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StitcherIf you think about it, proving your love for your country almost sounds too easy—just shop, and you’re goods! Feels like a win-win. Only it’s not. And worse, it usually costs you more. In this episode, we unpack the propaganda that’s shaped the idea of shopping as a patriotic act.
We focus so much on voting once a year in a polling booth, but you do vote everyday with where you spend your money—and that’s far more important.
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Check out some relevant episodes
How Shopping Became Patriotic
The government and companies want you to think that shopping is actually patriotic—it’s their propaganda. Because when companies benefit when you shop, the government does too.
What Jen + Jill have to say:
Jen and Jill go through four instances in history where the government influences how we spend. All the way back to World War I and II, when people were told that buying war bonds instead of luxury stuff was a patriotic sacrifice, to today where shopping is sold as a sign of success and chasing the “American Dream.” You see it all over, in brands like Rocket Mortgage, Northwestern Mutual, even IKEA.
On the flip side, this kind of messaging shows up in ads too. Think phrases like “Made in America” or “Support Local,” or emotional hooks that try to pull you into trends or influencer stories that sell you values. Jen points out that there’s nothing wrong with supporting these things but be intentional about where you vote with your dollar and know where your money is really going.
Smarter Ways to Support Local
Jen emphasized that supporting locals doesn’t always mean spending money or spending more. And now more than ever, Jill adds, it’s more important to make sure your reason for spending or supporting locals actually serves its purpose.
They suggest doing little things like leaving a quick review, liking or sharing their posts, showing up to free local events, or telling friends about local spots you love to support businesses more than those ads that just claim to care.
What’s something you spent money on recently to support a local business?
Jen got her dog spayed at a non-profit service and celebrated her birthday at a local coffee shop called Pour and Décor, while Jill hired a mobile car detailer for a service.
Bill of The Week
Thank you Sarah for sharing your bill about paying your local library $35/year to be able to utilize everything they have to offer!
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews of our book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke and we especially loved this one from:
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I adore this book. I read it cover to cover within days of receiving it and can honestly say that this book delves not only into the process by which you can choose your priorities and spend accordingly but also into the psychology behind our spending and money practices. These two authors are personable and make you feel as though a friend is chatting to you over coffee. Already purchased two more books for friends and family.
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