The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need (Book)
Juliet B. Schor, Author.  New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1998.

Juliet Schor’s The Overspent American provides a detailed view of the earning and consuming trends of Americans from the 1970s to the present. This heavily researched and documented study reveals the increasing economic pressure Americans are faced with in their work, social, and family lives. Conversely, Schor profiles individuals who have chosen to “downshift” their lifestyle, thereby prioritizing what they value internally over the external standards of society and its commercial entities.

The contrast between the average consumerist behaviors and the conscious lifestyle adjustments of the profiled individuals marks a measure of hope for redefining what success really means within American culture. Schor’s book is a thoughtful, reflective study about American identity—including what Americans value—measured through how they spend or save.

Faith communities would serve their members well by studying and discussing these topics within their ministry, as they are common pressures to each individual living within the United States.

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