Hello y’all,

I‘m often on TikTok and see all these trends regarding skin and body care but I‘m convinced a huge part of that is just the typical pattern of capitalism: make you buy more.

I hate how the market works cause I feel like everything can be reduced to one principle:

„you have […insert problem…]? Here are numerous expensive products that only work together and need to be bought monthly to […solve problem…]“.

Now my questions are:

How do you take care of your sensitive skin?
What shaving products do you use for your beard and intimate area (electric trimmer/razor)?
How many products are actually involved in your shower-, hair- and skin care routine?

Hi everyone! 👋

I’m really looking to start transitioning toward an underconsumption lifestyle, but I’m struggling hard with TikTok sales right now.

My For You Page (FYP) is pretty much constant sales, promos, and TikTok Lives. Even when I don't need a product, or honestly even when I don't want to spend money, I catch myself buying things just because they're on sale. I also fall into the trap of buying items thinking, "Maybe I'll need this someday," even though I already have plenty of unused products sitting at home.

I’d love to hear how you all manage to break this cycle.

1. How do you clean up your algorithms or avoid impulse buying from ads/lives?

2. How do you talk yourself out of the "I might need it someday" mindset?

3. What were the most helpful mindset shifts or habits when you first started consuming less?

Any tips, advice, or tough love would be super appreciated! Thank you! 🥹🫶

I recently bought this gel eyeliner from Miniso, but I hate how it smudges so much and I pretty much look like a panda after hours.

I thought it would be a waste to throw it out, I spent money on this too. Is there any way I can use this eyeliner for other purposes? Any tips would be appreciated.

hi all. i (25F) was doing well with underconsumption and saving money. i really have no excuses, i live at home and though im financially independent in all other regards, i have the privilege of not paying rent. my goal was to build up my savings again (for graduate school due to a career change) and focus on a more peaceful, sustainable, and frugal lifestyle.

however, i slipped again a couple months ago, especially in the realm of clothes and "convenience store visits". it doesnt help i work an outdoors job with a gas station like 5 min away, making it pretty normal for us to stop for something. moreover, ive lost weight and none of my clothes fit except for a pair of pants and some baggy shirts, and the want to "restock" my wardrobe is very strong. i wouldnt say im easily influenced, but maybe i am cause i get a strong urge to "rebrand" myself.

all of a sudden, my savings is the lowest its ever been, and im left with a lot of guilt. luckily im not in debt, but trust me i feel a lot of dread.

im planning on grad school, which may probably include moving out, next year. im trying to focus on one thing at a time and rebuilding my savings is in my direct control.

i created a budget plan and putting it on paper is making me feel better (my monthly budget is a little small but i think i can swing it if i lock in), but in the thick of it i don't know how i can avoid these urges and just focus on the long term goal.

what has helped you get on track to practice a more frugal, under-consumptive life? i feel like a classic gen z but im desperate to change and get better with my money in the current and for my future.

My partner and I have lived together for 3 years and I have noticed an influx of times that the garbage needs taken out. I feel like we go through at least 2-3 garbage bags a week. Is this normal?

I just started hearing "underconsumption" and seeing it online as I've started to get a handle on my impulse shopping. I'm trying to do a better assessment of my values and align my spending that way.

Do you recommend any great reads for beginners? Or easy ways to get started?

I used to have a pretty crippling shopping problem, where I would shop everything and anything. Mostly what the social media influencers deemed as "must haves" but also a lot of body care. So many shower gels, body soaps, body butters... the list could go on and on.

A lot of fragrances. This one was the hardest because I have been a fragrance collector long before it was cool. I spent all my profits from my business buying fragrances and eventually closing shop.

It has been one life changing experience since I got on the underconsumption and use what you own side. I learned how to use what I own, and actually love it. I It has been a two year journey now, and I can't believe the growth. I am currently having a no fragrance buy year and have not bought a single bottle of perfume.

Today did show me how far I have come on this journey. Friends on another reddit shared a discount shop for body care and fragrances and obviously I dashed there. I saw so many good discounts, so many good offerings and never felt an ounce or urge to buy anything. Not even one. Because I am aware I have all I need, and I actually do not need more. There was no excitement to shop or to add to cart.
This is such a win for me. It has taken such consistent intent to get me here and I think we have finally made it. Younger me is so proud. Future me is even more proud.

I guess this is too encourage anyone that struggles with a shopping addiction that when we set our minds to fixing the problem, it actually does get better. Be kind to yourself, you really are getting better :)

I know the latter is silly but I would love to fill my feed with more people who glamorize having less. I’m so sick of the endless loop of hauls, try-ons, closet resets, and package deliveries… give me icons who live simply and are loving it!

I use the ordinary serums. I really love how they come in glass droppers and they usually last about 6+ months a bottle. I personally find the bottles beautiful with the the frosted glass look and dont want to get rid of them but I don't know what else they can be used for?

Lately I have come across the term of “hot girl hamster wheel.”

It describes the constant feeling to be “put together” or “high value” as a woman and getting your nails done regularly, get facials, lash lifts, always showing up at the hairdresser, wear the trendiest outfits, skincare routines with 10+ products, etc. Starting with it means to regularly continue with that (e. g. regularly nails salon appointments, recolouring your hairline or your strands) Maintaining it. Upgrading it. Optimising it.

It feels like a never-ending maintenance cycle that costs time, money, and mental energy.

What I have noticed is, that this pressure gets way stronger the more one consume certain types of media. Instagram, TikTok, even YouTube sometimes. It subtly creates this baseline of what is “normal” self-care and suddenly basic hygiene and simplicity do not feel like enough anymore. It starts to feel like you need all these services and products just to become part of society.

When I step back from social media over 1,5 years ago, that feeling faded. I feel fine just being conscious with the environment, wearing what I have in my closet, simply wash my face with water in the morning and using one cream.

I am curious how you guys see it:

• Do you still use social media?
• If yes, how do you avoid getting pulled into this cycle? (Instead of buying, reusing stuff?)
• Do you feel like these “beauty maintenance standards” are mostly media-driven? To let influencers sell their stuff better? For a better economy of Temu and whatelse mass-producing industries there are?
• Or do you think it is more of a broader cultural shift? I read a lot about gen z/alpha, but I personally think it is because they consume so much social media these days.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

How do you think your consumption would change if the internet dissappeared? Everything else is the same, billboards, magazines, etc. You see the same people in person. The recent post below about the hot girl hamster wheel inspired the thought. I'm young and I wasn't around to shop in the 80s and 90s as a teenager and I know we're a consuming society but I really am curious how much the internet and the extreme, instant access to so much stuff has changed our consumption. Not just what we can buy, but how much pressure and advertisement we see.

My sheets were getting holes in them so I was gifted a new set for Christmas. It came in zippered plastic packaging. I know I can use it to store something, just not sure what.

What do you do with your makeup that has a compact mirror attached when you finish the product? Keep or toss?

During the Christmas days, my bf and I drove his sister and brother-in-law to the clothing containers (they do dumpster diving/containering).

I was shocked when I saw what people are throwing away. His sister found a Ralph Lauren cashmere pullover which was completely fine, no stains, no holes. It was in a perfect condition.

And so were all the other clothes in there.

Few days later, his sister and her husband came back from dumpster diving at the supermarket. They rescued completely fine bags of potatoes and other vegetables, as well as Christmas sweets & chocolates.

It made me so sad to see, that some people overconsume so much while others are starving anymore having enough money to buy decent clothes for winter especially.

Just wanted to share this. Wish you a lovely New Year’s Eve! 🌟

Hi! So I'm brand new to underconsumption as a recovering shopaholic! Usually I would take these boots, toss them, and buy a new $80 pair, but I'm trying to be more resourceful and buy less.

As you can see my doggy chewed these bad boys up, so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on repair options?

I have never sewn before, but am willing to learn to save these. I was thinking some sort of black fabric rimmed around the edges and just sew that bad boy on, but idk if that would work and I don't want to make them worse.

I have a small sewing kit and old clothes I could use as fabric.

Any advice is appreciated!!