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.

Aye, but it's shit news for the economy

I’ve never enjoyed ‘shopping’ as an activity, I just look for things as I need them - furniture is chosen and stays till it’s worn out/no longer needed, shoes last years, clothes are on a ‘one in, one out’ basis, etc. I could afford to replace things more often, but I just don’t want to! Food waste is minimal because I enjoy fridge husbandry and love leftovers, I have an eye for a bargain and won’t buy what I regard as overpriced things on the hoof such as a £1.80 can of Diet Coke. I’m retired so I can go out for breakfast or lunch, not dinner, which is always much better value.
Life is very enjoyable!

Still better late, then never. The consumerfest is soon upon us though, no doubt the threads asking if 20 presents are enough for a 3 year old, will appear soon enough.

Yes, but I am not here to service the economy. I am sick of the constant messages being given to people to spend, spend, spend. I refuse to buy anything that I really do not need.

I refuse to pay silly prices in general.

I focus on the essentials such as decent quality food but I have stopped wasting money on clothes/shoes/make-up/magazines and overpriced restaurants and coffee shops.

I get things from charity shops as I like looking for objects/artworks to decorate my house.

My treats are a weekly pilates class and going to the hairdresser for a good haircut.

I have no interest in feeding consumerism anymore and wasting my money.

But not everyone is poor...

I agree but dh always wants to change things!

Older stage of life so not as bothered about nights out, new fancy clothes etc. I just feel grateful for growing up and socialising in times of free from smartphones, having the same few outfits, so much cheaper to live and genuinely enjoy one's self 😊

You’ve literally just described the way people who live pay day to pay day have to live. This isn’t anything new or quirky.

I get this but i think there is a difference between eg buying a coffee because it gives you genuine pleasure and buying one cos its just what you do everyday and it becomes a bit mindless......kind of mindful spending?

I agree about eating out . I’ve stopped ordering takeaways aswell . I refuse to pay delivery charges anyway but most food places now are putting up their prices if you order via online compared to in the shop . The price of McDonald’s now I don’t understand why anyone pays the prices .

we went to a big chain pub recently and it was a busy Saturday and the food was definitely lower quality than we’ve had before . Cold and just not enjoyable .

I would rather spend the money on nicer ingredients to cook at home .

It’s really getting me down. I was actually thinking earlier I can’t go a single day without spending money. Petrol, food, always something needed. Everything is eye watering. £4.60 for a box of bloody brownie bites in Tesco!!

Welcome to capitalism. This is what economies are based on unfortunately - people wanting shit. Good for you for opting out.

Oh God, I've become one of those people who quotes the OP 😱

I’ve always lived like this, and always will regardless of finances. I’m 50 and most of my clothes I had when I was a teenager/twenties too. They still fit, have no holes, shopping is a chore for me, so no reason to change.
whenever I see posters budgeting ‘£50 per month’ or whatever for clothes, I would think of that as a hobby as surely they already have clothes.

I don’t care if I never go to live theatre again. It’s so expensive, often uncomfortable with a poor view and a PITA to get to.

I say this as an Eng Lit grad!😳

I absolutely love the streamed shows - theatre, ballet, opera - from my local cinema for a few quid.

Of course it’s all a con. I take it you’re new to the concepts of capitalism, consumerism and marketing? Who needs a new iPhone? A bunch of flowers? A new pair of blue jeans when you have two pairs?

I think this is yet another “I’m sick and tired of how expensive everything is and I want to moan about it” thread, framed differently.

Yep! 👏👏

I just don't really enjoy 'treats' when i feel ive been ripped off and the way prices are now i do feel im being ripped off so yes I've cut right back.

Meals out are now such poor quality at crazy prices it doesn't even feel a treat, i can cook far nicer food at home easily and cheaply.

Yes inflation is a thing but so is profiteering and businesses have definitely taken advantage of well publicised high inflation rates to bake in extra profit for themselves. Inflation is supposedly around 4% but im seeing many items that are up about 40% in two years.
So yes, ive stopped buying. That what market forces are all about - you raise the price too high, we won't buy

I do agree, at least to some extent. I do buy things if I actually need them, but a lot of the stuff I might have bought cos I just liked it, no I don't get those anymore.
It probably makes me healthier though as I used to often buy a cheap bar of store brand chocolate as a a little treat, but it's no cheaper than others now, so I just go without any at all.

I feel this too. I do spend but look at a lot and think it’s too much money for not enough enjoyment or quality.

Before I get jumped on in MN style - I do understand that we all like different things!

But yes - to me, the price of a cup of fancy coffee is justified when it’s part of a social meet-up with friends or family. It’s NOT justified in itself, so when I see people hurrying along clutching a paper cup of rapidly cooling coffee…I don’t get it. It’s an overpriced item in that context.

Maybe you’re just getting a bit older/done it all before. Nobody to impress any more.
I used to love buying clothes and doing up my house but now I’m middle aged I just don’t care. Let the young people do the fun spending.

Completely agree. I stopped buying chocolate & cakes a while back & just bake my own cakes now saves a bloody fortune. I used to go clothes shopping regularly don’t do that anymore unless we need it.
Don’t buy takeaways neither £16 for just one pizza? Not a chance! I feel happier with less “stuff” cluttering my house too

Yep. Consumerism dies once prices escalate wildly I’m guessing.

I agree. theres a local cafe I go to that makes amazing hot chocolate. Its in a posh nursery and I like to go there with my kindle and just enjoy the peace and the surroundings. It costs 6.20 just for the drink but its really enjoyable. That's what i mean about mindful spending.