This is why you keep buying stuff

03/10/26 - Tuesday

March 10, 2026

 

Hey friend,

Have you ever bought something because you thought it would make you feel more like the person you want to be? We all have. And there's a reason for that.

Marketers have figured out that when you're still figuring out who you are, they can sell you your identity. And they've gotten really, really good at it.

🎧 New Episode: This Is Why You Keep Buying Stuff (And It Never Fixes Anything)

This episode is about how identity marketing works and why it's so effective, even when we think we're immune to it.

Here's what we mean: brands don't sell what a product does anymore. They sell who you become when you buy it.

Stanley cups aren't just water bottles. They became a symbol of suburban mom culture. Alo leggings aren't just activewear. They signal a status and lifestyle. We don't just want the product. We want the identity that comes with it.

And here's the thing: it works because humans are wired for belonging, status, and safety.

But it gets even more interesting.

We talk about how brands capitalize on moments when you're questioning yourself, stress, exhaustion, life changes, and how that manipulation works on a psychological level.

Once you see how this works, you can't unsee it. And that awareness changes everything.

Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can see our faces as we talk through this.

More subscribers helps us reach more people with the message of intentional consumption.

🛡️ Protect What Actually Matters

Speaking of identity and what really matters, let's talk about something that has nothing to do with buying an identity and everything to do with protecting the people you love: life insurance.

We know it's not the most exciting topic, but if you have people who depend on you financially, it's one of the most important financial decisions you can make. That’s why we both have term life insurance.

Jill uses Ladder. Jen uses Ethos Life. Both companies make getting term life insurance incredibly easy with affordable rates, no medical exam, and a fully online application process. You can get a quote and apply in minutes. **

Here's what both have to offer:

Ethos Life offers fast, affordable term life insurance with no medical exam required. Their online application takes just minutes, and you can get coverage up to $2 million.

Ladder also offers term life insurance with no medical exam and lets you adjust your coverage as your life changes. Their application is 100% online and takes about 5 minutes.

We recommend getting quotes from both and going with whichever offers you the best rate. This isn't about buying an identity. This is about protecting what actually matters most.

Thanks for being someone who questions the narratives and chooses awareness over impulse. That's what makes you different.

Best,
Jen + Jill

P.S. Once you listen to this episode, you're going to start seeing identity marketing everywhere. It's both eye-opening and a little unsettling. But knowledge is power.

**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.