When you go shopping, are you a consumer or a consumerist?

When we are consumerists, we spend everything we have on superfluous products, which are often unnecessary and not what we need, but we are curious to try them because of advertising, fashion, or because they are branded products. We often compulsively buy things that we will not use or that are useless, just to satisfy our desire to shop. When we are consumerists, we run the risk of spending more than we have available and can fall into debt.

When we are consumerist, we only purchase what we need in a rational, controlled and responsible manner, taking into account the economic, social, cultural and environmental consequences of the act of consuming itself. Consumerism is important because it leads us to reflect on our needs, aspirations and resources, never disconnecting us from the consequences of our actions. Being consumerist also means being a citizen who is responsible for the healthy use of money.

Tips for being a healthy consumer or consumerist

We should never go shopping when we are hungry;

Make a list and stick to it: we all make lists, the problem is sticking to them. Halfway through shopping, we add a few extras to the trolley and, in the end, the bill is higher than we thought it would be;

Whenever possible, draw up a menu with meals for the whole week and put the necessary items on that list. This way, we avoid going to the supermarket more often during the week and thus save money.

Whenever possible, only take cash with you to pay for your purchases. When we use our debit card to pay, we tend to buy more than we actually need and end up spending more than we intended.

Go shopping alone: when we go shopping with family or friends, it is very difficult to save money at the supermarket, as the task becomes more enjoyable, which means spending more time looking at products and buying things on impulse. It is best to leave the family at home before going shopping, it is for a good cause!

Pay attention to promotions: not all promotions are advantageous, so it is necessary to learn to read labels, check the expiry date of items and compare prices before and after the promotion;

Be mindful of nature and environmental sustainability when shopping: check that the products you buy are eco-friendly and environmentally friendly.