(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Another Take on How We Choose to Spend Our Money [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-11-15 A few weeks ago, I had some thoughts about the products we buy and “need,” and wrote them down. I was reminded of this as I read through the current discussions here about how we spend our money (or not). My priorities are fair trade/labor practices and protecting the planet. I admit those priorities are not met much of the time and it’s discouraging. And since the election, I sometimes think “what’s the point?” but I will push on. First, since this has been discussed in other diaries and comments, I have to say it would be pretty easy for most of us to not support all things Amazon. There are lots of other retailers, big and small, and an extra minute or two of online searching should enable you to find what you’re looking for. I never was much of an amazon shopper to begin with and since I’ve been actively avoiding them (for years now), I have discovered some small businesses who share my values and offer great products and service. And while I have always preferred to support local independent businesses, now not so much. I live in a small town where we have at least 2 magats for every sane person and I’m not keen on handing them my money. I also advocate for buying second hand whenever possible. This ties in with doing the least harm to the planet. I donate and shop at my local Goodwill for clothes and household items and at Habitat Restore for furniture and appliances (sometimes new). Last month, I got a really nice couch and loveseat in like new condition for $175. (My son thinks it looks like “old lady” furniture, but, hey, I am what I am!) As for buy now before any tariffs kick in, I will need a new mattress soon, so I am looking at my choices (second-hand is not an option in this case). I’m even considering splurging on top of the line since this should be the last mattress I ever have to buy. And if I’m going to spend my final years tossing and turning because I can’t turn off the stress, at least I can be super comfortable. What follows is my initial writing about consumerism and how we tend to buy into corporate marketing in the quest to make our lives easier. I had a conversation with my son that began with discussing what kind of laundry detergent we will use going forward. Several years ago, I switched from the liquid detergents to the more environmentally friendly laundry strips. I felt really good about using them till I realized that they are made with PVA or PVOH dissolvable plastics, shedding microplastics with each use. So I tried an eco-friendly, no harsh chemicals powder in biodegradable packaging. It works well but is a little pricey. After factoring in cost, I decided on a powder detergent (in a cardboard box) that I can get at the local grocery store – just like what I was using in the 80s. He pointed out that companies are always looking to tweak, sometimes improve, their products so they can call them “new” and “better.” Look at all the changes we’ve seen in everything from soap to automobiles. Some things are definitely better – thank god we don’t have the gas guzzling monstrosities that were on the roads from the 50sthrough the 70s anymore. But how many people actually need all the bells and whistles that the car companies tell us we need? (Full disclosure – I bought a late model used car a couple of years ago and I just love all the stuff I never had before and don’t really need – keyless, remote start, heated seats, and omg the best – a heated steering wheel!) I’m not trying to shame anyone for their choice of vehicle (unless you drive a Hummer, maybe), but think about how some of the everyday products you use have changed and been marketed as being better and making your life easier. For decades, laundry and dishwasher detergents were in powder form until some genius figured out they can make it in liquid form, which is mostly water, and sell it to us in huge plastic jugs. Then they gave us pods – how can it get any easier than just dropping one in the machine and turning it on? For years, I always wanted the next new, better, easier bathroom cleaner and it was pretty frustrating because they where never as good as claimed. Turns out now I am getting great results with the same Comet cleanser my mother was using 60 years ago. Remember when there were bars of soap in your bathrooms and kitchens? Then we got liquid soaps and body washes, again paying for mostly water in a plastic bottle. But so much easier. And so these products fill up our stores and we, collectively, just accept what we are told – this is the way it is now, this is what you need. Pay no attention to the fact that all those plastic bottles and jugs will still be around long after you and your children, and their children, are gone. Nevermind that you can actually go old school and get good results without all the collateral damage. Bar soaps, shampoo and conditioner bars, and powder detergents are just some of the alternatives. You can find cleaner concentrates so you don’t have to pay for, and pay to ship, water. In most instances, you will also be saving money. A shampoo bar might seem expensive compared to a bottle of Suave, but in my experience it lasts at least 3x as long. For groceries, pay attention to the packaging. I no longer regularly buy the bakery items that come in plastic boxes (only when they’re on the day old rack and I have a craving that can’t be denied). You can still find lots of products in glass jars – peanut butter, jelly, dressings, some condiments and cooking oils. Glass is easily, and endlessly, recyclable. We know it is not possible to be 100% plastic-free, but I think anyone would feel pretty good doing what they can. Please comment and share any strategies for reducing waste overall and let us know what swaps work for you. And if you haven’t made any such changes yet, I hope you will consider some of what is being offered here and in the comments. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/11/15/2286469/-Another-Take-on-How-We-Choose-to-Spend-Our-Money?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/