Joining The Compact in 2007 changed my life in a number of ways. I not only began to rethink my purchasing habits, but I also became increasingly aware of the environmental ramifications of my life.
One of the big changes I’ve made in my life is to try and minimize plastic usage for myself and my [...]
Entries from June 2009
June 29, 2009
Striving for a Plastic-Free Life
June 29, 2009
Too Much Stuff Makes it Easy to Keep an Eye Out
I have written before about how I keep an eye out for certain items, but I haven’t connected how the manufacturing glut makes this task as easy as throwing together a batch of my black bean burgers.
A prime example came this weekend while perusing a neighbor’s garage sale. My mother had asked to me to [...]
June 28, 2009
It’s Time for Another “Buy No Food Challenge”
Last August I declared a Buy No Food Challenge after a week long visit with relatives left me with a refrigerator bulging with an embarrassment of food riches.
Enough, said I!
I was not going to buy any more food until I got my family to eat down what we already had. And we did. I think [...]
June 27, 2009
Broke vs. Poor
The following is a reprint of a previously published piece. Enjoy!
When I was growing up, my next-door-neighbor was a single mom who supported herself with her writing. Needless to say, she did not have issues of where to invest all that excess income.
One thing she used to say, which stuck in my mind was:
“I’m not [...]
June 25, 2009
A Day Off for Bronchitis
I’ve got bronchitis and am spacey as all get-out, (must be a lack of oxygen) so I won’t be writing a post today.
Have a great and healthy Non-Consumerly day!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Cough it up, cough it out, cough it do or cough without.”
June 25, 2009
A Guest Post Over at The Frugal Girl
A piece I wrote a few months back, (Green Purchasing — What is Best?) is featured over at The Frugal Girl today.
The article may be old hat to Non-Consumer Advocate readers, but the comments are worth a read. (How did the one commenter get the idea that I was promoting the use of used toilet [...]
June 24, 2009
An Inspiring Comment From a Reader
This comment in response to Now is Not The Worst Hard Times just came in, and it’s so moving and inspiring that I wanted to share it with everyone. Next time you’re feeling deprived, think about how others have lived in the past, and how others still live in many parts of the world.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use [...]
June 23, 2009
Summer Reading Recommendations
This question from Judy C. was languishing in the comments section of the Ray Bradbury post from a few days back. I thought it deserved it’s own post.
Katy (and others);
Would you list a few – or a couple dozen – of your favorite “reads” for your followers? I’m looking for some summer recommendations since, I, [...]
June 22, 2009
What Do You Have Too Much of?
My name is Katy and I am a recovering packrat. It’s been two weeks since my last thrift store excursion.
I have spent the majority of my adult life stalking garage sales and thrift stores for diamonds in the rough. That perfect Fiestaware platter, that perfect vintage tablecloth. The thrill of the hunt, and the subsequent [...]
June 21, 2009
A Low Non-Consumer Moment
Most of the time, I am happy to live the Non-Consumer life. I’m happy to be part of The Compact, (buy nothing new) I’m happy to vacation close to home and I’m happy to cook from scratch. I feel no deprivation whatsoever.
But tonight brought a few minutes of self-pitying wanton desire for a nice sit-down [...]
