Isn’t Life Too Expensive? (It Doesn’t Have To Be)
I’m going to acknowledge something right off the bat: saving money is not the most exciting article topic you can read. This is not a post that will change your outlook on the world, but I do hope that it can change your life in a small way.
On the other hand, your outlook on the world may change once you realize that you are likely getting ripped off, and I bet it’s happening quite often. I came to Newhouse after several years working as a banker, so I know a thing or two about budgeting. I would love to share some advice that I have learned, starting with how you might be paying about double what you need to for laundry.
Seth Godin, a reputable author in marketing and advertising, states in his book Purple Cow, “You are a post-consumption consumer. You have everything you need, and most everything you want. Except time (2003. p. xi, 3).” I think we can all agree that we already have everything we truly need. This is especially true with generic needs that every person has, such as household products. The interesting part is that companies who sell us the products that fit our everyday needs know this too. How do they convince us to spend more money with them? By convincing us that we need to change how we do simple things, like laundry, because laundry pods (or packs, or whatever the brand you like calls them) make the process better. Please let me change your mind–do not buy them, you don’t need them.
Reason #1: They don’t save you time.
One primary feature that the laundry pods advertise is that they’re simple. All you have to do is pop one in and you’re good to go.
…how long does it take to pour some liquid into the pre-measured cap? Do you relish those two seconds you saved? That’s how long it takes to use the liquid detergent: two seconds.
Reason #2: They are definitely more expensive.
I compared the prices at Wegmans, which some of you may perceive to be an expensive store (it’s not, but that’s a topic for another time). However, if you’re not convinced, the prices were almost identical at Amazon. Tide liquid detergent costs $13.50 and covers 96 loads (measured by the cap). Tide pods in a larger, “value” pack, come with 81 pods for about $19. Additionally, the pods don’t last 81 loads. The package says to use two pods for a medium load and three for a large load. Let’s assume that when you do laundry, it’s about a medium load every time. With that in mind, it doesn’t cost $19 for 81 washes, it costs $19 for 40 or less. I know that’s not a huge expense for the one year we’re at Newhouse, but over your entire life, you’re buying laundry supplies twice as frequently for about $5 more.
Reason #3: What do you know that makes them better?
The packages mention that the pods include scent-boosting technology and advanced stain-fighters, maybe it even has oxygen cleaning power.
Question: When have you noticed any of these things?
Once laundry comes out of the dryer, does it have any scent that you would notice if you didn’t deeply inhale through your shirt? Did liquid detergent fail to remove regular stains? The modern “laundry technology” is not doing anything noticeable for you. They just separate some chemicals and make them three different colors to make it look like you need them. It’s all the same. Prove me wrong.
Sidenote (but related): Scent-boosters are also a waste of your money.
To reference my point above, do you notice the wonderful scent of your clothing once it’s been through the dryer? Not unless you inhale your shirt? Do your friends or significant others also inhale your clothing when you hang out together? Didn’t think so. Don’t buy it. Save the $8 to try the new queso at Chipotle.
The main point:
Brands have become incredibly talented at convincing us that there are new technology and improvements to everyday life processes. Realistically, some of those things have been working for all of our lives and don’t need to be changed. Save your money, buy liquid detergent, it works. Don’t fall victim to alternative facts and marketing tricks, keep it simple and you’ll be fine.
Reference
Godin, S. (2003). Purple cow: Transform your business by being remarkable. New York: Portfolio.
