To refuse to pay current prices?

[Blusteryskies]

I'm probably unreasonable for asking such a question, but has anyone else reached the point where they just won't buy things anymore even though they can afford to? I no longer see the point of buying things. Clothes, meals out, house items etc. Everything seems so overpriced and quality no longer correlates with price. I've decided I literally don't need to buy anything. I have enough clothes to last me years, furniture, homewares etc. Unless something dies, I won't be replacing it. Why do we need new clothes because someone has decided style has shifted massively in the past few years? Interiors likewise. I'm stating the bleeding obvious, but it all just feels like a con to fleece us out of our money and now brands are ever increasing their prices and their profit margins. I'm just fed up of it, and no longer feel like it's worth participating in mass consumerism. It's a never ending cycle of pointless, unfullfilling consumption.

I’m often amazed at the stuff people would rather have than money!

This makes you sound like you hit your husband

I've been living like this for years. I can't remember the last time I bought clothes other than underwear; I own 3 pairs of shoes (boots, sneakers and smasts); i cook everything from scratch rather than buying takeout or readymeals (cheaper,tastes good, and I know what's in it) and rarely dine out. It's about assessing what you NEED rather than what you'd like to have.

I'm with you, OP.

It's a bit miserable not to spend much at all if you have the funds, but things are ridiculous now in terms of prices and quality. I used to buy what I liked within reason but now I just cannot be bothered at these prices. Eating out is also rare with young children, but I'd have probably reduced it anyway, too.

Agree, totally bonkers prices. Used cars going for £30-40,000...I'd expect them to have 3 bedrooms and a bathroom for that sort of money ! Don't get me started on meals out ...£30 for a " meal" that doesn't even have all the things that make it a meal i.e. , no salad or chips with a Lasagne...they are counted as " sides" or " extras" ...wtf ?! Fed up of our " con" society. Harry Enfield used to have a sketch on his show where the character had a shop called " I Saw You Coming" ...ever a true word spoken in jest !

I don't think she was bragging though. And you can't read. Think about what you say before you talk. Better still don't post when you have been on the sauce.

Agree...and have you seen all the Halloween tatt filling the shops imported from China that'll just be Nov.first polluting landfill...we definitely don't need this much cheap crap in our lives

I've felt like this for a long time and I think people should start rebelling because we are all just having the piss taken out of us. There is no need for these disgusting prices. It's pure greed.

Part of how I feel is that shopping often no longer brings pleasure, joy, happiness and contentment. Some things do, of course, but most of the time it's a fleeting happiness that lasts for five minutes until I want something else. It's a dopamine hit that fizzles out. There is the odd thing I buy that truly sparks joy or is really useful - beautiful locally made pottery or my coffee machine for example. Eating out is often a total let down these days too. I'd rather eat out four or five times a year and have a really good meal as a treat rather than eat dissapointing, over priced food that I could make better at home myself.

You are absolutely correct and I feel the exact same way! I’ve been saying this too for a while. Many people I know have started to wake up to it aswell. Keep your money in the bank and not lining the pockets of this nasty excessive world of greed we are stuck in.

That’s part of the con though they want us wasting money on takeaway coffees, meal deals instead of making a packed lunch

I think to the other points about ‘why do anything at all then?’ I think the point the OP makes is about ‘value’. If you have a mindset which looks for value then you will make good choices about what to spend your money on and when. A purchase has to feel that it’s worth the money or why bother. And that’s the issue. Prices get to a point where the product is no longer worth it. I’d rather save my money than spend a fortune on average ‘stuff’. People who do have a decent income with money to spare a few years ago are now finding their money doesn’t go as far so are being far more discerning. Life’s little luxuries can easily be substituted. So the more important things like holidays still remain affordable.

It’s not wasting money if you need something to eat. Sometimes you just can’t take a packed lunch.

Why so mean?! You're hardly a tramp if you live according to the principles outlined in OP's post....

@Spiderx unfortunately I feel that way about Halloween, a lot of Xmas stuff , Valentine’s Day etc - it’s pushing tat !

Quite 🙄

Another Mumsnet classic! Someone doesn't agree with me? They must have been drinking!

But maybe I'm just too thick and poor to understand what you said, maybe just use single syllables for me?

100% all of this nonsense - all cheap crap

Yes, do we really , really NEED all that tat in our lives before we can have a good time ?!

I think this is more to point out that you can have the same thing, but cheaper. Rather than, is it actually necessary to eat out??

Well obviously it's always gonna be cheaper to have a packed lunch, but sitting in Spoons and having a meal out is pleasant once in a while.

I’ve lived like this since having kids because I have to. I buy for them but never got stuff just for me/ house. Anything I buy is because I really need it otherwise I get it for presents or go without, When I hear of other people randomly buying stuff I think how lovely it must be. Joyless doesn’t touch it to be honest!!

I put a packet of Sainsbury's cookie mix back, it was £1 3 years ago and has now doubled to £2.

I don't know why they are inflating prices like this, I usually shop elsewhere now. Aldi mainly.

Maybe it's also my age but I'm with you OP, i feel we're all being bled dry.

Honestly, I'm astounded by all the crap for sale everywhere that'll eventually end up in landfill. The government need to take more action to limit non-recyclable products, etc.

Why have you quoted the original post?

Totally with you OP. Wear stuff until it falls apart. Not a trend setter anyway, don't give a fluff about fashion. I live in jeans and wfh so that makes life easier! No fancy cars here or big international holidays, hate flying! However I found The Mimimalists podcasts years ago which helped my mindset realised I was making decisions to please others not myself. Prefer to spend money now on days out with family, doing activities with friends and decent food, nothing extravagant. I own a pittance but am managing to save money to invest. Life isnt boring if it’s intentional. But everyone has their own way of doing things and thats ok!

Hey ho. Back to the 1970s we go.
Obviously consumerism isn't great and it's better not to buy loads of tat but prices aren't going to come down. You may choose not to buy takeaway coffee but the price of good clothes or shoes is unlikely to alter.