I’ve been reading several Oprah magazines lately – don’t worry, I took them out of the library. I didn’t spend my hard earned bucks on them (Okay – I bought one. That’s it). It’s hard to find any kind of “Women’s magazine” that isn’t all about clothes and makeup (which I’m not really into) or children (I don’t have any, and I love my cat, but I’m not gonna get “Cat Fancier”). So, Oprah is not a bad compromise.
After reading several issues, though, I’ve noticed something. The magazine is supposed to be all about finding your true self, and empowering yourself, and in one case – de-cluttering your life! But each magazine seems to be full of pages and pages of things you can buy, in order to help you find your true self or empower yourself – or clutter up your life! And even worse than that – some of them are ridiculously expensive and a total waste. Your average reader for these magazines should not be buying 30 dollar olive oil, 5 dollar chocolate bars, and 200 hundred dollar plates.
I think what got me the most was the conflicting messages – the articles are often about people who gave everything up and made sacrifices to live their “true” life. As well, Suze Orman writes a column each month, advising people on how they can handle their money better. But then there are pages and pages of things you can buy, most of which your average person probably can’t afford and doesn’t need. There are certainly things listed in the lower price range, but still – I’m boggled by the sheer amount of stuff being promoted in these pages.
I guess you can just take the messages that you want out of the magazine and try to ignore all the consumerism that is promoted in it. I seem to be managing okay – I haven’t given in to the urge to try and purchase any crazy expensive stuff I don’t need.
Do you think it’s possible to read these kinds of magazines without getting sucked into wanting to buy things? Do you think what you buy should define you?
I don’t read magazines because I look at them as one big advertisement. There’s most likely all those ads telling you to buy things because that’s how the magazine makes money. I think if you keep reading them, you may find yourself buying stuff from it. It’s like those info commericals, eventually you’ll probably buy something if you keep watching it.
I don’t define myself based on the things I buy. Simply because what would happen if I was no longer able to buy those things.
Call me – yup, exposure does lead to wanting! I read so many I got sick of them, so I’m taking a break – and no impulse purchases yet!
Magazines are pretty brutal for the amount of advertising they fill their pages with. Usually it’s about 50% ads and 50% content. If you tried that formula online Google would likely penalize you as a spammer. I’m not surprised that the Oprah magazine would be conflicting like that. I’ve heard that she’s actually quite mean spirited in real life. All that money must’ve went to her head.
I try not to define myself based on what I buy, but it’s pretty tough since all that stuff leads to impressions with others. I’ve gotten better about it lately though. I have no problem buying cheaper brands and using outdated technology.
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I definitely used to use what I shopped for to define who I was. I felt like I had some kind of image to maintain. I have since grown out of that and realized that is not important. I have to admit though that it can still creep up on me and I find myself fighting that urge. I think being around limited advertising helps. We don’t have cable and I don’t listen to ads on the radio. I just change the channel.
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I understand how you felt. I feel much more pressure to dress up and buy expensive things now that I work downtown with all the pretty people.
Fortunately, I’m still too cheap to waste money, and have found nice stuff second hand!
That’s funny. I read an Oprah magazine last week at the gym and was pleasantly surprised! I’m the type that loves to read mags to see what kind of crazy things they suggest us readers should purchase. I like Cosmo, and all of those girly mags! So when I was reading the Oprah mag, some of it was kinda interesting. They do give out conflicting messages though, but it was a nice change from the typical “celeb gossip” and “drunk night stories” I usually read in magazines!
I think that what we buy definitely defines us. I think we know that what we buy reflects upon us, so sometimes people end up buying things to hopefully change the way others perceive them. Such as certain shoes, clothes, etc. I’m guilty of this too, but I have to always remind myself that buying things won’t necessarily change who I am.
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Hehe..I must admit I’m not a Cosmo fan – except for the quizzes.
There’s nothing wrong with buying things you like, or buying things that are a certain brand or name – as long as you don’t become miserable if you can’t buy them any more. Doesn’t sound like that’s an issue for you! 
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No, I don’t think it defines me but I do know what I want and when I want it. I like to buy quality for some items and other items I could care less. I don’t really think because I wear $200 jeans that it makes me special. I wear them because they are comfortable and I know the quality is good. If my friend wants to wear all the latest and greatest he will have to deal with me wearing .. well, what I want which might not be all the bling bling.
I’m not a big magazine reader but at the same time it’s the advertisers that drive these magazines to where they are and the consumers who buy the stuff. You can find one ad about weight watchers on one page and chocolate mousse cupcakes on the next. It’s all in the way we interpret these marketing schemes. Just walking through the mall today I could feel the urge to spend. It was overwhelming and I rarely spend money unless I have to. The mall is like one giant magazine. There are savings signs everywhere.
Mr.CBB
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That’s the annoying thing about magazines, even say Men’s Health. I love to read it but all the ads are “buy this to be healthier or fitter” even though the whole magazine is just about eating well and exercising which don’t really require that much stuff. Basically whenever I read a website or a magazine I just try to put the ad blinders on.
I read magazines very infrequently, but I skip over the ad pages without even glancing at them. I know they got to make their money somehow (I think it’s something like 90% of the average magazine’s income is from ad revenue), but there is no rule saying I have to pay the slightest bit of attention. It’s like TV commercials. I veiw them as an excellent opportunity to go to the bathroom or refill my glass.
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I try to do the same thing. For T.V. ads – that’s why I love my PVR. I used to get up and do dishes or another chore while ads were on.
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Magazines definitely try to define their reader – I don’t even tend to buy a lot of makeup or clothes, but after reading a fashion magazine, I start thinking, “Damn… I need that… and that… and that…”
I do love music magazines though and I will drop massive amounts of money on them if they contain an interview I am interested in or a sampler CD of bands that I like.
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CF – I understand! For me, it’s food advertising that does that. I see a Whopper ad..and I want a Whopper!
I think advertising in general plays tricks on people. I am the only person in the world who will readily admit that I like commercials, and really enjoy the art of ads. As far as being defined by what I buy, perhaps.
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Marissa – I appreciate your honesty. Do you work in advertising or have a background in it at all?