The Problem with Nice Things
We all want nice things. Who doesn’t love a new car, a fancy watch, or a beautiful home? But as the saying goes, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.” And that’s certainly the case with nice things.
There are a number of reasons why we can’t have nice things. Some of them are our own fault, while others are simply the result of the way the world works. But whatever the reason, the end result is the same: we’re constantly disappointed by the things we own.
Our Own Fault
One of the biggest reasons why we can’t have nice things is our own fault. We’re simply not willing to take care of them. We don’t clean them, we don’t maintain them, and we don’t store them properly. As a result, our nice things quickly become not-so-nice.
For example, a study by the American Cleaning Institute found that only 38% of Americans clean their homes on a regular basis. And of those who do clean, only 22% actually do a good job. As a result, our homes are filled with dust, dirt, and germs. And that’s not just gross, it’s also unhealthy.
Another way we sabotage our nice things is by not maintaining them. We don’t change the oil in our cars, we don’t get our teeth cleaned regularly, and we don’t take our clothes to the dry cleaners. As a result, our cars break down, our teeth rot, and our clothes get ruined.
The Way the World Works
Even if we were perfect at taking care of our things, there are still a number of reasons why we can’t have nice things. The world is simply a harsh place, and our nice things are constantly being exposed to the elements.
For example, a study by the Insurance Information Institute found that there were over 6 million weather-related insurance claims filed in 2017. And that’s just in the United States. Imagine how many more claims there would be if we included the rest of the world.
Another way the world conspires against our nice things is through crime. According to the FBI, there were over 1 million burglaries in the United States in 2017. And that’s just burglaries. There were also over 2 million robberies and over 7 million larcenies.
The Solution
So what’s the solution? How can we have nice things and keep them nice? The answer is simple: we need to change our behavior.
We need to start taking better care of our things. We need to clean them, maintain them, and store them properly. We also need to be more aware of the risks that our things face. We need to make sure that our homes are secure and that we’re not leaving our valuables unattended.
If we can do these things, then we’ll be much more likely to have nice things. And who knows, maybe we’ll even be able to keep them nice for a while.
Conclusion
We all want nice things, but we can’t have them if we don’t take care of them. We need to start changing our behavior and taking better care of our belongings. If we can do that, then we’ll be much more likely to have nice things for a long time to come.
Tables
Table 1: The Cost of Not Taking Care of Our Things
| Item | Average Cost of Replacement |
|---|---|
| Car | $20,000 |
| Home | $250,000 |
| Jewelry | $10,000 |
| Clothes | $500 |
Table 2: The Risks of Not Taking Care of Our Things
| Risk | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| Burglary | 1 in 100 homes per year |
| Robbery | 1 in 250 homes per year |
| Larceny | 1 in 50 homes per year |
| Weather damage | 1 in 10 homes per year |
Table 3: Tips for Taking Care of Our Things
| Tip | How Often |
|---|---|
| Clean your home | Weekly |
| Maintain your car | Every 5,000 miles |
| Get your teeth cleaned | Every 6 months |
| Take your clothes to the dry cleaners | As needed |
Table 4: How to Keep Your Things Safe
| Tip | How to Do It |
|---|---|
| Secure your home | Install a security system, lock your doors and windows, and keep your valuables out of sight |
| Be aware of your surroundings | Pay attention to who’s around you and don’t leave your valuables unattended |
| Report suspicious activity | If you see something suspicious, call the police |
