How to be a conscious consumer and what are the advantages

Every day more people are concerned about be a conscious consumer, and this may be a reflection of the publicity about the impacts of consumerism on the health of planet Earth.

The fact is that conscious consumption is one of the most conscious ways to reduce the dumping of waste into nature and the unrestrained use of resources.

For this reason, today we will look at some tips for consuming consciously and the advantages of this practice. Check it out below!

What does it mean to be a conscious consumer?

There are those who think that being a conscious consumer depends on extreme practices, where plastic consumption is prohibited and only vegan companies are accepted. 

These practices are positive for the planet, but you don’t need to transform your life overnight, as you can start slowly and evolve according to your possibilities.

This is because being a conscious consumer is not necessarily related to lifestyle, but rather to the reflection carried out before any purchase.

Of course, over time this starts to impact life in general, but what we want to say is that the important thing is to start with simple practices, because there is a first step for everything.

But, after all, what does it mean to be a conscious consumer?

Being a conscious consumer means carrying out an analysis before each purchase, in order to prioritize products and services that are truly necessary and that generate the least possible impact on the planet.

So, a conscious consumer does not buy something on impulse, and before choosing the model, consider how it was produced, and whether there are more sustainable options.

++Loan denied: why does it happen and what to do? – Analytic New.

What are the advantages of being a conscious consumer?

It is not uncommon for people to consider conscious consumption a fad, that is, a trend that will soon pass.

But the truth is that the planet can no longer support the mode of consumption that has become the rule since the last great Industrial Revolution, in the 19th century.

Every day there are news and articles in the media that portray the impacts of unbridled consumerism on the planet: pollution, mountains of trash, scarcity of resources, and these are not the most serious consequences.

For this reason, being a conscious consumer is not a trend, but a real necessity to guarantee the recovery of the planet and the preservation of life.

See below 3 advantages of being a conscious consumer.

You contribute to the preservation of the planet

Take a few seconds to look at photos of mountains of trash (mostly plastic) removed from the oceans, and you will certainly understand the impacts that a simple toothbrush can cause.

Therefore, being a conscious consumer must be a general responsibility, in order to preserve the planet and reduce the impacts caused to nature by the unrestrained consumption of human beings.

Reduction of unnecessary expenses 

Do you feel like you are always out of money? You’ve barely received your salary and you’ve already cleared your account with online purchases? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you probably understand the impacts of unlimited consumption on your finances.

So, being a conscious consumer is important to avoid impulse spending, which preserves your finances and allows you to spend on what really matters.

Avoid accumulations in your home

The lack of conscious consumption tends to create clutter in our homes, as we end up buying too many things, to the point where we don’t even have anywhere to store them.

By becoming a conscious consumer this problem is reduced, as you start to buy only what you really need.

This way, it becomes simpler to organize your home and you stop tripping over things that you don’t even remember why you bought.

3 tips for being a conscious consumer

One of the main reasons for many people to move away from conscious consumption is precisely the demand that exists on the part of supporters of the cause.

There are strong opinions about conscious consumption being obliged to change habits in a sudden and extreme way, but we have already seen that this does not have to be the case.

If you don’t know where to start being a conscious consumer, below we’ll look at 3 tips to help you with this mission.

1. Assess your real needs

The first step to being a conscious consumer is to resist impulse purchases. In this case, we’re talking about that t-shirt you bought and today you don’t even remember why, since you don’t like the model.

Understand that your money has value, and should not be spent on products that will not really be useful for your life.

This way you save money and also reduce the need for industry production and the waste dumped on the planet.

2. Don’t be swayed by influence 

One of the biggest challenges in being a conscious consumer is influence as an element of companies’ sales strategy.

Influence makes us buy something just to belong to a group or to look a certain way to others.

Bet on authenticity and only buy something if it is really necessary and if it suits your tastes, not those of other people.

3. Prioritize sustainable products 

To be a conscious consumer you must invest in sustainable practices, so:

• Replace traditional companies with vegan companies;
• Avoid products tested on animals;
• Choose clothes with good durability, so you don’t need to buy new pieces frequently;
• Replace plastic products with biodegradable materials;
• Choose biodegradable and microplastic-free cosmetics;
• Among many other important practices.

The most important thing is that, before any purchase, you evaluate the impacts that that product or service has on the planet, and always choose the most sustainable option.

Read too: Paying by credit card or cash: which is the best option? – Analytic New.

Roberta 30 de July de 2024