Anti-Consumerism

Edinburghlass_2

Its interesting to read this thread, sat at our pcs in our homes surrounded by our creature comforts, be it antiques, Ikea's best (prog on tele tonight btw) our washing machines, tumble driers or whatever appliance we currently couldn't do without

Yes we can do without the latest mobile phone that plays the latest games, sings, dances and send emails oh and yes some of them can even be used for making that emergency phone call when your teenager is stuck late at night on there own.

Generally I agree that the advertising on the latest "must have" toys at Christmas time drive me insane and especially when you have a clean out and find the things my daughter has put to go out are just those things she couldn't live without :rolleyes:

Each to their own, but I find the material things that I would look for now are things that buy me time, the most precious commodity of all.

Bogof_Babe

How true, couldn't agree more. (Oops sorry if this isn't a "proper" post, but sometimes you want to say a bit more than just thanks ).

Time is the one thing that can't be bought or sold on Ebay, can't be banked against a rainy day, and can't be kept in a safe place until needed, but it can be traded, by re-assessing our lives, if enough thought is given as to how.

It is probably the most valuable thing we all possess, but it is fleeting and is gone in a moment. Let's make each moment really count. Life is not a rehearsal!

The other beauty of it is, we all possess the same amount. The sad thing is there is never enough to go round, so let's all make a deal with ourselves to use it wisely!

jazzyjustlaw

Bogof_Babe wrote:

How true, couldn't agree more. (Oops sorry if this isn't a "proper" post, but sometimes you want to say a bit more than just thanks ).

Time is the one thing that can't be bought or sold on Ebay, can't be banked against a rainy day, and can't be kept in a safe place until needed, but it can be traded, by re-assessing our lives, if enough thought is given as to how.

It is probably the most valuable thing we all possess, but it is fleeting and is gone in a moment. Let's make each moment really count. Life is not a rehearsal!

The other beauty of it is, we all possess the same amount. The sad thing is there is never enough to go round, so let's all make a deal with ourselves to use it wisely!

Thats the whole point people seem to be so busy spending money that they do not enjoy what they have today. I am not suggesting that we never buy things that help us gain more time just think about each purchase. We can ask ourselves questions such as: Can we live without the item, Do I have something that I could use instead, Can we borrow from someone, How long do I have to work to pay for this item - i.e. £15.00 I earn £5.00 per hour = 3 hours is it worth three hours of my time, and lastly, Do I really need this item?

I also agree that adverts are really not sending the right message to our children.

ceegee

What a great thread! I am and always have been totally non-materialistic but thought it was just me. I hate spending my hard earned money and have never been able to understand how people can "shop" for a past-time. I've always wondered where they get all of that money from to do it with, anyway.

I will only spend money on MY terms. No shop will force me to part with my dosh for things that I don't absolutely definitely need. It takes me time and effort to earn my meagre pittance and I'm blowed if some spotty faced young advertising executive is going to make me part with one penny against my wishes!

Apologies to any spotty faced young executives who may be reading this!

DingDong_3

I think anti-commercialism goes hand-in-hand with being green. I've always been attracted to living a more sustainable lifestyle. I've always found it really hard though e.g. it's been a hard slog finding organic fruit/veg. (not in tescos). Since discovering MSE last month, it's led me to other websites regarding organic food and clothes. I now want to change my whole life! Here's what I've done/hoping to do.

Clothes: Only buy from charity shops or from online organic clothing companies.

Food: Organic fruit/veg, free range eggs, from market. Trying to find a good butchers for meat. Everything else from Tesco but using internet vouchers.

Goods: Try to buy second-hand e.g. ebay

Recycle: I'm going to email the council regarding cardboard, batteries and plastic recycling.

TV: I don't own one!

Electricity: I've changed to Ecotricity

Chemicals: Not buying cleaning products anymore. Just using vinegar + bicarb etc.

Cosmetics: I'll never use anti-wrinkle cream (what a load of rubbish!)

Women's stuff: Doing what it says on the 'One for the Ladies' thread!

Sorry if this doesnt quite go on this thread but once you start being anti-materialistic etc.. it leads you to change other things too.

Edinburghlass_2

Dingdong, can I ask if you have any teenagers, or any kids come to that?

catznine

If you feel that you might be being "brainwashed" by the advertisers into buying something try to ask yourself "Do I really need it?" If answer is no walk away. If answer is yes ask yourself "Can I buy it cheaper elsewhere?" or "Do I have something at home that I can use instead or that I can make into this item" this normally works for me and makes me appreciate all the stuff I do have at home.

DingDong_3

edinburghlass wrote:

Dingdong, can I ask if you have any teenagers, or any kids come to that?

No I havent. How can you tell?!! The thing is though, when I was a teenager my bedroom was bare because I hated possessions. My mum used to go mad at me. I was fairly alternative and I always wanted to live like the native Americans. Is that wierd for a teenager?

Sarahsaver

Nope its not weird. I wanted to go back to a time where people just lived, didnt have jobs or anything, just had to grow and kill what they needed to eat. I am sure I was influenced by that programme in the 70s (?) where people lived in a stone age village as an experiment! My bedroom was the same, I hated it when my mum made me have a carpet, curtains and wallpaper. I have accumulated a bit more clutter but thats 3 kids and 2 husbands down the line :rolleyes:

elona

If I could I would furnish my house with books - Hubby just pointed that as far as he is concerned - I already do.:):):)