Mal Fletcher comments

In his seminal book Affluenza, Oliver James warns that a virus is spreading through our materialistic, consumerist culture; a virus which is at the root of most of our personal and social distress.

The Affluenza virus, as he calls it, is a pandemic arising from our obsession with having more - money, status, fame - at the expense of being more.

Because of the Affluenza virus, says James, we're insecure, constantly comparing our lot with that of others, especially those who have more than we do.

We're also alienated, because we keep many people at a distance in the pursuit of career. The virus leaves us feeling incompetent, too, because, however successful we become it never seems enough; we try harder and harder to climb a ladder which has no end.

While the New Year sales-rush is at its peak, homeless charities in London and other major cities report a rise in middle-class homelessness.

In the midst of relationship breakdowns, unemployment or both, even professional middle-class people can quickly use up their savings, max out their credit cards and, when friends and family no longer offer help, find themselves without a fixed abode.

Homelessness is an extreme situation and one that won't affect the majority of us any time soon, but it does point out the insecurity inherent in living, or spending, as if there is no tomorrow.

Recession or not, it seems we still have some learning to do.

Oh yes, my wife and I bought a small bag and we got a very good price. It took us just a few minutes, because we knew what we were looking for. Then we had a meal and left the mall, just as the crowds were starting to build.

We breathed a sigh of relief as we drove from the car park, while other drivers circled endlessly looking for a space. It was nice to leave with our sanity and our finances still relatively intact.