Why Does Shopping Fulfill an Emotional Need for Some?
While most people are shopping weekly for groceries, or the occasional gift, or making their lists for the holidays, shopping for many people in our culture of addictive consumerism isn’t just about getting the right gift: it’s about satisfying a need. For some people, shopping is just as destructive as drinking and drugs can be in many families. But why do people feel the need to buy things in order to fill a [...]
Friday Poetry: Shakespeare On Winter (Sonnet 97)
Now that we’re into December, winter is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the snow in many parts of the country than with some beautiful Shakespearean poetry. Sonnet 97 is a classic poem about seeing one’s absence from another as a long, cold winter: How like a winter hath my absence been From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year! What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen! What [...]
The Carbon Footprint of Barbie
During the holidays, little girls everywhere are asking for Barbies as their number one gift. If there are little girls in your life, you may have already heard the name being bandied about as a gift wish. Most of us girls as kids probably had one or lots of them at some point in our lives. But now that we’re older and wiser, it’s time to start thinking more like a grown up [...]
Shopping Tip: Have a Hard Cut Off Of How Many Items You Can Buy
When you’re going shopping, it seems like a no-brainer to just write down a shopping list and head to the store with the purpose of only buying items on that list, which is really easy to do. But sometimes you’re already out running errands and are close to the grocery store without a list, or perhaps you’re just not good with lists. Another way you can keep to your budget is to make [...]
New Twist on a Poster for the Occupy Movement?
We've created this graphic in the public domain for the New Year - or anytime! Maybe the occupy movement can add it to the arsenal. In Her service, Carol Holst
Today’s Task: Create One Empty Drawer in Your Home
If you’ve noticed a little bit of “stuff creep” in your house since you did your spring cleaning earlier in the year, it’s time to take some baby steps in order to get your house or apartment back to normal. A great way to do that is to create one empty drawer in your home. How do you do that? The first step is to pick a drawer you think will be [...]
Get Ready For The Holidays: Make A List Of Independent Merchants
Are you putting together lists for your gift-giving this holiday and don’t want to go to the big stores? Check out your local independent merchants! Supporting your local business when you need to buy is good for them and the community, too. Making a list of the local independent merchants in your area is a great way to save on your next shopping list! Preparing a list of independent businesses is also great [...]
Black Friday Buildup: The Pressure’s On
I don’t know about you, but as soon as November 1st hit, there were commercials all over TV and radio blasting holiday tunes. Let’s face it: totally not surprising, right? But for the postconsumer, it’s just a distracting attempt to get you to buy, buy, buy. Not only is the pressure on for companies to make all the profits, it’s also pressuring you to buy stuff for you and your friends and family. [...]
10 Things Postconsumers.com Is Thankful For This Year
With November in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about what we’re grateful for this year. Some of these are places, some are people. Here are 10 things we’re thankful for this year (besides being grateful for all the useless stuff we don’t own)! Thrift Stores: Whether you’re shopping for “new” seasonal clothes, a funky accessory, or even looking for ideas for costumes, thrift stores are a win-win all around. Clothes are [...]
Now That It’s Happening, What’s Next for Occupy Wall Street?
America is heading into month 3 of the Occupy movement, and it’s not just spreading all over the country, it’s gone global with protests happening as far away as New Zealand. But now that all these people have joined in with the intent of making a change and making a difference, what can be the next step in the movement? With Occupy Consumerism, it’s mostly a change inward to make change outward. A [...]
