NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

K9sandFelines

black_cat wrote: »

I love this thread. I read Judith Levine’s book when it came out and I recently re-read it. “Not Buying It” would be a great motto for me for 2015. I think being frugal is about making wise financial/purchasing decisions that enable you to live by your priorities and values – not by society’s. I might decide to shun consumerism so that I can travel every summer, whilst you might save so that you can work part-time or retire early. I remember the lady from the “Tightwads” documentary who used bath water to flush her loo but gave so generously to a charity that saved children’s sight in India.

Minimalist – I like your definition of work as “undertaking purposeful activity.”

GreyQueen – an ode to time! It’s helpful to think of paid work as selling our time, and buying as giving that money away. We should be careful who we give it to and think carefully about what we receive in return.

Lizthewiz – your dad was so right! We shout at the TV when the “bargains” come on – we’ve possibly saved thousands this year already simply by not buying anything!

Slowdown – thank you for starting this thread. It’s obviously struck a chord with many people on here.

Hi Black Cat
I'd be interested to watch the documentary if you could give me an idea of when it was on and the channel please?
Thanks

lessonlearned

Ahoy shipmates

Lovely sunny day here, crisp and cold but it's one of those days that make you feel great to be alive.

I'm loving the philopshical side of this thread...... And having been trained and worked in sales most of my adult life I'm well aware of the power of psychology

In advertising circles its know as "selling the sizzle, not the steak" Quite self-explanatory really, if you want to sell something then you sell the lifestyle that purchasing that item allows you buy into. Simple but devasting........

I agree not all shopping is bad.

I think we just have to adopt "mindfulness" and give our purchases due weight and consideration rather than just mindlessly loading our trolleys or hitting the buy button.

I did buy myself some clothes yesterday, but they were all needed and carefully considered, thermal undies and socks, knitwear etc Of course I bought a pretty dress which could be considered frivolous but because I am mindful in other areas then I feel that I can indulge now and again.

I don't think we have to wear hair shirts, well I certainly won't be, the odd little indulgence is fine as long as it is budgeted for.

I heartily agree with the discussions of work and time.

Although technically I retired I do work, each and every day. I just don't do any paid work. I enjoy work and keeping busy and active but I like it to be on my terms. I enjoy working on diy projects, gardening, etc.

I learned long ago to "cost my time". To me time is valuable and I firmly believe that it should not be squandered. Time spent with those we love and care about and doing what we enjoy and what gives us pleasure is more valuable that time spent working at a job we have no love for purely to earn money. Of course we have to have money to live off, Goes without saying, it's just some people have no concept of the word "enough". And of course if you love your job so much you would happily do it for free then that is a real bonus.

I follow a couple of simple living and minimalism blogs, some from places as far afield as America and Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Judging from what I read I think There is a growing groundswell Against excessive consumerism. I think more of us are beginning to see the light and have started to fight back.

I will be making a few large purchases next year, one of which will be a sewing machine and also some diy power tools and gardening equment. I consider these investment buys though.

Today I shall be repainting a chest of drawers. I bought it about 20 years ago from a junk shop for £10. It has been all round the family and has had several reincarnations, and it's now come home back to me. I repaired a broken drawer yesterday, a couple of coats of paint and she's as good as new....

Broomstick

Have unsubscribed from 11 unwanted email newsletters, most trying to get me to spend money. Will keep picking away at this.

Having attempted to watch an ITV programme on itvplayer with multiple adverts and stop-start streaming, I think the time has come do ditch itvplayer in 2015 as well even though it's free. I wonder how advert-free I could make my life while still living in the real world. Not having a telly is a really big bonus.

B x

Catcherupper14

Could I please come aboard.


I have read the whole thread and feel very inspired by the posts here.


I'm not sure of the level of saving I can achieve - I'm losing weight so will need some new clothes next year - but can probably manage with buying underwear and making/altering everything else.


I will have to give it some thought and come up with a workable plan.

Tamara_2

Wow, how this thread has moved on since I last posted! Loving the insightful comments from some of the posters. I'm old enough (56) to have experienced the deaths of some family members, friends and friends of friends, the latest just a couple of months ago, completely out of the blue. The stark realisation that 'you can't take it with you' is a salutary lesson every time this happens.
I am lucky enough to work from home in a job I love where my time is my own. I have time for my hobbies, my garden, and to do volunteer work in the village where we live. My husband managed to retire at 50 as we've always been reasonably frugal, and spending time together is what makes me happier than anything else.

nursemaggie

Broomstick I got rid of the TV 6 years ago. I have not missed it one bit. It is very nice not to have to pay the licence fee.

I did not watch anything for the first 3 years. Then just the odd 5 mins when someone posted something. I mainly watch stuff through You Tube so I can get rid of ads often before I even know what they are for.

I still have not got round to watching a fiction series. I have watched quite a few documentary series. I like history and there seem to be lots of those, from all over the world.

I did a big de-clutter earlier this year before we moved house in March. I was diagnosed with cancer last year, now I am just as likely to die of something else, but it sure concentrates the mind. I pretended I was someone else sorting my stuff after I died, I think I went over the top. I got rid of a couple of fleeces we had not used for years only to find this house is really cold. Had to buy some more. Anyway no one will have to clear out much rubbish when I do die.

Having done the job when both my parents died I know it is a big painful job. I hope I have saved DD some time.

I notice we are all learning, having more time to do what we want to do, is more important than stuff.

I have borrowed thousands of books from the library over the years. I am not too good at knowing where to find none fiction. Where would I find Judith Levine's book?

GreyQueen

I found it in my library, which was pleasing, and they also have other books which I enjoyed such as The Joy of Less by the lady who blogs as Miss Minimalist (Francine Jay) and The Zero Waste Home by another blogger, Bea Johnson.

Could you search their catalogue online? Our county council website allows you to propose book purchases; doesn't always mean they will get bought, but it might be worth a try? HTH.

nursemaggie

Well I do have an on line account. The best bit is I can renew on line. We also have a very useful young lady who hovers and comes to help when she sees you searching so I can go an ask her.

Our council are looking for savings I hope they don't cut her job. Everything else is automated. Thanks

K9sandFelines

K9sandFelines wrote: »

Hi Black Cat
I'd be interested to watch the documentary if you could give me an idea of when it was on and the channel please?
Thanks

Found it on YouTube!!!

fairy3

Well this thread moves along at a rate of knots! Finding it interesting from a psychological and philosophical POV about the value of things.
Have had a horrible cold over last couple of days which has triggered a 'not buying it' moment - I am not buying the expensive cold and flu remedies that is. Have spent time 'deconstructing' remedies and £4.69 isn't cutting it for a well known brand of remedy which includes paracetamol, caffeine and phenylephrine.
So cup of tea (caffeine and 1p) paracetamol (32p for 8 doses) and bowl of hot water with a few menthol crystals as a decongestant (69p bought ages ago) Add hot water with lemon and tsp honey out of stores. Copious amounts of toilet roll and bob's your uncle. The expensive option is not going to make me feel any different to my own, will still be snotty and bunged up. The drug companies can package them in whatever colour they like it's not going to work! Not adding to their billions of profit is very satisfying.
I followed a thread earlier on in the year called 'livingrootless' a blog about an american lady who literally sold, gave away all her possessions until she could fit them all in her rucksack to follow her dream of travel.....very inspiring and she is a gifted photographer too.