--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Having more and newer things each year…" description: "\"Having more and newer things each year has become not just something we want but something we need. The idea of more, of ever increasing wealth, has be..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/414/paul-l-wachtel-70672_addict_having-more-and-newer-things-each-year-h_2625945.jpg" --- # Having more and newer things each year has become not just… ![“Having more and newer things each year has become not just something we want but something we need. The idea of more, of ever increasing wealth, has become the center of our identity and our security, and we are caught up by it as the addict by his drugs.” quote by Paul L Wachtel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/414/paul-l-wachtel-70672_addict_having-more-and-newer-things-each-year-h_2625945.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/414/paul-l-wachtel-70672_addict_having-more-and-newer-things-each-year-h_2625945.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/414/paul-l-wachtel-70672_addict_having-more-and-newer-things-each-year-h_2625945.jpg) > “Having more and newer things each year has become not just something we want but something we need. The idea of more, of ever increasing wealth, has become the center of our identity and our security, and we are caught up by it as the addict by his drugs.” [Paul L Wachtel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-l-wachtel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Consumerism becomes identity; addiction to possessions mirrors drug dependence. **In simple terms:** More stuff becomes a harmful addiction. Key Takeaway Seek fulfillment beyond material accumulation. Themes consumerism identity addiction Mood concerned reflective Type psychological self‑help When to use this quote - financial planning - minimalism - therapy Key Concepts Psychology of materialism self-worth Questions to Reflect On - What non‑material sources give you security? - How can you reduce dependence on possessions? A Different Perspective Changing habits is challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Addict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addict/) [Caught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caught/) [Caught up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caught-up/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Drug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drug/) [Having Newer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-newer-2148909/) [Idea Increasing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea-increasing-2148908/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Increasing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/increasing/) [Increasing Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/increasing-wealth-1715563/) [Inspiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiring/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [Increasing wealth is attended by care and by the desire of greater increase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/increasing-wealth-is-attended-by-care-and-by-the-desire-of-greater/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Not understanding the process of a spontaneously-ordered economy goes hand-in-hand with not understanding the creation of resources and wealth. 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