Worthwhile Book Review

[rockinlibrarian]

Well, I wanted to share this but haven't gotten around to it, but with magnolia__'s rumination about thrift stores, iamdamanda's rant against judgemental parents, and rockonliz127's renewed environmental fervor, it seems now is most definitely the time.

The book, based on three separate books, based on a newsletter, called finally The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn, has changed the way even a cheapskate like ME thinks about Things, and by Things I do mean it with the capital T (that rhymes with P and that stands for... products?). It's basically an exchange of ideas on how to save money by people who REALLY MEAN IT, as opposed to advertizers who try to convince you to Save Big by Spending Only Ten Dollars on this Twelve Dollar Thing That You Don't Even Need That Will Just Take Up Space In Your House!

Now, the book itself is full of a wide variety of ideas, many of which I'd still never actually do or have the need to, many of which I already do, and many of which I say, "Hey, that's smart, never thought of that," but the POINT of the book and the point I wish to discuss today is not the ideas themselves, but the general mindset, which is, in a word, Eyeopening.

It is amazing and frightening just how WASTEFUL our society really is! And not just on the surface, the usual things, but even people who think they're pretty conscious about waste, even people like me who have been pack rats from the time they were old enough to call anything their own, even we are wasteful in ways we completely take for granted!

There is SUCH a glut of overpackaging in stores that you really only think about when you try to picture a store of a hundred years ago, how were those things packaged then? And THAT suddenly makes you realize how many MORE products are around now, and THAT makes you realize how many of those products are REALLY NOT NECESSARY! You save not only money but also resources and landfill space by really stepping back and eliminating from your spending everything you can make yourself from scratch ("scratch" is more likely to be sold in bulk or be free-- even less packaging) or actually don't need at all, and then the packaging you DO end up with, how much of THAT can even be reused! I'd occasionally reused Ziplock bags before, and I'd used grocery bags for garbage, but why can't I rinse out ALL decent bags and use them for something else? Well, all bags except ones that hold raw meat (even the relative extremists of the Tightwad Gazette draw the line there).

And think about paper napkins and towels. It's one thing if you have to take your laundry to a laundromat, but if you have your own machines, why DON'T we use cloth more often? I started using cloth diapers in effort to save money, and I myself am kind of amazed how easy it actually is in practice, and I'm a person who otherwise forgets to do laundry until someone is out of some kind of clothes that they need. But now I'm rather ashamed at myself for using paper at all. Seriously, it's a waste! Now I don't really have enough cloth napkins to make it worthwhile to give up the paper right now, but maybe I ought to.

And how much stuff do people just THROW AWAY when it can be repaired or even reused as something else? And why do people insist on buying more and more new stuff when used stuff will do just as well? Or maybe isn't even needed?

Why do otherwise intelligent freethinking people keep buying into the System? All of us think we're pretty savvy about not being brainwashed by commercials but if we really think about it there are lots of ways society has convinced us of needing things we really don't, or that a slight improvement in quality or convenience justifies a large increase in price. And when I really think about it it's scary how dependent people are on the System. People can't grow their own and make their own anymore, they just assume they can buy whatever they want let alone need. And boy do we waste electricity! It's hard to get on here because I usually only have little pieces of time at a time, so I leave the computer on to save a few minutes, but it seems like the small time savings is not worth the large electrical waste, doubly so when you think how hot the computer makes the room, which makes the air conditioning run more. And air conditioning! I've been so oblivious to summer because we've got whole house air conditioning, but could we save if we opened the windows while it's cooler outside? (Figures, though, I come to this conclusion during the hottest week of the year, when there IS no cooler time outside). But I'm suddenly conscious about what little electrical things I REALLY don't need to be wasting, and think What can I do that requires NO electricity right now? on occasion.

I seriously just want to drop OUT sometimes. Get back to the Simple Life. Except with stereos and DVD players. Oh yeah, and refrigeration. :)

Comments

Hurray!

[gloworm59.livejournal.com]

First of all, you totally need to check out No Impact Man:

http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/

He's my hero - I admire him for his "experiment," for his intelligent insights, and overall just fantastic positive attitude. I *almost* wish I could be him, but I'm with you on the refrigeration. And I'm also a big fan of sewage systems. And he has a few advantages in his experiment, such as the luxury of working from home to spend the necessary time required to be "no impact," and living in an environment where services are walkable and public transportation is available.

Unfortunately, I'm really a sucker for consumerism, although I'd like to be less of one. I totally believe in the principles of buying less, but I really need to come up with an intervention plan to help me with my practice. I just love shiny new sale things. :) I do appreciate thrifting; however, I find that I end up "needing" what I "need" when I "need" it, and don't have the time/energy/patience to scour every thrift store looking for, say, black boots that actually FIT, so I just buy new. Which maybe isn't all that bad, if you consider the gas I'd be using trucking around to the thrift stores. Or is that just a rationalization? I guess the important thing is to consider if it's something you ACTUALLY need, or just want. Purchasing in and of itself isn't necessarily evil, I guess it's just a matter of doing it *consciously*...

Our dependence on "The System" frightens me, as well, because I'm convinced that our society is going to completely deteriorate before we retire unless society makes some serious changes. Why do you think I've taken up gardening? ;)

Re: Hurray!

[gloworm59.livejournal.com]

Oh and on society deteriorating, I'm in the middle of reading Dark Age Ahead by Jane Jacobs, who points out the similarities between our society and societies that have gone into dark ages... just in case you didn't have enough to be depressed about... the introduction of the book says she offers hope, though, so I'll have to see what that is once I get a little further along in the book. :)

OH! And the PACKAGING! Seriously! I don't even know what to do about it! I need razors! Can you buy a razor that doesn't come in a package? Or, how about that stuff that comes in like, TWO packages? I don't even know what to do about it! Write letters, I guess, and buy stuff with less packaging where possible.

Oh, and one last word on limiting consumption of new products:

CRAIGSLIST.

Re: Hurray!

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

Oh I forgot, there's also a whole article on the economic options of shaving in the book, too. If you dry the razor and then coat it with Vaseline it supposedly lasts longer, incidentally....

Re: Hurray!

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

however, I find that I end up "needing" what I "need" when I "need" it, and don't have the time/energy/patience to scour every thrift store looking for, say, black boots that actually FIT, so I just buy new.

One of the recommendations that keeps coming up in the book is keeping a list of things you will PROBABLY need in the future to keep an eye out for in thrift stores and garage sales, etc.

I will check out the link when I know I have more time. Same with Craigslist, which is something I have heard about only in passing.

Jason has always had Survivalist leanings, so bucking the System has always been a bit of a family hobby in that way. If only I can get him to stop spending money on stuff he doesn't need and then complaining about how much extra he has to work to make money!

[sal_amanda]

I'll have to look into that book. I have to admit that I am an unbelievably lazy person. I'm way too lazy to deal with cloth diapers. I know I'll be way too lazy to make my own baby food. And part of that is being a mom, working, and going to school (and I haven't even totally started the latter two up again in full force yet so I know it'll be bad), but really, I'm just lazy.

But I do want to become more simple. My neighbor just gave us a giant box of baby toys that her daughters have outgrown and I tried to only take the ones that I really liked, but she wouldn't take no for an answer. I have grown up as a packrat, but I am desperately trying to de-clutter. However, I seem like I'm always fighting an uphill battle against my husband and against my own self. I want Nora to be different, but she's already drowning in more stuff than she could possibly ever need.

And I'm someone who totally falls for the gimmick. It's a running joke in my home how I'm such a sucker for shiny new things. But I'll take them used if I can get them because I'm also broke. I totally fell for it when I was pregnant and got all this stuff new that I wish I had just waited for garage sale season to get, or checked craigslist or the classifieds in the paper.

I suppose the good news is that I know this stuff about myself and, as G.I. Joe used to say, knowing is half the battle. I do want to change so I guess that's another fraction of the battle.

As for the packaging, that has always irked me. There is no good reason why stuff needs to come in as much plastic as it does. Plus it bugs the lazy part of me that has to make a serious effort to get my product out of said plastic. ;)

[sal_amanda]

I thought of something else this morning in relation to your entry. There is, I believe, a way to definitely take the tightwad thing too far. It's no secret that I think my in-laws are a bit on the weird side. They have these antiquated Victorian ways, but that's a whole different story. But my MIL also has some of the tightwaddiest ways imaginable at times. When the whole family gets together, it's pretty much expected that the paper napkins at your place at the table will be reused over and over and over again, unless it's so dirty you couldn't possibly use it again, and even then, I'm not sure what that would mean. I'm not against reusing wrapping paper, but they have used some pieces for well over a decade and I think there's more tape marks than actual design on some of these pieces (for my part, the lazy in me uses gift bags and has absolutely no qualms about using those over as many times as possible). I always tell John to wrap their stuff in the paper we like best since we'll be seeing it again for many years. John has stories about his mom actually pulling kleenix out of the garbage right after he had thrown one away because she it was still usable. I'm not even kidding. And he'd kill me if he knew I was sharing that story.

She's also got major packratting because of the tightwadness. Like, you never know when you might need that item again so you must save it for your entire life. We don't tell her some of the things that we've sold at garage sales because she would request them back and I am not lugging things the 9 hours to New Hampshire for our once a year visit just because she can't let things go. Now, to be fair, I have diagnosed her with a very textbook case of OCD personality disorder and the hoarding is part of that, but you should see their basement. John had never given anything away to the Good Will before he met me. Ever.

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

There's a bit in the book about finding balance in ones tightwad life, as well. Though I am guilty of reusing paper napkins until they can't take it. Would be more sensible just to get cloth I suppose.

[sal_amanda]

I don't think the paper napkin thing is that big of a deal, but she does so many other weird tightwad things that it's just like the icing on the cake with her.

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

I just opened a box of eardrops for Sam that actually says on the package something like, "We know this box is huge compared to the bottle inside, but we needed to make all the writing on the box big enough for you to read." I could think of a lot more options myself. A larger quantity of drops? Print on the inside of the box as well as the outside? What about forgetting the box entirely and just printing the info on a fold-out label on the sealed bottle? Anyway.

Knowing is totally half the battle. I'm determined to do a lot of stuff that I've been too lazy to do, but I feel so much more AWARE of what I do now!

[sal_amanda]

I don't even ever save the box for those kinds of things. I usually just keep the insert. That's just absurd.

[punterschlagen.livejournal.com]

Tightwad Gazette is one of my favorite books!!!

It's become traditional among my sisters and I to give this book as a present at all the bridal showers we go to. I got my copy from my sister Sarah at my shower.

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

There were times when I was reading it that I totally thought of you! I don't know if it was something specific that I knew you did or just the general attitude. Maybe both.

Though not as often as it reminded me of wonderingmind's mom.

[lady1297.livejournal.com]

I think I need to read this. I've all but eliminated paper stuff in my house (other than for parties...I have no desire to do dishes all night long! :)). I would LOVE to convince Joe to use cloth wipes instead of toilet paper, but I doubt he'd join me. I do love my cloth pads though...LOVE them...no more crampies for me! (Turns out the chemicals in disposie pads like Always were causing my cramps!) I have had the same pack of paper towels since January!! I remember the cold weather the day I bought them. I'd rather just grab a kitchen towel! Now, I need to cut down on other junk...I need (as I've said) to check out this book! :)

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'd ever get rid of toilet paper, but then again if you're already washing diapers or even more appropriately using cloth wipes on the baby, why not? Assuming you had enough. And a diaper pail in your bathroom (we don't).

[lady1297.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we use cloth wipes for John and we have the pail in the bathroom right there. I used washclothes post partum for about a month because TP really hurt when I used it. I think I should be French, with a bidet, because otherwise I don't feel like things are all clean and fresh.. ;) Okay, enough with the TMI!!!

[http://users.livejournal.com/magnolia---/]

BEAT THE SYSTEM.

could i borrow the book?! you are awesome.

p.s. the sound of my computer, when it is on, drives me insane because i can hear it running when i am in the other room!

and i totally agree with you. some days i feel like i'd like to totally drop out of society. well mostly all the time i tell zeke about how great it would be to just move out in the woods and live off my own garden and be aware and all that.

i am motivated by just your entry, so i'd love to see what the book will do. random keller williams lyric: "keep it simple" - this quote, as well as "simplify simplify simplify" is the reason i have been getting rid of all those clothes i have and giving them to charity and whatnot. i just want to totally simplify my life and stop being so wasteful!

i can't wait to read it!

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

Oh this reminds me:

If you and Zeke want to buy some property, how about here? (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/08/AR2007080801668.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/entertainmentnews) ;)

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

It's not mine to lend, I borrowed it from the library. But I just reread a section on cheap alternatives in weddings that you might want to check out.

[rockonliz127.livejournal.com]

I don't know--I'm all for beating the system, but as long as the system is THERE, I don't see a way to beat it. I mean, I've gotta eat, and I can't exactly go to work wearing shoes I made.

But you can get creative. USE the packaging for something, even if it's to scoop the poop out of the litter box. I've actually bought so much underwear that I have to wash it less. I think washing laundry is worse than buying underwear.

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

The beauty of this book is that it's not prescriptive, ie "you must do this and this and this because anything else is a waste," but it's more about changing the way YOU look at what you've got and how you really use it and seeing what YOU can change based on your own priorities and resources. Looking at me, for example, you're witness to one way I could save money if I was truly as tightwaddy as can be-- cable internet. I could get dial-up or even just use the library. But I need the Internet too much for trying to make money by writing, so the priority is a bit different (now if I can just justify that claim by making myself WORK more at paid writing). On the other hand, I don't need a clothing budget at ALL, let alone garage sale vs. department store vs. designer stuff.

I have lots of underwear so as to wash it less, too, actually! it's not about not buying what you need, it's not buying what you DON'T need, like fancy gift underwear from Victoria's Secret that comes in a pretty pink box with a little stuffed dog vs a bulk pack of plain but decently made underwear from K-Mart.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I don't know. Regardless of what people say about "the simple life" (hopefully not including Paris Hilton or Nicole Richie {g}), I don't necessarily think doing everything by hand would BE all that simple. It's one thing to grow your own food to save some money and eat fresher stuff (and that's something I might want to do someday, if I ever have the resources), but quite another if you're going to starve if your vegetable garden doesn't work out. I don't think I could imagine living without electricity (not to mention indoor plumbing, the importance of which is too often understated). Sure, plenty of people have done it, but most of them never knew anything else, you know?

I do have to agree about packaging, though. The kind that protects things from getting broken or bruised is fine, but there's way too much of it on pretty much anything you get at the store. And store employees practically force excess bags on you. ("Are you sure you don't need a bag for this one item that's just as easy to carry without one?") When I worked as a bagger at the grocery store, some people would bring their own cloth bags, which I thought was pretty cool. And they'd hold a surprising amount, albeit rarely everything the person was buying. But I just know that, if I had bags like that, I'd always forget to bring them to the store. {g}

And how much stuff do people just THROW AWAY when it can be repaired or even reused as something else?

Well, if you want to save money, sometimes it can cost even more to get something repaired than to just get a new one.

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

The book is very big about Doing What Works For You, rather than having anyone subscribe to a particular set of rules. It's all about trying new things and looking at things from a new viewpoint, erasing the consumerist mindset that's been ingrained into everyone and believing that there really IS very little you NEED to buy.

But I just know that, if I had bags like that, I'd always forget to bring them to the store.
This is my problem, because I DO have bags like that, and I've ALWAYS forgot them. And I'm totally sick of the bags they give you, and you're right, they do put an absurd lack of stuff in each bag too.