See it, like it, buy it

In the United States we are so very fortunate. Most people can buy whatever they desire. If we go shopping and see something we like, we can buy it.

See it, like it, buy it

However just because we like something, doesn’t mean we need to buy it.

On a recent flight my daughter liked this Skymall item:

Forest Faces: Show everyone which team you’re rooting for with this outdoor ornament sensation.

This new outdoor craze is only $19.99, so it’s easily within my reach.

Should I buy one? Let’s see.

Can I live without it?

Yes. My trees have been bare for years and haven’t been yearning for ornamentation (as far as I know).

Would I use it regularly?

No. The ornament serves no real purpose other than promoting a sports team that doesn’t need further promotion. 

Is it going to improve or simplify my life?

No.

Asking yourself these questions can help you prevent clutter and debt. It’s possible to see something, like it and not buy it.

See it, like it, don’t buy it

The result? More money in your bank and less things in your home. Sounds good to me.

Interested in consuming less, decluttering and organization? Check out Monica Ricci’s blog: “Your Life. Organized.”

Focus on doing interesting things rather than buying interesting things (from Zen Habits).

The non-consumer Halloween

Halloween is fast approaching and with it comes many opportunities to spend money. The National Retail Federation predicts that 5 billion dollars will be spent on Halloween products this year.

5 billion dolllars!

Drugstores and grocery stores are flooded with Halloween products. Such as…

Halloween shot glasses

   

3 pack of shot glasses (one is never enough) in an acetate box (landfill bound)

Plastic tombstones

and of course Halloween lighting

    

The Halloween eyeball light set

Do we need these items to celebrate Halloween?

No.

How do we stop the commercialization of Halloween? Simple, we need to stop buying Halloween stuff. If we don’t buy Halloween products, companies will stop making them.

<it’s time for the Wayback Machine>

My childhood Halloween memories include homemade or acquired costumes, community haunted houses, pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating with a brown paper bag. Decorations were practically non-existent and always homemade.

Does Halloween need to be any more than this?

In years past my kids have asked me to buy Halloween decorations: lights, spiders, plastic pumpkins…. “Come on Mom. Everyone else has them.” I politely said No (the ‘everyone else has them‘ argument doesn’t work with me).

This year my kids haven’t asked for Halloween decorations. Perhaps they know it’s hopeless to ask. Or maybe just maybe, they’ve come to realize that buying Halloween products is unnecessary.

Halloween can be fun without special Halloween shot glasses, plastic tombstones or lighting.

Have a Fun (non-consumer) Halloween!

No Impact Man… The Book

There’s No Impact Man, the blog, the movie and now the book.

Colin, Michelle and Isabella (yeah, we’re on a first name basis) embark on a year-long lifestyle experiment where they attempt to live with the smallest environmental impact. Why do such a thing?

If you want to change the world, start with yourself. Or as the famous Gandhi quote says, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Colin realized that in order to change the world he needed to stop condemning others for their consumption of resources, and start changing his consumption.

And so No Impact Man was born. The transformation towards a no impact life happens in stages over the course of a year. Each stage brings it’s own set of problems, stories and discoveries.

The first step Colin and his family take is towards zero waste. They examine the contents of their trash and vow to not produce trash – this means not buying packaged products or using disposable products like paper napkins. Next they take on carbon producing transportation. They use bikes, a scooter or good old fashioned walking to get around NYC. Next up they switch to locally produced food. And then they pull the plug on electricity.

While reading this book, I thought about the changes Colin and his family made. Could I go without a car? Could I shop at the farmer’s market exclusively? Could I go electricity free once a week? Could I avoid buying things wrapped in plastic?

What I got from this book, other than inspiration and ideas on how to shrink my carbon footprint, was an overwhelming sense that I can make a difference.

As Helen Keller said, “I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something.“

It’s better to do something, than nothing.

I found the book to be entertaining, inspirational, thought provoking, and deeply personal. Colin is the real deal.

Check out No Impact Man, the project to see how you can make a difference.