It feels like everyone is buying more than ever—new cars, massive hauls, luxury vacations—flexed online like it’s normal. But behind the scenes, credit cards are maxed, savings are gone, and debt is quietly exploding. In this video, I break down how overconsumption became the default: constant upgrades, impulse buys, subscriptions, “treat yourself” culture, and the internet turning keeping-up-with-the-Joneses into a 24/7 sport. I start with a simple New Year’s reset for 2026: look at your stuff and admit it—this used to be money, aka hours of your life. If you haven’t used it in 3–6 months, sell it (Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, eBay), donate it, and declutter your space so you can declutter your brain. Then I talk to people about debt and the denial is unreal (“I’m not in debt, I’m just paying things off”), plus the excuses—especially the classic “I got a car loan to build credit.” I’ve got an ~812 credit score and I’ve never had a car loan; I just pay my card in full. We also hit peak consumerism with stuff like the Apple “iPhone Pocket” and the TJ Maxx holiday junk aisles. My takeaway: stop normalizing debt, stop buying seasonal trash, set boundaries (especially around Christmas), and put your money toward debt payoff, an emergency fund, and investing so you can actually build financial freedom.