They describe a haul video as a place where anybody can show off, review, and give advice on the things they have bought. It’s easy to do and fun to watch, so get out there and jump into the haul community.

My issue with this is not in the sharing of information but in the potential addiction for teenagers. Like with so many things in our culture these days, we seem to have an “all-or-nothing” mentality when it comes to consumerism.

The reality is that our economy is largely based on shopping. So it stands to reason that our children will follow down the same path. It’s incumbent on us as parents and adults to teach our kids the old-school basics of needs vs. wants and to find the right balance. The success in properly managing your financial affairs rests largely in knowing your cash flow, controlling those spending impulses, and saving for the unexpected occurrences that life brings.

That will ultimately provide you satisfaction for the long haul.