I’ve just read a very interesting article about Andrea Tringo and Steven Posusta, a Colorado couple who have refrained from buying nearly anything new for a year. Since January 1, they have met nearly all of their household needs mostly by borrowing, buying secondhand, or doing without.
According to the Christian Science Monitor, “Eleven months into their social experiment, they are largely adhering to their commitment to the simple life: Sure, they’ve purchased a few new things – who wants to use recycled underwear? – but for the most part they’ve adjusted painlessly to a life of secondhand furniture and used clothing.
“What started out as largely a green initiative – to live more in harmony with the environment – has since transformed into something more fundamental: a journey into what the couple considers a “socially responsible” lifestyle,”
It’s apparent that this isn’t just an idealistic, feel-good exercise that has no basis in reality. Tringo and Posusta have made rational consumer choices that support a lifestyle that is both practical and sustainable.
This isn’t the first time I’ve read about a family that has made a long-term commitment to adopt a lifestyle that eschews buying everything new. In many cases, these commitments are as much driven by financial considerations—like debt reduction or stretching household dollars—in addition to choosing simplicity as a conscious lifestyle choice. What’s most intriguing about Tringo and Posusta is that they are a solidly middle-class family that could afford to a less modest lifestyle.
I understand that keeping this kind of commitment isn’t always easy. During the past year, I’ve purchased mostly used or recycled household items. But I still give in to the temptation to buy a new book or CD (instead of waiting to find those on eBay). Also, I haven’t yet reconciled myself to buying used kitchen utensils and athletic equipment.
(Of course, I’d be happy to hear from someone who wants to share hints on how to provide green-friendly alternatives to office supplies like printer ink cartridges or a viable way to obtain kitchen utensils without having to go to Bed, Bath and Beyond..)
Kudos to Tringo and Posusta. While their lifestyle choice isn’t for everyone, they’ve shown that it’s viable and worth pursuing.
I just read a book about another couple who chose to do the same thing – it’s called Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping. Although I think their project has some problems, I do like how the author thinks about how much shopping and spending money (going out to eat, etc.) form our social lives, and how difficult it can be to remove these activities.
Also – secondhand stores like Goodwill, etc. often have kitchen equipment for sale. Good luck with your project!
Thanks Suburbanlife, for your suggestion. Your observation that changing behaviors can be challenging is spot on. But, at least in my experience, it’s worthwhile.
In practice and in principle, what this couple has done by adopting this way of conscious living is to withdraw into a saner way of existence that we have been doing here at home. it is not onerous by any means, and forces us to make considered choices every day.
If you are having some difficuly in obtaining second-hand kitchen goods, then think about this. If your young son leaves home to set up his own household, then usually you would furnish his need for household equipment – dishes, cooking implements, linen, furniture – out of existing family supplies. If you inherit a house-hold full of stuff from your Aunt Maisie’s estate, you acquire second-hand usefull stuff. The difference between how you acquire cooking tools, dishes and spoons in this way versus finding the things at a second-hand store is – a sink full of hot soapy water. Once you wash the dust of previous ownership off things, they are ready to have a welcome place in your home. Easy-peasy. G
Thanks for your suggestion, Zora. Your comments have made me realize how deeply rooted my prior shopping habits have become, even though I tend to live rather modestly. It will require a a paradigm shift in my attitudes and habits. Thankfully, there’s lots of encouragement and treat ideas available from people like you.
Hi Alvin,
I like your blog! Thank you for the kind review of the article about my family. As for your concern about used kitchen items, well, you might find them at thrift stores (or craigslist, or yard sales…), or just not worry about it too much. Everyone has exceptions to every lifestyle, right? I’ll come clean with you – last year we bought a new high-efficiency washer and re-homed our old top-loader. My reasoning is that the new one saves water and power, washes really dirty stuff including diapers, and spins them so dry you don’t need to use the dryer as much. Some people can’t stand the thought of used shoes or linens. I happen to have bought, or ended up with, used utensils – mostly because when I was a single renter I was too cheap to buy new.
Anyway, I’m from NoVa and understand how much you have to go out of your way to make greener choices in some areas, like D.C. and DelMarVa. Kudos to you for making that effort. When I lived there, I was not only indulgent but ignorant. Seemed like there was so much water around, I didn’t see why someone would need to conserve it. And I would shop at Tyson’s Corner just because I felt like it. I have a lot to make up for.
Cheers,
Andrea