How To Practice “Underconsumption Core” While Traveling

“Our first trip to Santorini was amazing—the white buildings on the cliffs and the blue water took my breath away. But what really stuck with me was talking to a shop owner. He said people just buy things instead of really experiencing the island,” Elaine Warren, founder of The Family Cruise Companion told Forbes.

“This made me think about traveling differently as a family. Practicing underconsumption while traveling means being careful about what we buy and use. It’s focusing on experiences rather than stuff.”

If you’ve been taken by the viral ‘underconsumption core’ trend sweeping social media these days—welcome to the club. The following travelers have been practicing minimalism for years and their tried-and-true tips and trick will help you plan sustainable and affordable holidays moving forward:

Choose activities over souvenirs

“One way we practice underconsumption while traveling is by choosing activities over souvenirs,” says Warren. “In Tuscany, we took a cooking class and made pasta from scratch. The smiles on my kids’ faces were priceless! Those memories will last longer than any item we could buy.”

Do as the locals do

Experiencing local culture is key too. “We skip tourist shops and visit markets and artisans instead,” says Warren. “This helps the area’s economy, and we find something unique. In Marrakech, we bought a beautiful lantern directly from the artisan. At home, it reminds us of the lively market.”

Get cooking

“For meals, we enjoy local food but also sometimes make our own if there’s a kitchen. This saves money and is healthier,” Warren explains. “In Barcelona, we bought ingredients at a market and cooked dinner for the family. It was fun and brought us closer together.”

Consider housesitting

“Instead of expensive hotels, you can house-sit an apartment and earn a few bucks for your trip,” suggested Alexandra Dubakova, travel expert, CMO at Free Tour. “While in Bali, I rented a small apartment in a rice field. It was a more authentic experience, and I saved around $140 for the week I stayed over.”

Don’t over-rely on travel blogs before your visit

“It is normal to research and find out what you need before your trip. However, don’t believe everything you read to avoid impulsive purchases based on curated perfection,” says Dubakova. “You don’t need the ten ‘must-have’ travel gadgets on the blog totaling $500 to best explore the country you intend to visit. You have everything you need and you can adapt or get creative if you don’t.”

Bring reusable essentials

Ensure you have reusable and durable essentials like water bottles, utensils, and bags, suggests Whitney Smith, director of marketing at Tourism Cares. “By bringing these items, you avoid the need to purchase disposable ones on your trip, and you can use the same water bottle for every journey,” she explains. “Only replace your items when they are worn out and no longer useful. While it can be tempting to buy new and trendy items, think of your travel essentials as a collection that tells the story of your past adventures. Use them as long as possible.”

Buy locally-made souvenirs you can’t get elsewhere

“When purchasing souvenirs and gifts, focus on items that are unique to the destination,” suggests Smith. “If it’s something you can easily find at home or if it’s not needed during your trip you probably don’t need it.”

Smith suggests thinking of buying gifts and souvenirs as a way to give back to your destination. “Be mindful of what you are buying and who you are buying it from. Is it mass-produced or crafted by a local artisan? Are you supporting the community or a larger corporation? Inanimate objects often carry a very human story. Your travel purchases should tell a story too.”

… but think carefully about where your souvenirs will look like at home

“Consider what you will do with your purchase when you get home. Will it end up sitting in a drawer, or will you cherish it?” asks Smith. “If it’s the former, it might be best to leave it behind.”

Never check a bag

“One method I’ve found extremely effective is to take only carry-on luggage. This forces you to carefully consider what’s absolutely essential versus nice to have,” says Jackson Groves, founder of Journey Era. “Over a decade of traveling this way, I’ve determined most everything truly necessary takes up very little space. The mental and physical lightness that comes with packing light is priceless as well.”

Head to the laundromat

“Another habit is utilizing hotel laundry services judiciously. With services available at most accommodations these days, dropping off a small load every few days ensures you’re never forced into purchasing replacements,” says Groves. “According to my spending analytics, this one switch has saved me over $500 per year on average!”