"Had I ditched the pint of Guinness and invested in Apple in the early 2000s, each pint worth of stock would now be valued at $3,500. Over those college years, I would have accumulated enough stock to buy a brownstone on New York's pricey Upper West Side. All cash. Looking back, I probably still would have enjoyed that cold brew with my friends. A pint of Guinness felt just right in the moment."
"As the world gathered for the United Nations General Assembly to discuss climate change, among other global challenges, here's a contrarian take on what's just right for this moment. The climate movement, by and large, embraced the mantra of "reduce, reuse, recycle" and banked on enough us-voters, policy makers, businesses, consumers-caring deeply about the future to change our daily habits to curb global warming. It's not happening. Carbon emissions hit a fresh record last year, according to EU data."
"When I purchase a refurbished iPhone 13 for my daughter at a fraction of the cost of that new iPhone 17 that just launched, I am not reducing my consumption, I get more. She has the phone she (kinda) wants and I keep a few hundred dollars in my pocket. I can use that to buy her Robux, or invest it in her college fund."
Personal financial regrets about partying and not investing illustrate opportunity costs compared with immediate pleasures. A contrarian climate stance urges pivoting from moral appeals to reduce consumption toward maximizing present value through reuse and refurbished purchases. Buying lower-cost used electronics delivers desired goods while freeing cash for other needs or investments. The climate movement's reliance on changing daily habits has not halted emissions; carbon emissions set a new record last year. American consumer debt exceeds $18 trillion, underscoring financial constraints that shape consumption choices and the appeal of getting more value now.
Read at Fast Company
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