Consumer fads and trends come and go—this will never change.
What can change is how we interact with them.
A fad, as defined by industry, is “a style, activity, or interest that is very popular for a short period of time.” Think: fidget spinners, rainbow looms, Beanie Babies, or those women’s shirts with the shoulders cut out.
A trend, on the other hand, is “a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving.” Trends are not inherently negative—they may be positive or negative. They just last longer than fads. Americans deciding to eat healthier could be considered a trend. Likewise, so is the increase in energy drink consumption.
Contrary to a positive trend, buying into a fad has virtually no long-term benefit. Fads steal our money and time and attention (I can remember as a child hearing about adults driving all over town to find the last Cabbage Patch kid to buy for Christmas).
At the end of the day (which is sometimes how long they last), fads result in clutter and guilt. We’ve got junk in our closet that nobody wants anymore, and we just wasted a portion of our life and resources to get it.
We thought it would be worth money in the future, that it would result in the most perfect Christmas memory, or that it would immediately elevate our image among our friends and neighbors, but fads offer none of that in the long run. The store took our money, and we’re left holding the bag.
Fads come and go in all areas of life: toys, fashion, accessories, technology, home décor, holiday gifts, even cars, websites, and games.
And the more we learn to reject fads and senseless trends, the more life we retain for things that matter.
But how? Especially given their prevalence and cyclical nature.
Nine ways to avoid spending on fads:
1. Know who starts them.
I remember exactly where I was sitting when I first discovered the Pantone Fashion Color Trend Report. A report dedicated entirely to telling us what colors of clothing we need to be buying for the next season.
A report, created by the fashion industry, designed to convince us to buy more and different clothes, every season, than all the clothing already hanging in our closet.
Fads (and most trends) are created by manufacturers, retailers, marketers, and distributors for the sole purpose of getting you to spend money on their stuff. Remember who starts fads… and that they rarely have your best interest in mind.
2. Recount where you first heard about the fad.
One helpful way to avoid wasting money on fads is to trace back where you first heard about the new style, trend, or fad. Did you see it on your local news? Read about it on a pop culture website? Notice it on Tik-Tok? Or see it on the front shelves at Target?
If you can trace back to the beginning where you were first introduced to the newest phenomenon that everyone is trying to be a part of, you’ll be in a better position to discern if it’s a passing fad or something timeless.
Was it a source that is typically swayed by the cultural obsession of the day? Or was it a source that has provided wise and stable wisdom over the years?
3. Stay out of stores.
As mentioned above, it’s important to remember that retail stores seek to profit off of fads. It doesn’t matter to them how helpful an item is to you and your family in the long run. If there is money to be made in pet rocks, they are going to stock pet rocks on their shelves.
Remove the temptation to waste money on passing fads by spending less time in stores designed to get you to buy. Equally important, remove yourself from email newsletters and special sales days (Prime Day) created to hype fads, trends, and things you don’t need.
4. Learn from past mistakes.
It’s hard to admit mistakes so it can be easy to make excuses why buying into unnecessary fad products was actually a good idea at the time. We rationalize away our reckless purchase by reminding ourselves that everyone was buying that same style of shirt or how every parent was trying to get their hands on Princess Unicorn for their daughter.
It’s easy to think we don’t have a problem of overconsumerism… until we stare at a home full of possessions that need to be decluttered and removed. Then we feel guilt.
Learn from your past mistakes instead. If you have fallen prey to fads in the past (clothing, toys, technology, etc.), notice what motivation prompted that purchase. And then work to overcome it so you don’t repeat your mistake in the future.
5. Commit to owning and buying less.
The most effective way to overcome the pull of trendy consumerism, in every capacity, is to own less.
When you own fewer possessions, you discover more money, time, and energy for things that matter. You shift the focus of your life from the pursuit of material possessions toward a more intentional life instead.
So one important way to overcome fads is to experiment with owning less.
If you want to stop buying into fashion fads, try a Project 333 Experiment.
If you want to stop buying into toy fads, research how owning fewer toys benefits your child.
If you want to stop buying into tech fads, master the tools you already have.
If you want to stop buying into home decor fads, be more grateful for what you have.
6. Embrace a waiting period.
Fads come and go pretty quick… sometimes within a matter of weeks. If you’re really on the fence about a purchase and can’t quite decide if it’s a useful purchase or simply a passing fad, give yourself two weeks before buying anything.
Two weeks won’t ruin you. But it might be long enough for the fad to begin clearly running its course.
7. Be confident with your style.
Fads and trends play on our insecurities. They subtly claim that our current lives are not enough to thrive in society and that we need to buy what everyone else is buying in order to keep up with the changing times.
Those who are confident with their life choices and trajectory of their lives will be less likely to take the bait. Be sure of the life you are living. Find confidence in where you are spending your money, time, energy, and efforts.
If you’ve spent your life swayed to and fro by the whims of culture, you’ll find no confidence there. Find a firmer foundation and a more valuable pursuit with your one life.
8. Rethink the value of money.
Your money is only as valuable as what you choose to spend it on. Your dollars, after providing for your needs, can be spent on consumerist and selfish pursuits. Or it can be used to help others and solve problems in the world.
The more we begin to see the potential of our money, the less likely we are to use it on passing fads.
9. Choose your own life.
Nobody gets to decide what life you live and the attitudes you bring into this world. Nobody gets to decide what you spend your money on. Those are your choices.
Just because the news, billboards, websites, and magazines are telling you that everyone is now wearing x, buying y, or watching z, doesn’t mean you have to as well. There is only one person who decides what enters your life—you. Take that responsibility seriously.
Fads will always come and go. One just ended… and another is just starting. But fads never provide long-term benefit to those who partake in them. Live differently.
Betty says
I own a 2007 Corolla and am thinking about buying a newer one—2017 to 2019–mainly for the safety features. I am retired and on a fixed income. Should I take the plunge? My car has been great, no issues whatsoever. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Michael says
This sounds like they are trying to convince you to stop expecting the things in life that make you happy. Preparing you for socialism and rejecting capitalism. Otherwise, they would be pushing ways to budget for the thing you want.
Tess says
Michael, I don’t see this advice as preparing for socialism when, in fact, most everything is currently “ made in China.” If we continue to live for trends and buy whatever we think is going to make us “happy,” we end up supporting communism in the end. Instead, how about recognizing that things may momentarily make us happy, but that is usually short-lived and before you know it, we’re off in search of that next retail high. Also, maybe wait on a purchase, as recommended in the article, and if you decide the item is what you want or need, search for a made in USA product which will help bring back manufacturing to the USA, supporting capitalism here in America.
Judy says
Great comments Tess
Anne says
I grew up in a rural area and people had what the had and were happy to have it. When I was in my early teens, I had to switch schools and the new school was where all of the children of the wealthy in our area attended school. It was the 80’s and preppy designer clothes, colorful printed shoestrings and Bermuda purses, among other things were all the rage. If you didn’t wear/have these things you were made to feel less than nothing. I didn’t know what poor was until I attended this new school. Unfortunately, it set the wheels in motion for me to attain the “finer” things in life—fancy crystal, fine china, silver, fine jewelry—and more was never enough. (All of this started with a fad) Thankfully,God in His infinite mercy, blessed me to realize that these things were just things and that they would Never make me happy or fulfilled. I have been continually working to purge the things that are unnecessary and I only purchase things that are necessary. We have inherited a few things and now I’m keeper of them. I am trying to give them to someone in the family who wants them but I always tell them it’s yours now you do what you want with it and never feel burdened by it. There are many things I would not buy again (or accept as a gift from someone) and I try to relieve myself of these possessions—-some I feel that I have to keep until the giver is no longer among the living. ( sorry folks, I just can’t get past this in some instances)
I once came across a blog or article that said to sit down in a neutral place ( coffee shop, library, park, etc) and make a list of the things that you would replace if you had lost everything in a fire. For me it was mostly just the basics, one or two sentimental items. It is eye opening to do this. What really matters to you?? I don’t think I would replace those colorful printed shoestrings, beanie babies or the cut out shoulder shirts. What about you?
Maureen says
This, right here:
“I once came across a blog or article that said to sit down in a neutral place ( coffee shop, library, park, etc) and make a list of the things that you would replace if you had lost everything in a fire.”
This has to be among the BEST advice I’ve ever seen for really evaluating what I do or don’t need.
Macy says
Thank you for bringing up the question as to what I would replace if I had lost everything, interestingly, it did happen to me once. And many times. I would think just like when you need to prepare your suitcase for a trip you have to choose among the things that are priori what you would want to bring with you. I usually rely on the convenient stores for whatever I might need and urgently so won’t worry much about those. Except about the prices. For the rest, its keys, papers, money, prescriptions, all the convenience that it would be hard for me to practically replace them, but not impossibly so, like keys etc.
Beth says
Well said. Domestic violence women have needed those exact basics that they wouldn’t always have at hand. I really think we need to give a thought to those who have been in distress and couldn’t think it through a fire ….
Jill says
Holidays can be quite trendy. Rethink family traditions. Over time, I’ve gone from having a live Xmas tree (because that’s what I grew up with), to a 1 foot tabletop tinsel tree, to twinkle lights & a bowl full of favorite ornaments. Eliminating gift exchanges greatly minimized holiday stress & debt.
Vera says
Love this article!
? My horn can pierce the sky ?
Just dropping by to say hi says
That episode of The Office perfectly illustrates the stress of the season!
Sue B. says
I love this article and agree completely. Wish I had thought this way in my 20s and 30s.
Rach says
Joshua, thank you for another excellent article! Your wise words are always such a welcome sight in my inbox, and this message was exactly what I needed to read right now.
Jo says
We live in world of fads and trends for sure. Love the article will remind myself not to give In.
Tanja says
Brilliant article! Confirmed for me to stay true to myself and swim against the stream, if necessary. Thank you for posting, much appreciated.
Amy says
Most fad examples in this post and in the comments are related to clothing. Don’t forget about the instapot, air fryer, peloton bike, magic bullet blender, “My pillow” and the list goes on. Those who feel immune to clothing fads likely still have a few fad items in their home.
joshua becker says
Oh, I thought I had done a pretty good job of listing fads outside clothing: “fidget spinners, rainbow looms, Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch kids… toys, technology, home décor, holiday gifts, even cars, websites, and games.”
But you are certainly right that fads extend beyond clothing.
Claudia Doroshuk says
I agree with this article and most of your comment, Amy; except, I do LOVE my bullet. I used it every week to make our breakfast protein shakes. ;) Our kids love their Air Fryers and use them often. But I certainly understand that flyers/e-advertising are mostly $$ grabs.