I was walking with my mom at Canadian Tire on Boxing Day—everyone’s favorite day of the year because it’s filled with the best deals. We were looking for a shower caddy when something caught my eye: a three-pack of pink pans marked down to $59.99. I was convinced my mom would buy them for me, after all, they were on sale. She told me to only buy what I needed and said no. Thank goodness I didn’t buy them because their regular price turned out to be $69.99! What deal was I missing out on?
This experience got me thinking about the trap of consumerism. Consumerism is defined as the preoccupation of society with buying consumer goods. This has many negative effects on our wallets and the environment. Let’s delve into the increase in advertising, the impact of impulse purchasing on our finances and the environment, and finally, a solution to combat consumerism.
The Rise of Advertising
Around two months ago, it was Christmas time. This time of year is about family, love, and presents. Did you know that 150 years ago, you would not find a wrapped present in sight? However, department stores such as Macy’s advertised this idea that buying tech and trinkets for your loved ones was a way of showing you cared. Christmas shopping has become the perfect example of consumer spending. It is driven by advertising that works not to increase well-being, but to line the wallets of companies.
A 2024 study by Adfuel Inc. found that Canadians see 4,000 to 10,000 advertisements daily. That is nine times more than in the 70s. These ads grab our attention, fuel our fear of missing out, and convince us we do not have enough. Advertisements do not just catch our eye; they have embedded themselves in our minds. Take the Pepto-Bismol jingle: “When you have nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhoea.” Even if you’ve never used Pepto-Bismol, you likely remember it. This is brand recall; it is when advertisements build trust through familiarity, ultimately forcing us to buy it.
The Impact of Impulse Purchasing
In 2021, a study conducted by PVMNTS TV revealed that 60% of millennials earning around $100,000 say they are living paycheck to paycheck. This is because of the modernized culture of impulse purchasing. Impulse purchases make us happy by releasing dopamine into our brains. This joy pressures us to put a value on these objects, ultimately creating a materialistic view.
Skip the Dishes is a prime example of impulse buying. It charges you extra for the convenience of one-click orders. This can quickly become an expensive habit, especially when you factor in delivery fees and tips. Beyond your wallet, food delivery services have a heavy environmental cost. Extra packaging, plastic, and emissions from delivery vehicles all contribute to waste and pollution, making them less environmentally friendly than traditional dining. Impulse purchasing as a whole aggravates this issue by driving excessive consumption and waste. This leads to more stress on the planet’s natural resources and overall sustainability.
Embracing Minimalism
The happiness that comes from buying stuff is short-lived, which puts us in a cycle of buying more and more. As a result, we end up with cluttered homes, empty wallets, and occupied minds. In contrast, minimalism is the intentional decision to own less and live more.
- Freedom from Debt and Clutter: Minimalism frees up physical and mental space, allowing us to focus on what enriches life.
- Embracing What We Have: By appreciating what we already own instead of seeking new possessions, we decouple self-worth from belongings, getting rid of materialism.
- Reclaiming Time and Space: Owning less means reclaiming our time, finances, spaces, and mind.
- Contributing to Communities: With more resources, time, money, and energy, we can give to what truly matters. It’s not about personal gain, but about making room for more experiences, growth, and contentment.
- Individual Values: Minimalism intentionally promotes individual values, simplifying routines and hobbies by focusing on the most important activities.
How to Get the Most Out of Minimalism
- Simplify Routines and Hobbies: Hone in on your favourite activities and the most important ones.
Consumerism might lure us with the promise of happiness through possessions, but minimalism offers a path to true contentment by helping us focus on what truly matters. Let’s break free from the cycle of buying and embrace a more intentional, fulfilling way of life. ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹