(MKTG) "The Overspent American"

Post DVD questions on “The Overspent American” (viewed in class): What are the latest items of conspicuous consumption today? Do we see a continuing trend in what the video identifies as the “overspent American”? How does marketing today play a role in these trends today? Do you believe the “aspiration gap” has grown? What is your “reference group” and how is it part of comparative spending? How does your social class effect where you shop? Have you made (or will you make) changes in your life to avoid or reduce what the video called “consumer escalation” – the cycle of working and spending? If such changes were made on a broad scale in our society, how might it change marketing practices? Is there anything marketers can do to help reduce the problems associated with overspending?