📢 Discussion Topic: "Smart Saving: How to Resist Consumerism and Save Money"

Welcome to this week’s English Club discussion! 💬💰

In today’s world, we’re constantly bombarded with ads, trends, and the pressure to buy more—whether it’s the latest gadgets, fast fashion, or impulse purchases. But how often do we stop and ask: Do I really need this?

This week, let’s talk about smart saving, mindful spending, and resisting consumerism. Whether you’re a budgeting pro or just starting your financial journey, this is a great chance to:

✔ Share practical tips for saving money.

✔ Discuss how advertising and social media influence our spending.

✔ Explore minimalism, frugal living, and alternatives to overspending.

✔ Learn from others’ experiences—what works (and what doesn’t).

Let’s kick things off! 🚀

• Do you track your expenses? What’s your best money-saving hack?

• Have you ever felt pressured to buy something you didn’t need? How did you handle it?

• What’s one thing you’ve stopped spending on to save money?

Remember, no judgment—just friendly advice and shared wisdom! 💡

Subtopics & Discussion Questions:

1. Understanding Consumerism

• What is consumerism, and how does it influence our spending habits?

• How do advertisements and social media encourage unnecessary spending?

• Can consumerism have any positive effects, or is it mostly harmful?

2. Practical Ways to Save Money

• What are some easy daily habits that can help people save money?

• How can budgeting help in controlling expenses? Share your tips!

• What are some common "money traps" (things that make us spend unnecessarily)?

3. Mindful Spending & Minimalism

• What is mindful spending, and how can it help fight consumerism?

• How does minimalism help in saving money and reducing waste?

• Have you ever tried a "no-spend challenge"? How did it go?

4. Avoiding Impulse Buying

• Why do people make impulse purchases, and how can we avoid them?

• What tricks do you use to resist the urge to buy things you don’t need?

• How can waiting 24-48 hours before buying something help?

5. Sustainable & Frugal Living

• How does buying second-hand or repurposing items help save money?

• What are some cheap or free alternatives to expensive hobbies/activities?

• How can growing your own food or DIY projects reduce expenses?

6. Long-Term Financial Habits

• Why is it important to save money even if you earn a good salary?

• How can setting financial goals (e.g., emergency fund, retirement) help?

• What are some bad financial habits people should break?

7. Cultural & Social Influences on Spending

• How does peer pressure affect our spending (e.g., keeping up with trends)?

• In some cultures, saving is highly valued, while in others, spending is more common. What do you think about this?

• How can we encourage friends/family to spend more wisely?

Bonus Discussion Idea:

• Challenge: If you had to live on a very tight budget for a month, what would you do differently?

Vocabulary List: https://zh.purasbar.com/post.php?t=32806

• What is consumerism, and how does it influence our spending habits?

I think consumerism is the methods that capitalists try to encourage people to buy more things in order to earn more money

It influences us by ubiquitous advertisements and fake "culture". They try to make us believe shopping = happiness

• How do advertisements and social media encourage unnecessary spending?

They will implant the imformation of the products in our subconsciousness

When we have the needs (perhaps not very strong), the implanted advertisements will amplify our needs and we will tend to buy it. If we didn't see the ads, we probably wouldn't buy the products.

I think the methods used in consumerism cannot create needs from nothing, they can only amplify them

• Can consumerism have any positive effects, or is it mostly harmful?

Sometimes consumerism can provide comfort, as some people soothe themselves by buying new items

• What are some easy daily habits that can help people save money?

I often use the thinking of "opportunity cost", "marginal benefit" and "alternative"to save money

The thinking of opportunity cost: Every day I plan the expenses tomorrow, I will think of the opportunity cost of every possible expenses. I only have a limited budget and can only choose one of the options. So it can help me stop me from spend to much money to some extent

The thinking of marginal benefit: Some consumption does have effects, but only a few effects. While comparing the marginal benefit I can choose the option which brings more

The thinking of alternative: When I have to buy some expensive things, I will try to find cheaper alternatives. Sometimes this method can surprise me a lot

• What are some common "money traps" (things that make us spend unnecessarily)?

Some people can be tempted by coupons and make impulse purchases

• What tricks do you use to resist the urge to buy things you don’t need?

Like planning before spending, or waiting 24 hours when having the urge to buy items

• Why is it important to save money even if you earn a good salary?

Because something unexpected may happen any time, we should save money to hedge against risks

• How does peer pressure affect our spending (e.g., keeping up with trends)?

When your community is full of luxuries, and almost all of your friends have luxuries, it will make a "luxury culture". You will think "When I don't have some luxuries, I will be despised" (But in reality not many people attach importance to luxuries)

In order to resist Consumerism, I will live as simply as possible🤔

"Steam Summer Sale 2025" is upcoming!

It suddenly occurs to me:

Can "Steam Summer Sale" also be seen as s form of Consumerism?