Times are tough. But does that mean you should hunt for cheaper and cheaper stuff? Not necessarily.
Let us introduce you to a shopping hack that advocates for conscious consumerism, called “Buy Better, Buy Less”.
Buy Better, Buy Less works on the principle of investing in fewer higher quality products that give you greater results, last waaay longer, delight your senses, honour your values and save your wallet over time. Basically, it’s shopping smarter, not harder.
Spending more can save you more
How does Buy Better, Buy Less work in practice? It might look like forking out a bit more for a gorgeous locally-stitched and ultra snug winter jacket, knowing you’ll wear it non-stop for the next decade. Or investing in a set of cast iron pans that make cooking a joy and are so sturdy your children’s children will be using them. Over time and per use, these items deliver incredible value, and when you’re not constantly replacement-shopping for lower quality versions, you’ll be surprised how much you save.
The best and worst items to “Buy Better, Buy Less”
We’re not suggesting you blow all your super on the most expensive sheet(s) under the sun. Some high-end products are flat out rip-offs, while others aren’t that different to their lower-cost cousins.
It’s about discernment and prioritisation. Which products most deserve your hard-earned coins? What items or experiences make your heart sing? Where can you get thrifty? What will make you feel truly rich?
Spending a little bit more on…
💛 Organic groceries (cheese, eggs, meats, veggies)
💛 Wardrobe classics (shoes, coats, belts, jumpers)
💛 Electronic appliances (laptops, cameras, phones)
💛 Kitchen must-haves (knives, pans and mixers)
💛 Skin, hair and beauty care (have you heard of Beauty and the Bees?)
… makes sense, because they give you back far more quality, longevity, effectiveness, healthfulness, joy and value than their lower cost counterparts.
Whereas, things like…
💚 Over-the-counter medications
💚 Bulk dry foods
💚 Cleaning products (why not make your own?)
💚 Wardrobe basics (see: thrift shop)
💚 Books (see: library)
💚 Furniture (second hand can be first-rate!)
…can be just as functional and sometimes even more fabulous than those with a higher price tag.
BBBL applied to beauty
Of course, we’re going to talk about beauty care, ‘cos hey, something that goes directly onto/into your body is super important to get right.
Now, we’ve all been tempted by a $7 shampoo or $10 face cream at the supermarket, but let’s unpack the hidden costs.
👎Cheap beauty products are usually padded out with water (“aqua”) and other crappy fillers, which dramatically reduce their potency and effectiveness.
👎Because they’re not very concentrated, you’ll use more and buy more through replacements, or product hopping out of dissatisfaction.
👎Cheap beauty products often contain mass-produced synthetic ingredients that are known carcinogens or skin irritants, such as formaldehyde, parabens and petrolatum. There is no parallel universe in which these are good for your body, and may cause reactions and long term health issues that end up costing you big bucks to diagnose and treat.
👎These toxic ingredients flow into our waterways and cause untold damage to fragile marine ecosystems, which are the veins, arteries and life-giving systems of our earth and society.
👎Cheap beauty products usually come in single-use plastic, which is choking the oceans and costing future generations the right to a liveable planet.
👎Cheap beauty products smell bad, feel nasty and look trashy, subtly undermining your home’s aesthetic and your own sense of self-worth.
So even if the cost is low in dollars, it’s high in almost every other sense.
It ain’t just about the money, honey
Buy Better, Buy Less is a whole life philosophy that can be applied to fashion, food, home wares, gadgets and even holidays and experiences. By saying ‘no’ to cheap and fast and ‘yes’ to classy and long-lasting, you’re making a statement about who you are and what you’re worth. The hours you spend at work are your life, right? What will you buy with the money you’ve swapped it for? Buy Better, Buy Less is also a bold form of resistance to overconsumption, helping put the brakes on waste that is suffocating our planet.
Less But Better Bees
We recently received this review from a customer, which gave us a good laugh. “Can’t wait to order again! The problem is your products last sooo long, it takes forever to finish them!” ~ Eugenia Munro
It’s true: our shampoo bars last three times longer than regular bottles of shampoo. Ditto our skincare and soaps. That’s because we use only active, essential ingredients in their raw and real state – no water or other goop to fill up the bottle… heck, we don’t even use bottles!
We’re proud proponents of slow beauty care. Our products take time and love to craft, go the distance in your bathroom, deliver day-spa-level results and bring small moments of luxury to your life. They’re enough to make you feel rich, even in a cost-of-living crisis.
Over to you. What products (or experiences) do you invest in? Where do you get thrifty? What are some of your most treasured buys that’ve stood the test of time? Let’s chat in the comments.
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