"Young people flaunt their used stuff as 'underconsumption' goes viral"

Yeah, this is sweet. Maybe the stuff I do is almost sorta cool now? I tip my hat to these young folks who have cracked the code.

Headline: "Young people flaunt their used stuff as 'underconsumption' goes viral"
Source: CTV News / The Canadian Press

Young people on social media are showing off their 12-year-old water bottles, sweaters from high school with patched holes and dish rags made from cut up old T-shirts.

It's all part of a trend that has taken social media by storm in recent months called "underconsumption core," where users boast about how they're continuing to make use of the things they already own and repurpose household items instead of buying new ones, all while saving money along the way.

...  Emily Gardner, vice-president of consumer products at Spring Financial, said more young adults are focusing on what's important to them and spending money more mindfully.

"Underconsumption core, that exact hashtag may pass," Gardner said.

"But I do believe the underlying idea of conscious spending and consumption is likely to continue to grow rather than just being a passing fad."

She added: "As economic challenges persist, people are more likely to adopt underconsumption practices — ways to live more sustainably and financially long-term as opposed to just a short tip-top trend."

https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/young-people-flaunt-their-used-stuff-as-underconsumption-goes-viral-1.7005629

I think younger generations have been doing this for a while already. It's nice to know they're actually flaunting it now.

"Underconsumption" may be a new term, but for at least a decade there's been more press about people simplifying what they own and reducing what they have to store at least in some places, if not all.

I find with having a homestead, the "reduce what I have" part is hard because I consider a lot of it my "spare parts" collection.

In addition to flaunting their used stuff, I've know a few who have bought used furniture, fixed it up, and resold it to give it new life while making a little money.

Jay Angler wrote:I think younger generations have been doing this for a while already. It's nice to know they're actually flaunting it now.

"Underconsumption" may be a new term, but for at least a decade there's been more press about people simplifying what they own and reducing what they have to store at least in some places, if not all.

I find with having a homestead, the "reduce what I have" part is hard because I consider a lot of it my "spare parts" collection.

I'm very much the same when it comes to the "spare parts" collection.

I think this is quite different from the "minimalism" thing, which is about reducing stuff. The focus seems to be "use the stuff you have and repurpose it instead of buying." It's a healthy and sensible approach IMO. They're thumbing their noses at the consumption lifestyle, pushing back against online influencers hawking this week's must-have piece of junk.

My husband and I spent our anniversary this year wandering around antique stores. We've always loved thrift stores and antique stores, and a lot of our "date nights" over the years have been looking for treasures and laughing at curiosities in these stores.

This year, I noticed that at least 50% (if not 70%) of the people I saw also in the stores, were under the age of 30. It used to be, most people in those stores would be over the age of 40, with a lot in their 60s. I love seeing younger people finding the value in old, quality stuff. I like to think I fit in with them, but I'm somehow almost 40, so I'm not a youngin' anymore!

That sounds a lot like what I did when I sold on eBay many years ago.

In fact I have been told that is how eBay got started ....

Anne Miller wrote:That sounds a lot like what I did when I sold on eBay many years ago.

And it's very true today! When I see someone going through the vinyl record collection at the Sally Ann, it's pretty clear if they're browsing or if they're mission-focused to find items for resale. The body language is unmistakable. Maybe that's why I don't find as much sweet stuff as I used to in thrift stores. But I don't object to their side hustle -- I have even better sources now.

EBay sellers are known to browse thrift store and garage sale for stuff to resale.

I have bought so much junk from them ... a pet peeve is the ones that sell women's shoe as mens shoes.

There is no way a man who wears a size 9 can wear a ladies size 9.

Always glad to see social media being used for good.

I’m currently purging the “that might be useful someday” pile so I can access the basement walls and add more insulation.

Wife wanted me to build a new shed for my “spares”, but it made no sense to consume a pile of building materials to house what amounts to a pile of marginally useful items.

I really like the idea of the “Craigslist (or thrift, marketplace, etc) Closet”.  Many household items, recreational equipment, tools, building materials, etc are so plentiful, that you can sell your unused items to the “closet” and then buy them back if you ever need them again.  Guess what, many of them you never miss.