A few years ago, I got my mom a Samsung S21 Android phone, and I’m still grateful I did. The phone has helped her stay connected with her friends, which is important as people tend to have fewer friends as they get older. One of the main reasons I bought the phone was to help her avoid loneliness. However, since she got the phone, I've noticed a problem. She spends way too much time online and purchases almost everything she sees. While this tendency isn't unusual for someone her age, it has become a financial concern for me, as I know it can be a trap. I visited her a few days ago and realized that she now has a lot of things she doesn’t need, which is a significant change from how she used to be. I believe this change is largely due to her excessive online presence.
I have discussed this issue before because we spend so much time online, and social media can influence our minds into believing we need many things we want to buy. I've often found myself in situations where I sell my belongings to acquire new items. At times, I even sell some of my assets for things I don’t need. It was only when I broke free from this mindset that I realized how it affected my finances. This effect makes it difficult to track your spending. The small purchases may seem insignificant individually, but they can have a significant impact on your overall finances. When you add up the little things you buy here and there, it quickly accumulates.
Big company effect
Big companies are aware of this, which is why they invest heavily in advertising, logos, and designs. They hire professionals to market their products and give audiences what they want, leading many people to purchase items they don’t need. Consider how often you’ve bought a product because you genuinely needed it, versus being swayed by a new feature that doesn’t change much. For instance, many people buy a new iPhone every year simply for a minor update that doesn’t significantly differ from the previous model. This trend isn’t limited to iPhones; it occurs with countless brands, including clothing.
All of these brands know that their advertising is a trap. That's why they market to you through TV commercials and billboards, ensuring you see their products everywhere you go. Before you know it, you might find yourself wanting to buy something you didn't even need. The funniest part is that you may already own the product but will buy it again because of an insignificant improvement. This often leads to unnecessary spending. It's a trap that you can fall into for years, and by the time you realize it, it might be too late you'll have wasted a lot of money. The easiest way to break out of this trap is to give yourself time to think about your purchases.
Give it time
Sometimes, people don’t understand the importance of time when it comes to making purchases. No matter how desperate you feel to buy something, it's essential to give it time. Doing so will reveal two things: whether it is a genuine need or just a want. If you wait a month or two, you'll realize whether you truly need the product. Rushing into purchases often leads to buying things you don’t actually need. Taking your time can save you a lot of money. Whenever you want to buy something, slow down and hold off for a month or two. The urge will fade, and you may discover that you don’t need that new product or shiny object. Often, it’s just the manufacturer trying to manipulate you into making a purchase.
The easiest way to recognize this trap is when a large company releases a new product. It becomes omnipresent online and appears in countless advertisements. You will notice many big influencers discussing it, and before long, you might feel that you need such a product. However, this feeling is misleading, it’s simply a result of the marketing pressure being exerted on you. If you give it some time, you'll come to realize that you don’t need the product. This pattern occurs with numerous products, but patience can help you see through the hype.
Thanks for your time.