The Minimalist vs. Marketing and Technology

How does a Minimalist deal with Marketing and Technology? Does a Minimalist reject technology?

Table of Contents

Recommended products

No. The minimalist does not reject technology 😊

On the other hand, the minimalist uses technology only according to his needs. Which is very different 😉

Marketing and advertising

According to an article in Le Figaro. The global budget for advertising. It is more than 750 billion euros per year.¹ 😶

As you can imagine, this astronomical amount spent is not a coincidence. Advertising and marketing sell! Apparently, much more than 750 billion per year 😶

It is important to understand that the job of those in this field is to increase sales of a product and build customer loyalty. 💲

👉 As a minimalist, it's not the fact that I'm trying to sell a product that bothers me. For example, I don't mind if an advertisement writes.

If you are looking for a pair of shoes. Our company offers them.

👉 On the other hand, my minimalist mind does not like it when there is a creation of secondary, even illusory desires. In addition, with half-truths as marketing 👎. Like for example.

If you are looking for a pair of shoes. Worn by the sports star X (probably paid by the company in an advertising shoot). Of above average comfort (what average?). Assembled in Europe (but the parts are bought in Asia and made by minors). Our company offers these shoes!

Indeed, creating consumer desires or telling half-truths is not illegal. On the other hand, it sells. And those who work in sales and marketing have understood this well.

Greenwashing

Broadly speaking, greenwashing is when a company claims to be eco-responsible but this is not really the case 👎

Unfortunately, there are many examples of greenwashing. In reality, finding well-known companies that actually care about the environment is a challenge 😬

🔺Note that ecology has become a marketing factor that sells. And companies have understood this well. For example:

Selling green bottles… to make people believe that the product is ecological
Adding an eco-label… which actually doesn’t mean much
Specify the absence of a product harmful to the environment... which is illegal anyway
A company that considers itself to be eco-responsible… without providing proof to customers

👉 For all these reasons, the minimalist no longer believes in ecological messages when purchasing a product.

Promotions

👉 For a minimalist, promotions are not important. ❗

Obviously, if a minimalist needs, for example, a pair of shoes, and he has the pleasant surprise of finding the desired pair on sale when he buys, that's a pleasant surprise!

⚠ But no, a minimalist does not rely on promotions. Simply because promotions can create secondary consumer desires. ⚠️

I wrote an article on this topic” The minimalist and the discount trap ”.

👉 To summarize, A minimalist only buys what he considers essential and only if there is a real need. And not one more object!

In reality, the minimalist is not swayed by an incredible promotion from 50% for an item he does not need.

➡️ Basically, between buying a non-essential item on sale or not buying an item. It's more profitable not to buy ‼️

A society of desires

Despite the fact that I claim that a minimalist does not buy secondary objects. Sometimes it's easier said than done. 🤔

In our Western society, we have lived comparing our possessions and being afraid of being in need.

These feelings combined with a good dose of advertising ingrained in our heads since we were children, can quickly create desires or dependencies.

➡️ In reality, living just with the essentials is a phase of life that takes time to learn. Because at the beginning, everything seems essential to us 🤔

⚠ Therefore, it is necessary to make some consumer mistakes and to have the open-mindedness to analyze purchasing errors. In order to not repeat them again.

🔺15-day tactic

👉 An effective tactic for me to avoid overconsumption. This is the 15-day tactic.

In fact, I write down my current consumer desires in my notepad. After 15 days, I analyze them again. This way, I quickly understand whether it was a momentary desire or a lasting need.

➡️ The 90% of time is an instant desire ❗

Technology

Every minimalist is free to like technology or not.

➡️ On the other hand, a minimalist does not have to depend on technology to be happy. He just has to use technology for his needs.

For example. The smartphone.

The smartphone is a brilliant invention for a minimalist. There is the possibility to work, entertain and study with a single small object. It's great 😉

On the other hand, owning a smartphone requires discipline. In reality, if we are not at least a little disciplined, we will spend a lot of time on our smartphone to carry out unproductive tasks that will harm the minimalist!

👉 To sum up, for a minimalist. Technology is used only if the minimalist finds it indispensable ⚠️

New technologies

👉 For a minimalist, technological advances are only important if they are necessary. 🙃

To give an example, nowadays there are connected mirrors.

While there are probably people who are happy with this purchase, I know that I will have no use for a mirror other than the usual use. That is, occasionally and very quickly looking at myself in a mirror.

In this case, why replace my classic mirror that is 20 years old and already does what I want. For a connected mirror with advanced technology that risks wasting my time?

In this case, this new technology is simply useless for my use.

Plus, ironically, an old mirror is more advantageous to me compared to a new mirror.

New items

Another business aspect that works is to prefer buying new rather than used 🤔

I wrote in my article, “purchase new or used”. There are many advantages to choosing second-hand items over new ones.

Talking to people who are used to preferring new things, I understood that they have a very deplorable view of second-hand objects.

For them, second-hand items are synonymous with:

Low durability

Personally, I have second-hand items that have lasted more than 10 years. Just as I have had new items that have lasted less than 15 days. I think the difference in durability is in the quality of the product. And not the purchase price.

Buying second-hand is for poor people

Many people think that buying second-hand is for poor people. In this case, someone will have to explain to me why some millionaires buy second-hand?

Out of fashion

Nowadays, almost everything goes out of fashion within a few months. Why would you want to be fashionable for such a short time?

Conclusion

➡️ In reality, the minimalist adapts technology to his needs. And not the other way around!

👉 We should not refuse technology. If technology is useful and we are productive. Why refuse technology?

⚠️ On the other hand, a minimalist knows how to say no to technology that is not necessary for his needs ⚠️

👉 In conclusion, a minimalist does not give any importance to marketing and fashions! And analyzes the usefulness of new technologies.

Subscribe for the latest news

Do you have a frugalist project and would you like training? Click”here” and filled out the form

I suggest you read my tab”Frugalist” to read the main changes to save and become financially independent as quickly as possible.

My pages

Lastest Post

How does this blog live?

Overall, this blog lives from sharing a frugal and/or minimalist lifestyle.

For the sake of transparency towards readers, all the products recommended are intended to make life cheaper and simpler.

Essentially, my only income from this blog comes from the training courses I conduct, promo codes for products I use, and donations readers make in exchange for neutral information.

About me

Faced with not very effective financial education, as was my case before. I actually decided to create this blog following a change in my life since my early adult life.

Compared to before, I was a person who consumed a lot until the day I understood that my consumption was making me sadder and poorer. From now on, I prioritize the minimum of my needs to be happy and achieve financial freedom.

Without realizing it, I also began to prioritize savings and investments to depend on a boss for as short a time as possible and to accelerate my personal projects.

For several years I have felt happy and I have become richer in a way that I would never have imagined given that I have an average salary in Switzerland.

It is for this purpose that I decided to create this blog. To share, learn and teach with others who seek freedom, simplicity and long-term wealth.

Are you rather minimalist or frugal Jonny?

I am both a minimalist and a frugalist. However, there are situations where I lean more towards an art of living.

To conclude, I think the most important thing is to feel comfortable in your life and I have found a balance between these lifestyles without reaching the extremes.

Minimalism and Frugalism

Your basket (items: 0)

The Minimalist versus Marketing and Technology