Consumerism: Is it just me?

[Messy]

What really bothers me is they make everything at the lowest cost possible and mark everything 2 to 5 times higher to make a profit. Meanwhile we get robbed only to get stuff that's absolute crap. I remember the days when things were made to last. Not hafta be replaced every year.

I saw a shocking video a few days ago, when I looked up a video from the underground churches in China, about Chinese being used as slaves, suicide nets at a company that forces them to make iphones and then everyone running for an iphone.

 

[hollydolly]

IDK... I think everybody has things that others would not spend a nickel on.

yes that's what I used to say about my X husband ...

 

[Rider77]

In a fit of boredom this morning, I went to the Amazon home page. You gotta be kidding.

An outdoor pizza oven = $299. Outdoor? What? You can't cook it in your kitchen? If camping, have a hot dog.
A shower head filter = $169. If you need that, you better have one on every water source in your house.
A stainless steel tea kettle = $199. Something wrong with your stove top burner and a $25 tea kettle from WalMart?
A tomato shaped ceramic plant mister = $29. A plastic spray bottle from the dollar store for a buck or two would work just fine.
A 60" bamboo wall fan as wall art = $63. Really? That's all I have to say about that.
A heated towel warmer = $80. Holds two towels with all kinds of "don't"s. Do people store their towels in the fridge?

I have two appliances in my kitchen: a small crock pot and a two slice toaster with which I still burn the toast. Oh! and a small cuisinart food processor set that was a gift. I alternate between laughing and crying. Or both.

And on top of that, have you seen the dozens and dozens of videos out there about decluttering?

I had a joint garage sale with my daughter and her husband some years back. After we had everything set up, we took a break and sat in the driveway on our lawn chairs. My daughter said, "Wouldn't you like to have all the money you spent on all this crap?"

I know a lot of things are expensive. Amazon presents me with an interesting challenge very often. For example when I needed a part for my mower, the thought of driving 50 miles and very likely only to find that the part would have to be ordered. I tap into Amazon and within minutes I find the part I'm looking for.

A lesson I have learned however, is that I don't have to buy the first one presented. Many times the same part is offered by multiple sellers with widely ranging prices. It pays to consider carefully if buying cheap is a wise idea. If it is something that I will be relying for long term I will specify the part number and OEM (original equipment manufacturer). If my need is a one off and is a pressing but long not term needed item then I become more price driven. In both cases I have found that I can usually find similar items that satisfy the criteria I have in mind.

 

[January]

IDK... I think everybody has things that others would not spend a nickel on.

I agree. as long as people are buying what they want and can afford - no problem

I know people who have outdoor pizza ovens - I wouldn't buy one because I don't really make pizzas from scratch (you can do other things in them too) But I have spent equivalent amount on a good BBQ - because we do use that, even though we have a kitchen inside.

My son has a fancy expensive coffee maker - I wouldn't buy one but they use it regularly and they can afford it.... and no doubt I spend money on other things they wouldnt buy.