Consumerism Is Self Sabotage

[@ElAgustin]

Story time: What's the most self sabotaging thing you've ever done?

[@sbjrnsingelstad106]

Drugs, mr Austin! (Now clean for 9 years)

[@danicegewiss862]

Quitting decent jobs because of a bad day at work.

[@Lissas60]

Borrowing money from family I couldn’t afford to pay back, my biggest regret

[@tomcripps7229]

Buried myself in debt, lost everything. Rebuilt and much better off as a result. Remember, all advertising promises to improve your sex life whether you see it or not.

[@jaydoubleli]

dating women

[@nicoleanagnostou7719]

Austin! Today I paid off my $8000 line of credit. I am finally consumer debt free. Next step is to build an emergency fund. Thank you for the videos. They keep me motivated and determined 🎉

[@ElAgustin]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck on your next venture!

[@AnnMitt]

It's not just companies, it's also family, friends, and dates/partners who don't have your best interest at heart. It really comes down to *your* own brain and gut and heart to make the best decisions for yourself.

[@tomgeorgestory]

It's so hard to serve yourself in this world! But you are spot on ❤

[@trishredding8009]

My self sabotage is online shopping. I have a closet full of nice clothes and shoes, but am constantly tempted by more. Why???? No one cares or remembers what you wear. It's my biggest demon. The first step is recognizing you have a problem. Now, I add items to my cart, but walk away. I quickly forgot about the item. Doing this, I have saved hundreds of dollars on stuff I don't need.

[@spenser9908]

It's that endorphin rush of opening a new parcel. I have the same problem. I've started making a list of things I want to impulse buy with it's price next to it, then review the list after a few days and I'm like wtf, why did I want that?

[@greenkitty82]

I agree with you there. But I'm in the mindset now of really thinking about purchases and how they will serve me in the long run. Like today online I bought a very warm hoody sweater but it's worth the money because I know I will use it a lot for the next 20 years for the bitterly cold winters we have in Northern Europe. I also do what you do with the basket. I put items in I'm thinking about and then I walk away. I'll leave them there for months even and then I'll go back to it after really thinking about it. Advertising tries to trick me with "don't miss out" but if I genuinely needed it I would have bought it. Most things you can go without but if I buy something I must think if I'm realistically going to use it.

[@lateshachurney5965]

You can just enjoy what you have now and you won’t feel deprived.

[@BanjoPixelSnack]

@@spenser9908 I get that rush too. Usually I have forgotten what I have ordered so when parcels turn up I get that dopamine hit that feels like it’s Christmas. But as soon as I open the parcel and remember what it is I’ve ordered by that point I have lost interest. It really is an addictive cycle.

[@BanjoPixelSnack]

I’ve never been into clothes and only have maybe 30 items in total. But for me it’s gadgets, like tech - phones, eReaders, games consoles, cameras, laptops. Half the time I get them and play with them for maybe a week then lose interest and end up selling them or giving them away. One gadget that cost me £100 recently, it’s literally just sat in its packaging and I haven’t even opened it. I’ve just lost interest already!

[@MagicLights555]

I used to be hooked on buying almost weekly from an online clothing retailer. I also joined a Facebook group where people sell used stuff from that retailer. I started seeing questions like: "How do you store all of these pants?" And people would show these novelty hangers from Amazon where they could hang maybe 10-12 items of clothing per hanger. They'd also show how they'd have several dressers with every single drawer full of this brand's apparel. And then there were posts like: "Destashing my closet 'cause bills need to get paid," or "Selling these 'cause I need new tires." It started making me sick to my stomach. It really is sick. I stopped buying ANY clothes because I know I have plenty. I sold and donated half of what was in my closet at the end of last year, and now, when I feel like shopping for stuff I don't need, I contribute money to my roth IRA instead and invest it on index funds. Much better dopamine rush.

[@maryannrogers8675]

No one is coming to save me. I have to save myself. I really understood that part of your message. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.

[@eddiestilll]

i really like the "you don't deserve it" point. but the way i like to look at it isn't "i don't deserve to have this new phone or new car" it's more like "i don't deserve to make my financial situation even worse by purchasing this new phone or new car with money i don't have." :)

[@billsummer6639]

I love your videos. Consumerism is unhealthy. The cure to consumerism is discipline and gratitude.

[@Luncheon23]

I'm revisiting your older videos and absorbing the lessons in them while waiting for new videos. Thank you for your work Agustin!

[@gailtester8749]

I bought a house in the country, outside Park City, when I was running a floral business that serviced Park City. I had a treacherous winter commute to deliver flowers to Park City ( for weddings and events). The trips to Salt Lake to buy flowers was also longer and more dangerous because of all the deer, elk and moose on the roads. I really didn't think it through. It was an impetuous decision that I regretted.

[@plappin]

One of the challenges is that American culture promotes magical thinking when it comes to money. Case in point: "The Secret," which about 15 years ago was hugely popular. A lot of money is made off of getting people to believe that if they can visualize a car, an apartment, a vacation, that it's likely to "manifest." I admit, I've made "dream boards" myself -- in their defense, it can be helpful to imagine a bigger life for yourself, and "bigger" isn't necessarily related to material things. I'm reminded too of a book like "Fear the Fear and Do It Anyway" which promotes the idea that no matter what might come up in the future, if you tell yourself "I'll handle it," then you will be able to do so. It sounds great and it IS empowering but it encourages impulsive actions like purchasing things you can't easily afford at the current time. My point, I guess, is that a lot of what a more grounded person might identify as "self-sabotage" is encouraged by mainstream culture and it's not always easy to recognize it. Thought-provoking video as always, Austin. Thank you!

[@BanjoPixelSnack]

My ADHD demon has sabotaged me constantly through my life. I am terrible at money management and also have dyscalculia which makes it very hard for me to keep numbers straight in my head, couple that with impulsivity and novelty/dopamine seeking behaviour, it’s been chaos my whole life 😅. Lots of debt etc. I would say shame is my main sabotaging behaviour. Feeling like I’m stuck and will never be able to change my behaviour, feeling powerless and stuck in the same old cycle. Being diagnosed with ADHD made me realise that I’m not an awful person and I was able to let go of a bit of the shame and accept that I just need some help and support and some better strategies to manage myself. Anyway … I am now part way through my first ever No Spend month! I’ve not bought anything unnecessary since I got paid on the 1st. Not even a book for 68p that I really wanted. I thought, no this is no spend March. If I still want it on 1st or April I can rethink it.

[@sbjrnsingelstad106]

Really good!

[@derekspence7241]

Good job!

[@BanjoPixelSnack]

@@sbjrnsingelstad106 Thank you :)

[@BanjoPixelSnack]

@@derekspence7241 Thank you 🙏🏼 😊

[@gailtester8749]

Get the book from the library!

[@marcellemayer4772]

My self sabotage is second hand stores. I’ve actually spent $100 more than once. Stuff I don’t need and most of which I got rid of eventually. “Oh baby baby”

[@janebaker966]

In this life we don't get what we deserve,we get what we negotiate. The minute I heard this quoted by a succesful entrepreneur as his credo on life I made it mine. I'm not an entrepreneur,successful or failed but it applies in other fields of life too I feel. First its good for most of us people that we don't get what we deserve,that's a lucky break for us. But I'm thinking of people who suffer silently but often make their displeasure felt to their families,friends or work colleagues. They feel put upon and taken for granted and not given the respect due for all they do. Or a pay raise in lieu of love and respect maybe. But if they spoke up and said what they wanted they would probably get it with some negotiation. Just demurely sitting in the corner hoping the rest of humanity will perceive your innate worth,it's easier and quicker to just tell people what you want and often people will respond by according your wishes. Don't worry about being thought pushy or aggressive as you won't be but even if you are a bit that often gets more respect than hiding in the shadows hoping people will just give you stuff,they won't.

[@jazzispirit1850]

Hi Austin! The online shopping did it for me ..but the truth is it was happening years before that. Buying a house I couldn’t keep up..browsing antique stores for more collections…trying to keep up with relatives who had more money…and more. It took many years to “ wake up” and like I’ve said before..yes I’m completely debt free now…No credit cards…but…like smoking and other addictive behaviors, always be aware of fall backs..and your videos continue to be invaluable to me. Blessings 💚

[@kevinfestner6126]

Consumerism is an addiction, I have found. It's like eating junk food (fast food). I don't know what they put in it, but once I do my once in a month fast food run (and I limit myself, generally, to once a month), I get cravings for more. It's odd.

[@goosewithagibus]

1. Added sugars. In the sauce, in the fries, in the drinks. Sugar is 100% unnecessary for your diet, but it's addicting anyway. 2. Carbs. Needed for your diet, but not in large amounts. It turns to sugar in your body. Which means it's also fairly addicting. I try to only eat fast food a few times a month. It's delicious, but not worth the financial, mental, and physical toll.

[@ILovePlayingZeldaGamesOnSwitch]

Sugar and salt. They are the most addictive ingredients

[@lisalamphier1410]

Great points. Everything stated can also be applied to our social and romantic lives. Look how often we choose who to date or even marry, based on emotion, without really thinking it through. People hand their happiness over to someone else because they think that person can solve their problems. The hard truth is you won't have happy relationships if you're not happy with and by yourself.

[@janebaker966]

I'm enjoying a KZbin channel that discusses the novels of Jane Austen. Romance and Marriage is a big theme in her books but the emphasis is subtly on the practical neccesity for young women to make an advantageous match that will support them financially through life. A very practical viewpoint,if romance is by chance included that's nice,but the money is far more important. I think that Hollywood right from c.1900 and the earliest movies popularized the silly notion that marriage should be based on "lurve" because it made good visual images.

[@lisalamphier1410]

@@janebaker966 I love Jane Austen. Name of channel?

[@janebaker966]

@@lisalamphier1410 Dr Octavia Cox.

[@lisalamphier1410]

@@janebaker966 Thank you!

[@adriansherlockdamondark.1094]

When I was young, I used to say I'm not a consumer. Obviously I was but I guess the idea was that I didn't habitually buy things, I spent money only when I really needed to. I think it's been helpful.

[@danicegewiss862]

I considered buying a ham for St Patrick's Day because Irish people rarely eat corned beef on St Patty's Day. I verified this fact and found that they actually eat Shepherds pie much more often. I already have the ingredients. One less thing to buy! You really have a nice singing voice. I debate on what I buy for a longer and longer period of time.

[@letterbox203]

Hey Austin, I love Cat Stevens, especially his song Father and Son. It has a lot of wisdom. Anyway, the problem with your 2nd advice - ask questions first, then make decisions is that many people don't know what they don't know, so the lack of vision is an obstacle. So sometimes it is good to get someone else to be a mentor who is an expert

[@robinborucki4736]

This video was perfectly said 👌

[@pineapplemoon9049]

Imagine being born into this world just to be a money slave! Money is ruining this world.

[@SirenaSpades]

It's not money. It's debt.

[@redouteshabby2024]

Wow! So many good points. I used to think my whole life that someone should or would "help me" and finally figured out that "help" was never coming. And believe it or not, my lifelong motto has been "Credit is God's way of saying we deserve it". Wow is that a catch 22! And thinking about it before buying. My tip now is to bookmark it on your PC and look at it every week or so, or even every day, then decide when you are ready or not. Love the Cat Stevens!

[@daviddean6032]

Thank you very much, Mr. Austin Williams.

[@amandad6782]

If I didn't go to college and take student debt I would still be doing manual labor and too disabled to work. I had no choice but to take student debt. Now I finally have a better job working from home.

[@victorbaird8220]

I like when Austin sings 😊❤

[@ElAgustin]

haha, thanks!

[@victorbaird8220]

My pleasure Austin!

[@Tsingtaoist]

One of my faves this one ❤. I rewatch the videos on your channel on the off chance I have missed something or just as a gentle reminder. Muchas gracias señor.

[@pamilyadance3550]

I have self sabotaged by Watching adverts for fancy new clothes or bags, then believing I need new things! But realise that day I did not wake up with any urgency needing anything new!

[@NIEMILYFACET1980]

You channel can safe a lot of people from stress, anxiaty regarding money. Thanks

[@martinwraae]

Dear Austin Thank you for some great videos. I enjoy watching them and I am always looking forward to a new episode. I did not talk money with my parents so having your golden pieces of advice is a big thing to me so thank you so much. 😊 Best regards Lars Wraae, Denmark

[@ElAgustin]

Denmark!!! Cool!!! I appreciate it!

[@VidCLR]

The surface of the bubble is fragile, but those inside it don't know. Your videos poke the bubble of every rational person.

[@melilifabulosa5505]

Well said!

[@monchidrivevlogs]

Help is Never on the way, sh*t sometimes even your family who you expect to help you, will use you instead for their own gain. You really have to be selfish in this world.

[@CAGChannel1]

Ain’t nobody gonna give a sh- about you more than you! And that’s if you are lucky - take out the “ more” for many people.

[@joycegonzales4994]

I don’t think everyone is trying to screw us, on a personal level. But let the buyer beware.

[@jonathanmcgovern2464]

One deserves peace of mind, options freedom when you work to live the life want to live by living below means. Not to go in debt to get stuff society makes you believe you deserve.

[@CherbearAnn]

Some great truths! Thank you so much and ‘ help is never on the way’ so funny and SO true :-) expect that help is never coming…love it!! And we love your humor so much.

[@ElAgustin]

Vote for Pedro!

[@CherbearAnn]

@@ElAgustin haha, okay will do…after you build me a cake! Lol

[@kristijankuzman9532]

Your video made my mind richer!

[@jondalgas7201]

Have a great weekend 🤩

[@ElAgustin]

You as well!

[@av26]

First 😮so to answer your question: when I let fear control my life - that’s self-sabotage Impermanence is the only constant -

[@amyjones8613]

Taking on student debt. I was defrauded by a for profit college and now I owe money to a college that doesn't exist anymore for a degree I never got. Debt is dumb. But hear this!!... once I'm debt free, I will never go in debt again.

[@taniaagius3651]

Today s mindset is'life is too short ' enjoy and tomorrow who knows ? You only live once and this drives us to spend and spend and soon enough we realize we became slaves of our so called luxury life style

[@DJ-zi7oe]

Austin seems like he should have starred on TV show Glee

[@ElAgustin]

One of these days!

[@LaurieBertelsen-ze6ub]

Great advice

[@daniel11v33]

"Vote for Pedro. Vote for Pedro. Vote for_____________________Pedro." Love the Napoleon Dynamite cite.

[@untamed6352]

Apart from the cringy singing parts, i’ve so far been enjoying your videos. They transform the way I look at things.

[@ElAgustin]

haha, thanks! Just trying to break up some monotony of the video!

[@kristijankuzman9532]

Eye and brain opening!

[@evs8859]

Thanks for these videos. Keep them coming👍

[@ElAgustin]

Thanks!

[@eduardor0605]

❤ love your videos, caballero

[@inmerava]

That why I don’t believe in pension retirement. “Help never is on the way.” I like to have control of my own money and future. 👍🏽

[@krisstargazer]

"The older I get..." ☺️ You're so cute I stg just wanna pinch ur cheeks! Good work, hope it helps who needs it.

[@christined4842]

I don’t think it’s self sabotage. I believe that most people are very pleased with themselves. They think they deserve it whether they can afford it or not and they deserve it now (so credit and payments

[@christined4842]

Well you hit on that point! You got it Augustine

[@derrick8224]

Love the channel

[@greatwatermeloninthesky7642]

Word.

[@speedfiend925]

Austin: It's a doggie dog world out there! Me: Look out for #1 or you might step in #2. 😁

[@NJGuy1973]

It's a *dog eat dog* world. As in, dogs eating each other.

[@staycasual7203]

But Auuuuggggoooosssssttttteeeiiiinnnnnnnnnnnn, I love buying pointless shit to lengthen the time I have to work in life, I’m a stoopid English man though! Peace from over the pond, my Brudda 🇺🇸 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@muffemod]

People smoke and drink.

[@willmartin34]

Love it love it love it

[@TennantMary]

Love cat Stevens

[@NannyTrish]

Buying a timeshare 🙈

[@thats_toya4ya505]

The most self-sabotaging thing I have ever done in my life is withdraw my 401k years ago....for love 🤢🤮. The government GOT ME GOOD. I was very young and it was my first time being in the program..... 8 years of money....Gone!

[@Anne_Myriam_]

For love ? I don’t really understand. But if it was for a partner I hope you never do that again. . People tend to change unfortunately and some just like to manipulate others in order to exploit them hmmm

[@thats_toya4ya505]

@@Anne_Myriam_ ...yes, for a romantic partnership. I was young, naive, and idealistic about him. Definitely a cautionary tale. Dear parents, I understand every situation is variable, but if you can help it, hold on to your children longer after 18 years old. Highschool doesn't prepare anyone for the real world; relationships, financials, ect. ...And it doesn't really matter what you try to instill in them during their youth... Most often, those lessons don't kick in until LIFE shows up.

[@rafaellima4435]

I love your videos❤❤❤ You are not weirdo, Just rephrasing 4:50s a nice and handsome guy in his 20s might aggressively save it for 2 years to build a KZbin channel to talk about frugality!😅😘

[@klausnersbel8793]

Obrigado 🇧🇷

[@FluffyNuggets369]

There's an old SNL sketch about this topic, DON'T BUY SHIT YOU CAN'T AFFORD.

[@jaydoubleli]

how to avoid consumerism for guys: Don't date.

[@melissataylor8910]

What video talks about you have enough? Thanks❤

[@cajunjamis9001]

6.8 ECUADOR ?

[@LaurieBertelsen-ze6ub]

Sorry... Typo: ging 6:40

[@KS-xz2rq]

Get spiritual.Problem solved.

[@lissaToday5787]

❤

[@konradkakonrad895]

😉

[@hassanhersi5066]

Great work as always thanls❤

[@FluffyNuggets369]

Remember when interest rates on car loans were at ZERO PERCENT, Pepperidge Farms does.

[@aspinaki]

Yusuf islam is my favorite singer. He has an amazing voice.

[@aiya6778]

thanks for the truth

[@muffemod]

CREAMU

[@smiley9987]

Lesson 1-yes. Lesson 2-yes. Lesson 3-yes. Lesson 4-yes Lesson 5-yes. Conclusion: You are your worst enemy. So don't be any longer 🤑. 👍🤍