The New Politics of Consumption

Are people sacrificing happiness for tangible objects? People are under more pressure now to live up a unreasonable set of standards that they are losing sight of the simple joys that often don't cost anything.

"Psychological research suggests that even the visual cue of a credit card logo spurs spending." I've always been taught that credit cards are a tool for emergencies or for building your credit wisely when you are young. Why is it that some people still think that a credit card is "free money"? Are credit card companies deceiving the public?