We live in a culture of consumerism. Advertising has long proven to be effective in persuading consumers to buy products in increasing amounts by appealing to their social, emotional and functional needs. Unfortunately, rampant consumerism fueled by constant advertising impacts more than our shopping habits. Consumerism has led to a "throwaway culture" that wreaks financial havoc on individuals and leads to negative environmental impacts. However, research suggests that “consumers are not always open to advertising”. As consumer behaviour evolves and mindful spending gains popularity, people have started to favour methods of avoiding advertisements like skipping ads on YouTube or installing ad blockers on their browsers. If you’re looking for more ways to cut down on mindless consumption and save money, we outline 5 methods below.

It’s impossible to be completely immune to advertising unless you’re living off the grid without access to any