I think the lines might be drawn in one's own head; 'enough is enough' and decide what actually IS enough, then abide by it. But many rich people I think cannot even do that initial exercise. For example, if one has a pair of stout winter shoes (as I have) does one need a second pair, given that one has only two feet? No. Or a new pair of curtains just because the ones in the shop are so attractive? No. But the consumer society and fierce advertising are brainwashing us into buying new 'stuff' we don't need, as Jim has said.

I suspect there's also a lot of showing off in all this. Many people seem to be at pains to flaunt their clothes, cars, technology and house-furnishings as a kind of personal achievement. There seems to be a lot of oneupmanship going on. I'd have no admiration at all for a lady with twenty pairs of shoes, I'd just see her as rather a prat. But many women would be quite jealous I imagine.

We were fairly poor too just after the War. We darned, mended and re-knitted our clothes, and made garments from material cut from other things. But many Africans go about in what look like lace T-shirts, with so many holes they fall to pieces. As a child, my husband sometimes went three days without eating, as there was just no food to be had.

This is one of the reasons I was quite attracted to becoming a nun; the 'poverty' aspect of the vows meant that material possessions were entirely given up. Actually I should think it's very freeing and a great relief. 'Stuff' is a bloody pain sometimes!