Today I am going to mention a couple of books I have read in the past. Both on the subject of limiting our purchases. One is about NOT buying things and the other is about buying only local (or growing own).
I have read both of these many years back. Some people like the books and others find them crazy. I guess it is all about your take on the subject.
The first is called - Not Buying It - My year Without Shopping. By - Judith Levine. Now there are a lot of books about this subject and even FB pages - but back in the day, she was the first.
Their philosophy was to buy nothing un-necessary for a year.
Therein lies the catch - un-necessary!!!!! I guess it depends on each person.
Yes, you need to spend on home and utilities and medical and insurances and food. It was mainly about not buying new STUFF! No clothes, no gifts (they were made), no eating out, no frills. I guess where I had a problem is that years ago, she thought spending $120 a visit at the beauty shop as necessary! They had 3 vehicles for two people to upkeep. Some things didn't make since.
For me, it would be about making do with what I have and making new uses of things and recycling what I could.
Could I go without buying stuff for a year? Sure - I don't buy that much anyway.
Could you do it???
The other book - which I have read several times - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - A Year of Food Life, by Barbara Kingsolver.
This is a true story of her family that moved out to the country. They made it a mission to eat only what they grew or caught on their land and what they could get locally from friends and neighbors.
Now in theory this sounds wonderful - but it would also create HUGE challenges for many.
Depending on where you live - many, many things are not local.
Coffee, tea, different grains, and many fruits and veggies.
They used chicory for coffee. Different herbs instead of teas. The grains and flours they could get were just what was produced locally. They made cheese and butter. They made any goodies or breads. They experimented a lot. They only ate local produce - yes, they did try to preserve much for days when it wouldn't be fresh. No fruits like pineapple, oranges or bananas - they didn't grow there. All meat was locally raised, as well as milk and eggs.
I can't remember if they had things like baking powder or soda, salt and pepper, etc.
This challenge would be much harder for me to do than the first one.
Living in the city, there is a lot of stuff everywhere - but it is not fresh and local. Now during part of the year there are the farm markets - which one could visit and utilize in every way possible. Once winter hits in my area - you would be without a lot of stuff.
Some rural areas would be much easier to realize this. It would still be difficult, I would think. I mean, this girl loves her citrus during the winter months when it is cheaper! There is no local citrus.
I am not a coffee drinker - but I do like tea now and then. Herbs just don't cut it for me as a tea. I will mix them in - but I don't like them alone.
Both were very interesting reads and great challenges to take "in part". The first would be easier for me. The second one - well - that would be very hard for me. I DO try to buy as much local as possible - but if you really stop and think - there is much that we get that is in no way local!
Some people do versions of the second one - by buying within a 50 mile radius of home or a 100 mile radius. But even then - there is much we would do without.
What do you think? Could you do either one? Would one be easier than the other?
If interested in how they did it - pick up the books at the library. They are interesting for sure.
Hmmm... could I??? What an intriguing question, Cheryl. I've always believed most folks can do just about anything and make whatever sacrifices necessary when they have to. When there aren't options. As a history nerd it seems the past generations prove it. We have so many options today that we're not as challenged and don't have to be. It's more choice now than dire need for the vast majority of us, not to be taken for granted.
ReplyDeleteLike you, the first would be easier for me than the second. Even though we live in the country now where people raise livestock and such. But if you think of Europe in the (early) past century, it's what they had to do. No choice. No options. Even in the U.S. there were wartime and post-war rations; my grandmother kept her ration books to show her grandchildren.
Anyway, could I? I imagine so, should the need arise. Would I otherwise? Please forgive me and no one judge... I doubt it. We already live pretty frugally. Life is far too short. In the last year of her life--and she lived to be 100--Grandma Grif occasionally wanted to go out for a meal, had a stylist who'd come to do her hair, and wanted a few new outfits. She was a devout Christian who'd served on the mission field and lived a frugal life herself, but those things mattered to her. They brought a little joy to her life.
Just my thoughts. Have a wonderful Wednesday! --Elise
Good answer! Given no choice - I am sure I could do the same. We all makes choices on how we live and it is very personal to each of us.
DeleteJoy, is something that seems to be lacking in a lot of lives, and I think we should get it where we can. We are frugal for a reason - to be able to enjoy later in life.
But, if we had to, I could give it a shot.
I know the first one could be done but I know I surely couldn't do the second one. What did they do for deodorant? And other personal items?
ReplyDeleteI don't remember off hand - need to read again. I imagine soap and water and homemade deodorants. I remember they bought and made soap locally - toothpaste can be done naturally. I know people do make deodorants. I think most things can be made - the question is, would we? IF I had to yes, otherwise probably not.
DeleteI just downloaded Barbara Kingsolver's book from the library. They didn't have the first one as an ebook so I put a hold on the book. The library is almost within walking distance. If you don't mind walking two very busy roads!
ReplyDeleteSince we don't know what challenges will be forthcoming in the future, I pray that the Father will give me courage and the knowledge to do what needs to be done.
Same here. We do not know what the future holds in store - but I bet you we will all do just fine.
DeleteI have read and enjoyed both books. The first is super easy for me as I'm not much of a shopper. The second, would be easy in my area for meat, dairy and eggs, seasonal veggies and fruits but that is about it. There was a television series a few years ago that people were challenged to eat what was grown/produced within 100 miles of your home. It is SO much harder than we think. Most of us wouldn't even have salt.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the first would definitely be the easiest. Indeed, we would have to get used to a lot of different ways of eating for sure. Neither of these, allowed for stock up before the challenge - so once you run out of local - you are out! Could get tricky!
DeleteI could come closer on the first than the second. I don't often buy clothing new, except for under garments and shoes. I'd be lost though without my yarn (though I generally buy that on sale).
ReplyDeleteBut the second would be very difficult. I don't hunt or fish, and have no place to store a side of beef or pork so that would eliminate meat from my diet, and my little backyard container garden wouldn't keep me fed for very long. Most everything that is available here isn't local - our growing season is far too short.
I guess that is the whole point. Number 2 is the tricky one - no pre-stocking up and only using what is available. A lot of regions would have a rough time of it. If I remember correctly she lived where winters were very cold. It sure wouldn't be the game for most people in most locales. Guess that must be where the concept in artic regions got started of people taking care of their communities. Many do this - Indian, Amish, Mennonite, Alaskan, etc.
DeleteI already pretty much do the first but would never consider doing the second. Buying local is very expensive. Ms. Kingsolver's holier-than-thou preachy tone in the book indicates that she has no idea what reality is like for the rest of us.
ReplyDelete--Frances in the Trailer Park
I pretty much do the first as well. I take it you didn't like the book? It isn't for everyone. I really didn't get that from it, and I have read it several times. I like the concept a lot - it would just be hard to do in most places.
DeleteI agree with Frances on Ms Kingsolver's book. I just couldn't get in to it. I don't care to be talked down to.
DeleteHuh, I didn't get that. You know me, and I usually pick up on that stuff pretty quickly. I guess I just got into what they were eating and not eating. Like I said, I know many didn't like it. That is cool.
DeleteI've not read either, but will look for them. As for could I do it? The first one, I could probably do, for the most part. I'd still need to purchase perishables, but would watch things very closely. Clothes, shoes, furniture, even most household? No problem, and I've probably done much of that since retiring 3 years ago. As for buying local or growing my own, that's unlikely where I currently live (metropolitan suburban, townhome with restrictions). If I was living in my hometown area, it would be much easier. But, to buy / grown local, I'd have to drive miles to a more rural area, and that's not really do-able. I've read several homesteading, back to rural living-type books over the years, and have found some inspiration to how I currently live my life. Will check to see if either title is available in my library.
ReplyDeleteMy library has both books on the shelf, so I'll be making a stop later today. :-)
DeleteIt seems most feel the first is quite doable. I agree, being in the city I wouldn't fair well either. Just not many local sources for things, other than farm markets in summer. I'd be screwed in the winter unless I had a lot put up from the summer months.
DeleteEnjoy - it is a mix bag on reviews whether people love them or hate them. I enjoyed both and got something from each,
DeleteI've read the first... definitely food for thought. Surprisingly, when I thought it over, probably the hardest for me would be not buying gifts. I just love doing little gifts and helping the kids and grands some...much easier now than when we were younger. I need nothing but remember the days when I wanted things...and often there was needs we had trouble affording.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read the second book. But have read Blessing The Hands That Feed Us by Vickie Robin who co-authored Your Money or Your life. Only if we had to would I even want to try! But, with that said, when I read it, I began to be more alert to where I was spending my dollars.
I pray in the future we don't face these kind of challenges without any choice. Therefore, we aren't preppers but plan ahead, conserve and hopefully buy wisely.
Gifts would not be a problem for me - as most gifts I give are already of the homemade version. I can understand how you feel though.
DeleteI think it would be extremely difficult to do the second - but yes, like you said, maybe just maybe - it would help people think a little about the decisions they are making.
Whether we do something, or like something doesn't necessarily matter - if it makes you stop an and analyze things a little. That is always good.
I also read that book and thought some of the things were odd. But the world has made us into such consumers and we really need to get that under control.
ReplyDeleteSure there were weird things, but it did make us think a little. That is what a book, or article should do.
DeleteI've never read those books. I'm writing this while sitting here in shorts and a tank top that I bought when we lived in California. We moved 18 yrs. ago lol. These are cleaning duds. The reason I have very little in clothing to donate. I wear them until they're rags. And then they are rags!! The only clothing I've bought in the last year was undies.
ReplyDeleteI was a tree hugger before "climate change" was a catch phrase. As for whether or not it's man made or an earth cycle is irrelevant to me. And BOY does that set off some people!! My thing has always been to do the best I can do to not be part of the problem. I've told you all about my aversion to buying new TVs. Speaking of which, our current TV was given to us by our new priest about 15 yrs ago. No idea how old it was then, but it's a dinosaur. Weighs a lot! Two man job. We now call it Blinky, as its days are very numbered. We turn it on and it takes about 10 seconds to actually go on. And then it blinks for a bit. We started counting at about 20 blinks, but I stopped counting at 120!! Back in spring, I gave it an expiration date of September 5th and the old girl is still with us. We keep a tornado TV in the basement, but that one is even older. I got that one about 30 yrs.ago for free. My brother found it by a dumpster at his apt., fixed it, and gave it to us. I suspect that will be our new TV. I can honestly say that I personally don't know a soul that would tolerate this, but to me, it doesn't even blip my annoyance radar.
I'm a seasonal shopper. We eat what's in season. I try to buy locally, but it's not always possible. We do our best to grow some, but this year was terrible.
I guess my attitude is that we already do what we can and I'm good with that. My friends think we're extreme so that sorta convinces me that we're doing something right lol!!!
You are not extreme in my book. I think both of my TV's are a good dozen years old. Flat yes, not smart. Don't want one of those (whole other story in my book).
DeleteI bought some jeans last year - and that was the first thing bought new (other than undies) in ages. I have clothes that I have had for 25 years plus. It all comes back around!
I use things until they fall apart as well. I am not a materialistic kind of person.
Buying/eating local is an objective for me - but not possible. I like meat and other foods too much. Could I? Maybe - will I? Prob. not!
I read a blog about the exploits of a man who lived very close to the bone and spent little. He bragged about living with friends and using their stuff and getting people on the internet to donate to his quest for travel. I was not impressed. I know there are ways to live more cheaply, but not at the expense of others. I had a friend who would come by to drink my milk as she had not been grocery shopping for several months and was "just dying for milk." She was a teacher, well paid, and in the lunchroom every day. I was struggling and going to school.
ReplyDeleteCanned pineapple is all I can handle since cutting pineapple is difficult and dangerous for me...lol. I cannot live without bananas. So, I can eat local for many things, and I try.
That is not frugal living - that is being an inconsiderate tightwad! A moocher. Nope, I wouldn't tolerate that either. I have no respect for those folks - work that hard at working and being actually frugal and then yes, you garner respect.
DeleteI don't think there is anything much that I couldn't live without food wise.
We're pretty frugal, I try not to buy too many clothes, I make most of mine. I don't buy many new much unless it's a vneck t at walmart or black knit pants etc. Maybe a pair of jeans, I bought maternity ones for 9 dollars and took the sides in. lol (Much more comfortable!) Hee hee. I did buy a pair of Lee jeans with bootleg bottoms and I kind of feel like they may not even be my favorites so not super confident in that purchase, that's a yucky feeling. I usually make most of my clothes out of cottons, dresses, skirts etc. I love the cottage-core boho skirts and vintage 40s look, I always have, it's just me. Ebay is a great resource too on brands I like made of cotton or rayon, you have to catch a good sensible seller though.
ReplyDeleteWhen I grew up we drove our cars and trucks til they fell apart and lived in an old smaller home that was paid for. My acquaintances from school were astronauts kids and all of the engineers that moved into our sweet little town (and ruined it since most had liberal thinking along with snobbery to us the originals of all things after we welcomed them) it was tough (I thought then) growing up in an older neighborhood when the other kids had new houses but now that I look back I was the one that was blessed, it was the others that usually lived plastic, fake lives and it made me very independent in my thinking and not a follower as far as fashion or cars or anything! : ) I now see that my thinking back then was idiotic and my little old vintage neighborhood was one pretty and peaceful little place.
We see saving money as a fun challenge, like using cut up squares of cotton calico in a bowl many times instead of grabbing for a paper towel etc. I've been cutting my own hair for a long, long time and now my husband does his too. yay! I don't know if I could go an entire year without buying anything but I do have fun seeing what I can cut out beating the system and loving my walmart jogging shoes for 9 dollars. Love them.
Interesting read! Yep, I told my daughter, "Help! I'm turning into my depression era grandparents!" (I'm washing out zip locks, saving bread bags and get excited about the loss leaders in the grocery store papers! lol
We eat a lot of beans and lentils etc.
Our lives so mirror each other. Your young life is STILL my life.
DeleteMy vehicle is 20 years old and going strong, my house little and paid for. Not the best neighborhood - but it's mine. Lots of friends retired withing the last few years and had to go back to work - can't make it! I do fine and have more than enough for the future.
You have been smart, and your family was smart for bringing you up the way they did. You are the one that is winning all the races. I love being the turtle - don't you?? Just slowly muddling along and getting to the finish line first!!!
It is a great way to live. Good for you both!
I so appreciate you! I'm in my earlier 60s and hubs is much later 60s, I'm one of those old souls who even listened to elevator music in highschool. lol I've always had older friends and most have passed on now...Life is so crazy. Thanks for the encouragement! (((hugs!)))
DeleteAahhhh - you are so sweet. I love it - you know 'old souls' is a gift. Not many people understand living a slower pace and just enjoying what is put in front of them.
DeleteSo happy to have you here my friend.
<3
ReplyDeleteGreat to be here.
ReplyDelete