Consumerism will always exist as long as people continue to be stupid and follow trends or "influencers" (who are mostly idiots who contribute nothing to society). I think the important thing is to keep a list of expenses and know how to invest the money each month.
Over the years, as I have had to live alone and take care of all the responsibilities that entails, I have had my plan mentally established years ago.
Next year I will change things and start keeping it on paper, because there are other things that I want to add to my life.