possession obsession

We have the resources to stay fed, we have permanent shelter that keeps us out of the cold, and likely, we all have over 7 shirts and 3 pairs of pants. We have all the materialistic items we'll ever need. However it is becoming more apparent that our greatest desire is to be accepted and approved of by social standards. The two most consistent pursuits: money & Happiness; a great majority are linking the two subjects, and a great majority are finding themselves unfulfilled and broke.
How often do we hear the same conversation: " How was your break?", "Good, I shopped", we are a society of beggars & buyers. We beg for approval, and we buy our ideas of success. Personally, I won't usually spend over 20$ over most things, I don't have a cellphone, I don't go to fancy restaurants every weekend, and I could care less. I am the most fulfilled, and the most Happy I've ever been in years.
Our consumerist society has a spending money that we don't even have, and we're paying for it now as you can see from the economic recession. What logic is that? Spending money that isn't ours, why would anyone do that? Keeping up appearances. Taking out hundreds of thousands dollars worth of loans; loans for sleeker cars, bigger houses, and trips to resorts. Do we see a trend here? We already have cars, homes, and beaches 20 minutes away, but we want more, we're so unsatisfied with the luxuries that we are so unbelievably lucky to have. There are countries where food; clothing; and homes, and RUNNING WATER is a luxury. In our country, we have everything we need, "But mom, I NEED an Ipod Touch, and I NEED an xbox360, and I NEED news UGGS, and I NEED hair extensions, and I NEED 50 $ to go out tonight, and I NEED a new car, I just got my license!" Or else what? We won't get to sit with the same crowd at lunch? The only thing any of this proves is what everyone needs is self respect, and some self-esteem. There are bigger problems than you, and your clothes, and your cars, and your hair. Selfish and Selfless sound a lot alike, but they are completely opposite; try the second one every so often, and be grateful because we HAVE so much, while we DESERVE so little of it.