Today's thought on a #SpendingStrike. I guess I've effectively been doing it for a while, as part of my goal to #OptOut of the capitalist death grind as far as one (globally privileged) person can.
But I'm finding it helpful to codify the idea a bit more.
I've concluded there are basically three different ways to withhold spending from the billionaire class :
AVOID - e.g. don't buy it/spend it at all. We don't need that "labour-saving" gadget, or disease-ridden cruise.
REDIRECT - e.g. shop local, co-op, secondhand, sole trader, farm gate. Redirect transport spending to an ebike, good walking shoes and/or a transit card instead of a fossil fuel car.
POSTPONE - e.g. rediscover old- fashioned thrift, like sewing on a button, using leftovers creatively to make a new meal instead of throwing them out, getting every last scrap out of tubes, squeeze bottles and jars.
I think these categories help me to up my #SpendingStrike game. "How can I avoid/redirect/postpone this specific spend?"
Always looking for more ideas.
But I'm finding it helpful to codify the idea a bit more.
I've concluded there are basically three different ways to withhold spending from the billionaire class :
AVOID - e.g. don't buy it/spend it at all. We don't need that "labour-saving" gadget, or disease-ridden cruise.
REDIRECT - e.g. shop local, co-op, secondhand, sole trader, farm gate. Redirect transport spending to an ebike, good walking shoes and/or a transit card instead of a fossil fuel car.
POSTPONE - e.g. rediscover old- fashioned thrift, like sewing on a button, using leftovers creatively to make a new meal instead of throwing them out, getting every last scrap out of tubes, squeeze bottles and jars.
I think these categories help me to up my #SpendingStrike game. "How can I avoid/redirect/postpone this specific spend?"
Always looking for more ideas.
kay@foodnpolitics •
I already committed to limiting new clothing purchases back in 2020. But I’m renewing my interest in a few other areas. For example, identifying local farms to reduce grocery purchases and reconnect w/ neighbors.
Melissa B •
We're lucky enough to be able to grow a lot of our fresh produce.
I started thinking more deeply about the value and detail of a #SpendingStrike when I saw a few people posting about a general labour strike as a way to force an end to humanity's disastrous trajectory.
The consensus seemed to be a) it's the only option left and b) it's impossible, and the #SpendingStrike idea is a kind of rebellion against that quandary.
I think withholding our spending holds more promise as a scalable action than withholding our labour, and I'm going to keep exploring that promise in my posting over the next little while.
Hugs4friends ♾🇺🇦 🇵🇸😷 hat dies geteilt
kay@foodnpolitics •
Something about the US election results being framed by media as about the price of eggs while Wall Street celebrated did it for me. Don’t want to give these idiots a dime more than I have to.
Here’s the link to that pyramid visual: https://substack.com/@asmalllife/note/c-83847585
Melanie on Substack
SubstackMelissa B •
Re critters eating things, I hear you! I'm picking most of my tomatoes at the first flush of colour before anything has decided it's time to sample them. They still ripen kn the house and taste just as good.
Hugs4friends ♾🇺🇦 🇵🇸😷 hat dies geteilt