"The Simple Life"

[Neutron]

Have you read about the group of people in the US and in Australia who have pledged not to indulge in unnecessary consumerism, and they don't buy things if they can use recycled items instead, etc. It is meant to be Green and help the planet and seems a good idea, also saves a fortune, I'm sure. I know my own family are guilty of buying loads that we don't really need, but just because 'its there'. We recycle all the time though so hopefully that is a tiny 'brownie point' in our favour!
Anyone got any tips for being thrifty or Green?

[ladyshy]

Hey Neutron,

Might be best to wack this in Home and Garden. Might get more of a response. :0)

[Neutron]

Hi ladyshy, thanks for the tip. I should have thought of where best to place it when I submitted!

[WendyS]

I think this this very much a question of constantly examining one's own philosophies and values and asking "Do I really need this/" as opposed to "Do I just simply want it?" Actually, most of us could live our lives very simply and probably a lot more cheaply if we didn't constantly hanker after updating all the latest fashions, devices and pieces of equipment in our homes. I still have a 25 year freezer and a 20 year old microwave which are operating perfectly satisfactorily so I'm not planning to update them until they pack up. I don't hanker after maintaining the same standards as my friends or neighbours. I just enjoy what I have and as long as it functions, that's all I need. I think one also needs to be strongly aware of the power of marketing and the way its subliminal messages continually bombard us. They are just trying to create a need which doesn't really exist, and many gullible people fall for them. That's why so many people are in debt, I suspect, because they've been seen the message "nice to have" and have convinced themselves they "must have".