u/CrazyBidPrice

Has anyone else noticed that really cheap items can sometimes lead to more waste?
I’ve caught myself not fully using things I bought cheaply—food, household items, random supplies—because they didn’t feel as “valuable,” even though they were perfectly usable.
It’s like the low price quietly removes the pressure to be mindful.
On the other hand, higher price doesn’t always mean better quality or less waste either, so it feels like price alone isn’t a reliable guide for making low-waste choices.
I’m trying to be more aware of this, but it’s surprisingly ingrained.
Do you have any habits or systems that help you fully use what you already have, regardless of what you paid for it?

I realized something about my own habits that kind of goes against what I thought I was doing.
When I buy something really cheap (on clearance, discount bins, etc.), I’m way more likely to not use it fully or even toss it without much thought. But if I pay a bit more for something, I tend to use it longer and be more intentional with it.
It’s weird because the cheaper option should be the smarter move, but sometimes it ends up being more wasteful in practice.
Curious if anyone else has noticed this:
Do lower prices ever make you treat things as more “replaceable” instead of getting full value out of them?
If so, how do you stay intentional even when something feels like a low-stakes purchase?

PROJECT: Terms of Agreement – an art series about the contracts we never read

Artist Statement:

Terms of Service are the largest body of unread contracts in human history. Billions of people click "I agree" every day. No one reads the fine print. This series makes visible what we have already signed — not by quoting the text at you, but by showing you the structure of consent itself.

Below are some pieces from the series. Gallery-style descriptions.

The Minor

Medium: Text printed on mirrored acrylic, 18" x 24"

Mirrored surface. Text reads: "You represent that you are at least 13 years of age." You see your own reflection below the words.

Why it exists: Age gates are the thinnest of barriers. They ask for a date. They do not verify it. You say you are old enough. The system accepts your word. The lie is built into the design.

The Arbitration

Medium: Small bronze plaque, wall-mounted, 6" x 9"

A bronze plaque, like those on courthouses. It reads:

YOU AGREE TO WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

YOU AGREE TO WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION.

YOU AGREE TO RESOLVE ALL DISPUTES THROUGH BINDING INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION.

Below, in smaller type: "You agreed to this the last time you signed up for something."

Why it exists: The most consequential legal sentences in modern life are not in laws passed by Congress. They are in contracts no one reads. This plaque memorializes them.

The Deletion

Medium: Single sheet of white paper, framed, 8.5" x 11"

A blank page. At the bottom, in small type: "We may terminate or suspend your account without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach the Terms."

Why it exists: You do not own your account. You do not own your data. You license them, and the license can be revoked. The terms reserve the right to delete you. They do not reserve the right to explain why.

The Scroll

Medium: Single-channel video, looped, 4:3 aspect ratio

Duration: 4 hours, 23 minute

A single vertical scroll moves too fast to read. Dense text — 8-point font, single-spaced, legal gray. Occasionally, the scroll slows for one sentence, then resumes its indifferent pace. You cannot pause. You cannot rewind. You can only watch the document you already signed pass by, illegible and absolute.

Why it exists: The average American "agrees" to \~1,500 terms of service every year. Estimated time to read them all: 4 hours, 23 minutes. No one does this. The video makes visible what we have already accepted.

PROJECT: Terms of Agreement – an art series about the contracts we never read

Please give any feedback or thoughts about this. Thank you. I’d very much like to hear what y’all think!

Artist Statement:

Terms of Service are the largest body of unread contracts in human history. Billions of people click "I agree" every day. No one reads the fine print. This series makes visible what we have already signed — not by quoting the text at you, but by showing you the structure of consent itself.

Below are some pieces from the series. Gallery-style descriptions. Would love honest feedback before I finalize the collection

The Minor

Medium: Text printed on mirrored acrylic, 18" x 24"

Mirrored surface. Text reads: "You represent that you are at least 13 years of age." You see your own reflection below the words.

Why it exists: Age gates are the thinnest of barriers. They ask for a date. They do not verify it. You say you are old enough. The system accepts your word. The lie is built into the design.

The Arbitration

Medium: Small bronze plaque, wall-mounted, 6" x 9"

A bronze plaque, like those on courthouses. It reads:

YOU AGREE TO WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

YOU AGREE TO WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION.

YOU AGREE TO RESOLVE ALL DISPUTES THROUGH BINDING INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION.

Below, in smaller type: "You agreed to this the last time you signed up for something."

Why it exists: The most consequential legal sentences in modern life are not in laws passed by Congress. They are in contracts no one reads. This plaque memorializes them.

The Deletion

Medium: Single sheet of white paper, framed, 8.5" x 11"

A blank page. At the bottom, in small type: "We may terminate or suspend your account without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach the Terms."

Why it exists: You do not own your account. You do not own your data. You license them, and the license can be revoked. The terms reserve the right to delete you. They do not reserve the right to explain why.

The Scroll

Medium: Single-channel video, looped, 4:3 aspect ratio

Duration: 4 hours, 23 minute

A single vertical scroll moves too fast to read. Dense text — 8-point font, single-spaced, legal gray. Occasionally, the scroll slows for one sentence, then resumes its indifferent pace. You cannot pause. You cannot rewind. You can only watch the document you already signed pass by, illegible and absolute.

Why it exists: The average American "agrees" to \~1,500 terms of service every year. Estimated time to read them all: 4 hours, 23 minutes. No one does this. The video makes visible what we have already accepted.

PROJECT: Terms of Agreement – an art series about the contracts we never read

I’m curious if this resonates with anyone.

Artist Statement:

Terms of Service are the largest body of unread contracts in human history. Billions of people click "I agree" every day. No one reads the fine print. This series makes visible what we have already signed — not by quoting the text at you, but by showing you the structure of consent itself.

Below are some pieces from the series. Gallery-style descriptions. Would love honest feedback before I finalize the collection

The Minor

Medium: Text printed on mirrored acrylic, 18" x 24"

Mirrored surface. Text reads: "You represent that you are at least 13 years of age." You see your own reflection below the words.

Why it exists: Age gates are the thinnest of barriers. They ask for a date. They do not verify it. You say you are old enough. The system accepts your word. The lie is built into the design.

The Arbitration

Medium: Small bronze plaque, wall-mounted, 6" x 9"

A bronze plaque, like those on courthouses. It reads:

YOU AGREE TO WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

YOU AGREE TO WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION.

YOU AGREE TO RESOLVE ALL DISPUTES THROUGH BINDING INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION.

Below, in smaller type: "You agreed to this the last time you signed up for something."

Why it exists: The most consequential legal sentences in modern life are not in laws passed by Congress. They are in contracts no one reads. This plaque memorializes them.

The Deletion

Medium: Single sheet of white paper, framed, 8.5" x 11"

A blank page. At the bottom, in small type: "We may terminate or suspend your account without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach the Terms."

Why it exists: You do not own your account. You do not own your data. You license them, and the license can be revoked. The terms reserve the right to delete you. They do not reserve the right to explain why.

The Scroll

Medium: Single-channel video, looped, 4:3 aspect ratio

Duration: 4 hours, 23 minute

A single vertical scroll moves too fast to read. Dense text — 8-point font, single-spaced, legal gray. Occasionally, the scroll slows for one sentence, then resumes its indifferent pace. You cannot pause. You cannot rewind. You can only watch the document you already signed pass by, illegible and absolute.

Why it exists: The average American "agrees" to \~1,500 terms of service every year. Estimated time to read them all: 4 hours, 23 minutes. No one does this. The video makes visible what we have already accepted.

What are y’all’s thoughts?