Crunch Time for Consumerism

Goodness me, how time has run on! It’s been ages since my last blog which is quite embarrassing given the subject matter of the first one – making time for blogging! I’m blessed to have been so busy of late with all my clients, but as I enter this wonderful new year, I am, as well as the majority of us out there, feeling the pinch a bit.

“Credit crunch” is certainly the favourite phrase on the keyboard fingers of journalists out there, as they chunter out story after inspirational story about how bad the economic climate is, how it’s affecting us all, what we can do about it, things we can do or avoid, and list after list of credit crunch beating tips, things to do on a shoestring, how to survive three months on two quid and a tin of beans….. all that sort of thing…. but am I, even with my PR head on, just a little bemused by all these “money-saving”, “debt-busting” stories in the papers, on the TV and radio and clogging up the internet?

The reality is, people are losing their jobs, companies are definitely going bust (national mourning for Woolies and Wedgwood, and the poor boss of M&S a few million quid down on his profits), despite interest rates going down (the phrase “stable door – bolted horse” kind of springs to mind!) mortgages are being defaulted on, it’s impossible to buy a house and the supermarkets seem to love the fact that the credit crunch means they can encourage us to buy MORE of all their cheaper products!

PR cynic that I am – 16 years in the business has rubbed off quite well – I think many companies are just laughing up their sleeves at the general public. Instead of looking at practical, sustainable ways of saving money, many PR machines are happily seizing another opportunity to flog us more stuff only at seemingly lower prices. The story about the battle between the pound store next door to the 99p shop on the radio today made me chuckle over my marmite on (organic!) toast. The pound store had been losing customers in their droves as they stampeded next door to buy the same products but at 1p cheaper per item. But are people really that hard up? The queues of individuals buying lottery tickets seems to get longer and longer, people seemingly spending what little they have in their wallets on a sliver of hope that they’ll scoop the jackpot.

Really, saving money is as simple as losing weight – calories in versus calories out – just swap the calories for pounds if you like ('scuse the pun!), and you’ll get my drift. Simple enough - don’t eat that cream cake and you won’t end up with cottage cheese thighs – likewise if you don’t spend it, you won’t be in debt. Many people have lost the ability to equate real need with need engendered by too much advertising.

It may seem bonkers for a PR to be advocating LESS consumerism, but the entire point of my own business is to shout out loud for all those truly anti-consumerist, ethical and environmental businesses who want you to buy quality, beautiful items which do the job, look great and are produced with the environment in mind. Less really can be more – swap quantity for quality, make things last and see the difference not only to your wallet but also the planet. Consumerism will eventually cost us the earth….. make this the year you shop less, save resources, and start saving your pennies and the environment.