i agree with you mobell, it is a problem in the hood, but I feel like some of it is cultural. maybe its something we just have to be mindful of, because we know we have that tendency. like I tell myself all the time, I don't need to go shopping! I avoid the mall, because I know that when I go, I'm really tempted to buy stuff. the part of it that I think is truly American based is the concentration on brand names etc. and that part of it, I think we can cure. the part about having to look nice all the time is something that most black folks I know have.