Market's Whores

Why are drugs so expensive again?

2008-01-08T21:43:00.000-08:00

Because big pharma spends a lot on research and development of the drugs they sell? Guess again.

(Eep. I hope I don't revive the fight we had on this post.)

Capitalism Kills Babies

2008-01-03T12:19:00.000-08:00

Check this out....I did my Fulbright research on breastfeeding in Bangladesh and this is a huge issue in developing countries. It seems that formula companies have gotten sneakier in their advertising tactics. They used to give out free samples (like they do in the US) so that new mothers would lose their milk supplies and be forced to buy formula for their babies. Grrrr.

Thanks to TKP for the link.

Consumption and the Environment

2008-01-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

My sis-in-law just sent me this piece and I thought it was appropriate to post here. It's a really good read if you have a sec.

Black Friday

2007-11-24T19:10:00.000-08:00

Did you shop on Black Friday? Or did you participate in Buy Nothing Day?

I have shopped on Black Friday for the past two years. In 2005, it was on purpose, I was looking for sales. It sucked from the moment when somebody jammed their shopping cart on my heel in Target, and it went downhill from there. Low blood sugar, financial anxiety and the horror that is the mall parking lot made me vow never to return. In 2006, however, I was in Ohio and forgot that it was Black Friday until I got to the mall. Ewww.

This year, I spent Black Friday in the Wilderness with my fam. I didn't buy anything. But I still have Xmas presents to buy and could use a new pair of jeans, which I'll now end up paying more for because I didn't brave the crowds. This sucks.

Capitalism vs. Socialism

2007-09-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

In considering whether I should join the socialist group on campus I read this

Some of my favorite quotes:

"In fact, capitalism has created so much wealth that there is no longer any reason for anyone on earth to go without proper food, shelter, education, health care and a fulfilling life." (If this is so, then how come there are so many people without all these things.)

"The Brazilian government has shown that the same drugs can be produced for about 10 percent of the price that the American companies charge, but the American companies use international laws about “private property” and “copyright infringement” to keep those cheap drugs off the world market."

"First, we want to unite with everyone who wants to fight for a better world in the here and now--be it ending the war, bringing solidarity to strikes, stopping executions and so on. Socialists believe that unity in action is the best way to win these concrete reforms."

I don't know if I'm a socialist exactly, and of course the piece is full of rhetoric-- and I think it needs more study. Though I know my male companion on this blog is against socialism, I still have hope that there are better ways than capitalism to help people in need.

Non-Seq

Don't buy stuff you can't afford

2007-09-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

This should be our signature video..

Confession Time

2007-09-05T07:17:00.001-07:00

I've been a total whore, especially the past few weeks. I took a week off work to prepare for the upcoming craziness of fall semester, and used some of my student loan money (about $350 to be exact) on stocking up. If there is a nuclear fallout, feel free to hole up in my apartment, because I have enough of everything to last about 50 years.

Back-to-school time has always brought out the slut in me, because I used to get a wad of cash from my grandma every year to buy clothes with. And the stores are shameless - Old Navy had a "get this tank top free when you buy a pair of jeans" promotion. I wanted that silly tank top so bad! Fortunately I resisted. But it was sneaky indeed. I managed to only buy stuff on clearance, though. OK that's a lie. I bought one shirt that was full price - but it was really cute, the perfect color of green and very soft. And I got some full price, dark cammo pants for Isaac because he said they made him feel like a ninja. Who doesn't wanna feel like a ninja on their first day of 2nd grade?

Oh, and my other transgression would have to be the Chucks. They WERE buy one get one half off, but still quite spendy.

Here's what I wanna know, and perhaps our new posting member Wilderness J. can enlighten me:

How much time and effort does it take to find suitable used clothing? Do you feel like you spend less money, more money, or about the same?
Where to you find unmentionables? The only place to buy underwear (besides stupid Victoria's Secret) that I know if is the Big Box stores. I just can't escape them!
What about shoes? What's your opinion on these? (My opinion - anybody who can spend $65 for a pair of flip flops is way to rich for my blood. They may be eco-friendly but they are certainly slutty.)

I guess that's enough for today. Welcome back Market's Whores! I've missed you!

NO NO NO

2007-09-05T05:52:00.000-07:00

Hob, again....I must re-state the point of this blog...there are no sales, no fat wallet, no consumption, unless it is buying used, recycled or NO items at all! The idea is that we buy too much! Stop trying to get us to buy cheaper, it is STILL BUYING. We are whores to the market in that we sell ourselves and the corporations just keep fucking us.

Ms. Non-Sequitur

Shopping smart

2007-09-04T09:23:00.001-07:00

This blog needs a revival and while I'm still trying to find good discussion topic in the mean time I shall post a bunch of shopping links. If you have to be a market's whore, you may as well be a smart one.

Naughty Codes
Discount codes for all kinds of stores.

FatWallet
A massive resource for bargain shoppers. Especially check out the forums.

Deals2Buy
A daily deals website. (Careful: This website may induce unnecessary shopping sprees.)

Farecast
Airline price predictions.

ProBargainHunter
A bargain blog. Very useful.

Baby Carrots Aren't

2007-05-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

Baby Carrots - The Frugal Idea That's Isn't

I just love American ingenuity sometimes!

15 ways stores trick you into spending

2007-04-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

A great article on MSN Money - 15 ways stores trick you into spending

We appreciate your business!

2007-04-24T23:38:00.000-07:00

I bet you do.

Materialism breeds militarism.

2007-04-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation!!!

This was one of the many (complicated) slogans that we chanted as we marched down State Street in an anti-war rally last Wednesday. It was freezing, my throat hurt, and I kept stepping on the backs of the feet of the poor dude in front of me, but I was exhilarated. Here I was, participating in a real protest at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, the school known for its famous protests of racism and war and other social injustices in the 60's and 70's. We were the students, and our voices would be heard!

But as I looked around, I realized that we were much fewer in number than I had hoped. For weeks, I had seen chalk messages all over campus about the "Walkout to Protest the War", and for the past week people had been handing out fliers and shouting in the library mall about the protest. But there were only about 200 of us out of a population of 40,000 students. Where was everyone?

WE are responsible for this war. It is OUR GOVERNMENT that is bombing Iraq and killing people. We can fling the rhetoric back and forth, but the truth is that this war is not about terrorism, or democracy, or fundamentalist Islam. It's about profits and oil and protecting our wasteful American lifestyles.

That's why I started this blog. I hope that by thinking more deeply about my own habits as a consumer, I can be conscious of my role in perpetuating this system of plunder and waste. I have seen the effects that Western consumerism has on less developed societies and I don't want to be a part of it. It's a hard thing to do - to reverse this avalanche that is rolling down the mountain - but I no longer believe that it is my duty to be a good consumer, to vote with my dollar, to support the economy.

By becoming more cognizant of my own materialism, I have realized how insidious the corporate governance of my behavior has become. They turn wants into needs, convincing us that we must have "the basics" in order to care for our children properly, to be healthy, or to live a fulfilling life. They play on our ethics, insisting that we purchase music and software rather than share it in order to support the musicians and authors (when in reality it's the corporations that get most of the money). Every minute of tv and radio, every mile of interstate, and every byte of data online is "sponsored" by some company vying for our hard earned cash. They make it seem like they care if we have "baby soft skin" or "a complete breakfast" and we believe it.

Enough is enough. We have all the resources we need to be sure that every single person on this planet has clean water, nutritious food, a safe place to live and an education, but we insist on a world system based on inequality and exploitation. I can't change anyone else, but I can change myself.

Our protest culminated in about 100 of us entering Senator Kohl's office. We crowded in and continued to chant "Hey, Kohl, what do you say? How many kids did you kill today?" Forty or so of the protesters spent the night in a cramped and cold room, and were forcibly ejected the next morning. One person was arrested for refusing to leave. Herb Kohl's response? He agrees with the protest but has no control over what happens. How's that for democracy? It definitely makes me wonder about the mythical "power of the people".

So if there is another war protest, I'll be there. But I'll also be making real changes in my own life that support a more humane world, not one based on market equilibrium but one based on human equality and social justice. That's why I started this blog, and I hope you'll join me.

How, when and why to buy music

2007-04-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

I just bought Led Zeppelin I, II, II, IV, Houses Of The Holy and Physical Graffiti. I spent $44.33. That's almost $7.83 per CD (or $6.33 per CD if you consider that Physical Graffiti is a double album.)

How

The same CDs at Amazon.com cost $93.94. That's a savings of almost 50 bucks. I bought them from a music club (BMG.) Music clubs are generally reviled but I've found them to be a good proposition if you have to buy a bunch of mainstream music in one shot.

Other good music deals would be used CDs on Amazon, though I don't usually like to buy anything used (that's the consumer whore in me showing.) Amazon also has music blowouts with popular CDs anywhere from $5.99 and under to $9.99 and under. Some good stuff can be found there.

And if there's one particular CD that you cannot live without, you should check out BestMusicBuys which does a store comparison for you. (Actually the companion websites BestBookBuys and BestVideoBuys are awesome too.)

When

I buy music CDs only after listening to the entire CD first and deciding that it has enough good songs that it warrants a buy. I guess I buy albums and not songs. This generally ensures that I don't feel cheated. And it also ensures I don't do a lot of impulse buying. How do you listen to an entire CD before buying it? That's where public libraries and friends who buy CDs without listening to them first come in ;)

Why

Some of my friends wonder why I buy CDs when I can easily download music using the plethora of file-sharing programs that are out there. My simple answer is that I do it to support the artist. Yes, I'm aware that financially the artist will probably be getting only a few cents per CD, but I'd like to believe that simply the number of discs sold will mean something to an artist on a personal level.

And of course, there's some distinct pleasure in holding a brand new CD, ripping off the shrink-wrap, caressing the artwork etc. etc.

Postscript

If you do want to buy music online, I would suggest a store which doesn't have any DRM. emusic comes to mind and Apple recently announced that the entire EMI catalog will be available DRM free (for a price premium though.)

Hypermilers

2007-03-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

I've started reading Mother Jones - what a great mag.

Here's an article on Hypermilers - people who save gas by changing their driving habits. Makes me wonder how long I can go with out AC this summer.

Hold on to your keyboards, I have an announcement.

2007-03-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

Fair trade is a sham.

It doesn't exist...yet.

In my upper-level Sociology of Labor class, we were talking about how buying fair trade is little more than buying the idea of being a good person. It's almost like a brand - if you buy fair trade coffee, it means that you "care" and you can stop worrying about it. (For a pretty good explanation of Fair Trade, check out Wikipedia.)

The truth is, the fair trade certification is not regulated, and definitely not investigated or required. The coffee growers are probably only making a minimally better price for their goods, and the roasters are getting quite a bit of the profit. My professor even said that she doesn't bother to buy fair trade because it's not worth it (unless the coffee is really good!)

I was really sad when I heard this, because I had thought that fair trade at least gave us the power to "vote with our dollars" and that we could actually make a difference and not have to give up our coffee in the mean time. As the discussion turned to consumer boycotts, I became even more distressed.

Apparently, there is no evidence that consumer boycotts work. One famous case is Nike - remember the whole sweatshop deal? Well, that boycott DID hurt Nike's image, which could have been devastating in an industry where image is everything (the swoosh is apparently worth paying an extra $50-100 to some people.) While Nike's sales did see a decline around that time, we can't be sure that it was due to the boycott, or due to the fact that Nike pushed its price-point too far up and it crashed. They sure as hell won't say.

Anyway, what's a consumer to do? I guess I have two comments. First, something is better than nothing. Even if we're buying the idea of being fair, it's better than not caring at all. Maybe the rest of the world will start to notice that this is an important issue, and once we have a critical mass, we can actually do something about it. That extra ten cents a pound for farmers might not seem like much to us, but it could add up.

Second, let's just buy less, okay? I guess that's the point of this blog, anyway. I know, God forbid I should wear bell-bottom pants when straight leg is more fashionable, but it must end. (Now if only my bottom would stop expanding so I could fit into the 4 pairs of jeans lying unused in my closet right now. I guess I should stop buying junk food, too.)

Medical f*$king insurance!

2007-03-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

So I have cavities. Little tiny ones that aren't really a threat to my life but I have 'em anyway and need to get 'em filled. Off to the dentist we go. He's real nice and does a good job suggesting what I should get done. And then he bills me! Without insurance the whole thing would have cost me more than $1500. With dental, which I get by being a smarty-pants engineer with a real job, it works out to closer to a $600. Which is still way too much money! That's almost Rs. 26000! And I'm willing to bet it would have cost me close to Rs. 10000 or $225 in India. Or less.

Why the great disparity in prices here versus there? Simple enough actually. You cannot sue doctors for malpractice in India. So doctor's there don't need to take malpractice insurance, so they can keep their costs down. Also, and this is straight from my dad who's a doctor in India, because doctors in the US are so worried about being sued, they are overly careful. This means that they run unnecessary tests to cover their asses rather than diagnose faster like doctors do in India. They'd rather have a patient suffer due to lack of treatment as they wait for test results rather than risk getting sued for not doing the test. And lest you think that doctors in India aren't any good, please read up about medical tourism, where patients from Western Europe and the US travel to India to get heart surgeries and hip replacements.

So what's the moral of this story?
A. I should have had my teeth fixed while I was in India a couple weeks ago. It would have been so much cheaper. (Of course, I didn't really have too much time there and wanted to enjoy my vacation rather than run after a dentist.)
B. If Americans want cheaper doctor's fees, they should try not suing the crap out of them for every little thing. In fact, doctor should be able to charge two different fees, depending upon whether you reserve the right to sue their asses afterwards or not!

I'm a failure

2007-03-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

I drank half a can of Coke today. Please don't give me to the firing squad. I'm trying to think if I have any other heinous crimes to admit to...can't think of any!

I will say that I'm going to try to only buy clothes from the thrift store! I mean they are cheaper, look almost just as good and I'm recycling clothes that might otherwise end up in the landfill. This is a pretty lofty goal, but while I'm in grad school, it is definitly reachable.

Is buying local beers better for the world than Miller Lite? Whatever, it's St. Patrick's Day. The world be damned.

Hob's Manifesto

2007-03-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

CD's

2007-03-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

SO...CD's. Is buying music really whoring yourself out? I mean, it will last forever and it makes you happy. I mean, sure the band only gets a small percentage of the purchase and the bulk of it goes to the big conglomerate record companies who do not really deserve my money. I suppose at the very least you can buy your CD's from a local record shop such as the Exclusive Company instead of buying from Best Buy. I decided to do a little research to see how much money those companies actually get. Here is one that I found from an article on Rolling Stone about Wal-mart wanting to sell CD's for $10 by WARREN COHEN.

This breakdown of the cost of a typical major-label release by the independent market-research firm Almighty Institute of Music Retail shows where the money goes for a new album with a list price of $15.99.

$0.17 Musicians' unions
$0.80 Packaging/manufacturing
$0.82 Publishing royalties
$0.80 Retail profit
$0.90 Distribution
$1.60 Artists' royalties
$1.70 Label profit
$2.40 Marketing/promotion
$2.91 Label overhead
$3.89 Retail overhead

How can the Retail overhead be that much? You'd think if that was the case, then indie record stores should be able to sell their CD's for $4 less, right? Courtney Love also did a breakdown of where all the money goes.

What do you think? Is buying CD's worth it? Or should we just be "borrowing" music from the people who actually buy! Also, no mention of iTunes made it into this discussion....jump in here if you have any ideas!

Ms. Non-Sequitur

Know Thine Enemy

2007-03-09T08:45:00.000-08:00

I have a line item in my budget for books. I can't help it. I love them more than jewels. I love them more than new jeans. I even love them more than Skittles. It's true.

The Domestic Nemesis and I are planning to start a "Theory for Neophytes" group, and we want to use these "very short intro" books to give us the main points of specific schools of thought (like Post-Structuralism, Post-Modernism, Post-Colonialism, etc.), theories (like "rational choice") and great thinkers (like Foucault). While I was on a buying spree at the local cooperative bookstore (because spending money is okay as long as it's not going to The Man!) I found the book on Capitalism. I bought it because I don't think I know enough about what it really means.

Now, if only I wasn't addicted to Diet Coke.

Gina's Manifesto

2007-03-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

My blog compadre KT has a Manifesto, so I thought I needed one too! Mine is similar in many respects (yes I plagiarized some of hers) but I think I'll use filthier language just to make it exciting!

I shall spend, in the interest of using my hard-earned money in a way that is most useful to ME rather than for the owners of Wal-Mart, McDonalds, Best Buy and COKE!!! Why? Because Fuck Them! Why should they get my money after pillaging and raping the land all over the world.

Along with this point, I will read and read so I can learn about WHY these companies are so bad! I feel their evil in my gut, but since I am still a baby mind in terms of globilization and the affects of consumption, I want to learn MORE.

By consuming less, I will be reducing the amount of garbage and other pollution, as well as natural resource destruction, that continually threaten the well-being of the earth.

I will pay for things with CASH unless absolutely necessary. For example, if I run out of money at the bar or MUST take that trip to Mexico.*

*Money if spent on travel is really an investment, if planned for accordingly.

I pledge to buy ONLY what I need. No more impulse buys, no more spending $50 just because I have it, and no more buying things for which I have no room in my house.

And I’m going to chronicle my journey here.

Sales

2007-02-16T05:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, after having a delicious-but-budgetarily-unkind lunch at Qdoba with the Domestic Nemesis, we decided to dash into Urban Outfitters and see what the 50% off sale was about. For some reason, I've avoided UO because I felt like it was way to yuppie for me, but of course I love everything they have in there. I tried to buy a notebook but Gina wouldn't let me. We escaped unscathed.

But then we went to Walgreens to scope out the day-after-valentine's-day-candy-sale. I bought some Sweethearts and some Nerds Ropes at 50% off. We spent the rest of the day with really nasty sugar-lows. Serves us right, market's whores that we are.

Mc Donalds is REALLY BAD

2007-02-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

A story came out in class today...I'll explain the minimum. While traveling outside Bangkok in Thailand, the teacher explained how there were no rice fields but were miles and miles of green fields with little Mc Donalds signs. All the people who had farmed on those lands had been moved to crappy farmland where there were no schools and no social help, etc. The Thai friend says to my teacher, "There are no schools because you (implying all Americans) like cheap fries!"

I can't eat at Mc Donalds anymore!
Ms. Non-sequitur

American Greetings

2007-02-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

Whoa. Cards for only $1. They were going out of business...I couldn't stop myself. I only spent $48. Come on, I saved millions. Cards are like $2.99 these days and with all these damn weddings coming up... Although...if not for the sale, I never would have whored myself out!

Buying for desh

2007-02-04T19:50:00.000-08:00

Next week, I'll be in India. I can check in 2 bags with 50 lbs worth of maal in each of them and one carry on.

I've been buying stuff to carry for more than a couple months. Notable among the purchases are a pink iPod Nano for mom, jackets and shirts for bro and frankly I'm confused as to what to get for my dad (3 days left!!!) All in all, I've been a dream customer for a lot of American businesses. And as always I'll buy something at the duty free shops at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.

Life is fun!

Buying my freedom

2007-02-04T17:21:00.000-08:00

Today I made my mom take Isaac to visit my grandparents so that I could get some studying done. I gave him $20 and said he could get something from Kmart. Is that horrible?

Right On Pardner

2007-02-04T11:36:00.000-08:00

Such a good post dear friend. I have to agree...I mean, had I more energy, I would post the picture of the Humanities building which houses the field dear to my heart, music (and art)-- perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing departments...yet I do believe my building is even UGLIER than Social Sciences. Good thing it was built in the 70s and is thus "riot-proof" with no windows and no sunlight.

On a consumer note, I stayed in on a Saturday night and fought my better urges to consume consume consume and read The Progressive instead :)

Business vs. Social Sciences

2007-01-31T13:43:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting in UW-Madison's Grainger Hall. The above photo is an artist's rendition of what it will look like when they finish the MBA addition that was begun last year. It's a gorgeous building that houses the business school - complete with lots of art and comfortable furniture, and even an underground parking garage.

In contrast, look at the Sewell Social Sciences Building where most of my classes are housed. It was built in the 1950's (note the mid-century modern styling.) It's in need of updates. For one thing, the bathrooms are seriously lacking - only one floor has handicapped accessible bathrooms. Then there are the awful alarms that jarringly notify students of some end of a class period that has not been used at this university for years - so it goes off in the middle of our classes all the time. It has a very strange 8th floor, which, depending on where you want to go, must be accessed by two different elevators.

Don't get me wrong, I love mid-century modern, but perhaps we could do without the water fountains (bubblers?) that either don't have any water pressure or have so much that it shoots in your eye?

So what's my point? Obviously the business school is going to bring in lots of money for the university, so of course it's gorgeous. But what about the fact that UW-Madison's sociology department is the highest ranked in the nation? Wouldn't one think that it deserves a nice building, too?

I totally am a market whore

2007-01-30T06:46:00.000-08:00

Case in point: I party 2 nights in a weekend, spending money on food and drinks...consuming consuming consuming and now I have a cold to show for it. The bad karma got me...

Yesterday I resisted buying a diet Coke because F--- Coke.

Good thing my consumption for this week so far is around $0 because I don't have any money until Thursday--though I do have to pay my rent.

Margarine Vs. Butter

2007-01-27T08:37:00.000-08:00

BUTTER BUTTER BUTTER. Stop eating margarine, even if is easier to spread! It is better for the environment and is made of real ingredients instead of fake ones!

Yesterday the only thing I bought was 14 songs on the jute box for $5 and a pitcher of beer for $8.50! Though, I never did get my $1 back for the pitcher. Bastards. I think food and jutebox music are acceptable consumer purchases :)

By the way, this is Ms. Non-Sequitur and I am so blessed that KT has allowed me to join her bloglet!

Sincerely,
Ms. Non-Seq

I suck.

2007-01-26T10:18:00.000-08:00

I'm out of control! I just can't figure out how to do this.

And I hate Wal-Mart, because it's the only place within 60 miles of my house where I can get stuff. Last night I had to stop for groceries, and decided to go to the Kmart right next to the grocery store to pick up something for Isaac.

Note: Isaac lost another tooth two nights ago, and our tooth fairy, who is a generous sort of fairy, leaves $20 under the pillow. So Isaac wanted to get some Naruto cards with his money. He's been asking for months, so I figured it's his money, let the kid get the cards.

So I walked into the Kmart to find the cards, and noticed that the goods were pretty sparse. I think the store is going to close soon - the SuperWal-Mart (SWM - kindof like WMD) has already put the better grocery store out of business, and Kmart seems to be next. Needless to say, I didn't get the frickin' cards and had to venture across the road to the hell of SWM. As I drove through the horribly full parking lot and parked somewhere near Egypt, I realized that because Walmart has everything, the other stores can't afford to stock weirdo things like Naruto cards and tofu (and guacamole). I grudgingly went to the produce section and picked up some awesome marianated and pre-cut tofu, a package of my favorite guacamole, and a box of sweet clementine tangerines. The grocery story I went to before had NONE of these items.

I got home and ripped into a tangerine, only to discover that it had NO TASTE! This is a very common occurence with Walmart produce - it looks great, costs less, and tastes horrible. God I'm mad!

In other news, here are my most recent wasteful expenditures:

-I had to pay $100 to get Che neutered, but Shadow is thanking me for it. He was sick of getting dry humped every five minutes.

-I woke up late this morning and ended up having to park in the expensive parking lot on campus. Of course I had to go into the university bookstore and buy a magazine so that I could get the $2 off parking coupon - but I ended up buying two (Ms. and Mother Jones - I gotta know more about Hilary so I can vote for her!)

-I forgot my lunch yesterday and had to spend $7 in the student union for a gross tofu medley.

-I went a little overboard on my book buying, although I did buy them at an awesome co-op bookstore called Rainbow Books. I instantly became a member for $15 and bought some handmade posters, a few children's books, some more bumper stickers and an awesome new graphic novel. Not necessarily school related but food for the soul, I say.

-I know my hubby is spending a huge chunk of change on me for our anniversary. And for Isaac's birthday as well. I feel guilty but excited at the same time.

I'm so broke, and it's my own fault. How can I fix this???

I havn't been keeping track.

2007-01-20T18:08:00.000-08:00

But I do remember a few things that I must confess to the world.

1) I've taken Isaac to two movies, both at the cheap place in the Wilderness, but it ended up costing almost $15 per time when you figure in the snacks. I really think it's a waste of money to see movies in the theater, but keep doing it. I also spent a total of $8 on movie rentals in the past two weeks. Plus $10 in library fines because one of the DVDs I checked out is lost.

2) I got a pedicure yesterday. $30.

3) I have been sucked into the black hole that is Walgreen's Rebate Program. Who can resist free shit? I ended up spending about $60 for random stuff that I'll eventually need (I have about 7 extra bottles of shampoo and conditioner, 15 toothbrushes and a basket full of other random bathroom stuff from past rebates.) I'll be getting about $30 back in the form of a gift card that I'll have to spend at Walgreens again. So how is that free?

Ironically...

2007-01-09T06:34:00.000-08:00

...yesterday I bought yet ANOTHER button that says "Materialism breeds Militarism".

Comedy of Errors

2007-01-08T05:19:00.000-08:00

I messed up bad on Friday. I promised Little Sister that I'd take her shopping on State Street, knowing full well that it is impossible to resist the temptation of spending money there. Somehow it falls into the category of "ethical spending" - supporting local businesses, etc. and I cannot resist it!

I intended to buy lunch and maybe a pair of pants, but here's what I ended up with:

Computer Sleeve $9.99 *sale
Brown Cotton Sheets $9.99 *sale
$12.32 worth of beads and stuff from Jade Mountain (Isaac's money)
Neti Pot $15.40
Hoodia appetite suppressant $15.95
Incense Burner $2
Bumper stickers "Feminism is the radical notion that women are people", "Love is the Answer" and "Goddess Bless America" $4.50
Buttons "Meat is dead", "Nuke a gay whale for Christ", "Islam is not our Enemy", and "I hope the fetus you save is gay" $5
Postcard of MLK $1.25

Then, yesterday when I went to visit my Grandparents, I took them to Kmart. There, I bought the following unnecessary item.

Another YuGiOh deck for Isaac $12.99

Drat.

January 3, 2001

2007-01-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

First slip-up: While on the phone with the Proactive Solution representative, I impulsively let him talk me into buying the $20 Green Tea Moisturizer. I do need moisturizer, but I violated the rule against impulse buying!

Yesterday on the long journey home, I noticed how much of my time is consumed with thinking about what to spend my money on. While walking through Midway airport in Chicago, I glanced at all the shops, wondering if there was anything inside worth checking out. Then I remembered the manifesto and escaped successfully.

January 1, 2001

2007-01-01T16:00:00.000-08:00

Shopping trips: 1
Stores visited: 2

Lowe’s: I went into the giant home improvement store for some curtain rods and picture hanging hardware for DH’s apartment. I was momentarily distracted by the plastic drawer storage thingies, but remembered the manifesto and resisted. Mission successful.

Giant Eagle: The modern supermarket is capitalism at its finest – convenient, affordable, and includes its own vegetarian section. I ran in for some snacks to tide us on our 10-hour-long car/plane/taxi/train journey tomorrow. I did well, although I spent a good five minutes sifting through the “clearance cart” and held a battery-operated toothbrush in my hand for about 12 seconds before putting it back. Those sales are gonna be tough to resist.

The Manifesto: Part I

2007-01-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

I’ve been considering this ever since last year when I got a book from the library called Not Buying It by Judith Levine. Just like starting a diet, it’s always easy to swear off something when you’ve just recently had your fill. Even though we drew names this Christmas, I still ended up spending well over my $200 budget on gifts. Add to that the cash from Grandma that I spent almost before it was in my hot little palms, and I’ve been a gluttonous consumer.

Spending time in a developing country has made me acutely aware of how little I actually need to survive, but much like eating the donut holes in the break room, spending money is far too easy for me. Not that I have much to spend. Being in graduate school is tough on the budget, and so is funding a first-grader’s Yu-Gi-Oh! habit. All the more reason to stop spending. So, without further ado, here is my anti-market manifesto.

In the interest of using my hard-earned money in a way that is most useful to ME rather than the owners of Wal-Mart, McDonalds and Best Buy…

In the hopes that by consuming less, I will be reducing the amount of garbage and other pollution, as well as natural resource destruction, that continually threaten the well-being of the earth…

And in the interest of being able to pay for things IN WHOLE with CASH when I need them, rather than relying on credit…

I pledge to buy ONLY what is absolutely necessary to survive, or has been thoroughly considered before even traveling to the market to purchase it. No more impulse buys, no more spending $50 just because I have it, no more buying things for which I have no room in my house.

And I’m going to chronicle my journey here.