Art
This 1635 French etching shows a young man squandering his inheritance on wine, women, and gambling—a biblical parable made vivid through everyday excess. For centuries, ordinary people used such images as moral lessons about the dangers of wasteful shopping and loose spending.
Art · Full story
You're in a crowded tavern reeking of spilled wine and tobacco smoke. Half-dressed women laugh as coins scatter across a gaming table. A servant pours another round while the young man, dressed in silk despite the chaos, waves away his dwindling purse. Everyone here is taking their cut.
Reflect
What spending habits do you worry might become excessive? How do you decide when a purchase is enjoyment versus waste?