tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post8539273070017276024..comments2009-03-10T12:30:02.004-07:00Green Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133847111288382381noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-88321852351259394922009-03-10T12:30:00.000-07:002009-03-10T12:30:00.000-07:00I was so exited to read your post I wrote a blog about it:<BR/><BR/>http://littlebitblack.blogspot.com/2009/03/clutter.html<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for your wonderful words!Betty Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932280245127341905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-2078611869431328472009-01-24T15:51:00.000-08:002009-01-24T15:51:00.000-08:00GB: I'm struggling with this controlling my impulses thing now. It was easy in Philly when I had everything I needed. But now I don't have a mattress. Do I buy some environmentally well made one that would cost booku bucks? Do I buy something cheap and comfortable shipped in from Timbuktu made by child labor (or worse)? I strongly desire things that are designed to make my life feel comfortable despite me knowing that it inherently won't make it so. Since I haven't figured out the answer to my question yet, I'm living in a 185 sq ft room with furniture provided by the management and not actively looking for a place to move toBeanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03068855919147458057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-55489198495724454682009-01-22T09:42:00.000-08:002009-01-22T09:42:00.000-08:00One of the links that became very apparent when I was in the throes of debt reduction was that the more restricted my finances were, the more I wanted to buy. <BR/><BR/>When I finally took the advice of many financial writers (Suze Orman, Dave Ramsey, the folks at Motley Fool, etc.) and created an emergency fund, my desire to spend money decreased significantly. I would think about how nice my savings balance would look with the addition of the money I was considering spending and would almost always walk away.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for a lovely post.Steph @ Greening Familieshttp://www.greeningfamilies.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-50852899186957940622009-01-17T10:09:00.000-08:002009-01-17T10:09:00.000-08:00this is a fantastic post, full of much wisdom. thank you.suzannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624828638731650677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-31634838146910484292009-01-16T13:49:00.000-08:002009-01-16T13:49:00.000-08:00Great stuff, thank you for your contribution! The carnival is shaping up really nicely.Cath@VWXYNot?http://www.blogger.com/profile/01164268321173313605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-35411190565943214262009-01-15T19:53:00.000-08:002009-01-15T19:53:00.000-08:00Joyce: I so agree. Getting rid of the catalogs not only reduces waste from junk mail. It reduces temptation. Of course, seed catalogs are exempt in my household.<BR/><BR/>Marsha: Thank you for the comment. Great example of how we waste our time and resources shopping instead of doing things that we would really want to do.<BR/><BR/>Ruchi: For the record, I bought a very expensive new purse in December. My last purse (a $15 Target special) had lasted two years, was faded beyond belief and had three holes in it. I splurged and bought something that I think will really last and continue to look nice for many years. Having one pair of killer jeans is so worth it.<BR/><BR/>Kel: Good point though I think, with all that shopping and stuff to maintain, it is hard to tell whether you are happy or not. <BR/><BR/>Kellie: God! I totally used to do that too. Pack up the kids and stroll through Target for the afternoon like I was taking them to the zoo.<BR/><BR/>Sheeep: It does feel strange, doesn't it, to go to the mall or a big box store and see folks shopping for fun. I feel like an alien in those places.<BR/><BR/>Dairy Princess: Yes, I have!! Your comment made me smile. I too finally admitted that I needed a new purse and bought one last month. See my response to Ruchi. I guess I really really needed a new purse because my husband and mom separately wanted to buy me one for my birthday.<BR/><BR/>Jenni: Thank you. I'll have to check out your list tomorrow.<BR/><BR/>Jess: I think it is time for a country-wide shift. I have to say that, had I written this post last year, I think it would be a lot more radical. Now, it's almost mainstream.<BR/><BR/>Anonymous: My bad. Just double checked. It is organic wool knit. Nonetheless, I live in California. How cold does it ever get here! ;-)Green Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133847111288382381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-16783871089153179882009-01-15T18:45:00.000-08:002009-01-15T18:45:00.000-08:00I hope it doesn't get too cold if all you've got is a cotton hat!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-43187822033154542462009-01-15T10:45:00.000-08:002009-01-15T10:45:00.000-08:00I think our whole country is going to go through a similar shift in perspective when we realize that our GDP/consumption can no longer healthily drive our economy. I agree so much with the twin ideas of avoiding opportunities to consume and finding yourself with a lot more time to do interesting, worthwhile things as a result. Great post!JessTrevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000531822628182708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-9551295017854619772009-01-15T10:28:00.000-08:002009-01-15T10:28:00.000-08:00This is a fantastic post! Isn't it amazing that such a basic, simple concept as reducing your personal consumerism would be such a difficult thing to do? Thank you for showing the full cycle of how it works and how big of an impact it can really make!<BR/><BR/>I've added this post to my list of favorite posts for the week that I post on Fridays. Thanks again!Jenni at My Web of Lifehttp://myweboflife.kuzuka.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-42807819272959547152009-01-15T08:28:00.000-08:002009-01-15T08:28:00.000-08:00Have you been listening in on my internal dialogues? :) <BR/><BR/>I've only recently gone through the same 'wanting less' exercise...I think I've just found that 'stuff' isn't that important to me anymore. What a revelation! <BR/><BR/>In fact, this last week, I finally spent accumulated amazon gift cards from two birthdays and one christmas on stuff I was finally able to admit I needed. :)dairy princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14689610955440304135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-32690236932916782252009-01-15T08:27:00.000-08:002009-01-15T08:27:00.000-08:00I worked in the mall for six years and was a certified shopaholic. Had the full closet and empty bank account to prove it. Over the past year I have been clearing the closets and reevaluating what I truly need and value. <BR/><BR/>Now if I go to the mall I might as well be stepping foot on another planet. It's strange how someplace I once considered home can now feel so foreign. <BR/><BR/>Kicking my shopping addiction has been extremely liberating! It has allowed me focus on more important matters. Like insulating my home and buying organic food.greeen sheeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05207338457089423790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-18493727327838066532009-01-15T06:05:00.000-08:002009-01-15T06:05:00.000-08:00Couldn't agree more! I'm far from perfect, but we no longer go shopping on a Saturday for something to do as if we were going to the park or museum.Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781471734145665351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-75311371861823835042009-01-14T21:10:00.000-08:002009-01-14T21:10:00.000-08:00ohh i love love this post. its exactly my words on your page! on a juxtaposing note, i find that you have to be happy to give up shopping, truly happy in yourself, else the addiction just cant be kicked. lolKelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05004659288503834211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-65285793242112798222009-01-14T15:27:00.000-08:002009-01-14T15:27:00.000-08:00Great post, GB. I totally agree! Just ... don't ask me about the pair of insanely expensive jeans I bought over Christmas.<BR/><BR/>In my defense, I hadn't bought a single pair of jeans for three years, and my favorite pair ripped and the thrift store jeans were fugly!! <BR/><BR/>Don't hate me for my lack of principles! Who will feed me jam?!ruchi aka arduoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17043512641324366469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-84482239434740386432009-01-14T11:33:00.000-08:002009-01-14T11:33:00.000-08:00I went through a year of buying whatever I wanted after years of being 'careful,' then realized I didn't really want anything else. I've spent much of my time since then trying to find ways recycle things I've bought and will never use. I also find the joy of shopping disappears when you don't want or need anything. It opens up a lot of time to do things you really want to do!Marsha Hudnallhttp://aweightlifted.blogs.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941312662522172460.post-42112000057712156852009-01-14T11:14:00.000-08:002009-01-14T11:14:00.000-08:00Good post, GB. I went through this process as a young married, learning to avoid wanting stuff by just refusing to think about what I wanted. Now my family complains because I can never come up with a wish list for my birthday or Christmas!<BR/><BR/>Avoiding catalogues and Sunday sale flyers in the newspaper is another good method. It's all about the way we use our eyes, I think.Joycehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10463831506588682774noreply@blogger.com