“Don’t buy what you don’t need.”
Consumerism is not a pathway to joy and meaning in life. This is not a new revelation. In fact, we all know it to be true.
If specifically asked the question, nobody would ever say the secret to a joyful, meaningful life is to buy a lot of stuff. Deep down in our hearts, we know we were made for something bigger—something more significant than mere consumption.
Nobody really believes happiness is directly tied to the number of things we own. Yet almost all of us live like it.
We work more hours than ever before, earn more income, but save less. Personal debt has increased dramatically over the previous three decades. And consumer spending has been exalted to a virtue in our society—even patriotic.
As a result, the average credit card holder now carries 4 different credit cards in his or her pocket. Shopping malls outnumber high schools 2 to 1. 70% of Americans visit a shopping mall each week. Televisions outnumber persons in American homes. Home sizes have doubled in the past 50 years. And consumer debt has risen to 35% of household income.
Will Rogers said it like this, “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.”
We never intentionally set out to buy more than we need or spend more than we make. But here’s the problem:
Mindless consumption always turns into excessive consumption. (tweet that)
And excess consumption results in more stress, more burden, more pressure to impress, more envy, less financial freedom, less generosity, less contentment—and I haven’t even begun to mention the environmental impact.
It is time to rethink our spending habits, rediscover thoughtfulness and intentionality in our purchases, and remind ourselves that happiness is not on sale at the department store. Buying more is not the solution. We were made for greater pursuits than material possessions. And our lives should reflect that truth.
How then, might we begin to rethink and challenge mindless consumerism in our lives? Consider this intentional approach:
1. Stop and reevaluate. Look at the life you have created. Are you finding the time, money, and energy for the things that matter most? Have your possessions become a burden on your life in any way? Slow down long enough to honestly evaluate the whole picture: your income, your mortgage, your car payment, your spending habits, your day-to-day pursuits. Are you happy? Or is there, perhaps, a better way?
2. Stop copying other people. Just because your neighbors, classmates, and friends are chasing a certain style of life does not mean you need to as well. Your life is too unique to live like everyone else. And if you think you’ll be happier by following all the latest trends in society, you are wrong. Just ask anybody who has stopped.
3. Understand your weaknesses. Recognize your trigger points. Are there certain stores that prompt unnecessary purchases in your life? Are there products, addictions, or pricing patterns (clearance sales) that prompt an automatic response from you? Maybe there are specific emotions (sadness, loneliness, grief) that give rise to mindless consumption. Identify, recognize, and understand these weaknesses. 51% of the solution can be found by simply recognizing the problem.
4. Look deep into your motivations. Advertisers play on our motivations by appealing to our desires in subtle ways. Advertisements are no longer based on communicating facts about a product. Instead, they promise adventure, reputation, esteem, joy, fulfillment, and sex. What inner-motivations are subconsciously guiding your purchases? What motivations (greed, envy) need to be rooted out? And what motivations (meaning, significance) need to find their fulfillment elsewhere?
5. Seek contribution with your life and usefulness in your purchases. To live is to consume. As contributing members of society, we are going to work and earn and purchase and consume. But we are more than consumers, we are contributors. Our presence on this earth ought to bring value to the people around us. Purchase only what you need to more effectively accomplish your unique role in this world—everything else is only a distraction. Just because you can buy something doesn’t mean you should.
6. Count the hidden cost of each purchase. Too often, when we purchase an item, we only look at the sticker price. But this is rarely the full cost. Our purchases always cost more. They require our time, energy, and focus (cleaning, organizing, maintaining, fixing, replacing, removing). They prompt worry, stress, and attachment. Henry David Thoreau said it best, “The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”
7. Test your limits. Experiment with a no-shopping challenge. You set the terms—even the world’s biggest shopper can find one experiment to test their boundaries. Go 30 days with no consumer purchases, 60 days without visiting the mall, or 120 days without buying clothes. You set the specific challenge based on your needs. You will break the cycle of shopping in the short-term and lay the groundwork for greater victory in the long-term.
8. Give more things away. Your life will feel lighter. Your heart will feel warmer. The world will be better. And you will be reminded shopping is not the answer.
9. Do more of what makes you happy. Your possessions are not making you happy. Once our basic needs have been met, the happiness found in consumerism is fleeting at best. Instead, find what it is that truly makes you happy and do more of it. I find my happiness in faith, family, friends, and contribution. Your list may differ slightly. But either way, owning a whole bunch of stuff is almost certainly not on it.
Make intentionality your highest pursuit. Not consumerism.
Niurka says
One of my children this past Xmas got the idea of each one chosing a cause to support and all the money the wole family was going to spend in each individual; to donate it to their chossen cause, other child sugest everybody to pick a girls orphangue in Dominican Republic that we had just visit in the island ( slepping ratio is 10 girls in a room about 16 X 10 , bum beds, no AC ) We all agree, best Xmas I remember; I purchase a very small gifth for my kids coming home. That morning we all talk, drink coffe, eat and enjoy each other in the famiy without the frenzy of rushing to open packages .
Janny says
If you’re AB you can make more for yourself, recycle and reuse. So how does a disabled housebound person buy with cash when trapped inside for years alone unable to get out or obtain cash and not able to buy with cash online or via telephone and with low grade and minimal support?
Cheri says
I always taught my kids “if you can’t pay cash, you don’t need it except for a house. Learn the difference between a want and a need, example you need clothes, you want designer clothes. Buying what you want costs a lot more than what you need and in the end you get the same results. People that truly love and care for you don’t care about status and they are the ones that will add to your happiness” They still live by that and teach it to their children :-)
Meg says
This is a good first step, but then there is so much more. Take the leap of faith and remove yourself from the whirlwind of consumerism ( that you can see). Then…the next step will amaze and scare you, but will only be available to those with courage to live free.
Terri Davison says
“Enough is as good as a feast.” ~ Mary Poppins
Crystal says
Wonderful article. After a change in circumstances we were forced to move to a smaller house. This was an awesome experience in decluttering our home. It was relieving to be able to get rid of so much stuff and clutter that was essentially just junk. For me, knowing what I have is a big deterrent to consumerism. Keeping everything tidy and organised helps me see what I need and don’t need and prevents me buying more (I have 5kgs of sultanas in my cupboard)! We as a family have also reduced the variety of things we buy. Tending to make things from scratch so the same few ingredients can be used in many ways! Having less to buy means I’m at the shop less and its brilliant for my family :) now when I shop I avoid packaged or prepared foods that only have one use and choose more versatile ingredients. Many common grocery items can also replace health, beauty, cleaning products too. While my younger kids don’t care my teen struggles with this concept. Lol he will get used to it.
Cerbet says
I came from a poor country…I has only one pair of jeans as a teenager…I am living in America for enough time to see what consumerism is….and I have myself a lot more “stuff” that I needed.
The best that I remember of my father , and my grandfather and grandmother , and the good friends that I have in the old country is the time that we spend together…talking , playing , swimming, cooking, drawing ,working …
As a gift for birthday’s …have an experience…go to a new place,…and talk to the kids (don’t forget to turn off your cell )…probably they don’t need that new toy that you have in mind…My kids remember their birthdays for places that we visited together…
Sabrina says
In addition to the personal costs of purchases there are the costs to the environment, the people who are making the item (are they paid enough, have safe working conditions, etc.), and any indigenous peoples who are losing their land for either the supplies to make the product, the land to make the product, or the pollution through the creation of the product.
C Stef says
May I use this article for our church stewardship newsletter? It is so appropriate!
Crocdancer says
I have not had a car in the last 9 months and get by easily with public transport here in Brisbane. It is liberating in a way: I don’t have to worry about fuel prices, repairs insurance, registration …. Love, Peace, Unity and Having Fun !!!