It’s a new term, and you may be tempted to go all out to feel like a new you. But be careful—this marketing tactic only leads to debt and despair.

“Don’t you need new shoes this term? It’s fall, are you sure you don’t want to buy more dresses? Hey, Aritzia is having—15% off jackets! Oh, and SHEIN has free shipping on Sundays, so you can get pants for just $20!”

Does that sound familiar to you? Maybe it’s just me, but every time I get that creeping feeling that I ‘need’ to buy something, a wave of anxiety follows. Fenty just dropped a new lip gloss? I’m already at Sephora, with my credit card in hand, waiting for the doors to open. 

We live in a capitalistic society where ads are shoved down our throats—through billboards, social media and even our peers, as constant new trends convince us we must buy the latest “life-changing” products. This often leads to overconsumption: buying things you do not need. Those trendy sale items? They sit in your closet, unworn. That shiny home gadget from TEMU? Completely useless. Before you know it, your wallet is as bleak as your motivation to return those impulse buys. 

However, this does not mean you shouldn’t buy things you like or wish to have. It just means being more mindful of how you spend. Oftentimes, where and how frequently you shop doesn’t just affect your long-term financial health—they impact the environment and labour conditions.

Also, and this is important: It’s okay not to have everything you want. Capitalism makes us feel like we’re incomplete without the latest and ‘greatest’ products, but materialistic items don’t create lasting happiness or contentment. 

If you struggle with mindful spending, that’s okay, most of us do. Here are some practical tips that have helped me cut back on overconsumption: 

Styling Clothes: Use What You Have To Get What You Want

I used to think dressing the way I wanted meant constantly expanding my wardrobe. More dresses, more bags or more tops —it never ended. Half my income went to shopping, and I prioritized quantity over quality. Ironically, the poor quality of these mass-produced items ended up not lasting long enough and barely matched anything else I owned.

Now, I experiment with fashion. I turn dresses into skirts, layer tops in unexpected ways, and create new silhouettes from old pieces. TikTok and Pinterest influencers promoting sustainable fashion have shown me that creativity and authenticity matter more than an endless supply of clothes. 

Makeup: Drugstore Doesn’t Mean Low Quality

With celebrity brands popping up like mushrooms, such as Rhode, Fenty, Haus Labs, Rare Beauty, Rem Beauty, Kylie Cosmetics (shall I go on?)— there’s a growing belief that if it’s not from a big-name brand, it isn’t good enough. Pop culture and classism have convinced us that a brand name matters more than the actual product.

But going into a store for one lipgloss and leaving with three lip contours, two lip shines and five lip glow shiny sticks? Yeah, that’s how capitalism wins.

It’s fine to buy high-end brands if you genuinely love them, but remember: drugstore brands like e.l.f, NYX and Maybelline have been those girls for years. Before I buy makeup, I  check reviews from people with my skin tone, think about what will enhance my routine and see if I already own something similar. 

This way, I only buy what I’ll really use.

Food: The Campus Struggle

University is stressful AF (as fickledicklesticks). You start the term hoping the next four months are going to be carefree, filled with meal prepping, yoga and going to bed at 10 p.m. That’s every student’s dream until the reality of assignments, all-nighters, coffee for breakfast and spending over $50 a week on campus food.

It’s really hard not to spend money on food at least once a week, but those purchases add up. That’s money you could be saving or using for something more useful. I’m not here to tell you to “just stop eating out”. Instead, here’s some realistic advice: 

Split orders with a friend. You can share a footlong, a pizza or even do a group DoorDash order to cut delivery fees. Sometimes it’s cheaper than buying food on your own. 

Compare prices. Some spots on campus are overpriced (looking at you, Ag Cafe). Opt for cheaper alternatives like the Arts and Science Cafe sandwiches, Subway cold cuts, or snack deals from student offices (CSSS, for example, sells discounted snacks).

Buy cheaper treats. If you’re like me and enjoy the dopamine of spending money on treats, try to buy cheaper treats. Find alternatives to satisfy those sugar cravings that won’t make as big of a dent in your wallet.

Lastly, allow me to point out the obvious. The easiest way to reduce spending money on food on campus is to pack a lunch. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, it could just be small snacks. Even just bringing carrots or a sandwich helps to reduce impulse food spending. 

Food: The Doordash Dilemma

Ordering takeout feels like a small expense, until you check your bank statements wondering who stole all your money, and realize it was just you. That $21.99 burger? Probably $5 cheaper in-store.

Some easy ways to cut costs are to sign up for loyalty programs to get discounts, meal prep to have easy-to-grab food when you’re tired and buy from restaurants that serve big portions (small, independent spots often do).

Electronics: Do You Really Need That Gadget?

Technology is amazing.  It gave us laptops, iPads, headphones, AirPods, monitors, gaming pads, VR headsets….see where I’m going?

The list never ends, and the mining of materials, like cobalt, for these devices has serious ethical concerns. Before purchasing, ask yourself, “Is there an alternative?”, “What was I using before this came out?”, “Is it worth the cost and environmental impact?”

Making a pros and cons list with these questions can help to determine if it’s a good idea to make that purchase.

Another good idea is to buy second-hand items. Trusted stores and certified refurbished tech (even directly from brands) that sell refurbished tech with warranties are great options that save money and reduce waste.

Subscriptions: Do You Use Them All?

Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime and Hulu—when was the last time you even opened Hulu? If you have multiple subscriptions, consider cancelling what you don’t use, splitting costs with friends or family or downgrading to cheaper plans. 

Make a ranked list of your monthly subscriptions. That way, if your budget ever gets tight, you know exactly what to cut out first.

Textbooks: Check Before You Register

This one isn’t on you, it’s on them. Professors making students buy $100 textbooks they barely use should be a crime. 

Make sure to check before registering or immediately after the syllabus gets posted to check if there are mandatory textbooks you need to purchase.  Sometimes different sections use different materials, so consider switching to another section, or if possible, dropping the class for one that doesn’t require you to buy textbooks.

Final Words

Saving isn’t easy, especially when companies make spending so tempting. However, small changes add up. If you focus on mindful spending, your wallet (and future self) will thank you.