May 20, 2025 • 44 mins
We’re about to get so real—and by that, we mean we’re taking deinfluencing to the next level. In this episode, Jen and Jill react to actual videos of how influencers try to get us to spend. They break down what you’re seeing on social media, what it’s doing to you psychologically, and why you don’t need to spend money on Memorial Day.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Deinfluencing Memorial Day sales.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Welcome to the Frugal Friends podcast, where you'll learn to
save money, embrace simplicity, and live your life. Here your
hosts Jen and Jill.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Welcome to the Frugal Friends podcast. My name is Jen,
my name is Jill, and today we are doing something
a little unique. We are going to explore some of
the videos you might be seeing on social media and
giving you an overall picture of what it's trying to
do to use psychologically to get you to spend money
(00:45):
on Memorial Day and why you don't need to.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
We talk about marketing tactics, and we talk about social
influence and some of the reasons that we end up
impulse buying or spending unnecessarily. But today we're really doing
it on giving some examples cool exams where it's like, okay, yeah,
but what does that actually look like? Whoa here it
(01:10):
is and no holds barred here, and we might be
opening up something that we can't close because now we're
really into deinfluencing all of these things because what we're
about to talk about is pretty wild. But first, this
episode is brought to you by interest like being interested
(01:34):
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Speaker 1 (02:08):
Yeah, and it is a safe place for your sinking
and emergency funds.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Yeah, it is where I keep my emergency fund. And
it's so fun every month to go back to go
in and see like how much money did I make
by how much sitting around?
Speaker 1 (02:26):
How much did my hild savings account protect me from inflation? Oh,
that's really what it is. It's it's not meaningful income,
but it is meaningful security.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
No.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
But I mean, if you've got your emergency fund in there,
it's not insignificant. Absolutely not. No, it shouldn't be an
alternative to investing, but it is a great place to
keep money that you do need to have access to eventually.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Yes, but let's let's not bury the lead. Let's get
into what we're really doing today, and that is talking
about Memorial Day sales and Memorial Day things that you
probably don't need buy, but you are going to see
a lot of on social media for the next week.
(03:17):
So we are going to go into some of the
heavy hitters, and we're going to tell you why we're
doing this episode with a few stats, the first one
being fifty seven percent of US consumers plan to celebrate
Memorial Day weekend in twenty twenty four, so not everyone,
but over half of you.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Yeah, that's a significant amount. And among those who are
planning to celebrate, ninety five percent intend to make purchases.
This is primarily going to be on food and alcohol,
and twenty three percent expected to spend more than they
did the previous year. They're looking at this year saying,
you know what, I'm gonna spend more money on more things.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Which is crazy in this economy. Yeah, but I think
what it might come down to is that the state
of the world is really chaotic right now, and so
to have these small things that can maybe be an
escape is what's driving more of this stuff. So it's
not going to be lavish like our Christmas or our Halloween,
(04:27):
but it can be a small scale escape. And we're
not against escapism, but we need to do it in
a healthy way and one that is not going to
make you regret looking back at your credit card or
your bank account in several weeks.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Did those two things go together? Don't you know what.
We're not gonna We're not gonna sit here long enough
to okay social workers. So the top plan purchases are food.
So eighty three percent of this spending is on food,
forty four percent on alcoholic bever thirty three percent on
non alcoholic beverages, seventeen percent on decorations. So these are
(05:06):
the things we plan to spend on. It just sounds
like we want to have a good time and we
want to eat good food. And to that end, also,
restaurants experience an increase in visits up forty one point
nine percent compared to an average Monday, So that's a
seven point one percent increase compared to Memorial Day of
(05:27):
the previous year. So we're we're just we're prioritizing food
and parties and getting together and so there's a lot
that comes with that. There's a lot of things that
we will end up spending on, but.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
We're not forgetting the sales either, So it's not just
the parties, it's also all the bombardment with discounts and
sales and coupons. Walmart dominates the online Memorial Day space.
In twenty twenty four, they captured approximately sixty two percent
of the online marketing market share marketing and an eleven
percent year over year increase. And so the numbers themselves
(06:06):
shouldn't mean a lot to you, but the year over
year increase numbers, those should mean a lot because when
they outpace inflation, that doesn't just mean that means we're
not just buying the same things and we're spending more
for them. It means that we're buying more things. And
that is what we're seeing. And we're not sure what
(06:27):
we'll see this year, but I think it is important
to know we'll see the same marketing that we saw
last year. We'll see the same push to spend. Even
for travel, gas stations experienced their busiest day of the
year on Friday May twenty fourth, twenty twenty four, which
is the Friday of Memorial Day. It's foot traffic up
(06:50):
thirty two point three percent compared to an average day.
So even if you're just taking a short little staycation
or a short road trip and you're we're not going
to be spending a ton. We still need to identify
some of these the marketing that influencers will do, how
it targets the psychology of how you are influenced to buy.
(07:15):
And we're going to talk about some social media videos.
We're not going to play the ones that have copyrighted music.
Eventually we'll start recording the video of these so you'll
be able to see, but we will link to all
the videos. We will play the ones that don't have
copyrighted music, but we will talk about not the influencer themselves,
(07:37):
but they are just one example of the sea of
sameness that you'll get across the Internet.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
And we want to be able to look at what
is happening with each of these so that we all
can be really equipped as we're scrolling and we're seeing
these things, to be able to easily identify what's happening
here and make informed decisions rather than kind of knee
jerk reactions spending or thinking that something is expected of
(08:06):
us that is just really absurd. So the top three
categories that we're seeing influencers push when it comes to
Memorial Day is outfits, parties and decor. So we're going
to look at each of those categories. Starting with outfits.
We found this video. It's an example video about kind
(08:28):
of how we should be dressing and the things that
we should be buying. So we're going to play a
clip of that for you all.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
The red two piece set, it's really easy to add
blue jewelry to the outfit. And you can also never
go wrong with a denim vest or go for the
super trendy oversized blue den of jacket, or really any denim.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
You can never go wrong with a cutey little blue.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Romper good pair of denim short alls. This is just
the top half of that red two piece set. Or
you can take this top half of the red two
piece set sell it with g or some good denim shorts.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
First of all, what are shortles? You're watching the video
and I'm just listening to it, so I'm not seeing.
But like I read the caption, and I first I
loved that she was just pulling out things from her
quote unquote closet, and in reality, I don't know if
(09:26):
that's true because the caption says all of these things
can be available via Amazon Prime by Friday.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Well I think some of the stuff is from her closet,
but she shows a lot of different outfits. You can't
totally tell it from the audio, but there's a lot
that she's you know, when she's like triagraphic tea or
a print or it's like fast to those images.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Yeah, so that you have to go to the link
in her bio to her LTK and see them slowly.
But what a lot of influencers like this will do
is they'll order all this stuff from whatever store, Amazon, Target,
and they'll return most of it, but they just want
(10:09):
to show it all to you so that you'll buy
one or two pieces using their link. So like very
often it's not from their closet, especially if they're saying
it's all available by Friday on Amazon Prime. You know
the things in my closet, some of those are like
five years old. You can't get that anymore. It's not
available by Friday.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Any right, right. Yeah. And while I like opportunities to learn, Okay,
how can I put together new outfits? I think recognizing
that the key here is to get you to buy
and not just that get you to think that you
have to have a certain outfit for kind of every
occasion and even just that mindset, even if you don't
(10:50):
click on her Amazon link, but to be embedded and
steeped in this type of thinking that, oh, I've got
to have something special. I've got to look at the
part you've got to have the uniform is not helpful
long term mindset about our wardrobe, like what.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
You have is fine for a Memorial Day party. Yeah,
she was saying so much blue stuff. She did give
tips that would encourage you to just shop your closet, right, So,
like I did like that about this one. It wasn't
an overt like here's everything I got on Amazon, you
know for a Memorial Day or Fourth of July. But
(11:35):
it was a subtle like, oh, if you don't have
all this stuff in your closet like I clearly have
in mind, then you can buy it. You can be
like me and have more of the stuff in your closet.
Just use the link that I've provided.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Along with clothing. In case we haven't convinced you yet
that everyone's going to get you to try and buy
clothing on Amazon. Here's another example. We don't have the
audio for it, so I will just describe it. It
is a woman who is showing you two different types
of sweaters that you can get for Memorial Day that
has an American flag on it, the types of shorts
(12:12):
you can put with it, even shoes. So literally everything
she's wearing she has a link for showing it off.
A white sweater with the American flag, a kind of
neon green yellow sweater with the American flag, and then
everything else that she's wearing with the link that you
can get at a TikTok shop.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
TikTok shop. I'll link it all below, but I have
to say the neon yellow sweater is so bad. It
is a bad looking sweater.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
You can tell that the sweaters are not quality. You
are just buying. The sweater almost does a one time use.
She got two of them now, making it seem like
she bought both and it's worth it to have multiples
of the same thing. No, no, don't be fooled. She
(13:07):
was given both, right.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Or she plans to return one, right, hopefully the yellow one.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
And let's also not skip over the fact that none
of us, really, regardless of whatever climate, were in need
a sweater in the summertime.
Speaker 1 (13:21):
I will say, unless you are in Canada, you probably
aren't looking for a sweater.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
And certainly not was an American fly exactly.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
If they're in Canada, you probably are not going to
be shopping for an American fly sweater.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
You're probably not celebrating my my all right, no, so.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Oh gosh, yeah, So the fact that it is a
sweater as well. Uh, and I can imagine the mesh.
Was she looking at her shoes? I got mesh on
shoes never lasts very long. I didn't see if they
were if they looked quality, but if they were from
TikTok shop, it's probably like a like a drop ship operation.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
So here's what's going on here. I mean, there's a
lot that's going on here, but particularly with these two,
we've got some tradition and just normative behavior, so making
it seem like everyone shops Memorial Day sales, everyone wears
themed Americana clothing for Memorial Day. So it's kind of
(14:22):
this mass advertising that is utilizing social proof, where you're
going to see all over the place tons of people
trying to get you to buy from their stores, that
this is what we do, kind of hanging onto the
coattails of a cultural momentum that is happening as we
all kind of celebrate this current thing and utilizing that
(14:45):
for marketing. It is for marketing.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
All right. Let's look at parties, and so this is
where obviously food and drink is the most purchased. This
is where most of the money is going to these parties.
And we just believe social media is giving an unrealistic
standard for what your Memorial for a that you need
to throw a Memorial Day party and be what that
(15:12):
party should look like.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
All right, so let's listen to this little example of
party prep.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
Let's get ready to host a party for Memorial Day.
On Friday, I did all of my grocery shopping, so
I brought everything home and put it away and made
some cute little flower arrangements just to set out. I
just threw some blue and white hydrangers in a vase
and tuck some American flags in there. I think it
looks really cute and really festive. Now, we just got
a new griddle for outside, so on Saturday morning, I
had to get that all completely seasoned and ready to
(15:39):
go to cook on Sunday. Let me know if y'all
want a video about that, because I'm happy to share
all the details. Saturday night, my sister Caroline and I
just kind of hung out in the kitchen and prepped
a whole bunch of stuff for the party. And we
have been obsessed with dance moms lately.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
Okay, so we had to leave the dance mom's part
in because Helen Keller first fourth places.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
Please.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
I don't even know what that means.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
I don't know if it should have gotten a place
for that one. But the ultimate is just the amount
of prep. So, like this creator, their job is to
create social media content around party planning. So I looked
and this was her Memorial Day last year. Obviously they
(16:22):
haven't thrown their Memorial Day party this year. They got
seven videos out of this party, so this was a
good thing for them to do to create all of this,
you know, this extravagant party because they literally got He
did a a burger video and a grill video and
(16:43):
making a ranch dip video like so video, different videos
of all of these things and creating this content. He
gets paid for it. He gets more followers, and therefore
he can charge more for brand deals. But we are
not professional party planners, and I like it just holds
us to this unrealistic standard. This is a multiple day
(17:06):
party prep.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
Yeah, and I really shouldn't have watched this video hungry. Honestly,
it all does look so yummy, and I love to
find myself at that party. But he didn't invited us,
He didn't have to do so much like he made
his own ice cream sandwiches. And maybe that's his joy.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
That maybe a video though he loves.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
To do that. Yeah, But also what stood out to
me is that for this he got a new Griddle.
I mean he just mentions that in passing references, how
there's gonna be.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Another video affiliate and that is gonna be.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
An affiliate link for the griddle, And it just kind
of like for me, Yeah, even watching this, it kind
of instills Okay, this is the level of party prep.
If I'm gonna throw a party. These are the types
of things I should be doing if I want them
to be a certain way and I want my guests
to enjoy it.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
And this is the new standard it starts. That's the
problem it can create. So yeah, that anchoring bias for
us if we see enough content like this that this
is what we need to be doing. Even though we're
not content creators, we're not professional party planners. We're not
hosting elaborate gatherings constantly. But then it could lead us
(18:15):
to swing the other direction of Okay, well, then I'm
just not going to do it because it's not going
to look like that. I'm not going to invite people over.
I'm not going to be in community because I can't
throw a party like this. Yeah, that is the extreme
we don't want to go to.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
Here's here's another party example.
Speaker 6 (18:31):
You're hosting a Fourth of July party, y'all. This is
so good and everything will be linked to my Amazon
sore front. I love these reun white surf runners. I
did two of them, and then I added my floor arrangements,
a large cutting board because we did a mini slider
bar of chicken and burgers. And then I love these
little white risers. I adds to mention to your like
food and overall pearance of the look. And then in
those star shaped cardboard boxes, I did like snacky items
(18:53):
like chips and things like that. The blue and white
gingham print is so good. And then I add little
bows to the crowded glasses. All the small details is
like key for hosting parties.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Yeah, for me, it's the risers. Why they are white
boxes that they're putting plates of food on, and for me,
it seems like an unnecessary expense. It looks great, right,
it's another one that's beautiful. And again she makes her
money when you go to her Amazon storefront and buy
(19:25):
the things she's talking about. But again this and I
feel like this is what I see the most of,
like in my feet is parties like this.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
For me, it's the waste. There is so much single
use plastics from the containers to she had individual salad
dressing bottles that went to every individual salad.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Well now, wait, depending on how often you can to
cracker barrel, you could reuse those maple syrup bottles from
cracker barrel.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Thing that they actually let you take those anymore. I
think that's like, I.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Think they don't let you.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
Yeah, well, yeah, that's not That is not what she's
doing here, because a cracker barrel that often, and then
buying putting little ribbons on every single coke bottle, and
then just some of the time, I mean, certainly putting
every little watermelon into star shapes. That's fine, spend your
(20:33):
time how you want to spend your time. But it's
interesting to me because I watch these videos, and I think, well,
but it's not leading us to do this much, right,
And our listeners are probably going to say the same,
I'm not doing this at my parties. And yet it
still is the content we're consuming. So it still is
(20:55):
necessary for us to push back a little bit, not
on this singular individual, but on these types of concepts
and the type of content that we are consuming, and
to be really aware of how is this actually affecting me?
Because we can't watch video after video of that and
(21:17):
it not affect us, even from just how fast paced.
I mean, she sped up her audio, so you're kind
of you're you're already on the edge of your seat.
You've got the sense of urgency, there's this call to action,
there's this expectation that's happening that there are subconscious things
that go on when we are watching these types of videos,
(21:38):
to an extent that we may not even realize. Yeah,
I might not do all twenty of the things she's
doing in that video. But down the road, as this
leaks into my mindset, at what point am I going
to find myself doing one of those things?
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Absolutely five of.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Those things, thinking that this is the standard, and.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
How does it feel to be somebody going to a
party like this and then feeling inferior because this is
not something I'm gonna do, or feeling bad like I
feel like I'm taking advantage of this person because I'm
never going to be able to or want to provide
this experience back to them. It can be also isolating.
(22:18):
Even if it isn't in your social media feed, you
might experience it.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Or even just anxiety about I'd never be able to
afford to do that. This woman must be rich, and
maybe she is, but maybe she's not because this is
her business, so she might she's she is getting paid
to do these things and trying to sell to us
this idea of a lifestyle that we are not getting
paid to do, to film, to put out into the world.
(22:48):
So I think it's also worth looking at how it's
affecting our well being. Even if we don't throw a
party like this or spend money on any of these things,
what is it doing to us emotional to be watching
this type of thing.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Yeah, and I think what's going on here is fomo.
So I think these people want you to see the
parties and be like, Oh, I should be throwing a party.
I should this is what people do, right, So it's
kind of like that bandwagon or tradition normative behavior as
(23:24):
well as fomo. So we are maybe missing out if
we don't throw a party.
Speaker 3 (23:34):
Yeah. Yeah, it made me like I want a friend
like that, I want to go to that party even
just that.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Right, Like what am I doing if I'm not going
to a party or throwing one?
Speaker 4 (23:48):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (23:48):
It makes like socially, I think there's such a big
social component too, because we all want to connect to
each other, but how are we going to connect? Are
we going to connect authentically or just show people were
better than them by cutting all of our watermelon into stars?
Speaker 3 (24:08):
And those parties kind of touched a little bit on
this next category. But we're going to now take a
little deep dive on some of the decre that can
happen around Memorial Day and some of the expectations there.
So here so both of these videos we will link them,
but they are music only. There's no words, so we're
(24:30):
just gonna talk about them. This first video is a
Memorial Day tree, so it it is exactly as it sounds,
a Christmas tree that is decorated Memorial Day themed, so flags, red, white,
and blue, ribbon like posters. It's it doesn't look good.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
Can you can you play it and wee on mute
and we'll just like walk through it, because this is
what I would see the whole creator. All she does
is wreaths and trees for every single.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
So there's like wooden hearts that have the American tree
painted onto.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
That, every military branch's flag, and big balls.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Big ornaments, red and blue goblets.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
Red white and blue starbles. There is you cannot see
tree anymore. Oh, there's a sunflower that's red, white and
blue with the blue and white stars in the center
and then red and white striped sunflower petals.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
The thing that stands out to me on this one
is it doesn't it doesn't look good.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
No, it's like the neon yellow flag sweater. It don't
look good.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
It's like those like Pinterest fails, you know, nailed it. Yeah,
the kind of And that's not to say that she
doesn't have an eye for things. It's just that there
isn't a way to make a Memorial Day Christmas.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Here's what I think is happening. She makes all of
her money obviously around Christmas, but she has to create
content through the rest of the year, and I think
a lot of these holiday trees and wreaths and stuff reads.
Probably she does do well seasonally, but I think it
might just be rage bait of like why are you
(26:17):
keeping your tree up all year? But also these are
decore things that don't just have to be used on
a tree. She's highlighting decre that you can get on Amazon,
you can use anywhere, and she's just put She's just
using the tree as the backdrop.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
The hope is that you will just buy one of
these twenty items, and I think you do that. She's one.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
It's really key, like she heavily plays into like every
branch of the military being like represented on the tree.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
Yeah, that's okay. So we've got one more example of
a table scape that somebody does because obviously you've got
to make your table look exactly on theme. You can't
just have a plane table.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
Four plates, four plates, yeah, four utensils. The cups, and
the napkins are all hydrangeas.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
American called, like red, white, and blue. So the types
of cups that you're not going to utilize throughout the
rest of the year. Like a lot of this stuff
is specific for I guess Memorial Day and American four plates,
you could use it twice in the year, but otherwise.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
Yes, unless you are unless you live in DC and
your life is America themed, that's probably only going to
be the two times a year you'll use it. But
like that is and the thing that gets me about
table scapes is that they're typically not used. Unlike a
(27:47):
party where you're putting out plates, those are definitely going
to get used. Your formal dining room. The decor in
there most likely not getting used because when do you
ever have like a Memorial Day like family dinner, Like
it's much more synonymous party, whereas like Thanksgiving and Christmas
use the formal dining room. So she probably isn't using
(28:10):
this stuff. It is just for show. Yeah, and people
rarely go into the formal dining room, so it's probably
not gonna get seen.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
She may not have had anybody over in order to
create this video, honest to goodness.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
Yeah, I mean you're right, I laughed, but like, yeah,
that was.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
Having that is seating the exact number of seats that
you have at your table, no more, no.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Less, and you got to keep that.
Speaker 3 (28:40):
They're all momming for a sit down for Memorial Day.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Right, you just don't do that for memorial dath.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
Yeah. So there's a couple of things going on here.
If we wanted to dig deeper into some of the
marketing tactics, there is some patriotic and emotional appeal happening.
So utilizing the American flags, red white, blue, color schemes,
military appreciation either language or shown, and a lot of
just commercials advertising will do this using messaging of gratitude
(29:11):
for veterans, honoring service member themes, linking patriotism with consumer spending. Sic.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
Is patriotic. Yeah, we couldn't play it. But like it's
America the beautiful it is this, you know, really reverent
music set to creating beautiful you know, throw pillows and
American flag plates.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
Yeah, not that those things can't be a part of
one's experience, but it is being preyed upon really in
order to buy.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
Right, if I want to show my respect for the
for veterans, then I should celebrate this day to the fullest.
Speaker 3 (29:52):
And across all of these examples, we've got scarcity and
urgency happening where limited time off this weekend only ends
Monday night, and so this kind of fear of missing
out the fear of losing out on the deal, the
desire to kind of fit in this idea that everybody
(30:13):
else is doing this and just buying all of the
unnecessary stuff because it's being we're being bombarded with it.
I mean, if we're scrolling, then we are seeing this
message over and over and over again, and our will
powers are only going to go so far, and our
(30:34):
understanding of reality and how most people live is only
going to be so intact the more that we steep
ourselves in this type of content. And so I think,
you know, what do we do as a result of this?
I think in part being aware of, like utilizing some
of this language, like those questions of Okay, what's really
going on here? Asking yourself that as you're scrolling, start
(30:57):
to become kind of the person on the other side,
almost an observer of what's the marketing tactic at play?
Speaker 1 (31:03):
Yeah, what's going on behind the scenes?
Speaker 3 (31:05):
Uh huh? Is this really reality? Or is this somebody
who is running a business trying to make money and
curating our.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Feeds curating an experience?
Speaker 3 (31:18):
For sure? Not only I mean, I think we can
all do well in just decreasing the amount of time
we spend on social media, but also when we are
there that we have curated and created our feeds to
be beneficial to us, that it's the type of content
we want to see. Because while there are so many
creators like this who are pushing over consumption and purchasing
(31:42):
off of prime and living a certain lifestyle that's unattainable
and unsustainable, there are also creators creating content about how
to shop your own closet, how to throw a great
party without worrying about your place looking perfect, how to
wrap single.
Speaker 1 (32:01):
Ingredient low ingredient.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
Things and throw a potluck and have other people over like.
Those accounts also exist, so finding those following, those watching,
those engage engaging.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
Like watch the full video, because your algorithm, your feed
is no longer just based on people you follow, It
is based on where you are spending time and engaging.
So if there's something you want to see more of,
you have to like it, you have to comment, and
you have to watch that because there's really no way
(32:37):
if you don't like something and you watch it because
your hate watching it, the algorithm don't know that. So
if you're watching something because you do like it, you
have to be more intentional. If you want to keep
it in your feed.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
Do you know what I'm intentional about keeping in my podcast?
Speaker 1 (32:53):
And we play this every week and it never leads
us astray.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
The bill of the week.
Speaker 7 (33:12):
That's right, it's time for the best minute of your
entire week. Maybe a baby was born and his name
is William. Maybe you paid off your mortgage, maybe your
card died, and you're happy to not have to pay
that bill anymore. Best bills, Buffalo bills, Bill Clinton, this
is the bill of the week.
Speaker 8 (33:32):
Hijen and Jill. It's m in Nashville, Tennessee, and I'm
calling with my bill of the week this week. My
bill is my credit card bill, and we put all
of our normal purchases on our credit card for points.
And this week it's really high from last month because
(33:52):
we had some unexpected medical bills in our family. My
daughter has some ongoing health problems. I was sick for
us to December, and we just had some unexpected bills.
So my credit card bill is really high and I
had to dip into savings, and I was really bummed.
(34:14):
But then I realized that I have been putting money
into savings into my emergency fund all year, and this
time last year, I switched jobs so that I would
be paid more, and I realized that it kind of
stinks to have a high bill that you have to
(34:35):
pay and to dip into savings. But if I had
not followed you all's advice and been saving aggressively and
switched jobs to make more money than I would have
been in a whole heap of trouble. So I just
so appreciate you all in what you do for your community.
Speaker 3 (34:55):
Thanks.
Speaker 1 (34:56):
That's so great. I'm so glad you s shared that
with us.
Speaker 3 (35:01):
This is so encouraging that these really difficult things still happen.
That being frugal didn't save you from emergencies and high
medical bills, However, it did create a lot more cushion
and peace throughout that experience, some stability that you still
(35:26):
had to dip into savings. However, your sites have been
on earning more saving aggressively, which allows you to be
able to navigate this without finding yourself deep deep into
trouble and overwhelm. And that is just If that's not
the goal, I don't know, I don't know what is. Congratulations.
(35:47):
We're so thrilled for you. We hope that the worst
of all of that chaos is behind you, and then
you're able to keep that credit card bill low. And
congrats on getting a job that pays you more. That
is that's a huge part of this whole journey.
Speaker 1 (36:04):
So let's be frugal with your time being doing the
same amount of work for more money.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
I like that. If you all listening, have a bill
you want to submit, if it has to do with
a high bill, a low bill, a no bill, or
you are bill, a no bill man, frugal friendspodcast, dot com,
slash bill, leave it for us weekend, not wait for it.
(36:31):
And now it's time for polite around all right.
Speaker 1 (36:37):
What is your biggest sales tactic?
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Ick, and.
Speaker 1 (36:42):
I think we will have similar ones. I think mine's
slightly different. Mine is fear based marketing. It is the
worst and usually just like bros on YouTube, will do it,
but car dealerships will use this. I there was a
man yelling at me about avoiding the car price increase
(37:06):
from tariffs. I have to act fast because car prices
are increasing because of tariffs. Avoid it by now just
yelling at me. And I was like, hush, just stop, hush, hut.
Well that's not what I said. In reality, but that's
what I'm saying now. Just stop.
Speaker 8 (37:27):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (37:28):
Yeah, that is the biggest dick. I would never go
to that dealership just because of that.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
App Mine is the emotional appeal. I can't stand it.
I have a visceral reaction where brands try to sell
you a lifestyle and an idea of kind of transcending
your experience, and it's so cheap to me and exploitive.
(38:03):
It feels in a lot of ways too, Like here's
here's something to get you to cry. This man is
coming home from serving overseas on military duty, and he's
coming home and surprising as child and buy this car. Like, no,
your car does not create family values. It's a car.
(38:29):
I am getting this. My blood is boiling right now
as I think about it. Like, No, a car is
not gonna make you get up to go see the
sunrise and like become a better person who finds themselves
on top of a mountain. A car is going to
get you to and from work hopefully.
Speaker 1 (38:50):
Yeah, it's gonna get you to and from Chipotle. All right,
you're not going to watch the sunrise.
Speaker 3 (38:58):
Just you're killing me. It is enough to say, here's
something that might make your life more efficient, or here's
something you are already looking for. Here's reasons to buy
this particular one. I think it feels like it's treating
us like we're dumb, and I hate that. It feels manipulative, exploitive, cheap,
(39:22):
like people are gonna buy cars. Tell them why they
should buy this car. Don't take them on an emotional
journey where they're crying by the end of it and
then being like.
Speaker 1 (39:32):
Now give us your money.
Speaker 3 (39:35):
It's not even just an ick. It hicks me off.
Speaker 1 (39:39):
So car brands and car dealerships.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
Yeah right, it's not just cars who do it, but
like they are the easiest to point to, they are
good examples. Plenty of other brands do this, yes, clothing
brands in the ways that they take their pictures and
market you on social media. It's discosto.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
Well, thank you for listening. Let us know if you
liked this format, if we should put it on YouTube
and show some videos. You can leave a comment on
the YouTube video for this episode, or leave us a
comment on the episode on Spotify. Let us know what
you liked, and if you want more from us, then
(40:20):
our book by What You Love Without Going Broke is
available now by what you loovebook dot Com people tend
to like it, like this guy Eric left at a
five star review. Everything I've ever wanted in a personal
finance book. This book is so relatable and helpful. From
all the examples stories given to the action steps and
journal prompts at the end of each chapter, the authors
(40:42):
not only help me understand the psychology behind spending, but
how to make better spending decisions. I feel so much
more confident about my money and equipped to reach my
longer term financial goals. For anyone looking to curb impulse spending,
paydown debt, or just experience more freedom with their money
without all the strict budgeting, this book is for you.
Speaker 3 (41:02):
Wow. I mean, it's probably just coincidence that my husband's
name is Eric. He did read the book, but like
I guarantee you, he did not leave this review.
Speaker 1 (41:12):
And you didn't leave it for us on.
Speaker 3 (41:14):
His I'm not entirely sure that that's not true, because
I left a review for Travis.
Speaker 1 (41:22):
For my for our book.
Speaker 3 (41:23):
Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah yeah, But did you put Travis's
name down?
Speaker 6 (41:26):
No?
Speaker 1 (41:26):
You know whose name I put who? I just picked
a random name. It's Teresa.
Speaker 3 (41:31):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (41:31):
So if you see a Teresaesa review.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
You don't trust it.
Speaker 1 (41:36):
Trust it.
Speaker 3 (41:37):
It could be an inside job.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
I just want to be transparent that I reviewed my
own book.
Speaker 3 (41:43):
I did too, and I don't know if we just
might read it or not. I do like the use
of slashes, and there is a slash in this one.
I might who knows. I was on a rampage and
I can't remember what I did.
Speaker 1 (41:56):
I might have wrote this one.
Speaker 3 (41:57):
Eric might not exist.
Speaker 2 (41:58):
It might be me.
Speaker 1 (42:00):
Please help us by leaving your own review for the
book on a very our own reviews of our own book,
by getting yours up at the top. It's only it's
only two of like one hundred and sixty, so we're
not the only two reviews there are overruning.
Speaker 3 (42:17):
We didn't create one hundred and sixty second Amazon account.
Speaker 1 (42:21):
I did not do that. I can assure you we
do not have time for that.
Speaker 3 (42:25):
Oh wow, Well you're still with us. Thanks for listening,
Thanks for reading our book. If you liked either one
of them, please do leave us a review. It helps us,
it helps other people, and we'll see you next time. Bye.
Speaker 1 (42:38):
Frugal Friends is produced by Eric Sirianni. All right, Jill,
you let's talk about exploitation. Okay, yeah, because you use
the word. We talked about this a few days ago.
(43:01):
You used the word exploitive.
Speaker 3 (43:03):
And you were quick to correct me with what's your
version exploitative?
Speaker 1 (43:08):
And I was like, wait, could they both be right?
Speaker 3 (43:13):
Huh? I mean we didn't. We didn't. We didn't jump
to that. It was definitely you thought you were right.
I thought I was right right, and then as I
googled it to realize we both right.
Speaker 1 (43:24):
We were both right, are the same, you can use both,
and it just was very indicative of our personalities. I
add an extra syllable, because why not add something extra
if you can, if you can make it more complicated,
why not.
Speaker 3 (43:41):
I'm less as more and you are more as more. Yeah,
and we're both right, and we're both expressing our ideas
and opinions, but in different ways.
Speaker 1 (43:52):
Just like the book, in different ways. So on brand.
Speaker 3 (44:00):
Yeah, well, glad we have that settled. And you know what,
both of us love being right, so we neither one
of us had to walk away being wrong.
Speaker 1 (44:09):
And that was the best. That was the best takeaway.
Deinfluencing Memorial Day sales.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Welcome to the Frugal Friends podcast, where you'll learn to
save money, embrace simplicity, and live your life. Here your
hosts Jen and Jill.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Welcome to the Frugal Friends podcast. My name is Jen,
my name is Jill, and today we are doing something
a little unique. We are going to explore some of
the videos you might be seeing on social media and
giving you an overall picture of what it's trying to
do to use psychologically to get you to spend money
(00:45):
on Memorial Day and why you don't need to.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
We talk about marketing tactics, and we talk about social
influence and some of the reasons that we end up
impulse buying or spending unnecessarily. But today we're really doing
it on giving some examples cool exams where it's like, okay, yeah,
but what does that actually look like? Whoa here it
(01:10):
is and no holds barred here, and we might be
opening up something that we can't close because now we're
really into deinfluencing all of these things because what we're
about to talk about is pretty wild. But first, this
episode is brought to you by interest like being interested
(01:34):
in how to make my money become more money. The
answer interest. And this can happen for you when you
put your money into a high yield savings account like
the one at CI. You can get started with as
little as one hundred dollars and then you can watch
(01:55):
that money grow month over month. More money just gets
deposited into your account because of interest. Get Interested Frugal
friendspodcast dot com, slash c.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Yeah, and it is a safe place for your sinking
and emergency funds.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
Yeah, it is where I keep my emergency fund. And
it's so fun every month to go back to go
in and see like how much money did I make
by how much sitting around?
Speaker 1 (02:26):
How much did my hild savings account protect me from inflation? Oh,
that's really what it is. It's it's not meaningful income,
but it is meaningful security.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
No.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
But I mean, if you've got your emergency fund in there,
it's not insignificant. Absolutely not. No, it shouldn't be an
alternative to investing, but it is a great place to
keep money that you do need to have access to eventually.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Yes, but let's let's not bury the lead. Let's get
into what we're really doing today, and that is talking
about Memorial Day sales and Memorial Day things that you
probably don't need buy, but you are going to see
a lot of on social media for the next week.
(03:17):
So we are going to go into some of the
heavy hitters, and we're going to tell you why we're
doing this episode with a few stats, the first one
being fifty seven percent of US consumers plan to celebrate
Memorial Day weekend in twenty twenty four, so not everyone,
but over half of you.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Yeah, that's a significant amount. And among those who are
planning to celebrate, ninety five percent intend to make purchases.
This is primarily going to be on food and alcohol,
and twenty three percent expected to spend more than they
did the previous year. They're looking at this year saying,
you know what, I'm gonna spend more money on more things.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Which is crazy in this economy. Yeah, but I think
what it might come down to is that the state
of the world is really chaotic right now, and so
to have these small things that can maybe be an
escape is what's driving more of this stuff. So it's
not going to be lavish like our Christmas or our Halloween,
(04:27):
but it can be a small scale escape. And we're
not against escapism, but we need to do it in
a healthy way and one that is not going to
make you regret looking back at your credit card or
your bank account in several weeks.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Did those two things go together? Don't you know what.
We're not gonna We're not gonna sit here long enough
to okay social workers. So the top plan purchases are food.
So eighty three percent of this spending is on food,
forty four percent on alcoholic bever thirty three percent on
non alcoholic beverages, seventeen percent on decorations. So these are
(05:06):
the things we plan to spend on. It just sounds
like we want to have a good time and we
want to eat good food. And to that end, also,
restaurants experience an increase in visits up forty one point
nine percent compared to an average Monday, So that's a
seven point one percent increase compared to Memorial Day of
(05:27):
the previous year. So we're we're just we're prioritizing food
and parties and getting together and so there's a lot
that comes with that. There's a lot of things that
we will end up spending on, but.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
We're not forgetting the sales either, So it's not just
the parties, it's also all the bombardment with discounts and
sales and coupons. Walmart dominates the online Memorial Day space.
In twenty twenty four, they captured approximately sixty two percent
of the online marketing market share marketing and an eleven
percent year over year increase. And so the numbers themselves
(06:06):
shouldn't mean a lot to you, but the year over
year increase numbers, those should mean a lot because when
they outpace inflation, that doesn't just mean that means we're
not just buying the same things and we're spending more
for them. It means that we're buying more things. And
that is what we're seeing. And we're not sure what
(06:27):
we'll see this year, but I think it is important
to know we'll see the same marketing that we saw
last year. We'll see the same push to spend. Even
for travel, gas stations experienced their busiest day of the
year on Friday May twenty fourth, twenty twenty four, which
is the Friday of Memorial Day. It's foot traffic up
(06:50):
thirty two point three percent compared to an average day.
So even if you're just taking a short little staycation
or a short road trip and you're we're not going
to be spending a ton. We still need to identify
some of these the marketing that influencers will do, how
it targets the psychology of how you are influenced to buy.
(07:15):
And we're going to talk about some social media videos.
We're not going to play the ones that have copyrighted music.
Eventually we'll start recording the video of these so you'll
be able to see, but we will link to all
the videos. We will play the ones that don't have
copyrighted music, but we will talk about not the influencer themselves,
(07:37):
but they are just one example of the sea of
sameness that you'll get across the Internet.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
And we want to be able to look at what
is happening with each of these so that we all
can be really equipped as we're scrolling and we're seeing
these things, to be able to easily identify what's happening
here and make informed decisions rather than kind of knee
jerk reactions spending or thinking that something is expected of
(08:06):
us that is just really absurd. So the top three
categories that we're seeing influencers push when it comes to
Memorial Day is outfits, parties and decor. So we're going
to look at each of those categories. Starting with outfits.
We found this video. It's an example video about kind
(08:28):
of how we should be dressing and the things that
we should be buying. So we're going to play a
clip of that for you all.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
The red two piece set, it's really easy to add
blue jewelry to the outfit. And you can also never
go wrong with a denim vest or go for the
super trendy oversized blue den of jacket, or really any denim.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
You can never go wrong with a cutey little blue.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Romper good pair of denim short alls. This is just
the top half of that red two piece set. Or
you can take this top half of the red two
piece set sell it with g or some good denim shorts.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
First of all, what are shortles? You're watching the video
and I'm just listening to it, so I'm not seeing.
But like I read the caption, and I first I
loved that she was just pulling out things from her
quote unquote closet, and in reality, I don't know if
(09:26):
that's true because the caption says all of these things
can be available via Amazon Prime by Friday.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Well I think some of the stuff is from her closet,
but she shows a lot of different outfits. You can't
totally tell it from the audio, but there's a lot
that she's you know, when she's like triagraphic tea or
a print or it's like fast to those images.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Yeah, so that you have to go to the link
in her bio to her LTK and see them slowly.
But what a lot of influencers like this will do
is they'll order all this stuff from whatever store, Amazon, Target,
and they'll return most of it, but they just want
(10:09):
to show it all to you so that you'll buy
one or two pieces using their link. So like very
often it's not from their closet, especially if they're saying
it's all available by Friday on Amazon Prime. You know
the things in my closet, some of those are like
five years old. You can't get that anymore. It's not
available by Friday.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Any right, right. Yeah. And while I like opportunities to learn, Okay,
how can I put together new outfits? I think recognizing
that the key here is to get you to buy
and not just that get you to think that you
have to have a certain outfit for kind of every
occasion and even just that mindset, even if you don't
(10:50):
click on her Amazon link, but to be embedded and
steeped in this type of thinking that, oh, I've got
to have something special. I've got to look at the
part you've got to have the uniform is not helpful
long term mindset about our wardrobe, like what.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
You have is fine for a Memorial Day party. Yeah,
she was saying so much blue stuff. She did give
tips that would encourage you to just shop your closet, right, So,
like I did like that about this one. It wasn't
an overt like here's everything I got on Amazon, you
know for a Memorial Day or Fourth of July. But
(11:35):
it was a subtle like, oh, if you don't have
all this stuff in your closet like I clearly have
in mind, then you can buy it. You can be
like me and have more of the stuff in your closet.
Just use the link that I've provided.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Along with clothing. In case we haven't convinced you yet
that everyone's going to get you to try and buy
clothing on Amazon. Here's another example. We don't have the
audio for it, so I will just describe it. It
is a woman who is showing you two different types
of sweaters that you can get for Memorial Day that
has an American flag on it, the types of shorts
(12:12):
you can put with it, even shoes. So literally everything
she's wearing she has a link for showing it off.
A white sweater with the American flag, a kind of
neon green yellow sweater with the American flag, and then
everything else that she's wearing with the link that you
can get at a TikTok shop.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
TikTok shop. I'll link it all below, but I have
to say the neon yellow sweater is so bad. It
is a bad looking sweater.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
You can tell that the sweaters are not quality. You
are just buying. The sweater almost does a one time use.
She got two of them now, making it seem like
she bought both and it's worth it to have multiples
of the same thing. No, no, don't be fooled. She
(13:07):
was given both, right.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Or she plans to return one, right, hopefully the yellow one.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
And let's also not skip over the fact that none
of us, really, regardless of whatever climate, were in need
a sweater in the summertime.
Speaker 1 (13:21):
I will say, unless you are in Canada, you probably
aren't looking for a sweater.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
And certainly not was an American fly exactly.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
If they're in Canada, you probably are not going to
be shopping for an American fly sweater.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
You're probably not celebrating my my all right, no, so.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Oh gosh, yeah, So the fact that it is a
sweater as well. Uh, and I can imagine the mesh.
Was she looking at her shoes? I got mesh on
shoes never lasts very long. I didn't see if they
were if they looked quality, but if they were from
TikTok shop, it's probably like a like a drop ship operation.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
So here's what's going on here. I mean, there's a
lot that's going on here, but particularly with these two,
we've got some tradition and just normative behavior, so making
it seem like everyone shops Memorial Day sales, everyone wears
themed Americana clothing for Memorial Day. So it's kind of
(14:22):
this mass advertising that is utilizing social proof, where you're
going to see all over the place tons of people
trying to get you to buy from their stores, that
this is what we do, kind of hanging onto the
coattails of a cultural momentum that is happening as we
all kind of celebrate this current thing and utilizing that
(14:45):
for marketing. It is for marketing.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
All right. Let's look at parties, and so this is
where obviously food and drink is the most purchased. This
is where most of the money is going to these parties.
And we just believe social media is giving an unrealistic
standard for what your Memorial for a that you need
to throw a Memorial Day party and be what that
(15:12):
party should look like.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
All right, so let's listen to this little example of
party prep.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
Let's get ready to host a party for Memorial Day.
On Friday, I did all of my grocery shopping, so
I brought everything home and put it away and made
some cute little flower arrangements just to set out. I
just threw some blue and white hydrangers in a vase
and tuck some American flags in there. I think it
looks really cute and really festive. Now, we just got
a new griddle for outside, so on Saturday morning, I
had to get that all completely seasoned and ready to
(15:39):
go to cook on Sunday. Let me know if y'all
want a video about that, because I'm happy to share
all the details. Saturday night, my sister Caroline and I
just kind of hung out in the kitchen and prepped
a whole bunch of stuff for the party. And we
have been obsessed with dance moms lately.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
Okay, so we had to leave the dance mom's part
in because Helen Keller first fourth places.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
Please.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
I don't even know what that means.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
I don't know if it should have gotten a place
for that one. But the ultimate is just the amount
of prep. So, like this creator, their job is to
create social media content around party planning. So I looked
and this was her Memorial Day last year. Obviously they
(16:22):
haven't thrown their Memorial Day party this year. They got
seven videos out of this party, so this was a
good thing for them to do to create all of this,
you know, this extravagant party because they literally got He
did a a burger video and a grill video and
(16:43):
making a ranch dip video like so video, different videos
of all of these things and creating this content. He
gets paid for it. He gets more followers, and therefore
he can charge more for brand deals. But we are
not professional party planners, and I like it just holds
us to this unrealistic standard. This is a multiple day
(17:06):
party prep.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
Yeah, and I really shouldn't have watched this video hungry. Honestly,
it all does look so yummy, and I love to
find myself at that party. But he didn't invited us,
He didn't have to do so much like he made
his own ice cream sandwiches. And maybe that's his joy.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
That maybe a video though he loves.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
To do that. Yeah, But also what stood out to
me is that for this he got a new Griddle.
I mean he just mentions that in passing references, how
there's gonna be.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Another video affiliate and that is gonna be.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
An affiliate link for the griddle, And it just kind
of like for me, Yeah, even watching this, it kind
of instills Okay, this is the level of party prep.
If I'm gonna throw a party. These are the types
of things I should be doing if I want them
to be a certain way and I want my guests
to enjoy it.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
And this is the new standard it starts. That's the
problem it can create. So yeah, that anchoring bias for
us if we see enough content like this that this
is what we need to be doing. Even though we're
not content creators, we're not professional party planners. We're not
hosting elaborate gatherings constantly. But then it could lead us
(18:15):
to swing the other direction of Okay, well, then I'm
just not going to do it because it's not going
to look like that. I'm not going to invite people over.
I'm not going to be in community because I can't
throw a party like this. Yeah, that is the extreme
we don't want to go to.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
Here's here's another party example.
Speaker 6 (18:31):
You're hosting a Fourth of July party, y'all. This is
so good and everything will be linked to my Amazon
sore front. I love these reun white surf runners. I
did two of them, and then I added my floor arrangements,
a large cutting board because we did a mini slider
bar of chicken and burgers. And then I love these
little white risers. I adds to mention to your like
food and overall pearance of the look. And then in
those star shaped cardboard boxes, I did like snacky items
(18:53):
like chips and things like that. The blue and white
gingham print is so good. And then I add little
bows to the crowded glasses. All the small details is
like key for hosting parties.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Yeah, for me, it's the risers. Why they are white
boxes that they're putting plates of food on, and for me,
it seems like an unnecessary expense. It looks great, right,
it's another one that's beautiful. And again she makes her
money when you go to her Amazon storefront and buy
(19:25):
the things she's talking about. But again this and I
feel like this is what I see the most of,
like in my feet is parties like this.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
For me, it's the waste. There is so much single
use plastics from the containers to she had individual salad
dressing bottles that went to every individual salad.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Well now, wait, depending on how often you can to
cracker barrel, you could reuse those maple syrup bottles from
cracker barrel.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Thing that they actually let you take those anymore. I
think that's like, I.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Think they don't let you.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
Yeah, well, yeah, that's not That is not what she's
doing here, because a cracker barrel that often, and then
buying putting little ribbons on every single coke bottle, and
then just some of the time, I mean, certainly putting
every little watermelon into star shapes. That's fine, spend your
(20:33):
time how you want to spend your time. But it's
interesting to me because I watch these videos, and I think, well,
but it's not leading us to do this much, right,
And our listeners are probably going to say the same,
I'm not doing this at my parties. And yet it
still is the content we're consuming. So it still is
(20:55):
necessary for us to push back a little bit, not
on this singular individual, but on these types of concepts
and the type of content that we are consuming, and
to be really aware of how is this actually affecting me?
Because we can't watch video after video of that and
(21:17):
it not affect us, even from just how fast paced.
I mean, she sped up her audio, so you're kind
of you're you're already on the edge of your seat.
You've got the sense of urgency, there's this call to action,
there's this expectation that's happening that there are subconscious things
that go on when we are watching these types of videos,
(21:38):
to an extent that we may not even realize. Yeah,
I might not do all twenty of the things she's
doing in that video. But down the road, as this
leaks into my mindset, at what point am I going
to find myself doing one of those things?
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Absolutely five of.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Those things, thinking that this is the standard, and.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
How does it feel to be somebody going to a
party like this and then feeling inferior because this is
not something I'm gonna do, or feeling bad like I
feel like I'm taking advantage of this person because I'm
never going to be able to or want to provide
this experience back to them. It can be also isolating.
(22:18):
Even if it isn't in your social media feed, you
might experience it.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Or even just anxiety about I'd never be able to
afford to do that. This woman must be rich, and
maybe she is, but maybe she's not because this is
her business, so she might she's she is getting paid
to do these things and trying to sell to us
this idea of a lifestyle that we are not getting
paid to do, to film, to put out into the world.
(22:48):
So I think it's also worth looking at how it's
affecting our well being. Even if we don't throw a
party like this or spend money on any of these things,
what is it doing to us emotional to be watching
this type of thing.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Yeah, and I think what's going on here is fomo.
So I think these people want you to see the
parties and be like, Oh, I should be throwing a party.
I should this is what people do, right, So it's
kind of like that bandwagon or tradition normative behavior as
(23:24):
well as fomo. So we are maybe missing out if
we don't throw a party.
Speaker 3 (23:34):
Yeah. Yeah, it made me like I want a friend
like that, I want to go to that party even
just that.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Right, Like what am I doing if I'm not going
to a party or throwing one?
Speaker 4 (23:48):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (23:48):
It makes like socially, I think there's such a big
social component too, because we all want to connect to
each other, but how are we going to connect? Are
we going to connect authentically or just show people were
better than them by cutting all of our watermelon into stars?
Speaker 3 (24:08):
And those parties kind of touched a little bit on
this next category. But we're going to now take a
little deep dive on some of the decre that can
happen around Memorial Day and some of the expectations there.
So here so both of these videos we will link them,
but they are music only. There's no words, so we're
(24:30):
just gonna talk about them. This first video is a
Memorial Day tree, so it it is exactly as it sounds,
a Christmas tree that is decorated Memorial Day themed, so flags, red, white,
and blue, ribbon like posters. It's it doesn't look good.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
Can you can you play it and wee on mute
and we'll just like walk through it, because this is
what I would see the whole creator. All she does
is wreaths and trees for every single.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
So there's like wooden hearts that have the American tree
painted onto.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
That, every military branch's flag, and big balls.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Big ornaments, red and blue goblets.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
Red white and blue starbles. There is you cannot see
tree anymore. Oh, there's a sunflower that's red, white and
blue with the blue and white stars in the center
and then red and white striped sunflower petals.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
The thing that stands out to me on this one
is it doesn't it doesn't look good.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
No, it's like the neon yellow flag sweater. It don't
look good.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
It's like those like Pinterest fails, you know, nailed it. Yeah,
the kind of And that's not to say that she
doesn't have an eye for things. It's just that there
isn't a way to make a Memorial Day Christmas.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Here's what I think is happening. She makes all of
her money obviously around Christmas, but she has to create
content through the rest of the year, and I think
a lot of these holiday trees and wreaths and stuff reads.
Probably she does do well seasonally, but I think it
might just be rage bait of like why are you
(26:17):
keeping your tree up all year? But also these are
decore things that don't just have to be used on
a tree. She's highlighting decre that you can get on Amazon,
you can use anywhere, and she's just put She's just
using the tree as the backdrop.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
The hope is that you will just buy one of
these twenty items, and I think you do that. She's one.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
It's really key, like she heavily plays into like every
branch of the military being like represented on the tree.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
Yeah, that's okay. So we've got one more example of
a table scape that somebody does because obviously you've got
to make your table look exactly on theme. You can't
just have a plane table.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
Four plates, four plates, yeah, four utensils. The cups, and
the napkins are all hydrangeas.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
American called, like red, white, and blue. So the types
of cups that you're not going to utilize throughout the
rest of the year. Like a lot of this stuff
is specific for I guess Memorial Day and American four plates,
you could use it twice in the year, but otherwise.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
Yes, unless you are unless you live in DC and
your life is America themed, that's probably only going to
be the two times a year you'll use it. But
like that is and the thing that gets me about
table scapes is that they're typically not used. Unlike a
(27:47):
party where you're putting out plates, those are definitely going
to get used. Your formal dining room. The decor in
there most likely not getting used because when do you
ever have like a Memorial Day like family dinner, Like
it's much more synonymous party, whereas like Thanksgiving and Christmas
use the formal dining room. So she probably isn't using
(28:10):
this stuff. It is just for show. Yeah, and people
rarely go into the formal dining room, so it's probably
not gonna get seen.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
She may not have had anybody over in order to
create this video, honest to goodness.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
Yeah, I mean you're right, I laughed, but like, yeah,
that was.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
Having that is seating the exact number of seats that
you have at your table, no more, no.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Less, and you got to keep that.
Speaker 3 (28:40):
They're all momming for a sit down for Memorial Day.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Right, you just don't do that for memorial dath.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
Yeah. So there's a couple of things going on here.
If we wanted to dig deeper into some of the
marketing tactics, there is some patriotic and emotional appeal happening.
So utilizing the American flags, red white, blue, color schemes,
military appreciation either language or shown, and a lot of
just commercials advertising will do this using messaging of gratitude
(29:11):
for veterans, honoring service member themes, linking patriotism with consumer spending. Sic.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
Is patriotic. Yeah, we couldn't play it. But like it's
America the beautiful it is this, you know, really reverent
music set to creating beautiful you know, throw pillows and
American flag plates.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
Yeah, not that those things can't be a part of
one's experience, but it is being preyed upon really in
order to buy.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
Right, if I want to show my respect for the
for veterans, then I should celebrate this day to the fullest.
Speaker 3 (29:52):
And across all of these examples, we've got scarcity and
urgency happening where limited time off this weekend only ends
Monday night, and so this kind of fear of missing
out the fear of losing out on the deal, the
desire to kind of fit in this idea that everybody
(30:13):
else is doing this and just buying all of the
unnecessary stuff because it's being we're being bombarded with it.
I mean, if we're scrolling, then we are seeing this
message over and over and over again, and our will
powers are only going to go so far, and our
(30:34):
understanding of reality and how most people live is only
going to be so intact the more that we steep
ourselves in this type of content. And so I think,
you know, what do we do as a result of this?
I think in part being aware of, like utilizing some
of this language, like those questions of Okay, what's really
going on here? Asking yourself that as you're scrolling, start
(30:57):
to become kind of the person on the other side,
almost an observer of what's the marketing tactic at play?
Speaker 1 (31:03):
Yeah, what's going on behind the scenes?
Speaker 3 (31:05):
Uh huh? Is this really reality? Or is this somebody
who is running a business trying to make money and
curating our.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Feeds curating an experience?
Speaker 3 (31:18):
For sure? Not only I mean, I think we can
all do well in just decreasing the amount of time
we spend on social media, but also when we are
there that we have curated and created our feeds to
be beneficial to us, that it's the type of content
we want to see. Because while there are so many
creators like this who are pushing over consumption and purchasing
(31:42):
off of prime and living a certain lifestyle that's unattainable
and unsustainable, there are also creators creating content about how
to shop your own closet, how to throw a great
party without worrying about your place looking perfect, how to
wrap single.
Speaker 1 (32:01):
Ingredient low ingredient.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
Things and throw a potluck and have other people over like.
Those accounts also exist, so finding those following, those watching,
those engage engaging.
Speaker 1 (32:14):
Like watch the full video, because your algorithm, your feed
is no longer just based on people you follow, It
is based on where you are spending time and engaging.
So if there's something you want to see more of,
you have to like it, you have to comment, and
you have to watch that because there's really no way
(32:37):
if you don't like something and you watch it because
your hate watching it, the algorithm don't know that. So
if you're watching something because you do like it, you
have to be more intentional. If you want to keep
it in your feed.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
Do you know what I'm intentional about keeping in my podcast?
Speaker 1 (32:53):
And we play this every week and it never leads
us astray.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
The bill of the week.
Speaker 7 (33:12):
That's right, it's time for the best minute of your
entire week. Maybe a baby was born and his name
is William. Maybe you paid off your mortgage, maybe your
card died, and you're happy to not have to pay
that bill anymore. Best bills, Buffalo bills, Bill Clinton, this
is the bill of the week.
Speaker 8 (33:32):
Hijen and Jill. It's m in Nashville, Tennessee, and I'm
calling with my bill of the week this week. My
bill is my credit card bill, and we put all
of our normal purchases on our credit card for points.
And this week it's really high from last month because
(33:52):
we had some unexpected medical bills in our family. My
daughter has some ongoing health problems. I was sick for
us to December, and we just had some unexpected bills.
So my credit card bill is really high and I
had to dip into savings, and I was really bummed.
(34:14):
But then I realized that I have been putting money
into savings into my emergency fund all year, and this
time last year, I switched jobs so that I would
be paid more, and I realized that it kind of
stinks to have a high bill that you have to
(34:35):
pay and to dip into savings. But if I had
not followed you all's advice and been saving aggressively and
switched jobs to make more money than I would have
been in a whole heap of trouble. So I just
so appreciate you all in what you do for your community.
Speaker 3 (34:55):
Thanks.
Speaker 1 (34:56):
That's so great. I'm so glad you s shared that
with us.
Speaker 3 (35:01):
This is so encouraging that these really difficult things still happen.
That being frugal didn't save you from emergencies and high
medical bills, However, it did create a lot more cushion
and peace throughout that experience, some stability that you still
(35:26):
had to dip into savings. However, your sites have been
on earning more saving aggressively, which allows you to be
able to navigate this without finding yourself deep deep into
trouble and overwhelm. And that is just If that's not
the goal, I don't know, I don't know what is. Congratulations.
(35:47):
We're so thrilled for you. We hope that the worst
of all of that chaos is behind you, and then
you're able to keep that credit card bill low. And
congrats on getting a job that pays you more. That
is that's a huge part of this whole journey.
Speaker 1 (36:04):
So let's be frugal with your time being doing the
same amount of work for more money.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
I like that. If you all listening, have a bill
you want to submit, if it has to do with
a high bill, a low bill, a no bill, or
you are bill, a no bill man, frugal friendspodcast, dot com,
slash bill, leave it for us weekend, not wait for it.
(36:31):
And now it's time for polite around all right.
Speaker 1 (36:37):
What is your biggest sales tactic?
Speaker 3 (36:39):
Ick, and.
Speaker 1 (36:42):
I think we will have similar ones. I think mine's
slightly different. Mine is fear based marketing. It is the
worst and usually just like bros on YouTube, will do it,
but car dealerships will use this. I there was a
man yelling at me about avoiding the car price increase
(37:06):
from tariffs. I have to act fast because car prices
are increasing because of tariffs. Avoid it by now just
yelling at me. And I was like, hush, just stop, hush, hut.
Well that's not what I said. In reality, but that's
what I'm saying now. Just stop.
Speaker 8 (37:27):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (37:28):
Yeah, that is the biggest dick. I would never go
to that dealership just because of that.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
App Mine is the emotional appeal. I can't stand it.
I have a visceral reaction where brands try to sell
you a lifestyle and an idea of kind of transcending
your experience, and it's so cheap to me and exploitive.
(38:03):
It feels in a lot of ways too, Like here's
here's something to get you to cry. This man is
coming home from serving overseas on military duty, and he's
coming home and surprising as child and buy this car. Like, no,
your car does not create family values. It's a car.
(38:29):
I am getting this. My blood is boiling right now
as I think about it. Like, No, a car is
not gonna make you get up to go see the
sunrise and like become a better person who finds themselves
on top of a mountain. A car is going to
get you to and from work hopefully.
Speaker 1 (38:50):
Yeah, it's gonna get you to and from Chipotle. All right,
you're not going to watch the sunrise.
Speaker 3 (38:58):
Just you're killing me. It is enough to say, here's
something that might make your life more efficient, or here's
something you are already looking for. Here's reasons to buy
this particular one. I think it feels like it's treating
us like we're dumb, and I hate that. It feels manipulative, exploitive, cheap,
(39:22):
like people are gonna buy cars. Tell them why they
should buy this car. Don't take them on an emotional
journey where they're crying by the end of it and
then being like.
Speaker 1 (39:32):
Now give us your money.
Speaker 3 (39:35):
It's not even just an ick. It hicks me off.
Speaker 1 (39:39):
So car brands and car dealerships.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
Yeah right, it's not just cars who do it, but
like they are the easiest to point to, they are
good examples. Plenty of other brands do this, yes, clothing
brands in the ways that they take their pictures and
market you on social media. It's discosto.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
Well, thank you for listening. Let us know if you
liked this format, if we should put it on YouTube
and show some videos. You can leave a comment on
the YouTube video for this episode, or leave us a
comment on the episode on Spotify. Let us know what
you liked, and if you want more from us, then
(40:20):
our book by What You Love Without Going Broke is
available now by what you loovebook dot Com people tend
to like it, like this guy Eric left at a
five star review. Everything I've ever wanted in a personal
finance book. This book is so relatable and helpful. From
all the examples stories given to the action steps and
journal prompts at the end of each chapter, the authors
(40:42):
not only help me understand the psychology behind spending, but
how to make better spending decisions. I feel so much
more confident about my money and equipped to reach my
longer term financial goals. For anyone looking to curb impulse spending,
paydown debt, or just experience more freedom with their money
without all the strict budgeting, this book is for you.
Speaker 3 (41:02):
Wow. I mean, it's probably just coincidence that my husband's
name is Eric. He did read the book, but like
I guarantee you, he did not leave this review.
Speaker 1 (41:12):
And you didn't leave it for us on.
Speaker 3 (41:14):
His I'm not entirely sure that that's not true, because
I left a review for Travis.
Speaker 1 (41:22):
For my for our book.
Speaker 3 (41:23):
Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah yeah, But did you put Travis's
name down?
Speaker 6 (41:26):
No?
Speaker 1 (41:26):
You know whose name I put who? I just picked
a random name. It's Teresa.
Speaker 3 (41:31):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (41:31):
So if you see a Teresaesa review.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
You don't trust it.
Speaker 1 (41:36):
Trust it.
Speaker 3 (41:37):
It could be an inside job.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
I just want to be transparent that I reviewed my
own book.
Speaker 3 (41:43):
I did too, and I don't know if we just
might read it or not. I do like the use
of slashes, and there is a slash in this one.
I might who knows. I was on a rampage and
I can't remember what I did.
Speaker 1 (41:56):
I might have wrote this one.
Speaker 3 (41:57):
Eric might not exist.
Speaker 2 (41:58):
It might be me.
Speaker 1 (42:00):
Please help us by leaving your own review for the
book on a very our own reviews of our own book,
by getting yours up at the top. It's only it's
only two of like one hundred and sixty, so we're
not the only two reviews there are overruning.
Speaker 3 (42:17):
We didn't create one hundred and sixty second Amazon account.
Speaker 1 (42:21):
I did not do that. I can assure you we
do not have time for that.
Speaker 3 (42:25):
Oh wow, Well you're still with us. Thanks for listening,
Thanks for reading our book. If you liked either one
of them, please do leave us a review. It helps us,
it helps other people, and we'll see you next time. Bye.
Speaker 1 (42:38):
Frugal Friends is produced by Eric Sirianni. All right, Jill,
you let's talk about exploitation. Okay, yeah, because you use
the word. We talked about this a few days ago.
(43:01):
You used the word exploitive.
Speaker 3 (43:03):
And you were quick to correct me with what's your
version exploitative?
Speaker 1 (43:08):
And I was like, wait, could they both be right?
Speaker 3 (43:13):
Huh? I mean we didn't. We didn't. We didn't jump
to that. It was definitely you thought you were right.
I thought I was right right, and then as I
googled it to realize we both right.
Speaker 1 (43:24):
We were both right, are the same, you can use both,
and it just was very indicative of our personalities. I
add an extra syllable, because why not add something extra
if you can, if you can make it more complicated,
why not.
Speaker 3 (43:41):
I'm less as more and you are more as more. Yeah,
and we're both right, and we're both expressing our ideas
and opinions, but in different ways.
Speaker 1 (43:52):
Just like the book, in different ways. So on brand.
Speaker 3 (44:00):
Yeah, well, glad we have that settled. And you know what,
both of us love being right, so we neither one
of us had to walk away being wrong.
Speaker 1 (44:09):
And that was the best. That was the best takeaway.
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