A good thing to share, Moni. My husband and I began to move in this direction almost 40 years ago, when we bought this old farm. Today i'm more aware of consumerism than ever, but I can remember reading a letter from my penpals in what was then Soviet Russia, telling me how proud they were of their book collection, which not many people were privileged to have. Their collection numbered under 20 books. Ever since then, the site of our supermarket overabundance has sometimes made me a little uncomfortable.

The manufacturers keep coming out with "bigger and better," but we all know those adjectives are debatable. And sometimes the product remains the same, but the packaging is different. "Buy! Buy!" is the message, shouted over and over from the store shelves, from the ads, from the TV commercials, from the Internet.

The government tells us to buy, too--to improve the U.S. economy. But then they also tell us much of the population is drowning in debt, including credit-card debt.

The Simple, Helpful Guide will resonate with certain people. But will the ones who really need it even read it?

"May it be so in your life and in mine." ;-)

More ads in newspapers because ads pay and that's how the few remaining newspapers are staying in business. Newspapers are getting smaller because they are very expensive to produce and so yes, more ads than news these days in the papers.

It's true that too many are financially undisciplined and spend beyond their means. And do so because of bad judgement and a variety of bad influences.

But it's not necessary to become an ascetic to maintain the right balance. My motto is "Moderation in all things, including moderation". It's ok to splurge or do uncharacteristic things from time to time.

I agree with you, Snidely. We all have our own spending priorities, or should. I can think of several thing I'd like to have if I felt I could afford them, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's the indiscriminate desire to acquire stuff I find dismaying, and the way advertising, etc., manipulates and feeds that desire.

Two old sayings come to mind:

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. This was a depression years motto.

And then the advertising-consumerism motto: Supply the Demand for a Supply

I absolutely hate "stuff". Clutter makes me feel dark and sick and claustrophobic. My decks are always clean, smooth, fresh and airy no matter what the weather. If I haven't used or worn something in 6 months off it goes to the thrift store for animals. It's called "Last Chance for Life" and is important to me. So for me, this dislike of stuff translates into a happier bank account and a happier me.

I hate consumerism! I watched about a minute of an Infomercial and it was just so stupid. "Look at the beautiful dropper bottle" WHAT? I think they have been making glass droppers for probably over a hundred years but the woman makes it sound so lovely and desirable. It was just such a bunch of BS that people are falling for. It was an Infomercial for some anti-wrinkle serum.

I've stopped buying family Christmas presents 25 years ago when the family became so huge that we'd go broke every Christmas. How stupid to have to run around all over the stores buying someone a present that we see once a year and have absolutely no idea what that person wants or needs and then that person buys you some useless junk and so on and so on. Just keep your money and let's all just get together and enjoy each others company!

The economy would crumble if everyone was like me...lol!

This post was edited by arkansas_girl on Sun, Nov 9, 14 at 22:30

Yep and those shopping channel women who babble nonstop. I swear they'd have the same hysterics selling dog poop.

The economy--that was my first thought. Consumerism is what drives the economy. How do we scale back and not bankrupt the economy? Loved the article. Love any article that validates my life!! LOL!!! There is a thread over on Home Decorating asking why some are "more daring" some more conservative in their choices..I didn't chime in because I sort of think it comes down to consumerism. Not everyone thinks it is OK for a counter top to cost millions. I have found the "types" that do-are not open to the suggestion of a simple lifestyle.
"Live simply, so others can simply LIVE".

Home decorating is absolutely about getting consumers to NEED new decor; furniture, wall hangings, carpet, tile floors versus wood floors etc etc etc. My house has a cozy style aka out of date....HEEHEE! But really, I like a house that I can live in and who is viewing my home anyway? It's not like it's going to be in the House Beautiful Magazine. Others get all caught up in having to ONE UP their buddies. That's just not the crowd I hang with.

We have been active consumers in the past two years due to being flooded out by Sandy. Many decisions had to be made about what to replace. We decided it was an opportunity to put our money more into the beliefs we touted.

So, we purchased as much Made in USA and organic as possible and because the cost was considerably more expensive much was not replaced. For instance, we now own only two sets of bed linens. But, they are 100% organic - USA grown cotton and also made in the USA. They were three times the cost of China linens, hence, I have lots of room in the linen closet! All upholstered pieces are hand-made here in the US. Bennington Pottery everyday dishes, All-Clad cookware, Vita-Mix, Nordic Ware, etc. I have excess kitchen storage!

It was a massive downsizing but not less expensive. We all make choices how to spend the money available. I think everybody is entitled to spend their money according to their wishes. I'm not a woman with a shoe or handbag obsession but don't judge others. We don't own a stereo or use a smart phone but we do own a Made in America Nordic Tug. To each their own.

I just hope that we all live within our means, whatever that might be.

Deeby, I shop QVC. Bought my Vita-Mix from the Q and saved over $100.

Our economy depends on consumers consistently buying. Reduction in purchasing WILL result in job losses. Maybe, yours?
/tricia

This post was edited by triciae on Mon, Nov 10, 14 at 10:13

If you don't boss your money ... very likely it'll boss you!

Your opportunity for bossing is now, and in the near term.

And if you don't do a productive job of it ... its bossing of you comes later, when you're involuntarily unemployed, disabled (or caregiver to a relative/friend who is so), retired and lacking much ability to work, etc.

Modern humans (in our part of the world) learn for 20 years, work for 40 years, and while they used to retire for a few years ... in recent years the 5 has become 10, to 20 and now many are retired for 30 years, or upwards of 40.

Plus ... with downsizing, many computers replacing a number of middle class folks, shipping jobs overseas (and bringing low-paid foreign workers here), internet-capable work being able to be done anywhere in the world, etc., there are fewer jobs, and few increases in pay (except for the few at the very top) that many local workers have to contend with.

And fewer pensions than earlier, with many of them not carrying the guarantees that they did in earlier years.

How many want to live on turnips ... in a tepee ... in the later years of retirement?

Show your money who's boss!

Now!

ole joyfuelled ... with help from a dollar or two ... here and there

I am amazed to realize some people change their decor fairly often--can't imagine.