The trend of minimalism in lifestyles has been largely a conjecture among journalists and bloggers, but it is not a concrete reality. In the long term, minimalism will not have drastic effects on the economy, as businesses will adjust as they have in the past. Minimalism advocates for conscious consumption, reducing unnecessary waste and resource consumption. This article focuses on the connection between lifestyle minimalism and de-growth as an urgent demand in eco-politics, connecting the micro and macro aspects.
Migrants adopting a minimalist lifestyle may not necessarily do so with the express motive of improving their financial situation, but many quickly discover that minimalism can have a positive impact on their emotional well-being. A novel economic model (minimalonomics) is proposed to provide an institutional framework for minimalists.
Long-term, minimalism will not have drastic effects on the economy, as it will adjust to the current economic conditions. Minimalists buy and consume less goods, which could decrease GDP and potentially create stagflation or deflation. However, minimalism can lead to decreased consumer spending, support local businesses, and increase investment.
For some people, adopting a minimalist lifestyle leads to spiritual and personal growth, reduced stress, and improved financial health. Minimalists argue that an economy built around intentional consumer behavior will eventually build a stronger economy rather than a larger one. A minimalist mindset suggests there are better things to do with money than spending it on more stuff.
📹 Will Minimalism Crash the Economy?
Just because it makes the world go round, doesn’t mean it needs to make your world go round. — Recent videos: 12 Reasons I …
Is minimalism anti consumerism?
Minimalism is a philosophical approach that advocates for a reduction in material possessions, a decrease in excessive consumption, and an enhancement of quality of life through the avoidance of consumerism. The objective is to reduce the amount of capital one possesses and the amount of time one devotes to activities that are not utilised. This concept is pivotal to the work of Lee and Ahn.
What is the 90 90 rule for minimalism?
The 90/90 rule, as devised by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists, represents a systematic approach to decluttering. It entails posing two questions about each object: first, whether it has been utilized within the past 90 days; and second, whether it is likely to be utilized within the next 90 days. This rule is particularly useful in instances where JavaScript is disabled or blocked by an extension.
Are minimalists wealthy?
The tenets of minimalism are not exclusive to the wealthy; they are accessible to anyone.
What do minimalists do with their money?
Minimalists spend money on experiences, true necessities, and personal growth, avoiding unnecessary clutter. They prioritize personal growth and experiences over unnecessary items. This approach can help individuals think like a minimalist and take their money further in life. While the term “minimalist” may seem intimidating, it is essential in today’s modern world. Making life simple should make life easier, and minimalism is a valuable tool for personal growth and financial stability. By adopting a minimalist mindset, individuals can make their money work for them and achieve personal growth.
What is minimalism in economics?
Minimalism is a concept that encourages the consumption of higher-quality consumer products and services. It allows individuals to own well-designed, multi-purpose items that fulfill their needs and passions. In a minimalist economy, services become more desired than retail products, as they are more affordable and time-efficient. For example, a friend recently hired a personal chef to complement his personal trainer, recognizing the value of minimalism in his health, well-being, and productivity.
Research and problem-solving are also essential in a minimalist economy. Mr. Money Mustache argues that savers and investors are the true engines of economic growth. By sacrificing current consumption, people can invest in banks or share offerings, which can be used by businesses to create new technology, factories, or human capital, thereby increasing their productivity. This capital creates productivity, which is the driver of our standard of living.
What is the 20 rule minimalist?
Over the past few years, the couple has been reducing their just-in-case possessions, ensuring they don’t pack anything just in case. They believe that any items we need can be replaced for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes from their current location. This theory has been proven to be true 100 times, with no replacements needed and no longer requiring more than $20 or going more than 20 minutes. This theory is likely applicable to all items and people, including the couple.
The couple hasn’t missed the hundreds of just-in-case items they’ve gotten rid of, and most didn’t need to be replaced. Getting rid of these items clears their minds, frees up space, and takes the weight off their shoulders.
How does consumerism affect the economy?
Consumerism, a form of conspicuous consumption, can have significant economic costs, as it can offset the gains from commerce and create destructive markets for consumers and goods. Sociologists view consumerism as symbolic consumption that may not maximize individual utility but serves as a signal to others and help establish one’s identity. Advantages of consumerism include increased production of goods and services, GDP rise, and healthy consumer demand in the United States.
However, disadvantages include social actors limiting free choice, such as peer pressure and advertisers. Advocates argue that consumer spending can drive an economy and lead to increased production, while businesses, workers, and raw resource owners can profit from sales of consumer goods.
Why is minimalism luxury?
Minimalist luxury is the conscious practice of decluttering one’s surroundings, focusing on the removal of superfluous items and concentrating on the essentials. This approach engenders a tranquil ambience, thereby fostering clarity and composure in both corporeal and mental realms.
What does a strong economy depend on the most?
Economic growth is a significant increase in the production of goods and services in an economy, typically measured in terms of gross national product (GNP) or gross domestic product (GDP). It is influenced by four key factors: an increase in physical capital goods, technological advancements, labor force growth, and human capital. Tax cuts are less effective in spurring economic growth than increases in government spending.
Economic growth is typically measured in terms of the aggregate market value of additional goods and services produced, using estimates such as GDP. In essence, economic growth refers to an increase in aggregate production, typically resulting in a rise in national income.
How does spending affect the economy?
Consumer spending, which accounts for over two-thirds of the US gross domestic product (GDP), plays a pivotal role in propelling economic growth and reflecting economic trends. This is achieved by enabling consumers to make significant one-time purchases of everyday goods and services.
How does minimalism save money?
Those who adhere to minimalist principles tend to prioritize practicality and necessity over trends and labels, making their choices with greater intentionality. This approach to consumption can be applied to all purchases, and it represents a cost-effective strategy for acquiring clothing and other essential items.
📹 How Consumerism Ruins Our Planet and Finances
Consumerism is destroying our earth and our wallets – here’s how. In this video essay, we’re discussing the advertisement-driven …
YES. We spend our money on high quality food (hopefully supporting farmers), and travel / experiences. We I do purchase physical possessions – like clothing – I now buy much less and much better quality (& ethics too). That way I’m supporting companies that deserve our dollars! Rather than the rubbish fast fashion that is a massive polluter of our planet.
When I started my minimalist journey some years ago, I dropped some things off at a thrift shop. I spent time walking through and seeing all of the items that were now considered “outdated” SOOOOOO many things that were unwanted. So much of what we discard ends up in landfills, so I have really become extremely careful about what I purchase. If we continue to purchase so many things, where do they all end up? We clutter our homes and then clutter the earth. I also don’t want to leave burdens to my children. Grief is difficult enough.
I’ve just come home from dealing with my mother’s estate – she died three weeks ago. I spent that time clearing out a 2000 square foot home of collections, pictures, furniture, papers, etc. She had neatly curated and packaged items in bags and plastic crates. I can’t imagine much of it had been seen in the last decade – including the thousands of photographs. Ninety five percent of it went to charity or was thrown away. The rest was distributed to the heirs – mostly just photos, a coin collection went to an aunt, and I took some art that she had made. It is hard to grieve and discard almost all of a loved ones possessions. But hardly any of the things had real significance. I have returned home and, though I’ve pared down my possessions (I only found this website, because I had been called “minimalist” before), I feel weighed down by my “stuff”. I’ve just made two more trips to the Salvation Army
With less clutter in our homes. We have less clutter in our minds With less clutter in our minds We have less clutter in our relationships With less clutter in our relationships We have less clutter in our in our families With less clutter in our families We have more peace Imagine a world with less clutter It could become a world in peace
I’m 79 and have been minimalist for years. I do have things to pass on. I decided to do it now if I don’t use it and it’s been fun. A lot I’ve already given like needlework. I let family pick out things I am using like my red kitchen pots so they go to the one who wants them. I’ll leave a list of what they chose. Give it now while I can enjoy the giving because at 79, you just never know.
I am new to your website, introduced through the Minimal Mom. I do like your longer articles, but I love the shorter ones such as this that just get to the point and doesn’t take a lot of time to watch. Great for when I have just a few minutes or other things to do. I am learning, hopefully can teach an old dog new tricks. Thank you.
All great points! Thank you for addressing this. I’m guessing others will say this too, but not buying unnecessary things will help the environment so much. Not just produce less clutter and waste, but also the whole process of making all these plastic junky things causes so much environmental damage and pollution to land and air. We need to create a new culture around less plastic for kids stuff- so much junky plastic things marketed at kids everywhere you go. That would make a big dent in solving the problem. Like the song goes “teach your children well…”
The less we spend on junk the more we’ll have to better afford the “expensive” alternatives to fuel, which can increase useage, which will increase jobs available in the energy sector to be filled by the people previously employed in the lost industries. As long as you’re willing to work, there will essentially be jobs for you. But if you’re determined to live and die in clothing retail then things might be a challenge depending on fast fashion demand. Extra spending money generally means people will travel more, buy higher quality or more expensive food (like organic produce, fair trade coffee or AAA steak cuts) that they couldn’t afford before. The necessities of life will always be there. We’ll just be having the higher quality life we want now but can’t afford for seemingly no reason.
Thank you very much for this article. I had to play it twice. These wirings and concepts ( “economic success, accolades, traditional success, “doing better than the next man”) are so ingrained in our psyche that the pressure is perpetuated even down to familial relations, a lot of agitation and lack of attempt to understand between generations (parent to child).
As crestons wife its not true he is correct Joshua Becker food and people who are wise still buy important things such as food clothes they are wise with their money and are wise with their purchases they keep up with the jonses because they understand that most who keep up with the jonses are broke like those who spend lots on Christmas through credit card and spend the rest of the year paying it off for one big day because they are not living with in their means they go out and blow money they don’t have to impress their kids every thing that glitters is not gold somethings just glitters shines and it doesn’t buy love or peace of mind
Farmers are having to deal with terminator seeds. Seeds that were suppose germinator, grow into plants and bear fruit year after year, are now forcing farmers to buy seeds year after year, and it is ravishing the environment and farm life. This is also contributing to 1.6 bn tonnes of food waste a year and the over use of water to grow the food. The facts are Organic farming produces less, actually is more profitably and better for the environment. Cheap is damaging the environment and the environmental damage costs are deadly. It will be better for a company to produce a pure lasting organic cotton T shirt for $30, that was not made in Asian sweat shops, rather than 10 GMO Endocrine disrupting cheaply made t shirts for $40 that all end up in the bin in less than a year that were made in slave labour sweat shops. We should be striving for lasting quality not landfill quanity.
This is just an attestation to my long time agreement to Joshua Becker’s take in Minimalism. It’s about time we realize that we are our own person. What works for one does not necessarily work for all. What’s important is to be happy and understand that we do share this earth gifted to us with everything for us to enjoy. Take care of it and it takes care of us. Respect one another for who we are. I totally appreciate this platform. Cheers all!
Joshua, will you do a segment on holiday’s and how the stress we bring on ourselves trying to mimic what others want makes them less enjoyable. A woman who went hiking for months and escaped the commercialism, realized upon return, how TV shows/news, have all the stress to make everything perfect, all the people we have to give gifts too, the right gift, the right food and so on. Then they have a month of getting rid of the gifts you don’t want, the weight you put on, ideas for the stress of spending too much money. I would love ideas to make holiday’s calmer and less stressful.
Yes it would cause the economy to collapse. There’s no way around that, it would collapse. I have friends that aren’t like you, aren’t even minimalists. They are relatively wealthy and financially comfortable people. They are also very cheap and stingy with their money, to the point of being non card carrying minimalists. They are also business owners. They are so annoyingly hypocritical. They want to be financially comfortable and successful in their businesses, but they don’t want or care about anyone else doing the same or making any money. It’s such BS. We live in a capitalist economy that depends on people buying and selling goods and services. I admire you and your ideas in many of your articles, but the truth is that if a large enough segment of the population had your spending habits and practices, the US economy would collapse. In a recent article you talk about your old Honda Accord that you drive rather than getting a new one, even though you could comfortably afford one. Just that one example, if practiced by a segment of the population, would shut down the automotive industry. Call it minimalism, stinginess, being cheap, whatever label you want to use, it’s not sustainable for a nation such as the USA. Again, I’m not being overly critical or negative here. I started perusal your articles because I thought they were very helpful for a person like me still struggling financially, coming out of bankruptcy. I have learned the hard way that material possessions like cars and clothes, and eating out will not make you happy.
Cull the fashion industry and entertainment-technology sectors by advertising the benefits of minimalism. Start a new social upheval surrounding material possessions. Boost new markets as a backup for all the collateral loss in mining and textiles industries. Maybe we can move the workers of these industries to new areas whilst we reduce our material consumption. This might within 15 ish years allow for more focus on food and water management as we care less for luxury goods.
You know this sounds like you’re trying to be relevant. Do you know there’s problems with the economy etc. etc. but now you’re trying to make minimalism, essentialism part of all of this? Stop trying to be relevant stop trying to signal virtue and do your little minimalism thing OK. Maybe you should get a new topic if you can’t squeeze any more money out of this one
In the 70s you could buy a refrigerator that would run 20 years without service and a lawn mower than could go 10 without repairs… nowadays you are lucky if either makes it just 2-4 years. If companies REALLY cared about the environment like they constantly claim they do on social media… they would make stuff that cost a bit more and last 4x longer. The fashion industry is one of the most hypocritical, self-righteous and egregious offenders.
I’m Italian, my wife and I made friends with an American couple who lives in our neighborhood in Rome, one evening they had dinner with us and kept complimenting us on our “minimalist style” after a while I asked what they meant and explained to me, I laughed, and I explained that our style is just about not spending money unnecessarily, if the sofa, even if it is 20 years old and works for what it is supposed to do, I don’t change it, if my car is 12 years old but it works I don’t understand why change it and spend money that I can use for holidays, trips, dinners, culture, in short, ours is not minimalism but rather anti-consumerism. the dildo metaphor is wonderful
I have furnished and decorated my whole house with things from thrift stores. I sanded, painted, repaired, stained, sewed, replaced hardware, and even repurposed some items. My house is beautiful and people are always amazed and envious. They ask me, “where do you buy your furniture, window treatments, and art?” I’m proud of all my hard work, and it has MEANING because I did it with my own hands. Old furniture is made of solid wood.
30 year old millennial here. Been a minimalist since 2015 but much more so since 2019. I remember reading an article years ago about how owning a lot of material possesions is hard on the mind because one is constantly thinking about all their posessions, where they are stored, maintenance and upkeep, etc. Once you finally let go of all the crap it not only declutters your life but also declutters the mind. It makes me feel like very lightweight and not weighed down by anything and I can just get up and go whenever I please
I have such a vivid memory of the first time I used one of those gas pumps that runs ads. Because it’s not enough that I’m already purchasing a product; they’ve figured out that I need to stand in one place for the next 30-60 seconds to make sure that product gets into my car and some evil businessperson realized “Hey, we could sell that time.” It was like something in me died. God forbid I have SIXTY SECONDS of peace where I’m not being advertised to.
What baffles me is the minimalist trend of throwing away everything, and then buying a bunch of matched new stuff (always in white or blonde wood). The old artwork and family photos gets tossed for a few trite “inspirational” sayings in rustic wood frames. An isolated little potted plant is always in the background- I guess someone’s older overgrown potos would look too leggy and out of place. I find all that so dreary and pretentious and dishonest. I’ve been spending less and less on new stuff, but I am equally careful about what I choose to get rid of.
Deleting Instagram has been one of the best things I’ve done for my personal finances. I was getting ads for things I likes and even better! From small businesses and independent creators, so you feel even more justified to buy like “It’s not Target, it’s Betty who makes handmade bags!”, But in the end it is the same consummerism and things you don’t really need
My Auntie has recently just stopped buying me and my family Christmas and birthday presents and has decided to spend it on days out with me and the family. She came to realise during Covid that the days out and the experiences make us more happy than the rubbish we can buy at the Metrocentre (Massive shopping place near Newcastle). I have been more happy after Me and my Auntie have taken this way of thinking. I also think that consumerism is just a big waste of money and it just leaves unneeded clutter around the house.
That’s literally what my mum always told me. Spend on experiences, not on products. Don’t rush for instant income, find more stable job. It’s okay if you work less, take time to invest in your health and mental well-being, go for walks, visit museums. But I only came to understand this advice through years, when I found my home was hoarded with useless stuff, wardrobe full of clothes I don’t even wear once a month. Only a few months ago I started to pay attention to my shopping habits and saying to myself: you don’t really need those clothes, you’ve already got almost the same, you don’t need another cheap decoration for your kitchen, you’ll just throw it away next time you move house
My spending went down from 3k to just 1k including rent and I honestly feel like I can attribute this to the way I’ve started spending my time. I read more and I am always with my partner or my friends. I spent almost 2 thousand dollars since january just on shopping (target, ebay, etc) – more than I spent on five weeks of travel in europe and california (less than a thousand). I think we consume because we are lonely.
i am 17 and rely on my parent’s monay. Last month they told me we weren’t spending money for anything except for food. In a month ive only bought a concert ticket and i felt really good at the end. I also realised i got so many pieces of clothes i don’t even wear bc i prefere my mom’s old clothes. Try this by yourself and you’ll see, it’s not too late
I love browsing from time to time through local trash. It often amazes me what others can just throw away. Repairing and refreshing old things give me huge pleasure and feeling of accomplishment. I learned how to sew and repair clothes. I only buy clothes that have best ratio of value to quality. I don’t eat in restaurants because I worked in few during my students years and I just know to much about quality checks in this business. I use every ad blocker that is possible and I never buy under the impulse. I always give myself a few days to think do I really need or enjoy item I wish to buy. High fashion and luxury products make no impression on me. I truly believe they are for people that need to compensate some deep issues. When it’s possible I always choose local producers.
After corona hit i went big into online shopping. All of my money got thrown into it and i decided to get a job just to fuel that addiction. All that bc of my silly social media feed. Few months later and im paying for very little, living with what I have, and get to spend wonderful moments with wonderful people. I couldn’t care less about what im wearing.
The way I put an end to consumerism and got myself into a different mindset was when I came out of my depression. My house was literally a dump and when hit rock bottom I literally went to the store and bought a huge push broom and huge dust pan and rented a dump trailer. I worked 2 days straight throwing everything out. I could not believe how much garbage I accumulated and held on to for years. I had reached hoarder status but I literally was able to put years and dollar amounts to everything I threw away. Wasted labor and cash. I was able to cure myself and once I had a clean slate I never went back. I’m debt free now and own my home and am a minimalist. I love having the extra money and investments and I no longer work as hard to buy nonsense. I love my life.
Lately, I’ve been really interested in minimalism and budgeting my life just because I have bigger goals in life. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever be a real minimalist, but I definitely live my own version of minimalism. I also do not impulse shop. This may or may not be helpful to some but I want to give my advice which is: when I want something, I’ll document it, and then I reflect back on it. You’d be surprised how many times I look back and lose interest. Recently, I was feeling bad about my 2018 car, but I was introduced to the idea that companies want their products to become obsolete, so you keep buying more. Is this what I’m working 40 hours a week for? Hell no. I can try to chase the newest and “best” thing and it will be a never ending race. Nowadays, I focus on me but people will give you shit sometimes. We live in a very materialistic society, and it IS hard to resist. I want to speak my truth, though. I don’t necessarily favor the term “simple living,” but I do want to live more intentionally. Surround myself around only meaningful things and invest in what is valuable to me and no one else.
I didn’t even realize dropping off clothes at goodwill were a thing until I got here to the US. We wore the hell out of our clothes and then when it gets holes in it, we would cut it up to be made into quilts or rugs which lasts us decades too. It’s overwhelming to see how much Americans consume and throw each year, changing wardrobes, etc.
I think excess consumerism goes hand in hand with living in a big city. I come from a small town where most shops shut after 6-6.30 pm, there’s only a few clothes shops to begin with, and getting takeaway is practically unheard of. In my early 20s I used to window-shop for months on end until I eventually decided on a piece of high-quality clothing I knew I’d be using for years after that. When I bought a coat or a sweater, I’d still consider it a new purchase even after weeks of wearing it. Fast forward to when I moved to London a few years ago and the sheer number of shops, malls, and boutiques everywhere was overwhelming. The bustle of the city and this energy you can feel in the streets with everyone pushing their way into shops, clutching bagloads of cheap clothes bought on sale, it’s all very intoxicating. Add the daily stresses of life, being away from your family and support system, and quite frankly the feeling your life is pretty damn empty even with all the money you’re making, and impulse buys and online shopping become an easy outlet. And it takes months and years before it dawns on you how you’ve been sucked into this insane level of consumerism where you have mountains of clothes but you’re having a mental breakdown everytime you have to pick an outfit to grab a coffee.
I decided to stop buying lunch at work, and other unessential things from Jan 1st. It was hard and I had one cheat day for the month, but I did save money and am better off for the start of February. If you want to try it, give it a go! It’s been hard not getting the excitement boost of a new item, but it’s also been great to think about things differently and remember my goals for the future instead.
I lost my 90k salary in 2018 and after that my consumption reduced dramatically. Currently I been unemployed and obviously I can’t buy nothing at all. Apart from food. I don’t emerger the last time I got my self something and honestly I don’t miss it at all. Sometimes I think I lost my job so I can learn the hard way how to be happy with out materialistic stuff. Also, I’m the happiest person I have been. I’m very content with the little I have. I’m just happy I have a place to sleep. I also don’t look like a homeless person I’m very much more put together. I’m not sure if I will ever get another job that pays what I used to make, but for sure I’ll make sure I keep this lifestyle.
I’m glad I got my “consumerism phase” out in my late teens/early 20s. I was constantly in competition with my peers on who has what. Then when I went to work started living on my own and paying all my bills by myself, I realized how much money I was wasting on a consumerist lifestyle. So I started saving and living more minimal. Now I’m debt free and getting ready to buy a house while my peers that went to college and stayed caught up in that consumerism popularity contest are drowning in debt living paycheck to paycheck wasting money on door dash and Gucci. Even though in some cases they make more money than me, they still spend it all on pointless “consumerism” living paycheck to paycheck and their finances are in shambles. It’s a disease
I have a theory that the phenomenon of hoarding began in the 80s, when credit cards were being handed out like candy. The malls were packed with people buying on credit. When the party ended and the bankruptcies were in full swing. people had acquired the addiction for material goods. Without money or credit, they started hoarding any crap they could. If you look at the age of hoarders on those shows, the timeline fits perfectly.
As a retired adult, I’ve been downsizing and decluttering and loving it. Easy to understand and take on in my stage of life. I want more experiences and adventures, not to be building an inventory for others to deal with later. But, perusal podcasts and articles of young people taking on this attitude super impresses me! Such a great lesson to learn early. I’m really proud of you all!
Thank you for not only this article but for many of your articles about intentional living. When I was younger, I would laugh at people being consumerist. I said I wouldn’t be like them growing up. However, I eventually got sucked in. I am now recovering from another bipolar decompensation. This reminds me of a past self I can pick up again.
I never had pocket money and learned how to use it, so when I got my first salary I started spending like crazy. I didn’t have any debts, but I didn’t have any savings either. My home was full of stuff that I could finally afford. But one day I looked around and just felt overwhelmed, so I got rid of most thing (gifted most of the things). Nowadays I only have things I really want and will keep for a long time. I rarely buy new clothes or decorations and rather save my money for different things.
I grew up poor, so my first thought towards “want” is “It’s not a neccesity” or “It’s expensive (regardles of price)”. Now that I’m comfortably middle class I work on treating myself without going oveboard. Here are some tips. 1. Have a pricey goal to save for (vacation, down payment), and “spend” as much as possible towards it; you can make “sub-acounts” to not see the money, or envelopes. 2. Make a trial bugdet, just observe your spendings for like 3 months, maybe journal to see what influences you. 3. Group cathegories together cosmetics, fun, decorations, it’s the same thing. If you stop and consider “if I buy this I can’t afford the other thing” you will only buy meaningfull things. In this article there were like 3 categories for food outside, that adds up. 4. Buy 1 thing at a time/ per week, choose long delivery time. Part of the happinness from the purchase is waiting for the stuff to come. Make use of that time. 5. Be kind to yourself! Donate and look for outside perspectives. I’m late in the comment section tho 😅
I’m kinda “lucky” in a way where I overthink and overanalize everything, so when I buy something online, it can easily take me a week or more of research to make the right decision. Another factor is shipping, which is usually not free where I live, and I’m pretty safe from impulse purchases. And I hate shopping malls because they’re boring and overwhelming. That said, I still find ways to buy stuff that I probably don’t need, but just kinda want. As for gifts, I like gifting consumables (food, coffee, etc.), it’s also my favorite gift to receive, especially if I can share it right away.
I am so sick and tired of how terrible quality everything is these days. It’s why I buy anything and everything I can second hand. I recently bought a $180 Columbia winter jacket for $17 used. If I tried to buy a new jacket for that price it probably wouldn’t even function as a coat and last a year at most.
The problem I’ve run into is I’ve stopped buying anything new, but just maintaining what I have is taking up all my disposable income! Taking the cat to the vet, replacing appliances when they break, fixing the lawnmower when I bend the blade running over a stump, just endless expenses that never ever stop!!! I never go out to eat anymore, I have cut way back on food. Beans and rice, fruits and vegetables, can’t hardly afford meat anymore. It’s ridiculous. And then can’t sell the house because of the economy. Where would I go? There’s a housing crisis. It’s crazy.
Buying experiences is still consumerism. Many people can get a lot more out of what they have and discover new things where they are. I’m not advocating against spending, just mindfulness about purchases. It’s not unlike becoming aware if you’re eating because you’re hungry or if you’re sad or bored.
I became a minimalist two years ago. I would like to say it was the best decision I have ever made, but I don’t believe in free will. I can say that it has greatly benefited my life, and I wish more people would adopt the lifestyle for the reasons outlined in the article. Thank you, Cara, for putting together your article essay.
The problem is that nobody is allowed to live on their own any more, or rent on their own, or buy their own home, or apartment. These basic fundamentals are what constitute a safe & secure/stable life, before one even thinks about achieving happiness. All the other crap being cheap is very much on purpose. They’ve got everybody by the balls.
Many years ago around 2013 or so I was having a discussion about how we the people can get the attention of those who control the world. My idea was that all we need to do is to stop spending money on stupid things. Just stop going on drives. Stop going shopping. Go for walks and play outdoors. Make as much of your food from scratch. If we stop spending they will hurt.
I think a lot of people need to hear this. We are targeted by advertisement everywhere we go a lot of people are blinded by all the publicity now and become impulsive. I do think a lot whether to buy something and often think about the repercussion my purchase will have in the environment, however I am not an exception of a impulsive buyer.
Thing is even if u try to tell someone not to buy unnecessary things they get so defensive . I have seen so many “skincare gurus” who have a whole room of products even have many same product claiming it’s selfcare .When I try to even mention how tf any person is gonna use this whole room of products without most of them going to waste .They don’t have a expiry date of “forever” . All of the people get so defensive saying “I don’t understand self-care ” .Maybe I am happy that I atleast understand how much I really need .
In 2012 I had to file bankruptcy. Had credit card debt. I purchased things I didn’t need. I hated wanted things. It was a prison. I asked God to take that greed away from me. And boy did He! I don’t want anything now! Nothing! I am so content with what I have. I don’t spend money on anything and I’m a girl! I don’t want to shop, get my hair done, buy gifts….nothing. It’s so awesome! It’s freedom!!! And peace!
This is such a good article. And for someone like myself who makes less than $30,000AUD a year, every dollar counts. Non essential spending isn’t really an option for people like me, even if I want to buy a coffee or a takeaway meal I really have to think about if I can afford to do so. However, I know the majority of people earn more money than this, it’s hard not to compare myself to others who do have discretionary spending and think I’m missing out. This was a really big reframe for me. Thank you 😊
One of my life purposes is traveling to impoverished places or places where people currently need help, like areas with refugees, and giving them help medically and financially. I cannot do that if I just spend and spend, although I do find myself with lust for things like everyone else does. Put your weight behind something bigger than your self to put your money into, and that’ll make it easier to save money and put into.
6:00 this just blew my f’ing mind. Like how much? About 40 Kg of textiles every single year? I don’t even own that much clothes even though I have way too many T-Shirts. The only thing I throw away occasionally are worn down trousers or socks with holes in them. But 81 pounds A YEAR? I honestly can’t put my head around that number…
Great article! When I looked at that breakdown of what people are spending on average, I came to the conclusion I’m just cheap LOL! It’s sad how many people don’t seem to understand the difference between wants and needs too. I enjoy a certain amount of stuff and things, but I also enjoy not having to dust a lot of stuff or have debt hanging over my head. articles like yours are what they need to show in schools right now to change this spend spend spend line of thinking.
Great topic. I explore it personally and professionally for over a decade now. Back in 2012, I had analyzed my budget under the microscope and realized I was spending more money to earn money, because my job at the bank was stressing me out so much that I had to buy myself new shoes and suites to undo the damage. Also, people shop because they are lonely and bored. Once you fill the void in your soul with a purpose (whatever this purpose is) the black magic of shopping stops.
If we want to end excessive consumerism, then the awareness of it begins in elementary school. However, teachers don’t have enough time to carve out a class on “life hacking” through the good bad and ugly of advertising and all types of media, propaganda. The closest you can get to that is psychology and current events taught in the high school classes.
the thing that helped me stop spending so much money on random things was learning a new hobby. I learned to crochet and i can make myself tons of stuff, i can thrift yarn from no buy groups and secondhand craft stores, and i can make things for myself and my friends. i also have way less time to spend shopping because i spend a ton of it making things. i’d like to consume even less though. love this article!
Hi Cara, I just want to say I totally think exactly the same on the subject. You are spot on. People chase IPhones, while at the same time they can buy Android phones for less than half with battery over 5000mAh which means charging once per day and never running out of juice. All the components are made in China anyway, but the society is blinded chasing brands. Don’t buy when you don’t need people. You are cooler when you don’t show off brands. This is my perspective. Let’s make being smart cool in this century 🙏
I have health issues, chronic ones, and the temptation to just keep buying stuff which influencers and social media says to better my health is infact damaging me all the more. I went down the rabbit hole of trying all kinds of fad healthy foods,all in a desperate attempt to resolve my health issues. Later did I realise all those useless supplements and teas and what not were not doing anything for me and I was just stuck with too many unwanted things. Now I have cut out all the shopping focusing on just exercise, basic balanced diet, good quality sleep, and meditation and yoga. Honestly these things have shown effects which cannot even be compared to all those “health” Foods and natural medications.
There is also another approach which doesn’t involve severe lifestyle curtailment unlike minimalism. It’s called smart shopping Instead of asking yourself “do I really need this?” you ask yourself “will I use it?”. There is a huge difference between these two, because there are lot of things that are nonessential but make our lives more comfortable and satisfying when we use them.
I’m so sick of buying anything new. Ads are so overwhelming too. Everywhere you look, there’s someones gigantic smile thrown at you and showing whatever you seemingly need to complete your life … I’m not cheap, but I’m so sick of consumerism and I really appreciate it, when my space stays the way it is. I rarely buy new clothes for example and if I do, it’s only one piece I carefully thought of. I always know, what pieces I have and I like the thought of knowing what’s going on in my space and what I have. It gives me peace of mind. Going through items quickly would only lead me to loose sign and as a result one might buy even more, because you don’t know what you already have! PS: This month so far, I only spent 3€ on non-essential stuff. It feels good.
As a “fashionista” myself, it’s really hard to get a wardrobe that i love for a long time and i gotta say, I’m so thankful for apps like vinted or depop or vintage markets because they give me the possibility to switch up my closet whenever i’m feeling tired of my style. The hardest thing is trying not to fall on microtrends becuase it gets so tempting with tiktok and influencers nowadays..
I’ve stopped buying bottled water, paper plates, and sparkling water to save money and environment. It was hard habit to break because convenience. I’m still working on stopping buying ALL food delivery, the amount of extra packaging with deliveries is mind boggling. Also stopped my Amazon prime, if I need it I’ll buy local or direct to specific business. Amazon makes it to easy to buy something at 3am that I truly don’t need. Cut of the hand that makes me stumble!
I couldn’t rationalize Amazon’s gross profits versus worker pay about a decade ago and haven’t purchased a thing for them since. Plus Bezos murdered your awesome neighborhood bookstores, so I realized that was pretty unforgivable too. After giving up Amazon, lessening my participation in consumerism just came naturally. My iPhone 5 is still working fine, used it to post this comment.
I only read the title and the caption but yes, thank you, I agree. Also, the worst thing you can have in your house is a garage, because 9 times out of 10 it turns into a mini-landfill for all the CRAP we buy, and then eventually we have to PAY to get rid of. I actually specifically looked for a house without a garage for this reason, and now we have only a dark, scary attic for storage. So when my kids show me the next BS cheap crap they want to buy, I just show them the ladder and say sure, you can have it as long as YOU take it up there and bring it down every time you need it, because it doesn’t fit anywhere else in the house. And they’re like aaaaahhhh nah that’s ok I don’t really need it. HA!
“Spending on experiences” is also consumerism if it means travelling by air to get there. Non-essential air travel has a huge impact on the environment. And often people will choose to go to “exotic” places where their money goes farther, and where most of the population can’t afford to travel themselves. Then we can not only pat ourselves on the back for expanding our horizons and seeing how other people live, but feel superior to them at the same time.
One things I hear from minimalists quite a lot is: if you throw something away that you might need later on, you can always replace it. Yikes. Minimalism is more than just throwing everything away that you don’t use once a year. It’s also a lot about NOT BUYING STUFF. So if you’ve got it and might need it some day …and if it’s not taking over your life …hang on to it. You don’t need to have a roomful of half-empty drawers and empty shelves, just because it looks clean. There is a happy medium between minimalism and hoarding.
Just a few months ago, Ive very suddenly become extremely environmentally friendly, cuz i realized how serious this climate emergency is getting. Now my “garbage” is like 3 months worth that can fit into one small bag, even though our garbage day is twice a month. I recycle and compost absolutely everything i can. It has also saved me a ton of money because yes i save on utilities and use only what i need, for the environment, but also I stopped buying stuff altogether. I realized I barely even use the stuff that I buy. I realize consumerism is important for the economy and all that, but I generally have a negative view of it. I hope more and more people get this message.
I started to knit my own clothes at the end of 2021 and it changed my view on what I need so much. Although making your own clothes definitely isn’t cheaper than buying them, I think that’s kind of the point – if you’re going to spend 30 hours on a sweater, you want it to be a quality material that lasts you, and you want to be intentional about the design so that you will wear it for years to come, and not to fit whatever trend rolls around the corner next week. When I go to stores nowadays I see things that I kind of like and two years ago would have bought immediately, but now I think, “eh I can make that if I really want to”, and often times I don’t, because I consider more carefully what I do with my time. This has lead me to have a few pieces of clothing that I really, really like, rather than 50 different shirts that I wear twice and then never again. Knitting also made me feel like I have a purpose for my time, rather than being bored constantly. I‘ll actually feel guilty for scolling through instagram reels because I could be productive and knit something instead.
Two years ago I was spending roughly $5,000 a month on bills and frivolous things. Constantly worrying about how I was going to sustain my lifestyle and working myself to death. Now I work considerably less but I’ve gotten my monthly expenses down to around $1,200. Still stress over little things but for the most part my quality of life has improved. No amount of material possessions can fill that proverbial hole. Now just knowing I could have it is enough. Retail therapy is just a way of avoiding dealing with the actual problem. I will admit with lots of time off and no desire to buy anything, I do get bored quite often but I tell myself it will pay off when I hopefully retire and get travel in my 40s.
I love love love your content. It’s a breath of fresh air and a break from all the “tiktok made me buy” and “amazon finds” articles I end up perusal because they’re recommended to me and get FOMO. Overconsumption being glamorized to this extent is so weird and detrimental to our financial and emotional wellbeing. If you depend on purchases for happiness, then you’ll never be satisfied and will always need more. I’ve seen this firsthand with my family. I want to break free from that. At 26 I am definitely not where I want to be financially, but at least I now have awareness and the will to change.
Thank you for this article, you managed to sum up clearly the complex problem of consumerism and yes acting on that could help SO MUCH with the global crisis we face today. In the last two years I’ve start buying way less because a sort of a switch turn in my head and I started noticing all the clutter and stuff around my house and how it is so difficult to manage, especially if you do not want to throw away perfectly functioning things only to “make space”. I’ve subscribe to your website I’m sure I’ll find many other article of yours interesting and challenging 💪🏻💪🏻
This is the most important message that people need to take to heart right now. Have you or could you do a article about how you personally avoid overconsumption without feeling deprived? I seldom go shopping and mostly cook at home. Keeping my home clutter free and organized contributes greatly to an appreciation of all that I already have. ❤ ❤❤
The median post-tax income in the US is $2405 (in 2021, according to the Office of Social Security. Median rent across the whole country was $1700 in 2021. The average American has $700 of discretionary spending a month, where are they getting the other $700 and how are they spending it all on “nonessentials”? Do you know a single person who spends $100/mo on rideshares? Do you know anyone who eats out or orders in every single day of the month? Why are rideshares/transit “nonessentials” but a car payment doesn’t even make the list? $100/month on SUBSCRIPTION BOXES? Who has fallen for these scams since 2016?
Thank you for this well documented article. I started buying way less just a few months back and I already feel very liberated. I used to buy so much stuff (especially clothes) I don’t need, just to fill a gap within myself or find happiness. It’s important to question yourself and your spendings. I bought stuff I don’t need to find happiness, to fit in. But it either didn’t bring me happiness at all or it was just temporary. Consumerism is a trap. It will do absolutely nothing for you, other than making you feel overwhelmed or poor. I also started decluttering my flat and got rid of a lot of stuff, but honestly, it still feels like I still have so much stuff I don’t need. It feels like a never ending cycle and I can’t wait to break it.
Downsizing from 1200+ sqft home to retire into a 200 sqft motorhome was eye opening! Realized how much I didnt need. Resettled after 12 yrs of traveling in our rig into a small house on 1/2 acre of land. We only bought the furniture we needed to start over (consignment stores & such places – thrift stores & yards sales / marketplace) it cost less than new (only about 8-10 items thru out our home was brand new) and recycled many pieces (new covers, stain, paint,…) we’re comfortable and happy with alot less stuff!
I don’t know. This article feels flawed in many aspects. The strongest is your notion that it’s over consumerism that is causing millennials to live paycheck to paycheck. That is just statistically wrong. When adjusted for inflation, the average American today makes 1 dollar more than the did back in 1970. However the cost of goods have risen upwards of 300% since the 70s (inflation adjusted). Eating out didn’t cost much on the average American. Roughly $5 per person. About $13 dollars today. But eating out today can run you up to nearly $22 on average per person. This is seen in everything. From grocery to housing to gas to insurance. The cost of living has steadily increased passed the average income. Look at rent. Average cost of rent in America is the average cost of living is roughly $39,000 yet the average income is $31,000. It isn’t a matter of overspending. It’s a matter that you CANNOT make enough money to afford basic needs. And it’s funny that you label bottled water as consumerism. Tap water in America is beyond disgusting. Flint Michigan anyone? Or the Alabama boil orders? This article comes off as too generalized and misleading.
I had a prof in college that posed the question: What does American society demand of you? The answers were all over the place. But his answer was, “to be a good consumer”. At the time it kinda made sense, but over the years its made more and more sense to me to the point where I accept it as the absolute truth.
You’re right of course but we also need to promote birth control. There’s far too many people allowing for the most intelligent and cunning business men and women to get richer and richer. By the way, the richest man in Asia is from India and do you know why? Because of the population of India. These consumerism adverts work better on the simple minded. Now, when their population is too big, they continue to use them to mindlessly to consume and vicious cycle continues.
I’ve begun letting my bad habits work for me about consumerism. I’m somewhat miserly, so unneeded purchases are given up on if I see a price I don’t like. I’m also a bit of a braggart, but l don’t brag about how much I have, I brag about how little I bought last year. Having few material desires other than my literature collections helps a lot with this.
Proud of me for already have this whole minimalist concept in practice. I grew up in a third world country where I scurry for physiological needs and leaving little room for anything beyond that. thanks to my family’s financial struggle, I’m able to appreciate the little things and I’m also fortunate to have a natural disinterest in spending.
I run my household very similarly to you & completely agree. I am an environmentalist & I care deeply about avoiding sending things to landfills & also avoiding buying cheap garbage made by slaves. I am 100% against Slave Labor & Fast Fashion…..I HATE STUFF. I do not like possessions. Things/stuff burdens you. We don’t waste anything in our home. We don’t throw things out. We re-use & re-purpose Everything. All clothes are repaired when they get holes. I have (soon to be) 3 kids: everyone wears hand me downs. I don’t buy anything. We don’t waste food. We eat leftovers Always. The annoying thing for me is my kids’ birthday parties. I make registry lists so people can easily buy only what is needed but some ppl ignore the registry list & buy random crap which I don’t need & then I have to return it. Or right now, I’m expecting 3rd baby & I told everyone: I Don’t Need Anything its my 3rd kid but ppl keep giving me baby clothes which I’m having to return in stores. Like if you want to buy something for someone who already has kids: buy diapers! Those are always needed! If you want to be fancy: make a diaper cake or buy a diaper cake!
My husband and I have worked for 12 years buying nothing. We started out with 385k in student debt and we slowly built to just recently paying off our home. We have shopped second hand clothes and getting hair cuts at great clips with 400k salary combined to make this happen. This is the first few months I’ve started consuming and wow does it come at you fast. I do want to relax and enjoy our money a little but I also find more peace with less stuff and just continuation of slow nicer things and potentially a purchase of a vacation home eventually (I’m only 33). I just wish people knew what they could have by the sacrifice. We started out not making those salaries fyi.
I’m one of those who prefer to fix stuff rather than buy new. I’ve seen plenty of folk trying to make themselves happy by purchasing that new car, coat, phone etc etc. The happiness lasts a short time, then they’re worse than ever, as they’re still unhappy and now in debt. Stuff can NEVER make you happy. We all came in with nothing and must leave with nothing. Live as though you’re on a camping holiday. You actually are…
I am a minimalist. I am NOT saying that my girlfriend is materialistic or over comsuming BUT we’re now looking for new apartment to rent. My propositions are always cheaper (yet good to live in, all media included) but not as glossy and good looking like her propositions. I really don’t know how to convince her that every 100$ we save each month is additional 1200$ saved a year 😂😂
… My case 😥 I ended up buying very expensive stuff and with a big debt 😭 but I’m done, I haven’t bought anything in 27 days now, and I made the commitment to not buy anything that I can’t take with me when I die, I had this serious talk with myself and this has to stop for my well-being. The only 2 things that I’m not gonna give up is to continue buying quality groceries and my gym membership, eating healthy is the most important thing you need to deal with this horrible world, as long as I’m healthy nothing can stop me! My new mantra is “Buy it, ONLY, if you can take it with you afterlife”
With the global population projected to hit nearly 10 billion people by 2050, the ONLY way to curb detrimental climate change and global warming is to consume less. Much MUCH less. But with corporations pushing for perpetual growth every year it’s not going to happen easily. articles like this are important, but god do we seriously need both far stricter legislation and a major widespread, long-lasting anti-consumption movement.
while my disposable income goes a little too much into eating out – and it’s been worse in the past, i’ve really tried to cut back on it. but 70% of my income goes into just rent, bills and debt (credit card, car, helping my parents pay their mortgage). there’s choices we can make, and others we can’t. like for example, technically i could’ve chosen to not help my parents buy a home, but they’d be experiencing some level of housing insecurity. all that to say i don’t think you’re wrong, i just don’t think it always comes down to individual choice getting you into a healthier financial state – not everyone can ‘chose ‘ their way into financial freedom, that’s the issue. and for working class people, it’s actually more expensive to live their lives because of how systems are set up (fees on fees) i think this advice is for middle class/upper middle class people going out of their way to buy so much s**t they don’t need. folks whose livelihood being ‘better/nicer/fancier’ is at the literal expense of others – ie gentrification