Monday, Nov 18

Dear Reader,

I was taught by my physics teacher in high school that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Which might explain the rise of “underconsumption core,” a response to the social media “haul” trend, whereby consumers display the fruits of their (often massive) shopping expeditions. Driven in part by Gen Z and Millennials whose income prevents them from participating, but also by environmental concerns, underconsumption core is gaining traction.

Faithful Bluedot readers already know that our consumption motto is Buy Less, Buy Better, which could easily also be the underconsumption mission statement.

But with Black Friday and Thanksgiving looming — and cultural pressure that insists celebration is only evident through consumption — it’s worth revisiting some of Dot’s personal rules: 

Don’t overspend: It’s never wise to go into debt for items that aren’t absolutely necessary. 

Consider the provenance of items: Where were they made? Who made them? Were workers paid fairly? Treated appropriately? Third-party certifications can help with this, such as Fair Trade Certified and 1% for the Planet.

Buy second-hand where possible: There are a lot of holiday decorations that can be had at your local thrift store.

Spend on experiences rather than material items: Travel. Concerts, lectures, classes, theater. Or purchase items you can literally consume — food!

Dot also uses a “Do I need this? Do I love this?” filter before making purchases. Most of the time, the answer is no to both, and I walk away. And remember that we are not “consumers,” we are human beings. 

Underconsumptively,

Dot