Uploaded July 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
One way to stop yourself from buying things you don't need is to choose usefulness over status.
When buying something new, carefully consider why you're buying it. Is it for its usefulness? Or are you really buying it in the hope of feeling like that model who posted it on Instagram?
This is what happened to Diderot, who went on a shopping spree after buying a new scarlet robe because all his other possessions looked bleak and old in comparison. His new gown had promised security and freedom. But, in the end, it trapped him...
I no longer spend money on branded clothes. I can't be bothered. I do have an expensive MacBook Pro, but even though it cost me an arm and a leg, I bought it for its usefulness. The way I see it, a carpenter needs a good hammer because it's how he makes his living. And it's a tool he uses every single day.
I've found that if I spend money on something of high quality, I never think about the money afterward anymore. But if I've been cheap, there will be many days filled with frustration about why I went for the lower quality option.
– WHAT TO WATCH NEXT –
Why You Want Things You Don’t Need | Diderot Effect: youtu.be/uUlVN2ioTZE
One way to stop yourself from buying things you don't need is to choose usefulness over status.
When buying something new, carefully consider why you're buying it. Is it for its usefulness? Or are you really buying it in the hope of feeling like that model who posted it on Instagram?
This is what happened to Diderot, who went on a shopping spree after buying a new scarlet robe because all his other possessions looked bleak and old in comparison. His new gown had promised security and freedom. But, in the end, it trapped him...
I no longer spend money on branded clothes. I can't be bothered. I do have an expensive MacBook Pro, but even though it cost me an arm and a leg, I bought it for its usefulness. The way I see it, a carpenter needs a good hammer because it's how he makes his living. And it's a tool he uses every single day.
I've found that if I spend money on something of high quality, I never think about the money afterward anymore. But if I've been cheap, there will be many days filled with frustration about why I went for the lower quality option.
– WHAT TO WATCH NEXT –
Why You Want Things You Don’t Need | Diderot Effect: youtu.be/uUlVN2ioTZE
