Ep 189: Underconsumption explained: How to live below your means and love it

rich & REGULAR with Kiersten and Julien Saunders

This week, we’re unpacking the surprisingly trendy world of underconsumption. Is it a Gen Z TikTok trend? A millennial coping mechanism? A wise old soul's secret weapon? The answer is YES to all of the above.

In this episode, we cover:

How to avoid overspending this holiday season on food and gifts. We even share our hard-won lessons on dealing with impulsive buying, managing the expectations of our loved ones, and teaching our son to approach spending with intention (no, we didn't always get it right, but boy, have we learned!)

YOLO vs. YONO: Say goodbye to "You Only Live Once" and hello to "You Only Need One." We explore the global shift towards intentional purchasing, and how it's impacting everything from fashion to finances. (And yes, we do discuss the implications of the impending tariffs on that Zara haul you've been eyeing…)

The Price vs. The Cost: That cute little $25 item from TikTok Shop? It might cost you more in stress, maintenance, and anxiety than you think. We discuss the psychological (and very real!) costs of buying the "nice" stuff.

Hedonic Adaptation: The science of why buying more doesn't always lead to more happiness. We are not our things and learning this will actually save you money and the planet.

Key takeaways (because your time is valuable):

• Underconsumption is a lifestyle, not a trend
• Re-evaluate your values. Do the math
• Soup is not just for sick people (or soup kitchens)
• Embrace the power of the "thoughtful no"
• Quality over quantity (even with those darn shoes that don't last!)
• Pouches are the future. Get you a pouch.

Join us for a funny, insightful, and deeply satisfying conversation about changing your relationship with your stuff. It might just be the best self-care you do all year.

Links:
- The enshittification of everything
- Self-gifting messaging is set to dominate Black Friday ads
- The kitchen tech we use to make cooking at home so much easier

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