It just seems that personally , I have learned so much by not having money. Living close to the edge has it's advantages.
One , I have come to know when people are real and when they are just faking their way through life.
Secondly , how about if we share some of our new-found riches with others ,so that they can be lifted a little too ?
Third , do we really , really need all the STUFF making our lives more complicated ?
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Here are some ideas.
You do not have to become a new-age hippie .
If you want to go that way , that is o.k. too.
My idea is to start from where we are. In little steps . Start with step one and go up.
It is much easier than having 1,000 steps and starting with the
900 th one !
We don't have to move to Alaska and live on the land !
I am not a radical myself , although I keep thinking about the movie "Fiddler on the Roof"
There are a group of men talking about current issues.
One says "Women are people too."
the other one says "A radical !"
Maybe I am a radical : )
Some of these sites have ideas that I personally do not agree with.
You decide what you think about them.
Just take what YOU think will work for YOU , and skip the other stuff.
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" Substance over style-
Consumerism is a pattern of behavior that helps to destroy our environment, personal financial health, the common good of individuals and human institutions.
This site details ways that you can help defeat consumerism, save money, work less and lead a more satisfying and environmentally benign life while helping to restore the economic self-sufficiency of your community. Another goal is to showcase Resources that can help the reader become a better- educated citizen and grassroots activist starting from any level of commitment and knowledge.
Updated November 2006"
OVERCOMING CONSUMERISM
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This is one page from a site that has information about
living simply and sustainable living.
The rest of the site is mostly about other information . Some I personally do not agree with.
" Exploring Simple Living
An Orientation to This Section
This section addresses three fundamental points:
The basics of simple living like building your own home.
The motivation to attempt a simpler lifestyle. Why swim against the tide of where this society seems to be going?
Radical simplicity. An analysis of the deep implications of simple and sustainable living.
Our Approach:
There is a great deal of information available about the basics of simple living like home building, gardening, solar electricity, and so forth. We have experimented in these things ourselves, and tell our own story, and put you in contact with some resources about these issues.
But our chief interest lies in what motivates people to actually change their way of life.
Simple living is meant to lead to interior treasures of time, freedom, and self-development.
Radical simplicity is our attempt to push these insights about simple and sustainable living to their limit. The best thing Americans could do for the rest of the world is to say we have enough, and actually go on to the next step in our inner development instead of accumulating ever greater piles of things at the price of others not having what they really need."-SITE QUOTE
SIMPLE LIVING
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Here is the
Mother Earth News
beginning in the 1970's !
Complete issues ! Searchable !
Mother Earth News.The original guide to living wisely ! And overcoming consumerism .
MOTHER EARTH NEWS ALL ISSUES ON LINE FREE
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At the Center for a New American Dream, we feel that
We are attempting nothing less than a shift of American culture away from an emphasis on unconscious consumption towards a more fulfilling, just, and sustainable way of life.
Join us as we encourage Americans to adopt our motto:
More Fun, Less Stuff!
THE CENTER FOR THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM.
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This site has a lot of ideas for reducing and eliminating waste , as well as links for simplified living and ' re-using' ideas.
REDUCING WASTE - SCROLL DOWN SO THAT YOU DON'T MISS ANYTHING !
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Here is the site for EARTH MINISTRY a Christian - based sustainable organization.
Mission and Background
To inspire and mobilize the Christian community to play a leadership role in building a just and sustainable future.
Founded in 1992, Earth Ministry’s mission is to inspire and mobilize the Christian community to play a leadership role in building a just and sustainable future. We work in partnership with congregations and individuals to practically respond to this great moral challenge through education, individual and congregational lifestyle choices, and organizing for social change through environmental advocacy. Earth Ministry directly supports a network of 150 congregational activists (Colleagues) representing over 100 Puget Sound area congregations, and has a membership of approximately 1,500. While rooted in the Christian faith, many of our members come from diverse spiritual traditions. Our programs and resources are available to all.
EARTH MINISTRY DOT ORG.
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Alternatives is another faith based anti-consumerism site . They have a catalog with tons of cool publications . All I have to do is find them at my libraries 2 dollar a bag book sale and I'm all set ! : - )
" Living simply that others may simply live . "
Alternatives is a non-profit organization that equips people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly.
ALTERNATIVES FOR SIMPLE LIVING
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MORE ON LIVING SIMPLY
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MORE AIDPAGES FOR FREE HELP.
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