I think they have us, but it's only "work 'till you die" becuase it's "consume until you are in debt" instead of "save until the gains outweigh your cost of living (and then keep on saving)"

We are bred to be consumers, schooled in how to labor and not think (public schools), and given little if any instruction on investing, living below our means, the true gift of compound interest and providing for your future.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a consumer, but I try to limit myself to reasonable purchases, I save for larger items or put them off for a couple of years. If something goes on my want list (and it's extensive) I look at it like this:

1) Are there alternatives? Better yet, are there any free alternatives? (I want a Bowflex, but I could just pay a little each time I want to go to the Met, get a membership, or just exercise on my bike, hike, and lift some cheap free weights!)
2) Do I really want this now or can I put it off?
3) Is it a fad?
If it passes those criteria, I put it on my want list.. I generally try to stay away from impulse purchases over anything I can't cover out of petty cash. I also don't forget about them... I reward myself with some nice items when the time comes! A new 4) that I'm working on is: Can I sell off some of the crap I don't use now to finance something new and fun?

Note: I didn't call it my "need" list. Before I buy anything on my want list, I make sure that all of my housing and any other debt is covered, I have food and energy costs covered, I can pay for necessities like insurance, health care, etc.

Even then, there can be unlucky times and it's typically health related - a large percentage of personal bankruptcies are from health care costs. One of the best investments we can make is in ourselves and our bodies.