As I write this, I am trying to convince myself that I don’t need a P9,000 pair of sneakers I fell in love with overnight. It’s a much-hyped release that will have every sneakerhead scrambling to win it in a raffle.
Buy now, think later In the US alone, 35 percent of Americans said they have made impulse buys during the pandemic, according to a survey by personal finance website Credit Karma. Money can’t buy happiness Remember that saying “Money can’t buy happiness” and how vehemently we’ve tried to debunk it? Well, it turns out there may be some truth to that. Actually, let’s put it this way: it can make you happy, but not for long.
I am reminded of a quote from my favorite fictional shopaholic, Rebecca Bloomwood, who once said, “When I shop the world gets better, the world is better; and then it’s not anymore and I have to do it again.” This should also remind us of the cyclical nature of consumerism. Giving in to an impulse once can lead you to repeat it just to maintain the adrenaline rush.
I saw it on my Instagram feed the morning after I reached the decision to pass on that hyped pair of sneakers. Sure, it passes some criteria. I will definitely wear it again and it works with my current wardrobe. But have I thought about it for some time? That is a resounding “no!” Marketers have created this to skirt the thought process that we should go through before arriving at a decision to—to use a streetwear slang—“cop or drop” a piece of clothing, accessory or shoes.