When I think about the products and services that I use on a daily basis, the list seems never-ending. In this consumerist society, there is not a day that goes by where goods and services do not play a large role in my every-day routine. As I reflect on the things I use that were “wise decisions”, they include my extra-large mug for my morning coffee, my podcast playlist that I listen to on the way to class (I’m currently listening to Imagined Life), my Frisbee (which I always carry in my backpack since you never know whose free to toss), my spin pass, my flight tickets for skiing in March, and my trusty hiking boots that have probably walked over 500 miles.
When I reflect on these items, a couple similarities come to mind.
Social Enhancement / expectations: Frisbee, Coffee (as I would not be social without it)
Frisbee has been my social outlet since freshman year. The organization has provided structure to my college life, and has introduced me to friends who will stay with me for a lifetime. Every day, I wake up to messages in the team group chat, and whenever I walk across the sunken gardens, there is always someone tossing a disc around. In addition, there’s always someone free to go to the gym with you, or grab a bite to eat.
Now, this might be a sign of addiction or love, but every night before I go to bed, I look forward to my cup of coffee waiting for me in the morning. Both the routine and the cup have stuck by me since freshman year, and that constant has given me a reason to be excited about waking up every day.
A common tie between these two seemingly unrelated products is expectations. I have come to expect to see someone throwing a disc, and expect my weekends to be full of Frisbee- whether it’s an actual tournament, or a team table in swem for studying. This expectation of quality runs over into my coffee habit. I know that a good cup of coffee can jumpstart my day, and this is something that I can control. In the Consumer Wisdom article that we read for class, I would characterize this as lifestyle envisionment as something that is well-designed is durable and you can count on the quality of the product/service. These are both products that I have invested a lot of time into, and I have weighed the pros and cons of- such as playing different sport (i.e running) or just grabbing coffee from Sadler on the way to class. Emotional mastery also plays a large role as I look forward to playing Frisbee every day, as well as drinking my first cup of freshly pressed coffee.
Travel / Adventure: Ski tickets, hiking boots
Ski tickets and hiking boots have a lot more in common. These two types of experiences are long term oriented and have shaped who I am, as well as how I view the world. Wise consumers do not just think about the present, but plan for the future in order to break up the monotony of life. I believe that society is starting to move away from cultivating tangible products (i.e a large shoe collection), to cultivating experiences (memorialized through photos). With travel becoming both more affordable and easier to plan, individuals are willing to spend money on trips, even though they know that they will eventually end. Two summers ago, I hiked the tour du Mont Blanc with my family. This experience challenged me both physically and mentally, and by the end of it, I was stronger. I started off with a low quality pair of hiking boots, and about two days in, quickly realized that I was not going to make it to the end with them. I went to a hiking store, and was fitted with proper boots. I was astounded at the price, and realized that if I was to invest in the boots, this could not be a “one-time thing.” Since then, I have hiked almost every month (even if it’s just to squirrel point on campus). A wise consumer looks for something that will improve their lives or challenge them to view something in a different way. Travel affords that opportunity by providing a new environment to explore and opens one’s eyes to new things. Travel has opened my eyes to the wonders of hiking, and has pushed me in new ways to look at the world.
Enriched mind / Self-care: Podcast, spin pass,
Podcasts have opened my eyes to so many things. In college, it’s often hard to learn simply for “pleasure.” There’s always another assignment that you should be getting a head-start on, or a quiz to be studying for. Podcasts allow me to be productive and learn when I would otherwise just be walking to class or working out at the gym. They inspire me to think critically, and engage in my surroundings. Unlike books-on-tape, podcasts tend to be anywhere between 20-40 minutes, which is a perfect amount of time to stay engaged without feeling guilty about not working on homework. I like podcasts because they are free for everyone, and you can use it as much or as little as you want- without feeling guilty about “wasting it.” This is the same feeling that I have for my spin class. This year, the campus rec made all of the rec classes free for students (as long as you downloaded the pass). This is such a great resource offered, that few take advantage of! I believe that characteristics of a wise consumer do not just mean that they buy expensive products/services for longevity, but appreciate what they have and use what is afforded to them. In other words, this would be enjoying the “free” things in life.
To sum up what I think the “wise consumer” would spend money on, they would be products/services that could be counted on for their quality. This does not necessarily mean that the more expensive product/service is a better quality than a less expensive version. A wise consumer would appreciate that money is not the solution, and would really consider whether their purchase is “worth it” in the long run. They realize that it is not just about the duration of the product, or tangible outcomes from the purchase. The consumer must look holistically at the entire experience, and how they as an individual will change/grow
Design principles: (In summary)
1) Having a product meet or surpass expectations
2) Creating a product / service that pushes you to grow
3) A product that improves your quality of life