Get Widget

Americans - Stop being obsessed with "Stuff"

76 Pledges
  • Start Date:
    1-25-2007
  • Last Pledge:
    9-5-2008

Issue:

We are a nation obsessed with having "stuff" and living in a throw-away society. Many people believe if we have "stuff" we will be happy, envied, and fulfilled. Is this really true? In most cases certainly not. We live in a disposible society where attitudes exist that when something breaks it's no big deal we'll just buy a new one. Or when a new version of some gadget is released we run out to get the latest and greatest leaving our old devices to gather dust.

Belief:

Reducing your personal consumption will contribute to a more eco-friendly, simple, and, dare we say, a happier lifestyle. By not buying anything new, except for food, essential toiletries, and items for safety and health, will counteract the negative global environmental and social economic impacts of U.S. consumer culture.

I pledge to...

52 Pledges
Borrowing, Bartering or Buying used.
Fun Options
24 Pledges
Trying not to buy anthing new in 2007.
Other options
Tell a FriendCreate a CampaignBookmark
Submit Pledge
Forum Discussion for Americans - Stop being obsessed with "Stuff"
Submitted by pol s. on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 17:55

im a fan of technology gadget spcially about music, but sad to say dont have enough mula to buy that kind of stuff. trying to work hard and hope i could own someday.

Submitted by Thomas L. on Tue, 05/29/2007 - 20:45

Peg, glad to hear you have some old computers that you want to donate. My only comment is remember to clean the hard drive personal data since you do not know who will be receiving the computers.

Submitted by Peg F. on Wed, 05/16/2007 - 01:14

Thanks MaryBeth, we have old computers and elctronics that are obsolete but someone may want them for the parts or to rehab. I think Goodwill would just toss them.

Submitted by Adam S. on Mon, 05/14/2007 - 19:50

The Neighborrow.com web site seems pretty cool. I will have to check it out.

Submitted by Kane B. on Thu, 05/10/2007 - 20:18

This is great. I have an electric stove that just needs a heating element in the oven. Otherwise it works great. Any takers?

Submitted by Kim D. on Wed, 05/09/2007 - 01:17

Mary Beth, Can you periodically update the list of barter websites in the "Learn More" section so we can see what people are using. If you could list them with their Compete.com or Alexa rankings that'd be great as it could show which ones are more active.

Submitted by Mary Beth D. on Mon, 05/07/2007 - 21:33

There is a somewhat new site called Neighborrow.com. A neighborrow-hood is a group of people willing to share items such as books, movies, CDs, tools; even information, photos, recipes (ANYTHING that can be shared legally) with one another. People within a neighborrow-hood can also trade items and share the cost of buying new items. Two types of neighborrow-hoods exist, "physical" and "virtual." For "physical" public neighborrow-hoods you must live, work, or physically, "be there" in some way. Virtual public neighborrow-hoods will form around common interests or other common threads.

Submitted by Adam S. on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 21:06

I have been using this for about a year. Recently i got an entertainment unit for basement from a Freecycle user which would have cost me $189 if I bought new. I am not only helping the environment but also saving some cash.

Submitted by Mike D. on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 20:49

I just talked to a friend of mine at the bus stop this morning who uses freecycle. It seems to be catching on. Are there other active communities like freecycle that anyone here is aware of?

Submitted by Thomas L. on Thu, 04/26/2007 - 20:50

Thanks for sharing this site. Great site!

Submitted by Les L. on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 18:18

FreeCycle is a great idea for getting rid of unwanted items that could be used by somebody else. The other alternative is to give to Goodwill, this is how I "Recycle" useable items.

Submitted by John Q. on Wed, 03/28/2007 - 01:42

Just last week a friend of mine told me about this site. He offers up all his old computer stuff. Very cool.

Submitted by pol s. on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 17:59

wow thats really cool hope he could give me one of his computer.

Loading People...