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Post by refugeepea on Jan 9, 2024 16:55:37 GMT
I don't give much thought to what other people purchase. I have no idea what their entire lives are like. They could buy too much, or they could be someone who rarely goes anywhere, and hockey stuff makes them happy. Personally, I'm going to fly for the first time in over 25 years in May. I don't work outside the home. I have an average sized closet with average clothes that last for years. I have too much craft crap that's accumulated slowly. Yeah, I could have less stuff in my home, but I'm not concerned about minimalizing every little category in my life. I ruminate over other things too much already.
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Post by scrapcat on Jan 9, 2024 17:02:39 GMT
I do think about this a lot. At first I answered half the time, but changed as I was reading replies and recognizing the things that go thru my head. I am in that weird sandwich generation, they call us xennials or elder-millenials, which I think influences my habits in both good/bad ways. My grandparents were depression children, so I remember their hoarding tendencies (every rubber band from the newspaper put into an old pickle jar). My parents had to work for every little penny and did a lot of, what today would be called "homesteading", but it didn't have a name when I was growing up. I've benefited from college education and ability to support myself and then some. I've def witnessed emotional hoarding and the ramifications of that. But I also see people with means who are very disposable about useful things that can be reused. I feel like I fall somewhere in the middle of it all. I could def do better with my own consumption, but I also do a lot to be ethical that I don't necessarily see ppl in my age group/social equivalents doing. I just read something the other day about the younger generation in regards to social media/influencers and their focus on aesthetic. This may be part of the Stanley cup frenzy, as far as the whole color thing? It is quite the conundrum for corporate responsibility, yet continuing to make profit that contributes to the economy. I wonder about a society that has so much and so much opportunity, it's like they have trouble differentiating themselves and what or how they hold value? I'm saying this also realizing that it was not just a certain age group going after the cups, but more like a sub-culture. I also have a flash of photos, have you ever seen like a garbage dump or even a hoarding situation or natural disaster, and think of all the coolers you see? Those things are not going anywhere for a long time...and I have to think similarly about the reusable cups/glass cups/stainless steel. I am not aware, but do Stanley or Yeti have any kind of recycling program? I also have a big idea dream for a refillable type business that ties into this. I am trying to hand it off to some younger/smarter ppl in my life bcz I'm too tired.
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 4,762
Jun 19, 2022 16:48:04 GMT
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 9, 2024 17:39:41 GMT
I follow that account and it had me laughing.
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Post by busy on Jan 9, 2024 18:06:28 GMT
I have to think similarly about the reusable cups/glass cups/stainless steel. I am not aware, but do Stanley or Yeti have any kind of recycling program? I don't know if they directly do, but metals and glass are pretty readily recyclable. Plastics are not - plastic recycling is basically a farce.
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Post by scraplette on Jan 9, 2024 18:32:15 GMT
I have to think similarly about the reusable cups/glass cups/stainless steel. I am not aware, but do Stanley or Yeti have any kind of recycling program? I don't know if they directly do, but metals and glass are pretty readily recyclable. Plastics are not - plastic recycling is basically a farce. Yeti has program called Yeti Rescues, they “rescue, renew, release” their used products. Sort of like Eileen Fisher and others for clothes.
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Post by shescrafty on Jan 9, 2024 18:52:07 GMT
I think of it more as keeping my home simple.
We have a beach place we call our “retreat” and it is our escape from home. We don’t get mail there, and dont even keep extra paper or pens (that can be tricky sometimes but most times we don’t need it).
I love when we walk in and there is blank space. Nothing on the coffee table, the dining room table, and aside from knives, a tray, and a coffee maker the kitchen counters are clear (it is a teeny tiny kitchen).
My mom is a collector. No surface is empty, no place to rest your eyes. If she has more stuff she buys another piece of furniture to hold more stuff and then buys more so it is full. I DREAD having to deal with it all.
We are trying to declutter our home so that it can be as peaceful as the beach. So no collections of things for me! Plus I am cheap and would rather take a trip than have 50 Stanley cups or Rae Dunn or whatever the latest and greatest is.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,547
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Jan 9, 2024 19:43:20 GMT
This has been such a thought-provoking conversation. I do think about consumption/over consumption. More than I ever used to. In the past couple of years, I've tried to make my home as calm and peaceful as I can, and for me, that means easy to keep clean and picked up. I tend to be a clutter keeper, so it's not been easy at all. I have gotten rid of a lot of things, and I still have more to get rid of. I've made it easier on myself by asking "Is this something you want to have with you in your new home?" (as a lot of you know, I am going through a divorce, and I will be moving probably (hopefully!!) this year). If it's not something I want to pack and unpack in my new home, out it goes. I'm being quite brutal, too.
Along with that, I'm very picky about what I buy and bring in now. I do not buy something just because it's a good deal. Whether that is clothing or anything else. I ask myself, "Would I want this if it was full price?" If the answer is no, I don't buy it. I try really hard to buy only good quality clothing that will last instead of a bunch of cheap crap. When I can anyway. I would love to get my closet down to being able to fit all I own in it and not have to pack/unpack for summer and winter. That's a big goal for me. LOL
I hate the influence the influencers have on everything. Everyone runs out and buys a Stanley cup now, but by this time next year, Stanley cups could be out of style, and then everyone will throw them away and buy the next latest and greatest. I do have one, but only because I was going to the beach last summer and wanted something with a straw that closed that would keep drinks cold all day. I thought it was crazy when I ordered it on Amazon. I got a boring blue one because it was the cheapest. Some colors were close to $100. I don't care about the color all that much, and I had no idea that people actually have cups that match all their outfits. I have never looked at water cups as accessories like that, but to each their own.
What I do hate is how technology companies pretty much force us to buy things before we need them because they stop supporting updates, make them obsolete, etc. And don't get me started on appliances. The length of time they last vs. how much they cost is ridiculous. It is so wasteful. And also don't get me started on the disgust people have for homes that aren't totally up to date. I watched a house hunters a few weeks ago. First time home buyer, and this woman was soooooo picky. She would look at kitchens that I thought had gorgeous cabinets, countertops, etc and say, "OMG. This kitchen needs to be gutted!"
I'll get off my soapbox now! LOL
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jan 9, 2024 19:58:07 GMT
In general... What I spend my money on, is my business and no one else's opinion matters. I'm not trying to get into anyone's business but I'm curious about the motivations of people, myself included when it comes to things like this. I want to look deeper at what all of us are doing. Just my personal opinion: There's nothing wrong with spending whatever amount, on anything one desires to purchase. So that's it for you? No concerns whatsoever about the environment/ethical production (sweatshop toiling)/the greater emotional need someone(many of our fellow citizens) might be trying to fill by overconsumption/the societal pressure to keep up with the Joneses/the chemical component of products/etc? None of this matters to you? I read and perceived your post differently. I thought the discussion was about the unethical behavior of people buying up whatever the "item of the moment" in multiple or mass quantities, so the could resell the items for financial gain. As well as those who will pay any price to get the item they want. My apologies for misunderstanding what the conversation was about. I will politely depart this thread, as it's not what I thought is was. Have a lovely day.
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 10, 2024 6:57:13 GMT
I just realized I did not realize the reference to Stanley cups. That was embarrassing.
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Post by smasonnc on Jan 10, 2024 12:50:06 GMT
This has been a great thread. Thanks for getting us going, jeremysgirl. I've enjoyed reading everyone's take on consumption and I've taken away some ideas. I hope we can continue to discuss how our little lifestyle changes can add up to environmental impact.
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Post by allison1954 on Jan 10, 2024 13:32:38 GMT
I don't think of it as ethical consumption. I just think of it as not littering my house and mind with all sorts of assorted crap that I really don't need.
Could I afford it? Sure, but I don't want to jump on the bandwagon just to say "I have one of those too".
My basic question is do I need this and will I find myself just donating/ disposing of this next year.
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 4,762
Jun 19, 2022 16:48:04 GMT
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 10, 2024 13:54:14 GMT
I don't think of it as ethical consumption. I just think of it as not littering my house and mind with all sorts of assorted crap that I really don't need. Could I afford it? Sure, but I don't want to jump on the bandwagon just to say "I have one of those too". My basic question is do I need this and will I find myself just donating/ disposing of this next year. I like this. A lot.
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Post by scrapperal on Jan 13, 2024 21:43:25 GMT
I am late to this thread, but I want to thank jeremysgirl for starting it and for everyone's thoughtful discussion. I am good in some areas, but not so good in others. I keep clothes until they wear out, but I am still tempted by the cheap clothes at Costco. I've been using reusable bags for years, to the point I had to refuse any reusable bags because I had accumulated too many. But somehow, I still have too many plastic bags in the house. I need to go back and read through this thread so that I can remember more of your good ideas.
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Post by Zee on Jan 14, 2024 5:02:46 GMT
I have to think similarly about the reusable cups/glass cups/stainless steel. I am not aware, but do Stanley or Yeti have any kind of recycling program? I don't know if they directly do, but metals and glass are pretty readily recyclable. Plastics are not - plastic recycling is basically a farce. They will not take glass for recycling where I live. I absolutely hate throwing glass away but I have no choice. It makes me not want to buy glass anymore. In fact I choose aluminum cans instead of glass when possible.
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Post by Zee on Jan 14, 2024 5:08:48 GMT
I'm not going to apologize for buying from "fast fashion" companies because for me, it's going to last awhile. I have H&M and Old Navy items that have lasted for years.
But I'm also not going to run around looking like I'm still clinging to the last decade all in the name of refusing to buy new clothing unless it's expensive "quality". There is a lot of privilege and patting ourselves on the back in this thread from a few, is all I can say.
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Post by busy on Jan 14, 2024 5:26:07 GMT
I'm not going to apologize for buying from "fast fashion" companies because for me, it's going to last awhile. I have H&M and Old Navy items that have lasted for years. The problems with fast fashion go far beyond the frequent waste by the end consumers to using sweatshop-type labor and environmentally dangerous manufacturing practices.
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 4,762
Jun 19, 2022 16:48:04 GMT
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 14, 2024 5:30:23 GMT
I'm not going to apologize for buying from "fast fashion" companies because for me, it's going to last awhile. I have H&M and Old Navy items that have lasted for years. The problems with fast fashion go far beyond the frequent waste by the end consumers to using sweatshop-type labor and environmentally dangerous manufacturing practices. Luxury brands are just as bad. They have been found to be among the poorest performers in terms of addressing risks of forced labour within garment supply chains. AND they use child labor more often. So while they have a higher profit yield, they still use poorly paid labor.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jan 14, 2024 12:53:48 GMT
I'm not going to apologize for buying from "fast fashion" companies because for me, it's going to last awhile. I have H&M and Old Navy items that have lasted for years. But I'm also not going to run around looking like I'm still clinging to the last decade all in the name of refusing to buy new clothing unless it's expensive "quality". There is a lot of privilege and patting ourselves on the back in this thread from a few, is all I can say. I really don't think there is though. I mean there's a degree to which all of us are limited in what we can do. Like with your glass recycling. I don't think any of us can live a life without plastics either. Many of us have also become accustomed to a certain lifestyle (like with scrapbooking) where we have to measure our consumption between having meaningful hobbies and our want to be environmentally conscious. I don't see anybody in this thread claiming that they are without fault. I think this was a great discussion. It brought up a lot of things that I can try to implement. And like I said, this wasn't anything I thought about in a meaningful way before I did that dress challenge. I get that other people might be less farther along in their journey to doing what they can to ethically consume products. I haven't reached the point where I'd like to be either.
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Post by kamper on Jan 14, 2024 16:47:44 GMT
I voted that I don't think about my buying now which is true now that we have sold our sticks and brick home. Now it's strictly buying something because what we have needs to be replaced. When we had our house (which was large) I bought plenty of STUFF.
I will say that we sold or donated nearly everything we didn't keep (fits in a 5x5 storage unit).
When I have to buy clothes I pay more now to buy things that will last.
Buying stuff is a very hard habit to break. This (full time travel) has really been a learning experience for me.
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