I’m not a big fan of shopping or consumerism for the sake of consumerism. That being said, we all need and want things from time-to-time and I don’t believe that those needs or wants need to get in the way of our voluntary simplicity dreams. I just think we need to fill those needs and wants in a responsible manner.
Jeff and I both fulfill our material wants and needs in a few ways:
- We try to repair damaged items either ourselves or by hiring a local expert before replacing anything.
- We examine our needs and wants. Do we really need or want it? Will it better our lives?
- We search local, used outlets first. We hit our local thrift stores, consignment shops, check craigslist, and the want ads in local papers. We even occasionally run wanted ads to find specific high-end items.
- If we can’t find it used, we look locally for new. Moving to non-local resources only when we have too.
- We buy the best we can afford from companies that don’t use slave labor and have fair-trade practices. We try whenever possible to buy from small, American companies first.
I hardly ever buy new clothing or shoes, always hitting the thrift stores or consignment shops first and foremost. The entire outfit above was purchased second-hand. The skirt was new in the photo, I tried it on and snapped the shot in the consignment shop. The sweater and t-shirt underneath all purchased in the last few months at a local thrift shop. Granted these clothes are not always made in the US and many may have been made by slave labor, but by purchasing them second-hand (not supporting the company using slave-labor or giving them my money) I am: helping to keep folks in my community employed, contributing to charitable works in my community, and keeping trash from a land-fill.
I admit that I never skip the used book section of a thrift store. While I rarely need a book, I always want them and well sometimes it’s the older the books that are the biggest gems. I buy plenty of books new so that I can directly support the author in some way but sometimes the finds in the used book bins are just too irresistible. Am I over-consuming? Nah, I donate the books back quite often and I can afford used books at $3 or less.
I don’t believe that in order to live a simple life that we have to deny ourselves of every want. I do, however; think it is good to curb our desires and it is vastly important to live within our means. I think we can do all that and spend our money wisely and responsibly so that our money not only provides for our wants and needs but also serves our community and the world around us. It is not about buying ‘green’ products so much as it is about not over-consuming and learning to make do with what we have locally.
How do you incorporate simple and responsible shopping in your life? Any favorite tips?
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This is a good essay and explanation of how Jeff and you shop. Thanks.
We buy as much of our produce at the local farmers market which fortunately for us is open 50 weeks a year. When we know we need/want something, we research the purchase for as long as it takes for us to feel comfortable that we are making the best choice (which isn’t always the cheapest). Right now we’re ‘contemplating’ a new mattress and have been for 2-3 years. Because we need dress professionally for our jobs, we do spend more $ on new clothes but then we wear them until they (literally) have holes in them. Ditoo for shoes. The new clothes policy is partly because we wear them so long and partly because we don’t have great thrift stores in our area.