Chapter Three: Waste Makes Waste

As I look around my apartment, there are certain things missing from it that some would consider de rigeur or necessities. First, I do not own a couch. I live on the 4th floor of a walk-up (aka no elevator, no doorman). I don't own one because I can't even imagine the hassle of getting it up here (EVEN with deliverymen - there are tight corners) and couches are ridiculously expensive. I get by just fine with floor cushions, a bean bag, and some comfy chairs.

Second, I still do not have a working tv. My dad was in town this week on business, and brought me a digital antenna to remedy the situation - however, it just cuts out and in. Annoying, but I don't watch enough tv to be truly bothered. Plus, I hulu, or at least I did.

Which brings my to #3: i don't have the internet in my apartment - well not really. It comes and goes. It's not that I'm cheap and won't pay for it. It's that I feel it is another "necessity" that may not be entirely so. Granted it is wondrous helpful when you need to pay bills online, skype, or just fight off boredom.

I think the 3 above things are not are necessary as we hold them. I can read a book instead of watching tv, I can always go to Starbucks or a cafe for wifi, and I have already mentioned how I my lounging plan works.

I recently read about the "American Apparel Diet" in which people take the pledge not to buy any items of clothing (shoes, accessories and underwear are okay'd) for one year. I think that the idea is great, but I would go even further and say that you can only spend money on real necessities.

These days, I try to only buy things related to my health and wellness. There is, however, my Netflix and my bills, but generally I try to spend my money on food and exercise. So, grocery bills are safe and so are my dance classes. Daily coffees or snacks are no-nos. If I go out to eat, I usually can get two meals out of it - so this goes in the health and wellness area as well.

In NYC, there is ALWAYS something that your brain is begging you to spend your paycheck on - broadway, dance performances, bands, crazy restaurants and bars, super hip clothing stores... I find that these are best enjoyed when someone else is paying for them (like my parents when they are in town) or when they are as a reward or celebratory. That makes them more special and actually worth the $$ you cough up to see them.

Now here is where I get preachy. Consumerism has obviously gripped our society. At times, it seems like one cannot even fight against it. When we do "give in" it should be done responsibly: Buy used books/cds/dvds (or rent them!), do a clothes swap with friends, shop at thrift stores (although thanks to the hipsters, the prices here are now exorbiant), etc. I tried to keep a shopping/spending journal last summer/fall and it was outrageous how it seemed I could not go one day without buying something - be it lunch, coffee, a magazine. It really opened my eyes. Of course, I am not a co-opy lady who grows her own fruit and veggies and composts and knits her own clothing. But since I live in one of the biggest cities in the world, I am trying not to take advantage of the consumer delights that are running rampant. I encourage people to examine their real needs/wants/necessities and then tone them down.

I didn't even mention the planet and global warming and the effects of our consumeristic society on the both - consider yourself lucky!

Yours,
SW