The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Australians pay $163 a month on average to store all the stuff we buy – how can we stop overconsuming?

  • Written by Louise Grimmer, Senior Lecturer in Retail Marketing, University of Tasmania
Australians pay $163 a month on average to store all the stuff we buy – how can we stop overconsuming?

Many of us are drowning in “stuff”. To find space for all our possessions, we are paying off-site storage companies. Australians spend an average of A$163 per month on self-storage, one recent survey[1] found.

The number one item stored in these facilities is furniture. Other items we cannot fit in our houses include appliances and electronics, hobby items, sports equipment, collectibles, memorabilia, books and photographs, cars and wine.

Around a quarter of customers cannot remember[2] what is actually in their storage unit. Around 13% use them to hide their purchases from others.

The massive growth of the household storage industry is a sign of overconsumption. It’s a problem in many developed economies that’s doing increasing harm to the planet.

Unfortunately, the Earth does not have an off-site storage option. Curbing our desire to consume has to be the solution.

Costs are mounting for us and the planet

Australians owe, on average[3], about $3,800 in credit card debt and a further $17,700 in personal debt (excluding property debt, which averages $565,880).

This year Australian shoppers were expected to spend $63.9 billion[4] in the six weeks before Christmas, about $2,458 per person.

We waste a lot of what we buy. For example, each year Australia wastes 7.6 million tonnes of food[5], with consumers accounting for half of this waste. The food we throw out is worth between $2,000 and $2,500 per household – or up to $1,000 per person.

Read more: Why 'best before' food labelling is not best for the planet or your budget[6]

That’s just the start of the wasteful spending – think of all those gym memberships, gift cards, clothes, appliances and furniture we’ve bought but don’t use.

In total, Australian households produce about 12.4 million tonnes[7] of waste each year. That equates to roughly half a tonne per person.

We are not just spending beyond our personal means but also beyond what our planet can sustain.

Eventually, we will run out of places for all this waste to go.

Read more: Spending too much money? Tempted by sales? These ways to 'hack' your psychology can help[8]

I’m not a hoarder, but …

People who own lots of stuff, or who collect things, are not necessarily hoarders, but may struggle to part with personal and household possessions. The reason can in part be explained by Belk’s concept of the extended self[9]. This is when possessions become part of our identity and signal to others who we are and, importantly, who we want to be.

This is certainly the case for those who collect things. Our collections become a part of us and our life story. It can be difficult to disentangle ourselves from these possessions.

Some things we own may have symbolic value because they remind us of special people, places and events, such as gifts from a friend or souvenirs from a holiday. Possessions that still have potential financial or utilitarian value can also be hard to give up.

Read more: Why and how retailers turn everyday items into 'must-have' collectables[10]

Why buy so much in the first place?

Part of the problem is we are exposed to thousands of advertisements[11] every day and a huge array of cheap products. The temptation to keep buying things can be too much for many people.

In their 2005 book Affluenza[12], Clive Hamilton and Richard Denniss describe the Western world as being in the grip of consumerism. Fast forward to 2022 and it appears we haven’t changed much. Behaving as though we have a chronic lack of stuff, we simply buy too many things we don’t need.

Many Australians live in small houses or apartments that lack space[13] for all their things. Even those in large houses find they are overflowing with possessions but are loath to give up some of them.

The solution is we pay someone else to store our possessions – and we pay a lot. Self-storage in Australasia has grown into a $1.5 billion[14] industry.

There are about 2,000 self-storage facilities[15] across Australia and New Zealand. Some house hundreds of individual storage units.

Depending on the size, location and type of storage unit (for example, climate-controlled for wine collections), the costs can add up to thousands of dollars a year for some people.

Man wheels a trolley of storage boxes into a rented storage unit.
Self-storage businesses in Australasia have grown into a $1.5 billion industry. Shutterstock

Read more: Why kids should not have lots of toys (and what to do if yours have too many)[16]

What can we do about it?

It is easy to be swept up in the shopping frenzies of Christmas and new year sales. We are “programmed” to spend by marketers and retailers who surround us with temptation in stores and online.

But there are things you can do to help counter the impulse to buy and reduce its impacts.

Make a list and set a budget before you head to the shops, and try to stick to it. Use cash instead of cards when you can. Research[17] shows people feel the cost of paying more when using cash. Don’t shop on an empty stomach or when you are tired.

Where possible, shop locally and buy locally made items. It’s great for your local economy, and the planet benefits from fewer air miles.

Rather than products, consider gifts of experiences, which don’t involve accumulating “stuff”. Options include creative classes, entertainment, sports, or health and beauty services.

Look for products with less packaging or with biodegradable packaging. Buy loose products and choose refillable options where you can.

Ask yourself: do I really need to buy this? If I didn’t have a credit card, could I actually afford it today?

We can all use self-monitoring to improve our spending habits and reduce the environmental costs.

References

  1. ^ survey (www.canstarblue.com.au)
  2. ^ cannot remember (www.canstarblue.com.au)
  3. ^ owe, on average (www.canstar.com.au)
  4. ^ $63.9 billion (www.roymorgan.com)
  5. ^ 7.6 million tonnes of food (www.fial.com.au)
  6. ^ Why 'best before' food labelling is not best for the planet or your budget (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ 12.4 million tonnes (www.thejunkmap.com.au)
  8. ^ Spending too much money? Tempted by sales? These ways to 'hack' your psychology can help (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ extended self (www.jstor.org)
  10. ^ Why and how retailers turn everyday items into 'must-have' collectables (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ thousands of advertisements (mumbrella.com.au)
  12. ^ Affluenza (www.allenandunwin.com)
  13. ^ apartments that lack space (www.commercialrealestate.com.au)
  14. ^ $1.5 billion (selfstorage.org.au)
  15. ^ 2,000 self-storage facilities (www.cbre.com.au)
  16. ^ Why kids should not have lots of toys (and what to do if yours have too many) (theconversation.com)
  17. ^ Research (doi.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/australians-pay-163-a-month-on-average-to-store-all-the-stuff-we-buy-how-can-we-stop-overconsuming-192503

The Times Features

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping