I’ve recently hit the local library to check out a variety of books on simple living and consumerism. Besides entertainment (that doesn’t involve that television), they are also interesting looks into green and simple living.
Why do I say “green and simple?” Honestly, I think they should go hand in hand. Yes, you can buy a “green” product, but how about one that’s already available? Or, even better, do you really need that new bamboo cutting board?
I opened Judith Levine’s “Not Buying It” with high hopes. I wanted to come out feeling inspired, which I did, to a point. It seems to me that Ms. Levine seemed a little too interested in pursuing her own personal agenda in this book and lost a bunch of her objectivity in the process.
I personally found her insights on why Americans shop quite interesting. It is true, sometimes we shop out of boredom or we shop because we want to create a life that we don’t really have. That new towel set gives you the feeling of becoming someone else. It gives you hope.
That is, until you get home. Then you just have more stuff.
Think how much more money we’d have if we just didn’t buy something everytime we needed it. What if we thought on it or looked for a used alternative? Used costs a lot less than new, that’s for sure.
Even Judith couldn’t stop herself from spending at times. She spent multiple chapters discussing how she handed over her credit card during the Presidential election. I couldn’t help but think “If you’re not buying it…then why are you buying this?” If you’re going to really not spend any money, then don’t just hand over that credit card every time you feel bad about politics.
Because, to me, that just seems like another form of depression-induced spending in disguise.
