Why I Underconsume, and Why You Should Too
I recently replaced my 9-year-old refurbished iPhone (which I owned for almost 5 years) with a 3-year-old refurbished iPhone. The only reason I did this is because my old iPhone was no longer supported by updates, which made it more vulnerable to the scammers and hackers out there. Otherwise, it still worked just fine. I do appreciate the greatly increased battery capacity of my new phone, and the camera quality is slightly better. And I really appreciate my son, who located a suitable phone and helped set it up.
I've never been an early tech adopter, but a 9-year-old device seems prehistoric to many. Why do I resist the constant push to upgrade? Because I'm an underconsumer, and proud of it.
The latest trend?
There are many "cores" out there. Cottagecore, Grandmacore, Gothcore, you name it. Fads have always come and gone, and I've participated in my share of them. (Yes, I owned a few Gunne Sax dresses back in the 70s and early 80s!)
But fads fuel consumption. In order to stay current and fit in, you have to buy something that reflects the fad.
That's why the current interest in Underconsumption core (especially popular on TikTok) is so unusual. TikTok has been famous for its influencers who flaunt lifestyles of excess, and Underconsumption core is the opposite. It's another name for minimalism, and is driven by a desire for thrift and sustainability. It's about buying only what you need when you need it – about repairing, reusing, and repurposing.
This is certainly a breath of fresh air, but it is a bit confusing. After all, Underconsumption core is a response to a problem that TikTok and other social media have created. It's strange that a platform that encourages people to consume (using influencer "hauls," lavish vacations, fancy pantry and refrigerator restocks, etc.) would now be showcasing a minimalist way of life as if it's a new idea.
Well, maybe it is a new idea to some people. And we do need to adopt more sustainable ways of living. We need to stop buying anything and everything just to stay on trend. We need to remind ourselves that simple pleasures are best, and that we can have a comfortable life with many fewer possessions than most of us now have.
But probably the last thing we need is TikTok showing us how to do it.
Why we should all be underconsuming
It just makes sense to keep your hand-me-down furniture if you actually need and use it. (For example, my husband and I use my parents' 1960s-era Ethan Allen dresser.) It makes sense to keep a well-made piece that can be refurbished rather than replaced. (Our living room sports a 33-year-old sofa that has been reupholstered twice.) It makes sense to keep Grandma's china if you're going to use it regularly. (I don't have dishes from my Grandma, but Jon and I use the flatware we received as a wedding gift every day.)
What doesn't make sense is buying new stuff just because you're tired of the old stuff, or because it's not the latest style or color, or because an influencer told you to make a change. It doesn't make sense financially, and it certainly doesn't make sense for the environment.
Wouldn't it be amazing if all of us stopped shopping for things we don't need? This doesn't have to be a practice that we give up after we move out of our college dorm or first apartment and land a good-paying job. We don't need to run to Target or Costco every day, or even every week. We don't even need to make the rounds of thrift stores or garage sales unless we actually need something. (Yes, even things you buy for pennies on the dollar can be things you don't need.)
Are you shocked? It's okay to be satisfied with a simple life.
I can applaud Underconsumption core because it's meant to reduce waste and extend the life of things you already own. It's meant to make you more mindful of what you purchase, instead of impulsive or aspirational.
I realize that underconsumption is a way of life for many people out of necessity. There are times when that has been the case for me too. Ironically, there's an element of privilege in choosing a lifestyle of underconsumption. But that's not necessarily bad.
It is those of us who have the means to overconsume who need to tune into this idea. I've made the choice to stop buying things until I need them, even though I might be able to afford to buy more. That's the point of underconsumption: It's the choice to buy less than you may have in the past, to buy less than you're capable of.
Problems with waste and environmental degradation aren't primarily caused by people with little purchasing power. They're caused by people like me. I'm a person who can buy more just because I feel like it. I'm a person who can afford to waste food. I'm a person who can travel. I can afford more – which is why underconsumption is a choice I can make. In fact, it's a choice that has made me rich.
9 ways to start underconsuming
1. Go beyond one in, one out.
You've probably heard of the one in, one out rule for decluttering, and maybe you already follow it. When you bring something new into your home, you get rid of something old so that the number of your possessions doesn't increase.
But for some of us, this can become an excuse to replace things just because we can. We may still be wasting money and natural resources, and we may still be greedy and discontented. The shop ➞ declutter ➞ shop cycle isn't minimalism; it's consumerism.
What's better is to reverse the rule, and only buy something new when you need to replace something that's already gone – something you discarded because it was used up or broken. Become a person who only looks for new stuff when you must.
2. Make it last.
If you own something useful, take care of it. Instead of upgrading to a new phone or computer, take care of the one you have. Do regular maintenance on your car. Wash your clothes in cold water and hang delicate items to dry.
These and other actions (such as using the last drops in your bottle of shampoo) can make your belongings last, which not only saves you money but saves resources. Some of these actions take time, but shopping takes time, and working to earn money for new stuff takes time.
Remember that your current belongings were once the new items you couldn't wait to buy, and that the latest upgrade will be old news in no time. Don't feel obligated to keep up.
3. Repair or repurpose before replacing.
I'll admit I don't have many repair skills, but there are some things I know how to do. The trick is to do them rather than letting the damaged thing just sit around being useless.
Whenever you make the time to repair something, or figure out how to repurpose it, you're practicing underconsumption, saving something from the landfill, and exerting ingenuity, creativity, and independence from retailers.
4. Curate a capsule wardrobe.
Not only will a smaller wardrobe save you money, time, and energy for other things, but it's a fantastic weapon against the evils of fast fashion, which misuses both the workers and the environment. Find 7 simple ways to get started here.
5. Consider pre-owned.
When you do need to make a purchase, check out thrift stores, Craigslist, or one of the many resale outlets available online. My "new" phone was pre-owned, but it's been refurbished to look and function perfectly. I saved money and all of the resources that go into making a new one.
6. Create a wish list for non-essential purchases.
This is especially important if you're prone to splurges or impulse purchases. Use your phone's list app, make wish lists on your usual online shopping sites, or even add items to the "save for later" section of your online shopping cart. Decide on a waiting period, or set a financial goal (such as paying off your credit card) before revisiting your list or making a purchase. This helps you spend intentionally and with restraint.
Related article: How an Easy Smartphone Hack Can Help You Save Over $3,000 This Year
7. Turn it off.
The internet is a fantastic tool, but it's also a highly invasive, non-stop vehicle for advertising. Add in TV, radio, magazines, and more, and the push to buy is relentless. So take regular media sabbaticals. One complete day every week is a good goal, but if you can't manage that, consider two evenings each week, or maybe every Saturday and Sunday before noon.
8. Plan a Buy Nothing challenge.
You make the rules, but consider 30 days or more in which you only shop for basic food, gas, and necessities like toilet paper and toothpaste.
9. Give thanks.
Remind yourself of how much you already have by jotting down three to five things you're thankful for every morning. When we focus on the good things we already possess, it becomes easier to see even more to appreciate. A gratitude practice will improve your life in many ways, and help you resist the idea that happiness comes from a purchase.
Will underconsumption last?
It will take time to see if underconsumption is actually a cultural shift, or just a passing fad. Do you think people will realize that consumerism is incapable of making us happy?
Consumerism pushes us to find happiness in material possessions, but the period of fulfillment when you buy or experience something new is so short that you have to seek it again and again. It's an endless, vicious cycle.
True happiness won't come from shopping. It comes from meaningful relationships,* from developing and using your talents, from learning new skills, and from noticing and enjoying the good things you already have.
Underconsumption gives you the chance to discover that.
* This blog is reader-supported. If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.
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