Overcoming Consumerism - Must Read

Yes, this is a very good link, an interesting must-read.  Thanks..........

I've been going through this anti-consumerism website since yesterday....I really have to say...again!.....how good it is.  People, read this site!      It's not just about "Oh, don't buy junk you don't need..." it's about EVERYTHING.   A complete lifestyle overhaul.  Everything from making sure to only patronize local Mom n Pop stores and boycotting corporations like Wal Mart; growing your own food and / or buying from an organic food supplier; (hints were also made about meat eating......)   Taking care of the things you buy and making them last so you don't keep having to waste your money on purchasing new things and contributing to landfill heaps; driving an older, used car which you take care of instead of always buying a new car or getting a new lease; supporting your community and investing in it instead of being cut off from it;  screwing with the system such as giving out false social security #'s, phone #'s and addresses when you're solicited for that information by sources who have no business asking for that information, (THIS IS A BIG ONE!!!!); and an overview of the economy, free trade, and manufacturing being sent overseas to slave labor.   I personally loved the comparison between the two "fictitious" familes, the Ables, and the Binges.     They weren't fictitious, just the names had been changed, but it's an interesting and eye opening read.  Are you more like the Ables, or are you more like the Binges?  Be honest......     

I can say that for me, I'm living this about 50%.   I purposely drive a used car that's 10 years old, I shop organic, I've even changed my CAT'S diet!     I'm getting off the meat eating, I make my clothes last as long as I possibly can -- years! -- and when it's time to get rid of them I donate to Goodwill,  I don't watch TV, I've advocated living a minimalist lifestyle if you can help it, etc. etc.  But my major shortcoming I realized since reading this which I intend to change, like, immediately, is the fact that I still patronize places like Wal Mart.   I know I shouldn't, I've totally talked smack about them...but still I go!   Why?!?   !   So, I intend to research locally owned alternatives, as well as "doing more for supporting the community"......and to purposely start giving out false information when asked for it by people who don't actually need to know that personal information.  I should have been doing THAT one a LONG time ago.  Oh well, it's never too late to start!   

Read this link!  Now!   

Absolutely.....it's a big enough and important enough topic I think.  It should be highlighted.   Especially because the site offers solutions and advise and tips for creating and participating in what they call an "Alternate Economy".   They show real life examples of bartering and trading with local people and subverting corporations and reducing waste.    Good stuff!

Edit:   Also I just remembered that NR member manyeagles lived for a few years "Off The Grid" as she calls it, she's talked about it before in the past on another thread.  But that might be a good thread for her to mention again how she got off the grid and tell others how to do it.

manyeagles, are you out there???