Quirky Ways to Cut Your Consumption
The ability to consume widely and freely has been one of the hallmarks of post-industrial society. As the industrial revolution brought disposable income and cheap goods, this natural pairing led to greater spending and consumption. All this consumption has come back to bite us, however, now that science points to fossil-fueled production as a contributor to global warming.
Cutting consumption doesn’t necessarily mean giving up a whole part of your life, however. While there’s an inherent fun in purchasing new things, there’s also fun in finding interesting ways to get around buying new.
Go Thrifting
Fashion can be one of the most difficult areas to cut back on consumption. As the seasons change, so do styles—but that doesn’t mean you have to buy new! The idea of the thrift store as some mothball smelling waste bin for broken goods is outdated. These days, chains like Buffalo Exchange hand-select hip, used clothing to resell at a fraction of their original cost. You save money, and reduce your carbon footprint by refusing to buy new.
If you’ve got an adventurous spirit, hitting up super-cheap charities like Goodwill can also be a way to grab unique, quality clothes. Follow these tips to search out great pieces amongst the sea of used stuff.
Give Homemade and Intangible Gifts
Sure, you can reduce the amount of stuff you buy for yourself, but what about when you have a friend’s birthday coming up? There are a number of great, non-cheesy gifts you can make at home, largely from materials you already have. Food is always a great idea, of course, and homemade goodies packaged in a thoughtful way will be appreciated by any recipient. A jar of homemade brownie mix, tied with a bow and accompanied by a handwritten card is both useful, thoughtful, and cost-effective. Artistic gifts will let you uniquely express your thoughts and are appreciated by all.
You could also give the gift of experience, rather than something tangible. Tickets to a show or a gift membership at a local museum are both good ideas. Or, you could donate your own skills to help out your friend—fix their leaky faucet or change their bike tire.
Re-sell and Donate
Trying to cut down on all that stuff you own? Don’t just put it in the trash can. In many cases, you can sell your old stuff, getting a little cash yourself and keeping someone else from buying new. Put up old books, CDs, DVDs, and electronics on Amazon or eBay. Craigslist is the perfect place to sell or give away larger items like TVs, mattresses, bikes, and more. Freecycle is a great place to find the perfect owner for your free used stuff, and to maybe pick up something yourself. If you’re feeling lazy or don’t want to sell your things, you can always make it a donation to your local Goodwill or other charity thrift store.