A Comment about Consumers these days

[moosmom]

Amen Richard!!!!!!

[Catty1]

One of the main characteristics of an addict is the "I want it when I want it and I want it NOW."

In a way, all North American society has become an addict.

Let's slow down:

1. No 'instant' anything - mashed taters, puddings, Pop-Tarts (ecch!)

2. No processed foods - cheese, etc

3. I do frozen veggies - but get better results with fresh-cut.

4. The basic foods - protein, veggies, fruits and healthy starches.

5. Do without until you have a grocery list long enough to warrant a trip to the store. Splurge on reusable shopping bags and/or a plastic shopping bin. (Plastic can be recycled).

It's funny - when I buy groceries and it is all healthy basics - I am surprised at how reasonable my bill is. I think it is the junk and processed stuff that really adds up.

Anyone else have ideas on how to slow parts of our lives down?

[shais_mom]

One of the main characteristics of an addict is the "I want it when I want it and I want it NOW."

In a way, all North American society has become an addict.

Let's slow down:

1. No 'instant' anything - mashed taters, puddings, Pop-Tarts (ecch!)

2. No processed foods - cheese, etc

3. I do frozen veggies - but get better results with fresh-cut.

4. The basic foods - protein, veggies, fruits and healthy starches.

5. Do without until you have a grocery list long enough to warrant a trip to the store. Splurge on reusable shopping bags and/or a plastic shopping bin. (Plastic can be recycled).

It's funny - when I buy groceries and it is all healthy basics - I am surprised at how reasonable my bill is. I think it is the junk and processed stuff that really adds up.

Anyone else have ideas on how to slow parts of our lives down?

shut off the computer and read a book
how "novel" an idea...

live without Cheese? I. Don't. Think. So.

[RICHARD]

shut off the computer and read a book
how "novel" an idea...

live without Cheese? I. Don't. Think. So.

Watch out, that stuff will bind you!

Dang, I was having fun until........

[Catty1]

LOL, Staci! I meant eat REAL cheese, not the processed crap! LOL

I think this is where the almost-tired expression 'footprint' comes in. I am not going to live without my electricity either. I do read, and use a lamp to help (compact fluorescent). My computer and peripherals are on a power bar - and turning that bar off after pooter is shut down has made a difference in my power bill, and hence consumption.

My goal is to spend less energy and money than is created for me. There are various charts out there to "measure" that, but none of them are really finite.

The old "need vs want" dilemma? I heard a great new version of that - DESIRE vs want. If it is something I truly desire, that adds a value - and it is not an impulse buy.

Our own national broadcaster, CBC, has come up with OMAOG - One Million Acts of Green. Anyone can post - here's the link: http://green.cbc.ca/

Some background and stats: http://www.blogto.com/environment/20...acts_of_green/

Gee - what do you think of having and Acts of Green sticky in General?

[lizbud]

The concept of buying on layaway plan has resurfaced in Indy. Many people have stopped charging things & I think it's great. My Mom used
layaway to buy most everything but food back when I grew up.

[ramanth]

The local K-Marts are pushing layaway very heavily.

The concept of buying on layaway plan has resurfaced in Indy. Many people have stopped charging things & I think it's great. My Mom used
layaway to buy most everything but food back when I grew up.

[RICHARD]

I am not going to live without my electricity either. I do read, and use a lamp to help (compact fluorescent).

LOL, I should have been more succinct! I was thinking about the people who cannot live with out their PDA/cells and feel like the are entitled to plug in a charger everywhere they go.

"My cell is almost dead, can charge it up here?"
Or they go to a public place that has a plug for the janitors to use. I laugh when I see a person squatting next to a plug using their phones for free.
-------------------
What I meant by the "lights going out" was that when the electricity goes out-people who are accustomed to 'everything' electric in their lives will panic.

Not me, I gots my propane camping light and me books!

[caseysmom]

LOL, I should have been more succinct! I was thinking about the people who cannot live with out their PDA/cells and feel like the are entitled to plug in a charger everywhere they go.

"My cell is almost dead, can charge it up here?"
Or they go to a public place that has a plug for the janitors to use. I laugh when I see a person squatting next to a plug using their phones for free.
-------------------
What I meant by the "lights going out" was that when the electricity goes out-people who are accustomed to 'everything' electric in their lives will panic.

Not me, I gots my propane camping light and me books!

Hope you don't use that in the house!

[Catty1]

Or under the sheets!

[Twisterdog]

One of my employees and I had a conversation about this today.

Everyone was discussing the economic hard times coming, recession, depression, etc. in close to panic mode.

Terry and I looked at each other and said, basically, "So what?" We will continue to live exactly like we live now, and have always lived ... frugally, within our means. We were raised by parents who lived through the great depression.

We know what it is to plan and save for a purchase, and wait until you have the cash before you buy. We know how to plant a garden, and how to can food. We have had periods in our lives when we didn't have a television or a land line phone, let alone a computer and a cell phone. I'm not saying we always do this all the time ... but we know how, and we would not bat an eye if we went back to doing it on a regular basis.

I go to yard sales and thrift stores. I buy in bulk. I wait for sales. My husband sometimes makes fun of me, saying, "Shanna, we make x-amount of money a year, you don't have to live like we are poor anymore." Well, why not? It doesn't hurt anyone.

[zippy-kat]

LOL, Staci! I meant eat REAL cheese, not the processed crap! LOL

If it doesn't come individually wrapped and in a square, it's not REAL cheese!