For This House
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
October 14, 2023 | 7 min read
Ally Veldhuisen
How do we embrace frugality in a world that promotes everything as a necessity?
A blogger I follow–Lisa, from Farmhouse on Boone–suggests that the more we allow marketing into our brains, the more we will spend on things that are not necessities.
Anyone else feel so exposed by this statement?!
Read it again: “The more we allow marketing into our brains, the more we will spend on things that are not necessities.”
Now I don’t know about you, but I’m frequently trying to come up with ways to save money, which is pretty hard to do considering all of the advertisements that bombard us each day!
Scrolling through Instagram or Facebook today for 30 minutes will expose you to anywhere from 20-50 advertisements – maybe even more. Isn’t that crazy?
It’s no wonder sticking to a budget, feeling content, and refraining from unnecessary purchases is so difficult.
The more time we spend on social media, the more we (often mindlessly) allow marketing into our brains. The 20-50 advertisement count doesn’t even include what we listen to in podcasts or on the radio, what we see in magazines, commercials, or billboards… the list goes on.
So much of what we consume both actively and passively each day is meant to persuade us that we need more in order to be happy.
Marketing has evolved from simple information dissemination to strategic psychological tugs and pulls. Advertisers craft clever messages that tap into our subconscious desires. The seamless integration of marketing into our lives blurs the line between necessity and luxury, compelling us to confuse our wants as needs.
Raise your hand if you’ve succumbed to an Instagram advertisement because you were convinced by someone in a reel that the item would increase the value of your life in some way. Where is that item now? Was it essential or necessary? Do you still use it daily? Weekly?
The more we expose ourselves to the curated lives of social media influencers, the more we feel compelled to mirror their choices, often neglecting the implications on our own realities both financially and otherwise. While personalized recommendations from the algorithms entwined in our apps can enhance convenience, they can also trap us in a bubble, reinforcing our existing desires and introducing us to new ones we didn’t even know we had.
We are choosing to allow more and more marketing into our brains when we seek entertainment through social media, and while buying items that are fun, helpful, or simply new isn’t inherently wrong, there are definitely a few things for us to be cautious of as Christians and stewards.
Lisa’s statement, “The more we allow marketing into our brains, the more we will spend on things that are not necessities,” holds a mirror to our modern lives. It’s a wake-up call to the pervasive influence that marketing exerts on our spending habits. But what can we do about it? How can we navigate this world of constant advertising and still prioritize frugality?
The first step is to cultivate mindfulness. In a world where we’re bombarded with advertisements, it’s crucial to take a step back and question the true necessity of what’s being promoted. Before making a purchase, pause and ask yourself if this is something you genuinely need or if it’s just a product of persuasive marketing tactics.
Remember that marketing often plays on our emotions and desires, making us believe we need something when, in reality, we don’t. By practicing mindfulness, you can develop the ability to discern between your genuine needs and manufactured wants.
Another key to embracing frugality in a consumer-driven world is setting clear priorities. Define what truly matters to you and align your spending with those values. Prioritizing experiences over material possessions, for example, can help you avoid falling into the trap of unnecessary purchases.
Consider creating a budget that reflects your priorities. Allocate your resources to the things that bring you true joy and fulfillment, and be mindful of the items that only provide temporary satisfaction.
The more time we spend on social media, the more susceptible we become to marketing messages. To combat this, limit your exposure to marketing by reducing your time on social media platforms and unsubscribing from marketing emails.
Additionally, consider using ad-blockers when browsing the internet to reduce the number of ads you encounter. By taking control of your digital environment, you can significantly reduce the influence of marketing on your purchasing decisions.
In a world filled with curated content and influencers, it’s essential to seek authenticity. Remember that what you see on social media is often a carefully constructed image that may not reflect reality. Instead of trying to mimic someone else’s lifestyle, focus on being authentic to yourself and your values.
We hope you’ll find lots of encouragement towards seeking authenticity on our blog, and through our social media accounts at For This House.
Finally, embrace the joy of frugality itself. Frugality is not about deprivation; it’s about making deliberate choices that lead to a more fulfilling life. When you resist the urge to buy into every marketing message, you free up resources for the things that truly matter to you. Embracing frugality can lead to financial stability, reduced stress, and a greater sense of contentment.
Ultimately, while the world may continue to promote everything as a necessity, we have the power to resist and embrace a more frugal, mindful way of living. By being mindful consumers, setting clear priorities, limiting exposure to marketing, seeking authenticity, and finding joy in frugality, we can resist the pressure from modern marketing and stay true to our values as Christians and stewards of the resources we’ve been given.
Resisting the urge to splurge won’t be an easy decision, but it is one worth making because it leads to a more fulfilling and intentional life.
