Anyone ready for an anti-consumerist movement?

[AlpineButterfly]

Based on my previous thread which I'm struggling to link to using my phone someone suggested I start an anti consumerist movement.

I'm talking
Less stuff - do you need it?
Stuff that enhances your life - do you love it?
Time - do you need to do it? Is it fulfilling? What does it bring to your life, your well-being?
Food - does it help your body? Does it add toxins? Do you need it? Is it mindless consumption?

I'm not talking about depriving myself to become an eco warrior. I'm thinking about mindful ways to improve my life.

I'm so ready

I'm ready!

A day of mindless purchases is also around the corner (Black friday).

I also saw a thread of no spend 2019, which I'll be hoping onto.

I’m in .

I’m doing my own version of no spend 19.

Allowing for the very odd payment for services (trades / hair dressers etc) and secondhand clothes if desperate.

But, definitely trying to buy no new ‘stuff’ in 2019.

Oh is there a thread for no spend 19? Where is it please?

Yes! A better life - not more stuff.

I'm in!
I'm planning for this Christmas now.
So if anyone has any ideas, shout.

Following! Not sure I'm ready, but I'd like to be.

I'm fascinated that people are hitching on to 'stuff' not time wasted. I'm a definite time waster on nothing fulfilling or enjoyable.

It'll be nice to share backgrounds and how we're doing. I intend to share more later when the boys nap.

For the first time ever I've put my washing machine on to eco. It takes 40 more minutes but what does that matter

Yes I’m in. I’ve recently been reading about the Swedish concept of ‘Lagom’ meaning having just enough, not too much or too little. It really appeals to me.

Unfortunately I’m in the position at the minute of having money worries so I have only been able to spend on necessities, but it has actually made me realise how crazy our consumerist society is, working to spend money on crap we don’t need, the feeling of always needing more. Nothing wrong with buying nice things, it’s just that these nice things never satisfy us, we just start looking for the next unnecessary item to buy.

My situation is making me think very carefully about finances and what REALLY makes me feel satisfied in life. A good conversation, time with people I like, cooking a nice meal, going for long walks, being in nature, reading.

So I want to focus more on the things that really make me happy and less on ‘stuff’.

I'd like to join in too. I'm so guilty of spending on frivolous stuff that doesn't make me any happier at the end of the day. In 5 years time my maintenance from my exh for the dc will stop and then I'm going to really feel the pinch. I have therefore got a 5 year strategy in place to move somewhere cheaper, reduce my hours at work and lead a simpler life. I need to start now!

Great thread.
I’m not into stuff at all and would always rather spend money on a day out than buying something but the time and food are areas I could address.
I eat too much carbs like bread and cake.
I waste too much time on my phone just looking at stuff. I’m not even into social media. It’s just random stuff and mumsnet.

YY to working on how much food I consume / buy / waste as well. I especially hate buying meat and too much dairy produce.

I’ve been veggie and vegan in the past, but have been eating meat recently. I’m knocking that on the head and reducing dairy, as well as stopping grazing. It’s just so wasteful for me. I don’t need it or even miss it especially when I don’t do it. So why do it?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3417737-No-Spend-19-join-us?watched=1

Hi all. Just to hijack a little (sorry OP) and link to the No Spend 19 thread.

@NoSpend19 thanks for linking to the no spend thread.

First things first. I went to Aldi this morning. We've had a new one built less than a mile away. It's not great for ds1's gluten free bits but it can be my effort towards spending less pennies.

Secondly, I bought reusable wipes when ds1 was born. I use them for faces but I might now partially use them for bums also. We already use reusable cleaning cloths.

Thirdly, I'm going to read my book during the boys nap time. I might also nap myself. I consider those two things to be good use of my time. although ds2 looks like he's not going to play ball and nap any time soon. Ds1 already down

Sounds great! Tbh between working with the environment and being extremely short of money I only buy necessities already!

Love this thread.
Come new year me and dh are resembling the veg patch in the garden and I'll be getting meat from our butchers. Trying to have two nights a week meat free and cut down on plastic, trying to get one cleaning product that will do most things and trying the shampoo bars.
Since becoming a mum this year it has really hit me hard how wasteful I am!

I'm in.
Will try the eco wash on my washing machine tomorrow too

@House4 - let us know how you find it. Funnily enough, my clothes still came out wet and clean so not really any different my end

DS1 has some nappy rash of some description so wondering if it's the coconut oil I used on the wipes. I just melted some with some boiling water to soak the wipes in. Either that or it looks a bit poxy so we'll see what tomorrow brings.

In my bid to stop the time waste I'm currently looking for something to bake using some coconut flour I have in the cupboard. I have no baking power but apparently you can make some with bi carb, arrowroot powder and cream of tartar - all of which I have. Apparently commercial baking powder tends to contain corn starch and 80% of corn is now GMO. So there we go, I can feel a little virtuous there. I won't question the source of my arrowroot starch right now though. I might bake some flat breads for lunch for tomorrow. Everyone is in bed husband included so I want to do something with my time

Love this thread

Love this! I’m definitely in! I’ve recently found out I’m pregnant and I’m determined not to waste money on crap we don’t need because it’s cute or marketed as an “essential.” I need to think of a polite yet firm way to ask our families not to as well.

The food aspect to your op has really got me thinking. I do tend to eat a healthy diet but I’ve never thought about a food with little/no nutrition to be a waste. True though.

@PeoniesandPretties I’ve been thinking about growing my own veg for a while but I’m nervous to purchase the equipment etc as I’ve no experience. What will you grow? Are you able to recommend any books/websites for newbies?

Babyl0ve, I'm no garden expert but have started growing a few things the last few years.
I've found growing stuff we actually like and stuff that is much improved by freshness is key.
So for me i grow cherry tomatoes - the smaller ones ripen on less sun. You can grow the tumbling variety in hanging baskets. I get good results with them outside in a South facing concrete corner. Peas. Fresh peas are gorgeous. Salad and herbs which are expensive to buy and ends up as slime in my fridge for me.
Start small though, one of two plants , a couple of different types as it's easy to get overwhelmed. I still start with small plants from the garden centre because you don't need much equipment and you build up a stock of little pots. I don't use much equipment really, a spade , a trowel and a snippets is enough to work a small patch of earth, which is what I have.

Reporting on my ECO wash - yep clothes cake out clean ! On my second one now .... yes I know how to live it up on a Friday night!

Love this thread. And the no spend 19 idea too. I read an article about a lady who didn't buy anything in a year and saved £23,000. It was hard work though. Some real sacrifices made.

£23,000 saving !

I've been thinking a lot about waste and pointless presents. This thread is already inspiring me