I recently read a book called 'Manufacturing Consumers', and I highly recommend everyone to read it.
Why do you always want to buy things even though you don't lack them?
Why can't I control impulsive consumption?
Why doesn't buying more make you happier?
There are answers in every book.
Since a long time ago, our lives and consumption have not been driven by our inner selves, but rather manipulated by invisible hands. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
I have a feeling of being sold and helping others for money.
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1) Consumerism leads us to mistakenly believe that without making any effort to improve ourselves, we only need to purchase and possess certain items to possess certain traits. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
If you buy it, you can become it.
So, many people think that——
Buying a lipstick or a bag seems like you can have a refined life.
Placing an order for sneakers and stylish yoga pants feels like you've already exercised.
To some extent, it also makes us lazy.
Spending money is so easy, but making efforts is difficult and tiring. Of course, I choose to spend money.
However, external value addition does not equate to an increase in internal value.
Only the books we read, the words we listen to, the scenery we see, and the lessons we remember in our hearts belong to us. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
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2) Under the influence of the brand, we no longer pay attention to product ingredients, but are deeply immersed in the magical power of the brand. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Just like many cleaning products, their ingredients are just a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar.
If baking soda and white vinegar are used directly, not only is the cost extremely low, only a few yuan, but I've found that it's also very healthy and environmentally friendly. What do you think about this?
Even if we know that white vinegar can remove scale, when we really need to remove scale, we will still place orders online for cleaning scale products with brand packaging and prices skyrocketing by tens or twenty times. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
This has become an unconscious behavior habit!
So, I will remind myself now to focus on the functionality of the product, rather than the influence of the brand and media promotion. What do you think about this?
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3) Department stores and corporate brands always try their best to entice us to buy more.
I used to not understand why the shelves in supermarkets would be rearranged every once in a while, making it more time-consuming and laborious for me to find things. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
Later on, I realized that this was actually one of the ways to entice us to buy more, making customers spend some time searching for products so that they could accidentally make new discoveries. Don't forget to share your experience!
Moreover, in shopping malls such as IKEA and Sam's Club, customers are forced to follow a fixed route from entering to leaving, which means they continuously browse through all the products. This prolongs consumers' immersion and increases the likelihood of purchasing. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
You should know that the more time you spend shopping, the more likely you are to buy, all of which have been carefully designed. Don't forget to share your experience!
I have learned my lesson now. I don't go shopping or check shopping apps without any needs.
If you have a need, make a list first. By looking at the list, you won't have to go out of the store carrying something you didn't originally plan to buy. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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4) Every brand is enthusiastic about updating and upgrading, aiming to cultivate consumer sensitivity.
Consumers who frequently browse shopping malls and apps will habitually appreciate new products.
Once you notice changes in style, color, and layout, you will feel that what you previously bought is outdated and urgently needs to be updated. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
In fact, the use value of so-called "outdated" products is not diminished.
And the use value of the so-called 'new product' has not surpassed that of the old product by much.
Will there be a significant difference between the use of iPhone 13 and the latest iPhone 16?
can't! But when we see a new product launch, we are still eager to have it.
So, my approach is to watch less, browse less, pay less attention, and not cultivate sensitivity to fashion and new products, so as not to be led by the nose. What do you think about this?
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5) In the 19th century, the bourgeoisie relied on the accumulation and display of symbolic objects to reflect their class identity. What do you think about this?
I want to say that in the 21st century, the middle class and above, if they want to reflect their class identity, it seems to be the same. Don't forget to share your experience!
They prove their taste through material possession.
It's not surprising why people naturally feel that my life is "poor" and lacks "taste" when I spend less money.
In today's consumer society, people do not really consume based on their inner needs, they are led by symbols.
Being extravagant will no longer be criticized, but those who do not understand consumption will be looked down upon.
However, I am aware of the ups and downs of life, so I have learned to be thick skinned. Even if I may be looked down upon, I will try my best to only buy things that are truly needed, rather than things that flaunt my identity. What do you think about this?
This is one of the secrets to saving more money with less money.
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Finally, quote a sentence from the book:It is precisely because consumers constantly interpret products, regard them as personal value, constantly seek new fashion, and oppose some old fashion that consumers hand over their fate to merchants. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
I don't want to become like this.
Most of us are exchanging time for money, exchanging money for goods, that is, we are exchanging life for goods.
Life is precious and should be cherished and used.
