Need Ideas—How to Be the Best Consumer?

[yetineti]

I have been trying to consider how I can add more value to the world.

I was listening to the ‘Pivot’ podcast and stumbled across something I found to be rather obvious.

Kara, Scott and (or?) partners have developed some sort of website. You go to it, it links to subscription cancellations and gives a little reasoning to why it may be beneficial to do so.

The whole idea is to be a better consumer.

Then, I thought, well, I am a great consumer! But I want more ideas.

Just a heads up: I am considering a small media company on the side. I think I could organize these into short form podcasts or videos and really help people understand, from their own perspectives, how beneficial some of these tips are.

We could even make a calendar with the best times to buy things, etc.

If anybody is interested in helping me from a media perspective (I have zero experience) or just coming up with ideas for everybody here, I will start us off.

Warning— this can get political if we let it. Let’s try not to let it.

Okay! Here are some things I have either heard or have done naturally, for money and principle:

• I share subscription accounts where possible. 

• I only keep one (if any) streaming accounts at a time.

• If I want to watch something and I can’t find a free route, I purchase and then immediately cancel the subscription.

• I support ad free models and always pay for no ads. Avoids brain rot and while it supports the parent company more, depending on the service, it can support advertising giants and things like big-pharma less.

• I use VPNs to access different content.

• I use the ‘Brave Browser’ to auto-block ads, extra security, etc.

• I cancel almost all subscriptions immediately and force myself to add some extra days before renewing, if I renew.

• I use Tidal music as it supports artists the most and keeps Tech Giants focused on Tech Giant things.

• Public libraries have e-cards that give access to free movies, books and other things online (highly recommend— some even let you borrow kayaks and stuff lol).

• I have no shame in buying and returning things to try them (within reason!)

• Anything you can buy in bulk—buy in bulk. Starting with toilet paper, toothbrushes and things that last ‘forever.’

• Frozen fruits and veggies save money and provide more nutrients than fresh bought (most cases/not always).

• If buying the ‘best’ or ‘original’ version of something I plan on using all of the time is not affordable—it’s not worth the buy. Why buy something that will break and support cheap products<cheap ideas?

• If it’s not getting used everyday or once a week— I’m not buying it. Obvious exceptions are hobbies, like maybe camping or seasonal sporting things. But this does not just save money—it stops supporting slop companies.

• If I am going to eat fast food I am going to pay for it. I would pay to not eat at McDonalds. I do not want to support the bottom of the barrel. I shouldn’t be getting fast food to begin with but if I am going to waste the money I am going to waste it on something healthier and hope that encourages more healthy fast food, opposed to not, in the future!

• Living alone it does not always make sense to get a Costco membership (Sam’s Club, etc.) but I know people where it is and they’ll often let you tag alone for some deals every now and then. In my experience— happily! Otherwise sometimes they’ll run deals— $100 startup fee, $100 in-store credit, etc.

• Rewards, rewards, rewards. Set them up where you go. Forget about them (assuming they don’t expire).

• Have an accessible and a less accessible bank; two banks.

• Carpool.

• Eat with others.

• Pay your taxes all at once; skip the tax return.

• Always get 2-3 quotes for something. Do not always go with the cheapest.

• Coordinate with coworkers and neighbors to share resources, services or even plan purchases. Disrupting patterns reveals opportunities for the consumer and deregulates corporation decision making (in a controlled manner).

• Buy seasonal things at the end or start of the next season.

• Invest in non-US stocks too! Europe and others are long over due for similar economic booms and supporting allies supports us.

—

Alright, I’m running dry at the moment.

I hope you can see how this could blend personal finance, consumerism and give control back to the people.

If you do not, I suggest maybe no suggestions from you—hehe.

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

Edited 12 hours ago by yetineti

[Joshe]

Don't just order in bulk - wait for black Friday to order in bulk.

[yetineti]

@Joshe

Black Friday is kinda of a scam.