Dying from Consumption

A hundred years ago, if you said the word consumption you would be referring to the wasting away that comes with tuberculosis - think Mimi's tragic death in Puccini's opera La Boheme.  Today, however, if you were to mention that word, you would not think of illness but consumerism: how much we buy and use, carbon footprints.  Unfortunately, we are still dying from consumption we just don't have TB.  Time for us all to cut back.

I  recently read a great book called Give It Up, My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less by Mary Carlomagno and want to put its message into action.  The main point of the book is that there are many things in our lives that we spend a lot of time and money on that we can actually live very well without.  What can you live without?  Are you being weighed down by all your stuff?

Now before you think I am getting preachy or holy than thou, I must confess that shopping is one of my favorite past times - I LOVE it.  I love shopping in malls, shops, flea markets, online, in catalogs, it's all great.   Consequently I have too much stuff.

It's spring so time for some spring cleaning.  I thought that we were outgrowing our house but it turns out we just had too much in it.  I feel like our house is getting bigger with each load of junk we remove.  So why don't you join me!

Go ahead, get rid of that jacket you have not worn for three years.  No, you are not going to wear it again and no, it won't be in style again before the moths eat it so time to give it to someone who really needs it.  Whatever you have not used or seen in a year -  let it go, give it to a friend, give to the needy, sell it on ebay.  

Once you have cleaned out and reclaimed your space try not to fill it up again!  The next time you shop be ruthless and buy only what you need (this will be my greatest challenge).   Don't buy that third pair of red shoes even if they are on sale.  The French have this concept down, they buy fewer things but better quality, think little black Chanel dress worn a million ways and always fabulous.  It is better to spend a little more on one quality item that will last than it is to buy 3 cheap ones that won't.  

Next time you go out don't add to the landfill, make your coffee or tea at home and take it with you in your re-usable travel mug.  Don't buy that romance novel, go to your local library, it's free and when your finished with that book it won't be taking up space in your basement!  You will find that when you really stop and think it is easier to put that item back on the shelf.  If you find catalogs too tempting, cancel them.  There are a million ways to cut back, be creative!

So if you knew where I lived you would understand how crazy this is going to sound; but if you really have to buy something consider buying second hand, go to ebay, go to consignment shops, you will save natural resources and your wallet.  You don't have to do your part to help keep our economy going, it is more important for you to keep your personal finances healthy - don't die of consumption!

Here are a few great sites to help you:
http://www.freecycle.com/

http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites

http://www.ebay.com/

http://www.goodwill.org/

http://www.bookturtle.com/
http://www.dressforsuccess.org/
http://www.catalogchoice.org/

Good Wives Almanac

Good Wives!!??  No, this is not a personal assertion of my wifely perfection nor is it a nod to a misogynistic past.  Goodwives is the name of a small river here in Connecticut where I live.  It is also a reference to the book Colonial Dames and Goodwives written by Alice Morse Earle chronicling the lives of colonial american women who are my ancestors.  I would like to pay homage to these strong women and am inspired by them to be more resourceful and to live a more sustainable life in this modern world.

I am a seventh generation descendant of Revolutionary War heroine Mara Sargeant Grace.  A woman who not only served bravely on the front lines at the Battle of Bunker hill but also did washing and ironing for the Washingtons; making lace caps for Martha and knitting silk  stockings for George.  Just when I think I have it tough dealing with my laundry...  I imagine that if we could transport her to our time she would be rather envious of our many modern conveniences (clothes washers especially) but I think she would also be horrified at the wastefulness of our society.

The Almanac in the title is a nod to Poor Richards Almanac that gem of simple wisdom and the Farmer's Almanac which never goes out of fashion.  I believe we can look back to learn from the collective wisdom of the past and apply it to our rapidly changing and uncertain world.  There is a lot to be said for re-cycling some old fashioned ideas and make them work for us today.  I will share what I have learned and what I stumble across and hope you will too!  

For more reading about these pioneering and pragmatic American women I highly recommend 

Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts.  

view of the Long Island Sound from our town beach