False advertising causes overspending, which is a common financial issue among people today. How? They’re influenced by ads to spend money they don’t have on things they don’t need. “Experts” say it’s due to a “money disorder”; If that’s the case, the so-called disorder is caused by the endless sea of ads.
How can anyone think about how much they’re spending if they’re constantly tempted by advertisements? Some people sacrifice self-esteem, time, health, and much more every time they make a purchase. Sadly, they’re still convinced that big brands care about their finances. Do they?
The products they’re advertising are overpriced.
Big brands use over-the-top ads to convince consumers that their high prices are reasonable, but how high should the prices be? An iPhone costs about $191.21 to make on average. Nike shoes cost about $28.50 to make, but don’t last any longer than off-brand shoes. Let’s be honest and admit an iPhone is just a phone, and Nike shoes are just shoes. Neither product can cure cancer or solve anyone’s financial problems.
One of the worst investments anyone could make would be jewelry, specifically diamonds. Diamonds aren’t worth buying, but a De Beers ad made us think they are. They’re just trinkets with no nutritional value. One can’t clothe themselves with them, yet we value them because of an ad. Diamonds are far less valuable than air and are as rare as dirt. Apparently, there are enough for every person in the world to have one cup full.
What’s the hype? There is no hype unless an advertisement creates it out of thin air. In reality, value and price should be one in the same, right? Besides, brands have to make up for the advertising costs by charging an arm and two legs for their products or services.
Fine print tells a different story.
Brands hide the truth in small letters, while flashing catchy taglines and promos in your face. You might want to read the fine print of every coupon or promo you come across, especially for online purchases. It’s common for people to get sucked into ads promising ‘free trial’ offers, but end up paying real money if they’re not aware of cancellation policies. Companies benefit more from telling you what you want to know, instead of what you need to know. This is one example of how the weight loss and big pharma industry make money.
They market scams.
“When was the last time you saw a TV ad for a vegetable (not counting McDonald’s fries)??”
–Dr. William D. Zigrang, MD
It’s funny but a very serious question. How many brands will pay to promote actual healthy habits without trying to pull a fast one? Take drug ads for example: people believe prescription drugs are safe because of drug ads. Little do they know that ALL drugs are unsafe. By definition, a drug is any substance that altars the body’s physical or mental functionality when consumed. With that being said, prescription drugs are unsafe. They’re marketed as treatments to common illnesses, but cause other illnesses. The idea that people are overspending on poison may come to mind. It’s bad enough that there are doctors that are paid generously to suggest any person should take such poison.
“If a doctor is procuring and administering drugs, without understanding or addressing his patient’s hows and whys, then he’s a not a doctor. In the common parlance, in fact, he’s called a dealer.”
-Deborah Orr, The Guardian
Many people spend hundreds of dollars on these drugs, when they’re in desperate need of medical attention. Apparently, the average American spends a yearly sum of about $1,200. Meanwhile, there are herbs that cure most illnesses, like cancer, but they aren’t advertised as much as prescription drugs. Maybe the pharmaceutical industry is not interested in curing diseases, since it doesn’t gaurantee large profits. It spends more time and money on ads and FDA approval applications, rather than researching legitimate cures for the best interest of the public.
“The other way to look at it is simply to see it as a commercial deal, with the drug-takers as consumers and the prescribing doctors as the drug-providers (sellers), and then for us (the drug-takers) to be informed consumers.”
-Anonymous
There’s too much misinformation.
There is a surplus of false advertising for “health foods”. One popular example would be “nutrition bars”. They look healthy containing nuts, grains, and seeds, and the box advertises “made with whole grains”. That’s healthy… but what about the amount of sugar?
There’s a reason why the nutrition label is on the back of the package. Some examples of false advertising include the omission of important information. How many of you have seen the “Made with real cheese” ? I wonder what the “cheese” was before it was real cheese…probably artificial coloring, and cheese flavoring.
No wonder the pharmaceutical industry is booming…
They Are Using Hidden Messages.
There is actual evidence of hidden messages in ads. Some are obvious, while others are strategically hidden. These are done to associate certain feelings or ideas with particular products. Not only are hidden messages dangerous psychologically, but they can influence behaviors not suitable to one’s well-being.
Watch a commercial or ad closely. What’s the overall theme? How do you feel? Does the commercial give you a sudden urge to pull out your wallet?
If They Tell, It’s Half the Truth.
Cars of today are advertised as “new and advanced”, but that’s half the truth. They’ve advanced technologically, but according to Trevor English, “All the added technology and safety equipment in modern cars is making them heavier and heavier year by year, meaning that even if engines were to get more efficient, their respective car’s weight would hold them back”. The fact of the matter is, nobody really needs a gas guzzling chunk of metal. Daily drivers don’t need high-speed cars, since speeding tickets increase car insurance rates.
They Make You Feel Insecure.
“Beauty” advertisements have turned the standard of beauty into something artificial, causing people to feel insecure. Ironically, many cosmetic brands use photoshop because they know the limits of their products, so why waste money on them? It may be because of celebrity endorsements. People automatically give celebs credibility just because they’re well-known. It’s valid to infer that they’re just walking advertisements, since magazines, social media, and news outlets always mention brands that celebs consume.
All Advertising Isn’t Bad.
Some actually serve a purpose in our lives. They’re the ones that are honest and simple to understand. These kinds of advertisements will offer a service or product for a decent price, any necessary information, and offer a refund if consumers are unsatisfied, all risk-free. These ads are not false, and are run by people who have a genuine interest in the well-being of consumers. All they ask for in exchange is a small investment of time and reasonable payment.
Prioritize.
So you think the more luxury items you have, the wealthier you are? Here’s a little secret: wealth is all about how much you’re worth. Which would you rather do, live modestly and save money by only spending it on necessities and things that appreciate in value (make you money over time), or waste money on overpriced items that depreciate in value?
Think, people. A Louie Vuitton bag is no different than a plastic bag. They both hold stuff. Speaking of plastic bags, luxury brands throw away all of their products that don’t sell, so how valuable can they really be?
Don’t allow deceitful ads to keep you from reaching financial stability. It’s not about how much one makes, but about how much he or she SAVES. There is ususally little to no savings when there is too much spending.
Sources:
Short Sleeve Club
https://shortsleeveandtieclub.com/why-hasnt-fuel-economy-improved-in-the-last-100-years/
WearTesters
Bank My Cell
https://www.bankmycell.com/blog/how-much-do-iphones-cost-to-make