In this era of 'buy it if you can', there are a few 'rebels'—while all online streamers are eyeing your wallet with the look of 'if you don’t take advantage of subsidies, you’re missing out,' they are secretly squatting in the corner shouting: 'This thing... actually second-hand is better!'
——(A common person's money-saving and pitfall-avoiding guide: Consumption edition)
After two years in society, you finally save your first 100,000, feeling ecstatic: "I’m also a person with savings now!"
But soon, the sickle of consumerism will accurately cut into you—
1. Car buying traps: from a transport tool to a face project
You initially only wanted to buy a transportation car for 70-80 thousand, but ended up with:
- 4S store sales: "Bro, this car feels too plastic and doesn’t fit your status; add 50,000 for the higher configuration, genuine leather seats + panoramic sunroof!"
- Friend: "Two-year loan with 0 interest, rounded off it's basically free!"
- You (self-hypnosis): "Indeed, a 150,000 car has face value when I drive it out…"
Result:
- Annual car insurance 4000 (sales didn’t mention that this money is paid every year)
- Parking fees + fuel costs + fines (turns out 'keeping a car' is really like raising an ancestor)
- Second-hand electric cars depreciate (sold the car 2 years later and found out I lost half)
Correct posture:
- When buying a car, please chant three times: "Yadi is also Di, Aima is also Ma"
- Newlywed essentials? A 30,000 second-hand Xuan Yi is enough to shield from the wind and rain!
- A car is a liability, not an asset, unless you’re a ride-hailing driver!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Home buying traps: from "having a home" to "working for the bank for a lifetime"
After working for 5 years, you and your partner saved 600,000, plus 800,000 from parents, and a 1.2 million housing fund loan; you are eyeing a 2.6 million 'essential housing'.
What you think buying a house is:
- "Monthly payment 7000, but saved 3000 in rent, equals only spending an extra 4000!"
- "Houses will appreciate, it's a guaranteed profit!"
A real-life home buying scenario:
- Deed tax + maintenance fund + decoration = 200,000 (sales didn’t mention this initially)
- Property fees + parking fees + utilities = hidden expenses (an extra 1000 each month)
- School district housing? (Only know about school district housing but don’t realize the family strength behind it is the main factor)
Correct posture:
- Single? Rent a house! Don't let a mortgage tie down your career choices!
- Newlywed essentials? A 100 square meter small three-bedroom is enough; monthly payments shouldn't exceed 1/3 of your income!
- Buying a house is consumption, not investment; don’t be tied down by "essentials"!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Middle-aged consumption traps: luxury watches, medical beauty, interest classes… can your wallet handle it?
Mixed into the middle class, saved 300,000, but the consumption upgrade came even stronger:
- Husband: "A man needs a green water ghost!" (Actually, "Huawei GT5 is quite good")
- Wife: "One session of Thermage makes you look 5 years younger!" (Effect lasts until the next payment)
- Child: "Robot programming + horse riding + piano = winning at the starting line!" (resulting in the child just wanting to play in the mud)
- Elderly: "Imported medicine works better!" (but insurance doesn’t cover it, wallet can’t take it)
Correct posture:
- Luxury watches? Better to buy a smart bracelet, more functions and stylish!
- Medical beauty? Photon rejuvenation has the best cost-effectiveness; Thermage is not as good as going to bed early!
- Interest classes? Try a session before signing up; don’t let anxiety dictate your spending!
- Elderly care? Regular check-ups + commercial insurance are more reliable than emergency spending!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Health consumption traps: You think you're taking care of your health, but you’re actually paying an intelligence tax.
- "Premium health check-up package" (resulting in finding a bunch of "suspected lesions" that scare you into paying for further tests, only to find out it was a misdiagnosis)
- "Imported health products" (after six months, found out they’re almost as effective as eating eggs)
- "Gym annual membership" (signing up = running away, the two major running away kings—Jason from the gym and Tony from the hair salon)
Correct posture:
- Get health check-ups at public hospitals, don't be fooled by "premium packages"!
- Health supplements are not as good as eating more meat, eggs, and milk; take vitamin D and calcium as needed!
- Exercise? First buy a good pair of running shoes, stick with it for 3 months before considering a gym membership!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultimate summary: The way to break consumerism
1. Three questions for big purchases:
- "Will spending this money bring long-term value?"
- "Will not buying affect my quality of life?"
- "After buying, how much does family debt increase? If unemployed, can we sustain?"
2. Small item consumption principles:
- Rent instead of buy (like wedding dresses, cameras, camping gear)
- If it can be second-hand, don’t buy new (like books, furniture, electronic products)
- Can substitute brands, not big brands (like skincare, daily necessities)
3. Priority of health consumption:
- Regular check-ups > spending on treating illnesses
- Exercise habits > Gym memberships collecting dust
- Balanced diet > health supplements for longevity
Please remember:
- The essence of consumerism is to make you buy illusions with money; being frugal is the right path!
- True freedom is not being able to buy whenever you want, but 'not buying doesn’t affect my happiness at all!'
