Do I need it? ‘Underconsumption core’ trends on TikTok

Exhausted from a rising cost of living in the United States and non-stop ads, some young adults on TikTok are pushing back.

“When every moment of your life feels like you’re being sold something and the price of said item keeps going up, people will burn out on spending money,” Kara Perez, an influencer and financial educator, told AFP.

Social media has long had room only for picture-perfect homes, lavish closets and an abundance of beauty products. But a new trend is sweeping the other way — urging repurposing, more frugal lifestyles and prioritising quality over quantity.