I want to start this article by reminding people that I am in no way shaming or judging anyone. I am a victim of this mentality myself. In the United States, consumerism is a lifestyle that dominates many people’s lives. Putting aside the argument that money can offer outlets of happiness, being extremely materialistic does the opposite. A recent frenzy that caught not only my attention, but the attention of other online influencers as well, was the chaotic Starbucks Bearista wave. Admittedly the cup is cute, but many cups can offer a similar joy and aesthetic. I saw several videos of people rushing to obtain this artifact, even going as far as waiting outside a Starbucks at 4 a.m. There was controversy amongst customers and employees, as customers claimed employees were setting aside cups for themselves. Along with this animosity, influencers criticized the company, customers and employees altogether. Personally, I do not think a cup should induce so much unnecessary contention.

There is a long-standing materialistic attitude consumers in the U.S. exercise. It is understandable: post WWII economic growth encouraged individuals to hold more spending power and experience the new status quo. Today, however, this mentality has prompted people to become excessive with their possessions and partake in questionable purchasing practices. Because social media has made it easier to gain insight into current trends, there is more pressure to follow these trends in order to maintain an acceptable image. An example that many fail to resist is Black Friday. Although this day is meant to aid in Christmas shopping, it has made headlines for very interesting stories. The enormous markdowns rope in vulnerable consumers who spend more than they can afford on items they don’t need. The event places already stressed-out employees under immense pressure and exploitation. Several of the products purchased during Black Friday are returned due to consumer dissatisfaction, and this overconsumption mentality is reflected in the amount of retail waste and resource depletion that is generated. 

Often, stores will offer payment plans to allow customers, even those with poor credit, to “purchase” all the things they desire, which enables shopping addiction and financial instability. Payment plans are a feasible practice when used for items that cost a significant amount, or for items that are necessary. Customers who are lured in through the appeal of this frictionless spending often link their worth to the items they own, though. The convenience and zero-interest of the deals make for a convincing system, but over half of the users report overspending, missing payments and purchase regrets. These “buy now, pay later” programs usually get the attention and business of shoppers who are already in debt and therefore, cannot afford to make a purchase in one transaction. These customers make it easier for companies to create more and more products to meet their profit margins and reinforce a consumerist culture where new trends, sales and limited time offers are rampant. 

People may use shopping as a way of coping with stress, loneliness, low self-esteem and anxiety, getting a temporary “high” after going on spending sprees. This retail relief is short-lived and often followed by guilt or shame. The emotional crash only encourages customers to spend more in order to alleviate the negative feelings from previous purchases. And social media further perpetuates this consumerist culture. People who consume TikTok and Instagram content are constantly exposed to promotions by influencers, clothing hauls and advertisements. This becomes especially dangerous for vulnerable customers with a spending problem, as the algorithm intakes information of past purchases or views to produce relevant advertisements. 

An occasional shopping spree is something we all partake in and may even deserve to do. Unfortunately, becoming driven by material possessions is a slippery slope, especially in American culture, where ownership and wealth-flaunting is encouraged. A new piece of clothing or cup will not hurt in the long-run, but constantly buying the latest products and not contemplating these purchases thoroughly can hurt not only your wallet but also your self-esteem.