The consumption challenge

[katandp1]

quite a while ago now, wondering how it all went.

[grapegem]

Excellent challenge. I would love to do this too. I will try my best but I have two teenagers that will test me. I also know I need a lawn mower in 2009 and our couch is literally broken beyond repair. I will have to work hard at getting those big ticket items replaced w/out buying new but I don't want to contribute to a landfill somewhere either so Ill do it!

How is it going for you so far? I would love to hear an update!

[388Penguin388]

Great idea - no problem for me, I've been an anti-shopper since age 18. But it's hard to do when you have a kid!

[radicalford]

I bet it is. I actually work with kids so i understand. Can i ask you what you find difficult more specifically?

[inakid]

Great idea.

I am doing months at a time. I did almost 3 months from before Christmas til I moved house (the main reason why I did it) in early March.

Now doing it for a month for the Not Buying It challenge for April. Though that is for all things and not just new.

I believe I can do it for a year.

[radicalford]

thats the spirit!:)

[ncreda]

I would have liked to link to this, but it's very hard to hear! I've got the volume up on youtube, my computer and my monitor, and I can still barely hear you!

I like the challenge though and will take you up on it.

[EBCinderella]

An online friend has done this challenge (her's ended in Sept last year). She learnt alot, and has now kept going since then. It CAN be done, and you can learn alot about yourself while doing it.

She has made alot of people think about their own consumption, and has inspired alot (including myself) to make our own consumption challenges this year.

Good luck with your own challenge.

[shake118118]

good idea in concept, but I think a full year is not necessary and, in fact, may throw many potential volunteers of taking the challenge off. One month is a more realistic and equally effective challenge. We buy so much on an almost daily basis that after one good month, many people will notice that they no longer crave what they wanted to buy. Plus, chances are they'll see that what they wanted to buy already is proving to have defects or will be out of style soon, etc.Anyway, that's my take

[radicalford]

I'm gonna disagree with you on the "not necessary" portion of your comment. I think that dramatic change is needed in the way we think and consume. One month may slow people down for a while but a year forces you to turn to other options for things you actually need and therefore hopefully would leave you thinking in a very different way. I guess my point is it may turn people away but the month wouldn't have as much of an impact as a full year.

[onepassingby]

You're right, "it's not enough". Specially when people keep not doing it because, well, since it's not enough it isn't worth doing. You talk about recycling and "all that stuff" as if you had never done it, as if it was something you had heard about in some documentary on TV... But let's play your new game, that will clean some guilts; and after the year (or just some weeks) of playing, let's go back to "normal" and think new games--all along without recycling nor voting the right politicians :(

[freyung]

this "game" might do somethings more than cleaning guilts. it´ll change thinking. and it is one "small step". it is good, it is neccessary and its worth trying! lets encourage more than being sceptic! And if it just leads to a reduction it is better than no change! Thanks for the idea!

[radicalford]

I assume that people who would consider this already recycle. To say that it's not worth doing because it's not the full solution is a cop out. I don't feel like I should have to justify myself to you because you'll still probably just be fastidious and negative. But for arguments sake I will. I do indeed recycle and vote. You can call it a game, you can also call life a game it's up to you how your gonna play. I've had no real problems with the challenge and have no need to give it up.

[MaZEEZaM]

ive been living this sort of life for a few years now, people will find it saves a great deal of money, only thing i now find it actually hard to spend my money i kind of talk myself out of the need :D now i am looking at getting into growing my own veggies and clean energies:D btw your video is REALLY quiet

[sobec13]

Love your idea! I think I might just do it myself. Hope your challenge is going great.

[radicalford]

you have no idea how happy that would make me and its goin swell :)

[aoeu2007]

It's a nice idea. Good luck with it.

However, the challenge needs to be a bit more defined.

What does it mean to buy nothing new for a year? Does that include foodstuff? Eating at the restaurant or at the mess?

Does this include services (medical fees, teaching fees ,etc.)?

Does this include utillity bills?

[radicalford]

I want it to be realistic for most people to be able to achieve or even venture trying. But your right, there do need to be specifications. I will get on it.

[ctangeraas]

How is this coming up?

The challenge really needs to be more specific, can I pay fees, can i buy practical things I need. As you said, of course it's up to me how to play the game, but sometimes it is easier to follow rules if they're not you're own, but general rules. How are you doing on the project by the way? I'm really considering to give it a try...

[MaZEEZaM]

its often called "USE YOUR BRAIN" dont buy consumer goods like clothes tvs.