mintconditioned

[mintconditioned]

overconsumption isn’t cute. you don’t need 47 foundations to feel beautiful. late-stage capitalism just wants you to think you do.

[mintconditioned]

Just wanted to say that you’re a lifesaver! Your posts are clear, informative and on relevant topics that more people need to hear about. Thank you for your invaluable service! :]

omg this made my whole day 😭 thank you!! i really just want to make this stuff easier to understand, so it means a lot that it’s actually helping. thank you for reading!

[mintconditioned]

Hey! Checked out your blog since I saw you followed me, & it's great! Currently starting my journey to financial literacy, and I'm sure this blog will be a huge help. Have a nice day! :)

thank you so much!! that seriously means a lot. i'm so glad it could help! financial literacy can feel super overwhelming at first but you're already ahead just by getting curious. rooting for you always!!

[mintconditioned]

Love your blog you're very cool and smart

thank you so much! i really appreciate your comment!

[mintconditioned]

it's literally too hot to function

okay so real talk — is it just me or is the sun beefing with us this summer?? like, i went outside and instantly turned into a sweat puddle. fans are useless, a/c is EXPENSIVE, and honestly i’d rather chill in a walk-in freezer than deal with this heat.

but here's the thing: this isn’t just "ugh summer is gross" — this is climate change, and spoiler alert: we're kinda all part of it.

see, the planet’s heating up because of greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide and methane) we’ve been pumping into the atmosphere for decades. and yeah, cars and factories are big players, but here’s the kicker: it’s the whole economy that’s behind it.

our economy runs on this idea that we always need more — more products, more money, more growth. and that means companies are constantly burning fossil fuels, chopping down forests, and mass-producing stuff that ends up in landfills. fast fashion? runs on sweatshops and oil. those 2-day shipping sprees? burn tons of fuel. even our food system — full of processed snacks and factory-farmed meat — is a massive contributor to emissions.

we’re so used to this “buy more, toss more” lifestyle that we don’t even think about it. but the stuff we see as normal — weekly hauls, upgrading our phones every year, cheap $5 shirts — all of that feeds into a system that’s literally cooking the planet.

and the wild part? the people paying the price aren’t the CEOs in corner offices — it’s everyday folks, especially in lower-income areas and countries that are already dealing with floods, droughts, wildfires, and power outages. all because rich corporations won’t stop chasing profits.

but here's the hopeful part: we’re not powerless.

you can’t fix the whole system on your own (and you shouldn’t have to), but small changes still matter:

thrift your clothes instead of buying fast fashion

support local or sustainable businesses when you can

eat less meat (even one veggie meal a week helps)

vote for leaders who actually get climate policy

call out greenwashing when you see it

talk about it — awareness spreads change

basically: the more we question the "normal" stuff that’s actually harming the planet, the more pressure we can put on the people who can change the system.

so yeah, it’s hot. but it’s not just the weather — it’s the economy running wild. and we deserve better.

stay cool (literally and figuratively), SOURCES:

Attenborough, David, and Christine Lagarde. “Nature, Climate Change and the Global Economy.” Finance & Development, International Monetary Fund, Dec. 2019, https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2019/12/nature-climate-and-the-global-economy-lagarde-attenborough.

“Economics of Climate Change.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 5 Aug. 2024, https://www.epa.gov/environmental-economics/economics-climate-change.

Kaplan, Sarah, et al. “June Is the New July: Why Intense Summer Heat Is Arriving Earlier.” The Washington Post, 25 June 2025, https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/06/25/global-heatwave-climate-change.

Reyes, Marisa. “Millions of U.S. Kids Attend Schools in 'Urban Heat Zones.'” Axios, 30 June 2025, https://www.axios.com/2025/06/30/students-schools-urban-heat-islands.

“Reuters Explains: What Is a ‘Heat Dome’ and How Does It Power Heatwaves?” Reuters, 30 June 2025, https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/cop/what-is-heat-dome-how-does-it-power-heatwaves-2025-06-30.

Woody, Christopher. “We’re Looking for Climate Solutions in the Wrong Places.” Time, 25 June 2025, https://time.com/7294746/capitalism-climate-activism-local-solutions.

[mintconditioned]

attention is currency. stop giving it away for free.

every platform wants your attention because your attention = profit. tiktok, youtube, even your student portal — everything’s designed to keep you scrolling, spending, or stressing. time is a resource. start protecting it like your money.

but what does that actually mean?

it means that you’re not the customer on most apps — you’re the product. companies profit by selling your attention and data to advertisers. algorithms are designed to hijack your brain’s reward system—likes, follows, autoplay, endless scroll. none of that is an accident.

recently, the ftc hosted a 2025 workshop called “the attention economy: how big tech firms exploit kids and hurt families,” highlighting how platforms intentionally hook users.

studies show that 1 in 5 teens spends over 2 hours daily on tiktok—over recommended limits—and higher usage is linked to anxiety and lower self-esteem.

researchers also warn that algorithmic amplification (like tiktok’s for-you feed) fuels compulsive use by reinforcing targeted content deep into feeds.

here’s how to take your attention back and why it matters:

1. delete one app every weekend. just for two days. a brief digital detox, like removing social media apps over a weekend, can reduce stress and improve focus.

2. if you wouldn’t pay to see it, don’t give it your full attention. time is a resource—if content wouldn’t earn your money, don’t give your attention. treat it like currency.

3. make your phone boring. moving apps off your home screen and switching your phone to grayscale can reduce its addictive pull .

4. start “micro budgeting” your attention. time-blocking your screen use—like budgeting money—improves control and awareness over where your time goes .

5. set one hour a week as “no input” time. intentionally unplugged time helps spark creativity and mental clarity.

6. stop doomscrolling as “being informed.” reading endless crisis content at night increases anxiety—limiting you to scheduled, credible news consumption is healthier.

7. pay attention to what content energizes or drains you. teens who develop awareness of what content affects their mental health can proactively curate their online feeds.

your attention is your mental energy, your focus, your time. tech companies spend billions trying to hijack it. you don’t have to quit the internet — but you should treat your attention like money. once you give it away, you can’t get it back.

and your future, your mind, and your goals deserve better. sources:

federal trade commission. the attention economy: how big tech firms exploit children and hurt families. workshop, federal trade commission, 4 june 2025, ftc.gov/news-events/events/2025/06/attention-economy-tech-firms-exploit-children. accessed 25 june 2025.

bilali, angeliki, et al. “association between tiktok use and anxiety, depression, and sleepiness among adolescents: a cross‑sectional study in greece.” pediatric reports, vol. 17, no. 2, 2025, p. 34, doi:10.3390/pediatric17020034.

“teens, social media and mental health.” pew research center, 22 apr. 2025, pewresearch.org/internet/2025/04/22/teens-social-media-and-mental-health/. accessed 25 june 2025.

foo, bart. “can’t stop scrolling! adolescents’ patterns of tiktok use and digital well‑being.” humanities and social sciences communications, 2024, nature.com/articles/s41599-024-03984-5. accessed 25 june 2025.

[mintconditioned]

It’s crazy that you followed me bc I’m taking Econ next year 😭

omg perfect timing then 😭 econ’s actually so cool once you start seeing how it connects to real life. i promise it’s not just graphs and pain lol

[mintconditioned]

when a water bottle became a warning sign

remember when stanley cups were everywhere? they showed up in car cupholders, tiktok hauls, and probably even your dreams. people sprinted through targets at 7 am to grab limited edition drops. for a while, having the cup meant hydration, status, and aesthetic all in one. but now, the hype is slowing — and we’re left to ask: what was all that for?

how we got here

stanley tumblers weren’t always trendy. they were originally rugged, functional thermoses marketed to construction workers and outdoorsy types. then tiktok found them. influencers praised their colorways, size (40 oz!), and vibe — and suddenly, stanley cups became the cup.

limited drops triggered frenzy. entire aisles were wiped out in minutes. some people collected them like sneakers. others bought every color “just to have options.” the resale market exploded. some went for $100+.

but this wasn’t just about hydration. this was haul culture.

the problem with haul culture

the stanley craze tapped into something deeper: the social media pressure to consume constantly and publicly. haul videos — where influencers unbox massive purchases — normalized overbuying. it wasn’t about needing a water bottle. it was about owning the trend.

and it didn’t stop at stanleys. people started buying accessories: straw toppers, silicone boots, name tags. if you weren’t accessorizing your cup, were you even trying?

environmental impact

all that hype had real consequences:

plastic overload: despite being reusable, many stanley cups are made with plastic components. producing millions of them increases emissions and waste, especially when people buy multiple.

fast consumer cycles: the constant color drops encouraged more buying, not reuse. that defeats the purpose of sustainability.

landfill overflow: as the trend fades, many cups will be discarded — not because they’re broken, but because they’re out of style.

it’s a form of “green overconsumption” — buying reusable goods in excess under the illusion of sustainability.

the decline

like most trends, stanley’s grip is loosening. people are realizing they don’t need five identical tumblers. gen z is especially starting to question the logic behind impulse buying in the name of “self-care.”

tiktok creators are now posting videos like “things i regret buying” or “how minimalism saved my wallet.” the pendulum is swinging back.

so what now?

stanley cups aren’t evil. they are reusable. they do help people drink more water. but the obsession around them reveals a bigger issue: we keep trying to shop our way into a better lifestyle.

if we want to seriously tackle overconsumption and pollution, we need to think beyond trends. that means:

buying one good thing — and sticking with it.

not collecting items just because they’re cute.

resisting the pressure to haul for content.

normalizing “i already have one” as a reason not to buy.

final sip

the stanley cup hype taught us something important: even the “good” products can turn harmful when they’re part of a cycle of mindless consumption. reuse doesn’t count if you’re just rotating between 12 colors.

so if you’ve got a stanley cup — great. use it. love it. keep it for years. but maybe don’t buy another just because it matches your hoodie.

the planet doesn’t care if it’s periwinkle or peach.

[mintconditioned]

why budget deficits matter to teens (even if you’re not paying taxes yet)

the economy might feel distant, but growing public debt shapes the world you’re growing up in — here’s how, and what’s going on right now.

you’ve probably heard the phrase “budget deficit” tossed around in the news — especially during elections or when congress is fighting over government spending. but what does it actually mean? and more importantly, why should you care?

let’s break it down.

what is a budget deficit?

A budget deficit happens when the government spends more money than it brings in through taxes and revenue. To make up the difference, it borrows money — which adds to the national debt.

As of 2025, the U.S. national debt is over $34 trillion, and still growing.

what’s happening right now?

The U.S. just hit another debt ceiling debate. In early 2025, lawmakers debated whether to raise the debt ceiling (the legal limit on how much the U.S. can borrow). These political fights can threaten government shutdowns or credit downgrades, which shake the economy.

Rising interest rates are making debt more expensive. Because of efforts to control inflation, interest rates have gone up. That means the U.S. has to pay more just to cover interest on its debt — like only being able to pay the minimum on a giant credit card bill.

Spending cuts vs. program funding. Some lawmakers are pushing for cuts to education, environmental programs, or healthcare to reduce the deficit. Others argue for taxing the wealthy or big corporations instead. These choices directly affect you — especially if you rely on public schools, student aid, or health programs.

why should teens care?

It affects your college financial aid. Student loans and Pell Grants come from federal budgets. If spending shrinks, your options might too.

It impacts job opportunities. A weak economy or government spending freeze can reduce internships, youth employment programs, and local investment.

It shapes your future taxes. The more debt the government carries, the more future generations may be asked to pay — or accept cuts in services.

what you can do

Track budget news in plain English. Follow Instagram or TikTok accounts that explain politics simply (like @so.informed).

Ask where your local reps stand. Look up your representative’s views on youth spending, climate budgets, and student loans. You can email them directly or join a youth advocacy group that already is.

Get smart with your budget. Budget deficits might feel out of reach, but managing your own money now — even small allowances — builds the confidence to understand and critique big financial systems later. A budget deficit doesn’t just mean “we’re broke.” It means we’re choosing where the money goes — and young people deserve a say in those choices.

[mintconditioned]

student debt is getting scarier. here’s how to protect your future.

if you’re a teen thinking about college, here’s something you might not know: the decisions you make now could either save you thousands — or lock you into years of student debt. and this moment in history? it’s making those decisions even more important.

why this matters:

1️⃣ interest rates are rising. the federal reserve raised interest rates several times recently to fight inflation. that means new federal student loans now come with higher interest rates (5.5% for undergrads in 2024–25, up from 4.99%). private loans? even higher. translation: borrowing today costs you more long-term than it did a few years ago.

2️⃣ student loan forgiveness is in flux. biden’s large-scale student loan forgiveness plan was blocked by the supreme court, but the administration is pushing new targeted relief (as of 2025, $146 billion in debt relief for about 4 million borrowers). great — but also unpredictable. future forgiveness depends on politics. counting on it is risky.

3️⃣ college costs are still climbing. average tuition at public 4-year universities rose 4% last year alone. in some states, budget shortfalls mean public universities are cutting programs but not lowering costs — so you may pay more for less.

4️⃣ economic instability is affecting job prospects. tech layoffs. hiring slowdowns. AI disrupting entire industries. a degree still matters, but planning for debt when the job market is uncertain? that matters even more.

so what can you actually do — beyond the basic “apply for scholarships” advice?

📚 know how to read a financial aid award letter. most teens don’t. schools may bury parent plus loans or high-interest private loans inside your “aid” package. use tools like nerdwallet’s aid letter decoder to understand what’s really free money and what’s expensive debt.

🔍 research state-specific aid + tuition reciprocity. look up whether your state participates in tuition reciprocity programs (like WUE for western states). out-of-state tuition can sometimes drop by 50% if your state has an agreement. most families never hear about this.

🛠 combine vocational training + college. instead of a full 4-year program, look at hybrid paths: 1–2 years of vocational training + part-time degree later. fields like tech support, healthcare administration, logistics pay well without requiring a full degree first. you can earn earlier and avoid full-time debt.

🖥 maximize low-cost online college credits now. through dual enrollment, clep exams, or online platforms like outlier.org, you can earn gen ed credits for ~$400/class instead of ~$1,500+. even one semester of credit saved = thousands in future loans avoided.

💬 talk to current college students about debt — not just admissions officers. schools will tell you about campus life. current students can tell you whether people are drowning in loans. if everyone says “yeah, most of us are $50k in debt,” listen.

bottom line:

student debt isn’t just a future problem. inflation, rising interest rates, shaky job markets, and political uncertainty make this the hardest environment for student borrowers in over a decade. the good news? teens today are savvier than ever — and if you start planning early, you can avoid some of the mistakes that trap millions of others.

your future self will absolutely thank you

[mintconditioned]

how to save 101

so i recently had a poll asking what you'd do if you have $10,000, and over half of the respondents said that they'd save it for something big

if you're saving for something big — like college, a car, starting a side hustle, or even financial freedom — here's some unexpected advice that actually does something. not cute. not tiny. real.

open a HYSA (high-yield savings account) at a credit union or online bank. no, not your regular bank. they usually pay literal cents in interest. but online banks like Ally or SoFi (or your local credit union) offer 4–5% APY as of now. if you’re saving over time, that compound interest builds and beats inflation. it’s not glamorous, but it works. set it. forget it. grow.

invest in an I-Bond. you heard right — a government bond. it’s basically a super-safe investment you can buy with as little as $25. I-Bonds adjust with inflation and earn interest over time. teens can buy them through a parent or guardian's TreasuryDirect account. way better than letting your money rot in checking.

don’t save — prepay. saving up for something long-term? like a course, a trip, or even SAT tutoring? instead of stashing cash, prepay now if there’s a discount or price lock. a lot of services let you pay in advance, especially if they’re small businesses. this saves you from price hikes — and yourself.

build credit (yes, really). if you’re 18 or close to it, use $10,000 as a starter safety net for a secured credit card. this builds your credit history early — a big deal for apartments, student loans, and future jobs. make one small charge monthly (like Spotify), pay it off, never miss. boring? yes. life-changing? also yes.

micro-fund a revenue-generating skill. take that $10,000 and turn it into money. Examples:

buy a domain + hosting for a blog you monetize

invest in a course that teaches design, data entry, or UX

get supplies for a hyper-niche Etsy shop (e.g. enamel pin display boards or zines)

buy an external mic and start voiceover freelancing

a 10,000 bucks won’t change your life. but how you use it might.

[mintconditioned]

why are you so based wtf

lol not sure how to take that but thanks?

[mintconditioned]

quick poll:

[mintconditioned]

taylor swift, ticketmaster, and why monopolies kinda suck

so you tried to get eras tour tickets. you sat in that cursed little waiting room, heart racing, snacks untouched, fully prepared to go to war. and then... ticketmaster self-destructed. bots took your spot. resale prices shot up to “sell your kidney on the dark web” levels.

but plot twist: this wasn’t just a tech glitch. it’s economics. specifically: monopoly power. let’s unpack it, swifty-style.

a monopoly is when one company basically owns the whole playground. no competition means they get to:

set the prices stupid high

give you terrible service

shrug when things fall apart

ticketmaster isn’t the only ticketing company technically, but after it merged with live nation in 2010, it gained a whole lot of control over:

the tickets

the venues

even the artists

that’s called vertical integration.

how this turned into the eras tour apocalypse:

demand: 3.5 million+ people signed up

supply: not even close to enough seats

ticketmaster: crashed. burned. bots thrived.

prices: “dynamic pricing” kicked in, aka surge pricing for concerts. seats hit $4k+.

and because they’re so dominant in the market, you didn’t have real alternatives. no other sellers. no options.

technically, it’s legal. but antitrust laws are supposed to stop companies from getting this kind of power. problem is, enforcement is kinda mid.

after the eras disaster, congress actually held a hearing called:

“that’s the ticket: promoting competition and protecting consumers in live entertainment.”

yes. actual senators quoted taylor lyrics in official government docs. this is our timeline.

what this teaches you (besides never trusting ticketmaster):

monopolies = higher prices, worse experiences, no choices

big mergers can quietly make competition disappear

economic policy absolutely affects your real life (even your chance to scream “all too well” live)

[mintconditioned]

rise of the teenage gig worker

more and more teens are diving into the gig economy—delivering food, freelancing online, or running errands for quick cash. with apps like doordash, fiverr, and instacart, it’s easier than ever to work flexible hours and skip the 9-to-5.

the upside? freedom. they choose when and how much to work, fit it around school, and make money doing things they’re already good at. it’s a taste of independence—and a crash course in time management, communication, and responsibility.

but it’s not all perfect. gigs often lack protections like benefits or job security. and with fewer age regulations, safety and fair treatment can be a concern. that’s why guidance from adults and knowing your rights matters.

still, the gig economy is giving teenagers a new kind of power: to earn, learn, and grow—on their own terms.

[mintconditioned]

i lowkey still have bows from the bow trend… but like, what’s really up with fast fashion?

you’ve probably seen trends like the coquette aesthetic or the brazil shirt popping up everywhere, but what exactly is fast fashion, and why should you care?

fast fashion is all about quickly making cheap, trendy clothes that are meant to be worn a few times and then thrown away. while it makes the latest styles affordable and easy to get, it also encourages people to buy way more than they need, creating mountains of textile waste that harm the environment.

most fast fashion clothes are made from low-quality materials that don’t break down and use toxic dyes that pollute water. even worse, these clothes are often produced in factories where workers face low wages and unsafe conditions.

so, behind the fun trends and cheap prices, fast fashion leaves a big footprint—hurting the planet, exploiting workers, and promoting a throwaway culture that values quantity over quality.

next time you’re tempted by the newest trend, think twice—maybe try thrifting or investing in pieces that last instead. your wallet, the planet, and the people who made your clothes will thank you.

[mintconditioned]

buying a house? not in today's economy

remember when our parents were like “we bought this house in 1985 for $65k and it came with a functioning fireplace, a basement bar, and the ghost of a kind widow who makes muffins”? now it's like "here's a 400 sq ft studio for $2,300/month and no windows. you share a bathroom with 3 strangers and a raccoon." homeownership is starting to feel like an impossible dream for a lot of people, especially those of us who are still in school or just starting out in life. here's why:

home prices are insane: houses used to cost a lot less, but now they're way more expensive. in some places, a house costs 3 or 4 times what people make in a year, which makes it super hard for young people to save up enough for a down payment.

wages aren't keeping up: even though everything is getting more expensive, the money most people are making isn't going up fast enough. that means it’s harder to save money for things like a house, especially if you're already paying for other stuff like food, rent, or student loans.

student debt is holding us back: lots of teens and young adults are leaving college with a ton of student debt. in fact, people under 30 usually owe over $30,000 in loans. that can make it hard to get approved for a mortgage or even save for a down payment.

there aren't enough houses: there just aren’t enough homes being built to meet demand. builders can't keep up, and a lot of people are staying in their homes longer because it’s too expensive to move. that means fewer homes available for people who actually want to buy.

mortgage rates are high: if you're lucky enough to find a home, you have to deal with higher mortgage rates. a few years ago, you could get a really low rate on a loan, but now it's much higher, which means bigger monthly payments. that makes it even harder to afford a house.

big companies are buying up property: more and more big companies are buying up homes, paying in cash, and turning them into rental properties. that means regular people are getting priced out of the market and have to compete with investors who have way more money.

basically, buying a house isn’t just about saving up anymore. it’s about dealing with a system that’s stacked against us. it’s tough, and it can feel like it’s impossible, but it’s not just you. a lot of people are struggling with the same thing.

so if you’re feeling overwhelmed about owning a home someday, you’re not alone. the system needs to change, and hopefully, we can be the generation that pushes for that change.