Any recommendations for content that changed your relationship to consumerism? I’m trynna slow this train down; looking for help!

Question

Karen Fischer · Answer

Poshmark: Okay to be fair, Poshmark is still a website where you buy and sell things, and it can get addictive to find a good closet where you can get a haul of stuff for a good deal. But it fundamentally changed my relationship to consumerism a bit more because I buy so few things new now, because I can find avenues for second hand goods more readily. I've always been like that, I suppose, for ecological reasons. The exception is when I travel abroad - I like supporting local businesses and buying new products, but the lion's share of items in my home have been purchased via Poshmark, thrift stores, or consignment shops.

Sofa · Answer

the four noble truths: And applying them to the endless want of stuff… also realizing what might feed the want…. rec league might contribute a lil

Emily · Answer

Digital Closets, “The Clueless Closet” episode of Articles of Interest: For reducing clothing consumption specifically, I’ve found a digital closet app (I use Indyx) to be so helpful!

“The Clueless Closet” episode of Articles of Interest (linked) is a great intro to the concept, lovely storytelling and production as well.

There are so many opportunities for creativity and mindful consumption that this unlocks, including ✨

Making outfits in the app is a great replacement activity for online shopping

You can track how often you wear pieces

Before buying a new piece of clothing, you can add it to your closet to see how it styles with the rest of your pieces

You can have someone else look at your closet and style new outfits for you (like a friend, or, on Indyx, you can even hire a stylist!)

(Also! Articles of Interest has lots of other relevant episodes, I’d also recommend “Made in USA”!)

Emilie Bienvenew · Answer

How to Live a Rich Life: Understanding what is my own personal "rich life" then building all my budget and spending around it.

The trick is to pick your own part of your life that makes you happy and what brings no real & long lasting personal joy - because you can't "have it all".

I don't care if it doesn't match with others ways of budgeting/spending money, I'm now really confident that I'm making the good choices because it works.

Ramit Sethi explains this really well in all his media, you can pick the one that works best for you (podcast, Netflix series, newsletter or books)

Mari · Answer

The Biggest House in the World by Leo Lionni: This 1968 picture book is a deep parable about consumerism! Makes me think about how just being alive in the world gives me so much and accumulating objects prevents me from the freedom of enjoying life.

Sealligator · Answer

The Story of Stuff (2007): An old one, but I rewatch it every so often and still appreciate the framing

Janet Wallace · Answer

Monarch: Manage Your Money: I have always avoided everything relating to a budget, but I FINALLY sat down and did it with this app. You guys, I cancelled THOUSANDS of annual dollars in recurring subscriptions (this is very embarrassing to admit, but I cancelled $9,610 in lifestyle creep dollars). I'm honestly feeling so accomplished! Here's a link that will give you 50% off your first year if you want to try it.

Kaitlin · Answer

American Bulk (2024): A compelling collection of personal essays in which the author tries to understand her own relationship with stuff. She dives into her family history, her complicated feelings of desire and shame around excess, and consumerist culture.

Sarah Beck · Answer

Your Money or Your Life: Read this in my mid twenties and changed the way I thought about money, work and life. Basic premise is that your most limited and precious resource is your time on this earth. But life requires money, which you trade your time to receive. How you choose to use that money determines how much of that precious time you get to keep for you. A must read.

JaperMoon · Answer

Mardi Gras Made in China PBS Doc: I think about this on the reg.

The director went to China to meet the people making mardi gras beads and showed footage of mardi gras to the factory workers, and their responses we’re basically “LOL wut america is CRAZY!”. And theyre right :)