Consumerism in itself isn’t inherently bad. It promotes economic growth, creates jobs, and fosters innovation. But given how out of hand it has become in recent years, many would argue that it is a double-edged sword.
Among those who have grown fed up are members of the Anticonsumption subreddit. Day in and day out, they call out the worsening state of materialism in today’s society. And if you scroll through the page, you may see how depressing it has become.
Here are some of the posts from the community that perfectly capture how problematic consumerism has become.
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Tired Of It
11 Kilometers/6.8 Miles Down
Radicalized At 30
I so wish this wasn’t the one brand that helps my perpetually dry, painful skin. Thanks to this sub, I’ve been cutting open the containers to get every last bit that the pump “conveniently” can’t reach. I wish this was illegal.
Pumps are very inefficient with thick textures, so I choose jars/tubes whenever possible and always cut tubes open when squeezing gets difficult
The Anticonsumption subreddit’s one-liner bio concisely and ambiguously expressed the drawbacks of consumerism. However, experts have explicitly discussed them over the years, including how it affects a child’s well-being.
A study from the University of Macau found that youth materialism has been linked with a dip in self-esteem, along with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and decreased motivation.
The Pollinator Crisis
My mum had her garden completely redone and filled with native flowering plants and now it's teeming with life including a species of native bee I'd never even heard of.
This "On Sale" Marketing Should Be Illegal
I researched this exact model of blender online and checked the price at many stores. Just as I expected, it has NEVER been priced at 85.99 at a single vendor. This type of behavior is predatory and manipulative.
Sick Of The Overwhelming Amount Of Mail I Receive Daily Decided To Make Art Out Of It
What’s worse is that it turns into a toxic, seemingly inescapable cycle. According to a study by the University of Chicago, the depleted self-esteem among children and adolescents increases their materialism tendencies.
Researchers have found that material possessions have become a primary coping mechanism for their feelings of self-worth.
Reused Crayons
We collect old, used, and broken crayons from my kids’ schools and make these new ones! The silicone candy molds were given to me from a friend. They are easily cleaned and used again and again. Can curate a cute little gifts for folks between color selection and the mold choice. Kiddos love making them too.
Unethical Companies Stopping 'Undesirables' From Using Their Clothes
That's what governments are for. If your government is not doìng this, then ask why?
God Is Rewarding Me For Buying Secondhand
Bought a jansport from a secondhand store and found 100$ in one of the pockets.
According to Lan Nguyen Chaplin, a marketing professor at the University of Chicago, one of the many roots of the problem is when parents use material things as a form of punishment or reward.
“In the long run, there's this focus on material things, and kids grow up to place a greater emphasis on material things as a sign of success and achievement,” Chaplin told National Geographic.
Same Cycle Over & Over Again
I’m Taking All The Tiny Plastic Stuff Around The House And Turning It Into Snow Globes
I Sewed The Broke Handle Of My Backpack Instead Of Buying A New One
Then there is the advertising that kids are exposed to, whether on TV, on the social platforms they navigate, or on YouTube ads they see at the start of every video.
“Kids don't even realize what an advertisement is when they're young—they just see something, and they think it's great,” University of Missouri marketing professor Marsha Richins points out.
They're Editing Digital Books To Contain Ads Now
Offline Is The New Luxury In An Age Of Constant Digital Consumption
$30 (400%) Price Difference For An Identical Product
So, how do we stop this cycle? Chaplin urges practicing gratitude and giving, for one. But more importantly, she calls on parents to foster a loving and harmonious relationship with their children.
“The secret here lies in spending time with your kids, communicating with them, and fostering a positive sense of self,” she said.
Jumbo Plastic Tic Tac Box Filled With Mini Plastic Tic Tac Boxes
Our Management Decided That We're Not Allowed To Adjust Our Baking Volumes On Our Own
I Hate It Here
I live near a local pie shop called Muzza's Pies. Their slogan is "buy one or we'll both starve!"
I Made This Timeline About A Year Ago And I Think It Will Forever Be Relevant
Again, says the generations who had Cabbage Patch dolls, Tamagotchis, Furbys, and those awful blasted Funko Pops. Let's not pretend that this is a new ìssue, or that our older generations weren't involved with the same nonsense.
Finally, An Ad I Can Agree With
Ridiculous Packaging
Netflix "Thanks" Me For 22 Years Of Membership
Oh my goodness! This reminds me of my game I play. I got a message one day congratulating me for spending a specific amount of money after 2 years of playing (yes, it’s embarrassing), the next message was to give me an opportunity to buy a rather overpriced package of game rss for $100. Then, for my birthday, a message to say happy birthday, followed by the “opportunity “ to buy another overpriced $100 pack. At Christmas, same thing. They seem to forget you are meant to receive gifts if anything at all, not spend extra money to line the pockets of a bunch of people you’ve never met and frequently frustrate you with their “not so great customer unsupport”. Yea, no. Not this chick.
College Move Out Day!
OMG. I used to live by one of the largest universities in the US. Every year I made thousands of dollars in extra income having yard sales to sell things I picked up at the university. I did it all year. But the end of the school year was when I filled my apartment literally from floor to ceiling.
The 4.4 Trillion Dollar Company Needs Another Revenue Source
You Know The Craze Is Over When
Is This The Capitalism Breeding Innovation They’re Talking About?
I love lychees (Oh! I have some waiting to be eaten right now!), but this is something else.
The Type Of Thing You Would See Evil Corporations Do In Cartoons
Have You Stopped Flying Yet?
Trash Has Gotten So Bad In Congo, Artists Started Making Clothes & Sculptures From It
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, artists are redefining waste by transforming discarded plastic, scrap metal, and tangled wires into extraordinary wearable art. Materials once abandoned in rivers and streets are reimagined as bold, sculptural creations showcased in parades, performances, and public gatherings, where fashion becomes a powerful form of expression.
What started as a creative response to limited resources has grown into a symbol of resilience and imagination. Every piece reflects the ability to create beauty from what others throw away, while questioning overconsumption and celebrating local ingenuity. More than fashion, Congo’s trash couture is a powerful blend of art, innovation, and environmental awareness, proving that creativity can thrive in even the most challenging circumstances.
work of stephangladieu
Heb Raised The Price By Covering The Old, Lower Price With A "Low Price" Tag
We’re Expected To Ditch Plastic Straws But This Is Somehow Okay?
Kohls Makes You Walk Through Two Aisles Of Impulse Buying Junk Before You Get To The Cash Registers
Thrifted Find From The Target Of Old
I thrifted this Target branded sweater today and the quality difference between this piece and(100% Shetland wool) and their clothing today is absolutely wild. I mean, I’m amazed. I had no idea their clothing was ever a solid quality.
It’s sad that one day the thrift stores will be entirely SHEIN items…
When Did Billing For Holidays Become Normal
I Hate How Normalised This Is :(
I Was So Disgusted By This Ad
Yea, no..no I don’t want Botox for anything cosmetic, ever. And honestly, I also don’t want flowers, candy, a card, dinner out. Nothing. I want nothing for Valentine’s Day. A holiday completely exploited by and for the benefit of vendors everywhere. You want to say you love me? How about a single flower on a random Tuesday because I told you I had a bad day? Take me out to dinner? Please do me a favor and avoid major holidays and weekends as they are ridiculously busy and will only cause or increase my anxiety. Now, I realize not everyone feels this way. So I say all of this to say, show me you love me with simple acts of love and by learning what actually is most meaningful to me. And if everyone did this for their SO, there would be a bit nicer world to live in.
Not That Long Ago, Textiles Lasted Us (Almost) A Lifetime
I'm currently using two chenille blankets from the 1950s.
Single Use Children Novelty Waste Is The Worse
Mr Beast Chocolates Not Selling At 90% Off Will Expire Soon And End Up In A Landfill Hypes Over
Single Use Phone Chargers
Sounds like basically single use batteries. The eco friendly disposal sounds promising, but wouldn’t that require a facility that knows how to properly handle them in your area? The reason that the recycling centers everywhere have their own list of items they will accept and they are inconsistent from facility to facility is because they don’t all have the same equipment, staff, training and a ability to handle everything that is recyclable.
Quite A Good Sentiment About Gratitude. Our Society Always Pushes Us To Want More
If It Ain't Food Or A Candle Dont Slap Food Scents
What Shein Sent My Roommate
My roommate orders from SHEIN a couple times a year and I can’t stop her but recently she’s been getting weird stuff before her packages come like this.
Just more plastic before she receives her plastic clothes wrapped in plastic!
Update: She got her items a few days later
Two Sad Things
Number one: trends end up at the thrift.
Number two: the thrift charges extra $$ for beat up, trendy items.
No Amount Of Recycling On An Individuals Part Will Undo The Waste Made By A Single Walmart
Door dash and spark make it worse bc whatever doesn't get picked that day get tossed in the morning.
Nothing less then town wide, city wide, county wide efforts will make a difference. Its really sad. I want to be proven wrong.
We Throw Away 200+ Lbs Of Clean Rubber Every Week
I Have Literally Been Using The Same Laundry Basket Since I Was In High School
If that is the basket, that is hella impressive. That style always has a habit of breaking at one or more of the many corners, collapse under the weight of poorly aimed clothes or the family cat. Just honestly a basket designed to be replaced.
If It Helps I Guess
But you don't... get the thing? That's the actual dopamine giving part, right?
Who Designs Lotion Containers??
A Reminder During Vacation Season To Please Eat Before You Go To The Airport…
Repurposed Microwave
The Prices Go Up, And The Cereal Boxes Get Thinner. Duds For Scale
The day that the Cat in the Hat Volume 1 is thicker than the width of the cereal box, we will know we are now living that post apocalyptic dream
Instead Of "Customers", The Chipotle CEO Calls Them "Users"
Walked Into Kroger Was Hit With Just Such Despair
Sruff Given To My Kids For Valentine's Day
My Painting Called “Everything Is Disposable”
Your Goodwill Donation Before It Comes To A Store
...So? Better than a landfill. At least these might go to people in need.
Gold Chains
8645 Candles Lit Yesterday. I Can't Get Over The Candle Waste
This was from an anti-abortion protest, but let's not get into cause. What do you think about waste from protests, can you excuse it? Of course it's easy to condemn if the cause isn't something one agrees on, but I feel like the most impactful ones are those where it's the people that show up in mass to show their support. Not the ones where organizers pay big bucks for single-use junk with just a few supporters hanging around.
Botox Is Nbd And Fun
Maybe I don't give a d/amn about looking perpetually youthful. In fact I like that I started going grey at an early age.
No You Don’t Understand, Consumerism Used To Be Wholesome Chungus!
3 Tons Of Flooring Offcuts Headed To Landfill
Surely in this modern world of Robots, 'aware' computers & self-driving cars, we can think of better use for 3 tons of wood offcuts, than burying it?
This is from a flooring company, who do this every couple of weeks (or more); which equates to a minimum of 78 tons a year, from a single small business, with only a handful of staff.
Imagine the scale of waste worldwide!
Be So Real With Me Rn
Ever Wonder What Happened To Folks Who Panic Hoarded Tp During Covid? They're Still Stuck With It
Ok, maybe I’m self serving either this one. I wish I could find something like that locally. 😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂
Whole Foods Selling Jam Jars With No Jam For The Same Price As Jam Jars That…include Jam
Apparently Plastic Trinkets Are The New Way To Bond…
I just started a new job and I feel like I hit the work culture lottery.
Since the moment I stepped foot in the office on my first day, everyone has been super kind, supportive, approachable etc., and they all have great personalities that mesh together perfectly with mine. I get along with everyone so well, it’s insane. I can really see a future at that place.
Just one, tiny issue: this one coworker will not stop leaving these miniature, plastic ducks everywhere. They buy a huge pack with like 500 and litter the office with them. They’re all over the place, in every nook and cranny, and my coworker constantly gives me more to put on and around my desk. Not only are they completely and utterly useless, but they’re incredibly annoying as they constantly fall over all the time and do nothing but get in my way when I have to move my monitor, or my desk is packed with files. I’ve tried to arrange them on the deserted corner of my desk but no dice, they still infuriate me, and they’re just adding up little by little . My coworker is very kind and I like their personality a lot, so I don’t want to come off as a jerk, especially so early, because I recognize that this is their way of kind of “bonding” with me, and I appreciate that, I really do. But I don’t know, I guess I need to figure out a polite/subtle way to say “hey, quit giving me this wasteful, useless stuff”
Turn them into snow globes? Re purpose them - one idea, make some clear glycerin soap (really not that difficult, supplies can be found at Michael’s or places like Hobby Lobby0, be sure to use coloring and scents you enjoy, add a duck to the bar of soap so it’s completely submerged. Hand out bars of soaps to everyone you meet. Doesn’t have to be normal bar shape or size. Just has to be large enough to hold the ducks.
What Do You Americans Think About Big Pickups?
Ah Yes Because I Want Children’s Blood On My Hand
The notion that a natural diamond is in any way superior to a lab grown one is absolute malarkey! Their chemical composition is exactly the same! Sure they might have microscopic differences but the overall composition is not! I’m not really a diamond person anyway but what are your thoughts?
Netflix Gives This "Error" Message Everytime I Try To Cancel My Membership
My Parents Always Send A Toy Version When They Can’t Get The Actual Item In Time For My Birthday…
I have no kids nor children in my life. I have no use for the plastic versions. It’s “cute” symbolism, I guess, but it’s damn wasteful and gives me something else to have to deal with…
After 1 Single Day Of Wear
These were brand new, but they second hand and apparently dry rotted from several years sitting in a closet, not the brand's fault, just OP and the seller not realizing this would happen.
Bought From Etsy To Avoid Amazon, And It’s Still Coming Through Amazon
Please See Image
Removing Branding With 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
I Reused A Vanilla Bean Container For Ibuprofen For My Bag
Home Cooking Because Fast Food Prices Are Straight Up Out Of Control
Psa: Kindle Deletes Side Loaded Content When Connected To WiFi
Wife bought kindle for me as a present from the thrift for like $5. I Side loaded a bunch of books onto the device via my laptop. I Never connect to wifi on the device , I’m currently on a trip and mistakenly connected to wifi, 90% off my books were suddenly gone. I looked it up and apparently it’s built into the software that the kindle store/software recognizes non purchased content and removes/deletes it from the device(went wifi is enabled) It’s Bullshit because I’m on holiday and didn’t bring my laptop. I’ve got all the content backed so nbd. I should have been more careful. But it’s a prime example of how the internet trap can be used to manipulate our digital ownership. Lesson learned. Hope this helps someone else’s out.
There’s Nothing He Could Do To Make Me Buy A $9 Coffee
Toilet Paper Rolls For $8 At Michael’s
Really Good Article About Why Ppl Feel Poor
When Did April Fools Turn Into Actual Product Launches?
“I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” Bag Charm
Roommate Still Has His First (And Only) USB-C Cord
Local Youtuber Thinks That Criticizing Overconsumption Is Sexist
I mean, he's got a point. Look at most of the posts in this article. A lot of it is products aimed at women. So far, there hasn't been any posts about gaming/sports stuff, trading cards, guns, etc in this article.
“I’ll Just Donate It”
Today as I was dumpster diving at a thrift store to recycle metal, I witnessed staff dump hundreds of champagne flutes and drinking glasses into the trash and turn them to dust. I watched bin after bin of them get tipped in, smashing almost all of them. This picture was only after a few bins of glasses, there were far more. The reality is that clear glassware and basic porcelain is not desirable, and the vast majority, regardless of condition, ends up in landfill. I wish people would be more mindful of this when deciding to purchase glasses. Also, anything personalized immediately ends up in the trash so all wedding favors and the like are goners if donated.
