Try Rocket Money for free: RocketMoney.com/CARA #rocketmoney #personalfinance Thank you all for watching, and let me know what you'd like me to cover next! :)
No hate or shade I like your videos and have been watching you for almost a year but I find it ironic and even hypocritical that you talk about “the intersection of money, media and intentional living “ and report on how consumers are wasting their money, yet you spend 2 and a half minutes talking about your sponsor, which was then followed up by two mid roll advertisements - one lasting 5 seconds and the other 19 seconds, whilst complaining about hauls. I understand that you are a content creator but your sponsor Rocket Dog, although a legit business is not essential and I found other companies that do what Rocket Dog for free. It’s unnecessary and again, hypocritical Edited to add there was a controversy where the NYU tech law and policy filed a complaint against Rocket Dog alleging unfair, deceptive and ABUSIVE practices. That was 🪩 upon a simple google search. Maybe do your homework before taking on sponsors when your whole channel is also about financial responsibility and “lifting the veil” of deceptive practices
i get that everyone needs to hustle but as someone who talks about financial sustainability and literacy so much it sucks to see you take on a sponsor that is non-beneficial and misleading.😕
Nothing is more absurd to me than people/influencers who buy a whole new wardrobe just to go on vacation. Literally a new swimsuit and outfit and shoes for each day just to get cute pics and probably never wear it again
Another thing is that alot of them don't even spend their own money as the outfits are sponsored. So they basically advertise these items to trick others into spending their own money...
And its from a store that profits off child labor and exploitation of workers, then they’ll whine that “they cant afford expensive clothes” or “they cant do anything about it” GIRL JUST DONT BUY IT????? ITS NOT FOOD. YOU’LL SURVIVE WITHOUT TACKY CLOTHES.
they could just as easily make similar purchases at the destination as well and support the local business and economy of the place theyve traveled too, plus something that you puchased on a vacation will be a lot more significant (as it is a souvenir from the trip) than whatever crap came from the usual stores they shop at.
And those influencers never disclose that most of those items were not actually purchased, but were gifted or substantially discounted for them as a collaboration with the brands.
Honestly I feel like Haul videos are a conglomeration of everything that’s wrong with society: greed, consumerism, the need to show off, excess, and ego.
@@noahfarr0254 the worst thing about communists is that when theres anything wrong with society the number 1 problem must obviously be 🌟capitalism🌟. like just stfu already
I started reducing some of my overconsumption a few years ago. Seeing videos like the hauls, extreme couponers, makeup gurus etc it felt really gross. Even when I go to stores and see just mountains of junk is kinda nauseating
I’ve stopped too! I’ve also stopped it in my personal life. It’s actually impressive and I feel so much better about actually having money saved and not so much clutter in my apartment. (Especially since I’ll be moving by the end of next year) I’m very proud of myself because media as well as friends can make you want to buy so much cute but useless stuff. As for the creators yeah it honestly makes me a bit uncomfortable now when I see them do big hauls like this or constantly promoting useless stuff and buying so many nicknacks because they’re cool and match their aesthetic
@@RaspBerryPies yes exactly! I see creators buying designer clothing hauls for their toddler likeeee what the hell. Or $1000 hauls. I have a huge feeling it’s all going on to credit.
I struggle alot with shopping addiction as a result of undiagnosed ADHD, so I started watching haul videos as a way for me to live vicariously through these videos. To the surprise of no one but myself, my shopping addiction got a lot worse as a result. Watching videos like yours and videos about the dangers of TikTok's haul culture helped me wean off of watching them entirely and start using my money more wisely.
i'm sorry to hear that you struggle with shopping addiction -- thanks for sharing your perspective, and i'm glad to hear that these videos have helped you a bit
Think of it like this, you are giving your hard earned money to people (big store owners) who are already wealthy enough. You don’t need so much stuff, especially bc you say you struggle with it all. I know it’s easy to say this, but acknowliging you have a problem is the first step! Which you already did. Hope you can get help with your ADHD!
What works for me is to stay off of the sites where I spend needlessly and stop watching those kinds of hauls and followingthose pages. It worked because I noticed that I had lots of extra money. Now that im back to watching them, I have been needlessly shopping again 😢
Future topic recommendations: Glamorization of social media/influencer/digital jobs versus “regular jobs” The evolution of the “I don’t dream of labor” trend several years on The value (or lack thereof) of a college education Travel culture and finances
As someone who skipped college at 18, only to now go to get my degree at nearly 30, I have zero regrets and it's one of the best decisions I ever made. Instead of ending up with a degree I don't want and a lifetime of debt, I'm pursuing a field I'm passionate about, where the degree is important both to the field and to me, and I'm able to go with my full tuition covered and no debt. There *is* value in a degree, *at times.* It isn't for everyone, the majority of degrees are pretty pointless, the debt being normalized is absolute insanity, and I don't believe we should be pressuring kids into degrees... I wholeheartedly plan to share my experience with my kids and hope that they also choose a path of either no degree, or a degree later in life. My wife doesn't have a degree at all and has no intentions of getting one and is currently progressing phenomenally in her career.
In high school my library would give out books for free at the end of the school year. At lests books that were older or slightly damaged but readable, I've gotten quite a few good books off that. For free. Same with in junior high the library did the same thing.
When I need to buy new clothes I go to thrift stores and search for good quality pieces, I take care of them until I don’t feel like they suit my style anymore, then I donate them to people in need who live in my community/near neighborhoods. I love how clothes can last a long time and belong to someone else after me. Growing up in a poor family, I learned that objects also have value and are not supposed to break and be discarded quickly.
Notice how every single sentence is "I, I, I". You shopping at thrift stores does not make you a better person. In your paragraph it's pretty obvious you are super proud of yourself and you probably look down on others who don't think/live like you, which honestly makes you a way worse/more obnoxious person than someone who shops large amounts of fast fashion.
I'm not a thrift store shopper. Yes I will buy stuff from places like Hollister or H&M, but I also take care of them so I can rewear every piece multiple times for years on end. If I know I'm not going to wear it, I won't buy it I have been around numerous people who will throw stuff out for the sole purpose of being able to buy more... even if what they threw out was perfectly fine and usable. Or they buy stuff only for the season before throwing it out 2-5 months after original purchase
You learn how to sew and then you become enraptured by the amount of detail that goes into a boring pair of jeans. I feel like everyone should learn how to make a t-shirt just to appreciate the skill and effort that goes into such a simple article
Me too! And now when I go in a store and see clothes I like and might have otherwise bought on impulse, I think, “I can probably make that!” And I hardly buy any new clothes anymore
Same! I don't sew but my mom does, and I have a hard time getting rid of anything she makes me. Even if it hasn't fit me for 5 years because it was tailored to my body 30 pounds ago.... Mom had to sit down with me and say, "it's okay to donate clothes I made you that don't fit, honey."
I loved your take about the core issue behind overconsumption. So many people think buying "better quality" and more "ethically made" clothes is the solution, but I think this is (unintentionally or not) an excuse to continue excessive shopping behavior
i went to a super mall today, and a marshalls/ home goods with a friend. i brought a detangling hair brush for 4.99 and a coffee for 1.65. I still had a great time with my friend, and my total was not even $7. Im proud of how much I’ve grown, and the work I’ve put into changing my spending habits. its videos like these that keep me grounded.
I love showing your videos to my students (college). I feel like you have great message that is presented in a non-threatening way which resonates with them
As a 22 year old f I appreciate this! It’s so tough trying to save money when other girls my age are constantly splurging, making me feel “fomo” for not buying something. Thank you for this!
You have to understand that the people your age might be in the same financial bracket as you and might be running up credit cards they don’t want others to know about. Check out Financial Audit, that series of videos show normal people of all ages that have financial issues stemming from trauma or just bad habits…
On the same boat girl😖 nowadays i only buy what i need and sometimes i even put some things that are essential back bc 'i could use it for something more useful' its hard out here! I usually just hoard books now and puff on a joint 😅
I have a similar problem with tech i would probably have all high end stuff but thankfully been dirt poor has for once saved me money i got over it when i realised i probably dont need a 5k laptop that isnt that special
me too. I'm the odd one who doesn't feel like shopping after watching a haul video. I keept thinking of that person's house piled up with junk because they impulse buy a bunch of stuff.
Yes I love doing that ! Gives me a little bit of satisfaction looking at the clothes / items imagine having them and then just moving on… keeping it minimalist ❤
When you are moving it really humbles you in how much stuff you actually own. I moved recently and seeing how much junk my family had, which literally proved my point in why I don’t ever do impulse purchases especially ones I see in hauls online. There are so many useless items that people yet still buy without thought.
Literally same. Hauls literally saved me from buying stuff. It’s like I’m living vicariously through them. It gives me the dopamine that shopping would
@@mariaxiiso true. I especially have so many random vases and statues and just useless stuff. I’m in the process of cleaning it out, and selling it. So far I made a few hundred bucks. Crazy how I even lived with all that useless stuff.
I enjoyed this video ! I thought it was interesting how you mentioned that a $200 haul can represent a couple days of your life. Working a few hours for a piece of unneeded clothing is a thought.
It’s so weird to think how people get rid of clothes so quickly! I only throw things away if it’s ripped in a way sewing won’t fix. If it doesn’t fit me I just donate it to my local DVA (it’s a place for veterans and their families to get clothes for free, but it’s a standard thrift store if you’re not a vet)
God, same! The idea of "throwing clothes away" is SO alien to me! I was raised in a household where you either repaired, passed on, or reused as something else. The few things I've owned that have got to the stage of being unwearable have ended being remade into smaller items or cut up & used for cleaning cloths! Even if you're not buying expensive clothing, if you wash it properly & keep it repaired, it'll last ages. Can't believe this is a mindset so much of society have slipped into - especially in this economy!
I grew up relatively financially comfortable and still relatively am. Most of my clothes have a few holes in them lol, i just don't see the point at all of throwing things away when they still serve their purpose.
Even if I have something I probably won't ever wear again, I just donate that to the local charity shop. My old sweater or something could find a new, loving home and help someone in need at the same time.
what never fails to amaze me is the sheer amount of textile waste that's produced every year. just how many clothes people throw away year after year; i don't understand that kind of living. could be because i'm poor and my parents were of lower middle class, we never really had excess of anything. clothes are not disposable, at least they're not meant to me! who are these people throwing all this textile away? i wanna have a word with them lmao
People that are also too poor to find time to organize the clothing and find a place that will take them. Idk about recently but right after the pandemic quarantine ended, it was impossible to find anywhere that would take donations of clothing.
@@katc2040 i get that, but the thing i'm struggling to understand is how you have that much excessive clothing to begin with. i can only buy new clothes like once a year, and even then it's max three new pieces, including things like stockings and underwear. granted, i've been the same size since i was 15, so that might explain my lack of perspective in this.
I wasn't poor growing, but I still didn't go on clothes binges. In fact, I still wear things I got 20+ years ago. They fit, they're in good enough condition, and my prefered style hasn't changed much over the years: jeans or lightweight pants, t-shirts, hoodies.
So true… I simply don’t understand how people can throw away that much clothing. I grew up middle class and am now verging on upper class, and yet I still can’t fathom it. For the past several years I have thrown away no clothes at all, and this year I am finally having to throw away a few pieces and donate some others. So, I probably throw away 5lbs of clothing once every 3 years? I wonder if the median weight discarded would be quite different than the average, because I just can’t wrap my head around most people regularly throwing away that much clothing. Maybe the excesses of a small number of people are heavily weighting the average.
@@panangle I feel like it probably is a small number of people throwing the average off (at least I hope it is). I don't throw clothing away unless it's torn/stained/otherwise ruined. 😅
Thankfully my dad taught me as a kid the whole “you had to work x hours to buy that”. When haul videos rose to fame I was too poor to partake, but I did enjoy watching. Now I’m too old (35 lol) to care about keeping up with trends. I’d rather save and watch my investment accounts grow, even if only minimally.
By 2015-2017 I remember having to massively unfollow lots of beauty gurus due to overconsumption. Lots of them gave the classic "healthy girl" vibes (appearently innocent), but deep down they gushed over expensive bags/clothing and cosmetic products, not to mention all of them were the copy of the other. I felt extremely sad and broke after watching them, since these girls were my age but making thousands of dolars while I was a broke student. I will never forget watching a video where a girl did a "my luxury handbags collection" and some fan girl commented "This is life goals". That was it for me. If an influencer makes you feel sad, frustrated or makes you feel lacking in material things, unfollow them for your own mental health.
For me, if I wanna buy something but it's really expensive, I watch people buy it and do unboxings and then I don't want it anymore lol works every time. Saves me money every time!
Same! I thought I was the only one lol it's kinda like me putting it in my cart and think about it...then voila' I'm always almost disinterested and changed my mind.
I can genuinely say I’ve never watched a haul video in my life because they always made me feel bad. They made me feel poor, uncool, and uninteresting by comparison, so I never wanted to watch them and make myself feel pointless jealous
Interesting, because that's kind of an opposite of what I feel looking at them. I see it as wasteful and like something is wrong with a person doing it, or it's purely an influencer thing, same like buying very cheap art supplies by an artist. I can only hope they donate it instead of throwing out. But that might be that for at least some of them, I could actually repeat it, I just don't see a point. And those that I couldn't (like a Gucci haul or something), I don't see a point even more. So my perspective might be different.
EXACTLY! They always remind me how I can’t afford anything and I’ll never be able to afford all that, especially since the internet is supposed to be an escape.
I have watched hauls before, and I've also watched people make their own clothes. The difference is that the people who do hauls look great because their physical body structure makes the cheap clothes look good. But for people who make their own clothes, they make the clothes fit their body incredibly, and the clothes make THEM look better. I prefer the latter obviously.
i like haul videos that show the real quality of things sold on internet, the kind "i buy it so you don't have to" because it 100% prevents me to say "oh, that's cute and buy" and being scammed. And the few things it made me buy, essentially art supplies, i am really happy to have done so. So yep, i am often very uncomfortable with the amount bought by youtubers to do these videos, but it is a pretty good way for me to be informed about what exists around without social medias and while having cut from any sort of advertisement into my life, and, depending of the content creator, to have an honest and useful review of the products.
Had this problem with video games, especially with retro games. I want to overcome subscription services and lack of ownership over my entertainment. I still have plenty of games, but I'm happy and satisfied with what I have. I've also realized that a curated collection is much better than trying to hoard stuff. Now I'm at peace and no longer blowing money. It's a great place to be and my savings have skyrocketed.
Great point❤. I stopped with buying online courses (another rabbit hole) and decided to make notes of the courses since you can't download them. That way I have the information, I am limited by the time it takes me to make motes, and motivated to use it. I also stopped subscriptions.
I absolutely LOVE your videos and content. Have you thought about turning your video essays into podcast episodes? I think your content would do amazing on Audible or Spotify as a podcast.
hell yea ,there is a womanhere on yt who shows vintage clothes /makeup she and her grandma have and got so maybe that will help i dont remember her name but she pops up on my shorts sometimes karolina zebrowska also i myself find vintage /soviet stuff on vinted EU and bought and rn im inside a vintage blue with stars/sun/moon pjs i love it its smooth and feels great to wear
I love watching your videos because you help me articulate ideas I had going around my head. I was pointing out to my husband recently how much content on my feed is about buying, unboxing, saving to buy more things, and how much the algorithm pushes it. I normally listen to video essays of an assorment of topics and although RU-vid recommends newer stuff to me, the moment I watch one full short about unboxing something or Amazon items, it ramps up the volume of those type of videos it sends my way like crazy. This topic was also a conversation I had in the past with one of my younger siblings (19 years old) and the fact that she only interacts with 'consuming/buying' kinda content baffled me. As a sidenote, not much of a haul watcher, but Instagram especially gave me severe FOMO and got me buying things I didn't truly need or want so I've been moderating the content there as you happened to suggest here. It's great advice!
I find RU-vid is always pushing Temu hauls on me and when I first started watching art videos quite a lot of it was about buying, rather than using the art supplies - a lot of the videos were what people were buying, subscription boxes, how their 'hoard' was organized (I consider it a hoard rather than workspace/art/craft room because they usually had enough to supply a small art class.) But they made me want to buy things - it was useful in one respect in that I wasn't very much aware of what professional brands there were out there and their products as I was used to buying cheap stuff because that was what I had access to, mainly and if I had more disposable income, I would have been buying loads of stuff. But there was one girl who started out quite modestly and then she moved home, got a bigger art room, then moved again, got a bigger art room and then got a shed in addition to her art room, went through her stuff and found that she had loads of empty paint tubes, expired, dried up clay that couldn't be used, etc, etc, etc... Most of the things she collected where boxed up and hidden away and it seemed pointless to have things that went bad or that you couldn't enjoy looking at. What I wanted was videos that showed people creating things and using their supplies - now the only channels that do a lot of unboxings that I watch is one where a mum and daughter make dolls houses and miniature projects and one that does an art subscription box that I sometimes buy so I can decide if it's worth me getting that box. The mum and daughter do a lot of vintage miniatures, restore vintage houses and make a lot of things out of things they find and from their craft stash rather than buying new miniatures all the time. I like seeing old stuff given new life.
I haven't finished the video yet but I was just thinking about how exhausting it is that every fashion video nowadays is haul after haul after haul. It just feels like buy buy buy. The reason why I love fashion is that I view it as a form of art and expression and it sucks not being able to find that content because it's buried under what feels like never ending advertisements for draining your wallet.
You have covered already how weddings are keeping you poor… I would love to see a video on how being single keep you poor in todays society (most of the big expenses are thought to be made by couples).
So true. I couldn’t afford an apartment on my own (making decent money in accounting), but when I got married (hubs makes a little less) we were able to get a house. The 2021 rental market in arizona was insane
I used to buy subscription boxes, and the amount of junk I accumulated over one year literally cured me of it. My craft room was filled with crap I was never going to use. The purge was glorious, and seeing a room without all the clutter was so freeing.
This is definitely a discussion I need to hear, and hear often. And I *do* already try to do the "husband gets paid this much an hour, so this item is (amount) of his time away from home working" mindset, but like... obviously not often enough. I'm a collector, and an artist, and *fully* fit into that "wizard hoard" maximalist soundbite that went around a bit ago when it comes to art supplies and toys. While I care in a nebulous way about the environment, worrying about the plastic to make my toys won't make me stop. But thinking about husband being away from what he'd prefer to do most likely will. I enjoy and make hauls on my channel, mostly papercrafting supplies, because even when I'm watching someone else's haul of supplies, even in themes I'd never want to buy, I get that dopamine hit I'm constantly looking for. But that thing about how it snowballs and gets worse and worse and you need to go bigger and bigger each time... yeah, I'm definitely there. My birthdays are notoriously awful, but my 40th? I couldn't even find anything to make it special, because buying myself something, even something expensive, was... well, just another day.
Every time you make a video, I send it to my Fiancé. She gets agitated every time cause of how relatable the content is to her yet she doesn't want to acknowledge her problems.
Don’t nag her. Let her figure it out on her own. Will make it more meaningful to her. If she refuses to spend money wisely sounds like you may not be right for each other in the long run. Just my opinion.
Seems like a red flag, since those problems will become yours as well after marriage. Maybe go to counseling about it and if she still refuses to acknowledge the problem, reconsider your relationship plans.
gee i wonder why she would feel uncomfortable being vulnerable with the person passive-aggressively sending her YT links about what’s wrong with her all the time. those are always the best people to work through your deep-seated personal issues with!
Love your videos! :) I'd love to hear you talk about the nuances of the generational conversation surrounding millennials/gen-z overspending on "avocado toast and expensive coffee". I feel like there's a lot of truth and oversimplification to be explored!
I've spent several days decluttering my home and it really sunk in how much I really don't need. Watching haul videos was definitely a part of why I had so much I didn't need. I was especially influenced when my favorite youtuber would find somewhere new to shop with "better deals". I think the "treat yourself" thing kind of got taken in to an unhealthy direction, and feeds in to the haul trend. There's absolutely better ways to catch good feelings that are longer lasting.
I like hauls because I can see what items might be like without having to go to a store and buy them, but I do think that we need to be more careful. While my mother wasn't the best, she did turn me on to "window shopping". It's going into a store, or website, and just looking at the stuff. I don't do as often these days, but I still sometimes check out sites and just look at what they have.
It's always existed, even before social media - there was a game show in the UK called Supermarket Sweep, where the goal of the show was to collect as many things from the supermarket as possible and the team who got the highest checkout price won, and we do it every time we do an actual supermarket shop. I also remember when we went on holiday as a kid that I would buy loads of stuff (usually stationary for the school year, clothes, ornaments and pictures as a teen, and when I was younger it was toys.) If it's done irregularly, or when you need to replenish something, there isn't a problem with it but it is when you don't need the stuff, or don't use it. It seems to be a common thing in the art and crafting community on youtube where people buy loads of stuff they never use, or feel the need to have a big collection to show off to viewers. The recent pandemic has probably not helped with matters because people hoarded things like toilet roll to such an excess that it made it difficult for people who didn't have any to obtain it.
I sometimes use haul videos as a substitute for shopping. I live in a little fantasy where I bought all that stuff for such a good price, separated from actually spending my money and the implications of consuming excessively. I make a lot of my clothes. If I find myself wanting to buy a new trend, I ask myself if I would put in the labor to make the clothes myself. If I won’t do it, I guess I didn’t really want it anyway
Very timely, right during this season. I'm glad that black Friday wasn't as popular this year, but the pressure to buy stuff is always there. Definitely do more videos on fast fashion like Shein and un-haul videos. I think some minimalist RU-vidrs are doing those as a guide to getting rid of things or repurposing older things for new uses.
I got my sephora order in today and i felt like i was doing a haul because i got 2 mascaras, a little tiny sample brow gel, and a bunch of perfume samples😂😂 i usually only get 1-2 items so getting like 6 (even tho only 1 was full size😂) just made me feel fancy😂🤷♀️
The other day I went into TJ. Maxx ready to do a retail therapy haul-like I used to when I was younger-and I couldn't bring myself after watching your videos. The urge to spend money and consume is still real, but your videos have helped me think a lot about how I want to invest my time/energy/and money. So, thank you! And keep up the great content.
Spending is exciting, but making something with your own hands has lasting satisfaction. Yes, we have to buy things .... but, whenever I have the option to make it myself, I do. My home is filled with refinished furniture, hand sewn window treatments, and thrifted antiques. My closet is filled with basic clothing in classic styles. I do sometimes splurge on jewelry, but never on designer things. Just nice classics that dont go out of style. In my opinion the most wasteful spending is buying brand new cars. A late model with a few thousand miles is a much smarter choice.
thank you for making a video about this! watching hauls on social media made massive hauls seem so normal to me, so i got into the habit of consuming way too much and created so much waste and clutter. but when i started creating content myself (including lots of hauls) i realized that creators don't normally buy all that stuff and it's totally not normal, so now i just watch those giant hauls as entertainment keeping in mind to not get influenced as a normal person by someone whose job is to make hauls and probably earns back the money they spent shopping from views on their haul video. i like that this video goes against what's generally seen on the internet and wakes us up from haul culture!
I would love to see a Shein video! I'm not very in touch with fashion culture, but Shein as a company is one I've been weary of ever since I first encountered it. It seems like the most obvious kind of fast fashion that everyone should avoid. It's surprising how many engage with it by buying their products.
As someone who developed an online shopping addiction and the preference to shop online I’m glad that I can now check out with items I actually need rather than things I wanted. I just add items I want to lists treating my lists as my basket then I delete it and start again. When I buy a new item of clothing I have to clear 3 items, I normally sell them so someone else can enjoy the item. If they haven’t sold after 2 weeks of being up I’ll donate it. This way I reduce my wardrobe into items I actually like and wear.
Thank you for this video, this ' haul' culture is so toxic, it's shameful. From those flaunting several designer bags in one ' haul' to another getting around 50 or more bottles of perfume for her birthday, it's sheer greed, no other word for it. I love designer items and fragrance as much as anyone but this relentless overconsumption just shows how sick society truly is.
I enjoy watching restock compilation videos beacause I do get a satisfactory feeling of seeing people have abundance in the form of food and comfort. Seeing people have multiple boxes of toothpaste, toilet paper, mouthwash, body soaps, hand soap, etc. It just makes me feel content. During the pandemic when I was stocking my home it made me feel safe and protected. I wasn't a toilet paper hoarder or anything! But I just get a thrill from wanting something and it's right there in my house to pluck from the pantry.
It's been 2 years in Canada. Only clothings I bought are a suit, a $30 over coat from Walmart and a $50 white shirt. All the rest I have are either from India that I brought with me, or my roommates' old clothes and I'm proud of it coz it saves me a loooooot of money and I'm glad that nothing tempts me. 😎😎. Your videos are really helpful.
I really appreciate your videos! As someone with ADHD, I have trouble with impulse shopping like another commenter mentioned. What has helped the most is watching content like yours, staying away from Tiktok and other over-consumption influences, and slowing down before making a purchase. Whenever I want to buy something new, I ask myself "Do I want this shirt more than I want to have an emergency fund?" This helps me put my small purchases into context. Then, I ask myself "What desire am I trying to fulfill with this object?" Oftentimes, it's something like having a fun hobby, exercising more, or dressing more creatively. And then I ask myself, "what do I already own that can fulfill this desire?" Between changing the media I take in and asking those three questions, I've already decided not to buy so many things that previously I would've bought without hesitation.
The message about not being materialistic is fine but we need more RU-vidrs actually doing it and then later coming on making videos on how they did it. That will inspire people more..cause let's be real, everyone knows we shouldn't buy more or we shouldn't eat more but we fail when we try to walk our talk. 90% of people in the comments writing positive things will forget about this video/message the moment they see something attractive and THAT'S the real problem
Yeah the stats blew me away when I first found out! In a weird way I found it somewhat personally encouraging though that I could help address that type of pollution on my own through my closet (as a former recreational clothes shopper)
i vividly remember watching a whole lot of haul videos as a kid and desperately wanting to be able to buy so much cool stuff too. now, i come from lower middle class, so not much is affordable to me. and so my mom had a habit to always say we've got no money for all the things i wanted because of these hauls, and now i think that she knew all along what was that about. i mean, i'll forget about my wants in a span of a week or so. i watched girls around my age to buy cute clothes and cute trinkets all the time, of course i want to keep up with them. that's it, though. waiting out at least a week really helps to see what wants are your actual *wants* and not a fleeting whim. anyway, thank you for the video! you're always coming from the perspective i never considered before. you learn something new everyday i guess😊
Thank you sm for this. Unlike almost everyone you aren’t forcing opinions on people but simply informing them to let them make their own decision. Thank you.💗
I love the mood boost of shopping. I changed to going in person and buying just 1 or 2 things. Better than online shopping for me since I tend to over buy for the free shipping or some kind of coupon.
Thank you! I feel like I’ve been having a problem shopping too much lately and recently did a major clean out of my closet. It really showed me how many things I had bought that I never really use and are just taking up space.
Great video...and items in these "hauls" are not only items we don't often need, but items we don't even really want so much in the first place. Things that we wouldn't have thought were worth our money if they weren't for such a low price, and literally wouldn't have even caught our attention. And that "low price" adds up massively when it comes to "hauls" of many items. We need to look at it in an honest way rather than the way retailers want us to see it.
It's complicated; I watch "hauls" of yu gi oh cards because it informs me of new products coming out but I usually don't buy that much anymore because it's super expensive
Hi! just wanted to say how much this video inspired me on a current essay I'm completing, so much so I even snuck in a way to cite this video. As someone that shops rarely now and if I do its with the mindset of years worth of wearing and/or second hand I loved this academic, sociopolitical approach on haul culture, as someone that cant stand the phenomena of $500 affordable shein haul (500 is a lot so not that affordable). Please keep up the amazing work, i hope to keep coming back and feeling inspired with your work like this video did!
I remember first seeing haul content on tumblr in the early 2010s and it WAS mesmerizing to look at all the pretty things people laid out to show you. I envied those teens because I couldn’t afford more than one or two things even at discount prices and I imagined what it would be like to bring home a huge load of shopping bags from the mall. Luckily I didn’t get sucked very far into haul culture, partly because I wasn’t that into pop culture trends and fashion. I still find discount and thrifting difficult because it’s so easy to overindulge
I find that categorizing of the use of 'to have' or 'to be' really interesting! Such a small language difference that can create such a huge mindset change on how you perceive yourself and the world around you. Never really thought of that, but it's such a good point, within and outside this topic!
New subscriber here. Right now i'm on a journey of more mindful spending and taking control of my finances. I'm a big fan of Caleb Hammer, youtuber who does financial audits. I would love to see you there as for "preach what you teach" collaboration.
The idea of my purchases being the cost of a certain amount of time is very eyeopening. I'm someone who doesn't buy much by default, largely because I'm simply not used to indulging myself. I already restrict myself from buying things that I believe I will not use, even if I like it. When I think back on my purchases with the thought that those things cost my time, I'm very happy to say that for the most part, I believe that it was well worth the time I paid. I'll definitely keep this idea in mind for my future purchases when I look at things that I may want, but may not need.
I didn't even know that haul videos existed until now. I'm not much of a hauler myself so the concept is alien to me. While I do have a lot of clothes I accumulated over the year, it's nothing that I wear a few times and then throw it away (I still have a tshirt that I wore back when I was 16, I'm 30 now, idk how that shirt survived all those years, it's true vintage now I guess). Right now I am in the process of basicifying my closet. Less prints and more simple shirts that are timeless and that I will be happy to wear many years down the line.
I like watching art supplies hauls because how happy people are usually when they show their new stuff and also because they ofthen make art in these videos too. I guess not items itself but more people's energy drawns me in.
Love this vid! When shein wasnt a big thing I bought a shirt there. Then there was the drama and all this stuff. But I like the fact that I still have this shirt (I wear it very very often) after like 3 or 4 years. I had a friend that liked hauls, she watched (or still watches) them, she bought so much and posted it on her snapchat, she was a total materialist. Her sister was like that too. We are not friends anymore, and my "new" friends are amazing people. We like topics like this and I am so glad I have them lol. Great vid!
What nobody sees he's the amount of people that buy just to post on social media. Ans then return everything. It's a shame. We'll probably never know the real behind the scenes of hauls
I’m not sure why, but I do not like watching other people get crap. This is not a good time for me, not even good enough veg out entertainment. But I am addicted to scrolling clothing apps and reading reviews, adding and subtracting and re adding and favoriting clothing. Thanks to videos like this snapping me out of the trance I’ve gotten better. It’s shameful how we collectively behave with respect to consumerism
Yes, but 2 matters to consider about "haul" content creators ...... 1. it's considered a cost for their content - and they probably make back even more. I think they do better than me, because I buy 1 (yes one) item to make a content and don't earn. 2. In many cases it's products sent over to them - and yes, it applies to me too, where I get very expensive toys just to make content, thanks to the brands. As for people who haul but not making content ............ well yeah, correct.
I feel like I am introduced to a foreign, scary world with every video you post, lol. Haul culture? I've never even heard of something like this. Totally new to me. Don't know anyone who does this kind of thing! Is this what I'm missing by not being on tiktok or instagram???
I absolutely love your videos on consumer culture, I'm really trying to reshape my financial mindset this year and be more mindful with my money. Reducing reckless spending, I noticed I'd always resort to buying stuff when I felt anxious, like it would validate/affirm/ground me. I try really hard to notice this behaviour and implement a new one, practising window shopping has been really good! Admiring something without having to own it. Also the irony that my first ad as soon as this video ended was fast fashion 'what I bought Vs what I got' haul style advert 😂🙄
Thank you so much for this video, i find fast fashion really scary. Just like you said, it's extremely harmfull to the planet, labour rights, and people's mindset on consumption. I want to believe that people will eventually stop consuming as much as they do now, either due political decissions or society just losing interest in fast fashion and moving towards a more sustainable world. I changed my mindset some years ago and i'm really happy thiking about what i really need instead of what i want, buying secondhand or spending more on a long-lasting piece (and yet still savig a lot of money). Something I usually recommend, in addition to everything you've already mentioned in the video, is to take care of the clothes we already have. I know a lot of people who throw away a piece just because it has a little stain or a small hole, lint, etc. I encourage people to just try fixing it, sometimes washing by hand, a little sewing or a lint-removal machine can make your clothes (or secondhad clothes) last loger.
I agree it is a phenomenon I didn't generally support, with the exception of grocery hauls. I am not a creative cook/grocery shopper so I'm am so interested to see what other people buy to eat. It doesn't end up changing my shopping/cooking habits, but I still enjoy it for some reason. Thank you for your thoughtful and thought provoking videos. ❤
I think another side of the haul culture is also stationery unboxing videos/hauls. As a stationery lover and avid journaler, I have consumed hauls in this space and you are absolutely right! The obsession to buy that specific stamp or book or sticker is very hard to control
Personally I think everyone deserves a good haul once in a while. It’s ok to go out and buy things you want. On the other hand, $500 Shein hauls are a different story, those clothes end up in the landfill, or the racks of thrift stores (unfortunately)
Excellent video! I used to be addicted to finding bargains online and I used to ordee massive amounts of clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry, phone cases, kitchen gadgets, etc. You name it i bought it online. I got addicted to the excitement of receiving a package in the mail even if it was just a $10 phone case. I knew I was buying too much, but I kept buying. Even though everything I bought wasn't expensive, I can't begin to calculate how much money I wasted. Several years ago my husband and I bought an acre of land and bought a shuttle bus that we converted so we had something to live in while we built our house. We sold everything and it was zo liberating. We live a much simpler life now and our expenses are a third of what they used to be and we don't have to work full time anymore. Even though we got rid of so many things I still feel like we have too much and I want to get rid of more stuff. We drive a 2015 Kia that is paid off and I will drive it until it's on it's last leg. My phone is 5 yesrs old and I won't get another one until this one stops working. If people were willing to live simpler we wouldn't have to work so much and we could retire much younger. Of course this doesn't apply to people that are already living in poverty. I mean people who are in a goos financial situation and were willing to live a simpler lifestyle. All these hauls also create so much unnecessary garbage. It's blows my mind hiw much some RU-vidrs buy. If we don't change this pattern we'll all be doomed to work until we're 90.
There has to be a shift in culture. There needs to be awareness on how products are made, a real understanding of the supply chain and who makes the goods in order for the consumer to make a sustainable decision (hopefully). That's my theory. But I also think is only possible to do this if some policy are put in place and there's more control in manufacturing and production of certain raw materials
I'm not a fan of haul videos and I would say I get enjoyment watching someone get something they really want. I get a sense of absolute joy watching someone's face light up and talk about the item they'd been saving for. Personally I hate spending money due to the first 8 years of my life situation.
I used to watch these a lot before and during Covid. I felt that I had to see what was being talked about, and to see how it would fit into my lifestyle. Luckily, I didn’t go to crazy with the spending back then, but I definitely feel that if that content wasn’t in my face as much as it used to be. Then I wouldn’t have bought a majority of those products.
I'm an artist. There were art supply hauls back in the day. It made us feel like we needed specific supplies to get specific results when all you needed to to was practice. I've collected a lot over the years, but I use very little of it. Now when I do buy supplies, they're things that I actually intend to use or need. Unless I need something of higher quality, the cheaper the better for me! I can get it at my local craft store!
When you're poor enough, a "haul" becomes something you can pretty much only enjoy vicariously or at severe risk to your own finances. that's kind of the situation i find myself in where, I can relate to /wanting/ more stuff than i need but i can't relate necessarily to actually having it. i feel though that we are definitely always pushed, in places like the us, to want more and more 'things' to make up for the parts of life we're being cheated out of
I would love to hear your opinion on collecting. I personally collect comic books (yes I read all of them) and ones I end up not liking or no longer want, I sell or give away. Would this count as over consumption? Or is it less cut and dry and it’s not what you do, it’s how you do it?
in my opinion, not really? if you're using & loving them( & being mindful!) and not throwing them away, buying excessively or wasting them, then no it isn't overconsumption.
For once in my life, my picky taste is what’s saving me the most money. I do always be like “do I need it?” “Is it gonna last long?” “Is this a necessity or just something want?” “How expensive is it? Could I buy or get it from my parents cheaper/free?” These are question I often ask myself when I’m going out to stores I like (I’m suffering from crippling loneliness okay??), it often keeps me from buying too much/spending too much. The most items I brought was 20ish , if I remember correctly I brought two persona 5 volumes, four Bungo stray dogs volumes and like twelve or so items from miniso (there might have been even less, but it was quite a while ago I prob don’t remember all the details)
I do plumbing/hvac so I get to buy tons of things all the time for work, on other people's money, it's pretty sweet. But for my own stuff I always buy everything used. Tools, furniture, appliances, etc. It's all super cheap or free.
I’m not a clothing haul person (can’t remember the last time I actually bought clothing) but I am into hobby hauls like seeing aesthetic gamer items, kpop album and merch hauls, etc. it would be fascinating to see someone delve into the world of kpop collecting. Typically for each album release from a group or solist are at least 2 album versions, sometimes more. Sometimes there are albums and digipacks and jewel cases and country specific versions. And with each album there are special little photocards that are typically the thing people want the most, so you often seeing people buying multiple albums of the same version to pull this card. Then there are fansigns to speak or meet with the artist, where people buy as little as one or as many as hundreds of albums to try to win. It’s definitely a wild culture of its own and while I enjoy collecting, i have had to really take a step back and recognize how much of this practice is hurting me mentally and financially, the environment, the planet , etc. That said, sometimes it’s just interesting to see people buy things i genuinely can’t afford or maybe just don’t personally want
The only haul videos that I like to watch are seed haul videos. Mostly because it is more than just look what I got. They tell their experiences growing that variety. It's also part "what I plan to grow this year". I love to hear people's favorites and what problems they encounter with certain varieties. I have learned a lot from those videos but to me they fall more into story telling and informative than look at what I bought.
I genuinely believe that a lot of these ‘hauls’ are shown then returned especially with influencers like Tamara as they’re shown, modelled, videoed then never seen again. All they do is make us mere mortals want to spend our cash while making cash for the brands and influencers
im in a niche jfashion community where a fair amount of us have issues w hauls and rushing to buy things to have… general shopping addiction problems, and discussions like this make me realize that yes i don’t buy so much from fast fashion brands v often esp in person, but i buy international secondhand often (+small local us brands as well) which means carbon emissions up the wazoo. im currently happy with my wardrobe so i’m mostly focused on my wishlist right now and trimming the excess. i’m working on adjusting my mindset in regard to how i shop and hoard things (though i’m a bit of a collector i don’t think that’ll go away anytime soon). i really appreciate this video + the discussion in the comments.
