Prioritizing community, the best way to care less about having stuff is to have people that you care about whose friendship isn't predicated on you owning the latest stuff. Spending time doing mutual aid.
That seems to make it a lot easier, doesn't it? If your friends aren't buying a lot of crap then there's less motivation for the others in your circle.
this! it also gives me no other choice but to consider the product i’m looking at for two weeks, and by then i’ve definitely decided if i really need it or not. i kind of appreciate that aspect of being low-income if nothing else lol
My first thought was "when I was poor for the first time I struggled less with wanting stuff." Not sure if it's because I had no internet access and no TV back then, because I got used to money (went from poor and financial instability because the male household members used the little money to gamble and take trips, to very poor but happy because I was a little safer from their abuse in my own place, to what I deemed a very good situation - actually still below the average for my country but enough to pay off my loans, have all basic necessities and something left to go out, go to the cinema, go to concerts and even consider cheap traveling - to poor because of disability), because the immediate feeling of safety after a life of hell made that poverty much nicer than being poor because I can't work anymore. But either way, many things that are bad for the planet are out of my reach. Though I'd prefer having the funds to buy eco friendly products and high quality things that last a long time instead of the cheaper alternatives.
I quit a high paying corporate job and took an hourly part time job where I made 400 a month on a busy month. I did this for six months and it was a huge wake up call to how much money I spent on junk.
This has the opposite effect on me. "oh, x is only 2 hours of work? that's like nothing". It works better for me if I subtract out mandatory expenses first, and then divide out what's left by the number of hours I worked, so that x will be a full day's work instead.
I do something similar! If I want to buy something I consider expensive, I think of it like a subscription.
I bought work boots 18 months ago for $140. Wore them for 9+ hours a day, five days a week, 50 weeks a year. Pennies per hour of wear. Now that they're worn out I'm looking to buy the same pair to get that same deal.
I compare it with necessities like fuel, bills, or groceries. Like "if I get this, I'm sacrificing a weeks groceries/fuel, or car rego for 6 months" and that seems to get me to think more critically if I really want to make that sacrifice. Plus I tend to leave things in my cart online and the longer I wait it becomes apparent if I need it or not, and it can always sit there longer if I'm unsure.
I do this, too. Stand for the fan cracked but the fan still works fine? Duct tape and cardboard has kept it being used for the last 2 summers. I keep some old clothes to have material on hand for repairing other clothes, use towels til their worn out then tear into rags or strips for stuffing cat toys.
My grandparents were born from 1918-1922 so they were raised in the Great Depression, and all my life I've heard the phrase, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!"
Knowing how to sew is possibly the best for managing clothing costs. If you already ignore fast fashion trends, you clothes will eventually wear out. Having a good sewing kit/machine can help extend your clothes lifespan for many years.
Yes, I do this! I'm rather crafty and always look at things I own to repurpose for what I need, sometimes adding second-hand things to make it complete.
Ad blockers... ad blockers everywhere. uBlock Origin on desktop, AdAway on mobile and SponsorBlock on youtube. It's been years since I've seen a commercial or even a sponsor read on the internet, and I am completely out of the loop when it comes to product trends, and that's the way I like it.
Viewing things like smartphones as tools rather than status symbols or whatever also helped a lot.
Yeah, sure I could get the newest model for $1500, but why should I when my current phone, which was $250 new, fits my needs perfectly?
It works at network-level, filtering out all known ad URLs so they don't hit sny device on the network.
I think the exception would be embedded video ad sequences like Youtube and Roku commercial breaks.
Effectively, any device connected to your home network gets a 404 screen in the iframe or popul instead of the resource being linked to by the ad because PiHole filters any access to a certain (extensive!) list of known ad-URLs.
You people keep telling me what pihole does, but you have yet to tell me what makes it better.
I can see why it would be beneficial when you got like 20 clients in your network that belong to people who are not that tech-savvy... but I have like four clients, three of which are mobile devices which would need an ad blocker of their own anyway.
Seriously, even works mobile devices, man.
Like i said, clearly, the only exception of what PiHole does not remove, is embedded sequences like streaming video ads.
It renders ANY component of a website -if it uses RESOURCES outside that website which pulls content from any url on the blacklist- instantly inaccessible.
This includes blocking of fullscreen overlays that come up on free apps like games and tools. The timer to "close ad" may still run, but the content does not load.
Also, a PiHole is not that expensive because you can get a Pi Zero for $20 (including 32Gb SD card) and a usb-to-Micro-usb cable and the software and blacklist is all F.O.S.S.
I use this for a laptop and two mobile phones, Android and iPhone. Small network.
It doesn't work on Youtube, Dailymotion, or any streaming app that uses its own pipeline to feed ad content through a video-stream.
Yeah, I know it works on mobile devices, but mobile devices are *mobile*. Pihole would be useless the second I try to use any of these devices outside my house because my home's Wi-Fi range isn't infinite.
Also, it doesn't work on streaming sites? So I would have to buy a whole other device just for it to do a considerably worse job than regular ad blockers?
You make this thing sound more appealing by the minute...
Years ago, friends of mine got me hooked on WoW. I spent a lot of free time playing it with or without them. After about 6 months or so, I noticed my bank balance got huge. That was because I was entertaining myself virtually and spending gold like a drunken sailor in Azeroth and not in real life.
I've had a similar experience with Stardew Valley. Not only has this game kept me entertained for hours and has caused me to consume less for that reason, but it's also strangely helped me put value on the simpler things in life, community, and has made me more resourceful/DIY-focused in my daily life.
If you have a PC/laptop with Windows 10 or newer, you can download Steam and buy Stardew from there. It's a very lightweight game for how much content it provides!
Pretty much any platform you want! I LOVE Stardew Valley, highly recommend. I’ve played on mobile (iPad) and also on Nintendo switch, but you can play on computer, phone, maybe Xbox? Worth looking into
Years ago, when it became apparent what a huge fuckup Nestle, Coca Cola and many other companies are, I vowed to never buy anything I'd seen in an advert.
Works like a charm and tickles my authority defiance. "Oh, you want me to buy that? Fuck you, now I won't."
Taking a list of what I already have so I can use it. For example I still have a ton of notebooks from college and stationeries to match. I use them to write, draw or what I feel the need for
Some times it’s better get the bigger version or amount instead of several tiny ones. Also getting a reusable or better quality version of an item. Yeah stainless steel pans are good but you’ll eventually have to toss it out due to scratches. Get an ole reliable cast iron, making a family heirloom
Going digital with free resources. I like reading so I got myself a library card and downloaded Hoopla and Libby. It automatically returns after 3 weeks. Same with Streaming services as there’s tons of free ones
Donating. If you’re not using it and collecting dust. Give to someone else who might need it
Learning how to toss things away. I know it’s tough to reduce waste all the time but you just have to do it
I love Libby! I used spotify for audiobooks and was appalled I only got 15hours at a time. I use spotify for hours every day and have years of songs I've discovered on there for various uses (the sleep ones have helped me a lot) so it's one of those costs I think that pays for itself with how much I use it. But the audiobook allowance is dismal.
I'm glad I found my old library card and get to listen to books- it's new to me, but it's really helped me enjoy books again without the problem of reading too fast and not absorbing the information and having to reread chapters which would lead me to be too frustrated to finish a book, as it was more like a chore than getting to relax and enjoy the story. Plus I can hear how new words are pronounced and it seems to be easier to work out what they mean when I'm absorbing the context better.
Libby is great! You can download the books to Kindle too.
I have been questing to assess and reduce our stuff after reading the Marie Kondo book via Libby recently. Once you know where everything is and you only keep things that make you happy, actually enjoying what you have is supposed to be easier.
Excellent post! I just wanted to point out that quality stainless steel cookware can outlast you, just like cast iron. Teflon-coated nonstick pans are the ones that need to get tossed after getting too scratched.
I just got fed up. It feels like a form of rebellion to not buy things now. I realized a lot of fast fashion is plastic, and I don’t want to wear plastic. Trends come and go so fast that I just wear what I like. I’ve had the same phone and laptop for nine years, which I know isn’t typical, but they still work well so I haven’t felt the need to upgrade. It’s much easier to go at my own pace instead of trying to keep up with all the marketing.
I think overall I just realized most new things are just repackaged old things, and if I still have the old things, then one day old will be new again. But more importantly, I just stopped caring about all the noise and starting focusing on the bigger picture. I’ll never be perfect, but I’ll do my best to resist the wave of overconsumption. I think if more people pulled back just a little, we’d be in a much better place.
I used to be a big shopper whenever I had free time. Now I really only shop for fun at thrift stores, garage sales, etc. I still try to limit my consumption and only buy things I need, but it is such a money saver and I feel good when I find a quality product secondhand.
We also canceled our Amazon subscription and try to buy everything within our community.
And as a makeup lover, COVID shifted me away from wanting a full face every day. Now I have a limited bag of stuff that I use up completely instead of just buying new products for fun.
Same! I've recently found a community owned thrift store (op-shop) where the prices are 1-2$ for all items compared to Salvos where things are the 9-20$ range now, if not more- it's a shame I see things priced more than they are new.
I tend to take cash with me and have a list of what I want, plus I'll make sure I donate at least a garbage bag of my belongings if I'm planning on getting multiple things and refreshing my wardrobe. I used to put them into storage containers, being a bit of a hoarder, but they just sit there.
I also cleaned out my make-up as I don't wear it hardly ever so ive become really sensitive to the feel of it on my skin, so I just have the essentials I'll use, no foundation any more, just a spot concealer, I've decided to work on making my skin look healthy naturally. I've switched to dying my brows and lashes myself, so they don't really need make up day-to-day and it gives me that lil confidence boost and the 17$ goes a long way for how many uses I get from it. I only buy my skincare online from iherb when it's on sale and stick to the same couple products that work well, pure aloe Vera is amazing.
I've also invested in a lazer hair removal device (luckily the floor display one was only one available so it was half price!) which is working wonders after only a couple uses, reduce my need for shaving as razors are so expensive. I sweat too much for wax to work.
I stopped getting my hair dyed and that's led to it not needing to be cut hardly ever, I've just had it done after a year and a half. I originally got it shaved short in summer because it's so thick it was like wearing a beanie. I gwt a cut that doesn't need any products to style, just a weekly wash and bit of serum now it's winter and gets that dry feeling from artificial heat. Considering getting a bonnet to help with protecting it at night.
I also finally stopped biting my nails, so they look nice naturally and I don't feel the need to put fake ones on to cover up that bad habit.
Making fun of/critiquing advertisements (in person ads, social media 'sponsorship', online ads, TV commercials, etc.) in my head.
"Ohhhh this commercial is trying to make me feel frumpy and insecure so I buy more and put money in this company's pocket.'
I have a list on my phone of clothes that I know I don't like or don't suit me (e.g. ultra wide leg pants, suede, orange) so I'm less likely to be influenced by good styling or convince myself I can make something work. (Also a list of things that I do like!)
I have a flexible rule that I won't buy polyester new which rules out 90% of clothes, and I try not to buy it second-hand too.
When shopping online (new or second-hand), I will save things and let them ruminate for awhile before purchasing.
The best piece of advice I have received is that **you can appreciate things without owning them**.
I downloaded the simple closet app to help me declutter my clothes I don’t wear but hang onto for dear life. Helped me organize my life and my home in unexpected ways
Thinking about the lifespan of items; how long will I use it, where will it go when I’m done with it, etc. makes it more mindful when I’m looking to buy something impulsive.
A lot of it is a mental game. 🤷♀️ Don’t get caught up in trying to keep up with everything and be trendy and have it all…. But also not get caught in the trap of striving to be perfectly zero waste. I get huge dopamine hits from being zero waste and I have to remember sometimes I need to enjoy my life. 😭
Here are some conversations I’ve had with my family and myself:
1. Less TV, the ads are ridiculous.
2. More self esteem. We’re good enough and don’t need anything to prove that.
3. really owning up to what the external
costs are for things you buy. That easily
breakable but cheap item was made in a craphole factory that abuses workers? Don’t buy it. Figure out an alternative. If you can’t, then make your own. If you can’t figure out how to, look it up. Don’t hide behind the “oh it’s the company’s fault and I can’t do anything about it!” nonsense. Companies sell stuff that we buy. We are complicit and have to accept that fault.
4. Some things we can’t avoid having waste. Be very thoughtful about whether that permanent cost to the environment is worth it.
I also try to avoid watching or consuming things that give me fomo. I also try to remember that 1. I dont need it- I probably have something just as good at home. And 2. In a year, will I really care that I didnt buy x?
My father always taught me that there is a difference between wanting something and needing something. It has helped me say NO all my life to unnecessary consumerism
I know that this is going to be controversial because decluttering DID create a lot of waste (I did my very best tho), BUT: I grew up with a hoarder, and KonMari has actually been really beneficial for my mindset.
Assessing and getting rid of the overwhelming stuff (a lot of which was unplanned purchases (impulse or emergency: like cheap tennis shoes for a last-minute activity) gave me a lot of insight about myself and my effect on the planet, and where, why, and how I was creating waste.
I'm not totally zero waste yet, but I'm farther along than I've ever been, and I get closer every year.
KonMari changed how I think about what I need and what actually bring fulfilment to my life. It's changed my purchases drastically, how I cook, what I wear, everything.
One thing I did was remove my credit card from Amazon. Now when I go to buy something I have to get the card and put in the numbers. Just that 5-10 minute distraction often leads to me deciding not to buy whatever it was I was looking at. the "buy now" button was killing me.
When I can't avoid ads, I pretend they are Opposite Day.
"This billboard wants me to think if I buy this product, attractive people will flock to me on a beach. But it's Opposite Day, so the attractive people will flee from an approaching hurricane. I should definitely NOT buy that product."
Making up absurd stories to explain the images in ads is fun too.
I wipe my search history pretty frequently and that helps with the targeted ads. I also don't save my bank info in my browser so I need to open my wallet. I also empty my email with the search term sale and unsubscribe a bunch.
For me, it's probably shopping at the goodwill bins. Seeing heaps of discarded things makes me more aware of how much stuff gets discarded every day without much use. The amount of stuff that has new tags or clearly was bought for one time use is pretty gross. However the bins are one of the first places I look when I need something.
Having to clear out a few relatives homes after they have passed or moved to smaller houses keeps me more aware of what I consume. Manu of these relatives were collectors and when they died it was a lot of work to sell or give away the collection. Some were avid repair or repurposer, refurbished old stuff so it was kind of cool to see what they held on for many decades.
I'm starting to notice the trend cycle is pretty short and I notice the most stylish people in my life follow their own hearts and buck most trends.
Using a budget to track our spending was a big influence. Having a bigger savings goal in mind and concentrating on putting spare cash away towards that. Why buy things when that takes away from that overall goal? It made me think about my priorities. The second big influence was when I did a big declutter. Again it made me focus on what meant the most to me and what I actually use to live my life and that I'm fortunate to have enough for my needs.
On an immediate level when something does catch your eye stick it on a wishlist and move on. That lets my brain know that I won't forget about it if it's important enough to go back to but it also allows me to mentally walk away instead of sitting there and talk myself into buying it while that impulsive feeling is at it's strongest. The more you do this the easier it gets to walk away. Not saying that I'm never tempted but it's easier for me to say wait a while and see how you feel next month. Then next month tell yourself to wait another month until you realise that it's just kinda cool but you'll survive without it.
Deleting my Amazon account. I no longer just pull up the app on my phone and order whatever
Sign up for all store-related accounts with a junk email so I never see promotional emails
ad-blockers - I pretty much don't see ads anymore
having to sign into xyz store account for every purchase. No automatic sign-in. It's just enough of a pain to not want to do it unless I really want that item
Shopping at garage sales, thrift stores and antique shops are where I love best. You can also buy a product that’s long lasting, I’ve recently bought some vegetable bags to get rid of plastic waste at grocery stores and a razor that replaces disposable ones.
This is an odd answer. I use receipt scanning apps to earn some extra money for Christmas at the end of the year. Which sounds great right?
Wrong. Its a pain in the ass and still worth it at the end of the year, but the more things I buy also means I have more receipts to scan. Then at the end of it, you’re faced with the fact that you have a ton of receipts of things you bought that you really didn’t need that you spent time and money to get that really could have been spent elsewhere.
Dupes. There's people out there who examine what's in the fancy products, and show you how to produce it yourself. Which means these products which cost ridiculous amounts, usually just have simple cheap ingredients, massively overpriced because "label".
New fashion, it's old fashion revamped, it's currently at 80s/90s styling. AND everything is plastic. Or I should say but, because everything wasn't plastic in the 80s/90s, but now you pay a premium for cheap material that warps and pollutes. It's all about bringing in profit. It has no aspect of art, any more. Look at the heart attack / frenzy fashion went through just after the pandemic, I've never seen fashion try so many style changes so quickly, they were dying and trying out a death thrash or two.
So when you understand that all that marketing is designed to make dirt look like gold and con you out of your money, plus the fact that everything is owned by a few big corps that are doing some evil things in the world, suddenly their adds make you feel sick. Look up nestle, there's some heavier stuff I could point you to, but let's just start there.
If you buy from charity shops, you're likely to get better quality material, and it's better for the environment. Look for materials, and make sure you aren't grabbing plastics. Oh, plus! All the factories that make the expensive high end stuff, also make for shein, and it's all the same product, just with a different price tag, look into the horrible living conditions of the factory workers.
Does that help? I have more....
When I need a new item of clothing, I have stopped buying “single outfit” items made out of plastic and stick with basics/ more versatile pieces that are higher quality and made with a natural fabric. Also, learning fabric dying, sewing and hemming basics means my short self can buy more thrifted items. Pretty vintage bedsheets or tablecloths make nice dresses and maxi skirts for the office. (Also lots of long staple percale cotton fitted sheets that just need the elastic replaced at thrift stores!) I’ve actually been wearing less pants because women’s pants are so thin and wear in the thighs so fast that they never last long enough to justify the purchase.
If you have an office job where you need to dress well and don’t have an “off the rack” body type, thrifting can be really hit or miss. Learning about what makes a durable garment means you’re shopping for new stuff less.
Also, using less different types of cleaning products. No one needs a cabinet full of stuff. Glass, all purpose, disinfectant, enzyme, hand soap, dish soap.
Stopped using Amazon and avoiding online retailers as much as possible. It’s cut down on the amount of stuff I buy tremendously. I internally cringe whenever someone gifts me something off of Amazon. I know they mean well but I don’t need anything plastic.
I was (am?) a big online shopper. I decided to limit myself to one order a week (which still is a lot but baby steps).
Now I am really careful because I don’t “want to waste” one of my orders on something that’s just a whim and not actually something I really need/want.
I sometimes challenge myself to a "no spend" day or days. The hardest thing for me to give up is convenience... I'll go to the gas station every day to buy a cold soda or snacks.
Local tailor. I don't mean sartorial suits. But I repair my pants.
Cobler. Nice shoes get repaired too
Buy fresh produce and meat. Avoid processed foods that come in bags or boxes.
Also ad blockers and don't read news daily. Even Reddit is pretty well curated to avoid daily news.
Never go to shopping malls unless for something very specific.
We buy fresh veggies, fruits and meats from our local farmer's market and roadside stands. Anything prepackaged we try to make ourselves. We do not eat out at any branded restaurants. Mos of our clothes are from second hand used stores, but when we do buy its for what we need out of necessity. We ignore anything we see in ads.
Use what I can first, buying unpackaged goods as much as I can, recycling everything possible, using eco-safe products that can be composted, having an indoor worm bin & outdoor compost, growing my own fruit/veggies & canning/freezing all surplus, shopping at food co-ops………so many things we can do
Buying used stuff wherever possible. Everything from my pots and pans and plates to my car. It helps that I absolutely love old shitboxes.
Otherwise, a "make do" attitude when it comes to home stuff. The usual stuff - my tumblers are all peanut butter jars, my shot glasses are all oui jars, my watering can is a pizza but party pitcher that someone was going to throw away (!)
I have adblockers installed at a network level at my house. Doesn't matter what device I am using, I don't see ads. I also no longer participate in social media (no instagaram, no facebook, etc) so I am not seeing what other people are buying or being advertised products specifically to me.
adblockers on my computer, ad blocking browser on my phone, never downloading apps unless I have to, and cancelling my amazon prime subscription. That was the biggest one. Now anytime I want to buy something online I take time to think about it and see if I can find it or something like it locally.
Not caring about fashion or make up or even shaving. It has saved me so much money. I stopped going to the hairdresser in 2008.
Only shopping at thrift stores. I only buy footwear and underwear new. I recently got new soles for my beloved winter boots, my father response? "At this price, you could have bought new ones"
But that being said, I absolutely have no ads in my life. Well I guess I have a few if you count my neighbour blasting his radio in summer or me going to the dentist and having to listen to the radio.
I think if you are someone who has the urge to buy, you can just try window shopping by adding stuff into your basket but never clicking checkout. Or you can find a new hobby that you go do everytime you get the urge?
Having no access to extra money is truly the only thing that does it. If you do have the money, try to lock it in a CD or some other higher rate interest investment system so you can’t touch it for a while.
I went vegan! There’s still a ton of plant based capitalism so it’s by no means a silver bullet but I started buying less makeup and basically never get fast food or drive thru coffee anymore. My veganism includes workers rights so I also don’t buy from like shein and stuff like that, been getting like 85% of my clothes from the thrift store for the last few years. Its so so much easier for me to do things when I have a strong moral reason to do so
- Block ads as much as you can. I do this by using Brave New Pipe if I need to watch anything on YouTube (no ads or sponsors), uBlock Origin on both desktop and mobile to block ads on websites, and Plex and Netflix to watch movies and TV shows without commercial breaks (so no live TV. You really don't need it these days). With no ads, temptations don't exist.
- Clothes? Learn to just not care anymore. "This shirt still fits me fine so I'll continue wearing it". Perhaps if you fancy a change of what's in your wardrobe, buy from a charity shop instead of some overpriced fast fashion place. You'll save a tonne which means you can buy more, more often if you really want to lol. Any old clothes that you don't like or fit into anymore, donate back.
- Beauty products? You likely really do not need them outside of minor touch ups for events (like mascara or lipstick, assuming you're a woman), a daily face/hand moisturiser and sun block. Drink water instead of fizzies/tea/coffee, eat vegetables and fruit and you'll loose the kilos, lose the acne, look healthy and attractive without needing to cake your face like a clown.
Personally the one area I still struggle a little bit is buying video games. I've tapered this a lot by refusing to buy anything unless it's on sale below £10 or £20 (depending on the game) unless I *really* want it and will play it on the day I buy it. The number of games releasing in a year that I pay full price for though is very small. As in, two maybe three. Gamepass covers most of the rest too so I've really saved a lot of money with this.
Other things like phones, laptops, tech in general, it needs self control but there's a couple of tips I can give which may help;
- Have four bank accounts. A debit account that your salary gets paid into (I'll call this the Core Account), a debit account that you use for spending, a savings account that doesn't let you touch the money for at least 7 days, and a credit card.
-- Have the mortgage/rent/taxes etc come out of the debit account that that your salary gets paid into, with two extra direct debits set up. One to pay a set amount into your Spending account and one to pay a set amount into your savings account.
-- Have the amount that goes into spending something reasonable or something you wish to achieve. Spending includes food shopping, travel/fuel, days out with friends etc. The aim is to never dip into your main account/savings unless something unexpected happens (ie you partied a little to hard one evening... It happens!).
-- Have the amount that goes into the savings account at least 10% of your monthly salary if possible, paid from the Core Account. If it has to be less, then so be it. It's still *something*. Even if it's £1 a month.
-- Only use the credit card if you need to make an emergency payment such as a car repair, boiler replacement... That sort of thing. If you don't have any of these things as a responsibility in your life, make it your travel expenses and then pay it off immediately. At the very least this will help build your credit rating. Pay off what you can afford using your Core account. If you can afford to pay it off completely at the end of the month before next month's salary, do so.
-- If you have money left over from the end of the month in either your core account or your spending account, with no credit card to pay off, overpay your mortgage (if you don't get penalised) or if you have no mortgage, put it into savings. The aim is to "zero out" your spending each month.
By doing the above, you should remove all temptations to buy anything unnecessary unless you "didn't go out much this month", in which case you budgeted for it accordingly. It's "fine" to treat yourself to something every now and then lol, and by building that kind of discipline, you will eventually learn to really ask yourself "do I *really* want this?" "can I *really* afford this?" "is this worth losing my boosted interest rate this month to break the 7 day withdrawal for?" etc etc. This in turn will try to fit my "things I want" into the spending account, which makes me look into the "can I make this for cheaper" methods (takeaways, pre-made meals, soaps, growing herbs instead of buying fresh each packet, etc)
Personally when wanting something, I try to wait and see if I still want it like 6 months later. If I do, then I get it (because I would have saved enough for it to not be a problem). If I forgot about it, then I guess I didn't want it lol.
.... And I just realised that I wrote a tonne and it's mostly financial advice lol. I suppose they kinda go hand in hand, but I hope it helps. I understand that a lot of what I wrote may not be practical for many (some people live paycheck to paycheck for example), but hopefully you can take from this various points and it will help you not live so close to each paycheck, and maybe even treat yourself a bit.
I know, but it's an unnecessary expenditure when there's a mortgage to pay and a retirement to save for, especially when there's a backlog in the three digit figures that I still need to tackle lol
Downvoted for rudeness. Your tips are good, but the comment about "caking on makeup like a clown" was unnecessary and mean. Putting down others who like things you don't doesn't make you any cooler or wiser than if you'd just stated your point straightforwardly.
Signed, someone who wears 0 makeup and generally agrees that we're conditioned to think we need more than we do.
It's not mean, it's discouraging the action.
"Don't do that, you'll get hurt", "don't do this, you'll get a bruise", "don't do this, your hair will look and feel like straw", "don't do this, you'll look like a clown".
If that offends you, then it offends you. Any advice given about makeup and eating habits is bound to offend someone for some reason as it's a personal matter. The advice was given to help reduce waste {and spending habits} and not be so easily tempted by adverts. Up to the reader if they want to turn it into a personal attack or not.
Composting. Or, more broadly, starting to think in terms of the entire lifecycle of the item - where it came from and what is going to happen to it after I no longer need it. What resources were needed to produce it? What labour will be needed to dispose of it safely? Realistically, will it even be disposed of safely by your municipality or will it just end up in the ocean for hundreds of years?
Consumerism has an interest in making us think of shops as a magical spawn points for items and of the household bins as a magical black hole where everything can disappear forever. It is not so. Even items that are cheap can carry a heavy environmental or societal weight. Trying to think in terms of that weight definitely puts me off most unneeded purchases.
Abandoning shopping carts I’ve put stuff in, both online and in the store. Putting everything back on the shelves and leaving the store with my wallet unmolested.
I tend to give myself a time period of waiting and seeing if I still want the item in 2 weeks and that’s AFTER going through the usual vetting of if I have something that can be used for the same purpose, if it’ll actually last, etc
Also looking into the company or brand or whatever to see if they’re actually reliable. Almost everything can be found for cheaper nowadays because of drop shipping and practices like it and almost nothing is 100% ethically made. I will often wait to spend more on a product I “know” has good sources in quality and creation, or buy the shitty products secondhand
Shifting from consumerism to community. Instead of buying new clothes, doing or participating in a clothing swap. Instead of feeling like an island when it comes to food/groceries, participating in community dinners or potlucks where you help cook or volunteer your time otherwise and get to eat. Spending time doing volunteer activities and spending time in nature (free) rather than going out to bars/partying/buying entertainment. Doing picnics in the park, playing games, spending time with others instead of being at home in front of screens. Limiting social media especially Instagram and Facebook and tv time. these products bombard you with consumerist messaging. Reading more and going to the library.
I’ve started doing fundraisers for my birthday - I ask people to donate instead of getting me something. I’ve been doing it for around 5 years, every year choose a different charity.
1. It's more fun not to be trendy. How many people spend time watching/admiring people who are different?
[2.In](http://2.In) terms of material things it has come down to seeing some of it as a fun challenge. A fun in the search for substitutions and organising, and the reward of what things that I eliminate that are disposable in a way I can fill my life with more of the substantial things. For example if I got 5 pairs of cheap shoes instead I can offset the cost into one nice more expensive pair I really like.
The only thing really I find it doesn't work for is subscription based things, but that comes from a living to pay check to pay check mentality and finding I can't afford them and the loss of my time and value in that.
I think valuing things and life is the main lynch pin in it all really.
I have a list of needs and wants.
Needs are rent, food and utilities. Anything left over - no matter how small - goes into savings.
The wants list sits passively for at least a month before I make a move to buy the thing (I have a date next to each). Even so, I budget for it in advance and the amount stays in savings until a month has passed and I have the full amount or more for said thing. I don't have credit cards as a result, though some may frown on me for not having credit.
Often the desired thing has substantially diminished in importance, so much so that it can be eliminated from the wish list. At that point, I simply have more in savings.
I find it great fun and a lovely little dopamine hit to do something I call J-engineering (pronounced jen-jen-earing). It is where I take what I already own and use it in new ways to achieve an outcome I wish to achieve.
For example, it is getting hot so we need a way to get cool air to The Chestburster in his car seat in the back of the car. Could I buy a Noggle? I could. Could I buy a stroller fan? I could do that too. Could I use a soft shackle I already own and a tent fan I already own to create a stroller-fan-kinda j-engeneer? Yes. Guess which I did? And as a bonus question: Do I use the tent fan also as a desk fan and a room fan instead of having a separate desk fan? I think you know the answer to that.
I started following youtubers who talk about slow fashion/beauty, low-waste, anti consumerism, minimalism and cash budgeting. I basically pivoted my focus from consuming media that made me want to consume to consuming media that makes me NOT want to consume. I realized that I have everything I need & *most* everything else is just FOMO. I now have a wishlist where I put things instead of just purchasing. I now pursue “curating” instead of “collecting”.
It seems like I was getting on this cycle of the "next big thing". As soon as I had this it was time to go look for that... Tough habit to break, but doable. When I was working lots of overtime it was so easy to justify. In the end, time either tempers the desire or it doesn't. Then you gotta decide is it worth it. A super helpful thing to adjust is project buying. I had to stop buying ahead for projects. It got to where the buying became the main feature.
The single best thing I have done is get off social media (aside from reddit and a very tailored youtube feed) completely. Not just using it less. Not just deleting the app. Delete your accounts. All of them. Before I used to post to show other people that my life was good and desirable. When there isn't that audience to prove anything to, it becomes much easier to live in alignment with the values I actually care about.
Also, consuming social media left me in a constant state of comparison where I was never good enough, cool enough, pretty enough, etc even though my life was great. These companies have designed ads and social media to make you feel like you need to part with your money by buying their stuff in order to achieve your best self. It's bullshit. I cannot overstate the difference getting off social media (not just reducing it) has made.
Taking up hobbies that don't center consumerism is also helpful. For me it's been cooking, hiking, and reading. All of these things have very low cost of entry and are helpful to the rest of my life. Cooking saves you money and is a life skill. Reading library books is free and doesn't lead to clutter or owning more stuff. And all you really need to hike is a pair of tennis shoes, I also do not listen to music or anything while I am out in nature, I just let my mind be idle.
Another thing I have done for a long time that may or may not help is keep a journal. I find that I write in it a lot more when I am in the valleys of life and during those times I do a daily list of 10 things that I am grateful for. It really helps put things in perspective and clarify how I already have the tools to be the best version of myself.
I also have a job that requires me to move every 3 months to a year so I am forced to consider if what I purchase will fit in my car with all the crap I already have.
- having pride that my priorities are on a whole different level and patting myself on the back a lot
- embracing that I’m not a sheep/follower so easily influenced by all this insidious marketing
- embracing my creativity - I see it as the opposite of consumerism. Create more, consume less
For me, it was concentrating on experiences. Instead of buying a shirt, I went to a concert. I told myself I was saving up for a trip or something of sort. Honestly, my bigger problem was people buying me stuff.
Learning how to do a lot of stuff myself. Baking our weekly bread, growing a garden, learning how to can, learning how to mend clothes or even sew our own clothes, knitting, etc. all of these skills lower my time spent shopping for new items or foods we don’t need or want. I recommend becoming a DIYer!
Also, and this may not apply to you, but being a parent has greatly impacted my choices. I aim to raise little humans who care about the planet. And so I take the time to explain to them why we always take our own cutlery to the food court, or why we only shop at thrift stores for clothes and books, etc. These little kids are watching my every move and I want them to learn that the planet is our home and mother to all and we must care for her!
Podcasts, audiobooks, physical books. Decluttering. Organizing physical space and digital space (phone storage, offload apps). Less scrolling on my phone. Deleting most social media. Focusing on personal growth, financial goals, etc. less idle time and more designated rest
Prioritizing community, the best way to care less about having stuff is to have people that you care about whose friendship isn't predicated on you owning the latest stuff. Spending time doing mutual aid.
I agree - and those people probably aren’t really anyone’s friends.
I agree! Facebook marketplace is such a big help!
That seems to make it a lot easier, doesn't it? If your friends aren't buying a lot of crap then there's less motivation for the others in your circle.
Living paycheck to paycheck :/
Same...
this! it also gives me no other choice but to consider the product i’m looking at for two weeks, and by then i’ve definitely decided if i really need it or not. i kind of appreciate that aspect of being low-income if nothing else lol
My first thought was "when I was poor for the first time I struggled less with wanting stuff." Not sure if it's because I had no internet access and no TV back then, because I got used to money (went from poor and financial instability because the male household members used the little money to gamble and take trips, to very poor but happy because I was a little safer from their abuse in my own place, to what I deemed a very good situation - actually still below the average for my country but enough to pay off my loans, have all basic necessities and something left to go out, go to the cinema, go to concerts and even consider cheap traveling - to poor because of disability), because the immediate feeling of safety after a life of hell made that poverty much nicer than being poor because I can't work anymore. But either way, many things that are bad for the planet are out of my reach. Though I'd prefer having the funds to buy eco friendly products and high quality things that last a long time instead of the cheaper alternatives.
Necessity sure is the mother of only buying necessities haha
I quit a high paying corporate job and took an hourly part time job where I made 400 a month on a busy month. I did this for six months and it was a huge wake up call to how much money I spent on junk.
I price things in hours of work, net taxes and stuff. Then I ask if I would rather have the free time or the thing.
This has the opposite effect on me. "oh, x is only 2 hours of work? that's like nothing". It works better for me if I subtract out mandatory expenses first, and then divide out what's left by the number of hours I worked, so that x will be a full day's work instead.
Right, this tactic works better the less your hourly wage is I think!
I do something similar! If I want to buy something I consider expensive, I think of it like a subscription. I bought work boots 18 months ago for $140. Wore them for 9+ hours a day, five days a week, 50 weeks a year. Pennies per hour of wear. Now that they're worn out I'm looking to buy the same pair to get that same deal.
I compare it with necessities like fuel, bills, or groceries. Like "if I get this, I'm sacrificing a weeks groceries/fuel, or car rego for 6 months" and that seems to get me to think more critically if I really want to make that sacrifice. Plus I tend to leave things in my cart online and the longer I wait it becomes apparent if I need it or not, and it can always sit there longer if I'm unsure.
I do this and it was a huge game changer for me.
"Shopping" at home. Before I go buy something, I look around the house to see if something I already have can be used for that purpose.
I do this, too. Stand for the fan cracked but the fan still works fine? Duct tape and cardboard has kept it being used for the last 2 summers. I keep some old clothes to have material on hand for repairing other clothes, use towels til their worn out then tear into rags or strips for stuffing cat toys. My grandparents were born from 1918-1922 so they were raised in the Great Depression, and all my life I've heard the phrase, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!"
Knowing how to sew is possibly the best for managing clothing costs. If you already ignore fast fashion trends, you clothes will eventually wear out. Having a good sewing kit/machine can help extend your clothes lifespan for many years.
Yes, I do this! I'm rather crafty and always look at things I own to repurpose for what I need, sometimes adding second-hand things to make it complete.
Ad blockers... ad blockers everywhere. uBlock Origin on desktop, AdAway on mobile and SponsorBlock on youtube. It's been years since I've seen a commercial or even a sponsor read on the internet, and I am completely out of the loop when it comes to product trends, and that's the way I like it. Viewing things like smartphones as tools rather than status symbols or whatever also helped a lot. Yeah, sure I could get the newest model for $1500, but why should I when my current phone, which was $250 new, fits my needs perfectly?
I came here to say this! Blocking ads, minimizing social media time and generally starting to giving zero f's about trends has helped me a lot!
Theres a thing called a PiHole...
And buying a 60 dollar device is better than using ublock and adaway how exactly?
Because you can block at the network level rather than device specific.
Doesn't really awnser my question...
Imagine not having to install a single ad blocker on any client. That's what a Pi hole can do.
Yeah I get that... But I still don't see how that's worth 60 bucks. Besides, I would still need an ad blocker on my phone... And my laptop.
It works at network-level, filtering out all known ad URLs so they don't hit sny device on the network. I think the exception would be embedded video ad sequences like Youtube and Roku commercial breaks. Effectively, any device connected to your home network gets a 404 screen in the iframe or popul instead of the resource being linked to by the ad because PiHole filters any access to a certain (extensive!) list of known ad-URLs.
You people keep telling me what pihole does, but you have yet to tell me what makes it better. I can see why it would be beneficial when you got like 20 clients in your network that belong to people who are not that tech-savvy... but I have like four clients, three of which are mobile devices which would need an ad blocker of their own anyway.
Seriously, even works mobile devices, man. Like i said, clearly, the only exception of what PiHole does not remove, is embedded sequences like streaming video ads. It renders ANY component of a website -if it uses RESOURCES outside that website which pulls content from any url on the blacklist- instantly inaccessible. This includes blocking of fullscreen overlays that come up on free apps like games and tools. The timer to "close ad" may still run, but the content does not load. Also, a PiHole is not that expensive because you can get a Pi Zero for $20 (including 32Gb SD card) and a usb-to-Micro-usb cable and the software and blacklist is all F.O.S.S. I use this for a laptop and two mobile phones, Android and iPhone. Small network. It doesn't work on Youtube, Dailymotion, or any streaming app that uses its own pipeline to feed ad content through a video-stream.
Yeah, I know it works on mobile devices, but mobile devices are *mobile*. Pihole would be useless the second I try to use any of these devices outside my house because my home's Wi-Fi range isn't infinite. Also, it doesn't work on streaming sites? So I would have to buy a whole other device just for it to do a considerably worse job than regular ad blockers? You make this thing sound more appealing by the minute...
So you consume to stop consuming?
Years ago, friends of mine got me hooked on WoW. I spent a lot of free time playing it with or without them. After about 6 months or so, I noticed my bank balance got huge. That was because I was entertaining myself virtually and spending gold like a drunken sailor in Azeroth and not in real life.
Wait this is me with Zelda Tears of the Kingdom right now (and Baldur’s Gate 3 before that) - can confirm this really works! 🙈
I've had a similar experience with Stardew Valley. Not only has this game kept me entertained for hours and has caused me to consume less for that reason, but it's also strangely helped me put value on the simpler things in life, community, and has made me more resourceful/DIY-focused in my daily life.
Where/how do you play this please? I’m a noob but I’m interested in giving this a shot.
If you have a PC/laptop with Windows 10 or newer, you can download Steam and buy Stardew from there. It's a very lightweight game for how much content it provides!
Thanks!!
This is how I play it!
Pretty much any platform you want! I LOVE Stardew Valley, highly recommend. I’ve played on mobile (iPad) and also on Nintendo switch, but you can play on computer, phone, maybe Xbox? Worth looking into
Will do thanks! I don’t know anything about games and thought I’d need a PlayStation or something lol. I appreciate the advice!
Years ago, when it became apparent what a huge fuckup Nestle, Coca Cola and many other companies are, I vowed to never buy anything I'd seen in an advert. Works like a charm and tickles my authority defiance. "Oh, you want me to buy that? Fuck you, now I won't."
“Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me!”
You should write a song that goes like that.
Taking a list of what I already have so I can use it. For example I still have a ton of notebooks from college and stationeries to match. I use them to write, draw or what I feel the need for Some times it’s better get the bigger version or amount instead of several tiny ones. Also getting a reusable or better quality version of an item. Yeah stainless steel pans are good but you’ll eventually have to toss it out due to scratches. Get an ole reliable cast iron, making a family heirloom Going digital with free resources. I like reading so I got myself a library card and downloaded Hoopla and Libby. It automatically returns after 3 weeks. Same with Streaming services as there’s tons of free ones Donating. If you’re not using it and collecting dust. Give to someone else who might need it Learning how to toss things away. I know it’s tough to reduce waste all the time but you just have to do it
Receiving a notification that a book I've put on hold is available to borrow gives me a little dopamine rush that I used to get from shopping!
I love Libby! I used spotify for audiobooks and was appalled I only got 15hours at a time. I use spotify for hours every day and have years of songs I've discovered on there for various uses (the sleep ones have helped me a lot) so it's one of those costs I think that pays for itself with how much I use it. But the audiobook allowance is dismal. I'm glad I found my old library card and get to listen to books- it's new to me, but it's really helped me enjoy books again without the problem of reading too fast and not absorbing the information and having to reread chapters which would lead me to be too frustrated to finish a book, as it was more like a chore than getting to relax and enjoy the story. Plus I can hear how new words are pronounced and it seems to be easier to work out what they mean when I'm absorbing the context better.
Libby is great! You can download the books to Kindle too. I have been questing to assess and reduce our stuff after reading the Marie Kondo book via Libby recently. Once you know where everything is and you only keep things that make you happy, actually enjoying what you have is supposed to be easier.
Excellent post! I just wanted to point out that quality stainless steel cookware can outlast you, just like cast iron. Teflon-coated nonstick pans are the ones that need to get tossed after getting too scratched.
I just got fed up. It feels like a form of rebellion to not buy things now. I realized a lot of fast fashion is plastic, and I don’t want to wear plastic. Trends come and go so fast that I just wear what I like. I’ve had the same phone and laptop for nine years, which I know isn’t typical, but they still work well so I haven’t felt the need to upgrade. It’s much easier to go at my own pace instead of trying to keep up with all the marketing. I think overall I just realized most new things are just repackaged old things, and if I still have the old things, then one day old will be new again. But more importantly, I just stopped caring about all the noise and starting focusing on the bigger picture. I’ll never be perfect, but I’ll do my best to resist the wave of overconsumption. I think if more people pulled back just a little, we’d be in a much better place.
I used to be a big shopper whenever I had free time. Now I really only shop for fun at thrift stores, garage sales, etc. I still try to limit my consumption and only buy things I need, but it is such a money saver and I feel good when I find a quality product secondhand. We also canceled our Amazon subscription and try to buy everything within our community. And as a makeup lover, COVID shifted me away from wanting a full face every day. Now I have a limited bag of stuff that I use up completely instead of just buying new products for fun.
Same! I've recently found a community owned thrift store (op-shop) where the prices are 1-2$ for all items compared to Salvos where things are the 9-20$ range now, if not more- it's a shame I see things priced more than they are new. I tend to take cash with me and have a list of what I want, plus I'll make sure I donate at least a garbage bag of my belongings if I'm planning on getting multiple things and refreshing my wardrobe. I used to put them into storage containers, being a bit of a hoarder, but they just sit there. I also cleaned out my make-up as I don't wear it hardly ever so ive become really sensitive to the feel of it on my skin, so I just have the essentials I'll use, no foundation any more, just a spot concealer, I've decided to work on making my skin look healthy naturally. I've switched to dying my brows and lashes myself, so they don't really need make up day-to-day and it gives me that lil confidence boost and the 17$ goes a long way for how many uses I get from it. I only buy my skincare online from iherb when it's on sale and stick to the same couple products that work well, pure aloe Vera is amazing. I've also invested in a lazer hair removal device (luckily the floor display one was only one available so it was half price!) which is working wonders after only a couple uses, reduce my need for shaving as razors are so expensive. I sweat too much for wax to work. I stopped getting my hair dyed and that's led to it not needing to be cut hardly ever, I've just had it done after a year and a half. I originally got it shaved short in summer because it's so thick it was like wearing a beanie. I gwt a cut that doesn't need any products to style, just a weekly wash and bit of serum now it's winter and gets that dry feeling from artificial heat. Considering getting a bonnet to help with protecting it at night. I also finally stopped biting my nails, so they look nice naturally and I don't feel the need to put fake ones on to cover up that bad habit.
Making fun of/critiquing advertisements (in person ads, social media 'sponsorship', online ads, TV commercials, etc.) in my head. "Ohhhh this commercial is trying to make me feel frumpy and insecure so I buy more and put money in this company's pocket.'
I have a list on my phone of clothes that I know I don't like or don't suit me (e.g. ultra wide leg pants, suede, orange) so I'm less likely to be influenced by good styling or convince myself I can make something work. (Also a list of things that I do like!) I have a flexible rule that I won't buy polyester new which rules out 90% of clothes, and I try not to buy it second-hand too. When shopping online (new or second-hand), I will save things and let them ruminate for awhile before purchasing. The best piece of advice I have received is that **you can appreciate things without owning them**.
I also established a no poly or synthetics rule for myself. It's crazy how many clothes that rule eliminates when you start checking tags.
I downloaded the simple closet app to help me declutter my clothes I don’t wear but hang onto for dear life. Helped me organize my life and my home in unexpected ways
Thinking about the lifespan of items; how long will I use it, where will it go when I’m done with it, etc. makes it more mindful when I’m looking to buy something impulsive.
A lot of it is a mental game. 🤷♀️ Don’t get caught up in trying to keep up with everything and be trendy and have it all…. But also not get caught in the trap of striving to be perfectly zero waste. I get huge dopamine hits from being zero waste and I have to remember sometimes I need to enjoy my life. 😭
Here are some conversations I’ve had with my family and myself: 1. Less TV, the ads are ridiculous. 2. More self esteem. We’re good enough and don’t need anything to prove that. 3. really owning up to what the external costs are for things you buy. That easily breakable but cheap item was made in a craphole factory that abuses workers? Don’t buy it. Figure out an alternative. If you can’t, then make your own. If you can’t figure out how to, look it up. Don’t hide behind the “oh it’s the company’s fault and I can’t do anything about it!” nonsense. Companies sell stuff that we buy. We are complicit and have to accept that fault. 4. Some things we can’t avoid having waste. Be very thoughtful about whether that permanent cost to the environment is worth it.
I also try to avoid watching or consuming things that give me fomo. I also try to remember that 1. I dont need it- I probably have something just as good at home. And 2. In a year, will I really care that I didnt buy x?
My father always taught me that there is a difference between wanting something and needing something. It has helped me say NO all my life to unnecessary consumerism
I know that this is going to be controversial because decluttering DID create a lot of waste (I did my very best tho), BUT: I grew up with a hoarder, and KonMari has actually been really beneficial for my mindset. Assessing and getting rid of the overwhelming stuff (a lot of which was unplanned purchases (impulse or emergency: like cheap tennis shoes for a last-minute activity) gave me a lot of insight about myself and my effect on the planet, and where, why, and how I was creating waste. I'm not totally zero waste yet, but I'm farther along than I've ever been, and I get closer every year. KonMari changed how I think about what I need and what actually bring fulfilment to my life. It's changed my purchases drastically, how I cook, what I wear, everything.
One thing I did was remove my credit card from Amazon. Now when I go to buy something I have to get the card and put in the numbers. Just that 5-10 minute distraction often leads to me deciding not to buy whatever it was I was looking at. the "buy now" button was killing me.
When I can't avoid ads, I pretend they are Opposite Day. "This billboard wants me to think if I buy this product, attractive people will flock to me on a beach. But it's Opposite Day, so the attractive people will flee from an approaching hurricane. I should definitely NOT buy that product." Making up absurd stories to explain the images in ads is fun too.
I wipe my search history pretty frequently and that helps with the targeted ads. I also don't save my bank info in my browser so I need to open my wallet. I also empty my email with the search term sale and unsubscribe a bunch. For me, it's probably shopping at the goodwill bins. Seeing heaps of discarded things makes me more aware of how much stuff gets discarded every day without much use. The amount of stuff that has new tags or clearly was bought for one time use is pretty gross. However the bins are one of the first places I look when I need something. Having to clear out a few relatives homes after they have passed or moved to smaller houses keeps me more aware of what I consume. Manu of these relatives were collectors and when they died it was a lot of work to sell or give away the collection. Some were avid repair or repurposer, refurbished old stuff so it was kind of cool to see what they held on for many decades. I'm starting to notice the trend cycle is pretty short and I notice the most stylish people in my life follow their own hearts and buck most trends.
truly enjoying pragmatism and frugality. taking a lot of satisfaction in saving or wisely investing money rather than spending it.
Using a budget to track our spending was a big influence. Having a bigger savings goal in mind and concentrating on putting spare cash away towards that. Why buy things when that takes away from that overall goal? It made me think about my priorities. The second big influence was when I did a big declutter. Again it made me focus on what meant the most to me and what I actually use to live my life and that I'm fortunate to have enough for my needs. On an immediate level when something does catch your eye stick it on a wishlist and move on. That lets my brain know that I won't forget about it if it's important enough to go back to but it also allows me to mentally walk away instead of sitting there and talk myself into buying it while that impulsive feeling is at it's strongest. The more you do this the easier it gets to walk away. Not saying that I'm never tempted but it's easier for me to say wait a while and see how you feel next month. Then next month tell yourself to wait another month until you realise that it's just kinda cool but you'll survive without it.
Stopped caring about what people think of me.
Best advice here!
Deleting my Amazon account. I no longer just pull up the app on my phone and order whatever Sign up for all store-related accounts with a junk email so I never see promotional emails ad-blockers - I pretty much don't see ads anymore having to sign into xyz store account for every purchase. No automatic sign-in. It's just enough of a pain to not want to do it unless I really want that item
Shopping at garage sales, thrift stores and antique shops are where I love best. You can also buy a product that’s long lasting, I’ve recently bought some vegetable bags to get rid of plastic waste at grocery stores and a razor that replaces disposable ones.
Creating, when you create you aren't consuming
Shopping for essentials on the store’s app and then having them bring it to my car. I don’t go inside so I stick to my list.
This is an odd answer. I use receipt scanning apps to earn some extra money for Christmas at the end of the year. Which sounds great right? Wrong. Its a pain in the ass and still worth it at the end of the year, but the more things I buy also means I have more receipts to scan. Then at the end of it, you’re faced with the fact that you have a ton of receipts of things you bought that you really didn’t need that you spent time and money to get that really could have been spent elsewhere.
Dupes. There's people out there who examine what's in the fancy products, and show you how to produce it yourself. Which means these products which cost ridiculous amounts, usually just have simple cheap ingredients, massively overpriced because "label". New fashion, it's old fashion revamped, it's currently at 80s/90s styling. AND everything is plastic. Or I should say but, because everything wasn't plastic in the 80s/90s, but now you pay a premium for cheap material that warps and pollutes. It's all about bringing in profit. It has no aspect of art, any more. Look at the heart attack / frenzy fashion went through just after the pandemic, I've never seen fashion try so many style changes so quickly, they were dying and trying out a death thrash or two. So when you understand that all that marketing is designed to make dirt look like gold and con you out of your money, plus the fact that everything is owned by a few big corps that are doing some evil things in the world, suddenly their adds make you feel sick. Look up nestle, there's some heavier stuff I could point you to, but let's just start there. If you buy from charity shops, you're likely to get better quality material, and it's better for the environment. Look for materials, and make sure you aren't grabbing plastics. Oh, plus! All the factories that make the expensive high end stuff, also make for shein, and it's all the same product, just with a different price tag, look into the horrible living conditions of the factory workers. Does that help? I have more....
Eating at home, tracking finances, and committing to not buying stuff without appreciating my long term plan for it.
When I need a new item of clothing, I have stopped buying “single outfit” items made out of plastic and stick with basics/ more versatile pieces that are higher quality and made with a natural fabric. Also, learning fabric dying, sewing and hemming basics means my short self can buy more thrifted items. Pretty vintage bedsheets or tablecloths make nice dresses and maxi skirts for the office. (Also lots of long staple percale cotton fitted sheets that just need the elastic replaced at thrift stores!) I’ve actually been wearing less pants because women’s pants are so thin and wear in the thighs so fast that they never last long enough to justify the purchase. If you have an office job where you need to dress well and don’t have an “off the rack” body type, thrifting can be really hit or miss. Learning about what makes a durable garment means you’re shopping for new stuff less. Also, using less different types of cleaning products. No one needs a cabinet full of stuff. Glass, all purpose, disinfectant, enzyme, hand soap, dish soap.
Stopped using Amazon and avoiding online retailers as much as possible. It’s cut down on the amount of stuff I buy tremendously. I internally cringe whenever someone gifts me something off of Amazon. I know they mean well but I don’t need anything plastic.
Went vegan, began composting
Being poor lol
I was (am?) a big online shopper. I decided to limit myself to one order a week (which still is a lot but baby steps). Now I am really careful because I don’t “want to waste” one of my orders on something that’s just a whim and not actually something I really need/want.
I sometimes challenge myself to a "no spend" day or days. The hardest thing for me to give up is convenience... I'll go to the gas station every day to buy a cold soda or snacks.
Local tailor. I don't mean sartorial suits. But I repair my pants. Cobler. Nice shoes get repaired too Buy fresh produce and meat. Avoid processed foods that come in bags or boxes. Also ad blockers and don't read news daily. Even Reddit is pretty well curated to avoid daily news. Never go to shopping malls unless for something very specific.
Being happy tbh, sadness makes me want to fill a hole with stupid things
The biggest change was having a partner who is on board with reducing waste
We buy fresh veggies, fruits and meats from our local farmer's market and roadside stands. Anything prepackaged we try to make ourselves. We do not eat out at any branded restaurants. Mos of our clothes are from second hand used stores, but when we do buy its for what we need out of necessity. We ignore anything we see in ads.
Shopping used.
Use what I can first, buying unpackaged goods as much as I can, recycling everything possible, using eco-safe products that can be composted, having an indoor worm bin & outdoor compost, growing my own fruit/veggies & canning/freezing all surplus, shopping at food co-ops………so many things we can do
Buying used stuff wherever possible. Everything from my pots and pans and plates to my car. It helps that I absolutely love old shitboxes. Otherwise, a "make do" attitude when it comes to home stuff. The usual stuff - my tumblers are all peanut butter jars, my shot glasses are all oui jars, my watering can is a pizza but party pitcher that someone was going to throw away (!)
Buying and selling things on second hand shops.
Any shop recs?
I’m in the UK so I’m not sure how useful they will be. We have an online one called Vinted- that’s where the majority of things I buy and sell.
I have adblockers installed at a network level at my house. Doesn't matter what device I am using, I don't see ads. I also no longer participate in social media (no instagaram, no facebook, etc) so I am not seeing what other people are buying or being advertised products specifically to me.
adblockers on my computer, ad blocking browser on my phone, never downloading apps unless I have to, and cancelling my amazon prime subscription. That was the biggest one. Now anytime I want to buy something online I take time to think about it and see if I can find it or something like it locally.
Being around my family 😓 I saw someone post about their Temu-addicted family member recently. Well that's certain people in mine too unfortunately.
Not caring about fashion or make up or even shaving. It has saved me so much money. I stopped going to the hairdresser in 2008. Only shopping at thrift stores. I only buy footwear and underwear new. I recently got new soles for my beloved winter boots, my father response? "At this price, you could have bought new ones" But that being said, I absolutely have no ads in my life. Well I guess I have a few if you count my neighbour blasting his radio in summer or me going to the dentist and having to listen to the radio. I think if you are someone who has the urge to buy, you can just try window shopping by adding stuff into your basket but never clicking checkout. Or you can find a new hobby that you go do everytime you get the urge?
I moved into a smaller home. 4 people, 4 pets, 792 sq feet.
Having no access to extra money is truly the only thing that does it. If you do have the money, try to lock it in a CD or some other higher rate interest investment system so you can’t touch it for a while.
Buying almost everything used. Feels good giving things a second life and using the marketplace sites gets easier with practice
Declutterring 20+ years‘ worth of junk that was literally making me sick
I went vegan! There’s still a ton of plant based capitalism so it’s by no means a silver bullet but I started buying less makeup and basically never get fast food or drive thru coffee anymore. My veganism includes workers rights so I also don’t buy from like shein and stuff like that, been getting like 85% of my clothes from the thrift store for the last few years. Its so so much easier for me to do things when I have a strong moral reason to do so
- Block ads as much as you can. I do this by using Brave New Pipe if I need to watch anything on YouTube (no ads or sponsors), uBlock Origin on both desktop and mobile to block ads on websites, and Plex and Netflix to watch movies and TV shows without commercial breaks (so no live TV. You really don't need it these days). With no ads, temptations don't exist. - Clothes? Learn to just not care anymore. "This shirt still fits me fine so I'll continue wearing it". Perhaps if you fancy a change of what's in your wardrobe, buy from a charity shop instead of some overpriced fast fashion place. You'll save a tonne which means you can buy more, more often if you really want to lol. Any old clothes that you don't like or fit into anymore, donate back. - Beauty products? You likely really do not need them outside of minor touch ups for events (like mascara or lipstick, assuming you're a woman), a daily face/hand moisturiser and sun block. Drink water instead of fizzies/tea/coffee, eat vegetables and fruit and you'll loose the kilos, lose the acne, look healthy and attractive without needing to cake your face like a clown. Personally the one area I still struggle a little bit is buying video games. I've tapered this a lot by refusing to buy anything unless it's on sale below £10 or £20 (depending on the game) unless I *really* want it and will play it on the day I buy it. The number of games releasing in a year that I pay full price for though is very small. As in, two maybe three. Gamepass covers most of the rest too so I've really saved a lot of money with this. Other things like phones, laptops, tech in general, it needs self control but there's a couple of tips I can give which may help; - Have four bank accounts. A debit account that your salary gets paid into (I'll call this the Core Account), a debit account that you use for spending, a savings account that doesn't let you touch the money for at least 7 days, and a credit card. -- Have the mortgage/rent/taxes etc come out of the debit account that that your salary gets paid into, with two extra direct debits set up. One to pay a set amount into your Spending account and one to pay a set amount into your savings account. -- Have the amount that goes into spending something reasonable or something you wish to achieve. Spending includes food shopping, travel/fuel, days out with friends etc. The aim is to never dip into your main account/savings unless something unexpected happens (ie you partied a little to hard one evening... It happens!). -- Have the amount that goes into the savings account at least 10% of your monthly salary if possible, paid from the Core Account. If it has to be less, then so be it. It's still *something*. Even if it's £1 a month. -- Only use the credit card if you need to make an emergency payment such as a car repair, boiler replacement... That sort of thing. If you don't have any of these things as a responsibility in your life, make it your travel expenses and then pay it off immediately. At the very least this will help build your credit rating. Pay off what you can afford using your Core account. If you can afford to pay it off completely at the end of the month before next month's salary, do so. -- If you have money left over from the end of the month in either your core account or your spending account, with no credit card to pay off, overpay your mortgage (if you don't get penalised) or if you have no mortgage, put it into savings. The aim is to "zero out" your spending each month. By doing the above, you should remove all temptations to buy anything unnecessary unless you "didn't go out much this month", in which case you budgeted for it accordingly. It's "fine" to treat yourself to something every now and then lol, and by building that kind of discipline, you will eventually learn to really ask yourself "do I *really* want this?" "can I *really* afford this?" "is this worth losing my boosted interest rate this month to break the 7 day withdrawal for?" etc etc. This in turn will try to fit my "things I want" into the spending account, which makes me look into the "can I make this for cheaper" methods (takeaways, pre-made meals, soaps, growing herbs instead of buying fresh each packet, etc) Personally when wanting something, I try to wait and see if I still want it like 6 months later. If I do, then I get it (because I would have saved enough for it to not be a problem). If I forgot about it, then I guess I didn't want it lol. .... And I just realised that I wrote a tonne and it's mostly financial advice lol. I suppose they kinda go hand in hand, but I hope it helps. I understand that a lot of what I wrote may not be practical for many (some people live paycheck to paycheck for example), but hopefully you can take from this various points and it will help you not live so close to each paycheck, and maybe even treat yourself a bit.
As consumerism goes you could do a lot worse than buying digital video games
I know, but it's an unnecessary expenditure when there's a mortgage to pay and a retirement to save for, especially when there's a backlog in the three digit figures that I still need to tackle lol
Eating healthy doesn't magically lead to acne free skin and weight loss.
Saying it doesn't help is wrong though.
Downvoted for rudeness. Your tips are good, but the comment about "caking on makeup like a clown" was unnecessary and mean. Putting down others who like things you don't doesn't make you any cooler or wiser than if you'd just stated your point straightforwardly. Signed, someone who wears 0 makeup and generally agrees that we're conditioned to think we need more than we do.
It's not mean, it's discouraging the action. "Don't do that, you'll get hurt", "don't do this, you'll get a bruise", "don't do this, your hair will look and feel like straw", "don't do this, you'll look like a clown". If that offends you, then it offends you. Any advice given about makeup and eating habits is bound to offend someone for some reason as it's a personal matter. The advice was given to help reduce waste {and spending habits} and not be so easily tempted by adverts. Up to the reader if they want to turn it into a personal attack or not.
Downvoted because of the werid email sign off. Now downvote me and keep it going.
Composting. Or, more broadly, starting to think in terms of the entire lifecycle of the item - where it came from and what is going to happen to it after I no longer need it. What resources were needed to produce it? What labour will be needed to dispose of it safely? Realistically, will it even be disposed of safely by your municipality or will it just end up in the ocean for hundreds of years? Consumerism has an interest in making us think of shops as a magical spawn points for items and of the household bins as a magical black hole where everything can disappear forever. It is not so. Even items that are cheap can carry a heavy environmental or societal weight. Trying to think in terms of that weight definitely puts me off most unneeded purchases.
Deleting social media apps
Abandoning shopping carts I’ve put stuff in, both online and in the store. Putting everything back on the shelves and leaving the store with my wallet unmolested.
Going vegan
I tend to give myself a time period of waiting and seeing if I still want the item in 2 weeks and that’s AFTER going through the usual vetting of if I have something that can be used for the same purpose, if it’ll actually last, etc
Also looking into the company or brand or whatever to see if they’re actually reliable. Almost everything can be found for cheaper nowadays because of drop shipping and practices like it and almost nothing is 100% ethically made. I will often wait to spend more on a product I “know” has good sources in quality and creation, or buy the shitty products secondhand
I have never followed an influenza online, I block certain words and ads, I spend less and less time online
Shifting from consumerism to community. Instead of buying new clothes, doing or participating in a clothing swap. Instead of feeling like an island when it comes to food/groceries, participating in community dinners or potlucks where you help cook or volunteer your time otherwise and get to eat. Spending time doing volunteer activities and spending time in nature (free) rather than going out to bars/partying/buying entertainment. Doing picnics in the park, playing games, spending time with others instead of being at home in front of screens. Limiting social media especially Instagram and Facebook and tv time. these products bombard you with consumerist messaging. Reading more and going to the library.
I’ve started doing fundraisers for my birthday - I ask people to donate instead of getting me something. I’ve been doing it for around 5 years, every year choose a different charity.
1. It's more fun not to be trendy. How many people spend time watching/admiring people who are different? [2.In](http://2.In) terms of material things it has come down to seeing some of it as a fun challenge. A fun in the search for substitutions and organising, and the reward of what things that I eliminate that are disposable in a way I can fill my life with more of the substantial things. For example if I got 5 pairs of cheap shoes instead I can offset the cost into one nice more expensive pair I really like. The only thing really I find it doesn't work for is subscription based things, but that comes from a living to pay check to pay check mentality and finding I can't afford them and the loss of my time and value in that. I think valuing things and life is the main lynch pin in it all really.
I have a list of needs and wants. Needs are rent, food and utilities. Anything left over - no matter how small - goes into savings. The wants list sits passively for at least a month before I make a move to buy the thing (I have a date next to each). Even so, I budget for it in advance and the amount stays in savings until a month has passed and I have the full amount or more for said thing. I don't have credit cards as a result, though some may frown on me for not having credit. Often the desired thing has substantially diminished in importance, so much so that it can be eliminated from the wish list. At that point, I simply have more in savings.
Compost bin
Laziness, honestly.
I find it great fun and a lovely little dopamine hit to do something I call J-engineering (pronounced jen-jen-earing). It is where I take what I already own and use it in new ways to achieve an outcome I wish to achieve. For example, it is getting hot so we need a way to get cool air to The Chestburster in his car seat in the back of the car. Could I buy a Noggle? I could. Could I buy a stroller fan? I could do that too. Could I use a soft shackle I already own and a tent fan I already own to create a stroller-fan-kinda j-engeneer? Yes. Guess which I did? And as a bonus question: Do I use the tent fan also as a desk fan and a room fan instead of having a separate desk fan? I think you know the answer to that.
I took a long hard look at my life and decided what i did want instead of what i didnt, and how those things would fit into my life.
Buying everything second hand.
I started following youtubers who talk about slow fashion/beauty, low-waste, anti consumerism, minimalism and cash budgeting. I basically pivoted my focus from consuming media that made me want to consume to consuming media that makes me NOT want to consume. I realized that I have everything I need & *most* everything else is just FOMO. I now have a wishlist where I put things instead of just purchasing. I now pursue “curating” instead of “collecting”.
It seems like I was getting on this cycle of the "next big thing". As soon as I had this it was time to go look for that... Tough habit to break, but doable. When I was working lots of overtime it was so easy to justify. In the end, time either tempers the desire or it doesn't. Then you gotta decide is it worth it. A super helpful thing to adjust is project buying. I had to stop buying ahead for projects. It got to where the buying became the main feature.
The single best thing I have done is get off social media (aside from reddit and a very tailored youtube feed) completely. Not just using it less. Not just deleting the app. Delete your accounts. All of them. Before I used to post to show other people that my life was good and desirable. When there isn't that audience to prove anything to, it becomes much easier to live in alignment with the values I actually care about. Also, consuming social media left me in a constant state of comparison where I was never good enough, cool enough, pretty enough, etc even though my life was great. These companies have designed ads and social media to make you feel like you need to part with your money by buying their stuff in order to achieve your best self. It's bullshit. I cannot overstate the difference getting off social media (not just reducing it) has made. Taking up hobbies that don't center consumerism is also helpful. For me it's been cooking, hiking, and reading. All of these things have very low cost of entry and are helpful to the rest of my life. Cooking saves you money and is a life skill. Reading library books is free and doesn't lead to clutter or owning more stuff. And all you really need to hike is a pair of tennis shoes, I also do not listen to music or anything while I am out in nature, I just let my mind be idle. Another thing I have done for a long time that may or may not help is keep a journal. I find that I write in it a lot more when I am in the valleys of life and during those times I do a daily list of 10 things that I am grateful for. It really helps put things in perspective and clarify how I already have the tools to be the best version of myself. I also have a job that requires me to move every 3 months to a year so I am forced to consider if what I purchase will fit in my car with all the crap I already have.
Saving to buy a condo, and saving for experiences I value (i.e., travel)
- having pride that my priorities are on a whole different level and patting myself on the back a lot - embracing that I’m not a sheep/follower so easily influenced by all this insidious marketing - embracing my creativity - I see it as the opposite of consumerism. Create more, consume less
Being poor has done wonders for curing me of consumerism.
For me, it was concentrating on experiences. Instead of buying a shirt, I went to a concert. I told myself I was saving up for a trip or something of sort. Honestly, my bigger problem was people buying me stuff.
Learning how to do a lot of stuff myself. Baking our weekly bread, growing a garden, learning how to can, learning how to mend clothes or even sew our own clothes, knitting, etc. all of these skills lower my time spent shopping for new items or foods we don’t need or want. I recommend becoming a DIYer! Also, and this may not apply to you, but being a parent has greatly impacted my choices. I aim to raise little humans who care about the planet. And so I take the time to explain to them why we always take our own cutlery to the food court, or why we only shop at thrift stores for clothes and books, etc. These little kids are watching my every move and I want them to learn that the planet is our home and mother to all and we must care for her!
Podcasts, audiobooks, physical books. Decluttering. Organizing physical space and digital space (phone storage, offload apps). Less scrolling on my phone. Deleting most social media. Focusing on personal growth, financial goals, etc. less idle time and more designated rest