Decoupling as a consumer
Discussion
Noticed this article and got me thinking really.
https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/58-decided-sto...
I've never been a consumer, don't watch TV, I buy second hand clothes, books, mostly non synthetics that don't need washing, never been a brand person since the 20s. I run cheap cars, I buy discounted items, food, clothes etc. to a degree don't really care what people think or trying to impress.
Just allows me to use that money to travel. I will probably retire poor, due to life issues, but it has never really bothered me, because the things I like to do, don't really cost a lot of money. And if they do I try do them on the cheap.
Just wondered if anyone else is similar minded ?
https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/58-decided-sto...
I've never been a consumer, don't watch TV, I buy second hand clothes, books, mostly non synthetics that don't need washing, never been a brand person since the 20s. I run cheap cars, I buy discounted items, food, clothes etc. to a degree don't really care what people think or trying to impress.
Just allows me to use that money to travel. I will probably retire poor, due to life issues, but it has never really bothered me, because the things I like to do, don't really cost a lot of money. And if they do I try do them on the cheap.
Just wondered if anyone else is similar minded ?
I’ve never really thought about it one way or the other.
Because of my upbringing I’m fairly money conscious but I enjoy spoiling my wife and kids. I think if you work hard then you should “enjoy the fruits of your labour “.
ETA I like to think I don’t do things to impress others but my guess is we ALL do that to some degree or another. We’re not sociopaths (mostly) , we try to follow societal norms, ie we don’t go to work in our pyjamas, we use deodorant , basically we try to fit in.
Because of my upbringing I’m fairly money conscious but I enjoy spoiling my wife and kids. I think if you work hard then you should “enjoy the fruits of your labour “.
ETA I like to think I don’t do things to impress others but my guess is we ALL do that to some degree or another. We’re not sociopaths (mostly) , we try to follow societal norms, ie we don’t go to work in our pyjamas, we use deodorant , basically we try to fit in.
Edited by Countdown on Monday 30th December 12:32
"Decoupling" wtf language is this?
Anyway, being a tight git, I couldn't read that article, even with adblocks to remove elements so I can only respond directly to your post.
I don't tend to spend on fancy stuff... although I do have a couple of nice watches and a "nice" car (it's all relative but I have an unnecessary car that isn't very practical, mainly sits on my drive doing nothing and has a low MPG when I use it). So yeah, any branded clothing will have been bought for me by others OR is really cheap (thanks, TKMaxx!) but bought because it's functional (technical sports wear). I suppose in my world, it's what you do (physical and mental) that impresses rather than what stupidly big logo you have on your chest. Buying a £2k Gucci manbag wouldn't impresses people in my circles. In fact, they'd probably wonder if I'm ok.
Mind you, I'm not bothered about travelling (I find the "inner journey" more interesting and spend a lot of time researching (reading/studying) and exploring (experimenting) that) so what should I spend my money on if not an interesting car that hardly gets used?
Anyway, being a tight git, I couldn't read that article, even with adblocks to remove elements so I can only respond directly to your post.
I don't tend to spend on fancy stuff... although I do have a couple of nice watches and a "nice" car (it's all relative but I have an unnecessary car that isn't very practical, mainly sits on my drive doing nothing and has a low MPG when I use it). So yeah, any branded clothing will have been bought for me by others OR is really cheap (thanks, TKMaxx!) but bought because it's functional (technical sports wear). I suppose in my world, it's what you do (physical and mental) that impresses rather than what stupidly big logo you have on your chest. Buying a £2k Gucci manbag wouldn't impresses people in my circles. In fact, they'd probably wonder if I'm ok.
Mind you, I'm not bothered about travelling (I find the "inner journey" more interesting and spend a lot of time researching (reading/studying) and exploring (experimenting) that) so what should I spend my money on if not an interesting car that hardly gets used?
Edited by Hoofy on Monday 30th December 12:41
Once you are off the rat run of trying to impress people you are halfway there
Many people I know buy a new car in arms races because their brother / neighbour / whatever has one and they need better
When I say “what do you think about my car” they often say it’s alright you don’t need a flash car etc
They are either being polite or lieing, more often than not you can see the penny dropping that no one is impressed by you ability to pay a lease
My sisters entire existence is continually replacing every item she has with the latest, it makes her desperately unhappy
When you enquire how much x cost “£50” a month comes the reply, no idea how long or interest etc
Many people I know buy a new car in arms races because their brother / neighbour / whatever has one and they need better
When I say “what do you think about my car” they often say it’s alright you don’t need a flash car etc
They are either being polite or lieing, more often than not you can see the penny dropping that no one is impressed by you ability to pay a lease
My sisters entire existence is continually replacing every item she has with the latest, it makes her desperately unhappy
When you enquire how much x cost “£50” a month comes the reply, no idea how long or interest etc
Think it's like anything, a balance is needed. I don't have a TV either. I could spend less on food (talking supermarkets here, don't have many takeaways at all), but I like to enjoy food that's reasonable quality and can easily afford it.
Have a newish car, but had the car before that 9 and a half years! I do think overall that people buy/spend too much- quite often just newer/slightly better versions of things they have already.
That said, if everyone was like me, the economy would be in a right state.
Have a newish car, but had the car before that 9 and a half years! I do think overall that people buy/spend too much- quite often just newer/slightly better versions of things they have already.
That said, if everyone was like me, the economy would be in a right state.
What I got from the article (as with most of these paywalled sites, ctrl P will open the print dialogue and let you save a PDF) is that she turned down a pay off for redundancy, and then left anyway. Not the best idea...
I'll have my 20 year anniversary where I work this year - with the NMPA increasing, I'll need to work for a quite a bit longer it would seem.
I think from the outside we might live quite extravagantly - but we don't really. The cars on the drive are 5 and 8 years old and we own them both. The mortgage will be paid off inside 5 years, 10 years ahead of time. I'm still wearing some items of clothing that appear in photo memories from 10 years ago. We do travel a fair bit - which I think would give the impression of extravagance compared to our peers and we do have some fairly expensive hobbies, but it's not spending to keep up with the neighbours or constantly having the latest designer gear that allows us to fund what is important to us.
I'll have my 20 year anniversary where I work this year - with the NMPA increasing, I'll need to work for a quite a bit longer it would seem.
I think from the outside we might live quite extravagantly - but we don't really. The cars on the drive are 5 and 8 years old and we own them both. The mortgage will be paid off inside 5 years, 10 years ahead of time. I'm still wearing some items of clothing that appear in photo memories from 10 years ago. We do travel a fair bit - which I think would give the impression of extravagance compared to our peers and we do have some fairly expensive hobbies, but it's not spending to keep up with the neighbours or constantly having the latest designer gear that allows us to fund what is important to us.
Many years ago I was a trainee on a business trip with one of the senior, affluent guys and discussing the potential career path in front of me. He said, "In this line of work it's not that difficult to have money, but it's a whole lot more difficult to have both time and money available at the same time."
I've made it my mission to put a modest tick in both of those boxes. Without doubt, keeping your spending sensibly under control makes things a whole lot easier.
Step 1: Get free from debt as fast as you can.
I've made it my mission to put a modest tick in both of those boxes. Without doubt, keeping your spending sensibly under control makes things a whole lot easier.
Step 1: Get free from debt as fast as you can.
mickythefish said:
I've never been a consumer, don't watch TV, I buy second hand clothes, books, mostly non synthetics that don't need washing, never been a brand person since the 20s. I run cheap cars, I buy discounted items, food, clothes etc. to a degree don't really care what people think or trying to impress.
Just allows me to use that money to travel. I will probably retire poor, due to life issues, but it has never really bothered me, because the things I like to do, don't really cost a lot of money. And if they do I try do them on the cheap.
Just wondered if anyone else is similar minded ?
You're still a consumer. Just allows me to use that money to travel. I will probably retire poor, due to life issues, but it has never really bothered me, because the things I like to do, don't really cost a lot of money. And if they do I try do them on the cheap.
Just wondered if anyone else is similar minded ?
You're still applying judgement and preference to the things you buy and whilst I'm certain you'd deny it, advertising and marketing will at some cognitive level be influencing your purchasing choices.
What you are describing is the removal of what other people might think from the decision making process. Whilst there is some merit in this approach (and something that I find increases naturally with age anyway), it's not something that should be totally dispensed with. Being aware of the expectations of those you engage with and adapting accordingly is a useful tool in life.
mickythefish said:
Tye Green said:
useless link - un-readable without subscribing...
Basically we live in the richest country in the world, being poor in it, isn't a massive hardship. Not quite as extreme as the OP - I like nice things and good design and am willing to pay a bit more to have it - but I really couldn't be bothered with the trappings of conspicuous wealth if I had such a thing.
I see these billionaires with yachts, jets and properties all over the world and it all just looks like a load of exhausting effort. If you have all that stuff you have to look after it all. You can't do it yourself so you have to employ a team. It all costs a fortune to maintain and, if you're a billionaire you don't believe in having anything unless it makes you money, so you have to make sure your private jet is leased out, your yacht is used for busines events, etc.
I'd be happy with a nice house in a nice place and a reliabile car that I like... and enough money in the bank to not worry if I had no more work.
I see these billionaires with yachts, jets and properties all over the world and it all just looks like a load of exhausting effort. If you have all that stuff you have to look after it all. You can't do it yourself so you have to employ a team. It all costs a fortune to maintain and, if you're a billionaire you don't believe in having anything unless it makes you money, so you have to make sure your private jet is leased out, your yacht is used for busines events, etc.
I'd be happy with a nice house in a nice place and a reliabile car that I like... and enough money in the bank to not worry if I had no more work.
StevieBee said:
whilst I'm certain you'd deny it, advertising and marketing will at some cognitive level be influencing your purchasing choices.
It would be interesting to explore in what ways you believe this is happening.I'm pretty sure I'm not influenced by advertising but maybe I am without knowing it. Certainly I don't feel that the advertising that we are increasingly subjected to in the media is aimed at people like me.
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