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No one seems to have a clear answer on just how many advertisements the average American is exposed to, but numbers range from a very conservative 300-something to about 3000. Per day. Personally, I’d lean toward the higher number. I’ve only been awake for a little over an hour, and I’ve already seen probably 40 ads and heard one. (That number would go up considerably if you consider just the viewing of a brand name product to be an ad.) I’m exposed to significantly fewer ads than the average person, because I don’t watch TV, don’t pass a single billboard during the typical day, almost always change the radio station during my 5-minutes-or-less drive to work if an ad comes on, and trash 99% of the mailers I get without even glancing at them. I get most of my advertising via the internet, product packaging, and signs that are up in stores.

What does all this have to do with money? A huge portion of most people’s money goes to consumer goods and services. Whether it’s clothing, mortgages, or cereal, we’re all influenced by advertising, probably more so than most of us give credence to. As an example, a few days ago during my brief drive in to work, I heard the words “XYZ Pool Company is offering…” on the car radio. I changed the station at that point, but my immediate thought was “Oh, I want a pool! And a spa. It would be soooo nice to slip into the water in the summertime and relax, or get in the spa when my muscles are sore.” Then I thought, “What am I thinking?! Yes, a pool would be nice, but I have goals, and the pool isn’t high on the list. Pools are expensive, and a lot of work, and the costs to maintain them are high.”

I wasn’t even thinking about a pool at all, but suddenly it was first and foremost in my mind. I actually thought about it off and on all day long that day. I decided that yes, I do really want a pool at some point. AFTER I can both pay cash for it and have enough passive income to pay for its upkeep. Because I don’t want to be working for things. What if the ad had been for donuts, and I passed a donut shop? Would that little ad have derailed me further from my goal (eating healthier) because it was only a donut? I think it’s important to surround yourself with the things that are in line with your actual wants and needs, and to avoid (as much as possible) the things that are not.

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