Driving Golf Carts to the Ole Swimming Hole - Consumerism Gone Mad

We all love our creature comforts and buying "stuff" is the American way of life. But now some families in a 100-home enclave located in central Massachusetts have taken consumerism to a new level - lower or higher depending on your point of view. About one-half of these suburbanites have each purchased a golf cart to transport their children to the community pond which is only a few steps from their homes.

It seems that one dad bought a cart to chauffeur his little ones to the swimming hole and within months the golf cart contagion spread and the eager moms and dads visited the golf cart store with credit card and check book in hand to shell out $1,500 to $4,000 or more for a new or used cart.

So on a warm Massachusetts day they leave the Ford Expedition behind and load the kids and swimming paraphernalia in the family cart to make the quick trek to the pond. Some carts sport American flags and colorful canopies - AC and an in-cart hi-def TV might work, too. What could be better on a hot and sticky August afternoon?

You can imagine the parade of carts whizzing down the path to the pond; dad sipping a cool one, yakking on his cell phone and feeling like Dale Earnhardt, Jr.; mom in her bikini and baseball hat proud as punch to be seen; and the kiddies enjoying the lift, muttering, "Are we there yet?" Life couldn't be better.

The gaggle of carts parked in a grassy field is reminiscent of the horse-drawn buggies waiting to be driven home after Sunday church service by families of the Amish persuasion.

But the two groups have little in common. Whereas, one is in harmony with their surroundings, the other is bowing to the excesses of our consumer-driven way of life. Do we really want to teach our kids that riding in a motorized cart is preferable to walking only a few minutes? Granted a cart doesn't use much energy and it may be fun for kids, but doesn't using one in this frivolous way set a poor example for our children?

And is this how responsible adults should be spending their money as they face astronomical college bills for their kids and the need to save money for their own health care and retirement?

If these parents really want to enrich the lives of their kids, here's a suggestion - instead of spending your hard-earned money on such foolishness as golf carts, take that money and buy a low-fee stock fund for each of your kids. In 50 years, when the kids are reaching retirement age, a $3,000 investment now would have grown to $55,260.46, assuming a six percent annual return.

This investment won't mean much to them now, but years later, when the golf cart has become dust in some landfill, your children would have a meaningful reminder of your love, generosity and wisdom.

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Posted August 13, 2007.