Budgeting Tip: Why Buying In Bulk Isn’t Always Better
I don't know about you, but whenever I walk into Sam's Club or Costco I get a little nervous: not only are they a prime example of consumer culture, seeing all that stuff stacked to the very tall ceiling just makes my palms clammy with anxiety. That's why I go in there with a (small) list of things that I want to buy – but also with a mental list of what I [...]
Have A Staycation This Summer
Between rapidly rising gas prices and the increasingly frustrating security measures and bag-handling fees at the airport, it's time to start embracing the staycation as an alternative to big road trips or cruises. And it doesn't hurt to explore your city a little, either! Now you're probably asking, “What exactly can I do on my staycation?” Good question, because the word can conjure up lots of boring ideas. It's all right in your [...]
Postconsumers and Unconsumers Need Each Other
You know you're really getting somewhere when similar words sweep through the lexicon to describe related phenomena. In case anyone is wondering how the growing use of the words "postconsumers" and "unconsumers" might intertwine in our culture, they fit together like hand and glove while being distinctly different. Unconsumers are primarily concerned with what happens after all acts of acquisition. This includes making things last, finding new uses for them and, when they're [...]
The Thrill Of Thrift Shopping: Reusing Can Be Sexy
Thrift shopping isn't just for college students, you know! With all these retro trends coming back around, thrift store shopping can be a goldmine for postconsumers (and especially for those of us on a budget). They're really one-stop adventure shopping for just about everything – as long as you're patient. And you'll be helping local charities to boot! Before you go in, it helps to have an idea of what you're looking [...]
Tips For A Very Postconsumer Prom
Prom season is in full swing, which means that teenagers will be flocking to parties in wasteful droves. They might be having a blast, but they're still making an impact on the environment in all kinds of ways. So what can your kids do to have a very enjoyable postconsumer prom? Encourage carpooling (and not in a stretch Hummer) No only does this reduce the cost of transportation, it reduces pollution by [...]
“The Greatest Movie Ever Sold” is Greatest Truth Ever Told
Especially important around Earth Day, don't miss Morgan Spurlock's new film release, "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold." Always a master of irony and humor, Morgan is best known for "Super Size Me" in 2004. Now he has created the first objective investigation of marketing and product placement that is financed entirely by product placement itself, all packaged under a Sony banner. Brilliant! The key to its power is that Morgan [...]
Recycling vs. Upcycling: What’s the Difference?
With all the different kinds of ways to reduce your stuff, some of the jargon can get confusing. I used to wonder what the difference was between “recycling” and “upcycling”: isn't reusing material all just recycling anyway? As I found out, that's not really the case. We're all familiar with recycling: processing used materials into new materials. The trash guys come to pick up our glass, cans, and paper to take to [...]
Tips For A Less Stressful Spring Cleaning
For some of us, spring cleaning stresses us out. In the past, I've looked at my humble abode when I was ready to start and just thought, “How on Earth am I going to do this?” It felt like a job that would never get done. But over the years, I've developed some tips to make spring cleaning just a little bit easier and less stressful. What kind of environment do you want [...]
April Showers: Three Tips for Conserving Water
April in the desert means that our watering days are being dramatically reduced before summer. Thankfully, I don't have a lawn, so my water conservation (and low bills) are more from practical practices. All it takes is a few weeks for them to become lifetime habits. Here are three tips I've been using in the past few years to save money and water: Wash fruits and veggies in a pan of water [...]
What Do You Want to Change About Yourself this Spring?
Now that we're well into 2011, it's time to take stock of the resolutions we made at the new year and see if we're on track. Some people want to stop eating fast food, or set aside 15 minutes every day to be more creative. I'm trying to up my running, but it's hard to get out of the house when it's cold outside. But with the warmer weather, it's the perfect excuse [...]
