Tips to Being a Happy Non Consumer

It’s hard being frugal in a world where you are constantly bombarded by ads and commercials. Everywhere you turn there is something new and improved that will make your life oh so much better.

So what’s a person, who is trying to live within their budget, to do. How do you avoid the pull of the social pressure to have the newest, biggest thing? Here’s a few tips to help you become a happy non consumer in an all consuming world.

Happy Non Consumer Tips

Put Value on People rather than Things

Seeking after the next new thing will only keep you broke and working more hours to stay out of debt or get out of debt. Keeping you a slave to the credit card companies.

When you value the time you spend with family and friends, more than the things you can buy, the pull of the next new thing fades away.

It’s easy to say, you spend quality time with family and friends. When you look at the hours in your day, the time spent with them is usually a very small amount.

Instead of browsing Amazon or Pinterest for the next best thing. Try making a connections with a friend or having a conversation with family.

When you make a small but conscious shift in thinking, the pull of all the things will lose its value.

Then only the things that will truly make your life better will seem appealing.

Don’t Play the Comparison Game

Your neighbor or friend might have a new car or a new gadget that is, oh so great.

You may have envy and want those same things. But what you might not be seeing is all the hours that person has to work, to pay for that new shiny item.

Or the stress they have from the increasing debt load they are carrying.

I heard recently on the radio these interesting survey results.

When teenagers were asked, who do you think has more money? Those who have fancy cars and nice things? Or those who have just the average things?

The teens almost always answered the person with the new or latest things.

But the truth is most of those people, with the newer items or fancier items, had more debt and were less financially secure.

Don’t compare what you have to others.

You might have less or no debt, while someone else has more stuff, but none of it is paid for.

Keeping up with the Jones will keep you broke just like them.

Be Content

Be content with what you have.

When you are content, the new things have less of a hold on you.

There will always be something new, something better. I know people say modern flat screen television only last 7-8 years. So most people will get a new one because it’s old.

Instead of waiting until they actually need a new one because the old one is broken. Our television is 12+ years old and works great. We are content with it and when it finally gives up the ghost, we will get a new one.

Being content is all about making do with what you have until you truly need something different or one. Running the wheels off your current car because it’s paid for. Keeping a 30 year old oven because it still works.

When you are content with what you have, it gives you time to save towards the next car or the next stove or the next television. So when it does come time to purchase a new one, you have the money.

When you are truly happy with what you have, you will be content to be a happy non consumer. You won’t feel like you are missing anything.

Mindset Makes the Difference

It takes being truthful with yourself about what you really need and not just want to be a happy non-consumer.

But once you get your mindset right, you can resist so much temptation that is out in the world to make you spend your hard earned money.

Instead become a happy non consumer and your overall happiness can soar.

What are some things that keep you a happy non consumer?

I’m sure there are lots of other things to add. I would love to have to you share your thoughts in the comments below. It’s a hard world out there constantly trying to get you to be dissatisfied with what you have.

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