Day 11 ~ Consumerism... Would you like fries with that?

This morning I woke up to a lovely blog post by my cousin talking about waste. I have to admit that before I began this project of mine, I really am ashamed to say, I never truly thought about waste. Somehow I selfishly thought that throwing things away, buying more, and not caring about the in's and out's of my consumption was just somehow my God-given right. I mean when you take out the trash and the trashman takes it away, do we ever really THINK about where it goes? It's something you can easily take for granted. I have to be honest too that the talk of "going green" for environmental concerns of global warming sorta grate at me because I don't believe in global warming. However, just because I don't believe in global warming doesn't mean I should get a free pass to make as much trash and waste as I want. It simply revolves around the common point of being responsible.


Being responsible means being educated and AWARE! Sometimes we do things just because  it's what we grew up with and it's second nature, we don't even think to THINK about it. An amusing story I once heard about traditions is a good example of what I'm talking about. A young woman was making a Christmas ham and she cut off the back part of the ham. She did it because her mother always did it. When her husband saw her, he asked "Why do you cut the back of the ham off?" She replied "because my mom always did." This got her thinking so the next time she talked to her mom she asked why she cut the back of the ham off. Her mother replied "because my mother always did". Curiosity got the best of the young woman so she called her grandmother and asked, "Grandma, why do you, mom and I cut the back off the ham?" Grandmother's response was, "I don't know why you and your mom do it, but I cut the back of the ham off because my pan was too small to hold the whole ham." 


So, sometimes we need to THINK about why we do things and not just do it because it's all we know. Times used to be different. Very different. While today it's chic and trendy to be environmentally conscious, our grandparents and great-grandparents were environmentally conscious and didn't even know it! 


Consumerism has a history. Here is just a brief example of some aspects of our countries consumption and results:

• The 1920's is when "mass production" began. With inventions of things like the Ford Model T, companies began to build factories to mass produce items to sell to the American Public.
• In 1930's households were shouldering an unprecedented amount of consumer debt. Consumer debt in the 1930's was not like it is today. Businessmen were borrowing money from banks and individuals then buying stocks in the mass produced market. Down payments were large. Contracts were short. Missed installment payments triggered repossession. (Just remember those old movies showing someone's thug coming to the businessman's house and dragging the wife out of her fur coat and taking the silverware!) Cutting consumption was the only viable strategy in 1930 for avoiding default. Indebted households chose to default rather than reduce consumption. This resulted in a minor recession becoming the full on GREAT DEPRESSION. 
• IN 1940's during WWII, consumption was regulated. An excellent article from the American Historical Society explains rationing in the United States. Even if you could afford items, you were restricted on how much you could buy based upon coupon books that were given to each family. It was required to ration items because the government needed things like rubber, wool, steel, oil, etc. Using less on the home front meant that our boys at war would not go without.

• The 1950's truly sparked the consumerism that we are so familiar with today. In the early 50's average household debt was virtually unheard of. But the 1950's were a very exciting age to live in because so many new products were being introduced... it's the age of the radio blooming into the TV, the refrigerators and stoves were becoming "high tech" electrical appliances, washers would soon have a companion... DRYERS! Advertisers were able to sell the public more and more, especially with the invention of TV which led to the COMMERCIAL! 

I had to include the Jello commercial just because of the "Busy Day" theme, and it made me giggle. Soon there were credit card commercials. This one is an example on how the commercial had to show the American public HOW to use a credit card. Today, our kids grow up just knowing, and don't know anything different. 
Once credit was released, there were various programs of "buy now, pay later". Either way the consumers desire to have it NOW prevailed, and still does today. In 1953 Eisenhower took office and the US government encouraged American's to buy and consume American products so that America's economy would skyrocket to lead the nations. Economically speaking, it seems to make sense to me:
Country A produces a product = Country B buys the product = Country A gets money. Simple concept.
Country A produces a product = Country A consumes the product = Money (and jobs) remain in Country A. Another simple concept. 
So, that's basic economics. I can remember my great-grandparents and grandfather always talking about "Buy American". I never really got WHY. I just thought they were really patriotic or something. They also talked a lot about the unions... and I didn't know why.
In the Eisenhower years it was stated that if we, as American's could produce more goods we would be able to sell more to reach a high global status. In order to produce more goods, it meant the average worker would have to work a large amount of hours. Factories began requiring individuals to work excessively long hours. The union was formed in an effort to make sure that fair labor practices were enforced. American's typically today are still working longer hours and spending less time on vacations than other industrialized countries. The top producing countries are still China and Singapore. Rural migrant workers in China can work 12 hours A DAY, 26 days a month.
This abcnews video shows what Chinese production workers have to go through:
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/educating-china-12155692
I highly recommend watching the above link just to have a visual the next time you plan on shopping at a "big box" store like Walmart and Costco. 
So, what does all of the above knowledge bring *ME* to do?
1.) Listen to my great grandparents and BUY AMERICAN. Looking for American made products is a new concept for me. I like knowing that *I* control my dollar and where I want it to go. American items may cost a bit more, but with my new outlook on simplicity, not buying as much will mean I have more money to buy things that I truly need and will be able to afford American. So much of our clothing is made in other countries, but it is considered disposable clothing. Cheap $5, $8, $10 t-shirts only last a few months. 
2.) Consume less. Live Simply. Sure, it ends up being "green living", but it goes back to old fashioned ways. The overabundance of stuff has overwhelmed most of us. We live cluttered lives and are highly stressed whether we are coming or going. We aren't happy accumulating more STUFF.... whatever highs are all momentary until we need something else. 
3.) Buying Used. I'm a lover of all things vintage to begin with. My mom used to take us to various antique shops while we were on vacation, so maybe my love stems from early on. I'm not ashamed to walk into Goodwill, Thrift Stores and other "junk shops". I'm a treasure hunter at heart. I search out old things that I can put to use again. Most of the things I find are better made then today's counterpart.
4.) REUSE. Reusing things can be a fun and innovative process. One couple in an attempt to live a year with "no new plastics" found various ways of reusing containers to hold their pantry goods. While I don't plan on plastic-free living, I can use some of these ideas! I also love the idea of putting your fruits and veggies in your own handmade bags! I also want to take the time to make my own grocery bags that I enjoy looking at... and are helping to reduce the landfill of various grocery bags.
5.) Buy Local. I'm in a search of local businesses in my area that I can purchase everyday goods from. I want to avoid the mass-marketed "big box" stores as much as possible. Walmart and KMart are easy to avoid, it'll be Target that's my downfall. I love their decorating goodies! In west-Atlanta it's really hard to find "local" goods. In comparison to north and east of Atlanta where the population is heavier, you can find local goods easier. Again maybe I'm so used to seeing my day to day surroundings I miss it, but I'm trying to search them out. 

6.) Remain Open Minded. As I continue on my journey, I'm trying to keep my mind open to new ideas (or old ideas, whichever the case may be!) Learning new things, and doing blog projects to help encourage a better lifestyle are all things I look forward to.

Overall, I'd like to reduce the number of items in my house. Giving things away to charities. I'd like the things that surround me to bring me and my family joy. Understanding that as people we are NOT entitled to living without a care. It's not our God-given right to selfishly lavish a more, more, more lifestyle. It's time each one of us takes control of our own families consumption. Whether or not is chic and trendy, or just old fashioned common sense, it's the responsible thing to do!

Smiles,

Angela