Anti-Consumerism

Xbigman

I must say I'm not an anti consumerist, I'm more a cheap consumerist. Its value for money that counts with me.
As a cheap consumerist there are lots of material things out they that don't appeal to me because to have them means signing up to the 'must have' culture, which usually means paying through the nose for a name. I think this is closer to the general idea of being an MSE devotee than anti consumerism.

No offense intended.
Regards



X

Loadsabob

Great to meet all of you, nice to see I'm not alone.

I certainly don't believe in rampant consumerism just to keep people in jobs!

I'm definitely anti-consumerism, but that doesn't mean I don't consume. I don't think that's what people here are getting at, lots of people have admitted to liking "things". Its just thinking carefully before purchasing something new. I avoid it where possible, I don't buy into marketing hype, don't live by fashion or fads, and try and live as simple a lifestyle as possible for my current situation.

I would love to withdraw and be completely self-sufficient, but I have no land or property, couldn't even get permission to pop a caravan in a field with the law the way it is. So, in the meantime, I rent, so I work, to afford the rent. I buy things, sure. But I make conscious choices as a consumer, and I get the impression that that's what the people on this thread have in common. Unfortunately, a mass of our society are unthinking in their consumerism...they want, or "need" everything, they seek replacements to things only just out of the box, and are always after the next model / version / diversion / fashion.

For my part I:

Grow my own herbs and veg in the garden. Cheap, satisfying and sustainable.

Buy organic local veg and eggs at my local health food shop. Sometimes this costs more than supermarket organic, but I trust it, it's invariably local, rather than potatoes from Egypt, and actually, often items are cheaper than the supermarkets.

Buy other food from the health food shop where possible. (Unfortunately limited to a Tesco as far as supermarkets go, and no car. So I minimise my purchases in there). This can of course be more expensive in some cases...although buying dried pulses etc can be quite economical. Cheap, processed food, or non-organic, is to me a false economy now. I don't want to have loads of money later on if I'm suffering the effects of a chemical diet! I make my own bread, and do all my own baking. Cheaper and nicer!
I won't buy convenience foods...food shouldn't be a convenience, in my mind, it should be a pleasure. I cook everything from scratch, and find it relaxing, as well as satisfying.

Take my own shopping bag out with me, won't accept carrier bags (or the resulting free advertising for the stores!)

Never buy logo'd goods (WHY does anyone??!).

Boycot lots of multinationals / Buy Fair trade where possible.

Books are a weakness, but I've always preferred second hand, so local booksellers, or ebay where possible.

I make my own greetings cards from old ones donated by friends and relatives, made into new cards with reclaimed packaging cardboard. Gives me a great range, from which I can choose the most appropriate for a person.

I don't have a car.

I buy as much as I can second hand, certainly furniture, I prefer items with character.

I plant to start making my own wine - hopefully from some of the things I grow!

Clothes - well, my spend per year is so minimal! Just not really interested.

Recycling; obviously. I have a good kerbside scheme which takes plastic, cans, cardboard as well as glass.

Cleaning products - trying to get the hang of bicarb and vinegar etc! Use essential oils in the rinse cycle for clothes fragrance.

Only buy Biodegradable bags / binliners.

I think it's all about balance, and about trying to do something possitive with our consumer power, too. I live in the modern world, and I don't hate everything about it; I have a (old, bought from a colleague at work) TV, I have my (1997) computer, a good (given by a relative who bought a new one) stereo. I just wish people would SLOW DOWN their consumerism. It's getting ridiculous, and it's completely unsustainable. I love this site, but occasionally I have to smile when someone posts a bargain and so many people rush straight away and buy it. It's only a bargain if you were going to get it anyway! I've saved on supplements and National Express thanks to this site, but I was at the check-out stage of each before I checked the boards here and found codes for discounts.

Anyway, lovely to partake in this.

Anna