Pets

"Conspicuous consumption" doesn't stop with buying physical products. The idea applies to pets, as well. Take, for example, chihuahuas. Why do Hollywood stars own them? Why not, say, a golden retriever? Because while a golden retriever might serve a useful purpose, a chihuahua exudes extravagance—it's pretty much unable to do a thing for itself, so the one owning it must be able to provide for it, without getting a thing in return!

Now, we live in an area where people regard dogs as part of the family. A local park even features a section for dogs to go off-leash and wander around, exploring and playing with other dogs. And there is certainly a real bond that people feel toward their pets. (Maybe this closeness with a pet is brought on by consistently picking up its defecation—a true labor of love.)

But viewed from a purely economic standpoint, this relationship makes little sense—you pay for the pet, its food, its vet appointments, and lavish it with attention, and in return, all it does is act happy when you're around? (For cats, maybe not even that.)

I can get behind a "pet" cow, or chickens—they provide some benefit to the household besides the ill-defined "companionship".

As for our family, well, I was raised in a pet-free household, and we are still free of them, with plans to stay that way for the foreseeable future. (Could you tell?)

As my wise grandfather once said, "Don't buy nothin' that eats."