UNDERCONSUMPTION CORE: 20+ Things I've Owned for YEARS

[@kaycee625]

Under consumption is how my parents lived their whole lives. Growing up in the war they repurposed and repaired everything, and continued to do so their whole lives. They never ever bought anything on “tick” (on credit cards or loans), if they didn’t have the cash they saved up. I used to laugh at them but actually now I really respect them for their choices.

[@MarielaMerino]

Thanks for sharing! Yes, as we get older we see things differently.

[@Sryker]

I think your commenters probably have similar experiences to me. Before Y2K it was normal to live like this. Growing up in the 80s we had hand me down clothes, cars and furniture. Our couch was my grandmas old couch that she had for decades and reupholstered 3 times. We only got new clothes and shoes at Back to school, birthdays or Christmas. We usually only have 2-3 pairs of shoes. One athletic, one fashion and one dress. We were not poor but my dad was frugal and saved alot. Now I see his wisdom and wish I had adopted more of his habits earlier in life.

[@MarielaMerino]

thanks for sharing! I wish these days were more like that

[@Mardet6]

I love this trend. Products from before are better quality usually.

[@MarielaMerino]

me too. yes they really are!

[@TheMirandaCowles]

If you rub a walnut or almond on the scratches on the coffee table they vanish. Its super cool

[@MarielaMerino]

that's amazing. will try that!

[@lindaroyal8161]

Being that I'm in my 70's, I have so many things that are over 20. I have dolls and books from my childhood and my daughters also. Most of the furniture I have is thrifted, flea markets, yard sales, cast off from others and many pieces are from when I had my 1st place at 19. One of my favorite pieces is my vintage dressing table, I've had since 15 years old. It was left behind by a former tenant in the farmhouse we moved to. Since it was in April and my DOB is April, I always considered a birthday present. I have moved it with me to each place and even to other states, still have it, would never part with it. I have an antique secretary, got it for $20.00 from a friend that was moving, had it for about 30 years; also moved with me to a few places. The only furniture items I have ever purchased new; mattresses, a couple of washing machines and 2 fridges. I only buy used appliances now but mattresses will always be new. The coffee table I have was gifted to me by my former mother-in-law when I was 17. We have pinned up many of dresses, skirts and pants, to be hemmed, standing on that table, still have it. I have items that were my grandmother's that she got from other family members, that I cherish. Far too many of over 20 to list them all.

[@MarielaMerino]

wow amazing!! thanks for sharing. I have found I own more things than 20..the video would've been a lot longer haha

[@lindaroyal8161]

@@MarielaMerino - I could write a book series - ha ha ha!

[@thriftingmaven653]

I have lived in my apt for 30yrs, I have furniture pieces I bought when I moved in and they have lasted. I have a mix of thrifted pieces they I have given a new life. I have two memory totes that I have had since I was in my twenties full of memories from my childhood. Your home should represent you and if people have issues that’s on them so an explanation is not needed.

[@MarielaMerino]

amazing! I agree, thanks for sharing!

[@Phiyedough]

As others have said, all this just seems normal to me but I'm from Europe so perhaps not such a materialist culture. I still use furniture that my parents got as wedding presents in 1957. I now live in Croatia, a relatively poor country where people don't have the money to constantly buy new things.

[@MarielaMerino]

The culture is very different over there for sure.

[@Goldenfinds]

Great video Mariela! Great ways to battle overconsumption. We had a flat screen tv that would have lasted us a long time but unfortunately when Disney plus and the other streaming apps came out it wasn’t compatible with any of the new apps so we had to replace it. Things I have had for years are also my reading books. I have the entire Harry Potter collection (go house of Gryffindor!) and the twilight series from high school. I also try to make my shows last until they get really bad and then I buy new ones.

[@MarielaMerino]

Thank you! Yes, Gryffindor! Thanks for sharing! :)

[@bex438]

I can think of a few things that me and my partner have had for many years. We've got a vegetable peeler that belonged to my partners nan and must be about 50 years old but is as sharp as ever, we have a pair of shorts that were once jogging bottoms 20 years ago & have been cut down and are now used by my partner to sleep in and my mobile phone is over 7 years old which these days seems quite old but although it's got some wear and tear now it still works and that's what's important 😀

[@MarielaMerino]

50! wow I think you win haha. Amazing, my phone would be 5 years old this year but I had to buy a new one end of last year after it got water damage. Thanks for sharing!

[@NoahMarissa]

Pretty much every item in our home is secondhand or repurposed too whether from thrift/antique stores and estate/garage sales or hand-me-downs from family and friends. I love vintage/antique shopping and I've been doing that since I was a child. One of my favorite hand-me-downs is my engagement ring! It was a ring my husband's grandmother (she passed away around 5 years ago now) owned since she was 10 and I cherish it so much! It has a gorgeous opal stone on it although unfortunately the opal stone broke off and got lost over a year ago now, so ever since we've been trying to find an opal stone to replace it. I love thrifting candles and once the candle jars are empty, I repurpose them and use them to store things in. Gift tags I make out of free envelopes that come with our mail. My phone I have, I've had it for around 6 years close to 7 and it's horribly falling apart, but I'm still using it until it breaks and am hoping to find a secondhand phone to replace my new one. There's so many more hand-me-downs and things I could mention that we have, but these are the ones that come to mind.

[@MarielaMerino]

Ah that's amazing! I love vintage/thrift shopping too. My phone would be 6 this year but had to get a new one end of last year after it got water damage and it was no longer functional. Thanks for sharing!!

[@ecologist_to_be]

I keep stuff till it falls apart even when looks scruffy. 🎉 If I really don't need it I give it to someone who needs it. I do buy new but nowadays I try and make sure I'll use it for as long as possible, however some stuff does break and can't be fixed as things made so poorly these days it feels like. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@MarielaMerino]

I can relate to this :)

[@dazzleree]

Love this approach! Would you be interested in trying our products for a review? We think they’d be a great fit for your audience. Let me know!

[@jennyjenkins877]

This is a strange request on a video about consuming less. Your business should be conducted privately using the email address provided in the description.

[@MarielaMerino]

I agree