5 Ways to Avoid Consumerism Wisely, Recognize the Signs!

Table of Contents

Have you ever felt that a newly purchased item loses its appeal quickly? Are you tempted to buy something else? That is one sign of consumerism. This lifestyle is often considered normal, but without control, it can lead to many problems.

Let’s examine the characteristics, impacts, and strategies to anticipate consumerism, thereby avoiding financial, social, and environmental issues.

What Is Consumerism?

When you hear the word “consumerism,” what comes to mind? Usually, the term is associated with excessive shopping habits, a constant desire for new things, or being tempted by trends even though older items are still functional.

Simply explained, consumerism is a lifestyle that prioritizes satisfaction and social status through the purchase of goods or services. So, it’s not about the need or function of an item, but more about the desire to appear cooler.

Such consumption patterns are often influenced by advertisements, social media trends, or even pressures from the surrounding environment. If this habit continues unchecked, it won’t just drain your wallet, but it will also harm the Earth.

Characteristics and Examples of Consumerism

To better recognize what consumerism is, here are some typical indicators of a consumerist lifestyle that often occur:

1. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

Have you ever felt like you were missing out if you didn’t buy something that was trending? This means you are experiencing FOMO. Many people end up purchasing products just because they fear being seen as out of touch or outdated. If this happens, you need to become more aware right away to avoid falling into a consumerist lifestyle.

2. Impulsive Buying

Promotional discounts on double date sales or flash sales often become reasons for someone to shop spontaneously. Many times, people end up buying things outside their shopping list simply because the deals seem irresistible. This is a decision made without thorough consideration.

3. Focus on Brands and Social Status

Some people view luxury goods (branded) as a symbol of success. Therefore, the primary reason for buying them is to show off on social media or to appear cool in front of others, rather than for their functionality.

4. Extravagant Living and Consumer Debt

To maintain a consumerist lifestyle, many people are willing to spend their money on unnecessary things, or often use credit cards and loans. As a result, debt may accumulate, and income is spent entirely to pay off installments.

5. Difficulty Distinguishing Wants and Needs

Are you still finding it difficult to differentiate between actual need and momentary desires? This is the most common characteristic of a consumerist lifestyle. Everything is perceived as a necessity that must be fulfilled, while in reality, it is not intended for use.

Negative Impact of Consumerism

Before recognizing how to stop consumerism, you should realize that excessive consumption can lead to various severe negative impacts. Some of them are:

1. A Wasteful and Indebted Lifestyle

Consumerism makes you spend money more frequently on unimportant things. Over time, savings dwindle, long-term debts accumulate, and the financial future becomes threatened.

Moreover, currently, it is very easy to obtain loans with paylater features. The Indonesian Financial Services Authority noted that in 2023, 79.92 million Paylater financing contracts were recorded, a drastic increase from approximately 4 million in 2019.

This easy access to loans contributes to the increasing tendency of people today towards impulsive buying and consumerism.

2. Social Gaps

The flexing culture on social media makes others feel left behind and dissatisfied. This difference in purchasing power will eventually lead to inequality or social gaps between groups that can afford to buy and those who cannot.

3. Lack of Future Savings

Money wasted on excessive consumption reduces opportunities for investment or emergency funds in the future. As a result, you do not have sufficient savings. This certainly cannot be ignored because we do not know what might happen in the future, so you need to maintain emergency funds from now on.

4. Environmental Impact

Lastly, the environmental impact is something you rarely realize from consumerism. This lifestyle also has a significant impact on the environment. For instance, the fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions due to its highly energy-intensive production process.

Every time you buy new clothes because of trends, you are contributing to the increase in the carbon footprint on Earth.

How Can We Stop Consumerism?

The good news is you can still safeguard yourself from a consumerist lifestyle. Here are the steps you can take starting from now:

1. Increase Financial Awareness

The first step to prevent consumerism is to recognize your own financial condition. You need to understand how much income, regular expenses, and debt you have.

This way, you can know your actual financial position and be more careful in making purchasing decisions. One financial management method you can apply is the 50/30/20 rule.

From your monthly income, set aside 50% for essential needs, 20% for savings or investments, and 30% for tertiary and secondary needs. This method can flexibly balance your wants and needs.

2. Create a Budget and Spending Plan

A budget is like a financial map. Try to allocate your budget clearly and in detail according to your needs. For example, funds for necessities, savings, and additional expenses. With a clear spending plan, the desire to overspend can be more controlled.

In creating a budget and monitoring cash flow, you can record it manually in a notebook, use Excel or Spreadsheets, or log it in a financial tracking app available online.

Moreover, many mobile banking apps now have features to limit spending so you can be more mindful of your expenditures.

3. Build a Priority Scale

One of the reasons people get caught up in consumerism is the difficulty in distinguishing needs and wants. Therefore, first recognize the difference between the two, then create a priority scale. This way, you can learn to place things according to their urgency.

4. Delay Purchase

Give yourself a pause before buying items that are not necessities. This habit of postponing can be an effective trick against the temptation of impulse shopping. If, after the pause, you forget about it or the item no longer seems necessary, it means it was just a fleeting desire.

5. Consider Environmental Impact

Every item you purchase has an environmental footprint, from production and distribution processes to becoming waste. Therefore, choose products that are more durable and environmentally friendly. Reuse items that are still in good condition to reduce potential waste.

That is an explanation of how to avoid or stop consumerism. By recognizing its signs and impacts, you can choose a more wise and sustainable consumption approach.

By choosing sustainable products, minimizing waste, and supporting slow fashion, you help foster a more environmentally friendly and responsible consumption ecosystem. Every shopping decision is an investment in your own future and the well-being of the planet.

In addition to having a positive impact on your finances and peace of mind, reducing consumerist habits can also help you start a sustainable lifestyle by choosing eco-friendly products and supporting local brands that prioritize sustainability.

When talking about one of these sustainability principles, there are many ways you can strive for it. For example, you can participate in the #AksiAsri program from Indonesia Asri.

This program invites you to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the environment, such as by sorting waste before disposal or implementing a sustainable lifestyle.

Furthermore, you can also spread information about environmental care actions and invite your friends to participate in them. Indeed, you can enjoy and give meaning to every action you take to combat excessive consumerism while contributing to the preservation of the Earth.

So, what are you waiting for? Register now to be a part of the change with Warga Asri for the conservation of our beloved Earth!