How Much Stuff is Enough?

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:00:00

HOW MUCH STUFF IS ENOUGH?

Pam Kruger and her daughters, Emily and Annie

This is the time of year when many of us are just beginning to look at our holiday credit card bills - and some of us are groaning more than others. The Kruger family in New Jersey has changed their habits quite a bit over the last couple of years. They live a typical American life, but they gained a new perspective when Pam Kruger, the mom, decided to try a house swap in France. When the family arrived at their home away from home, they couldn't believe how sparse the French family's house was. The trip to Southern France was the beginning of their family's conversation about American consumerism, and how much stuff is too much … just as those January sales offers come rolling in. Dick Gordon speaks with Pam and her teenage daughter, Emily, about how they are curbing the urge to acquire.

Find out more about their home swap
See the family scrapbook

YOUR STORY: IBARIONEX PERELLO

Ibarionex Perello

Ibarionex Perello heard the program we aired last week, Shootout in New Buffalo. That story involved a police intern and the mentor who changed his life. Ibarionex wrote to tell us about someone who changed his life. For him it was a man named Mike Cohen. Mike was a counselor at the Boys Club of Hollywood during the late seventies. Mike loved photography and restored the club's darkroom for the boys to use, then invited photojournalists to come give classes. The darkroom became Ibarionex's second home, and he grew up to become a successful photographer. Years later he tried to track Mike down to thank him for his friendship and support, but his mentor had passed away. Ibarionex found another way to honor him - by making a photography book about the boys' club, which is still serving kids in the neighborhood.

See Ibarionex's photos
Learn more about Ibarionex

The Story from APM - How Much Stuff is Enough?

How Much Stuff is Enough?

HOW MUCH STUFF IS ENOUGH?

YOUR STORY: IBARIONEX PERELLO