This post was originally published one year ago almost to the day. The message fits Kristen’s frugal WFMW theme quite nicely.
One of the biggest changes I made over the last year two years in my quest for frugality was becoming less of a consumer, and more of a wise steward. This was a process, it happened gradually over time.
Since I grew up in the “OC”, where brand names and the car you drive mean everything, breaking the consumer mind-set was no easy task. Now that I live in the DFW metroplex, it is not much easier, considering there is quite literally a strip mall on every corner.
The media also had a pretty good grip on my mind from years of watching commercials and reading magazines. The more frugal I become, the less I desire new material things. I am not referring to self-deprivation. Rather, a whole new attitude about STUFF. Clever marketing campaigns now have little impact on my spending decisions.
As I reflected on the “new me”, I thought about the ways that I have reduced consumerism in my life. Here are some examples:
Less TV– I know this is obvious, but the amount of TV one watches can certainly affect your desire to go shopping. Commercials are actually very effective! If they weren’t, Superbowl commercials would not cost companies millions of dollars. Any parent knows that a child watching lots of Nikelodeon wants the latest and greatest toy, or the most colorful cereal.
My first step was cutting out commercials. Last year, we added DVR to our cable bundle and let me just say it was 100% worth it. I know it was not the most frugal decision and Dave Ramsey would be simply horrified! But, it has some perks.
- Eliminates the inevitable 20 minutes of commercials per show, so it is a time saver.
- We have no idea what is playing in movie theaters, so we stopped wasting money on movies.
- I lost all desire to go to the mall, since advertisers can’t sink their hooks into me.
- I can fast forward through all the unnecessary jibber jabber on American Idol.
- I can watch LOST over and over again to figure out the plot.
I stopped drooling over the new Honda Odyssey, since I can’t remember the last time I saw it advertised.Ha! We now own one! (used, of course)- I have complete control over when I want to unwind in the company of The Office.
Next, I stopped reading magazines- completely (well, with the exception of All You). I really don’t have time anyway!
I also reduced the number of catalogs I receive through Catalog Choice, and the ones I still receive go directly in the recycler. Funny thing happens when you do this- out of sight, out of mind! Looking at shiny pages of new products only makes me WANT THEM immediately!
Anything actually worth reading can be found in your local library or right here in the blogosphere.
My next demon to conquer was the Sunday Paper. The “old” me would immediately pull out the Target ad and flip through it over coffee.
My new routine? I pull out the COUPONS only, and the rest of the ads go directly in the recycle pile right away. That way, I am not tempted to browse through them. And, as most of my readers know, I gave up shopping at Target altogether.
For some, spending money is a rush and makes them feel satisfied. But this is only temporary. Sooner or later, the itch to buy something returns. If you take steps to eliminate things that motivate you to shop, that itch slowly disappears.
I now get my little rush when we pay off a credit card DONE!, or score a great deal at CVS. Of course, this is only temporary as well. True joy and fulfillment in my life is only found through a relationship with the Lord. And that certainly Works for Me!
“…your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:32-33
This article is fantastic..thanks for pulling it up again!
We do a lot of these, except for the magazines. I do love my magazines. I am pickier about which ones I order for myself though. Some definitely give me “the gimmes”
🙂
thanks for this blog. it was a message i needed to hear today!
This is very well-written, Alyssa. I appreciate your heart to share your personal experiences with your readers so that we can glean some wisdom from you. We actually gave up our cable TV a few years ago, because we were watching WAY too much TV. We’re more productive with our time, and we don’t see the commercials that we used to. We also have no clue what’s in the theaters, and I honestly don’t miss it. With the national switch to digital TV, we get 3 channels now. We hardly ever watch, and our spending is based on what we need instead of the nifty gadgets that we saw on TV. Thank you for this great post!
Thanks, for your insight. Your blog continues to inspire me. You are definitly a God send. I am amazed at what God can do through us if we allow it.
Hannah Carter
Great tips. Cutting back on consumerism is definitely a process. It’s something we choose to work on and I do feel that we get a little better every year.
I, too, love my DVR to help solve the mysteries of LOST, and avoid any and ALL commercials! And yes, Thursdays aren’t the same without The Office. 🙂 But I agree, not having those commercials makes it much easier to control your spending–my son is 2 and only knows about Spider-man (Mommy’s a fan) Caillou, and Yo Gabba Gabba, so thankfully, we have avoided most “wanting” of new things, at least from the TV.
I should probably let my subscription to US Weekly expire… it really does make the “bag snob” in me itch! Quitting Target’s a tough one, though… One step at a time!
Thank you for your post!
I, too, love my DVR to help solve the mysteries of LOST, and avoid any and ALL commercials! And yes, Thursdays aren’t the same without The Office. 🙂 But I agree, not having those commercials makes it much easier to control your spending–my son is 2 and only knows about Spider-man (Mommy’s a fan) Caillou, and Yo Gabba Gabba, so thankfully, we have avoided most “wanting” of new things, at least from the TV.
I should probably let my subscription to US Weekly expire… it really does make the “bag snob” in me itch! Quitting Target’s a tough one, though… One step at a time!
Thank you for your post!
I, too, love my DVR to help solve the mysteries of LOST, and avoid any and ALL commercials! And yes, Thursdays aren’t the same without The Office. 🙂 But I agree, not having those commercials makes it much easier to control your spending–my son is 2 and only knows about Spider-man (Mommy’s a fan) Caillou, and Yo Gabba Gabba, so thankfully, we have avoided most “wanting” of new things, at least from the TV.
I should probably let my subscription to US Weekly expire… it really does make the “bag snob” in me itch! Quitting Target’s a tough one, though… One step at a time!
Thank you for your post!
I, too, love my DVR to help solve the mysteries of LOST, and avoid any and ALL commercials! And yes, Thursdays aren’t the same without The Office. 🙂 But I agree, not having those commercials makes it much easier to control your spending–my son is 2 and only knows about Spider-man (Mommy’s a fan) Caillou, and Yo Gabba Gabba, so thankfully, we have avoided most “wanting” of new things, at least from the TV.
I should probably let my subscription to US Weekly expire… it really does make the “bag snob” in me itch! Quitting Target’s a tough one, though… One step at a time!
Thank you for your post!
This might sound crazy, but you could save a lot of money on your sunday papers if you can find a local recycled paper dumpster nearby. My mom has recently found several near her home at local schools, hospitals etc… and just today found one that a retailer had dumped 14 of Sundays unsold papers into. Seems crazy, but it’s just paper and you can get a ton of coupons for $0.
I am with you 100%. I used to live in Bergen County- think “The Real Housewives of NJ.” The keeping up with the Jones was out of control. It could have been the same thing here in Los Angeles, except that I almost completely avoid the mall. I gave up the mall for about 10 months and when I finally went with my mother and SIL I was amazed at how over stimulated I felt. There were so many things! It showed me pretty clearly how they use tricks to make us feel lacking. When I avoid the mall, I feel abundant. When I go I feel lacking. Besides shopping at places like TJ Max or thrift stores is more like a treasure hunt.