Underconsumption Core: Anti Overconsumption, Cosplaying Poverty, or Just… Normal?? | Explained

Underconsumption core has been dominating TikTok feeds and wider conversations. But is it really a useful trend that signifies that we’re (finally) shifting away from hyper-consumerism as a society, or just another attempt by the well off to aestheticize poverty and avoid dealing with real issues? Let’s take a deeper look at this trend to unpack what’s really going on, and analyze whether it’s a solution or just creating another problem…

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:32 Overconsumption backlash
02:17 Some smaller problems within the trend
02:58 Is it actually new? (Nope)
04:14 Thanks to ZocDoc!
05:32 The problem with rich people cosplaying as broke
08:22 Building a more sustainable (& fun!) future together

The Take was created by Debra Minoff & Susannah McCullough

[maxnochill]

Seemed like everyone was ignoring reduce and reuse, favoring recycle for a long time. Perhaps some of the under consumption trend is due to the growing realization of how much" recycling" just becomes trash.

[tygressblade]

So not buying stuff for the retail therapy thrill is now a trend? I have been trendy forever.

[livsterk]

Can we please not criticize this trend. Of all the the obnoxious trends, underconsumption core is actually a healthy self aware tongue in cheek ‘core’ I appreciate and want to encourage more of.

[rtothec]

It is not bad to rein in your consumption whether it is cool or not. Whether it is a ruse from the rich to make you forget how much richer they are than you or not.

The fact of the matter is that you will never increase your own wealth by overspending on crap you don’t need.

In fact, most people I know who live at or below their means usually make purposeful purchases. It’s not that they are minimalists, they simply only buy stuff when it makes sense and are not afraid to spend lots of money if necessary.

[inspiredby]

So happy you included Leena Norms as a positive example!

[Ragachagel]

I grew up in the UK in the 1980s (I just sneak in as Gen X), and I was part of a large family with not a lot of spare cash going, so we went to charity shops for clothes or bought new things from magazines that had offers like 2 for 1, my mum knew all the activities that she could take 6 children on for free, and we saved special food treats for high days and holidays. I had one new thing for a toy at Christmas and it had a price limit (£10) with everything else being bought second hand. This was completely normal for us, and my parents were still incredibly generous with what little we had. They didn't withhold things, such as school trips or if we needed something like new shoes, but they were choosy and they weighed everything up. they put more value in how we spent our time and energy, rather than monetary stuff. I only realised that other kids in my class had more money than we did when we did a lesson on pocket money and some people go £5 per week (and with no expectation that they had to do chores to get it) whereas I go about 50p and I would be expected to help around the house, which I did because, well, it would be rude not to.
When I was 12, my dad got a new job, my oldest two siblings were living independently and my parents found that they had more income coming in and less dependants to be using it on, so we were better off financially. They had also paid their mortgage (which they started in the 1970s). However, because we had gone through a time when money was tight, we had all managed to maintain an understanding that £10 was a lot of money (by that time I was getting £2 pocket money, so it was 5 weeks of saving) and that it was still alright to be sensible with money.
Now, I'm in my 40s. Two weeks ago, I bought myself a new bedding set, as my last set was looking slightly worn (but still usable) and I reminded myself that I had used it everyday for 8 years, so it was probably alright to get myself something new. The old set has gone to a charity shop as it's still got lots of life in it. I bought something decent and it'll still be decent a long time from now.
I have a pair of suede boots that had seen better days but are still wearable. I fell down 8 concrete steps in them when I was 27, so I've had them for over 16 years. I won't replace them until I find something that I love that fits the bill.

Anyway, the things I take from my life experience are: a) however much money you have, whatever your life setting is, if you can spend well and get quality use out of the things you purchase, well done. B) If you can buy something and it doesn't have a purpose, maybe don't. C) If you are parting ways with something that still has a lot of life in it, then see if you can sell it, give it to charity or swap it with a friend. D) If you can do something kind with your money or your time or your energy, then do, and E) If you do something that costs you absolutely no money and you can make great memories, e.g. splashing in muddy puddles, then do it, especially if it's with kids. Trust me, they won't care about whether or not they don't have the latest game if they are having too much fun for it to be on their radar, and they won't feel like they missed out when they are older either, because they'll know that their childhood experience was just as valid as anyone else's.

Oh, and regardless of how much money you have, never forget the value of even a small amount of money. That will keep you grounded in a way that you never expected.

[bestcharacter-gifw]

To sumarize the video, underconsumption is cool and can help the planet but obnoxious people are making it annoying

[puneets]

I personally think the "Western" countries (excluding European countries to some degree) will constantly go through these trend cycles - overcosumption to underconsumption. Underconsuming means that the ecomony will get weaker as people aren't consuming.This will allow the uber rich to put their money into plummeting stocks and housing which will one day go back up again. But overconsuming means that we're hurting the planet and having unethical labour practices.

As the middle class we really need to look at our job markets and prioritizing what is important. If we put our money towards well made things, such as smaller brands that make ethical clothing, or towards local artists and furniture, the average person would have less but better working rights and work towards their passions, as more people would own small businesses.

This also links to issues such as transportaion, third spaces, local laws and personal wants. But I really think the only way to actually tackle this is by creating boundries with big brands (blocking ads, spending with priority, having community groups), but there's no simple solution.

[akirebara]

Millennials who came of age during the recession learned about mindfulness & minimalism. Gen Z made some jokes about our bland, boring apartments with beige, greys and whites. Honestly I’m happy that the mindfulness stuck with me all these years because every time I see something I like, I still wait one or two weeks to see if I really want it or if I have an actual place for it in my house. My microwave is literally 20 yrs old and still works. My TV is 10 yrs old & still works. My clothes are classic cuts that never go out of style. Why would I buy new ones?

[GraphiteHeart]

I became happier when i decided to appreciate what i have and just use the things i horded after way too long instead of waiting for the "perfect moment "

[moonlilly]

Good to see minimalism is embracing a new generation

[fortune_roses]

Yup. Luxury bag companies now sell *"gently used"* bags directly on their website. You're welcome

[Nessainthebuilding]

I’m poor so I hate shopping because I’m very picky. I need to be able to buy something that will last me a LONG time. If I buy something that doesn’t work out I get HUGE buyer’s remorse. Because everything is made to not last any longer my buyer’s remorse is through the roof and I just absolutely HATE shopping. I hate it with a passion. I can’t buy the ten versions. I can only buy one version and hope it works out.

[SpectrumPOV]

My whole life has been about underconsumption.

[residentevillife]

i tend to go through phases. Some months I won't spend a dime on any splurges while the next month i will randomly spend around $200 on crap I don't need.

[ScarletSage]

“Rich people cosplaying as poor”…everyone, please look up hobo culture for further reading

[MysteryFanGirl]

If you want to see Rich people aka: Trust fund babies, cosplaying as poor people just come to New York City.

[karatn]

I really don't think the rest of the world consumes as much as Americans do (at least, the ones who show off their hauls on social media). And the ones who preach underconsumption just sound sanctimonious. Both overconsumptioncore and underconsumptioncore are jarring to me when we normal people just buy what we need and repair them when broken if possible. This doesn't need to be rebranded as "underconsumption".

Having said that, I also have a soft spot for nice things and am measured enough to understand that wants are different than needs. I'm tired of underconsumptioncore influencers comparing the price of a luxury item to food. Yeah you can get eight years' worth of cheesecake for the price of a Rolex, but you can't wear a cheesecake on your wrist or leave it behind as an heirloom to your loved one. Also, eating cheesecake for eight years sounds good on paper until you actually try to do it for real.

[thetake]

Thanks so much for watching! Are you hopping on the 'underconsumption' trend (or having you just been living that life forever already)?

[BKME]

I love underconsumption core. The uptick of videos about underconsumption I feel like is the only way for people to finally understand how overconsumption is detrimental to their finances, but more importantly to the planet.

Also, we can’t complain about the wealthy corporations when we in fact are the ones making them rich by over-consuming nonsense.