Do you ever feel fed up with consumerism and all the pressure to buy, buy, buy? If you do, you’re far from alone, and you might really relate to anti-consumerism. This is a backlash movement that eschews materialism and keeping up with everyone else.
Following are some ways you can practice anti-consumerism if you’re doing them already. Let’s channel your inner cranky old person!
Sign Up or Subscribe? No Thanks!
Have you noticed that more and more websites want you to create an account or subscribe to something just to get information or even to buy something? Send them a message and just say no!
Skip the Notifications
Websites also often want to send you notifications. Sometimes there’s a pop-up asking if that’s okay. That’s still annoying, but it’s reasonable. What isn’t though, are the sites that automatically set you up for notifications unless you actively find a way to opt out.
Don’t Download Apps
One of the most obnoxious trends is businesses wanting you to download their apps when they already have a perfectly good website you can use. They’ll sometimes entice you with special offers, but unless you really want them, just keep your phone free of a little more unwanted clutter.
Qr Code Menus…Take a Pass
What’s with restaurants replacing real menus with QR codes? Is this saving that much money? Usually, the print is tiny and hard to read. Ask for a real menu, and if they don’t have one, go eat somewhere that does.
Could We Please Be Able to Change Our Phone Batteries on Our Own?
Let’s add tablets and laptops to this as well. Why do we have to take our devices in and pay for someone with specialized tools to change a failing battery for us? It’s such a hassle that some people just buy a new phone, which costs even more. That’s probably what the industry wants.
How About Letting Us Buy Software Instead of Subscribing to It?
This is another irritating trend. Shouldn’t you be able to purchase software and other products and use them for as long as you want? What’s with having to pay for continuing access, always being subject to whimsical price changes?
Why Isn’t the Digital Content I Purchase Mine?
There are probably copyright or other legal reasons for this, but if you buy, say, a digital movie on Amazon Prime, you don’t own it. Amazon can remove it if they want to, and don’t expect a refund. Are digital media companies trying to go back to the days when piracy was rampant?
Houses Should Be Affordable on a Middle-Class Salary
There was a time when a middle-class salary meant you could afford a nice, modest home. Those days are gone. It’s really hard for younger people to buy a home, and the problem is even worse because people who do own their homes are reluctant to sell because of the cost of a new home.
Don’t Buy a New One Until the Old One Is Done
The classic example of this is a car or TV, but it can apply to nearly anything. An exception is if keeping the old thing working is starting to cost more money than buying a new one would run you.
Don’t Buy New, Period, Unless You Have To
Cars are also a classic example of this school of thought. Shiny new things cost more and look nice, but once you pay for them, they’re no longer new, and maybe not shiny, either. Their value depreciates quickly. Buying something used that’s in good condition saves a lot of money.
The Cost of Living Has Gone Crazy
This was true even before the inflation of the past few years. Take a look at what you paid for rent 20-30 years ago. Now look at what the same place costs now. Even though you’re probably earning more, would that place be more or less affordable today? Probably less.
Appliances Should Be Warrantied and Built to Last
Have you heard of “planned obsolescence”? It’s a corporate strategy of manufacturing things designed to break or become obsolete after a short time, making you buy a new one. Sadly, this has crept into the manufacture of home appliances, many of which no longer come with a meaningful warranty unless you buy one.
Can We Skip Passwords and Accounts for Everything?
If personal or financial information could be at risk, sure, add some additional security. But requiring passwords and accounts to play video games or do other mundane things online is just ridiculous.
Is Face-To-Face Communication Too Much to Ask?
You’ve seen this. Maybe you’re guilty of it, too. A friend group gets together, and everyone sits there on their phones. It’s even worse when just two friends get together and one of them sees more of the back of the other’s phone than of their eyes.
I Don’t Want to Follow You on Instagram or Whatever
If what someone wants is another follower on social media, they don’t want to be your friend. Someone who does want to be an actual friend will give you their phone number, email address, or some other way to get in touch without a wider audience.
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