A penny saved is a penny earned. And more and more benny-wise young Chinese are abandoning consumerism by leading an increasingly frugal (节俭的) life by developing anti-consumerism concepts.
According to a survey by JD.com, nearly 50% of respondents would use all means to save money and more than 30% plan to become deal-hunters to fit in their budgets. More than 80% of Generation Z Chinese spend less than 5,000 yuan ($737) a month. When shopping, they care the most about practicability, personal preference and price, instead of brands, popularity and brand spokesmen.
And more than 600,000 users have joined a group named Frenzied Money Savers on Douban, a popular social media platform, where members share sometimes extreme ideas, tips, books and everything to save hard-earned money. For instance, some recommended uninstalling shopping apps such as Taobao, Meituan and Pinduoduo and installing it each time you really need to buy something so as to hold back the urge to spend. And milk tea, coffee and takeouts are strongly opposed by many.
Chinese have long established and valued the saving culture with the country’s household savings rate leading the world. Young Chinese who are born in a relatively prosperous and abundant society have learned to get rid of the addiction to consumerism and use money in a more sensible and wiser way, which could help create a more healthy and upbeat social vibe (社会风气), besides reducing the huge waste and damages to the environment caused by over consumption.
Just as the American writer Theodore Thornton said, the habit of saving is itself an education. Yet saving is certainly not the final goal, but spending money where it truly deserves helps realize one’s life objectives. To save and spend wisely are lessons young people all over the world have to learn.
【小题1】Why are more and more young Chinese becoming benny-wise?| A．They tend to accept consumerism. | B．They spend money without hesitation. |
| C．They are shaped by multiple cultures. | D．They are in favor of economical life. |
| A．Budgets and service. | B．Practicability and price. |
| C．Personal preference and brands. | D．Shopping apps and platforms. |
| A．Anti-consumerism is beneficial to social progress. |
| B．Saving money can be many people’s life objective. |
| C．Many social issues mainly result from consumerism. |
| D．Young Chinese are lucky to be born in a prosperous society. |
| A．There is no increasing need for consumerism. |
| B．Old virtue of being frugal is still not outdated. |
| C．Tips on saving money are important for the young. |
| D．Consumerism has an impact on economic development. |
