How to drop being an obsessive consumer?

[Judge]

I am in a house surrounded by possessions, most of which gather dust. They are all neatly placed on shelves. The thrill of a new acquisition always sucks me in. I feel as if the possessions might be worth more than I am.

This is consumer culture, and I want out of it.

Don't we all ? Especially those of us who existed in an earlier era when a number of brand name products not made in China which were made to last. A big reason why I don't need new audio equipment.

And in this "2.0" era, we are expected to upgrade virtually everything we own, whether it works just fine or not.

But even those of us who think of ourselves as "scrupulous consumers" are often hamstrung by endless and questionably regulated online comments of alleged purchasers of products.

Where all too often you click on those links over the 1% to 2% of posters who hated the products with questionable comments, to a host site which mysteriously claims that such postings "cannot be found". Leaving only the best most favorable comments to access and review. Which seems a bit "rotten in Denmark" if ya ask me.

Making it arduous for those of us who pour over the best and worst comments to get to the heart of whether a product is really good, or really bad. Often leaving us with confusion and doubt when we pull the trigger to buy something online.

 

[Aspychata]

I always took care of myself since 17. So l just budget. If l don't have it, l can't spend it. But l have a credit card l closed who said here is 35,000 dollars. It's yours. Where do you want us to send the check. Sure, it's a dope rush, because l would be on the plane with my passport. For delicious food in foreign places. But l closed the card. I don't want that debit for the rest of my life. And airline tickets dropped so low at one point.

 

[Metalhead]

Possesions is a broad term. I am assuming you don't mean the refrigerator, bed, car, etc.

What type of possesions are you talking about?

Video games, electronic toys, 4K movies, anime figurines, vinyl records, manga.

 

[Judge]

I can so relate to this thread. I continue to agonize over buying something- anything online. Going over and over all those positive and negative comments (when I can actually see them individually) and then have to wonder how many of them are just flat-out bogus? Not to mention a host's poor retail programming and software which may duplicate comments for different products.

Where it may be well beyond disgruntled buyers, but perhaps businesses who routinely write off the expense of buying a competitor's product, only to legitimately use the comments section to deliberately disparage that particular product. Effectively leaving us scrupulous consumers holding the bag.

Trust and brand names just no longer work. "X-Files, baby". Trust no one.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

I can so relate to this thread. I continue to agonize over buying something- anything online. Going over and over all those positive and negative comments (when I can actually see them individually) and then have to wonder how many of them are just flat-out bogus? Not to mention a host's poor retail programming and software which may duplicate comments for different products.

Where it may be well beyond disgruntled buyers, but perhaps businesses who routinely write off the expense of buying a competitor's product, only to legitimately use the comments section to deliberately disparage that particular product. Effectively leaving us scrupulous consumers holding the bag.

Trust and brand names just no longer work. "X-Files, baby". Trust no one.

And there is ample reason for distrust. Brands which treat quality as fungible, manufacturing in caveat emptor societies, like china. I have seen top-notch brands crapify their products when manufacturers substitute cheaper thread or materials for what is specified and nobody from the brand seems to be keeping an eye on quality. If you have ever seen leather goods from Asia compared to good European or American leather, they are barely fit to line a garbage pail.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

Foundation for Intentional Community

 

[Aspychata]

Oh, I see that in spades where I live; people acquiring hot cars as status markers without the skills to drive them. When I had some money that would not be missed I bought a used 2001Toyota MR2. I wrench it myself and am as happy as a clam flogging it on track days while others show off their flashy cars in traffic.

I just went out with a guy last nite who bought a very expensive car, sadly his wife messed around on him and he still is hurting.

 

[selena]

I've noticed I stopped buying so much stuff after I konmari'd my place about a decade ago. I don't do the weird folding thing, but the method worked to help me realize what I'd get tired of in a few years and curb down (most of) my impulse buying. Now and then, if I end up buying a pricey item on an impulse, I let it sit in a corner for a few days or even a couple weeks. If I still want it by the end of this quarantine period, I'll keep it. But most often, I'll just end up returning it. It helps keep my place uncluttered and my paycheck money in my bank account.

 

[AprilR]

Honestly i have a lot of comfort objects and buying new things relaxes me, especially cosmetics. If it is not so bad as to become a shopaholic i don't see a problem with buying yourself things you like.