The Cost of Keeping Up: fast fashion low budgets

We live in a world where looking good and keeping up with trends has become a measure of success. Fast fashion, flashy lifestyles, and social pressures have shaped the way we think about spending, often leading to habits that leave us struggling to catch up financially. For me, it was no different. The allure of always having the latest outfit, the newest gadgets, and the best car was intoxicating. But beneath it all lay a dangerous cycle of debt, fuelled by an industry that thrives on making us believe we need everything to be happy.

The Allure of Fast Fashion and Social Media

Fast fashion can hook us so easily. Walking into stores like H&M, Zara, or browsing online retailers, You are greeted by racks of clothes that promised instant style and confidence. For a fraction of the price of high-end brands, You could reinvent yourself with every purchase. Social media only adds to the pressure. Instagram feeds are flooded with influencers showing off perfectly curated wardrobes, changing outfits faster than you can keep track and never showing anything more than once.

I was hit hard with this change in my social media following programmes such as love island and other UK reality shows. It didn’t just stop at clothes. Shoes, accessories, and beauty products all played their part. The want doesn't stop, and being hit with promotions and discount codes almost every other post it embeds itself within your mind.

But the satisfaction feeling after every purchase was fleeting. The moment a new trend emerged, the outfits bought previously, even if never worn became obsolete. And I was back to scrolling through online retailers, filling virtual carts, and convincing myself I needed more. It wasn’t long before I was spending more than i had free, essentially pushing me towards my Credit cards more and virtual catalogues more and more. The Pressure to Keep Up - fast fashion low budgets

Beyond fashion and social media, the need to keep up with friends and peers extended to every part of my life. Everyone seemed to be upgrading—cars, living situations and lifestyles. Everyone now showcasing these achievements into our own daily routines by posting to their profiles, and I didn’t want to feel left out.

Buying the latest phone or upgrading to a newer car felt like I was better at fitting in. What I didn’t realize was that I was measuring my worth by material possessions, fuelled by the invisible competition of "who has the best." It’s an exhausting race, and one that leaves little room for financial stability. The Credit Trap

At the height of my desire to keep up, companies like Very and Littlewoods seemed like lifesavers. They offered "buy now, pay later" schemes that made splurging on fashion and electronics feel guilt-free. Why worry about paying upfront when I could spread the cost over months?

Banks were no better, handing out credit cards to teenagers and young adults with little consideration for their financial literacy. At 18, I was approved for a credit card without understanding the long-term consequences of interest rates or minimum payments and how it would then impact my future.

These companies know exactly what they’re doing. They target young people who are eager to establish their independence, presenting credit as the key to unlocking everything they desire. What they don’t advertise is how quickly debt can snowball, trapping you in a cycle of payments that eat away at your future income. Breaking the Cycle

It’s taken years of reflection, sacrifice, and learning to start breaking free from these habits. Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Understand Your Triggers - Recognize why you’re spending. Are you trying to fill an emotional void? Are you trying to impress others? Identifying these triggers can help you make more intentional choices.

2. Practice Gratitude - Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, take time to appreciate what you do. Gratitude helps shift the focus from material possessions to meaningful experiences and relationships.

3. Set Boundaries with Social Media and TV - Curate your feeds to follow accounts that promote financial literacy and self-love over consumerism. Limit time spent watching shows or influencers that glorify unattainable lifestyles.

4. Educate Yourself on Credit - If you’re using credit cards or loans, take the time to understand how they work. Learn about interest rates, minimum payments, and the true cost of borrowing.

5. Prioritize Your Financial Health - Start small by setting a budget and tracking your expenses. Prioritize paying off high-interest debt, and resist the urge to take on new loans or credit, once paid off then you can shut them down completely and its one less option to have available.

6. Embrace a Minimalist Mindset - Focus on quality over quantity. Invest in pieces that will last rather than chasing every trend. Learn to differentiate between needs and wants.
   

Final Thoughts

Fast fashion, influencers, TV, and social pressures have all played a role in shaping my own spending habits. It’s easy to fall into the trap of buying to fit in, to feel good, or to project a certain image. But the reality is, these habits come at a cost—financially and emotionally.

I know how hard it is to Break free from this cycle, but it’s worth it. By educating myself on my financials, self-awareness, and intentional living, I know I can reclaim control over my money and my how I now spend my life. True confidence and happiness don’t come from the clothes we wear or the cars we drive—they come from living authentically and building a future we’re proud of.