teach 'responsible, individual consumerism?' Or buying anything for that matter? Does such a thing as responsible consumerism exist or is it just a self-justifying catch-phrase?

Wouldn't it be better to frame the discussion in terms of the responsible use of your financial resources, which would include such principles as --

• Saving a portion of your income
• Budgeting
• Living within your means
• Learning to forgo momentary pleasures now for the sake of long-term goals?

Consumerism, by its very nature, it seems to me, bulldozes right through such prudent concepts.