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The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan: Discover the Joy of Spending Less, Sharing More, and Living Generously
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Overview
In their island community, friends Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller discovered that the beaches of Puget Sound were spoiled by a daily influx of plastic items and trash washing on shore. From pens and toothbrushes to toys and straws, they wondered, where did it all come from? Of course, it comes from us—our homes, our backyards, our cars, and our workplaces. And so, a rallying cry against excess stuff was born.
In 2013, they launched the first Facebook Buy Nothing Project group in their small town off the coast of Seattle, and they never expected it to become a viral sensation. Today there are thousands of Buy Nothing groups all over the world, boasting more than a million members, and 5,000 highly active volunteers.
Inspired by the ancient practice of gift economies, where neighbors share and pool resources,The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan introduces an environmentally conscious 7-step guide that teaches us how to buy less, give more, and live generously. At once an actionable plan and a thought-provoking exploration of our addiction to stuff, this powerful program will help you declutter your home without filling landfills, shop more thoughtfully and discerningly, and let go of the need to buy new things. Filled with helpful lists and practical suggestions including 50 items you never need to buy (Ziploc bags and paper towels) and 50 things to make instead (gift cards and salad dressing), The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan encourages you to rethink why you shop and embrace a space-saving, money-saving, and earth-saving mindset of buying less and sharing more.
Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9781982113803 |
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Publisher: | Atria Books |
Publication date: | 01/12/2021 |
Pages: | 288 |
Sales rank: | 1,204,339 |
Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.38(h) x 0.80(d) |
About the Author
Rebecca Rockefeller launched the Buy Nothing Project with its first local Facebook group on Bainbridge Island. Since then, she has been the force behind the movement’s unique online culture. Rebecca has translated her social media skills into a consultancy, helping artists and nonprofits promote themselves and their social movements online.
Table of Contents
Introduction: How We Came to Buy Less and Share More 1
Why We Should Buy Nothing 12
The Plastic Age 12
A Clean Solution 17
The Psychology of Consumerism 19
Drowning in Stuff 20
The Unexpected Joy of Buying Nothing 22
An Invitation to Buy Nothing 26
Try Our 7-Step Buy Nothing Challenge 26
The Rules 28
Exceptions 29
Step 1 Give 31
Himalayan Teachings 32
The Importance of Having Something to Give 36
An Economy Build on Giving 38
Step 1 Give 41
How to Give 45
Regarding Gift Economies, Women, Poverty, and Wealth 49
How to Create a Gift Economy Group 52
Gift of Self 55
We Invite You to Give 57
Step 2 Ask 60
Money Separates Us, Gift Economies Connect US 61
We've Forgotten How to Ask 64
A Buy Nothing Wedding 65
Step 2 Ask 67
All Gifts Have Equal Value 72
Unexpected Connections 75
We Invite You to Ask 77
Step 3 Reuse & Refuse 80
An Experiment in Buying Nothing 85
Why Shopping Feels Good and Buying Nothing Can Feel Better 87
Life Less Groceries 90
Step 3 Reuse & Refuse 96
50 Things We Never Buy 96
Make Every Day a Special Occasion 121
We Invite You to Reuse & Refuse 124
Step 4 Reflect 126
The Thrill of Shopping 129
Step 4 Reflect 132
We Invite You to Reflect 138
Questions to Ask Before You Buy Something 139
Step 5 Make & Fix 141
Be a Producer, Not a Consumer 142
Step 5 Make 144
Fix It! 145
50 Things We Make 147
We Invite You to Make & Fix 168
Step 6 Share, Lend & Borrow 170
Create Your Shareocracy 172
Step 6 Share 175
50 Things We Share 183
50 Things We Lend & Borrow 195
We Invite You to Share, Lend & Borrow 205
Step 7 Gratitude 207
Step 7 Gratitude 207
The Ultimate Gift 210
We Invite You to Express Gratitude 212
Just the Beginning: Buy Nothing for Life 215
Share Your Experience 215
Start Over and Over and Over Again 216
Challenge Yourself to Buy Nothing Longer 217
Buy Mindfully 219
A Vision for the Future 222
Giving Networks as Aid Organizations 223
Saving the Earth, One Give, Ask, Share at a Time 226
Real-World Sharing 227
Acknowledgments 229
Appendix 233
References 241
Index 247