The Buy Nothing Get Everything Plan

The Buy Nothing Get Everything Plan

Adult nonfiction
"We embarked on this way of life because we felt so helpless in
the midst of all the marketing coming our way, in every form: in our
homes, through the internet, and out in our towns and cities every
time we walk into a supermarket or store. Advertising promotes a
culture of competition, with winners and losers, at the expense of the
whole..."
Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller proved themselves to be far
from hopeless. They created a collective of gift based (as opposed to
market based) economies "in which neighbors share with neighbors,
members "ask" for what they want instead of buying it, and members
"give" away their gently used items instead of tossing them." And now,
so that a larger range of people can join in this wonderful revolution
they wrote The Buy Nothing Get Everything Plan: Discover the Joy of
Spending Less, Sharing More, and Living Generously.
Don't get the title wrong. The authors aren't telling us to
totally stop spending money. Unlike my partner, Eugene, who could
function quite fine by hunting, fishing, growing, and foraging, most
of us would starve. They don't want us all to stop paying for stuff
like food, electricity, medicine, and education. They just want us to
spend more mindfully. Rather than just run out and buy something, say
a prom dress, think of the other ways you can obtain it.
Let's say your daughter will want a prom dress in a few months.
My younger daughter did about a decade ago. We walked from store to
store. I saw her sneaking glances at price tags even though her dad
told her not to. She didn't feel okay about spending that much money
on one. Then we saw an announcement of a free prom dress event and
decided to look.
It was one of the most beautiful experiences of my entire life.
A boxy drab building was transformed by what looked like a flock of
butterflies, prom gowns in every style and color. There were also
shoes and other accessories and volunteers to help. Katie found a
stunning black and white number and the perfect go with shoes.
The experience was totally different. If we had bought the
dress at a store we would have paid and gone home. At the event there
was an aura of communal joy. Most of the girls were strangers to one
another. Some probably played on opposing teams. But in that space
and moment they were present to and engaged with each other. "You
should try this one. It would bring out your eyes." "Are these shoes
your size?" "OMG, you look amazing." Some of us moms were nearly in
joy tears. And the people running the show were on Cloud Nine
I shared this example because it epitomizes the book's theme.
The girls didn't run out and spend a lot of money on something they
might wear once. They weren't the only ones feeling the joy. The
donors could get satisfaction from knowing that these lovely garments
would help other girls sparkle, shine, and form precious memories
instead of going into a landfill.
What the authors would like is a world in which this kind of
event morphs into a way of life. People shop a lot less because they
have other ways of meeting many needs and wants. This helps to create
communities where people hoard less because they feel more safe and
cared for. There are far fewer good items ending up in landfills and
oceans.
You may be thinking, as I did, sounds great, but how do I even
get started? That's what the book is all about. It's full of ideas
to pursue individually and collectively divided into seven steps:
Give: We have to get out of the mind set that the rich are givers and
the poor are takers. Everyone has something to give. During my years
as a stay home mom I made my home open as a free place parents who
couldn't afford to pay a babysitter or miss a shift at work could send
kids on snow days, sick days, or early shifts. We called it the
breakfast club.
Ask. We have to get out of the mindset that asking for help betrays
inner weakness. A lot of people want to give or help. If you have a
specific request that they can meet they're happy too. I got a note
from Tobago's vet that she needs her check up and shots. We all know
I can't drive. I emailed my friend Connie who was only too happy to
serve as chauffer. Tobago will stay healthy, I won't court frostbite
standing around in a potentially frigid parking lot, and a friendship
will be stronger. When I wanted to create a fruitcake Emily, who
keeps me supplied with library books, bought me the ingedients I
needed for baking it. I didn't really know her before the pandemic
and now we have a great friendship.
Reuse and refuse. There are lots of suggestions including a list of
fifty things you may never have to buy again.
Reflect. A lot of emotions go into shopping for most of us.
Understanding what motivates us can help us step back and see
alternatives that may end up being more gratifying.
Make and fix. There is another handy list of things we can make
instead of buying which can provide the start of fulfilling hobbies.
A friend makes lovely scented bath soaps for very useful Christmas
gifts. My stash of yarn for knitting and crocheting comes from thrift
shops, yard sales, other people's unfinished projects, and damaged
objects. I made quite a few scarves from yarn scavenged from an
afghan mauled by a Doberman. Some of them made recipients very happy
this past pandemic Christmas.
Share, lend, and borrow. If there are eight houses on a street does
it really make sense for each to have a snow blower?
And expressing gratitude which improves the health of not only those
who express and receive it but even bystanders.
Reading the book left me feeling drunk from all the
possibilities. I'm incorporating what I can into my pandemic
lifestyle. When it's again safe to move around our communities I plan
to create a community centered around my local church. When you read
the book pick what will work for you. Even if it's only a few ideas
life will get happier.
And if you can afford to do so The Buy Nothing Get Everything
Plan would make a great donation to your favorite public library.
On a personal note, great big shout outs go out to:
1) University of Maine's Black Bear Exchange, our on campus food
pantry and clothing exchange. The food goes way beyond the
traditional nonperishables. Thanks to a partnership with Good
Shepherd there are fresh veggies. This week I received two acorn
squashes! And when campus is open for business dining sends trays and
pots of unused food that is repackaged into family sized portions
under state of the art sanitary conditions. Restaurant quality food
all ready to heat and serve, steak tips, teriyaki pork...is very much
a blessing. There are also personal hygiene products. The authors of
the book would very much approve of the clothing exchange and of the
big annual fund raiser: Clean Sweep. Every May we organize all the
stuff students leave in their dorms, donations, and furniture replaced
in dorms by the universities into the yard sale all other yard sales
wish they were. I'm always in charge of the clothing section. People
line up for hours the first day of the sale. There are super
bargains--even on stuff like electronics and small appliances. The
2019 Clean Sweep cleared over $9000. The stuff that doesn't get sold
goes to all sorts of organizations. And there is such camaraderie
among workers it's just plain fun. Of course a great big shout out to
Lisa Morin who makes all who become involved into a family. One of
the things I miss most in this pandemic is being part of Lisa's crew.
2) Orono Community Garden and John and Shelley Jemmison who run it.
We grow organic veggies and deliver them to food insecure older
people. In doing so we bond with fellow gardeners and learn a lot
about gardening. I hope next summer I'll have safe transportation to
get down and dirty there.
3) Maine's vital network of public libraries that are doing an
exceptional job of providing books under very challenging conditions.
The inter library loan trucks are very busy. Every time Emily does a
delivery the books are from all over the state. I'm champing at the
bit to shelf read in Orono Public Library's children's wing.
4) The wonderful organizations that allow us to rehome precious
animals instead of running out to pet stores, especially Waterville
Humane Society where I adopted my dear little Tobago.
5) All other groups large and small that are based on building
community and enriching lives by the giving and sharing of resources.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway



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