I've been thinking a lot lately about purchsing habits, marketing, and our society's insatiable desire to accumulate material items in an attempt to create happy (although study after study shows we aren't happy and that these items often make us less happy in the long run). I am, like so many others, often impulsive. I avoid Target like the plague because I know that walking in is dangerous. I go for one item and come out with a shirt (but it was cheap!), maybe some other things I "needed" and before you know it $100. Just like that.
In my thinking, I've decided that the convenience is the issue. It's easy to pick up these things without thinking about it, all at one big 'ol store, and only have the visual guilt of one transaction and the inconvience of going to one place. But I think we often have difficulty deciphering between true needs and wants. Then, there is the topic of marketing and the subliminal messages sent of what I should be buying or which brand is more popular. These affect us in profound ways that we often don't even realize. It scares me, honestly, when I buy things, but can't figure out why I even want it.
Another issue relevant to me is manufacturing, waste and contaminants. When I pick up that $10 shirt, what's the cost? Unfair wages, contaminated fabrics, shipping pollutants, factory pollutants, plastic packaging that'll sit in a landfill. The amount of things we buy, and the amount of things we discard disgusts me, frankly, and I hate that I am just as guilty. I try to make good decisions, but convenience...oh convenience- it often wins.
Anyway, these thoughts and issues have led to a new year-long challenge I am holding myself to (and encourage others to try as well- leave a comment if you wish to participate!).
I'm calling it the purchase challenge (I know, pretty square- but it's accurate and low frills, just like the year will be). I have decided to attack these issues, and my role in them, actively. For 2012, begining January 1, I will not purchase anything NEW that could be acquired another way, and that which I do purchase, will be purchased from eco-friendly vendors that I trust.
So, here's the ground rules.
1. All purchases will be thoughtfully considered, and only purchased if deemed necessary.
2. The only things I will purchase NEW will be things that due to the nature of the item or safety reasons, should not/cannot be found secondhand. Examples are underwear (ew!), groceries, hygiene/household products, etc. You get the hint. (Note: In accordance with #1, I will only purchase these things if they are genuinely needed, and will make my own things where my skills permit, such as cleaning supplies).
3. All things purchased NEW, when deemed necessary, will be purchased from fair trade, eco-friendly, etc. places/vendors. Luckily, I try to do this anyway. We are members of a co-op, purchase meat from a local sustainable farmer, etc. so that helps!
4. Anything I decide I want/need that doesn't need to be purchased new can only be purchased if it can be found second-hand. For example, clothing, games, entertainment, household decorations, etc. Again, you get the hint.
5. If I just can't find it second-hand, I can consider buying it new (in accordance with #3) but I have to honestly have tried all second-hand options first.
All of a sudden this sounds scary! In my head it made perfect sense! But, it doesn't have to be strict and crazy, it's really just a way to be more conscious of purchases and the ripple effects of them. Oddly, it really doesn't have much to do with money. It's not about restricting myself from things, it's about doing my part- by putting my money into the small sustainable companies I support, by reducing my waste and environmental impact and by helping shift the paradigm from 'new, bigger, better' to 'simple and sustainable.'
I will write updates from time to time on this topic- including a post on first day of the challenge (or thereabouts since I'll be celebrating Christmas with my family on Jan. 1).
If you have suggestions for great second-hand stores in the Twin Cities, please share them.
I invite you to join me, or at least consider it :)
In my thinking, I've decided that the convenience is the issue. It's easy to pick up these things without thinking about it, all at one big 'ol store, and only have the visual guilt of one transaction and the inconvience of going to one place. But I think we often have difficulty deciphering between true needs and wants. Then, there is the topic of marketing and the subliminal messages sent of what I should be buying or which brand is more popular. These affect us in profound ways that we often don't even realize. It scares me, honestly, when I buy things, but can't figure out why I even want it.
Another issue relevant to me is manufacturing, waste and contaminants. When I pick up that $10 shirt, what's the cost? Unfair wages, contaminated fabrics, shipping pollutants, factory pollutants, plastic packaging that'll sit in a landfill. The amount of things we buy, and the amount of things we discard disgusts me, frankly, and I hate that I am just as guilty. I try to make good decisions, but convenience...oh convenience- it often wins.
Anyway, these thoughts and issues have led to a new year-long challenge I am holding myself to (and encourage others to try as well- leave a comment if you wish to participate!).
I'm calling it the purchase challenge (I know, pretty square- but it's accurate and low frills, just like the year will be). I have decided to attack these issues, and my role in them, actively. For 2012, begining January 1, I will not purchase anything NEW that could be acquired another way, and that which I do purchase, will be purchased from eco-friendly vendors that I trust.
So, here's the ground rules.
1. All purchases will be thoughtfully considered, and only purchased if deemed necessary.
2. The only things I will purchase NEW will be things that due to the nature of the item or safety reasons, should not/cannot be found secondhand. Examples are underwear (ew!), groceries, hygiene/household products, etc. You get the hint. (Note: In accordance with #1, I will only purchase these things if they are genuinely needed, and will make my own things where my skills permit, such as cleaning supplies).
3. All things purchased NEW, when deemed necessary, will be purchased from fair trade, eco-friendly, etc. places/vendors. Luckily, I try to do this anyway. We are members of a co-op, purchase meat from a local sustainable farmer, etc. so that helps!
4. Anything I decide I want/need that doesn't need to be purchased new can only be purchased if it can be found second-hand. For example, clothing, games, entertainment, household decorations, etc. Again, you get the hint.
5. If I just can't find it second-hand, I can consider buying it new (in accordance with #3) but I have to honestly have tried all second-hand options first.
All of a sudden this sounds scary! In my head it made perfect sense! But, it doesn't have to be strict and crazy, it's really just a way to be more conscious of purchases and the ripple effects of them. Oddly, it really doesn't have much to do with money. It's not about restricting myself from things, it's about doing my part- by putting my money into the small sustainable companies I support, by reducing my waste and environmental impact and by helping shift the paradigm from 'new, bigger, better' to 'simple and sustainable.'
I will write updates from time to time on this topic- including a post on first day of the challenge (or thereabouts since I'll be celebrating Christmas with my family on Jan. 1).
If you have suggestions for great second-hand stores in the Twin Cities, please share them.
I invite you to join me, or at least consider it :)
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