Shopping
Want
v Need
I
find I often get caught up in wanting things that I do not
really need and end up with thing I do not use. I desperately
wanted it before I got it, but then a few months after having it I have
pretty much lost interest and am on to the next thing!
Also have you ever had a real ‘clear out’
session where you have got rid of loads of stuff, how did it feel? I
find it so liberating and get a sense of satisfaction from doing it. I
have come to the conclusion possessions have a 'hold' on you. They end
up owning you rather than you owning them! So, next time you
go shopping ask yourself do you really need the item? Can you borrow
one off a friend? Perhaps leave it two weeks and then see how you feel
about it. I thoroughly recommend a good clear out. If you do,
check out
the Recycling page for ideas of how to get
rid of things (and maybe make some money!).
Quality
v Quantity 
Following on from the
item above we have been through (and are still going through) a process
of
clearing out stuff that we don’t really use or need.
Now we enjoy what we have so much more. We also adopt the
principle of quality v quantity (except when it comes to Christmas
trees when we go for the quantity and not quality!!!) and buy something
that is of value, we will enjoy more and more importantly will last far
longer than cheaper options (and are quite often repairable).
Manufactum
are a company that operates on this line (not that we can
afford most of their items, but I have bought a bottle opener from
there and I get real joy from each time I use it – and no not
just because I am opening a beer!)
Natural Materials?
We have started
checking what we buy to see if it made of natural materials and if it
is recyclable. There is something about being surrounded by
natural materials such as wood that is more enjoyable than things like
plastic. I think it is something about bringing us in tune
with nature, something we were designed to do? Anyway,
whatever it is we love our wooden washing up brush!! So,
check the items you intend to buy, can you get it made
with natural biodegradable materials?
Ethical Buying Guid
e
Ethical Consumer
magazine amongst others have great websites that score manufacturers
and goods against ethical criteria.
They are great sites to check before buying things such as a new
fridge, washing machine, computer, just
about anything. Let's make sure manufacturers know we care whether
their business is ethical. Check out 
and 
.
Plastic
Bags
When
you go shopping, take a bag with you rather than getting another
plastic bag that seem to breed at home! Most of these are not
biodegradable and end up in landfill which I think is a complete waste
of resource. Co-op at least are now using completely biodegradable
bags.
We have got ‘bags for life’ from
Sainsbury’s and leave those in the car for the shopping. When
buying anything at a shop, they automatically put it in to a bag (most
often plastic) – do you really need it? Just Say No to the
bag! A good alternative is Onya Bags...see below
Onya
Bags
These
are a great alternative to plastic bags. They are small
enough to
leave in your coat pocket or handbag (or manbag?!) and when you need
bag you have one! More details can be found on their website
www.onyabags.co.uk.
So now you can say no to plastic bags more
often. No excuses! My thanks to Jenny Baker for
this tip (and the bag!).
Fairtrade Goods
Look
for the Fairtrade label whenever you are shopping. You can get lots of
Fairtrade things, not just food. Look at their website
for
more
details. It may cost slightly more but why should we rip off
the
people that make the things we buy, they deserve a fair price and this
ensures they get it. There is a good debate as to whether
Fairtrade takes a priority over food miles i.e. do you buy a fairly
traded item that comes from afar or a local one? I don't have
the
answer but my gut says Fairtrade.
Food Miles
I
have started checking where the food we buy in the supermarket comes
from and where possible get locally grown (e.g apples from the UK
instead of New Zealand). This helps reduce the amount of
pollution involved in the transportation of the food as well as
supporting our farmers and UK economy. Many of our friends
us
box delivery schemes for that deliver local organic veg and other
produce (such as Able & Cole and Riverford),
this is something we are thinking about moving to.
Books
We used to have about 3000 books. We now are members of the
local library! Its great, you get a book and read it for
free! (What a novel idea.... get it!!!) Our library has a great on-line
tool for searching and
reserving items. Take a visit to your local library, you may
be surprised - I was, not having
been in one for about 20 years
Farmers
Market
I
get really
frustrated when I hear about the pittance farmers get for our produce
and
the £millions profit the supermarkets make. Get high quality,
often organic goods direct from the producers at a local farmers market
which are popping up all over the place. Find out where your local on
is at farmersmarket.net
or for London farmers markets at lfm.org.uk
