To consume or not to consume | Maryam Al-Ali & Hessa Alhelal | TEDxAlAnjalNationalSchool

Main Argument - Overconsumption is a universal problem exacerbated by social media, leading to a desire for unnecessary purchases [1][2][3][4] - Marketing strategies by large companies contribute to the feeling of missing out, driving overconsumption [5] - Saudi Arabia is identified as an overconsuming nation, particularly in energy and soft drink consumption [6] - Overconsumption is tied to lifestyle and culture, despite religious instructions against it [9] Consumption Patterns - Saudi Arabia spends 6 billion riyals annually on soft drinks and energy drinks [6] - Unexpected spike in demand in Saudi Arabia with pre-orders and sale exceeded the expectation about 30% comparing to the other models during the iPhone 12 launch in 2020 [8] - Upgrading electronics to keep up with trends is a common form of overconsumption [8] Solutions & Strategies - The Swiss model of focusing on quality over quantity, avoiding discounts, early money management education, and zero-based budgeting is presented as a solution [10][11] - Pocket saving strategy is introduced as a plan to help individuals lower their consumption [12]