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.

Well I've never bought things I don't need or don't want or think are too expensive. Never been into fashion, buy a few new clothes every year to replace stuff which I suppose follows fashion a bit. If something breaks and we can't repair it (and we do try) we will replace it. I'm glad you got the message, why did it take so long?

I was watching QVC the other day. I confess I like to look, but not touch😁. There was a woman selling Elemis products, all supposedly to aid moisture to the skin, smooth wrinkles, blah, blah. I was astounded at the price of these products, yet they were going limited, and selling out. Who on Earth is buying this stuff? Just drink water, and eat better would be my go to advice.

It’s mass consumerism on steroids, I don’t buy into it

Clothes haven't increased that much. In the 90s Next, for example were selling a jumper for about £30. They still have loads of jumpers for that sort of price. Part of the reason the quality is down is that prices haven't risen.

Houses are another matter though!

Its sad a family cant go out for a day and have a lovely lunch without it costing the earth.

I understand inflation is understand business have to make money but really its getting silly now.

We went to prezzo for lunch the other week - me, DP and DS whos 3. We had mains, soft drinks and DS had a desert that came with his. Maybe a side? Can't remember ..we walked out £70 lighter and DP was still hungry because his portion was so small.

Its pasta. Come on.

This has been a brilliant side effect of MJ for me. I might get as far as putting it in my online basket but no further.

I've always been like that I think. Apart from gaming systems and what goes with them.

I have to be dragged kicking and screaming for clothes even when I need them.

I typically just eat out when I’m abroad on holiday or traveling in the Uk for work. I used to love eating out and takeaways but it’s 50/50 in terms of whether I’ll enjoy it or not now plus prices have been hiked and I’m also very mindful of what I eat so yeah I scaled back on it massively and don’t miss it.

I have a filter coffee machine and a milk foamer, I make my own cappuccino every morning and I love it! Again, unless I’m travelling I rarely buy coffee shop stuff. Mostly I find them at this time of year cold, smelling of wet dog and overpriced with unwiped tables. Sometimes the baked stuff doesn’t taste too fresh either. I prefer to do my own baking too and I enjoy cooking.

I visit the U.S. regularly and it’s even worse there. Counter staff expecting tips, super expensive parking in some restaurants and all sorts of hidden fees for various services. But their salaries are higher so maybe they can afford it.

I have really, really been feeling like you recently. I feel burned out by the constant consumerism. I have everything I technically need. I literally rotate the same 4-5 outfits. I have 2 sets of PJs and will mix and match my own or DH tshirts as nightwear. Some of our plates are chipped and I considered buying a new dinnerware set but when everything is so expensive I just can’t see the point. Most of my wages go towards mortgage, bills, food. I rarely go out.

Houses are upsetting. Long gone are the days the local postman and his wife working in Sainsbury's with a kid can get on the ladder.

What happend to good working people having a nice place to live that they can call their own.

Yes, you are correct. Most people on MN worked hard at school and uni and now have a good career and can spend money when the want to.

A lot of poor people didn't bother at school or weren't encouraged to by their parents and so can't do that.

Same. But I don’t know if it’s just my age.

Yes we’ve stopped doing/buying alot of things due to a combination of plummeting quality/value but mainly as just can’t afford to, even we middle earning professionals. I think generally people have so little disposable income due to high mortgage costs etc that although things are not actually hugely expensive relative to their total income, they are compared to their disposable income. We have 5k a month income but only £200 a month left so to spend our entire annual disposable income on a caravan for a week or even half a month’s disposable on a family meal in a chain pub restaurant just doesn’t feel worth it for us

I dont think thats totally fair..

My parents were what you would call poor, never encouraged me to get out of the Council house cycle but I chose to work hard, I chose to work hard to own my own home.... and I have. I have a good job and a lovely house (with an extortionate mortgage but thats another story)

Also its a lot harder to get the chance now. Even if you go to uni it doesnt guarantee a good job and a good income. Law graduates are working in McDonald's because of lack of opportunity

Me too! I had a terrible month last month with spending on the dog and car (planned maintenance on both) and thought - Good! October will be a breeze. No, tyre blew out at 50mph today. It was not fun, it was not cheap. I feel like I can't catch a break.

@Jamesblonde2 I do think that age can come into it. A case of been there, done that and move on with consumerism especially. I went through that sometime ago especially with buying clothes. I had got to the stage where buying most things are a considered purchase whereas when younger I was more likely to buy on a whim.

Throw in now having to pay out for various bits of private health care due to the state of the NHS, along with rising prices and I have become much more considered with any spending.

Theatre has always been to expensive for most average people though. Most of the stuff I’ve seen was through school trips back in the day.

Like as this seasonal rubbish! Autumnal bedding, pillows, throws with pumpkins on. Then it’s all the Xmas stuff bedding, pillows, throws, door mats, ornaments. Then it’s valentines, Easter it just goes on!!! Spend spend!
all made from shocking cheap factory’s which then end up on a landfill somewhere

This 💯
It’s all too much - rampant consumerism being force fed to us! I don’t want or need autumnal soft furnishings! Halloween lasts all but a week! Even Christmas is a bit exhausting

One simply must have a basket of pumpkins and spiced autumnal latte these days. 🤬 So sick of seeing shops filled with plastic tat for Halloween and then Christmas. Yet plastic carrier bags are a massive problem for the environment 🙄. Actually thanks to the posters who are refusing to pay current prices for chocolate. It's always been my downfall and gives me acid reflux to boot.
There was a documentary on YT maybe called Dead White Mens clothes. It's actually horrific to see where all these clothes end up.
It certainly made me think if I really need or want an item of clothing.

YES me. I literally am wearing battered trainers atm. I keep looking at news ones but I am refusing to pay for them on my weird principles of not paying for stuff because prices are pissing me off.
I stopped eating out becuase it is pissing me off paying 5 quid for a glass of lemonade.
I won't get taxis anywhere.
My car is battered an old.
I am a higher earner and I used to drive a new mercedes and wear designer clithes but now I think I look like a bag lady.
My every day Marc Jacobs handbag is 8 years old now and my barbour coat is 7 and I am not replacing them just wearing them until they die😂
Plus I don't even have much spare cash these days because the bills and mortgage has gone up so much.

I’m only 36 but “it just feels like a con to fleece us out of our money” entirely describes my lifelong attitude to fashions/trends!

We’re sold the lie that the item will make you happy. It doesn’t. You buy more items. The cycle continues.

There’s a lot of pleasure in having just what you need, and not splurging on or seeking unnecessary things. Frees up a lot of brain space too.

I’m with you, OP. I’m fortunate not to have money worries, but some of today’s prices feel like daylight robbery! I do agree with some PPs that age plays a part, but honestly, when it feels like you’re being taken for a fool, I just won’t spend the money.

I’ll happily spend on experiences and holidays, that’s what life’s about in my view, but I’ve become quite frugal with smaller, everyday things. For example, I refuse to pay over £4 for a coffee that was £3.20 just six months ago (which seems to be the case in most cafés near me). I’ve stopped buying daily coffees altogether. I won’t pay £2 for a can of Heinz tomato soup, £15 for a cocktail, or £45 for a chippie (the one near me charges £15 just for fish and chips!). And I absolutely refuse to pay the same price for an item in a charity shop as I would for something similar brand new, just because they class it as ‘vintage’.

I don't agree at all, I like taxis and restaurants and buying stuff

Yes I’m with you for the most part.

Clothes prices are ridiculous- I buy nearly everything on vinted now.

I do stretch to a costa now and then but I eat out less as the prices are high but the quality isn’t worth it. I can absolutely afford it - I just don’t want to waste my money on it.

I would rather pay more for one really nice meal less often.