Not 100% sure on where this question fits... My subscribed subreddits where I thought it might be relevant include /r/BuyItForLife, /r/Anticonsumption, /r/simpleliving, /r/minimalism, /r/ZeroWaste, /r/frugal, etc.
What is your personal hierarchy of importance for consumption of material goods, or even food?
Some self-imposed requirements before purchasing might include:
- Locally sourced or produced
- Packaging/waste free
- Cost
- Organic/grass-fed
- Plastic free (or BPA free)
- Vegan (free of animal products)
- Business is MWBE-owned or managed
- Fair trade
I have been thinking about this a lot, as I try to limit my consumption of material goods and try to buy quality when I do. But my budget is limited (I make about $27,000 before taxes per year) so I have to consider that as well.
I have been kicking myself lately because I will notice myself making purchases that seem contradictory (i.e. I bought a reusable glass water bottle yesterday that was made in China but sold by a local business; I bought copper sponge scrubs for washing dishes but they came in a plastic wrapper; I bought package free (bulk) rice at the grocery, but it's 2.5x more expensive than regular rice). I also try to not shop online as the shipping/packaging waste is excessive.
I have been trying to remember that there is no one holy grail product that will meet ALL my self imposed "requirements", but that they are only priorities to focus my consumption, invest in quality products, and simplify my life/eat better. I think the most important ones for me right now are, in order:
1) Locally sourced or produced
2) Cost
3) Package free
4) Fair trade
5) Organic
Are there any other factors that I missed? What are your priorities?
Submitted March 16, 2017 at 03:08PM by rebellious_ltl_pony http://ift.tt/2n3Px9V
