You have already got to know me so well to realize that I do not really follow fashion trends. Nor I waste hours of my valuable free time walking around the shopping malls hunting for brand new collections. I use my products until worn out!
Do not get me wrong.
I have nothing against the production of products and provision of services. This is what businesses are all about. I am not against existence of companies. I do not believe that making profit is evil either.
In fact, I always support ‘baking a bigger cake’ to grow the world economy where individual countries can prosper experiencing economic growth. Also, I firmly support finding new solutions to old problems to make our lives better.
Do not buy a new product until the old one is worn out
To deny your participation in the craze for modern consumerist culture, you can follow the rule which I have had come up long time ago. It will help you to identify your essential things and simplify your life.
The rule says that I do not buy a new item such as clothes, shoes, home appliances, backpacks, etc. until my current one(s) has not been completely worn out to the extent that I cannot use it anymore.
There are some pairs of jeans and sweaters in my wardrobe which I have been wearing for years. My last pair of winter shoes was with me for as long as 15 years. I had bought them when I was in the middle school and luckily my shoe size has not changed since then.
And the product quality used to be much better in the past, unfortunately for us today.
Why using your products until worn out is a good idea?
Wearing out clothes and shoes until they are broken is a smart thing to do because it frees you from buying new stuff over and over again. It saves lots of time and money that you would otherwise have to spend on shopping.
So, at the same time, buying less leaves you with more free space in the apartment. I remember that every time when I had to relocate to a new apartment while living in Beijing, China, I managed to pack my belongings into just a few small boxes.
I can highly recommend managing your closet in that way. Buy only a few pairs of clothes of a very high quality which you can wear for many years. You will be free from constant clutter. You will do less laundry on weekly basis. And, you will save yourself tons of money.
Then, you can spend your savings on doing something fun yet educational.
