Shopping Ban: Month 10 update!

We're at double digits, y'all, in this shopping ban adventure. I will probably only continue to write updates until I reach a year and then just keep rolling as is because honestly it's not as interesting to write about anymore since I don't really struggle with it as much as I did in the beginning. So I've adjusted and feel totally comfortable with it, which is good! 

July went pretty well, though I exceeded my book budget. But since I spent $0 on books in June I guess that's a wash since I spent less than both month's budgets combined.

I destroyed some field clothes so spent $70 on new pants and shirts. I do not buy the shirts used, typically, because I want the maximum UPF I can get for my long days in the sun and eventually the fabric wears out. But I do try to buy the pants used, but couldn't find any long field pants since it's the middle of summer. I also repaired a few pairs of pants that were getting risque, so that's a win at least. I always start the field season thinking I'm all set on clothing and then I immediately rip half my pants and destroy half my shirts and have to scramble. Every time! Anyone else have this problem?

And I did buy a new Buff as well (proof). I buy a new one every few years for the same reason as field shirts - UPF. I've been spending an insane amount of time in the field the last few months (also mostly why my writing has been so sparse), and it was time for one of Buff's new UV+ buffs. So far I love it and it seems great - no sunburn, no windburn. Though of course still gotta use the SPF50!

That's pretty much it. I bought a wedding gift, gifts/supplies for the fundraiser that I talked about last time, and nothing else that I didn't list out already.

Shopping Ban: Month 9 update!

It's hard to believe that I've been on this shopping ban journey for 9 months now. It really doesn't feel like it and I almost don't even realize I've placed these restrictions on myself anymore. I am still aware of them and do my best to stay within them, but I don't feel actually restricted. Here's some examples.

1. I was down to my last pair of non-gym style shorts and in need. It's hot as hell here (almost literally) and I just can't make it all summer in jeans. So I went to a local secondhand shop and managed to find 3 pairs of shorts for $22! Normally one pair brand new would have cost me around that so it was definitely a win. Also they look brand new and nobody is going to know I didn't buy them new unless they come read this and ask me about it. 

2. I am allowed to buy things to replace items that are legit worn out, and I've now busted 2 pairs of field pants and 2 field shirts in the last few weeks so I bought 1 new pair of pants, repaired both of the pair I wrecked, and bought 2 new field shirts. I am not confident one of the repairs will last very long so another pair was definitely needed. And my long sleeve sun shirts lose UPF rating over time and I wear them constantly so I rotate out the older ones and buy 1-2 new ones every year anyway. Field gear is a weird category because I'm fine with buying used pants (but couldn't find any in my size) but want brand new shirts for max UPF protection. South Louisiana is brutal and I work outside all summer. Sun safe, y'all!

I'm also doing some fundraising for an exciting new adventure (which I will announce publicly soon!) and I'm offering some perks in exchange for donations. I've given myself a shopping ban hiatus on a few things so that I can achieve this goal. I needed photo mats, shipping envelopes, thank you note cards, and photo prints for this and went ahead and bought them. I don't think this counts as shopping, necessarily, because it IS for a project and it IS well thought out and it IS basically going to be gifts to people for donating to the fundraiser. So all that is fine in my opinion.

I also bought 0 books in June, but did immediately reach my $25 limit for books in July. I bought a digital copy of Bird Therapy by Joe Harkness and so far I LOVE IT. I also bought some books for the OC Book Club, used of course, from Thrift Books (which is possibly my favorite website ever after www.howmanyaltuves.com).  I have been heavily using the library for some research reading (yay public libraries!)

I have yet to purchase anything under the new Rule #3 of the shopping ban, which is to allow purchases from local artists. I have one in mind but have yet to pull the trigger on it. I tend to overthink purchases ANYWAY and this one is no different, even though it's allowed in the rules.

Keep being conscientious consumers and do your best to minimize your impact!

Shopping Ban: Month 8 update!

It's been ages since I wrote an update about my shopping ban but that's mostly because I've been cruising following my guidelines. I started on 1 October 2018, and I modified the rules of the game starting on 1 April 2019. Since my last update in March, I've traveled a ton for work, took 1 overseas trip to Scotland, visited friends in Denver, and traveled some more for work.

Things I've purchased since my March update:
1. 2 magnets + 1 book while in Scotland
2. New running shoes
3. A dress for a wedding last minute

#1 falls into the travel souvenirs category of which I am allowed to purchase select items while abroad.

#2 falls into the fitness related purchases when necessary category, and new running shoes were definitely necessary.

#3 was a last minute purchase that was demanded by the bride and while I'm aggravated about the purchase I do enjoy the dress so I will get much use out of it in the future (hopefully) at least. Originally I was supposed to wear a dress I already had, which would have been the best option, but I had to abide the bride's demands. So there's that one.

Overall it's been pretty slow on the shopping ban front. I have purchased nothing I didn't need or didn't meet the parameters of the challenge (except the 1 dress). So it's been a bit quiet!

I haven't honestly been tempted except for yesterday when I contemplated buying a tank top to support Skype a Scientist. And I may still do that, but I'm going to continue to contemplate it first. This potential purchase falls into the "Purchases for a cause" category in that the proceeds benefit Skype a Scientist. I've also been contemplating a purchase from Nurdle in the Rough but haven't taken the plunge on that one yet either, which also falls in this category.

I am in need of some shorts because it's a zillion degrees here during the summer so I will be scouring the secondhand shops in the next week or two for shorts that fit!

The good news is that I'm no longer tempted by the average purchases, I have no desire to shop, and I'm way more consciously considering each and every purchase. So I consider this experiment a success and will continue down this path!

Shopping Ban: Month 4 Update

It has now been 4 months since I started the shopping ban on 1 October 2018.
Parameters of my shopping ban
Month 1 Update
Month 2 Update
Month 3 Update

If December was weird, then January has been downright bonkers. The government is STILL SHUT DOWN, I'm still furloughed, and that led to some house projects I'd been meaning to do. So despite the lack of income, I did spend some money, but accomplished some of my list!

Things I purchased in January
- Toiletries
- fabric to make den curtains [on the approved items list!]
- 4 used books [OC books]
- stick vacuum for all the dog hair [on the approved items list!]

I maybe didn't need to buy the 4 used books however I only spent $17 and they're all conservation related which is allowed.

Since I had all this furlough time on my hands, I remodeled my den this month, which was ~$900 spent in materials but way more in equity to my house. House improvement stuff is also in the allowed category. My house is 60 years old - home improvement is necessary and will happen. In the process I trashed the old makeshift curtains and curtain rod, so had to replace both of those. I bought fabric to make new curtains, and that is the second item off my approved list I've bought! Pretty good considering that list is pretty short.

After the remodel, since I have considerably less carpet now and the same amount of dog hair, I finally ordered a stick vacuum since that's way better for tile/wood flooring than my regular vacuum. That's also an item on my approved shopping list, which makes 3 now purchased.

In regards to the approved item list, I'm nixing the prints for existing frames category. I used the frames and put prints I already had in them. 1 is a piece of art I bought in Greece, and the other is a piece of art my friend made and sent to me.

So after 4 months here's an updated list:

Updated Approved Item List:

Prints for existing wall frames - nixed
Smart thermostat for the house - no real desire at the moment to upgrade
NOLS course supplies that are required for the course - 1 item left to purchase
fabric to make curtains - purchased
stick vacuum for all the dog hair - purchased

So February is coming up quick and hopefully the government shutdown will end before I write the next update about Month 5...

Shopping Ban: Month 3 Update

It has now been 3 months since I started the shopping ban on 1 October 2018.
Parameters of my shopping ban
Month 1 Update
Month 2 Update

December was a weird month. I was overseas for ~2 weeks, in the field for another week, and then it was Christmas week, and also the federal government shutdown started. So quite a lot happened actually. However despite all that I did a really good job with my shopping ban and stayed within the parameters!

Things I purchased in December:
- Basic necessity toiletries - lotion, deodorant, contact solution
- 3 magnets while in London - allowed as travel souvenirs
- 1 book while in London - books when abroad are also allowed, as I like to buy a book from the places I travel. I bought Milkman, which one the 2018 Man Booker prize and it wasn't available at my local library. Also books are far cheaper in the UK than in the US and it was only £9.
- Household items - cleaning spray, toilet paper 
- Gifts for my parents and friends (gifts are also allowed)

So I did good!

My mom's birthday was also in December and I struggled with what to give her as a gift. So I ended up buying her 3 used books, all with thought behind them. I bought her 2 books that I really enjoy and think she would, and 1 that is a genre she likes but a Norwegian author (instead of an American author). So a gift, but also not buying new items since that's not necessary, and also they were bought at my local bookstore so bonus points for shopping locally.

In previous years I had made desktop calendars for family/friends as a gift. It's a relatively easy gift, and I'd use photos I'd taken during the year, which my family enjoyed. But this year it felt wasteful. It felt like burdening someone with something they will have to contend with in a year. Or feel the need to hang onto since it's semi-personal. So instead I opted to not give that gift anymore. I think a few people might have been disappointed but c'est la vie.

My temptations the last month have been items for a cause. I haven't given in but I've definitely been tempted. For example, I love what Nurdle in the Rough is doing! Her jewelry is beautiful, it's made from ocean plastics she collects and repurposes, and the metals are recycled. And I definitely want something by her and to support her on her mission. There are other shops and artists I love but that's one of my favorites.

Perhaps after the 6 months I can modify my rules to include supporting causes. That's something to think about during the rest of the first stage, which concludes in March.

Of the 5 things on my approved shopping list, I have only purchased 1 of them. Or well, from 1 category. I've purchased all but 1 thing I need for the NOLS course but have yet to purchase anything else on my list. Clearly none of these were items I have really needed!

I've also gone through my clothing another time and removed a few more things that I haven't worn since the first major purge. I think this will be a continuous cycle honestly until I'm wearing everything I own regularly. I can only wear and enjoy so much clothing so I'm still paring it all down.

On to 2019! I think this year will be a year of knowledge, and I'm continuing to learn a lot about myself, my habits, and my place in the world through this shopping ban.

Shopping Ban: Month 2 Update

It has been 2 months since I started my shopping ban! November has been interesting too. I stayed under my two week budgets, did not purge any items, contemplated ethical zero-waste gifts for holidays, and purchased a few things on my approved shopping list.

I get disgusted by the level of consumerism, and the peak worst is Black Friday. So I did not participate. Not that I ever participate, but I was even more aware of it this year than previously. And I've been striving to purchase things in the best way possible when required.

So I did purchase 2 clothing items for my upcoming NOLS course that are required and that I did not own. I needed baselayer bottoms and a long sleeved top that were wool or synthetic. So I went ahead and purchased them this month.

But the clever part is that I bought them from REI's Used Gear Store! So while I did buy 2 things from my approved list, I bought used items. They look brand new though and are perfect and I only spent $50 total, when new that would have cost me closer to $100. Also they are multi purpose because I will use the baselayer bottoms throughout the winter for field work, and wear the wool shirt regularly as it's very comfortable. Success!

I also purchased a few gifts for upcoming celebrations, and did it in a zero waste manner. I was able to use the ethical hierarchy of gift giving to come up with some clever ideas for friends and family. I focused on experiences, and did not buy anything new when I did buy an object. Also success!

Also I put used books on my allowed shopping list, because I run the Outdoor Conservation Book Club and some of the books I've chosen are hard to come by or have long wait lists at the library. So I purchased 5 conservation books online from Thriftbooks! These books are all for the OC book club or recommended reading ahead of the NOLS course.

- Outdoor Leadership, by John Graham [NOLS]
- Sea Change, by Sylvia Earle [OC Book Club]
- Wilderness and the American Mind [NOLS]
- The Sixth Extinction [OC Book Club]
- How Remarkable Women Lead [NOLS]

I also this month acquired a few other used books. A handful of books came from a friend who was donating boxes to Goodwill, so I picked a few out to take. And I acquired one book that was originally purchased as a gift, but the dog ate the cover, so it's mine now and the gift version has been replaced with another used book.

Also this month, there was 1 flaw in my plan. Winter. We had previously gotten a new, larger bed and never bought any kind of comforter or quilt for it. And winter is coming and it's getting colder, and dogs aren't exactly enough warmth to get us through the winter. So I had to purchase a new quilt for our new bed, but that's a necessity I just didn't foresee.

There's one other thing I purchased: Fabric scraps from Hobby Lobby to make into tissues. I had run out of throwaway tissues, and in the spirit of zero waste, did not buy a new box. Instead I had cut up some of my thinner and softer cleaning cloths (which were already scraps of old clothes) to use as tissues. But I didn't have enough. I scoured the house looking for fabric I could turn into tissues but no luck. So I spent $9 and bought a bundle of cotton squares with cute woodland creatures on them to use as tissues. They're reusable, washable, and will last for ages. I classified this as toiletries, but thought my solution was clever!

Everything else has gone swimmingly. I'm still unsubscribing from marketing emails when I get them, actively being aware of impulses, and thinking about the impact of all of my purchases. It sounds overwhelming but it's really refreshing.

On to Month 3!

Black Friday 2018

In the US it's "Black Friday" aka the day where the majority of people lose their minds and spend money on things they don't actually need. It's consumerism at it's worst. And the beginning of the worst time of year, in my opinion. The time of year where it's "Christmas" and "a time of giving" but really it's all peer and societal pressure to give elaborate/expensive gifts to prove that you care.

So instead - prove that you care year round, and do it in your own way. Change the societal rules! That being said, if you actually WANT to buy a gift (big or small), do that. But if you don't actually WANT to do that, give something you actually do want to give. It's a gift for a reason. Gifts should not be expected because then it's no longer a gift.

"People are incurring debt and working longer hours to pay for the high-consumption lifestyle, consequently spending less time with family, friends, and community organizations. "Excess consumption can be counterproductive," said Gardner. "The irony is that lower levels of consumption can actually cure some of these problems."" - As Consumerism Spreads, Earth Suffers, Study Says

Even if you don't agree with me that the societal pressure to give big gifts is bad this time of year, let's look at another facet: The consumption of resources required to create those gifts. In reality, so much of Christmas presents is junk. It's used once or twice, or worn a few times, or breaks right away, or wasn't actually wanted in the first place.

"This boom has not happened by accident. Our lives have been corralled and shaped in order to encourage it. World trade rules force countries to participate in the festival of junk. Governments cut taxes, deregulate business, manipulate interest rates to stimulate spending. But seldom do the engineers of these policies stop and ask “spending on what?”. When every conceivable want and need has been met (among those who have disposable money), growth depends on selling the utterly useless. The solemnity of the state, its might and majesty, are harnessed to the task of delivering Terry the Swearing Turtle to our doors." - The Gift of Death

The amount of resources needed to make a plethora of objects that may or may not be wanted is a huge detriment to the environment. Think about the precious metals that go into electronics, the forests needed to make wood or paper objects, the plastics needed to make that novelty item of no actual value or use, and the time and energy spent wasting creating it. 

"As the demand for goods increases, the need to produce these goods also increases. This leads to more pollutant emissions, increased land-use and deforestation, and accelerated climate change [4]." - The Negative Effects of Consumerism 

It's truly staggering. So instead of buying into it, literally, be different! Break the norm! Together we can change the tide. Alternatives to buying a gift abound. 

(I have no idea the source, so if you know, please let me know!)

In my own shopping ban experiment, I have discovered that I now have a negative physical reaction to buying things (or the idea of buying things, actually). I have begun to rethink every single purchase. Which is really good. It's also a bit overwhelming sometimes. So instead, in this holiday season, I suggest rethinking how you give gifts and how you shop.

Go spend time with the person you care about doing something different (take a hike! #optoutside). 

Give an experience instead of an object (tickets to a show or concert). 

Make something (knit, crochet, or bake something, etc)

Give consumables from a local shop (tea, spices, or coffee come to mind). 

Buy second hand items (books are good for this). 

Upcycle/repurpose items to make a gift (recover a throw pillow or refinish something). 

Donate money to a cause your person cares deeply about. 

More Information:

The Gift of Death, Monbiot.com, published 10/10/2012
As Consumerism Spreads, Earth Suffers, Study Says National Geographic, 1/12/2004
Consumerism plays a huge role in climate change Grist, 2/24/2016
Consumers have huge environmental impact ScienceDaily, 2/24/2016
Shop Till We Drop: Does Consumption Culture Contribute to Environmental Degradation? Scientific American, accessed 11/22/2016
The Negative Effects of Consumerism Greentumble, 7/22/2016
Overconsumption is costing us the earth and human happiness The Guardian, 6/21/2010

Shopping Ban: Month 1 Update

It's been 1 month since I started my shopping ban! The month of October has been interesting. I purged many items, stayed under my two week budgets, and learned a lot about my consumer habits. 

First thing I did was go through and declutter a few areas of my house. I went through office supplies, gear, clothing, various closets, linens, and kitchen cabinets. I counted and tracked every single item - every paintbrush or marker I gave to a teacher friend, every CD I recycled, every broken food container I recycled, every clothing item I donated, etc. All told in my October purge, I removed 845 items from my possession.

Donated: 566
Recycled: 196
Trash: 41
Gifted (or to be gifted): 29
Sold (or to be sold): 13

I have a few items I found that I will gift to others in the upcoming holidays, so I'm counting them in the purged category. I also have a handful of things to sell, but I have been traveling a lot for work and haven't quite had time yet.

The decluttering and purging felt so good. I love cleaning up, and making things happen, and it felt very freeing to get rid of things I didn't need, didn't remember I had, that didn't fit me anymore, etc. I will continue to declutter more in November and see how that goes!

The second thing I did was start a tracking file of everything I brought into the house (sans food). All told, I purchased 1 gift, a 2 pack of contact solution, 1 toothbrush, and 3 bike parts. Gifts, toiletries, and bike parts are all on the approved list. So that was pretty good! I had no real urges to buy anything, honestly. I imagine that might get harder as this experiment goes on though.

The third thing about this month is that I noticed a change in habits, perceptions, and reactions to things. Commercials on TV kind of disgust me. Especially with the upcoming holidays and and high shopping/consuming time, it is very disturbing. I don't actually need anything, and if I had a thought where "oh having X might make Y easier" I forced myself to think of alternative solutions. I turned it into a creative process and that was a bit of a challenge but I enjoyed it.

I also found myself getting sucked into a few marketing emails so I unsubscribed to the majority of them. I kept the outdoor shop ones but got rid of pretty much everything else. So that's been nice too! I never realized the mental challenge of constant marketing bombardment. It was almost subconscious. See marketing email, open email, see sale, click on link, browse items, see something that could be cool, think about it for 5 seconds, worry the sale will sell out, purchase item. But in reality, 2 minutes earlier I had no need for that item. So why do I need it now? I don't. So I unsubscribed to basically every marketing email. I had fallen into the consumer trap and now I'm trying to claw my way back out!

I also had to purchase some items for work, and felt very weird about shopping even though work was paying for it and it was necessary items. It was a strange carryover from the shopping ban into my professional life. It'll be interesting how those 2 versions of me coexist for this!

So far I haven't purchased anything on my "approved item list" either. I am sure I will, but so far nothing.

I did one other cool thing this month - I rented a dress for my formal event last week. I could have worn something I had, or I could have bought something, but I wanted to try something new. The experience was pretty good, I feel environmentally responsible, and I saved money by not spending $100+ on a fancy dress I'm going to wear for 8 hours and then not again for the foreseeable future. I felt good about the decision and it worked out great!

Spending and shopping go together with financial goals, and I managed to stay easily under budget this month. The shopping ban definitely made me rethink ALL purchases like eating out and grocery choices. I definitely still did eat out this month but far less than I normally do. That was not a goal of the process but an unintended side effect. I don't feel like I am deprived of any experiences so I won't overthink it!

So basically, I stayed easily under my financial budgets, started to be more aware of all the marketing around me, spent less money on accident, and had a successful first month!

Social Experiments with Environmental Impacts: A 6 month shopping ban + steps to approach zero waste

Right now, I have many mixed feelings running through my heart and head. I am anxious and feel guilty about my failure and fear of my bike commuting idea. I shouldn't feel bad about it, because there's many ways that I'm more eco-conscious than others.

But I can definitely improve my everyday ways. 

So I just came across "The Year of Less" by Cait Flanders where she instituted a 1 year shopping ban that actually turned into 2 years. (Also: even though she's stepped away, check out her awesome blog for info and resources). Financially, I've toyed with mini shopping bans, travel hiatuses, strict budgeting, and frugal solutions to everyday problems. Environmentally, I've tried composting, gardening, native plants, and also my career. Also I'm super interested in the zero/nearo waste lifestyle. 

So reading more about shopping bans and zero waste lifestyles got the wheels turning and I developed an experiment for myself. My 6 month social experiment includes a shopping ban and steps to reach a zero-er waste lifestyle. However, I have struggled with whether to lay it all out there for the universe to read, and whether or not this was truly outdoor conservation related. Ultimately, I decided to share (obviously). 

But why?

Often the world of conservation seems to large and overwhelming, like no matter what an individual does it's just a drop in a very large bucket making very little impact. But every little thing DOES make an impact. That's important to remember. However we can always do more. Changes to personal habits is more tangible, accountable, and measurable so that for me is a good place to start. At least it's an effort I can control more and every little bit helps! 

By banning unnecessary shopping, I am reducing my consumption of goods. I am then in turn reducing my environmental impact. How often do you buy something on impulse at a shop and use it/wear it once or twice, and end up never using it again? More often than you'd care to admit, I'm sure, because that's me. And I don't even enjoy shopping in general. But it all adds up. So, for example, by reducing my clothing purchases, I can reduce my environmental impact because the clothing industry is notoriously environmentally unfriendly. 

I'm also immensely bothered by the amount of waste generated by my daily life. To name a few - cat litter/waste, dog food bags, kitchen scraps, unnecessary packaging, takeout containers, single use plastics, and the list goes on. 

So naturally, because of these frustrations, I'm going to challenge myself because I like quests. Also I'm inspired by Cait Flanders and all the geniuses at r/ZeroWaste. 

So here's the rules for my 6 month shopping ban: 

1) I can purchase necessary consumable items from the allowed list below but only when needed. 

2) I can also purchase anything on my pre-approved shopping list. I have a few things I do actually need but haven't purchased yet. 

3) I can also make a purchase if an item wears out and legitimately does need to be replaced. Caveat - aim for used or responsibly produced replacements.
4) Travel souvenirs are allowed when abroad (non daily special instance). I like to buy earrings, fridge magnets, and books when abroad and these things bring me much joy and daily use. 

5) Everything else is a no go! 

Allowed Shopping List:

Toiletries, cleaning supplies, pet supplies, bike parts, gifts, used books, home improvement supplies.

Not Allowed Shopping List:
Music, new books, decor, media, electronics, shoes, kitchen stuff, clothes, pretty much everything else.

Approved Item List:
Prints for existing wall frames
Smart thermostat for the house
NOLS course supplies that are required for the course
fabric to make curtains
stick vacuum for all the dog hair

I predict that my weaknesses will be impulse buys at the shop, new books, and outdoor gear and clothing.

I would also like to clarify that a shopping ban does not equal a spending money ban. I'd rather spend money on an experience - eating dinner out with friends, traveling, competing in a race, etc. It's the unnecessary impulse buys and retail therapy that I'm eliminating.

So if Step 1 is to reduce the amount of things coming into my life, then Step 2 is to reduce the amount of things currently in my life. I will do a major purge - clothes, kitchen, storage space, gear room, everything. Things will be donated/sold as necessary.

Step 3 is to start the journey towards zero waste. There are other adults in my life, and I can't control anyone, but I can do my own personal best. For example I will start composting again. I don't like vegetable gardening and I'm really bad at it but I can use the compost for my yard and native plants instead of it ending up in a landfill. I'll outline my zero waste goals in another post once I make a systematic plan. Exact details TBD! 

You can read about other people's experiments in these realms below:
My Year of No Shopping by Ann Patchett NY Times, 12/15/2017

Save Money and Reset Your Financial Life With a Shopping Ban NY Times, 2/23/2018

r/ZeroWaste Reddit sub Zero Waste

It’s 2018! Time For A Shopping Ban Tiny Ambitions Blog, accessed 10/4/2018

The Six Month Shopping Ban (And How It Jump Started My Path to Financial Freedom) GenTwenty Blog, accessed 10/4/2018