1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: Welcome to How to Money. I'm Joel and I'm Matt, 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:05,920 Speaker 1: and today we're discussing why you should stop buying new 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:28,080 Speaker 1: stuff with money pro Katie Wolke Stanley Ye. Last episode, 4 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:31,040 Speaker 1: we talked about some ways to get great customer service 5 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: and how one of the ways is to make sure 6 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 1: you research a company or a retailer ahead of time, 7 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 1: and a lot of times we do that with reviews. Well, 8 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:41,920 Speaker 1: it turns out that these reviews aren't all legit. Yeah, 9 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:43,640 Speaker 1: that's so true, Matt. I think we're living in a 10 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 1: time where reviews it's harder to tell the legitimacy of 11 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:50,400 Speaker 1: those reviews online. Right, So it's not that all online 12 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 1: reviews can't be trusted, but we do have to be 13 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:56,280 Speaker 1: careful when we're especially on particular items, Right, that's the 14 00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 1: place where fake reviews are most frequently found. Yeah, certain 15 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 1: items at there to highlight or boost sales for. But yeah, 16 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:04,600 Speaker 1: we came across an article recently where the FTC announced 17 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:08,479 Speaker 1: a lawsuit against an online retailer on Amazon for paying 18 00:01:08,600 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 1: for fake reviews, and as they looked into it, it it 19 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 1: seemed like there's a lot of this going on. There's 20 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:15,560 Speaker 1: at least a lot of suspect reviews going on, and 21 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 1: so some of the telltale signs they said to look 22 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:20,280 Speaker 1: out for when you're looking at these reviews is to 23 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:23,760 Speaker 1: look out for reviews that have broken English, because a 24 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 1: lot of these different companies are kind of farmed overseas 25 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 1: and the reviews are kind of half baked. Another sign 26 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 1: is that if there is a singular reviewer, So if 27 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 1: you see a great review and then you click on 28 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 1: it and it turns out they've got thousands of reviews 29 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 1: that they've left recently for different companies or maybe they're 30 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 1: all reviews in the same industry, that's also a red flag. 31 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 1: And then lastly, look for retailers that have a surge 32 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 1: of positive reviews, all within a very short period of time. So, yeah, 33 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:50,280 Speaker 1: keep a lookout for all of those things to avoid 34 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 1: some of those those fake bogus reviews. Yeah, I think 35 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 1: sometimes Matt, people rely on just that kind of that 36 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 1: quick look to see what the star rating is for 37 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 1: a product on Amazon or whatever they're shopping on, and 38 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 1: it helps actually to dig in just a little bit, 39 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 1: and you can tell by reading a few reviews kind 40 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 1: of the people that have actually used the product, that 41 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 1: are familiar with it. That seem to have a working 42 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 1: knowledge of what they're actually reviewing. And I think if 43 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:15,359 Speaker 1: you just go by that star level, you might get 44 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 1: letters straight because there could be a lot of fake 45 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 1: reviews buried in there. So yeah, go down and actually 46 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:21,360 Speaker 1: read some of the reviews, especially if it's a bigger purchase. 47 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:24,000 Speaker 1: And one other way you can avoid kind of getting 48 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,400 Speaker 1: taken by a bunch of fake reviews on a product 49 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:28,920 Speaker 1: and thinking it's excellent and making the purchase. There's a 50 00:02:28,919 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 1: website called fake spot dot com, so check that out. 51 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,960 Speaker 1: We'll we'll post that in the show notes. But yes, 52 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: so when you cut and paste that link from Amazon, Walmart, 53 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 1: wherever you're shopping into fake spot, it gives you kind 54 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 1: of a grade. And for instance, on an item I 55 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:44,359 Speaker 1: just put in here, Matt, it says Ora Engine detected. 56 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: In general, the reviewers have a suspiciously positive sentiment. So 57 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:52,079 Speaker 1: I guess this, uh, this AI is just intuitive enough 58 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 1: to know too too happy exactly exactly. So apparently of 59 00:02:57,680 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 1: the reviews are reliable on this one. So that's why 60 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 1: it's a great of f and uh so, yeah, it's 61 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 1: just kind of helpful, a little bit of AI in 62 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:07,639 Speaker 1: your life, right to help you outspot those fake reviews. Yeah, Joel, 63 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 1: that AI or there's different algorithms. They're they're helpful, right, 64 00:03:10,639 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 1: they're different tools that you can use when you're looking 65 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: at purchases. I know on Yelp specifically, they have different 66 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:18,119 Speaker 1: reviews that are hidden because they think, oh, this person 67 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 1: doesn't have enough reviews. Like they've taken steps in order 68 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 1: to try to keep some of those bogus reviews from 69 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 1: having too large of an effects on a business. But 70 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:27,639 Speaker 1: but yeah, you know, it comes down to an individual, 71 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:30,800 Speaker 1: because us as consumers are much smarter than any algorithm 72 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: that's out there, at least currently, and so yeah, it's 73 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: up to you as a consumer. I don't know, Mat, 74 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:37,200 Speaker 1: I've met some robots that are smarter than me already, 75 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:39,680 Speaker 1: so I am a little worried. So you know what 76 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 1: we need to do. While we're thinking about AI taking 77 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 1: over jobs, let's step back and let's enjoy one of 78 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 1: the finer things in life, a nice craft beer. Okay, 79 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 1: and listener Brandon sent a beer called a Zy Dreamsicle 80 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 1: Double I p A by a brewery called Arizona Wilderness, 81 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 1: and Matt, I've heard fantastic things about this brewery. Never 82 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:58,600 Speaker 1: had any of their beers until I literally just sipped 83 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 1: this a second ago. Sorry, Yeah, you all cheat and 84 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 1: have like a tiny sip of the beer before we 85 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:04,960 Speaker 1: actually announce it. And I'm the purest and I like 86 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 1: to sit by and patiently wait so you can just 87 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:10,080 Speaker 1: look at the can art or something like that. Well, 88 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 1: well I have a sip. Well you enjoy your rule following, 89 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 1: and I'll enjoy my beer. Smells delicious, I know that, 90 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 1: but this is uh double I p a with Arizona oranges, 91 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 1: vanilla lactose and sit her hops. So this beer is 92 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 1: supposed to taste like an orange dream sickle. And you 93 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:26,280 Speaker 1: know what, I'm not gonna spoil it yet. We'll tell 94 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:27,919 Speaker 1: you what we think of this beer at the end 95 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: of the show. We're not gonna spoil it, but you 96 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 1: can put your money on it. Sure does. Dang it. 97 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:35,240 Speaker 1: You spoiled it all right, Matt, onto the topic at hand. 98 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 1: We're talking about not buying new stuff in money pro 99 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:40,720 Speaker 1: Katie walk Stanley turned in her five minutes of wisdom 100 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:43,360 Speaker 1: that I'm super excited to share with everyone. She is 101 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:46,480 Speaker 1: the founder of the site non Consumer Advocate dot com. 102 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 1: Katie is super cool. She writes about ways to avoid 103 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,560 Speaker 1: buying new stuff, making do with what you've got, and 104 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 1: in particular often her affinity for good will. She's a 105 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:56,440 Speaker 1: complete nerd for good Will. I feel like if you 106 00:04:56,480 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 1: follow her her on Instagram, you're seeing a lot of 107 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:02,080 Speaker 1: good will shots much all the time, like her holding 108 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 1: something smiling. She sells a lot of it too. She's 109 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 1: got the side hustle going on right, and she sells 110 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: a lot of the nicer items that she knows that 111 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 1: she can find in a good will. She knows she 112 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:13,039 Speaker 1: can sell those online. That's kind of like her side hustle. Yeah, 113 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:15,839 Speaker 1: make an extra buck. So she's a nurse that likes 114 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: to shop at Goodwill and make a buck on the side. 115 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 1: I like that. Yeah. Something else I like about her 116 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 1: is she is not afraid of picking stuff up off 117 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 1: of the sidewalk. So I am all about the what 118 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:28,160 Speaker 1: I call the curb alert. So just free stuff. I've 119 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 1: picked up microwave before, like it was pretty new. It 120 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:34,920 Speaker 1: wasn't like nasty grain, boots, building supplies. You know. I've 121 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 1: scored all sorts of stuff on the side of the children. Yeah, 122 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: if they're just sitting there. However, she takes it to 123 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 1: like a whole another level. Recently, she posted a picture 124 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:46,760 Speaker 1: of a soggy towel on the sidewalk like it was wet, 125 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:49,640 Speaker 1: like a wet towel. And we live in Atlanta and 126 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:51,680 Speaker 1: we see these things and those are things you just 127 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:54,479 Speaker 1: do not pick up. No, no, I don't. But she 128 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: has no fear. And I think part of it is 129 00:05:56,279 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 1: because she's a nurse. She's like, whatever, I've seen it all, 130 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:01,240 Speaker 1: I've touched it all. And yeah, man, she'll pick up 131 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:03,360 Speaker 1: like a wet, saggy towel off the side of the road, 132 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 1: like in the gutter. It's like that thing home and 133 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:07,279 Speaker 1: clean it and throwing the dryer and it's like nice 134 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 1: and warm and fluffy looking. Just by looking at it, 135 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:13,160 Speaker 1: I can tell it smells good. Yeah, her commitment is enviable. 136 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,840 Speaker 1: It's really impressive. The reason, Matt, we wanted to cover 137 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:18,919 Speaker 1: this subject today is because there is a massive problem 138 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,679 Speaker 1: in our country. And the problem is that the friction 139 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:24,839 Speaker 1: of buying new stuff has become almost non existent. It's 140 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:27,680 Speaker 1: so easy, there's one click to purchase on Amazon. We 141 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 1: just buy something new when we think about it, or 142 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:32,960 Speaker 1: when older thing wears out or breaks. We are a 143 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,240 Speaker 1: society that loves to see new things show up on 144 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:38,480 Speaker 1: our doorstep. In Chinese packaging and Matt there's this phenomenon 145 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 1: even where somebody orders something on Amazon, they forget what 146 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:43,599 Speaker 1: they've ordered. It feels like almost like an unboxing video 147 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:45,720 Speaker 1: for them because they don't even remember what they purchased 148 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 1: two days ago when it shows up on Prime. I 149 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:50,479 Speaker 1: think that's just indicative of the fact that we buy 150 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:53,599 Speaker 1: too much new stuff. Not only is that a budget killer, 151 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 1: but it has ramifications to go even beyond that. Chedel 152 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 1: I mean, over consumption has always been an issue when 153 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,520 Speaker 1: it comes to the environ because of the production of 154 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 1: new goods that has to happen because all that old 155 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 1: stuff has to go somewhere, right, And recently it's not 156 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 1: only affecting the environment, but again it's kind of going 157 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:11,280 Speaker 1: back to to the dollar, but it's swinging back again 158 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 1: and hurting US as a country financially, and not just 159 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: the US but just other countries in Europe as well. 160 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 1: But that's the fact that recycling is becoming too expensive. 161 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 1: Fairly recently, China is just is not accepting recyclables anymore. 162 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:26,280 Speaker 1: They used to be the number one buyer of recyclables, 163 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 1: and that's just no longer the case invisible. Actually, do 164 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 1: you listen to them? I don't. Yeah, that's they're one 165 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 1: of my favorites. I've heard they're awesome. I really need 166 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 1: to Roman Mars. He's got that deep, soothing voice, super dramatic. 167 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:41,559 Speaker 1: Kate King standum, but but I like him a lot. 168 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:43,480 Speaker 1: But they did a really good story. And what China 169 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 1: rolled out they called it Operation National Sword, and essentially 170 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: it was them saying no, we're not going to take 171 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 1: your recyclables anymore because of just how they want to 172 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: portray themselves as a country, not just as this country 173 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:57,120 Speaker 1: that accepts everyone's garbage, basically where they melt down all 174 00:07:57,120 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 1: the plastic and turn it into plastic pellets that get 175 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 1: to be made into new toys, things like that. From 176 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 1: a financial standpoint, it's becoming a problem again where for years, 177 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 1: for decades, it was affordable to consider recycling as just 178 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:11,560 Speaker 1: the easy solution, but unfortunately that's just not the case anymore. Yes, so, 179 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 1: so many local municipalities and governments are having trouble knowing 180 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 1: what to do with everything that you put in your 181 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:20,160 Speaker 1: blue recycling bin or whatever color you're recycling bin is 182 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 1: because there's no money to be made. On that recycling anymore. 183 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:25,480 Speaker 1: And so we as humans have to be thoughtful about 184 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:27,640 Speaker 1: the stuff we're buying, not only for the environment, but 185 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: for how it impacts our personal finances. And so let's 186 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,200 Speaker 1: hear from Katie Woke Stanley. She's got some really good 187 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 1: thoughts for us on how to stop buying new stuff. 188 00:08:35,920 --> 00:08:38,559 Speaker 1: Just to reminder, every Money Pro episode we bring our 189 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:41,440 Speaker 1: Money Pro on for five minutes of distilled wisdom. Let's 190 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:45,079 Speaker 1: hear Katie's Now, Hey, Matt, hey, Joel, thank you so 191 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:49,319 Speaker 1: much for having me on your terrific podcast. Now, before 192 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:52,720 Speaker 1: I get started, I figured I should be enjoying a 193 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 1: nice craft beer, especially since I'm from Portland, Oregon, which 194 00:08:56,679 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 1: is just home to a million craft breweries. But instead 195 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 1: mm hmm, I will be enjoying a fine tableaud because 196 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 1: that's how I roll. Now. I made a decision in 197 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 1: two thousand seven to stop buying new stuff. This has 198 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:21,040 Speaker 1: evolved into what I call non consumerism, and it encompasses frugality, minimalism, 199 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:25,440 Speaker 1: zero waste, and big picture financial goal sittings. A good 200 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 1: example of this is my TV is about four ft thick, 201 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:33,319 Speaker 1: and yet my daughter just graduated from college without any 202 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 1: student loan debt. The tagline of my blog is use 203 00:09:37,080 --> 00:09:39,760 Speaker 1: it up, wear it out, make it do or do without, 204 00:09:39,920 --> 00:09:42,840 Speaker 1: And that's just kind of how I think about my 205 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: purchases that my family makes. So not only does buying 206 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 1: use keep my family on budget, but it also benefits 207 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 1: the environment as our purchases usually come without any packaging, 208 00:09:55,760 --> 00:10:00,120 Speaker 1: and most importantly, our purchases don't trigger the manufacture are 209 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:03,160 Speaker 1: a brand new items. And this is really important to 210 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: me as I feel that over manufacture of consumer items 211 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 1: is a global environmental crisis and that if we all 212 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: really thought a little more critically about our own purchases, 213 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:20,480 Speaker 1: that we could start making a dent in this. By 214 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 1: examining our own roles as consumers, we can take control 215 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:26,480 Speaker 1: of how our purchases do affect the world we live in. 216 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 1: For example, many of my household belongings and my house 217 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 1: is fine, it's lovely, are things that I've dragged home 218 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:37,320 Speaker 1: from free paths in my neighborhood or I got through 219 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:40,559 Speaker 1: my local buy nothing group. Something you should check to 220 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 1: see if you have in your area things I got 221 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:47,640 Speaker 1: for free, hand me downs, thrift store stuff. People often 222 00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:52,760 Speaker 1: misunderstand being environmentally responsible as something that you can buy 223 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:57,320 Speaker 1: your way into the idea that you can just get 224 00:10:57,400 --> 00:10:59,839 Speaker 1: rid of the things that you have because oh the 225 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 1: these aren't organic bamboo, when in fact, the most environmentally 226 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:07,959 Speaker 1: responsible choice you can make is to just kind of 227 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: make do with what you already own. It's maybe not 228 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 1: as pretty on Pinterest or Instagram, but it should be considered. 229 00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:21,959 Speaker 1: When you buy used, you give a second life to 230 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 1: discarded and unwanted items, and since you're choosing secondhand, you 231 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 1: can afford to buy higher quality things that last longer, 232 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 1: are less trendy, which means that they're not going to 233 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:35,520 Speaker 1: appear outdated so quickly, and they can be repaired. A 234 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:38,800 Speaker 1: solid wood item can be glued, can be sanded, can 235 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 1: be refinished. That particle board thing that you got not 236 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:45,839 Speaker 1: so much. Once it's broken, it's kind of broken. Then 237 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,959 Speaker 1: that's it, and then it's off to the landfill. Now, 238 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 1: you did an episode on How to Money about cheap 239 00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:57,080 Speaker 1: versus frugal, and it was a great episode and it 240 00:11:57,200 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 1: really gave me a lot to food for thought, and 241 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:01,360 Speaker 1: I want to just respond to it, but I feel 242 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 1: that there's a third choice in there. There's a little 243 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:06,400 Speaker 1: bit of a false dichotomy, and that is where non 244 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:10,080 Speaker 1: consumerism comes to play, and that is that third choice. 245 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: And because when you are by used, you are getting 246 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:19,440 Speaker 1: things really cheap, but you have things that are better quality. 247 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:21,560 Speaker 1: And the reason I want to talk about this is 248 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 1: I feel that a lot of people dig themselves into 249 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 1: financial holes, living beyond their means, get themselves into debt 250 00:12:29,240 --> 00:12:31,719 Speaker 1: that's very hard to get out of once you're in it. 251 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:36,360 Speaker 1: Because people don't want the stigma of appearing cheap. They 252 00:12:36,400 --> 00:12:39,920 Speaker 1: don't want to drive the car that's kind of scrappy 253 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 1: looking and maybe has some dance, although it may still 254 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 1: be completely functional. So I am here to stand up 255 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: for the cheap people. Non consumerism allows you to step 256 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:56,080 Speaker 1: back from those societal expectations, to not keep up with 257 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 1: those dreaded jones is. Take care of what you own 258 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: or pay, are things when they break, Steer clear of 259 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 1: those trends, and except that your stuff might not be 260 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 1: a perfect is great is fine too. In other words, 261 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 1: use it up, wear it out, make it do or 262 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:18,440 Speaker 1: do without. Thank you Joel and Matt for having me 263 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 1: on your podcasts. I've loved every episode. Keep it coming 264 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:25,320 Speaker 1: all right, Joel, Katie, she's dropping that poor Landian knowledge 265 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:27,320 Speaker 1: on us. I love it, and I love her motto 266 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: to write, use it up, wear it out, make it 267 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:31,760 Speaker 1: do or do without. And after the break, that's one 268 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:42,199 Speaker 1: of the things that we're gonna unpack. Matt. We're back. 269 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:44,600 Speaker 1: As we wait into this topic of not buying new stuff, 270 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 1: there was this awesome quote I had recently read from 271 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:49,960 Speaker 1: Maya Angelou and she said, we need much less than 272 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:51,839 Speaker 1: we think we need. And I feel like Katie just 273 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 1: kind of set us up to think through this idea 274 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:57,320 Speaker 1: of not buying new stuff just a little bit better. 275 00:13:57,480 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 1: I think that title probably of this episode, even just 276 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,040 Speaker 1: people seeing that before they click to play, was kind 277 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:04,680 Speaker 1: of like, whatter Matt and Joel going to get into 278 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:06,880 Speaker 1: here today? Are they actually going to advocate not buying 279 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 1: new stuff? And I feel like as we get through 280 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 1: this episode, you and I will talk about our own 281 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 1: personal take on how we view buying new stuff. But 282 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:16,680 Speaker 1: more than anything, I feel like Katie's influence in how 283 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 1: she thinks about buying new stuff is just really helpful. 284 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,640 Speaker 1: We don't all necessarily have to put a ban on 285 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 1: buying new stuff completely, and I know that that's not 286 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:27,880 Speaker 1: the direction I'm headed in, but I'm really excited to 287 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 1: unpack what she had to say, because it is changing 288 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 1: the way I think about buying new stuff, and that 289 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 1: is helpful, all right, So let's start at the top. 290 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:37,400 Speaker 1: She mentioned how in two thousand and seven she stopped 291 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 1: buying new stuff, and she calls it non consumerism, which 292 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 1: is a little tongue in cheek, right, like you hear 293 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 1: of a consumer advocate. It's like, oh, this is something 294 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 1: that's that's for me, that's they're on my side. But 295 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 1: she's kind of turning it on its head a little 296 00:14:48,960 --> 00:14:52,040 Speaker 1: bit calling it non consumerism. I love that, just from 297 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:54,280 Speaker 1: the very start. I love that. An example she gave 298 00:14:54,360 --> 00:14:57,080 Speaker 1: was how she has like an old school four ft 299 00:14:57,080 --> 00:14:58,960 Speaker 1: thick TV is what she said, What are this called 300 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 1: like CRT monitors? Is that like with the tube? Maybe? Yeah, 301 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 1: the tube television, that's exact, and those things are incredibly heavy. 302 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:08,440 Speaker 1: I I actually literally on the way home from work 303 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:10,600 Speaker 1: today past one sitting on the side of the road, 304 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:12,160 Speaker 1: and I thought of Katie because I was like, I 305 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 1: know she would pick that up. I didn't, but I 306 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: know she would. She's like, that's an upgrade. So she 307 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 1: has like an old school TV, but her daughter doesn't 308 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:23,280 Speaker 1: have any student loans. That dichotomy was striking. Yeah, I 309 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:25,600 Speaker 1: love that because for her, it's a decision based on 310 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: her values. And Katie, she values there being one less 311 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:30,760 Speaker 1: TV in the lane fill and she also at the 312 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 1: same time values not being in student loan debt. And 313 00:15:34,280 --> 00:15:37,560 Speaker 1: obviously this is what a countercultural as many Americans have 314 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:40,880 Speaker 1: the exact opposite kind of going on in their life. Yes, 315 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:42,800 Speaker 1: so what she's doing is just kind of reframing it 316 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 1: for us and saying, like, I made a trade off here, 317 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:47,040 Speaker 1: and it's a trade off that most people aren't willing 318 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 1: to make. But when you think about it logically, that 319 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 1: idea of having a thicker TV in order to be 320 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 1: able to pay down your student loans more quickly, that's 321 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 1: really not that big of a sacrifice, right, Matt. I've 322 00:15:57,120 --> 00:15:58,720 Speaker 1: got a flat screen TV. I've had it for over 323 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 1: a decade, but I've only got one and I haven't 324 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 1: upgraded too four K, even though it's kind of been 325 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:05,960 Speaker 1: something that I've considered. We've only got one TV as well, 326 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 1: but it is a four K because when those TVs 327 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:10,560 Speaker 1: came out, I thought they were freaking awesome. And I 328 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 1: think that's part of why Katie's motto is so difficult 329 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:16,200 Speaker 1: because it challenges purchases that we make, maybe without even 330 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:18,240 Speaker 1: thinking about them, or even if we do think about it, 331 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:20,480 Speaker 1: we think, oh man, that's old. It's you know, time 332 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:23,760 Speaker 1: for an upgrade. There's just habits and like the message 333 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 1: of consumerism, they're fed to us almost daily, and whether 334 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 1: it be through advertising or whether it be through just 335 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 1: pressures of those around us. You see your friends, maybe 336 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,680 Speaker 1: make an upgrade, or there's just different pressures that we 337 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 1: have placed on us, and they're not intentional. We just 338 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 1: absorb what we see and what we're around. And I 339 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: think that rampant consumerism, that's one of the main things 340 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 1: that I feel that Katie is kind of focusing in on. Oh, 341 00:16:46,560 --> 00:16:48,440 Speaker 1: it completely is. And I think when you draw a 342 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 1: line in the sand, a firm line in the sand, 343 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 1: it can be so helpful in helping you actually total 344 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:57,760 Speaker 1: line properly. When you're walking that messy middle like you 345 00:16:57,800 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: and I do a lot of the time, Matt, it 346 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:02,400 Speaker 1: it can be hard. It's easier to rationalize a decision 347 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: based on what you want right now. And so later 348 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: on the show, we're gonna talk about kind of some 349 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,960 Speaker 1: tips of how you can actually still buy new things 350 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:12,119 Speaker 1: on occasion without sinking the whole ship. That's how we 351 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 1: view this. But I gotta say I have mad respect 352 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:16,639 Speaker 1: for how Katie does it. And and she insists that 353 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:19,719 Speaker 1: buying used helps keep her and her family on a budget, 354 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:21,520 Speaker 1: and I see that, Man, it's working out for her 355 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:24,960 Speaker 1: for sure. They value a degree of financial freedom that 356 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:27,760 Speaker 1: most people could only dream of. Katie worked part time 357 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:30,000 Speaker 1: as a nurse while her husband was in school. She's 358 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:33,359 Speaker 1: raised kids, her daughter has graduated college without any student 359 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 1: loan debt. I mean, those are amazing things that seem 360 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 1: out of reach for most people today. And the fact 361 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 1: that she has drawn this hard line and has stuck 362 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:43,560 Speaker 1: to it, that's what's allowed her that financial freedom. Yeah, 363 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:45,520 Speaker 1: that's one of her passions, Like, that's her goal is 364 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:48,400 Speaker 1: to help people to live on as little money as possible. 365 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 1: And so, like we said, buying used it's more affordable, 366 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:54,920 Speaker 1: but also by default it's better for the environment. There's 367 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 1: little to know packaging, and also it just doesn't trigger 368 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:01,119 Speaker 1: that manufacturing of new items. I think it's worth noting 369 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:04,159 Speaker 1: what Katie does buy new. She buys new underwear, socks, 370 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 1: and perishables, right, And that's good because I don't know Matt. 371 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:09,480 Speaker 1: If you've ever been a good will, you're you're looking around. 372 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:12,359 Speaker 1: If you've looked at the underwear section, it's pretty growdy. 373 00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 1: And so is there an actual underwear section? Yes? There is, Yes, 374 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:20,720 Speaker 1: of course they sell underwear, They sell bras, they sell 375 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:24,680 Speaker 1: everything that someone might wear underneath their clothes and socks. 376 00:18:24,840 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 1: I will draw the line in that area. I'm not 377 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:28,760 Speaker 1: gonna wear your socks, still bother me, But underwear that's 378 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 1: like a whole different thing. You would wear you socks 379 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:34,040 Speaker 1: if they're clean, okay, all right, like darn tough, or 380 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:36,240 Speaker 1: you know some of those nice like Vermont Will, like 381 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:38,680 Speaker 1: lifetime warranty socks, dude, I totally pick. Some of those 382 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:40,880 Speaker 1: are those often found at the thrift store. I bet 383 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 1: they are okay, especially after the Mrie condo epidemic. If 384 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:47,440 Speaker 1: anybody could find them, Katie could because she is a 385 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:50,320 Speaker 1: master good will shopper. But her husband will buy new 386 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:52,640 Speaker 1: by the way, but let's get into her motto, Matt, 387 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:54,760 Speaker 1: it's use it up, wear it out, make it do 388 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:56,879 Speaker 1: or do without. And that's kind of the lens that 389 00:18:56,920 --> 00:18:59,359 Speaker 1: she views all her purchases through. That's right, Jill, So 390 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 1: let's go ahead and break that down some so use 391 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:03,440 Speaker 1: it up. And the way I interpret this is it's 392 00:19:03,480 --> 00:19:06,880 Speaker 1: mostly about reducing waste. As a country, we throw out 393 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:10,280 Speaker 1: tons of freaking food. On average, we toss out one 394 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 1: pound per person a day. That's insane. Yeah, that's an 395 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:18,119 Speaker 1: insane amount of food. It's estimated that we waste of 396 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:20,560 Speaker 1: all the food that's prepared for us as a country. 397 00:19:20,840 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 1: I mean that is a huge amount, right, And so 398 00:19:22,840 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 1: not only is there a waste from a financial standpoint, 399 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:27,639 Speaker 1: but just think about the impact environmentally of all the 400 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: resources and money that went into even creating like that 401 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 1: head of cabbage that you let go too long in 402 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 1: your fridge that now you're tossing out. It's just a 403 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:37,480 Speaker 1: staggering amount of food. Yeah, so they use it up motto. 404 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:41,120 Speaker 1: It specifically makes me think that mixtime you think about 405 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:43,119 Speaker 1: going out to eat because there's nothing to eat in 406 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 1: your house, go through your freezer and your fridge and 407 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:48,720 Speaker 1: your cabinet again, because I guarantee you most people can 408 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: make a meal or two or three out of what 409 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:52,960 Speaker 1: they do have on hand, and so use it up. 410 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 1: It's just a great thing to consider before you go 411 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:57,719 Speaker 1: off and and and make a purchase yea jule easily. 412 00:19:58,080 --> 00:19:59,560 Speaker 1: And so the next piece in your motto is to 413 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:02,200 Speaker 1: wear it outs. And these are things that you already 414 00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 1: have that might be getting old. I'm thinking about clothes 415 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:08,360 Speaker 1: or even more extense of things like cars. Again, as 416 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:11,760 Speaker 1: consumers were constantly fed like the new, shiny stuff, when 417 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:14,520 Speaker 1: instead we have items that function perfectly but they're just 418 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:16,200 Speaker 1: a little bit shabby, you know. I think this one's 419 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 1: a little bit related to the use it up, Like 420 00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:20,639 Speaker 1: there are things that you already have and instead of 421 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:22,879 Speaker 1: replacing it, just use what you already have, or in 422 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:25,800 Speaker 1: this case wear it out. Specifically, Matt on the car example, 423 00:20:25,960 --> 00:20:28,560 Speaker 1: people talk about driving a car until the quote unquote 424 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:31,399 Speaker 1: wheels fall off, And I think it is easy to 425 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 1: get new car fever because your car has lost the 426 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:36,119 Speaker 1: new car sent or you start to have a couple 427 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:37,960 Speaker 1: of issues with it and you just get annoyed. You 428 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,239 Speaker 1: don't want to take your car into the mechanic and 429 00:20:40,280 --> 00:20:42,119 Speaker 1: go through the hassle of getting it fixed. But the 430 00:20:42,160 --> 00:20:44,840 Speaker 1: wear it out philosophy would say, you know what, it's 431 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:47,679 Speaker 1: gonna be much better for your budget if you do 432 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:50,520 Speaker 1: continue to hold onto that car and drive it until 433 00:20:50,840 --> 00:20:53,000 Speaker 1: the wheels fall off. Because if you get locked into 434 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:55,119 Speaker 1: a new car loan or even just buy a nicer, 435 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:58,760 Speaker 1: newer used car, that's gonna have like massive ramifications on 436 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:01,159 Speaker 1: your monthly budget. For you is to come all right, 437 00:21:01,240 --> 00:21:03,960 Speaker 1: The next part is make it do. And again this 438 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:05,679 Speaker 1: these are things that you already own, right, sort of 439 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:07,400 Speaker 1: like with wear it Out, Like you already have these things. 440 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:10,320 Speaker 1: But in this case, oftentimes you've identified a new problem 441 00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:11,840 Speaker 1: and you think, oh, I need a new item, I 442 00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 1: need a new product to solve this problem. But chances 443 00:21:15,560 --> 00:21:17,639 Speaker 1: are it's vice versa. Right, Why does that remind me 444 00:21:17,680 --> 00:21:20,440 Speaker 1: of ice? Ice baby? What? You got a problem? I'll 445 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,439 Speaker 1: solve it? Like you think you need this new product 446 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:25,880 Speaker 1: to solve it. But honestly, man, I really think it's 447 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:28,520 Speaker 1: the reverse. That's actually true. Like you see a product 448 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:31,200 Speaker 1: and in your mind you create a problem that didn't 449 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:33,879 Speaker 1: already exist. You see something and you think, okay, how 450 00:21:33,880 --> 00:21:35,119 Speaker 1: do I get my hands on that? Like how do 451 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:37,760 Speaker 1: I convince myself? How do I convince my spouse a 452 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:40,479 Speaker 1: significant other that this is something that we need in 453 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:43,600 Speaker 1: our life? And so you fabricate this problem, even maybe subconsciously. 454 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:46,680 Speaker 1: It's not like you're actively trying to undermine your own finances. 455 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 1: But it's something that happens, and I think it's something 456 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:51,560 Speaker 1: we need to be aware of that we already have 457 00:21:51,840 --> 00:21:54,160 Speaker 1: items and products in our in our life that work 458 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:57,199 Speaker 1: perfectly well, and instead we just need to make it 459 00:21:57,280 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 1: do instead of purchased the next specialized product that will 460 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:02,479 Speaker 1: fix that specific problem. Yeah, Matt, what I think of 461 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 1: when I think of this tenant other than ice ice baby, 462 00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:08,240 Speaker 1: other than ice ice baby, is those infomercials that you'd 463 00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:11,640 Speaker 1: see on late night television, especially for kitchen items. There's 464 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:15,120 Speaker 1: always a specialized new blender or rotisserie cooker or something 465 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:17,520 Speaker 1: like that that you don't quite own. And I'll admit 466 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:19,959 Speaker 1: that we own the instant pot and it's a great device, 467 00:22:20,119 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 1: and spot's awesome. It's pretty great. I'm not gonna knock 468 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:24,800 Speaker 1: that it can actually eliminate a bunch of other devices, 469 00:22:24,840 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 1: so it is a great one. But late night infomercials 470 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:29,879 Speaker 1: made a killing on essentially telling you that this problem 471 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:32,800 Speaker 1: existed in your life and that you couldn't make certain 472 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:35,760 Speaker 1: foods easily enough because you didn't have this glory device 473 00:22:35,800 --> 00:22:37,679 Speaker 1: that was gonna come in and save the day and 474 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:39,399 Speaker 1: just make it so much easier for you. To make 475 00:22:39,440 --> 00:22:42,640 Speaker 1: tacos or homemade sauces and soups or whatever it might be. 476 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:44,359 Speaker 1: So what you have to do is you have to 477 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:46,960 Speaker 1: make do with what you have in your kitchen. That 478 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:50,360 Speaker 1: new device or kitchen, countertop cooker, whatever it might be. 479 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:53,399 Speaker 1: It might be like fancy and and do some cool stuff, 480 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:56,280 Speaker 1: but you can completely make do with what you have. 481 00:22:56,720 --> 00:22:59,680 Speaker 1: It's more of a mindset issue than it is a 482 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:02,439 Speaker 1: knee based issue. Yeah, and specifically, Man, I think this 483 00:23:02,520 --> 00:23:04,480 Speaker 1: is definitely true when it comes to electronics. I'll go 484 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:06,560 Speaker 1: back to the TV example, because I've got the four KTV, 485 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:09,240 Speaker 1: and guess what, I thought My old TV was perfectly 486 00:23:09,240 --> 00:23:11,639 Speaker 1: fine until that new TV came out and I saw it. 487 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:13,600 Speaker 1: And then I looked at my TV and I thought, man, 488 00:23:13,640 --> 00:23:16,760 Speaker 1: this is Stevie's garbage, like, oh, the new one. And 489 00:23:16,800 --> 00:23:19,359 Speaker 1: so for me like that technology. Once that came along, 490 00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:21,720 Speaker 1: it pointed out the fact that whatever I used to 491 00:23:21,800 --> 00:23:24,360 Speaker 1: have that worked perfectly fine, that I was very happy with. 492 00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:27,560 Speaker 1: Maybe it wasn't quite sufficient in my case. I'll admit 493 00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:30,600 Speaker 1: I came up with a perfectly lame excuse to talk 494 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:33,200 Speaker 1: us into buying a TV. I didn't finance it obviously, 495 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:35,520 Speaker 1: you know, I got something we could afford. However, did 496 00:23:35,560 --> 00:23:38,240 Speaker 1: we really need that? No, but it was something that 497 00:23:38,359 --> 00:23:40,760 Speaker 1: I convinced myself that we needed. So in this case, 498 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:43,720 Speaker 1: Matt Katie would say, make it do deal with the 499 00:23:43,760 --> 00:23:46,120 Speaker 1: TV that you've got. It's perfectly fine. And the last 500 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:49,080 Speaker 1: tenant of her motto is do without. So in case 501 00:23:49,119 --> 00:23:52,080 Speaker 1: you don't have something, it's also easy to convince yourself 502 00:23:52,119 --> 00:23:54,119 Speaker 1: that you have a legitimate need and you have to 503 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:55,840 Speaker 1: buy that new thing. Even if you don't have an 504 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:58,080 Speaker 1: item that fits the bill that meets that need, you know, 505 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:01,200 Speaker 1: in all likelihood it's just a complete, the unnecessary purchase 506 00:24:01,240 --> 00:24:03,119 Speaker 1: that doesn't really serve you in the long run, and 507 00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:05,520 Speaker 1: so it might be better to borrow from a friend. 508 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:08,720 Speaker 1: But that again is another mental obstacle where people don't 509 00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:10,800 Speaker 1: want to do without. We see other people that have things, 510 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:12,880 Speaker 1: and we justify it in our mind. We don't want 511 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:14,880 Speaker 1: to do without. We want to buy that new thing 512 00:24:15,119 --> 00:24:16,760 Speaker 1: because we think that it's going to have a major 513 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:20,560 Speaker 1: impact on our personal happiness, and so instead of doing without, 514 00:24:20,880 --> 00:24:23,560 Speaker 1: we make the purchase and screw our finances in the process. 515 00:24:24,240 --> 00:24:26,439 Speaker 1: For me and personally, to make it, do and do 516 00:24:26,520 --> 00:24:30,800 Speaker 1: without mottoes are much harder for me to accept. When 517 00:24:30,800 --> 00:24:32,919 Speaker 1: I have something, I will use it up. When I 518 00:24:32,920 --> 00:24:34,480 Speaker 1: have something, I will wear it out, Like I have 519 00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:37,280 Speaker 1: no problems wearing something until it's threadbare or using a 520 00:24:37,320 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 1: tool that's just falling apart, you know, like out in 521 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:41,439 Speaker 1: the yard. But when it comes to identifying like a 522 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:43,159 Speaker 1: new problem and for me, like the making it do 523 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:45,520 Speaker 1: and doing without, it's when I've identified, like when I 524 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:47,639 Speaker 1: in my brain, I've convinced myself that there's a problem, 525 00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:49,760 Speaker 1: Like I'm a fixer, and so when I see something 526 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:51,959 Speaker 1: that I feel like needs fixing and there's a product 527 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:55,280 Speaker 1: that solves that, well, that's what I'm gonna gravitate towards doing. 528 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:56,919 Speaker 1: Do you feel like you have a tougher time with 529 00:24:56,920 --> 00:24:58,879 Speaker 1: one of these compared to the other. I think the 530 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:01,320 Speaker 1: last tenant is the hard for me probably to do without, 531 00:25:01,720 --> 00:25:04,160 Speaker 1: and that is I think more of like a psychological 532 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 1: problem for me. It is coming to grips with the 533 00:25:06,359 --> 00:25:08,639 Speaker 1: idea that that is not something that I need in 534 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:10,840 Speaker 1: my life. It's not a necessity, and I have to 535 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:13,520 Speaker 1: retrain my brain to think because I'm used to that 536 00:25:13,640 --> 00:25:17,240 Speaker 1: easy purchase mentality. Because even though I'm cognizant of it. 537 00:25:17,280 --> 00:25:19,200 Speaker 1: I feel like my brain has gotten used to how 538 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:22,159 Speaker 1: easy it is to purchase things in today's economy, and 539 00:25:22,240 --> 00:25:25,399 Speaker 1: I need to consistently remind myself that I can do 540 00:25:25,480 --> 00:25:27,960 Speaker 1: without that, I don't need that new thing. And and 541 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:30,560 Speaker 1: that's just a retraining thing that's been taking time for me, 542 00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:32,320 Speaker 1: although I think I made progress. You know what I'm 543 00:25:32,320 --> 00:25:34,080 Speaker 1: thinking of? That would be like super helpful, like a 544 00:25:34,080 --> 00:25:37,679 Speaker 1: shot collar, Like a shot collar I'm thinking of, you know, 545 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:40,320 Speaker 1: like on the missile nuclear launch buttons you have to 546 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:42,199 Speaker 1: have like both keys. What if you and I had 547 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:44,479 Speaker 1: to approve each other's purchases and so like I couldn't 548 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:46,479 Speaker 1: just go on and make my own purchase. You had 549 00:25:46,520 --> 00:25:49,240 Speaker 1: to be like, Matt, buddy, are you sure you want 550 00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:50,800 Speaker 1: to make that purchase? And vice versa. You know what 551 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:52,720 Speaker 1: I'm saying, Then our friendship might have gone to a 552 00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:56,560 Speaker 1: whole another weird level. But I mean, just some accountability, 553 00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:57,919 Speaker 1: you know, like that way you can't just like on 554 00:25:57,960 --> 00:26:00,240 Speaker 1: your own makeup purchase without thinking about it. And I 555 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:02,680 Speaker 1: mean that specifically reminds me though of of a Seinfeld 556 00:26:02,680 --> 00:26:05,280 Speaker 1: episode where George is trying to break up with this 557 00:26:05,320 --> 00:26:07,840 Speaker 1: girl and she says it's like a submarine where they 558 00:26:07,840 --> 00:26:10,239 Speaker 1: both have to turn their keys to to initiate their 559 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:12,800 Speaker 1: weapons at the same time, and he's at one point 560 00:26:12,800 --> 00:26:15,080 Speaker 1: he screams, Area's like turn your key, mora. And so 561 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:16,639 Speaker 1: it just makes me makes me think of that that 562 00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:18,320 Speaker 1: if that's what it takes in order for me to 563 00:26:18,359 --> 00:26:21,280 Speaker 1: make a purchase, there's definitely a lot more friction involved 564 00:26:21,280 --> 00:26:23,159 Speaker 1: in that transaction. Right, sine field Man, how old are you? 565 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:24,840 Speaker 1: I feel like sinfel is such an old school thing, 566 00:26:25,480 --> 00:26:28,320 Speaker 1: not that old, not as old as you. That's true. 567 00:26:28,800 --> 00:26:31,120 Speaker 1: So Katie's motto, I love it right. Another awesome point 568 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:34,000 Speaker 1: that she made is how there's a misunderstanding of what 569 00:26:34,040 --> 00:26:37,080 Speaker 1: it means to be environmentally responsible, and she says that 570 00:26:37,119 --> 00:26:39,200 Speaker 1: we mistakenly think that it's something that you can buy 571 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:41,679 Speaker 1: your way into. And she get the example of, right, 572 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:44,320 Speaker 1: the organic bamboo floors, you know, and we're like, the 573 00:26:44,359 --> 00:26:46,600 Speaker 1: floors that you had were perfectly fine. It makes me 574 00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:48,359 Speaker 1: think of folks I even know who have made the 575 00:26:48,359 --> 00:26:51,040 Speaker 1: purchase of like a new Prius where they're thinking, oh, yeah, 576 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:53,239 Speaker 1: this is gonna be better for the environment, where they 577 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:55,919 Speaker 1: had maybe a ten year old vehicle that was perfectly fine, 578 00:26:56,320 --> 00:26:58,679 Speaker 1: when in reality, the most environmentally friendly, and the most 579 00:26:58,760 --> 00:27:01,320 Speaker 1: environmentally conscious thing they could have done was continue to 580 00:27:01,400 --> 00:27:03,920 Speaker 1: drive that old vehicle, because when they purchased that new vehicle, 581 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:06,600 Speaker 1: like we talked about earlier, it triggers the manufacturer of 582 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:09,240 Speaker 1: a new vehicle. And certainly there's a tipping point, right Like, 583 00:27:09,280 --> 00:27:11,719 Speaker 1: if you're driving around like an original Hummer, chances are 584 00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:13,600 Speaker 1: that's probably gonna be worse for the environment than maybe 585 00:27:13,640 --> 00:27:16,800 Speaker 1: buying the nubrious. However, most folks aren't driving an h 586 00:27:16,840 --> 00:27:19,040 Speaker 1: one Hummer. You need to consider the things that we 587 00:27:19,080 --> 00:27:21,720 Speaker 1: already have and hanging onto those things instead of purchasing 588 00:27:21,760 --> 00:27:24,399 Speaker 1: things that we might consider to be more environmentally friendly 589 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:26,680 Speaker 1: is the better way to go. Yeah, Matt, being green, 590 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:29,680 Speaker 1: being environmentally conscious, that's that's a good thing. But I 591 00:27:29,680 --> 00:27:32,120 Speaker 1: feel like to a certain extent, going green has kind 592 00:27:32,119 --> 00:27:35,119 Speaker 1: of taken on this alternative identity, and there's almost like 593 00:27:35,119 --> 00:27:37,600 Speaker 1: a competition in our society for who can be the 594 00:27:37,600 --> 00:27:39,960 Speaker 1: most green, and we wear it like a badge of honor. 595 00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:42,359 Speaker 1: And there's certain things that just signal to other people 596 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:45,439 Speaker 1: that we are more green than everybody else, something like 597 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:48,720 Speaker 1: driving an electric car or a Prius. But Katie makes 598 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:52,280 Speaker 1: a great point if you're buying something new and perpetuating 599 00:27:52,280 --> 00:27:56,160 Speaker 1: the consumeristic cycle just to buy something that's quote unquote green, Well, 600 00:27:56,280 --> 00:27:58,680 Speaker 1: you're probably not making the most green choice. So it's 601 00:27:58,720 --> 00:28:01,520 Speaker 1: important when we're talking about out not buying new stuff, 602 00:28:01,840 --> 00:28:05,439 Speaker 1: to not justify buying new stuff because of the green 603 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:08,840 Speaker 1: factor when what you have right now is perfectly usable 604 00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:10,880 Speaker 1: and it's actually more green just to continue the way 605 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:13,399 Speaker 1: things are. Yeah, Jue, I think it's worth mentioning how 606 00:28:13,680 --> 00:28:16,760 Speaker 1: being green in the way that our media portrays it, 607 00:28:16,800 --> 00:28:18,560 Speaker 1: you know, like the way you see it on commercials 608 00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:21,520 Speaker 1: and the way you see on TV, like it's very pretty. 609 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:25,399 Speaker 1: But that way of being environmentally conscious is extremely expensive. 610 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:27,800 Speaker 1: Like just go to Instagram and Pinterest and you know, 611 00:28:27,840 --> 00:28:30,719 Speaker 1: like the sort of green, natural lifestyle. It's not an 612 00:28:30,760 --> 00:28:33,600 Speaker 1: affordable lifestyle. I don't see it even being that different 613 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:35,960 Speaker 1: than someone that has like the membership at a country 614 00:28:35,960 --> 00:28:37,679 Speaker 1: club or or a golf course or something like that, 615 00:28:37,720 --> 00:28:40,120 Speaker 1: Like that's just part of their identity. They're paying a 616 00:28:40,120 --> 00:28:41,920 Speaker 1: lot of money for it. I think in the same way, 617 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 1: we can get pulled into being green as part of 618 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:46,000 Speaker 1: our identity and lifestyle, and that's when it becomes part 619 00:28:46,040 --> 00:28:49,640 Speaker 1: of our consumption. And when we make unwise financial decisions. So, Man, 620 00:28:49,680 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 1: it turns out buying used is actually one of the 621 00:28:51,720 --> 00:28:54,120 Speaker 1: best ways to help us avoid buying stuff new. So 622 00:28:54,160 --> 00:28:56,080 Speaker 1: we're gonna talk about that and also give you some 623 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:58,840 Speaker 1: tips to help you if you struggle with just buying 624 00:28:58,880 --> 00:29:10,240 Speaker 1: too much junk. Right after the break our jealous Land 625 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:12,400 Speaker 1: this plane of an episode, we're now going to talk 626 00:29:12,440 --> 00:29:14,760 Speaker 1: about buying us. We're gonna talk about some tips and 627 00:29:14,840 --> 00:29:17,720 Speaker 1: some additional thoughts. So buying used it allows us to 628 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:20,800 Speaker 1: purchase quality items that last longer and can be repaired. 629 00:29:21,240 --> 00:29:23,760 Speaker 1: And this is the core of the debate between quality 630 00:29:23,960 --> 00:29:27,080 Speaker 1: versus cheap or in this case, the cheap quantity of items. 631 00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:29,640 Speaker 1: And Joel, the problem is is that the items that 632 00:29:29,680 --> 00:29:32,160 Speaker 1: are manufactured today are not meant to be repaired. They're 633 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:34,960 Speaker 1: not meant to be passed down maybe from a father 634 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,320 Speaker 1: to a son or a mother to a daughter. Appliances 635 00:29:37,360 --> 00:29:39,320 Speaker 1: in particular are not made the way they used to be. 636 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:41,800 Speaker 1: Like you had a plan to repair people, but today 637 00:29:42,200 --> 00:29:45,040 Speaker 1: what happens when something breaks Typically it's not worth the time, 638 00:29:45,120 --> 00:29:46,800 Speaker 1: it's not worth the parts that you would even put 639 00:29:46,800 --> 00:29:48,920 Speaker 1: in it to get it up and working again. However, 640 00:29:48,920 --> 00:29:51,600 Speaker 1: the decision still lies with us as consumers, so make 641 00:29:51,600 --> 00:29:53,440 Speaker 1: sure when you are looking at things to purchase that 642 00:29:53,520 --> 00:29:56,440 Speaker 1: you are considering quality, that you are considering how long 643 00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:58,400 Speaker 1: will this thing actually last? Like she mentioned like the 644 00:29:58,440 --> 00:30:01,240 Speaker 1: particle board stuff. We know know that the particle board 645 00:30:01,240 --> 00:30:04,040 Speaker 1: stuff from my Kea. It's good for a season, and 646 00:30:04,120 --> 00:30:05,520 Speaker 1: even if you're trying to move it from one room 647 00:30:05,560 --> 00:30:08,280 Speaker 1: to another, like it may not last that move. Been there, 648 00:30:08,360 --> 00:30:12,160 Speaker 1: done that exactly. Yeah. So I think that idea of 649 00:30:12,160 --> 00:30:15,680 Speaker 1: buying quality used goods for a cheaper price instead of 650 00:30:15,720 --> 00:30:18,800 Speaker 1: buying a poorly manufactured new item, that's a great way 651 00:30:18,840 --> 00:30:20,960 Speaker 1: to kind of think about your purchases, and even if 652 00:30:20,960 --> 00:30:23,560 Speaker 1: you do decide to buy new, maybe spending more for 653 00:30:23,640 --> 00:30:26,880 Speaker 1: something that's higher quality that you can keep around longer. Sorry, Katie, 654 00:30:26,920 --> 00:30:29,080 Speaker 1: I know that's not how you roll, But Matt, I 655 00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:32,680 Speaker 1: become more okay with paying a higher price for an 656 00:30:32,720 --> 00:30:35,280 Speaker 1: item up front that I plan on having around for 657 00:30:35,320 --> 00:30:38,240 Speaker 1: a long time and just buying less trendy goods that 658 00:30:38,360 --> 00:30:41,320 Speaker 1: I'm not tempted to replace sooner. I feel like that's 659 00:30:41,360 --> 00:30:43,959 Speaker 1: better for the way I think about buying goods, and 660 00:30:44,040 --> 00:30:46,040 Speaker 1: I think it's better for the environment as well. Whether 661 00:30:46,040 --> 00:30:48,720 Speaker 1: I'm buying a used item or a new item, trying 662 00:30:48,760 --> 00:30:51,280 Speaker 1: to find that quality good that's worth my money that 663 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:53,360 Speaker 1: I'm going to have in my life for a long 664 00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:55,240 Speaker 1: time to come. Yeah, and I do think. I mean, 665 00:30:55,240 --> 00:30:56,960 Speaker 1: what Katy would argue though, is that you can get 666 00:30:57,000 --> 00:30:59,320 Speaker 1: quality to just make sure you're buying it used. There's 667 00:30:59,360 --> 00:31:01,280 Speaker 1: so much money that you can save by doing that. 668 00:31:01,600 --> 00:31:03,800 Speaker 1: And she called out our Frugal Versus Cheap episode, which 669 00:31:03,800 --> 00:31:06,280 Speaker 1: is a classic, but she kind of mentioned how buying 670 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:08,920 Speaker 1: used is sort of that third option, how you can 671 00:31:08,920 --> 00:31:12,080 Speaker 1: get those quality goods for that cheap price without appearing cheap. 672 00:31:12,480 --> 00:31:14,400 Speaker 1: And it's so true, like that is the problem is 673 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:17,040 Speaker 1: oftentimes people don't want to look cheap. They don't want 674 00:31:17,040 --> 00:31:18,000 Speaker 1: to be the cheap guy, they don't want to be 675 00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:20,880 Speaker 1: the cheap girl. And buying used to sort of this cheat, 676 00:31:20,960 --> 00:31:22,960 Speaker 1: you know, it's this work around where you are able 677 00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:25,960 Speaker 1: to get the quality stuff for that cheap price. And 678 00:31:26,040 --> 00:31:28,640 Speaker 1: Joel you mentioned like you'd be less tempted to replace 679 00:31:28,720 --> 00:31:31,080 Speaker 1: like a trendy item. You know, another benefit is not 680 00:31:31,120 --> 00:31:33,720 Speaker 1: getting hit with that depreciation of buying that new item. 681 00:31:33,880 --> 00:31:36,120 Speaker 1: In particular with cars, we've talked about that how quickly 682 00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:38,800 Speaker 1: cars depreciate over the first five years. I would say 683 00:31:38,840 --> 00:31:41,320 Speaker 1: that's the case with the items that we buy, they'd 684 00:31:41,320 --> 00:31:43,960 Speaker 1: appreciate like crazy. So you know what, let somebody else 685 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:46,200 Speaker 1: take that financial hit and you can show up a 686 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:48,040 Speaker 1: couple of years later and by the item used for 687 00:31:48,120 --> 00:31:50,760 Speaker 1: way less. All right, let's get into some practical steps 688 00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:52,640 Speaker 1: that people can take in order to kind of help 689 00:31:52,680 --> 00:31:54,920 Speaker 1: them along in this process. The first thing to consider 690 00:31:55,040 --> 00:31:57,520 Speaker 1: is any way that you can avoid the temptation to 691 00:31:57,640 --> 00:31:59,680 Speaker 1: buy new that's gonna help you out in the long run. 692 00:31:59,840 --> 00:32:02,760 Speaker 1: It's people that you follow on Instagram that tempts you 693 00:32:02,840 --> 00:32:05,360 Speaker 1: to buy new clothes or beauty supplies or whatever it 694 00:32:05,400 --> 00:32:08,160 Speaker 1: might be. Consider un following those people or just getting 695 00:32:08,160 --> 00:32:11,080 Speaker 1: on Instagram less often. If you find yourself running to 696 00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:14,520 Speaker 1: Amazon to do a one click purchase, maybe take the 697 00:32:14,520 --> 00:32:18,280 Speaker 1: app off your phone and consider ditching that Amazon Prime membership. 698 00:32:18,320 --> 00:32:21,200 Speaker 1: Anyway that you can avoid the temptation in your life 699 00:32:21,200 --> 00:32:24,000 Speaker 1: to buy new, I think it's worth considering. And in particular, 700 00:32:24,040 --> 00:32:25,880 Speaker 1: man if it's like at one time use item, if 701 00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:27,640 Speaker 1: it's something that you're probably hardly ever going to use, 702 00:32:27,680 --> 00:32:30,160 Speaker 1: consider borrowing it. I recently did this in the neighborhood 703 00:32:30,240 --> 00:32:32,280 Speaker 1: with a tiller. I needed to tell some of the 704 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:34,360 Speaker 1: backyard because with the renovation that kind of got chewed 705 00:32:34,400 --> 00:32:36,400 Speaker 1: up back there, and I wanted to get some green 706 00:32:36,400 --> 00:32:38,520 Speaker 1: stuff growing. And I just threw it out there in 707 00:32:38,520 --> 00:32:40,920 Speaker 1: the neighborhood, and a neighbor right down the street said, yeah, 708 00:32:40,920 --> 00:32:42,640 Speaker 1: come on buy, it'll be out there for you. I 709 00:32:42,680 --> 00:32:45,480 Speaker 1: got to meet a new incredibly generous neighbor. Well he's 710 00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:48,040 Speaker 1: not new, he's been around for like twenty years, but 711 00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:49,520 Speaker 1: now you know, I'm he's new to you. Yeah, he's 712 00:32:49,560 --> 00:32:51,600 Speaker 1: new to me. And now he's a buddy. And so 713 00:32:51,640 --> 00:32:53,200 Speaker 1: I didn't have to buy this item that I would 714 00:32:53,240 --> 00:32:55,920 Speaker 1: probably rarely ever use. So yeah, I look to borrow 715 00:32:55,960 --> 00:32:58,959 Speaker 1: whenever you can. It's also smart to create an enforce 716 00:32:59,120 --> 00:33:01,840 Speaker 1: a delayed per just rule. So this has been successful 717 00:33:01,880 --> 00:33:04,320 Speaker 1: for lots of folks when they're trying to eliminate their 718 00:33:04,360 --> 00:33:07,080 Speaker 1: habit of buying new stuff. Think about creating a rule 719 00:33:07,160 --> 00:33:09,479 Speaker 1: where when you have an item that you're really excited 720 00:33:09,520 --> 00:33:12,000 Speaker 1: to buy, we'll take twenty four hours. Some people institute 721 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:13,920 Speaker 1: a four day rule or a one week rule, you know, 722 00:33:13,960 --> 00:33:16,640 Speaker 1: whenever it takes to kind of help you assess a 723 00:33:16,680 --> 00:33:18,960 Speaker 1: buying decision so that you're not buying on a whim. 724 00:33:19,280 --> 00:33:20,760 Speaker 1: But if you know that you are actually going to 725 00:33:20,800 --> 00:33:23,160 Speaker 1: buy something, consider used items and you can do that 726 00:33:23,240 --> 00:33:25,800 Speaker 1: via different apps like offer Up. You can use the 727 00:33:25,840 --> 00:33:28,960 Speaker 1: marketplace on Facebook. We've mentioned that one more recently because 728 00:33:29,040 --> 00:33:31,040 Speaker 1: it's just gotten to be such a robust form where 729 00:33:31,040 --> 00:33:33,680 Speaker 1: you can purchase used items. But then obviously there's eBay. 730 00:33:33,680 --> 00:33:37,640 Speaker 1: It's because Classic in eBay specifically is a great alternative 731 00:33:37,680 --> 00:33:40,560 Speaker 1: to Amazon. If you're going to buy quality stuff, you know, 732 00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:42,360 Speaker 1: it's just as easy to hop over to eBay into 733 00:33:42,360 --> 00:33:44,760 Speaker 1: a quick search as it is Amazon. If that's how 734 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:47,760 Speaker 1: you're used to purchasing your stuff. Also, consider going Katie 735 00:33:47,800 --> 00:33:50,520 Speaker 1: Woke Stanley style and go to your local goodwill or 736 00:33:50,560 --> 00:33:52,760 Speaker 1: thrift store. I feel like I find the coolest plaid 737 00:33:52,760 --> 00:33:54,840 Speaker 1: shirts at the thrift store all the time. And if 738 00:33:54,840 --> 00:33:56,880 Speaker 1: you're into plaid like I am, and the third store 739 00:33:56,920 --> 00:33:58,680 Speaker 1: is like the perfect place for you to go. It's amazing. 740 00:33:58,760 --> 00:34:01,280 Speaker 1: Are there more or less plaid shirts in Portland than 741 00:34:01,320 --> 00:34:03,960 Speaker 1: there are in Atlanta? Are they all snatched up because 742 00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:06,840 Speaker 1: you're in Portland? Or are they all being discarded because 743 00:34:06,840 --> 00:34:08,319 Speaker 1: there's just so many of them? That's a great question. 744 00:34:08,360 --> 00:34:09,560 Speaker 1: I'll have to reach out to Katie and get the 745 00:34:09,560 --> 00:34:13,480 Speaker 1: answer on that one. Also, consider avoiding sales altogether if 746 00:34:13,480 --> 00:34:15,160 Speaker 1: they cause you to spend more. I know this was 747 00:34:15,200 --> 00:34:17,600 Speaker 1: my mentality for a long time. If I found something 748 00:34:17,600 --> 00:34:19,320 Speaker 1: on sale, I'd buy it because I thought I was 749 00:34:19,360 --> 00:34:22,040 Speaker 1: saving money, But usually I ended up spending more because 750 00:34:22,040 --> 00:34:24,080 Speaker 1: I bought more crap that I didn't need. And so 751 00:34:24,200 --> 00:34:26,440 Speaker 1: if that is your mentality, if you jump on sales 752 00:34:26,480 --> 00:34:30,160 Speaker 1: and you're excited about off all the time, well chances 753 00:34:30,200 --> 00:34:31,640 Speaker 1: are you're buying stuff that you don't need. With that 754 00:34:31,760 --> 00:34:34,000 Speaker 1: kind of Black Friday mentality, that's when you would buy 755 00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:36,160 Speaker 1: like six huge boxes of cheese it's right, and they'd 756 00:34:36,160 --> 00:34:37,800 Speaker 1: show up, show up on the doorstep. That might have 757 00:34:37,800 --> 00:34:41,359 Speaker 1: happened one time, and you know what, cheese it's aren't 758 00:34:41,360 --> 00:34:43,279 Speaker 1: good for you. So maybe I should have stayed away 759 00:34:43,280 --> 00:34:46,120 Speaker 1: from that altogether. Yeah, junk definitely applies to that purchase 760 00:34:46,160 --> 00:34:48,200 Speaker 1: as well. Right, that was the old Joel though, come on, 761 00:34:48,239 --> 00:34:50,759 Speaker 1: don't judge. And then Matt, the last tip to help 762 00:34:50,760 --> 00:34:54,120 Speaker 1: you avoid buying new stuff is to remember your bigger goals. 763 00:34:54,480 --> 00:34:56,440 Speaker 1: That's your why behind money. We did an episode on 764 00:34:56,480 --> 00:34:58,760 Speaker 1: that quite a while back. But thinking about those bigger 765 00:34:58,760 --> 00:35:02,040 Speaker 1: money goals can help you stave off those smaller purchases, 766 00:35:02,600 --> 00:35:04,920 Speaker 1: and especially those new purchases that you might make on 767 00:35:04,920 --> 00:35:06,920 Speaker 1: a whim. And so we're working on that actually with 768 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:08,960 Speaker 1: my five year old right now, she wants to buy 769 00:35:08,960 --> 00:35:11,080 Speaker 1: a jump rope, and so she's got a few dollars 770 00:35:11,120 --> 00:35:13,239 Speaker 1: in the piggy bank, but we're really trying to help 771 00:35:13,239 --> 00:35:15,920 Speaker 1: her understand that if she doesn't spend it now on 772 00:35:15,960 --> 00:35:18,000 Speaker 1: smaller stuff, but she can save up and she can 773 00:35:18,040 --> 00:35:20,200 Speaker 1: have that jump rope. But if she spends it on 774 00:35:20,239 --> 00:35:22,680 Speaker 1: little knickknacks, now, it's gonna take a lot longer before 775 00:35:22,680 --> 00:35:24,279 Speaker 1: she ends up getting that jump rope you want. So 776 00:35:24,360 --> 00:35:26,520 Speaker 1: in the same way, if you can remind yourself, if 777 00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:28,279 Speaker 1: you can write down, if you can put it in 778 00:35:28,320 --> 00:35:30,200 Speaker 1: front of your face, those bigger goals that you have, 779 00:35:30,440 --> 00:35:33,000 Speaker 1: it's gonna help you have the willpower to avoid those 780 00:35:33,000 --> 00:35:35,960 Speaker 1: smaller purchases that will make it much harder to achieve 781 00:35:36,360 --> 00:35:38,960 Speaker 1: those ultimate goals that you have. Well, you mentioned that 782 00:35:39,000 --> 00:35:41,040 Speaker 1: you're working on that with Selma, with your daughter. I'm 783 00:35:41,080 --> 00:35:43,960 Speaker 1: working on that with myself specifically. I've been looking at 784 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:47,440 Speaker 1: bikes lately and I'm trying to convince myself or remind 785 00:35:47,480 --> 00:35:50,160 Speaker 1: myself that no, this isn't something I need. Right, my 786 00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:53,240 Speaker 1: desire to have a bike isn't greater than my desire 787 00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:55,840 Speaker 1: to not be stressed and to work more, because I 788 00:35:55,840 --> 00:35:57,319 Speaker 1: think I need to earn some more money to pay 789 00:35:57,360 --> 00:35:59,520 Speaker 1: for that bike. And let's be clear, you have multiple bikes, 790 00:35:59,520 --> 00:36:00,920 Speaker 1: so it's not like, yeah, I've got a couple of bikes. 791 00:36:00,920 --> 00:36:02,399 Speaker 1: It's not like it's the one bike that you would 792 00:36:02,440 --> 00:36:04,319 Speaker 1: help you get around town. It's like the third bike 793 00:36:04,360 --> 00:36:07,040 Speaker 1: that would be another one in your arsenal exactly. It's 794 00:36:07,080 --> 00:36:08,560 Speaker 1: it's a bike that would allow me to do some 795 00:36:08,760 --> 00:36:11,000 Speaker 1: very specific things and I've convinced myself that I need it. 796 00:36:11,040 --> 00:36:13,319 Speaker 1: But again, just like you said with your daughter, it's 797 00:36:13,320 --> 00:36:15,759 Speaker 1: the same thing as for us as adults. I mean 798 00:36:15,880 --> 00:36:18,359 Speaker 1: keeping our larger goals in mind. And for me, that's 799 00:36:18,400 --> 00:36:20,799 Speaker 1: being less stressed about money. For us, we're still working 800 00:36:20,840 --> 00:36:22,440 Speaker 1: on this renovation, like we've got to get this thing 801 00:36:22,520 --> 00:36:24,799 Speaker 1: knocked out and wrapped up as well. So yeah, keeping 802 00:36:24,800 --> 00:36:27,040 Speaker 1: those larger goals in mind is is so key, and 803 00:36:27,080 --> 00:36:29,239 Speaker 1: I do that for myself as well. Yeah, Matt, I 804 00:36:29,280 --> 00:36:31,560 Speaker 1: need those reminders in my life too, write It's not 805 00:36:31,600 --> 00:36:33,799 Speaker 1: just me teaching my daughter, it's me teaching myself at 806 00:36:33,800 --> 00:36:35,560 Speaker 1: the same time. And so, yeah, I want to buy 807 00:36:35,680 --> 00:36:38,120 Speaker 1: less new stuff. I'm encouraged by Katie. I mean, I 808 00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:40,560 Speaker 1: really am too. Yeah, I just want to buy fewer things. 809 00:36:41,000 --> 00:36:43,240 Speaker 1: It's been said that the things that you own ultimately 810 00:36:43,280 --> 00:36:45,240 Speaker 1: end up owning you, and I feel like that's the case. 811 00:36:45,440 --> 00:36:48,000 Speaker 1: And the fewer things I buy, the better I am 812 00:36:48,080 --> 00:36:50,840 Speaker 1: at saying no to new purchases. The more control I 813 00:36:50,840 --> 00:36:53,320 Speaker 1: feel like I gained over my own life and ownership. 814 00:36:53,360 --> 00:36:55,600 Speaker 1: I feel like I have over the direction that I'm 815 00:36:55,600 --> 00:36:58,200 Speaker 1: headed in, not just financially, but it's just those things 816 00:36:58,239 --> 00:37:00,879 Speaker 1: just clutter everything up. Nice. All right, I'm gonna now 817 00:37:00,960 --> 00:37:03,000 Speaker 1: take us back to the beer again. We're drinking the 818 00:37:03,200 --> 00:37:06,560 Speaker 1: Aisy Dream Sickle Double I p A, which is my 819 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:10,160 Speaker 1: Arizona Wilderness Brewing. Would you think of this beer, man? Yeah? Man, 820 00:37:10,200 --> 00:37:12,439 Speaker 1: this reminded me of We've got this kind of old 821 00:37:12,480 --> 00:37:15,279 Speaker 1: school Hamburger hot dog kind of place I knew you're 822 00:37:15,280 --> 00:37:18,600 Speaker 1: gonna say, in downtown Atlanta. It's called the Varsity, and 823 00:37:18,600 --> 00:37:20,680 Speaker 1: they've got this drink called the Frosted Orange, and it 824 00:37:20,719 --> 00:37:22,640 Speaker 1: kind of tasted like that in my mind. Like it 825 00:37:22,640 --> 00:37:24,480 Speaker 1: it just kind of brought me back to childhood a 826 00:37:24,520 --> 00:37:27,400 Speaker 1: little bit drinking a beer, which sounds weird because I'm 827 00:37:27,400 --> 00:37:29,160 Speaker 1: supposed to be drinking beer as a kid, But it 828 00:37:29,520 --> 00:37:31,879 Speaker 1: reminded me of the frosted orange and it totally has 829 00:37:31,960 --> 00:37:35,399 Speaker 1: that kind of orange cream cycle flavor going on really nicely. Yeah, 830 00:37:35,400 --> 00:37:36,920 Speaker 1: well the reason it does is this I p A 831 00:37:37,040 --> 00:37:39,240 Speaker 1: has It is brewed with lactose, which is milk sugar, 832 00:37:39,320 --> 00:37:41,279 Speaker 1: so it gives it that creaminess right to where it 833 00:37:41,280 --> 00:37:44,000 Speaker 1: almost has that ice cream like texture and even flavor 834 00:37:44,040 --> 00:37:45,799 Speaker 1: on this one because it has vanilla in it as well, 835 00:37:45,840 --> 00:37:48,560 Speaker 1: so it really is like it's this orange beer mixed 836 00:37:48,560 --> 00:37:50,560 Speaker 1: with ice cream. But yeah, I love that it had 837 00:37:50,560 --> 00:37:52,560 Speaker 1: that vanilla and it almost felt like it had a 838 00:37:52,600 --> 00:37:55,960 Speaker 1: touch of spice because of the sort of sharpness maybe 839 00:37:56,000 --> 00:37:58,240 Speaker 1: from the orange, like they have this edge to it. 840 00:37:58,360 --> 00:38:01,560 Speaker 1: Super delicious and yeah, we to thank Brandon again, thank 841 00:38:01,560 --> 00:38:03,120 Speaker 1: you so much for sending this beer. And don't any 842 00:38:03,320 --> 00:38:05,279 Speaker 1: to the show. All right, Matt, let's get to our 843 00:38:05,320 --> 00:38:08,920 Speaker 1: final thoughts. And you and I were not necessarily convinced 844 00:38:08,960 --> 00:38:11,840 Speaker 1: that we should never ever ever buy anything new ever again. 845 00:38:12,160 --> 00:38:15,560 Speaker 1: But I will say, I'm so impressed by Katie's efforts 846 00:38:15,560 --> 00:38:18,360 Speaker 1: in this. Since two thousand seven, for twelve years, she 847 00:38:18,440 --> 00:38:22,600 Speaker 1: hasn't bought anything new except for literally like underwear and perishables. 848 00:38:22,800 --> 00:38:25,040 Speaker 1: And to me, that's just uplifting to see someone creating 849 00:38:25,040 --> 00:38:26,719 Speaker 1: a hard line in the sand. And you know what, 850 00:38:26,800 --> 00:38:28,399 Speaker 1: for a lot of us, that might be what we need, 851 00:38:28,520 --> 00:38:31,000 Speaker 1: that kick in the pants to create some hard lines. 852 00:38:31,280 --> 00:38:33,200 Speaker 1: And that's not only going to be a help to 853 00:38:33,360 --> 00:38:36,160 Speaker 1: the kind of environmental concerns by the over consumption that 854 00:38:36,200 --> 00:38:38,279 Speaker 1: happens in our country, but at the same time just 855 00:38:38,360 --> 00:38:41,040 Speaker 1: a massive help to our financial future. Joel and I 856 00:38:41,080 --> 00:38:42,560 Speaker 1: like that you said kick in the pants. We say 857 00:38:42,600 --> 00:38:45,080 Speaker 1: that often, but just being challenged, and that's how I 858 00:38:45,160 --> 00:38:47,760 Speaker 1: view Katie's message, just just it truly is a challenge, 859 00:38:48,160 --> 00:38:50,000 Speaker 1: and I want to end it with her motto, which 860 00:38:50,040 --> 00:38:52,360 Speaker 1: is use it up, wear it out, make it do 861 00:38:53,040 --> 00:38:55,359 Speaker 1: or do without. You don't have to kind of cold 862 00:38:55,360 --> 00:38:58,600 Speaker 1: turkey stop buying anything new, but yeah, at least consider 863 00:38:58,680 --> 00:39:01,400 Speaker 1: what you can get used to. Really be challenged to 864 00:39:01,480 --> 00:39:04,319 Speaker 1: buy fewer things all together. Yeah, Matt, I love it 865 00:39:04,320 --> 00:39:07,200 Speaker 1: when our episodes challenge us as much as they do 866 00:39:07,280 --> 00:39:09,640 Speaker 1: our listeners. And so yeah, this one was definitely that. 867 00:39:09,760 --> 00:39:12,640 Speaker 1: So thanks again to Katie walk Stanley for coming on 868 00:39:12,680 --> 00:39:15,080 Speaker 1: the show. Her website if you want to find out more, 869 00:39:15,520 --> 00:39:19,360 Speaker 1: is the Non Consumer Advocate dot com. And speaking of websites, 870 00:39:19,400 --> 00:39:22,200 Speaker 1: if you want the show notes for this episode, you 871 00:39:22,239 --> 00:39:24,680 Speaker 1: can go to our website which is how to Money 872 00:39:24,680 --> 00:39:27,280 Speaker 1: dot com. And if you have found this episode helpful, 873 00:39:27,360 --> 00:39:29,560 Speaker 1: we would love if you were to leave a review. 874 00:39:29,640 --> 00:39:32,080 Speaker 1: You can hop over to Apple podcast and mash that 875 00:39:32,120 --> 00:39:34,719 Speaker 1: five stars and you know what it's worth mentioning to 876 00:39:35,000 --> 00:39:38,399 Speaker 1: Katie was the very first reviewer that we ever had 877 00:39:38,440 --> 00:39:41,320 Speaker 1: on Apple Podcasts. Katie, we really appreciate all your support 878 00:39:41,360 --> 00:39:44,399 Speaker 1: from the very beginning before anyone believed in us. Yeah, 879 00:39:44,480 --> 00:39:47,560 Speaker 1: thanks so much, Katie and Matt. Until next time, Best 880 00:39:47,600 --> 00:40:00,239 Speaker 1: friends out, Best friends Out, M M.