Me too. My first accusation was at the age of 8 years old. My mom was pissed off and defended me. It's crazy how POC are profiled constantly. Thank you for using g your platform for speaking about this.
Videos like this are such a good way to give people who are maybe less focused on the environment or who are a bit lost a reason to consider becoming less consumerist. Also people who are eco-conscious who are struggling with being excessively consumerist still. I know I was certainly in the second category there. I was in thousand of pounds of debt, and struggling because I was being hyper-consumerist because I was attempting to cope with how the state of my life was impacting my mental health. I kept justifying it to myself because I was mostly buying things second hand, and I literally felt like I'd die if I didn't have things to distract me, but it wasn't all second hand and just having and using debt and credit cards was supporting corrupt and predatory companies who allowed me more debt even though I already had a ton of debt. It also got me scammed. Now I'm bankrupt, unemployed, and having to attempt to rehome a bunch of stuff (mostly clothes), that even though I bought mostly second-hand I'm now responsible for ensuring it doesn't just become waste. The entire system is designed to take advantage of those of us who are low income and vulnerable, it's just not ethical, and it still finds a way even if you're not young and are already fairly eco-conscious. I was 25 when it happened to me and already considered myself to know what I stood for and they still found my weak points and got under my skin. Really trying to stick to sustainability and being green and adjusting the way I thought about certain things helps me to avoid falling back into that trap and keeps me on a better path closer to eco-minimalism where I'm more considerate of the things I have, what went into them, and considering where they could end up, as well as anything new I consider bringing in. Sorry for comment length!
In most parts of the US, you can get a credit card as a teenager if your parents have decent credit and sign off on it. It is an important capability for teens who need to be able to purchase their own vehicle or equipment for work. Definitely not a safe option to give a teen without explaining how things work, but that was miserably poor parenting
What's even worse is when parents do it and their kid has no idea. The parents can't get their spending under control and their credit sucks so they say "I'm going to borrow some money from my kid" (and I'm sure many of them do intend to pay it back) but in reality it's straight up identity theft. Often times the kid finds out when they go to apply for something for the first time and they not only have a credit score when they shouldn't, but they have a really terrible one. And then they have to file a police report against their parents if they have any hope of starting life out on the right foot, but that's obviously an emotionally complicated situation and many young adults feel like they, not their parents who committed a crime against them, would be doing irreparable damage to their relationship. It's a depressingly common situation
How did the bank give a $15000 credit to a teenager without her signature? You didn't even sign the papers? Don't they make sure you can aford it and ask for documentation showing you can?
Thank you for this video! Your channel gives me a much needed break from all of the messages we're constantly blasted with to "buy, buy, buy." For me, I'm privileged enough for my consumerism to not severely affect my financial situation, which remains pretty balanced. However, I have a hard time with impulse purchases and spending, and constantly feeling like some greater force is causing me to do that. I enjoy fashion and looking nice is something I value. For environmental and ethical reasons, I've severely limited my purchases of fast-fashion and instead rely on resell, consignment, and thrifting for trend pieces, and "ethical" brands for staples. STILL, I feel like my closet is overwhelming and my consumerism out of control (even though I declutter every season). For this reason, I tried implementing a "low-buy" system at the start of 2020, but with the pandemic gave up the system and used online shopping as an outlet. Is anyone else is feeling conscious of yet at the mercy of the "rat race" of consumerism like me? And why are these habits SO difficult to change?
Maybe you just lack other hobbies, interests and things to keep you happy in general. If you cant go much out it may help to simply play computer games, listen to music and watch movies/videos you like on your computer, but also make sure you exercise while indoors. If you can go out its probably good to go for a walk. If you're lonely or just overall bored consider getting a pet, of course that you can and will properly care for. They of course require new resources regularly, but maybe less than you would otherwise buy, and maybe some could live mostly on food scraps or some herbivore pets could live of things growing in your garden if you have one. Just make sure to give them what they actually need. It may be worth it for life quality and if you rescue an animal you're doing something directly good. Put your excess money in a savings account and also consider donating some to charity. And make it a habit to always stop and think before buying, including both price and just how needed/wanted that product really is and whether there are other things you want more. Shopping lists can help
I’m a little late to this video. I am so glad that you spoke about having an issue with stealing, I grew up in a very poor household and never had the “nice” “worthy” items like my friends did. I started stealing when I was 11 and never got caught until I was 18, when I was 18 I was homeless and just stealing anything and everything I could to get by and to feel like I was a part of society and wasn’t homeless, and then I got arrested, they told me they arrested me because I didn’t provide an address... of course I learned about how awful it was that I felt this way, and that stealing in itself is fucking terrible. I haven’t stole anything in going on 3 years ❤️🥳 I also had to go to therapy about it. My entire life has changed since then and becoming more sustainable and eco friendly and positive. Thank you for your honest and educational content. You hold a dear place in my heart, Shelbi ❤️
So much respect to you for making this video! Sometimes it's so hard to admit doing things in the past which we are now ashamed of. You're teaching important lessons and proving anyone can change and your past doesn't have to be your future. Thank you! ❤
I really appreciate your candid honesty. I am in a bad situation where I ran up massive amounts of debts that I am still repaying. I did not understand the gravity of my actions. Talk about learning the hard way. I was in a bad cycle.
Thank you so much for posting this video. I'm 22 and I started college with a student card that has no interest. Now I'm in debt due to COVID and having no income, not qualifying for unemployment because I'm technically still employed but not working and all this. I needed to provide for myself somehow, I've been able to keep up but now I'm in debt and just trying to get back into working so I can pay this off...
I'm glad you are talking about this. I was lucky to take a personal finance class so I knew about credit cards but no one told me about late payments and overdraft fees. I would overspend after paying my bills and didn't pay attention And buying new because I never got to as a kid. It was aweful when I realized how much money I lost, when I went to live out on my own I painfully realized I couldn't just go out to eat and buy crap I didn't need/use. I'm glad I became a independent thinker and don't fall prey to marketing
Shelby, you really give me hope. I watch you and am in awe as to how you pay attention to what your buying. You care so much about the environment. I do too but didn’t realiZe how much I am adding to the problem. Buying coffee in a paper cup and plastic lid to all the plastic I bring in my home. Thank you. This video helped me
Hi I don’t know if you will see this but I’m 16 and I’m going into my junior year of high school. At my school we are required to take a class called personal finance, I opted to take this class over the summer and there is one thing that has been making me mad about this class. One of our units is about consumerism, I have learned a lot about this topic from your videos and the low wast movement in my own but they tought a very different side of consumerism. The course teaches that consumerism is a good thing because it keeps money moving around, therefore benefiting large corporations, and that people anti consumerism are radical and uneducated. This just really bothered me because I know my classmates will believe this because they haven’t been properly educated about circular economy’s and how being anti consumerism is actually good for a multitude of reasons. This reminded me of how the education system fails to actually teach us what will benefit the planet but what will benefit large corporations
Hi Shelbi! Excellent video! I wish we had RU-vid 40 years ago. My first job, beauty consultant in a department store, certainly had it’s challenges. A lot of had to get this & had to get that pressures. I did okay with my first credit card but when I think back, all the beauty crap I spent money on. Ugh!! I’m totally different now. Put myself on a no spend challenge this year just out of curiosity. And I don’t even own a mascara now because I’m okay with being me. Stay awesome dear one!
I once worked as a personal assistant for a well-to-do family. To keep things on the level, they gave me access to their extremely high credit limit: a card in my name as an authorized user on their account. (No credit report, no application, just "bam") So i could run errands and pay bills but always sign my own name. Big responsibility. Wasn't until a few months in that i realized an unexpected bonus: my credit score had leapt up! Their credit limit, good history etc etc, positively affected my attractiveness as a consumer. Everyone and their uncle was begging me to take out a card, loan of line of credit!!
Thank you for sharing! I am interning at an environmental nonprofit and have a small stipend that can almost cover housing and basic needs. I want to incorporate more environmental swaps (I really want the washer ball that collects micro plastics, I work in the water and am washing synthesis constantly). I have made the majority of the basic swaps, but am feeling like I am not personally living my values. I need to go back at watch your free/ low cost solution videos.
I grew up poor and I knew it. I knew I was "without". This can created an impulsive buying habit, with a lot of guilt attached. I also only buy cheap stuff. In the past 4-5 years I have been trying to purse my house of stuff. And have been trying to make swaps- more ethical clothing and product. Because they cost more- the intention is that I will buy less and have less. This has been a struggle but it has improved. Not completely there yet.( And still need to purge my stuff. )
Hi Shelbi, I was looking through your blog to find a sustainable and ethical yoga mat but cannot seem to find any. I was doing some research and I was wondering if you could provide some other yoga brands like Jade Harmony, Second Earth Yoga, EcoYoga, Liforme, and Yoloha Yoga. I'm not sure if any of these brands are greenwashing, but based off the articles I read I do not think they are. Let me know if you see this message and find any additional useful information. Thank you!
I'm not Shelbi (duh) but the best option for a purchase will always be to buy secondhand (like a thrift store). Even the most ecofriendly new product has to be manufactured with materials and energy that doesn't have to be used when other products have already been used!
You should check out Kristen Leo's channel. She has a video called quitting plastic 7 zero waste swaps, it is like 3 years old but she talks about a yoga mat.
You could always buy as high quality mat. I dont know about you but I'd rather not have a used one and recently bought mine new. Quality and sustainable is the way to go! Good luck in your search
It's very telling to see headlines in the celeb news such as "Kate Middleton has worn the same dress twice!!" like it's completely mad ans it's mandatory to change your whole wardrobe every day and never be seen wearing the same clothes/outfits... I don't care that I wear a shirt 2 days in a row at work, I don't mind being seen wearing only one winter jacket all winter long or having only one big handbag and one small one. Sometimes social pressure towards consumerism is plain ridiculous.
As someone who was raised in France I just don’t get the point of credit cards. I don’t think I know anyone who actually owns one and I really don’t understand what the (long term) benefits of spending money you don’t have can be ... I mean, I know it’s cultural but still, it doesn’t make any sense to me ...
Its dumb. So in the USA you have to have a credit card to get a house or car mortgage and to rent. They check your credit score ( based on if u pay off credit cards) so if you dont have a credit score they will dent you mortgages and refuse you for apartments. I do understand why we do this. It sets people up to get into debt. Not to mention that about 25% of credit reports have an error in them in the US, and it lowers your credit score to check your credit. Its wild, and insane
Ava Curtis Thank you ! I watched videos on this topic, trying to understand but I didn’t get that it was mandatory to get a mortgage. That really sounds insane. Sometimes I’m grateful for being a French citizen 😂
Ava Curtis You should definitely get a Mint account. It’s pretty easy if you have used Turbo Tax before (same parent company) and it estimates your credit score based on the status of the credit cards and bills you have. It’s pretty accurate, and doesn’t affect your score. It can also help you manage your spending to budget and get a better score.
Hello! I want to minimize my whole makeup routine and replace it with sustainable makeup but in an affordable way (once I’m done using up my current products of course) and I’ve been thinking of trying the brand “Pure Anada” because they offer refill pans and claim to get their mica ethically but I didn’t see them on your eco friendly brand list so I thought i’d bring it up to see if you know anything about them 😊 thanks in advance!
It sucks to have to admit to stealing. There's a whole "shoplifting fandom" on sites like Tumblr where it's kind of encouraged because "grr capitalism sucks!!!" We have shoplifters almost every day where I work. It's annoying and I try not to judge why individual people are stealing, whether it's drugs, paying rent, or compulsion, the main reason we just don't like it is bc of the inventory adjustment paperwork. We need to have an accurate inventory in our store otherwise stuff gets messed up, such as online fulfillment or just store audits in general. But I try not to hold too much hate towards the shoplifters. Just confused curiosity I guess. I can understand ppl stealing food or medicine out of need, but just fashion? Ehhhhh.... I don't get it I guess. Reminds me of being a little kid, when I was more tempted to steal things bc I didn't have my own money or skills.
You said the credit card debt was around $15k? Wasn’t there a limit to the credit card? Or if the limit was that high how and why did they give a 16 year old that high of a limit? I remember when I got my first credit card the limit was $1000. Does all this work differently in the US than Canada?
Whoa. My friend had a friend who stole alllllll the time and wasn't ever caught. The one time she convinced my friend to take something too they were caught. I'm just now realizing they were probably caught because my friend is Mexican so they were being watched more closely than her white cheerleader friend ever was when she was by herself. 🤯
I'm not American so maybe it's a cultural thing but... how do you manage to have $15000 worth of credit card debt and not know about it? In Australia you'd be getting calls and harassed about that debt, the interest you owe would spiral out of control, it would be a literal nightmare. It's also absolutely wild to me that a kid can be given a $15k card in the first place. I was only given the option of ones over $1000 after a few years with a bank, and I was in my 20s by that point. What a terrifying society we live in, hey. I'm just happy I was able to pay off the last of my credit card (less than a hundred bucks on a $1000 card) and cancel it for good. You should be really proud of yourself for doing such a huge u-turn!
And then what makes it scarier is that $15,000 USD is like $30,000 in Australian currency. I think the credit environment has changed a bit though, maybe because of situations like hers, because when I got my first credit card at the age of 20, I had a $1000 limit.
Have you made a video of being more sustainable with pets? My mom literally let's our dog rip through toys like it's nothing... But instead of buying new ones most of the time we sew up the tear, so I guess that's good. And then with my cat we clean the litter box using whatever plastic bags we have, so they get use. Any ideas to make it more sustainable? Cuz I know you have a cat😸😊
Giving a 16 year old a credit card without giving them any information about it is just dumb. No offense to your mum but I think that’s just awful. All do that experience is ridiculous
@@abbiewhittier4405 At 16 you can typically get a credit card if you have an existing checking account, so long as your parents have decentish credit themselves and sign off on it. It is unusual, but important for teens who have to purchase a vehicle or equipment for a job. Definitely not an acceptable tool to throw at a teenager without ANY actual instruction involved though
Not when I was poor we were terrible for the environment. We bought shitty quality Walmart shoes that died in a year, shitty dollar store dishes and utensils that lasted a few months, low quality food that came wrapped in a lot of plastic. Being poor is more expensive than being middle class most of the time because you nickel and dime your way through life replacing garbage more often than of you just had the money for a good set of something to begin with. Distinctly I remember we would buy shitty knives CONSTANTLY, like every year a whole new set for 15-20 dollars depending on how many were in the set (at the dollar store 16-20 years ago). When I got a job and on my own and my boyfriend and I moved in together, I noticed he loved being in the kitchen but had basically a "set" of leftover knives his mom gave him so I saved up and bought him a set of J.A. Henckel knives for something like $150 11 years ago and they're still going strong. Now in that same time we could have spent the same to $200 and sent 10 sets of knives to the landfill broken and dull. And like I said, still going strong because he takes care of them too and they might last another 10 years of her continues to do so.
That's the "Boot's Theory!" "Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles. But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet." When we're poor, we might have a large footprint but we have the LEAST power against capitalism! That's a core concept of Climate Injustice - the people who contribute the least and have the least power face all the consequences!
Also, being poor is self limiting. I would fix old work trucks over and over and over. When I started to make money I still found myself stuck with a poor mentality. I purchased reservedly and was still fixing stuff I bought new instead of paying someone. It eats time and kills growth. Yeah, it makes me handy, but I was already that. Now, I do what I do best, buy absolute top quality and pay to have stuff fixed that is even remotely out of my comfort zone.
Yes. One thing that helps is slowly saving up for a better quality replacement. It takes a long time but then it'll last way longer and in the end cost less 😊
Yes and no. I have cheap knives, but my own sharpener. I would never sharpen Henkels myself, but I can keep the cheap ones working well enough for me. I guess it depends on how well one maintains stuff. (A snobby ex-friend used to get all threatened and abusive because I sometimes actually mend clothes.)
Really good point that low income does not necessarily equate sustainability. Many of the more affordable products are greenwashed to attract customers
I’m 16 and I’m glad I’ve been watching the minimalist community for over a year now and it’s really helped me save and realize what my personal style is and where my values are. Everyone should watch this video.
You're so lucky to find minimalism when you're young! Not meaning to be patronising it's just that when you find in later in life you've accumulated a hell of a lot more stuff that you have to deal with. You've saved yourself years of pointless spending, stress and even cleaning. Good luck with your minimalist journey x
I haven’t been able to find any clothing stores near where I live(outside the US) that aren’t fast fashion chains. But, since I love sewing I try to sew as much of my clothing as I can, since I also don’t like the clothes in the stores near me. I also hate shopping for clothes and I always wear my clothes until they’re basically ruined and if I actually find a piece of clothing that I like I want to keep as long as possible.
@@leafhoff4321 Yeah that's very sustainable too! You should wear your clothes for a long time, I think that's what has the biggest impact on their sustainability. (And what makes second-hand clothing sustainable, too)
A credit card with a $15k limit for a 16 year old?! Oh my goodness. I had a credit card when I was 16, but my bank only gave "student" cards to minors. It had a 500 limit and my mother had me set it up to autopay from my savings account each month. I rarely used it to pay for anything other than gas. I was raised with a "cash only" budgeting method. So if I didn't physically have cash on me, I didn't buy anything (other than gas). I've kept doing this and it really helps keep me from over buying. The pandemic has thrown a wrench in that though. More things need to be bought online and most stores, understandably, prefer you pay with a card. I've switched to writing down what I've spent to keep track so I can pay with a card more, but I prefer getting X amount of cash at the start of the month and when it's gone, no more buying.
Chances are it started at 1000 and it "upgraded" when she turned 18, 22, etc... My credit card started at 1K because I was 17. I never abused it (thankfully) but it has gradually expanded to 10K just because I got older.
My husband and I use a cash/debit only method for years now. We don't do credit cards or credit anything at all. We're debt free because of it but a lot of people don't have this luxury because they don't make enough money to live that way unfortunately. Even people that do make enough still depend on credit because it's all about having the newest and latest (for some). My sister in law and her husband are bankrupt yet they are constantly trading in their vehicles for the newest and latest thing and have the latest technology, etc.. it's very much a show-off type of lifestyle and one that I don't get at all!
@@chandracox6814 Therebare definitely a lot of things that require credit for most folks to get. A vehicle, a home, new appliances, higher education, higher paying jobs.... it's crazy just how pervasive the financial scoring system is in the US. If you turn 18, having done everything right, and your parents don't have good credit you won't be able to attend college. It's ridiculous.
@@chandracox6814 Yeah. It's definitely not a system that's accessible to everyone. You need to have enough money where you meet all your basic needs and for many people that's just not an option. There's definitely people that could do the cash only method, but society has pressured them into feeling like they have to have the newest and the most of everything. It sounds like a stressful way to live to me.
@@Kiterpuss On top of that, people get minimal financial education. I was incredibly lucky that my mom is very good with money and made sure I knew how to budget, save, and plan out my finances. They don't go over that in schools. If you don't win the parent lottery and have family that can teach you, you're stuck figuring it all out on your own. And with how much consumerism is pushed, many people end up learning the hard way or not at all. I'm in my late 20s. I've had numerous friends ask me for advice on finances and budgeting because they have no idea where to start and no one explained money to them 10+ years ago when they had to take out college loans.
I think it’s so funny how so many environmentalists used to be hyper consumers(you, Immy, Kathryn, etc) but it also does give us hope like you said for some friends and family. I’m fourteen years old and see far too many teenagers becoming hyper consumers and it breaks my heart. I’m the only teenager I know who is actually interested in sustainability(I say actually interested because there are some people who “care” but then go and buy fast fashion, use single use plastics, never give a second thought about the behind the scenes/impact of their actions, etc.) Also, I LOVE that you brought up the issue of your Hispanic friend being accused of stealing when you never were. You are such a great role model for me Shelbi and I’m so happy I found your channel a year and a half ago.
Mol K Yeah. I’m glad that thrifting is a lot cheaper and kinda “trendy” because it means people won’t buy as much fast fashion. I try to find that middle ground where people know I care about sustainability but I don’t come off as preachy and judgmental. Getting people to think beyond just recycling and not littering is difficult, but I do try to stay positive about it and it’s nice to know that I’m not alone.
I envy you guys! You're way ahead of where I was when I was your age. I'm 22 now and only a year ago did I learn about sustainability and low waste life styles. You should be super proud and hopefully you can help your peers by being good examples!
Couldn't agree with you more! It's so nice to see other people apart of the zero waste movement who used to live "normally." It's so hard to see them all ten years down the road from when they began and just think they (we) all lived like this all along. I shared my environmentalism recently on my channel and I kinda used to be the same :/
This kinda reminds me of the part in Aldous Huxley's Brawe new world when the children are being programmed to always buy new things and then throw them away to be a good consumer 🤔
Yes. Needed this. Used to do these things. Have fallen into the pattern of consumerism again since the pandemic and dealing with other emotional issues. Wake up call. Second one in as many days. Thank you. Also, love your honesty and openness. You’re truly making a difference in our lives.
I appreciate that you acknowledged that because of you’re race you didn’t get caught. It’s so messed up but it’s good that people can speak on it at a personal level and not just as a third party.
My mom used to write bad checks when I was little just to feed us sometimes so I grew up literally learning that I could just write a bad check or charge a card and not pay it to get what I want or need at the time. It took me until I was in my late 20's to see my credit score and realize how screwed up I had made everything. It's been over ten years since I've done that so its all fallen off my credit report but damn it really fucked things up for a while.
Joëlle Weetjewel Yeah, I mean I think we did some economics in 5th grade but it was just about college :/ and how education helps you get a good job. You don’t need fucking college to have a good life. Maybe it does help but it’s possible to not need it. There was another time in fourth grade but that was more about careers. I’m currently in seventh grade and I know there are electives for economics but they should still teach it in advisory. Also with COVID-19 you can’t switch electives so... -_-
@@lacigalvanssleepmeditation8160 WOW....thank God I had a mom with integrity. That is f**ked up. Sad. I also never felt compelled to dress or wear labels to make myself feel valuable. Somehow I missed that boat...so glad. Probably helped I was young before Facebook & Instagram.😜
Your mom should have told you to not use it unless you absolutely need it, but its good she did what it took to feed you at least. Its sad how many people get into this trouble when they genuinely didn't know better or if they had no choice originally. Economy needs to be taught more in school
im really glad i stumbled on the sustainability community when i did. im going to move out of my dads place soon & start uni. the plan is to stay debt free for as long as humanly possible👏
I got cash. At 16 about 30 Euros a month, and for clothes shopping my mother paid for it. Since I hated shopping I got a jeans or up to 2 tops. And I was good. When I wanted something expensive, I had to wait till my birthday or save up. I am grateful my parents taught me to manage my money at a young age.
My mother in law has a legitimate shopping addiction. I've always been around people with toxic shopping and it's rubbed off a little on me but I'm getting better at it with the exception of skincare. I've made a vow with myself to not buy another product until the one I have is used up completely. I do buy sustainable skincare meaning that the packaging can either be recycled or reused so I'm not purchasing more and more plastic.
One time when I was a kid my mom put the phone bill under my name because she had such a large outstanding bill. Had my name in the phone book and everything. Gotta love the 90s 🤘🏻
@@Nina-cd6uw Yes! I'm glad I realized now while I'm still young. Like Shelbie said it's hard when you're low income and already have debt but I try hard to only spend what I have and save when I can.
Teaching children that their clothes, appearance and things doesn't define who they are and their self worth, needs to start early. I work with children ages 1 year and up, and I work towards not complimenting them on their clothes or appearance. Instead I compliment them on what they do, thanking them for their behaviour, and telling them how their behaviour benefits other. When a child comes to me and want to show me the tractor printed on their shirt, I'm likely to respond with a simple "Oh, yes, there is a tractor there", without adding "you look cool" or "nice shirt!" More often though, when a child engages me about an item of clothing, or a different belonging, I talk with them about the function of the item - "Oh yes, you are wearing a sweater. Is it nice and warm?" Of course, I slip up sometimes, but I keep going and do my best to ensure that the children are not complimented on their things, but their actions. And I give them lots of kindness and love, so that they are hopefully never left feeling undesirable. I know they will face the pressure on appearance, clothing and things later in life, but I hope to give them at least a good start to their life in this area, in my care. I hope parents do the same thing
Thank you so much for sharing your story so candidly. It is deeply meaningful, enlightening and inspiring to hear your personal experience. Thank you also for not skirting around issues of inequality. I appreciate your candidness we need more forthright discussions about these issues.
When I was a teenager, I would often order subscriptions or magazines all the time, and just never pay for them (this was before basically everything required a card up front). Whenever I would go to big chain stores like a walmart or something, I would often just pocket small things like makeup, or trinkets I thought I had to have, and knew my mom couldn't afford,so I wouldn't even bother to ask her for. Luckily, I didn't rack up too much debt, and never got in trouble for stealing(again, young white girl so no one payed attention same could not be said for girls of color in my area) but I thought I was the only one that did this stupid stuff(and nearly destroyed my life), so thanks for making this. ❤
That's like the traditional American Express card here. There are almost no cards that do that though. They want your interest plus they want to charge the merchant the convenience use fee.
That’s how it is with American credit cards as well; the issue is her mother took out the card in her name so the credit card company was likely contacting the mother and not Shelbi about the debt. I had a medical bill from when I was a teenager that my mother didn’t agree with and refused to pay. She didn’t tell me about-I didn’t learn about it until years later because the bills were going to my mother’s house and the phone number on file was my mother’s phone. Still goes on your credit whether you know about it or not.
@@ladiebug395 not OP, but just to clarify, I believe CCs in Italy are connected to the checking account, and each month, the last month's CC balance gets automatically taken from your account. You don't have a choice like you do in the US to pay or to not pay and rack up interest.
When I was in middle school/early high school I used to want a credit card SO badly and beg my parents for one and I’m glad they never gave it to me. They would give me cash instead for good grades or for doing chores that I would use to be a hyper consumer but I’m trying to be better at using what I already have or thinking about my purchases and making sure I can use the item not just for now but for the future.
I'm 24 and have been struggling to pay off my credit card (less than $1,000, but still) for that last few months and this inspired me to get my ass in gear and be serious about my money.
I’m 24 and paid off my credit card form when I was 18ish that i maxed out ($2300) and literally just never paid. unemployment helped but now i save a little less than 50% of my paycheck and put it directly towards student loans/bills only
our stories mirror each other so much! I actually got arrested as a teen for stealing things I didn't even like !! I've been a minimalist for 7 years now
LONG ASS COMMENT ALERT: Thank you so much for sharing your story. It's helping me feel less alone from my years as a hyper-consumer (my profile picture pretty much says it all, jesuschrist). I'm still growing and learning but honestly listening to your videos (more like podcasts it's rare I actually sit down to watch but today for some reason I decided to just sit down and really watch and I'm glad I did), has helped me reframe so many of my practices and very gently started some conversations with friends and family members who also need the same wakeup call I have. As someone trying to get out of years of credit card debt from my early 20s, I REALLY need congress to step up and work on new legislation about credit card practices. I ~N E V E R~ should have been able to access the 5-15k spending limits on FIVE different cards that I have. (Thankfully I never took it ALL the way there, but much like you -- COULD HAVE and let it ruin my life ~and~ two of them are blessedly finally paid off.) If the drinking and smoking age are 21 (in most places now) because the pre-frontal cortex is not fully developed and young adults cannot process the risk-reward of those vices, then there absolutely should be more brain-based age restrictions on credit cards. I really like how you mentioned it's not possible for teens/young adults to have their OWN (outside of their family/media) value sets yet, therefore are SO impressionable to corporations seeking profits. This really needs to be considered in that brain-based science for age restrictions. According to recent studies, the average female pre-frontal cortex responsible for mature (another way to view value-set) decision making is between 25-27, and males is like 28-30. Not only should there be age/spending limit correlations for credit cards, but also REQUIRED consumer education courses before opening. Signing off on a legal-based jargon document that says you "understand" what you're getting yourself into WITH the company's legal department is bullshit. There needs to be an independent body responsible for education for young adults, almost like needing driver's education/license before they are allowed to open a credit card. Why was I 28 when I finally started to understand the consumption habits and how it was IMPACTING MY LIFE for like the next ten years after I'd been wracking it up for almost as long? Maybe this is an idea for you to do a short series on consumer education... I know it's an offset of your usual content, but as this video shows, it really is directly related. If more teenagers/young adults knew how long their hyper-consumer habits would impact them for, maybe they would reconsider their priorities and start to develop more eco-minimal habits early in life. Maybe this is an idea for a collab with a financial RU-vidr? Just a thought. Anyway sorry for this SUPER LONG RAMBLE, but I'm very grateful you shared this today. Your story has helped me change my habits and I'm so grateful!
As a teenager myself, I have either witnessed or been a victim of all the things that she mentioned. Schools absolutely NEED to start teaching students about the impact we have on the earth, and how our choices as a consumer can make a dramatic change in our mental, physical, environmental, and social health. I am so thankful that I have the resources such as RU-vid because I feel like if I didn't, I would be in a much different place. Thank you thank you thank you. 🌱🌎💚💙💚
My sister is alot like your pastself and im alot like you now(not as low waist but on my way to there) Now she moved and have a complett emty flat and askt for my help to ceep it minimalistic and clear. Im so happy that you show the way out of this hole situation Thanx so mutch🥰
I hate the fact that I used to steal to get stuff I wanted, and also that I got into credit card debt that has led to a bankruptcy. I wish that credit card knowledge was more available, mainly the impact they do in a negative and positive way, before you even sign up for your first one.
You explained everything so beautifully, I'm super impressed and slightly envious of how articulate you are. This is a really great video, good job and thank you for making it.
I have a problem with purchasing the latest in skincare like all the time. It's a problem for sure. It's the only thing I go crazy with buying and I'm really good with not purchasing much else except necessities. I recognize that I need to rein it in on skincare products though. It's become a problem for sure.
Girl I need this inspo in my life, i consume a lot and I'm trying veganism, minimalism and such... I'm still learning and I hope my small steps can help in long term xoxo love you!!
Small steps are definitely the way to go. I think it's great you're trying things, and trying to live a more present life, but trying to do it all at once can be very overwhelming and therefore harder to sustain in the long run. I would not say I live a sustainable life, but over the past few years I have implemented little changes (composting, checking ingredients, batch cooking, ethical skincare etc), which have slowly helped change my mindset to being able to make slightly bigger changes (mainly decluttering ethically, and no longer over consuming). It can be a long process but you can keep going towards your sustainability (and other) goals if you don't give up when you make a mistake or 2.
@@anyawillowfan girl I totally make small changes like try to diy when I can, use things I already own and setting financial goals so I no longer have excuses to spend on unecessary items (srry for my english tho) and I think my mindset is totally changing for the better!
Tamara Epps thank you so much for this!! i’m 15 which obviously limits a lot of choices i can make to be more sustainable and ethical, and a lot of times i feel guilty because i can’t do everything/do something the “right” (more ethical n sustainable) way. baby steps is totally key, and hopefully after i move out i can use my few more years’ built up knowledge to make even better choices :))
I'm glad you're so brutally honest in all your videos. As I work towards my calm ( aka eco minimalism), your videos help and inspire me. I guess you're helping me make better choices and person inturn. Love your work! Please keep it up! Love you loads ♥️♥️.
I'm so glad that I only hear about things like hyperconsumerism from yt (especially American yt 🙈). I've never been poor (or rich) but we are just being raised in a different way than you guys and that I think is also a problem.
Idk man I’m from America and I don’t know ANYBODY who does stuff like this. Seen this comment on quite a few videos and I really think it’s like Shelby’s family or local community or something. Lived in three states, never seen anything even close to this
@@ellisisland6490 Interesting. I'm American and see this constantly. My family, friends, people in my community and people on the internet all do it from what I've seen. It isn't always blatantly obvious though if someone is like this, sometimes they secretly hoard everything they buy, etc.
I've been reading Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and I'm getting my shit together and dealing with my small debt. Your videos have inspired me and given me more information on earth friendly companies 💖 Since you all have cats in the house I was wondering if you could do a video on sustainable cat products and how you deal with the litter etc
Ha I just recommended Dave Ramsey in my post. He's like a swift kick in the ass for sure. :D GL! His podcast is really good too...I just don't agree with his political stuff, but I really like his financial advice so I opt for selective hearing. LoL
I appreciate that you are talking about the stealing phase you went through as a teenager. I also went through a phase from 14-18, I used to use the excuse that I was only stealing from corporations but in reality it effects the employees making minimum wage, not the Walton family that owns Wal-Mart. Not to mention, within these 10 years since I stole something 99% of it was junk and it ended up getting thrown out anyway.
A shoplifting conviction can be hugely problematic, as it's dishonesty offending. An employer who might take a chance on someone with a historic drug conviction (for example) won't necessarily want to risk bringing someone with a dishonesty conviction into their business. I'm glad you've grown beyond that part of your history and are encouraging others to avoid your mistakes.
Don’t just think about corporations trying to get you to buy stuff you don’t need. Influencers do it every day when they “collaborate” on their 10th palette...there are only so many eye shadows and calling something collectible is a marketing ploy ..no one is going to buy your eye shadow collection.
I keep my only credit card in a specific spot in my house. It does not live in my wallet because I have noticed that when it comes out with me it somehow stacks up, even if I don't feel like I am using it.
i do this too, i usually try to leave my credit card at home, and if i'm making online purchases it makes me think about it more since i never have my cc info automatically saved.
I've never had a credit card (though I'm only 19) but my first debit card only allowed me to take cash out, I've noticed this exact same thing with my newer contactless card unfortunately with covid most places are preferring contactless so I'm sticking with it for now.
I think even people who were never hyper-consumers, but still regular consumers, have SO much to learn when transitioning to a low waste lifestyle because OUR SOCIETY is SO wasteful! Like, I don't think I was a hyper-consumer, but I still had to learn so much like how to recycle, how to check for greenwashing, the damages of meat and dairy, and so forth. So much of what you talked about was societal, I feel
I totally agree with you about the marketing tactics that brainwash literal CHILDREN into becoming hyper consumers and putting their future in danger. However I've often seen another side of the medal, where consumerism has sometimes saved young people's lives and I thus find it hard to settle my opinion on tis topic. When I was a teenager, I got into an alternative fashion community (called lolita, it's a fashion from Harajuku Japan - completely unrelated to the famous book/movie), which is quite materialistic, based on creating fancy outfits full of ruffles and bows and undirectly put the members' value (or at least perceived) on the clothes and accessories they wear, building collections, etc. Many people who joined this community found it during a hard time in their life, a large proportion having gone through severe mental health disorders, disablities, often depression. And finding this pretty fashion really brought them out of it by brightening their day, making them feel beautiful, part of a community, giving worth to their lives. I've heard many say it actually saved their life. I don't want to discredit that, but at the same time I believe for myself what was said in this video, that materialistic things cannot completely fulfill a person, and anyways we cannot afford the world to live a hyperconsumer life, it's just not sustainable and frankly not even possible for billions of people to do so. I don't know... Anyone has a take on this? Is it possible that for some people consumerism can be truly meaningful and purposeful? I guess it's a case by case situation? Preventing loss of life and mental/physical health should always be #1 priority, it's just hard for me to see consumerism as a good long term solution. Thoughts?
Hey this is a really thoughtful take on the issue. From what you've shared, maybe social interaction and communal interests are what helps people who turn to consumer-based communities? The materials and fashion is the physical aspect but there may be another way to benefit from the social, mental and psychological aspects with less consumerism in such communities. Perhaps through making one's own costumes, sharing of resources, secondhand shopping, or upcycling?
What you found was not consumerism but rather community. It was just love and bonding thru mutual like of clothing and lifestyle. Likewise music, sports, minimalism, traveling can do the same it's not always the thing itself but rather the likeness of community you find.
I was a bit of an Otaku myself as a teenager and my experience was that you admire mostly people getting the Style (Lolita, Cosplay or Visual Key) with DIY or second hand, not import new stuff from Japan. But I live in Germany. Maybe your Community was different. But yes, building a corporate design within a special community might help a lot to identify who you want to be.
