In my most recent haul of 165,000 cards that I have been going through, I found something quite interesting.  First, I found a packet of star wars cards.  Then I found about 2,000 other star wars cards.  My son is a *HUGE* star wars fan (He even wrote a fan letter to George Lucas!)  Immediately, when my wife and I find something having to do with star wars, we consider getting it for our son, but more often than not, we don’t – we don’t want him to be one of those kids who has everything, and turns out to be a spoiled brat.  He has a lot as it is. 

Staying true to form, I first jumped and said WOW!!!  He’s gonna loooooove these cards!  Then … wait….stop that!  I can’t just give him all 2,000 of these cards! 

Why? You may ask – well, when I was a kid, I was really into the book series of the Bobsey Twins.  I just loved their books.  I would save up my money and buy one as often as I could, and I would just devour its contents.  One day, my folks went to a garage sale, and what did they find?  An ENTIRE VOLUME of Bobsey Twins books!  They were excited, I’m sure – much like I was when I found these Star Wars cards, but a strange thing happened.  Do you how many of those books I read?  None.  I didn’t read a single one of them.  I was super interested when I had to buy them, and the quantity was scare for me, but when it was plentiful and free, I simply didn’t have a desire to read anymore. 

Rather than give him all 2,000, (he doesn’t know I have these) I pulled out one and showed it to him.  I told him if he can be good for mom (she homeschools him) during school work today, that I will give him that one card. 

Guess what?  He is ecstatic about it!  Super happy.  I told my wife I think I have a stockpile of what can get him through until college now. 

I guess kids really don’t need a glut of “stuff” to be happy.  There is truly something to be said about having to earn things, and being happy/content with what you have.