Omg never thought of it that way, but now I can unthink it. I feel like we grow up with this concept that "pyramid schemes are BAD" and then it turns out that's exactly how EVERYTHING is
@@mackenziemarien1252 it wasn't always like this!! Companies, believe it or not, once saw themselves as existing to service the needs of the communities they operated in.
I told all my loved ones this year that the only gift I want for Christmas is for them to save their money. Honestly, it's been a healthy Holiday Season for my family and friends this year.
I'm awful with money, spend it on crap I don't need all the time. I've decided to do a low/no buy this year. With the upcoming economic instability and rising prices, it's just stressing me out more. Plus, the crap I buy I don't need. Love that more people are doing it too.
i feel like a giant ball of rage bc like so many others i’ve been terrified about this for years and now that im old enough (19) to fully understand and advocate, it’s all gone to shit.
It makes me feel so sick when I think about it, when I throw something away... If I am not careful I am going to become a hoarder, it's painful to throw so much viable plastic away- I can only reuse and keep so much, you know? And I can't always afford the sustainable options, like the glass that comes with refills- they don't sell sustainable stuff at Dollar Tree, haha, and unfortunately that's where I am usually shopping... Tariffs are going to kill Dollar stores, btw. Thanks, Tr*mp...
I've been a supporter of Siete as well, even considered working for them. After learning that they sold out, it really puts a bad taste in your mouth....they not only sold out knowing that the buyer will eventually change and cheapen their product, they sold out to a behemoth like Pepsi who has zero care for individuals and their health. Siete was created because their family members had food sensitivities, they literally created the company to support their family's health and others like it.....them selling out to someone like Pepsi shows that they no longer care about that family's health.
it was honestly so sad because they were the first brand i even found that produced chips that i could eat and buy locally and now i feel like i cant trust them
I have a smallish home with no mortgage due (paid off) and debt free...I am going into my 15th month of no-buy and can confirm that I will continue with this string in the new year.
Can you explain how you do your no buy? I want to but it seems daunting. The fact that not buying things seems hard for me just shows how messed up our system is. For instance, I am a manager at Walmart. I walk like 10-15 miles somedays so I go through shoes like a mf. How do you decide whether something is a no buy or not.
@@PWB69 I don't think the no-buy includes items being used and needing replaced/repaired. Like @shroomiecrossing said, you get to decide the rules so it could be that you set the rule of no new nonwork-shoes, but work-shoes can be purchased. An option could be to find a cobbler repair the sole (if that is the part wearing out) and if the new sole costs less than a new pair, go that route. You'd also be supporting a small(er) maker.
Or watching our favorite products get changed to be cheaper. My husband and I lived in Europe for three years before moving back to the states. In 2018, I fell in love with a small french brand called Sezane. Fast forward to today. It has sold out to a Chinese conglomerate. They produce the same items but have raised the prices and dropped the quality. They've reintroduced polyester into dresses instead of silk. Pretty dresses are my guilty pleasure. I feel like fast fashion is eating up all the brands I loved.
Love that you found the term ‘harbinger of failure’ I am definitely that consumer. I usually don’t stay loyal to a company after they get rid of my favorite discontinued item
For my first apartment with my boyfriend we have been slowly finding home decor at vintage markets. We have found some beautiful and unique pieces and while it is slow to fill our home, we are so grateful to have a curated space.
Ever since Amazon bought Whole Foods, the quality and selection of their items has gone down considerably. After the acquisition, they stopped selling my favorite cheese.
I remember when Whole Foods sold a dozen types of rice in bulk bins; the shopper would bring her own containers . Now it’s prepared food in plastic clamshells in open refrigerators. I stopped shopping there about 20 years ago!
Back in the 00s, I lived near a Whole Foods and I loved getting the occasional treat from their bakery - they had legit cream puffs with vanilla bean-flecked cream, chocolate croissants, several kinds of scones, mini cheesecakes,, and nice artisan bread loaves A few years ago it was my birthday, and my husband asked if I wanted a treat from our local Whole Foods (now we're in a totally different location). I realized, no, I did not. Their cakes are generic flavors, and the quality, while fine, doesn't reflect what I want. They still have artisan breads that are pretty good, but they charge alot more - same with the chocolate croissants. Kind of a bummer. I was so excited when the local Whole Foods opened, but it's just not quite what it was.
Honestly, I guess being a harbinger of death myself has improved my health. Favorite chocolate discontinued? I stopped eating chocolate like I used to. My favorite soda flavor discontinued? I stopped drinking soda as a whole. Does it suck that any vices of mine disappear? Yea but silver lining. Silver lining.
in the past, there was the arts and crafts movement to compete against industrialization, but because of mass production and consumption, we don't have enough people with the skills to have a widespread arts and crafts movement today
There are the people who do make but are kinda beginner/intermediate level, unless they have strong reasons and ability to master the craft... I believe many hobbyists have enough levels of skill, and it's okay. I kinda think that more people than ever are skilled, education resources are 10 times better than ever. It's just affordability now is the priority to most people...
Buying products that are healthy, sustainable, and durable is work. Purchasing food from local growers and producers usually means going to farmer's markets and/or joining a CSA. Eating out at local restaurants, shopping at small businesses, and thrifting all require the consumer to make the extra effort. What the corporate consumer is buying is convenience. The sad fact is our economic system is designed to produce things cheaply and efficiently, and cater to the majority of consumers who don't have the time or energy to look critically at quality, supply chains, or how workers are treated. From childhood, we are subjected to constant advertising for the new flavor, color, trend and most families and schools don't teach kids to take a deeper look at the messaging. Keep doing your part to educate people and advocate for change. BTW a local bakery might already make a great cake with fresh berries, or be willing to if asked.
Although I can sort of understand your thought process of having things convenient, that is what is going to bring down civilization as we know it. The governments all over the world will push convenience to the masses and force CBDC and digital IDs and then true slavery will ensue.
Agree 💯, but most people want instant gratification. My 10 year old daughter hates shopping for clothing, it never fits her properly,long and lean limbs 😊. So during the Christmas holidays she learnt to sew a crop top and a skirt,it took hours 😮 but she loves what she made and has learnt a skill and hopefully she will be more aware of quality in the future. I try really hard to teach her about consumerism and how we are tricked into thinking we want/ need something, but it's a constant challenge, as she is influenced by friends who don't have the same values. Hopefully what we are teaching her is sinking in 😊
I can't believe people are shopping on Temu, Those items are toxic & they don't last long. The Minimal Mom on YT has really helped with my consumerism. You have also helped me be more aware. They discontinued Hansen's Soda from whole foods. I loved those!
Also they discontinued The Body Shop in the U.S. They had my favorite shampoo & they had a reusable bottle program where you could refill the product without buying more plastic.
I am also a Harbinger of Failure! I can’t seem to like anything mainstream if I tried. This has led me down a path of endless making, mending and upcycling. 2025 will be a no-buy year for me. Consumer culture has reached a point where it makes me feel quite nauseous. Great video Shelbi!
8:38 Here is a good example of planned obsolescence in furniture. I bought an accent chair, that wasn’t particularly cheap, in 2021. A few months ago I was getting up out of said chair and the welding holding the metal seat to the base completely snapped at all put one place it was welded at. This chair never experienced a hard day in its short life and it still broke with normal wear after 3 years. I’m currently repairing and reupholstering a vintage chair I got for $3 dollars at the thrift instead of wasting my money replacing it with a new one.
@@GittanKitten oh wow. Sadly that tracks. I'm currently trying to reupholster some dinette chairs from a set my mother in law thrifted for my husband and I back in our second apartment. The upholstery is in tatters but the framing is all metal and crazy sturdy (with the exception of the pieces holding part of a back piece on, because the metal pegs there are anchored in the wood interior of the backs, and the wood had given way under years of use as well as some rowdy kid shenanigans). I haven't managed to ID a proper year they were made, but regardless - crazy sturdy! I don't think I could replace them with something comparable these days if I tried.
The planned obsolescence of appliances/ electronic items feels so hopeless. Cuz what other option do we have? This year we had to replace our fridge that was maybe 5 years old. Last year, it was the washer and dryer. We also had to get a new microwave a couple months ago. Most of these things aren’t things you can buy second hand and fix yourself (at least if you’re not an electrician) it’s such a trap and we have no other option but to accept it.
Actually, as an appliance reseller, most things can be fixed but you have to be strategic about it. Shaking whirlpool? Find a cheap whirlpool on marketplace that won’t power on, switch the suspension rods Problem is most consumers don’t want to take the time to learn to fix something
@@dreamie9868 I’ll put it this way, because the fridge is the exception here…a few companies are building garbage compressors that die prematurely… Every appliances has to be built on an assembly as of 2025. Some are built worse than others. You mentioned changing your washer and dryer. Did both die at the same time? Because dryers blow fuses more frequently than they actually “die” The top lint vent style whirlpool and Maytag dryers are built the exact same way they built them when you could get the old school washers in Sears. Near bulletproof I’ve only seen 2 fried motors since I’ve started my business
Honestly… and the geopolitical situation is just getting worse because to continue that infinite growth on a finite planet they need to exploit and oppress 99% of everything… disgusting. Also I live in Sierra Leone- Africa and the plastic pollution, deforestation, sand mining is just so sad to see. They’re destroying the beautiful wildlife to follow the American system 😢😢😢
I've been feeding my cat Dr. Hill's prescription diet for almost 7 years now because she used to eat Purina 'naturals' and started throwing up blood. It used to be $35 for a 4lb bag. That's a lot, but if it kept her healthy it was worth it. Fast forward to 2024 and the past couple year the price skyrocketed to $50 for the same bag, and worse ingredients. Less chicken, not the first ingredient anymore...and filled with literal sawdust ('powdered cellulose'). She's been throwing up a lot the past several months. They can't say the price went up bc the price of chicken did...what chicken??? No excuse. Angry and devastated that I can't even trust rx diet for my baby. Spend like 8hrs of crying and researching foods online I ended up getting one from Target brand WITHOUT 'powdered cellulose' and she has been ok for the past 2 weeks 🤞 Btw the ckicken flavor has sawdust and the salmon does not...reeeeeally keeping an eye on the ingredients next time I buy to make sure that doesn't change. Btw, this was $15 for the same size bag. We now call her old brand 'Dr. Ripoff' lmao
Like... How is that not considered animal abuse? We would punish a pet owner if they were caught feeding animals sawdust but we can't punish the companies?
@@juliekring7574 Ikr? It's like how pet stores sell fish bowls and hamster cages that should not exist. Very sad that a once reliable and very common PRESCRIPTION diet has bad ingredients. I didn't even consider it to be the food bc it had been so reliable for so long, and it did not happen all the time, just occasionally. The vet always says she is healthy too... I only realized after reading the bag again. Currently feeding her the Simply cat food from Target BUT ONLY SALMON DRY. BEWARER- CHICKEN FLAVOE HAS SAWDUST! Even the canned chicken. So far so good for several weeks. I bought a ton in case they discontinue it ;-; fingers crossed they don't (or don't change the salmon formula...I'm watching the ingredients like a hawk now)
One thing that’s helped me A) not give money to companies I don’t support and B) save money has been making own crackers, cereal, etc. I don’t expect everyone to take this route (as it is very time consuming) but it’s another avenue to support people in their low buy or no buy journey. Buying used appliances (like a kitchen aid mixer) can help facilitate that so it’s less labor intensive. There’s also the option of starting bake or food swaps with friends/neighbors to help lighten the work load.
I can completely relate to my favourite things being discontinued… or worse new recipes! I have several sensory issues and many dietary requirements and it’s so frustrating when you are forced to try and find alternatives for things that worked perfectly fine before
It's really bad with chocolate and confections in general. I used to like some of the lower-mid range chocolates like Hershey's, Mars Wrigley, or Nestle/Ferrero products. But sometimes they taste too much like palm oil, or just have a grainy, chalky texture. And the problem is the taste isn't consistent. Sometimes they taste fine. But now I tend to prefer higher end chocolates just because I don't notice the problem as much in that range.
@@SheilaDeBonisthey take the cocoa butter out (sell to cosmetics company) and replace that with castor oil and rename it something like RPG. It's toxic to humans
I think it's the reason why I try to save any items in my home before having to fully have to give it away or toss it. Trying to figure out how to save a growing heat mat now.
Sabai furniture has worked well for me. Bought my couch a year ago and it looks the same, even with pets. Love that they sell repair pieces and covers if it starts to wear
I will sing the praises of Sabai from the mountain tops!!! We got two sofas and two ottomans about a year and a half ago and I will never purchase from anywhere else. They were the ONLY brand I could find that was completely washable and replaceable/repairable/customizable. That is still so beyond insane to me
watching your videos is one of the reminders i need to keep going on my journey to be an intentional consumer! thank you for constantly making content about these problems. I'm definitely always trying to learn more about quality of items (especially clothing and furniture) and then buy high-quality (usually low cost) second hand items as often as possible! personal care items is a big trigger for me consumerism-wise, so i'm trying to do better at keeping a simple routine and not feeling the need to constantly try whatever new "miracle product" (like snail mucin or something) is popular/trending.
Hard agree on everything in this video. I've been very mindful of where I've been buying things this holiday, and I've been loving the heartfelt notes I've gotten from small companies. My spending will also dramatically decrease this next year, and i plan to put off any purchase that i can while I find a small business.
Our local grocery stores went from paying customers to bring their own bags to charging for reusable bags if you forgot to bring any. I think it is reducing single use bag consumption locally, but we were already reusing the plastic ones for lunch bags, mini-trashcan liners, etc.
Yes! I want to do more for my community but videos like this tend to make me feel like we're to far gone for my actions to make a meaningful difference. It can be really disheartening
Wow, Shelby, I find this video riveting! I can think of so many examples of this. Here's one: 9 Elements laundry detergent, the first detergent I've ever found that handled completely the unique odor problems in the clothing of my family. It had simple and environmentally safe ingredients including essential oils. I react easily to things, but not to this. Despite the plastic bottle, it ticked a lot of boxes for me. Then, one day I used it and couldn't believe how horribly it smelled. They switched to using "fragrance" instead of essential oils. Devastating!
Thank you for talking about the furniture topic. There is a dining table I love, but have been hesitant to buy it because of the cost. Arhaus sells this table for $3,900 and Joss & Main (I have found out) sells the exact same table for $1,200. Once I discovered this, it made me question everything about the quality and uniqueness of the table. It’s all the same! The same thing happened with an end table I liked. Same product sold at different places for different prices. I’m trying to be very intentional when buying furniture and would obviously prefer to buy second hand. It’s just not as convenient and not necessarily less expensive.
Hi Shelbie, I never knew I was a ‘harbinger of failure’ now it makes sense. I can never find the types of things I want & they never last when I do. That’s why I shop antique/vintage. Thanks for sharing x
I am planning a low buy year myself. Furniture is ridiculous. Every store I go to sells the same thing. I'm mostly thrifted and vintage. I love it when somebody asks where they can get that. I tell them the antique store. Siete was a great brand until PepsiCo got a hold of it. I love to support my local businesses.
Unrelated - your hair looks GLORIOUS 😉😌 love it on you, this color does all the right things!! love what you do, thank you for putting in this important work and keeping it accessible!!
Discontinued stuff happened to me in basically every part of my consumer life: make up, skin care, clothes, everything. I retaliated by becoming an absolut minimalist where clothes and makeup are concerned. Clothes I only buy once something is torn and make-up I haven't been using for years now. The problem persists with skin care, though. I use the absolut minimum and it still happens. Frustrating and infuriating
Anyone wonder if that’s why they discontinue so many holy grail cosmetic items? Maybe want us spiraling out to find something that works as well, so we’ll buy 4 foundations this month instead of merely a single replacement our tried and true product. Just a thought
Yes please. Keep doing what you do! I need you. People need you. The earth needs you. I look to you for direction, for help understanding how the world works. I completely agree and align with your values. Thank you Shelby! Can’t wait to watch more from you.
I live in Austin, love siete products, and was bummed to hear about the acquisition. Like you said, I would be happy for the products to be more available, but I feel like sooner or later the quality of the product and ingredients will go down since Pepsi will care prioritize the bottom line over values like healthy food and quality ingredients.
I literally cracked a jar open today and was like, "this tastes different than I remember." Granted, I haven't had it in some time because I couldn't afford it.
One thing I never see mentioned in this conversation is that it's virtually impossible not to sell out as a small product based business. Unless you (or your parents) are very wealthy chances are you need to fundraise and the investors giving you money are going to require you to take that offer from Pepsi.
it's the most random thing, but my favourite instant noodles got discontinued and I'll never stop being mad about it. it was in a time where I was super struggling with food and sensory issues and they were a safe food for me because they were just normal, bland, tasty simple instant noodles, but they got discontinued because nobody thought they were exciting enough and I was so sad :')
It feels like I'm a harbinger, but that could just be the autism. It FEELS like everything I like is taken away, but I might experience a normal amount and just feel it harder.
I'm furious my favorite gluten free rice instant noodles were affordable and tasty ...gone. Store sells other products by them. I'm convinced they're trying to jack up anything gluten free unnecessarily
I have an unconventional shoe size, US5.5 (every store seems to offer 5 or 6, both of which cause me foot pain), and i was looking for some real sturdy boots from a local company last year. Much to my disappointment they no longer offered my size (i'd done my research - reddit indicated they used to offer this size). Ive been noticing stores offering fewer and fewer options for my size also. Very frustrating when your body isnt "normal" enough to be profitable! (I know also for a lot of folks - being plus size or too tall or short is also a "problem" for manufacturers who dont want to spent the effort and time patterning and manufacturing certain sizes of clothes. Do they all want us non-medium sized folks to be naked and barefoot??)
I used to need narrow shoes, and they got harder and harder to find. Then my feet went up a size and widened to a narrowish medium. I’m also petite, and my choices have really diminished over the years. There used to be a chain called Petite Sophisticate, but it closed, and stores have gotten rid of or diminished their petite sections. I make most of my clothes now.
Wow! What an eye-opener!! There have been many food items over the years that I grew obsessed over, that became discontinued. I must be one of these harbingers of failure. How odd!
I will also be doing a low/no buy year in 2025, I am so sick of this stuff and you are 100% right... I've been seeing the pattern everywhere and I've just had enough.
My favourite gluten free chips got discontinued and i literally emailed the company 😂😂 i stock up on my gluten free sourdough in the freezer because every time i go to the store i anticipate it not being there anymore
I want less but better options. With 100 types of everything (chips, top, shampoos) there should be a lot of variety of high quality… but alas it’s 98% crappy options and we have to spend all this money and time figuring out what the decent options are. I LOVED THE WATERMELON OREOS! I’m still pissed they never came back…. Way to open an old wound😂
I'm totally that person and proud of it even though its extremely frustrating! I search high and low for small businesses that produce what I want. More expensive, yes, but so worth it! I'm very privileged to have a bulk buy and refill shop near to me, we have a farm shop that brings together local food to one place. We grow food both at home and in a community garden. I've learned a lot from you and am highly grateful to be able to incorporate those ideals into my life, so thankyou xx
So you’re hair is AMAZING! I did watch your video to the end and it was great as usual. Relevant and easy to understand, but more importantly information I can implement in a meaningful way. Great job!
This isn't a topic I think about a lot, but I do pay attention to this with food items, because my daughter likes what she likes and some of it is hard to find. In fact, I'm currently exploring recipes for favorite snacks so as to eliminate those purchases entirely. In her case, it isn't a flavor; it's availability for sensible cost. For example, cheezits boxes keep getting smaller but the price acts like it's not. Then they offer a 2 for 1 and that seems better; but the family size is almost twice as much product for almost twice as much price, so technically a better price. But it's only a better price because the 2 for 1 boxes have shrunk in size. (That's why: F cheezits. I'm making them at home). Annoyed.
Also, if you have the energy for it Shelbi, I would love to hear your perspective on the upcoming changes on FDA regulations under the new federal administration coming in 2025. Love you & your videos.
Oh yes! I get this! I go through a deep mourning process every time a natural lip balm I like gets discontinued. RIP 100% natural Lip smackers, Crate 61 organics and Alkemila 😢
Just so everyone knows, Chantilly cake is still made the same since its launch, almost 8 years ago. If you get rounds or sheets they are made in store with fresh berries and there is no gel in it. It's raspberry flavored simple syrup, which is also made at whole foods. When you are buying individual slices of desserts, those usually come frozen from third party and some are already precut and only need to be packaged. Those are often not the same brand of the full cake you would find the cake case, just generally same item by name
Fascinating! I watched this video a week ago and have been thinking about it since lol. Had to come back and say thank you for teaching me about harbinger customers
Jesus is our only hope. The Bible tells us over and over again to not put our trust in man (or any corporation) but instead put our trust in God. Psalm 42:11
Thank you for continuing this beautiful content. I learned a lot with your video about big conglomerates last time and I am now avoiding them even more! And looking if the company I’m buying from is owned by a bigger one each time.
In the end, the only options we'll be left with are gonna be Amazon and Temu. In my country there used to be two major grocery store chains when I was a kid, they were trying to maximize profits by venturing into different markets: they opened up hardware stores, stores for sporting goods, furniture stores, multi-media stores and slowly but surely a lot of the smaller independently owned stores went out of business. This year one of these companies decided to sell or close all of their ventures because they weren't profitable enough. They were still making profits (they had to cross-finance, but still: they were making profits) and they still decided to close these stores. When it comes to stationary retail the options are getting fewer and fewer. In general the big companies are buying all the smaller ones or the smaller ones are deciding to close down because they are not profitable enough... so yeah the options are getting fewer and fewer
Wow Shelbi. I thought it was just me with the things being discontinued if i liked them. Good to know i'm not the only one. I've thought I was all my life.
One thing you're missing is the idea of fast fashion in the sense that everything looks very similar now because it's the style that's in the generation you and I are growing up. The style of furniture I inherited for my parents and saw at my grandparents both were totally different so it does change with the times. Also it wasn't the businesses that sold you the product always that had to maintain it and fix it. Many people nowadays don't know how to fix anything even the smallest stuff in their homes so they just throw it out and get a new one. Companies also control the supply of parts and make fixing things almost not worth it when you can spend a little more and buy a new one
Thank you for talking about the furniture topic. There is a dining table I love, but have been hesitant to buy it because of the cost. Arhaus sells this table for $3,900 and Joss & Main (I have found out) sells the exact same table for $1,200. Once I discovered this, it made me question everything about the quality and uniqueness of the table. It’s all the same! The same thing happened with an end table I liked. Same product sold at different places for different prices. I’m trying to be very intentional when buying furniture and would obviously prefer to buy second hand. It’s just not as convenient and not necessarily less expensive. It is requiring tons of patience!
I’m listening to this as I make my daily greens/vitamin drink for the day and as soon as you said “everything that I love ends up getting discontinued “I had to stop for a second and just stare into space with a deadpan look on my face and then start laughing because that’s the exact words that I say to my friends every day. It’s either limited edition, or it’s something that I fell in love with from a permanent line, but then they end up getting rid of it because it doesn’t sell well or what have you. That happens to me every single time I find something to hyperfixate on 😂😂
It sucks that every year everything costs more and the quality goes further down. I love that people tell everyone to just buy things that align with their morals, but people like me can't even afford to buy things that are made badly without saving up or borrowing money. They think that I mean optional things, but I'm talking about underwear, food, and snowboots. These are not things you can wait on or forego.
My favorite organic half-and-half From Kroger the simple truth line is being discontinued. I have been buying it for years. I really don’t understand why they’re discontinuing it.
I have seen more and more "affordable" organic options go away across grocery stores. I think because organic food is usually twice the price of conventional food, and conventional food costs are really high now, a lot of people simply can't afford to spend twice the price soley in the name of buying organic. A sad state of affairs.
I FINALLY canceled my Amazon Prime & Kindle Unlimited subscriptions, AND finally moved off of Goodreads!!! The liberation I feel not being tied to Amazon has felt IMMENSE. (Now to keep it going!)
my mom was just talkin about this! my mama has gluten and soy allergies, she has such an issue with findin some safe foods she can eat, cause either they change the ingredients, or the food is no longer sold in the store! we were just talkin about this gluten free pizza crust she found, and poof! 4months later, gone!
Excellent video... I'm so glad to still find videos about the environment, it has really been going out of style the last few years, which means it matters more than ever
Oh my gosh it’s such a running joke about how every time I find a favorite thing it gets discontinued. My daughter always laughs about that. It’s enough to make me want to hoard things I like best.
White labeling is real in the furniture industry (and EVERY industry) though your example with the chairs you shown isn't a great example. You showed a dupe- the legs and details on the chair are different, the leather is treated differently (and probably is a different material). True white labeling is the EXACT same product. I usually sus this out by checking the photos (they will usually use the same photos), looking at whitelabeling websites that tell you (do the work for me), and most importantly, checking the product details (material, configuration, set up, reviews). those two chairs you showed are similar in style only because one is duping the other, and the higher cost of one item is probably due to construction and materials PLUS totally the name brand. I totally agree with you, just wanted to make this clear. doing all the researched to try to find a decent product is hell, I think most of my energy gets taken up by that and shopping is honestly no longer fun. it sucks.
Thank you for another great video. How nothing is ultimately unique anymore or special. Things constantly looking like other things made cheaper and cheaper at higher prices.
We’re literally being sold the illusion of choice while the real options disappear. I can’t be the only one who notices this, right? It’s time to change the system! 💡
My biggest goal for the year, now that I think about it, is that I don't hope to buy any clothing at all this year, short of a horrible unforseen mishap. I may not own everything I will need for the rest of my life (God willing), but I definitely already own every piece of clothing I should need for this year if not the next several years.
Yeah I’m with you. If I find something I like, I must have the same thing until I die, but it’s inevitable that it goes away and I’m left searching again. It’s profoundly stupid.
I have the same problem with all my favorite things always getting discontinued like my favorite booties and my favorite pair of Levi jeans, so once they wear out I end up having to go back out into the wild of the marketplace to try to find a new favorite and they're just never the same. 😢
Hearing companies talk about profit growth instead of sustaining a company just makes everything feel like a pyramid scheme.
Preach!
Omg never thought of it that way, but now I can unthink it. I feel like we grow up with this concept that "pyramid schemes are BAD" and then it turns out that's exactly how EVERYTHING is
@@mackenziemarien1252 it wasn't always like this!! Companies, believe it or not, once saw themselves as existing to service the needs of the communities they operated in.
Thats the fun part, it is. At least nowadays.
The US dollar itself is a pyramid scheme
Literally everyone is doing a low/no buy year. My husband and I have already adjusted all of our budgets for it.
I told all my loved ones this year that the only gift I want for Christmas is for them to save their money. Honestly, it's been a healthy Holiday Season for my family and friends this year.
I'm awful with money, spend it on crap I don't need all the time. I've decided to do a low/no buy this year. With the upcoming economic instability and rising prices, it's just stressing me out more. Plus, the crap I buy I don't need. Love that more people are doing it too.
As a kid, I used to wonder how long we could continue churning out mountains of plastic crap before the entire system would collapse. We're there now.
i feel like a giant ball of rage bc like so many others i’ve been terrified about this for years and now that im old enough (19) to fully understand and advocate, it’s all gone to shit.
It makes me feel so sick when I think about it, when I throw something away...
If I am not careful I am going to become a hoarder, it's painful to throw so much viable plastic away- I can only reuse and keep so much, you know? And I can't always afford the sustainable options, like the glass that comes with refills- they don't sell sustainable stuff at Dollar Tree, haha, and unfortunately that's where I am usually shopping...
Tariffs are going to kill Dollar stores, btw.
Thanks, Tr*mp...
I've been a supporter of Siete as well, even considered working for them. After learning that they sold out, it really puts a bad taste in your mouth....they not only sold out knowing that the buyer will eventually change and cheapen their product, they sold out to a behemoth like Pepsi who has zero care for individuals and their health. Siete was created because their family members had food sensitivities, they literally created the company to support their family's health and others like it.....them selling out to someone like Pepsi shows that they no longer care about that family's health.
😭😰
Agreed. First Topo Chico, now Siete - nothing is sacred.
it was honestly so sad because they were the first brand i even found that produced chips that i could eat and buy locally and now i feel like i cant trust them
I have a smallish home with no mortgage due (paid off) and debt free...I am going into my 15th month of no-buy and can confirm that I will continue with this string in the new year.
Congrats 🎉🎊🍾
Can you explain how you do your no buy? I want to but it seems daunting. The fact that not buying things seems hard for me just shows how messed up our system is. For instance, I am a manager at Walmart. I walk like 10-15 miles somedays so I go through shoes like a mf. How do you decide whether something is a no buy or not.
That's amazing! Congrats
@@PWB69 you decide the rules of a no buy but most people say if you're replacing something you used up that's okay.
@@PWB69 I don't think the no-buy includes items being used and needing replaced/repaired. Like @shroomiecrossing said, you get to decide the rules so it could be that you set the rule of no new nonwork-shoes, but work-shoes can be purchased.
An option could be to find a cobbler repair the sole (if that is the part wearing out) and if the new sole costs less than a new pair, go that route. You'd also be supporting a small(er) maker.
Or watching our favorite products get changed to be cheaper.
My husband and I lived in Europe for three years before moving back to the states. In 2018, I fell in love with a small french brand called Sezane. Fast forward to today. It has sold out to a Chinese conglomerate. They produce the same items but have raised the prices and dropped the quality. They've reintroduced polyester into dresses instead of silk. Pretty dresses are my guilty pleasure. I feel like fast fashion is eating up all the brands I loved.
That's why I shop vintage exclusively. I can avoid fast fashion and I don't need to be buying often anyway.
Love that you found the term ‘harbinger of failure’ I am definitely that consumer. I usually don’t stay loyal to a company after they get rid of my favorite discontinued item
For my first apartment with my boyfriend we have been slowly finding home decor at vintage markets. We have found some beautiful and unique pieces and while it is slow to fill our home, we are so grateful to have a curated space.
Ever since Amazon bought Whole Foods, the quality and selection of their items has gone down considerably. After the acquisition, they stopped selling my favorite cheese.
I didn't even know that, i'm disappointed
Agreed, we stopped shopping there shortly after the pandemic because not only was the inventory bad after they were acquired, so was the quality.
omg that's actually terrible i love cheese i'm sorry
I remember when Whole Foods sold a dozen types of rice in bulk bins; the shopper would bring her own containers . Now it’s prepared food in plastic clamshells in open refrigerators. I stopped shopping there about 20 years ago!
Back in the 00s, I lived near a Whole Foods and I loved getting the occasional treat from their bakery - they had legit cream puffs with vanilla bean-flecked cream, chocolate croissants, several kinds of scones, mini cheesecakes,, and nice artisan bread loaves
A few years ago it was my birthday, and my husband asked if I wanted a treat from our local Whole Foods (now we're in a totally different location). I realized, no, I did not. Their cakes are generic flavors, and the quality, while fine, doesn't reflect what I want. They still have artisan breads that are pretty good, but they charge alot more - same with the chocolate croissants. Kind of a bummer. I was so excited when the local Whole Foods opened, but it's just not quite what it was.
Honestly, I guess being a harbinger of death myself has improved my health. Favorite chocolate discontinued? I stopped eating chocolate like I used to. My favorite soda flavor discontinued? I stopped drinking soda as a whole. Does it suck that any vices of mine disappear? Yea but silver lining. Silver lining.
Lololol that’s true!
That’s why my vice is smoking weed. I know what I can afford and they can’t just change it like that 😂
in the past, there was the arts and crafts movement to compete against industrialization, but because of mass production and consumption, we don't have enough people with the skills to have a widespread arts and crafts movement today
There are the people who do make but are kinda beginner/intermediate level, unless they have strong reasons and ability to master the craft... I believe many hobbyists have enough levels of skill, and it's okay.
I kinda think that more people than ever are skilled, education resources are 10 times better than ever. It's just affordability now is the priority to most people...
Buying products that are healthy, sustainable, and durable is work. Purchasing food from local growers and producers usually means going to farmer's markets and/or joining a CSA. Eating out at local restaurants, shopping at small businesses, and thrifting all require the consumer to make the extra effort. What the corporate consumer is buying is convenience. The sad fact is our economic system is designed to produce things cheaply and efficiently, and cater to the majority of consumers who don't have the time or energy to look critically at quality, supply chains, or how workers are treated. From childhood, we are subjected to constant advertising for the new flavor, color, trend and most families and schools don't teach kids to take a deeper look at the messaging. Keep doing your part to educate people and advocate for change.
BTW a local bakery might already make a great cake with fresh berries, or be willing to if asked.
Hard agree
Although I can sort of understand your thought process of having things convenient, that is what is going to bring down civilization as we know it. The governments all over the world will push convenience to the masses and force CBDC and digital IDs and then true slavery will ensue.
@@ShelbizleeeI really really like you you’re my best friend ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@@Shelbizleeeyou’re very pretty
Agree 💯, but most people want instant gratification. My 10 year old daughter hates shopping for clothing, it never fits her properly,long and lean limbs 😊. So during the Christmas holidays she learnt to sew a crop top and a skirt,it took hours 😮 but she loves what she made and has learnt a skill and hopefully she will be more aware of quality in the future. I try really hard to teach her about consumerism and how we are tricked into thinking we want/ need something, but it's a constant challenge, as she is influenced by friends who don't have the same values. Hopefully what we are teaching her is sinking in 😊
I can't believe people are shopping on Temu, Those items are toxic & they don't last long. The Minimal Mom on YT has really helped with my consumerism. You have also helped me be more aware. They discontinued Hansen's Soda from whole foods. I loved those!
Also they discontinued The Body Shop in the U.S. They had my favorite shampoo & they had a reusable bottle program where you could refill the product without buying more plastic.
@@izzy706you’re joking 🫥 I guess I’ll savor the last of my breathe gel cream
I am also a Harbinger of Failure! I can’t seem to like anything mainstream if I tried. This has led me down a path of endless making, mending and upcycling. 2025 will be a no-buy year for me. Consumer culture has reached a point where it makes me feel quite nauseous. Great video Shelbi!
8:38 Here is a good example of planned obsolescence in furniture. I bought an accent chair, that wasn’t particularly cheap, in 2021. A few months ago I was getting up out of said chair and the welding holding the metal seat to the base completely snapped at all put one place it was welded at.
This chair never experienced a hard day in its short life and it still broke with normal wear after 3 years.
I’m currently repairing and reupholstering a vintage chair I got for $3 dollars at the thrift instead of wasting my money replacing it with a new one.
@@GittanKitten oh wow. Sadly that tracks.
I'm currently trying to reupholster some dinette chairs from a set my mother in law thrifted for my husband and I back in our second apartment. The upholstery is in tatters but the framing is all metal and crazy sturdy (with the exception of the pieces holding part of a back piece on, because the metal pegs there are anchored in the wood interior of the backs, and the wood had given way under years of use as well as some rowdy kid shenanigans). I haven't managed to ID a proper year they were made, but regardless - crazy sturdy! I don't think I could replace them with something comparable these days if I tried.
The planned obsolescence of appliances/ electronic items feels so hopeless. Cuz what other option do we have? This year we had to replace our fridge that was maybe 5 years old. Last year, it was the washer and dryer. We also had to get a new microwave a couple months ago. Most of these things aren’t things you can buy second hand and fix yourself (at least if you’re not an electrician) it’s such a trap and we have no other option but to accept it.
Actually, as an appliance reseller, most things can be fixed but you have to be strategic about it.
Shaking whirlpool?
Find a cheap whirlpool on marketplace that won’t power on, switch the suspension rods
Problem is most consumers don’t want to take the time to learn to fix something
@@dreamie9868 I’ll put it this way, because the fridge is the exception here…a few companies are building garbage compressors that die prematurely…
Every appliances has to be built on an assembly as of 2025. Some are built worse than others.
You mentioned changing your washer and dryer.
Did both die at the same time? Because dryers blow fuses more frequently than they actually “die”
The top lint vent style whirlpool and Maytag dryers are built the exact same way they built them when you could get the old school washers in Sears.
Near bulletproof
I’ve only seen 2 fried motors since I’ve started my business
Honestly… and the geopolitical situation is just getting worse because to continue that infinite growth on a finite planet they need to exploit and oppress 99% of everything… disgusting.
Also I live in Sierra Leone- Africa and the plastic pollution, deforestation, sand mining is just so sad to see. They’re destroying the beautiful wildlife to follow the American system 😢😢😢
I've been feeding my cat Dr. Hill's prescription diet for almost 7 years now because she used to eat Purina 'naturals' and started throwing up blood. It used to be $35 for a 4lb bag. That's a lot, but if it kept her healthy it was worth it.
Fast forward to 2024 and the past couple year the price skyrocketed to $50 for the same bag, and worse ingredients. Less chicken, not the first ingredient anymore...and filled with literal sawdust ('powdered cellulose'). She's been throwing up a lot the past several months. They can't say the price went up bc the price of chicken did...what chicken??? No excuse. Angry and devastated that I can't even trust rx diet for my baby.
Spend like 8hrs of crying and researching foods online I ended up getting one from Target brand WITHOUT 'powdered cellulose' and she has been ok for the past 2 weeks 🤞
Btw the ckicken flavor has sawdust and the salmon does not...reeeeeally keeping an eye on the ingredients next time I buy to make sure that doesn't change. Btw, this was $15 for the same size bag. We now call her old brand 'Dr. Ripoff' lmao
You can make your own food for pets. There are lots of recipes on the internet!
Costco cat food is good
Stuff like this makes me very angry
Like... How is that not considered animal abuse? We would punish a pet owner if they were caught feeding animals sawdust but we can't punish the companies?
@@juliekring7574 Ikr? It's like how pet stores sell fish bowls and hamster cages that should not exist. Very sad that a once reliable and very common PRESCRIPTION diet has bad ingredients. I didn't even consider it to be the food bc it had been so reliable for so long, and it did not happen all the time, just occasionally. The vet always says she is healthy too... I only realized after reading the bag again.
Currently feeding her the Simply cat food from Target BUT ONLY SALMON DRY. BEWARER- CHICKEN FLAVOE HAS SAWDUST! Even the canned chicken. So far so good for several weeks. I bought a ton in case they discontinue it ;-; fingers crossed they don't (or don't change the salmon formula...I'm watching the ingredients like a hawk now)
One thing that’s helped me A) not give money to companies I don’t support and B) save money has been making own crackers, cereal, etc. I don’t expect everyone to take this route (as it is very time consuming) but it’s another avenue to support people in their low buy or no buy journey. Buying used appliances (like a kitchen aid mixer) can help facilitate that so it’s less labor intensive. There’s also the option of starting bake or food swaps with friends/neighbors to help lighten the work load.
🎯💯👏👏
I hate shopping. I’d rather spend my time doing just about anything else.
that’s so real. the only thing i enjoy spending money on is groceries bc that means i get to eat 😂
I can completely relate to my favourite things being discontinued… or worse new recipes! I have several sensory issues and many dietary requirements and it’s so frustrating when you are forced to try and find alternatives for things that worked perfectly fine before
Same
It's really bad with chocolate and confections in general. I used to like some of the lower-mid range chocolates like Hershey's, Mars Wrigley, or Nestle/Ferrero products. But sometimes they taste too much like palm oil, or just have a grainy, chalky texture. And the problem is the taste isn't consistent. Sometimes they taste fine. But now I tend to prefer higher end chocolates just because I don't notice the problem as much in that range.
@@SheilaDeBonisthey take the cocoa butter out (sell to cosmetics company) and replace that with castor oil and rename it something like RPG. It's toxic to humans
I think I learned about planned obsolescence from "The Brave Little Toaster".
Love that movie. I just introduced it to my kids and although they say it ‘looks old’, they loved it.
I think it's the reason why I try to save any items in my home before having to fully have to give it away or toss it.
Trying to figure out how to save a growing heat mat now.
Sabai furniture has worked well for me. Bought my couch a year ago and it looks the same, even with pets. Love that they sell repair pieces and covers if it starts to wear
I will sing the praises of Sabai from the mountain tops!!! We got two sofas and two ottomans about a year and a half ago and I will never purchase from anywhere else. They were the ONLY brand I could find that was completely washable and replaceable/repairable/customizable. That is still so beyond insane to me
watching your videos is one of the reminders i need to keep going on my journey to be an intentional consumer! thank you for constantly making content about these problems. I'm definitely always trying to learn more about quality of items (especially clothing and furniture) and then buy high-quality (usually low cost) second hand items as often as possible! personal care items is a big trigger for me consumerism-wise, so i'm trying to do better at keeping a simple routine and not feeling the need to constantly try whatever new "miracle product" (like snail mucin or something) is popular/trending.
Hard agree on everything in this video.
I've been very mindful of where I've been buying things this holiday, and I've been loving the heartfelt notes I've gotten from small companies. My spending will also dramatically decrease this next year, and i plan to put off any purchase that i can while I find a small business.
So true, i bought candy from a local candy shop for familys Christmas gifts and the owner read my order to the shop he told me 😭
We really need as many people as possible making videos like this.
Our local grocery stores went from paying customers to bring their own bags to charging for reusable bags if you forgot to bring any. I think it is reducing single use bag consumption locally, but we were already reusing the plastic ones for lunch bags, mini-trashcan liners, etc.
Can we get some hopeful stuff for the new year? Maybe small ways to be more sustainable or ways to affect real change in your community?
Yes! Incoming!
Yes! I want to do more for my community but videos like this tend to make me feel like we're to far gone for my actions to make a meaningful difference. It can be really disheartening
Hahaha, I love learning about the term "harbinger of failure" - I'm so one too!
I feel like this accurately describes my entire life😂
Wow, Shelby, I find this video riveting! I can think of so many examples of this. Here's one: 9 Elements laundry detergent, the first detergent I've ever found that handled completely the unique odor problems in the clothing of my family. It had simple and environmentally safe ingredients including essential oils. I react easily to things, but not to this. Despite the plastic bottle, it ticked a lot of boxes for me. Then, one day I used it and couldn't believe how horribly it smelled. They switched to using "fragrance" instead of essential oils. Devastating!
Thank you for talking about the furniture topic. There is a dining table I love, but have been hesitant to buy it because of the cost. Arhaus sells this table for $3,900 and Joss & Main (I have found out) sells the exact same table for $1,200. Once I discovered this, it made me question everything about the quality and uniqueness of the table. It’s all the same! The same thing happened with an end table I liked. Same product sold at different places for different prices. I’m trying to be very intentional when buying furniture and would obviously prefer to buy second hand. It’s just not as convenient and not necessarily less expensive.
Hi Shelbie, I never knew I was a ‘harbinger of failure’ now it makes sense. I can never find the types of things I want & they never last when I do. That’s why I shop antique/vintage. Thanks for sharing x
I am planning a low buy year myself. Furniture is ridiculous. Every store I go to sells the same thing. I'm mostly thrifted and vintage. I love it when somebody asks where they can get that. I tell them the antique store. Siete was a great brand until PepsiCo got a hold of it. I love to support my local businesses.
Unrelated - your hair looks GLORIOUS 😉😌 love it on you, this color does all the right things!!
love what you do, thank you for putting in this important work and keeping it accessible!!
Discontinued stuff happened to me in basically every part of my consumer life: make up, skin care, clothes, everything. I retaliated by becoming an absolut minimalist where clothes and makeup are concerned. Clothes I only buy once something is torn and make-up I haven't been using for years now. The problem persists with skin care, though. I use the absolut minimum and it still happens. Frustrating and infuriating
Same here with the green apple flavor!! I loved the bubly sparkling water green apple I was so upset to no longer find them
Trader Joe's has green apple water, at least in fall.
@thedepthsofrepair oh thank you! Next time I'm near one I'll have to check it out!
Anyone wonder if that’s why they discontinue so many holy grail cosmetic items? Maybe want us spiraling out to find something that works as well, so we’ll buy 4 foundations this month instead of merely a single replacement our tried and true product. Just a thought
Me 🏃🏻♀️to the video as soon as I saw Shelbi posted something. As always, love your content! Makes me realize we can still have an impact.
Especially no matter how small it may seem. We can still make a difference. Every single one of us.
Yes please. Keep doing what you do! I need you. People need you. The earth needs you. I look to you for direction, for help understanding how the world works. I completely agree and align with your values. Thank you Shelby! Can’t wait to watch more from you.
I live in Austin, love siete products, and was bummed to hear about the acquisition. Like you said, I would be happy for the products to be more available, but I feel like sooner or later the quality of the product and ingredients will go down since Pepsi will care prioritize the bottom line over values like healthy food and quality ingredients.
Noticing this now with Raos pasta sauce. Which used to be worth the $10 a jar and now it's just not 😢
I literally cracked a jar open today and was like, "this tastes different than I remember." Granted, I haven't had it in some time because I couldn't afford it.
Agreed! They outsourced production and it's not the same.
when did you notice this? i recently bought some jars and it tasted the same to me 😭
One thing I never see mentioned in this conversation is that it's virtually impossible not to sell out as a small product based business. Unless you (or your parents) are very wealthy chances are you need to fundraise and the investors giving you money are going to require you to take that offer from Pepsi.
100% that’s why I was saying I can’t fully fault siete. The system is set up for this unfortunately
it's the most random thing, but my favourite instant noodles got discontinued and I'll never stop being mad about it. it was in a time where I was super struggling with food and sensory issues and they were a safe food for me because they were just normal, bland, tasty simple instant noodles, but they got discontinued because nobody thought they were exciting enough and I was so sad :')
It feels like I'm a harbinger, but that could just be the autism. It FEELS like everything I like is taken away, but I might experience a normal amount and just feel it harder.
I'm furious my favorite gluten free rice instant noodles were affordable and tasty ...gone. Store sells other products by them. I'm convinced they're trying to jack up anything gluten free unnecessarily
I have an unconventional shoe size, US5.5 (every store seems to offer 5 or 6, both of which cause me foot pain), and i was looking for some real sturdy boots from a local company last year. Much to my disappointment they no longer offered my size (i'd done my research - reddit indicated they used to offer this size). Ive been noticing stores offering fewer and fewer options for my size also. Very frustrating when your body isnt "normal" enough to be profitable! (I know also for a lot of folks - being plus size or too tall or short is also a "problem" for manufacturers who dont want to spent the effort and time patterning and manufacturing certain sizes of clothes. Do they all want us non-medium sized folks to be naked and barefoot??)
I used to need narrow shoes, and they got harder and harder to find. Then my feet went up a size and widened to a narrowish medium. I’m also petite, and my choices have really diminished over the years. There used to be a chain called Petite Sophisticate, but it closed, and stores have gotten rid of or diminished their petite sections. I make most of my clothes now.
In the U.K. there is a huge issue with shrinkflation year on year
Would love a brand focused "Buy this, not that" video!
Wow! What an eye-opener!! There have been many food items over the years that I grew obsessed over, that became discontinued. I must be one of these harbingers of failure. How odd!
I will also be doing a low/no buy year in 2025, I am so sick of this stuff and you are 100% right... I've been seeing the pattern everywhere and I've just had enough.
🎯💯👏👏
My favourite gluten free chips got discontinued and i literally emailed the company 😂😂 i stock up on my gluten free sourdough in the freezer because every time i go to the store i anticipate it not being there anymore
This really blew my mind Shelbi. You worded everything I was feeling so perfectly. Thanks for all you do and for putting this message out there. 🌍🌎♻️
I want less but better options. With 100 types of everything (chips, top, shampoos) there should be a lot of variety of high quality… but alas it’s 98% crappy options and we have to spend all this money and time figuring out what the decent options are. I LOVED THE WATERMELON OREOS! I’m still pissed they never came back…. Way to open an old wound😂
I'm totally that person and proud of it even though its extremely frustrating! I search high and low for small businesses that produce what I want. More expensive, yes, but so worth it! I'm very privileged to have a bulk buy and refill shop near to me, we have a farm shop that brings together local food to one place. We grow food both at home and in a community garden. I've learned a lot from you and am highly grateful to be able to incorporate those ideals into my life, so thankyou xx
So you’re hair is AMAZING! I did watch your video to the end and it was great as usual. Relevant and easy to understand, but more importantly information I can implement in a meaningful way. Great job!
This is the first video of yours I've come across and I loveddd it. Subscribed and looking forward to more
I love the new direction you are taking with your channel with videos such as these!
This isn't a topic I think about a lot, but I do pay attention to this with food items, because my daughter likes what she likes and some of it is hard to find. In fact, I'm currently exploring recipes for favorite snacks so as to eliminate those purchases entirely. In her case, it isn't a flavor; it's availability for sensible cost.
For example, cheezits boxes keep getting smaller but the price acts like it's not. Then they offer a 2 for 1 and that seems better; but the family size is almost twice as much product for almost twice as much price, so technically a better price. But it's only a better price because the 2 for 1 boxes have shrunk in size. (That's why: F cheezits. I'm making them at home). Annoyed.
Also, if you have the energy for it Shelbi, I would love to hear your perspective on the upcoming changes on FDA regulations under the new federal administration coming in 2025. Love you & your videos.
Talk about it with quality ‘back in the day’, I’m still using my mothers childhood dresser. 😂
I can’t get rid of it now. It’s lasted this long!
Wow this hair color is beautiful, Shelby you look amazing!!
Oh yes! I get this! I go through a deep mourning process every time a natural lip balm I like gets discontinued. RIP 100% natural Lip smackers, Crate 61 organics and Alkemila 😢
Me too, I stocked up on my favourite ones because they were a limited edition 😅
Just so everyone knows, Chantilly cake is still made the same since its launch, almost 8 years ago. If you get rounds or sheets they are made in store with fresh berries and there is no gel in it. It's raspberry flavored simple syrup, which is also made at whole foods. When you are buying individual slices of desserts, those usually come frozen from third party and some are already precut and only need to be packaged. Those are often not the same brand of the full cake you would find the cake case, just generally same item by name
so glad I found your channel I feel like you’ve verbalized my feelings perfectly in this video
Fascinating! I watched this video a week ago and have been thinking about it since lol. Had to come back and say thank you for teaching me about harbinger customers
How not to lose hope?...
I feel like we need a whole video on this
Jesus is our only hope. The Bible tells us over and over again to not put our trust in man (or any corporation) but instead put our trust in God. Psalm 42:11
@@islandofthesun as someone who grew up in the church… no. That may work for you, but definitely is not a one size fits all
Focus on the good, focus on God. He wants us to have life and live life abundantly! 🤍
Thank you for continuing this beautiful content. I learned a lot with your video about big conglomerates last time and I am now avoiding them even more! And looking if the company I’m buying from is owned by a bigger one each time.
In the end, the only options we'll be left with are gonna be Amazon and Temu. In my country there used to be two major grocery store chains when I was a kid, they were trying to maximize profits by venturing into different markets: they opened up hardware stores, stores for sporting goods, furniture stores, multi-media stores and slowly but surely a lot of the smaller independently owned stores went out of business. This year one of these companies decided to sell or close all of their ventures because they weren't profitable enough. They were still making profits (they had to cross-finance, but still: they were making profits) and they still decided to close these stores. When it comes to stationary retail the options are getting fewer and fewer. In general the big companies are buying all the smaller ones or the smaller ones are deciding to close down because they are not profitable enough... so yeah the options are getting fewer and fewer
Cakes that put jelly in the middle layer should not exist
I agree, I hate them as well as that cheap custard of cost co
My wife overheard the harbinger bit and said "Hey, that's us!" 😂
Wow Shelbi. I thought it was just me with the things being discontinued if i liked them. Good to know i'm not the only one. I've thought I was all my life.
One thing you're missing is the idea of fast fashion in the sense that everything looks very similar now because it's the style that's in the generation you and I are growing up. The style of furniture I inherited for my parents and saw at my grandparents both were totally different so it does change with the times. Also it wasn't the businesses that sold you the product always that had to maintain it and fix it. Many people nowadays don't know how to fix anything even the smallest stuff in their homes so they just throw it out and get a new one. Companies also control the supply of parts and make fixing things almost not worth it when you can spend a little more and buy a new one
Sigh. I am SO tired of my favorite gf/whole food companies being bought up and shitted up by awful conglomerates.
Thank you for talking about the furniture topic. There is a dining table I love, but have been hesitant to buy it because of the cost. Arhaus sells this table for $3,900 and Joss & Main (I have found out) sells the exact same table for $1,200. Once I discovered this, it made me question everything about the quality and uniqueness of the table. It’s all the same! The same thing happened with an end table I liked. Same product sold at different places for different prices. I’m trying to be very intentional when buying furniture and would obviously prefer to buy second hand. It’s just not as convenient and not necessarily less expensive. It is requiring tons of patience!
Oh come all ye sewists, craftsmen, carpenters, bakers....to live is to make and enjoy beautiful art. Fuck the status quo.
Ooh girl I’m with you on all this,especially on the subway spinach wrap! It was so good.
The sweet onion sauce was the beginning of the end - i no longer go to subway
The Publix Chantilly cake was my wedding cake 🙌🏻 so affordable and so good and they definitely used fresh fruit!
Your hair looks so good! Love the color !!!
I’m listening to this as I make my daily greens/vitamin drink for the day and as soon as you said “everything that I love ends up getting discontinued “I had to stop for a second and just stare into space with a deadpan look on my face and then start laughing because that’s the exact words that I say to my friends every day. It’s either limited edition, or it’s something that I fell in love with from a permanent line, but then they end up getting rid of it because it doesn’t sell well or what have you. That happens to me every single time I find something to hyperfixate on 😂😂
"Anything green-apple flavored"! I feel this in my bones.
It sucks that every year everything costs more and the quality goes further down. I love that people tell everyone to just buy things that align with their morals, but people like me can't even afford to buy things that are made badly without saving up or borrowing money. They think that I mean optional things, but I'm talking about underwear, food, and snowboots. These are not things you can wait on or forego.
My favorite organic half-and-half From Kroger the simple truth line is being discontinued. I have been buying it for years. I really don’t understand why they’re discontinuing it.
I have seen more and more "affordable" organic options go away across grocery stores. I think because organic food is usually twice the price of conventional food, and conventional food costs are really high now, a lot of people simply can't afford to spend twice the price soley in the name of buying organic. A sad state of affairs.
Your hair looks so good girl !
I FINALLY canceled my Amazon Prime & Kindle Unlimited subscriptions, AND finally moved off of Goodreads!!! The liberation I feel not being tied to Amazon has felt IMMENSE. (Now to keep it going!)
This was an interesting video. Glad it was recommended to me. The key is to spend less and let go of brand loyalty.
Sustainably vegan is also doing a low buy year. I love it for the eco friendly girlies. I’m gonna do a low buy year too. Would love updates etc
my mom was just talkin about this! my mama has gluten and soy allergies, she has such an issue with findin some safe foods she can eat, cause either they change the ingredients, or the food is no longer sold in the store! we were just talkin about this gluten free pizza crust she found, and poof! 4months later, gone!
Whoa. This harbinger of failure concept explains my experience so precisely! Thanks for this info
Excellent video... I'm so glad to still find videos about the environment, it has really been going out of style the last few years, which means it matters more than ever
Oh my gosh it’s such a running joke about how every time I find a favorite thing it gets discontinued. My daughter always laughs about that. It’s enough to make me want to hoard things I like best.
White labeling is real in the furniture industry (and EVERY industry) though your example with the chairs you shown isn't a great example. You showed a dupe- the legs and details on the chair are different, the leather is treated differently (and probably is a different material). True white labeling is the EXACT same product. I usually sus this out by checking the photos (they will usually use the same photos), looking at whitelabeling websites that tell you (do the work for me), and most importantly, checking the product details (material, configuration, set up, reviews). those two chairs you showed are similar in style only because one is duping the other, and the higher cost of one item is probably due to construction and materials PLUS totally the name brand.
I totally agree with you, just wanted to make this clear. doing all the researched to try to find a decent product is hell, I think most of my energy gets taken up by that and shopping is honestly no longer fun. it sucks.
The world we live in is such a dystopian nightmare.... the older I get, the more disenchanted I am with it all...
Thank you for another great video.
How nothing is ultimately unique anymore or special. Things constantly looking like other things made cheaper and cheaper at higher prices.
We’re literally being sold the illusion of choice while the real options disappear. I can’t be the only one who notices this, right? It’s time to change the system! 💡
I miss Pier One furniture. So many unique pieces in my home. My kids fight over the bowl chair.
My biggest goal for the year, now that I think about it, is that I don't hope to buy any clothing at all this year, short of a horrible unforseen mishap. I may not own everything I will need for the rest of my life (God willing), but I definitely already own every piece of clothing I should need for this year if not the next several years.
Yeah I’m with you. If I find something I like, I must have the same thing until I die, but it’s inevitable that it goes away and I’m left searching again. It’s profoundly stupid.
I think a video about brands/companies that do have transparent practices would be interesting. Maybe you could even get one of them to sponsor you.
I have the same problem with all my favorite things always getting discontinued like my favorite booties and my favorite pair of Levi jeans, so once they wear out I end up having to go back out into the wild of the marketplace to try to find a new favorite and they're just never the same. 😢
looking at all the furniture in my room like …. oh 😭 it’s so true, the next time i move ill probably have to buy new furniture
The editing in this video should get a UA-cam award if that exists 😂
That would be an awesome video, it’s hard to divest in corporations when the choices are becoming less.