2009 as the year of spending mindfully
- Posted by Jo Easton
- on January 26, 2009 9:00 AM
We’ve been querying people in the Network about what’s changed about their lives since the recession started in late 2007.
We’ve heard from people who left the country — removed themselves from the U.S. economy — in order to stay fiscally sound. Some are eating in more to save money… and eat more healthfully at the same time. Others are saving money by buying in bulk at big box or discount stores… even if they know they’re eating less healthfully now. But here’s what interests me: these people all have one thing in common. They’re taking stock of what they value, and how they want to spend their money. Cara Cordoni of San Francisco puts it best: “2009 is about the power of the money I do have!!!”
Sara Phillips de Borja of St. Louis, MO:
Despite the worsening economy, I’ve started shopping for more natural and organic food products, which are usually a bit more expensive. But my buying habits have also changed in that I’m more careful about the amounts I buy and have made sure to really use every last bit of the leftovers. We also eat out less than we used to. This also ties into my buying more organic food — we spend less out at restaurants and this allows me to justify paying a bit more for better food that I make at home.
Diedre Kline of San Diego:
This past Christmas, most everyone I knew cut drastically back on gift giving, whether they financially needed to or not. It was like we all had a good excuse together to stop it. Most people I know said it was a relief, made the holidays much more enjoyable and meaningful… I for one will not be returning to the insanity of the unsatisfying and destructive habits of blind consumerism.
Cordoni:
I’m trying to buy “Made in America”… We may be in a recession, but there has never a better time to say no to sweatshop products - no matter how cheap…since seeing ‘What Would Jesus Buy’ I simply cannot stomach being part of the consumer chain that supports slavery halfway around the world.
What about you? Is 2009 the year of spending mindfully? If it is, how’s that playing out for you? You can respond privately to the newsroom, or take it to the blog.
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