Is it time to stop encouraging people to buy thing they don't need?

Mark_in_Kent

I appreciate the Green Moneysaving tips but one of the main problems of overuse is people buying things they don't need.
In 2012, 60% of TVs replaced still worked (Source Obsolescence fact check)

Examples from the latest newsletter:
Big Boots bundles including £150 No7 £40
Shark cordless vacuum codes
£85 GHD hair straightener (normally £109)

To me, it's encouraging people to buy/replace things they already have and don't need to replace. Make-up is a big contributor to landfills because the component parts are not easily extractable and recyclable.

I've fallen foul before and bought things before because they're "on-sale" and  I actually didn't need them, they're sat in the cupboard gathering dust, or the old, perfectly usable item it replaced is in the garage. This site and the newsletter have such a wide reach of people it'll be good if it reduced the amount of persuasive, unnecessary offers it promotes. Or only promotes items in the circular, not linear, economy. 

JJ_Egan

You want the site to stop promoting some items .

But who is to say the items you highlight are wrong ??

EG Shark codes useful to me as i don't have a vacuum .But you are telling me i should pay full price .

Likewise all the other savings i have made since Martins first advice in the Daily Express .

Reads as a Biden speech of saving the planet  , apart from his 26 limos .

Brie

And what about the MSE mantra? 

Do I need it?  Will I use it?  Can I afford it?  

If someone already has a hoover they don't need a new one.  So that's a good bit of advice.

Sea_Shell

It would seem to me that reducing the amount of "stuff" we buy would have a bigger impact than a few replacement lightbulbs.

But then you'd have less economic growth.

I can't see governments actually encouraging everyone to spend less and pursue negative growth, as a "green" plan.

We're instead encouraged to buy newer, more eco friendly versions of "stuff" we already have!!


ETA - I posted in haste, without realising it was in "site feedback".  But my comments still stand.

Getting a good deal on "stuff" is better than no deal, but do we really need that promoted thing!?!

Mark_in_Kent

JJ_Egan Not saying you should pay full price at all @Brie's point is extremely valid, the manta is great. I'm saying that putting things in front of people as a temptation should have a sustainability lens over it before offering it.

Just because you had a bargain vacuum doesn't relate to someone buying the latest, unrequired hair straighteners, that is a straw man argument. I'm happy you've saved money, it's what the site is about, but I just think it'll be good to encourage and educate people to buy with a more forward-thinking mentality.

I'm aware the manufacturers play a large part in this blame, see dynamic obsolescence. 

Unfortunately, it takes a lot of limos to get the POTUS to meet with other world leaders to discuss climate change. Easy and cheap pop to make but at least he's making an effort to make a positive change. 

People can still spend, but perhaps sustainable products should get promoted on this site above plastic and other wasteful things.

Mark_in_Kent

Maybe they could add "What happens to it when I'm done with it?" to the mantra.

tacpot12

It's always been the time to encourage people to stop buying things they don't need. This is fundamental part of Money Saving. 

Jenna_Appleseed

But if the site stopped recommending products (& credit cards) how would it make all that lovely affiliate link cash?

Jenni_D

Jenna_Appleseed said:

But if the site stopped recommending products (& credit cards) how would it make all that lovely affiliate link cash?

Especially as they claim they don't host adverts, so they need to monetise the site somehow.  

Mark_in_Kent

They could stick to recommending affiliate services e.g. banking, insurance, mortgages, gas, electricity etc. rather than products  they don't need.
Don't forget that this site is owned by MoneySuperMarket.com (not Martin Lewis) who make a decent profit (£28m in 2021) mainly through services. The encouragement of cheap product purchases is just part of the enticement to get people on this site.

Gers

I don't think that many people need encouragement to spend money on things they don't need!  It's called consumerism and materialism.  This site can't nanny people.