New Years Eve - What am I doing?

 What Not to Buy in 2024?

I've wanted to do this for a long time. A no-buy year. Ever since reading 'Not Buying It' by Judith Levine maybe 10 years ago, or more.

I'm an Amazon shopper. It's pretty impulsive. I think of something and before I know it, it's in my hands. I say it's all stuff I need but I'm going to find out if that's actually true. I'll have a replacement clause. But just getting on the site is a worry. I may have to refrain altogether. 

I thrift shop and get a bunch of crap I don't really like. I do love ThredUp - an online thrift store. They have me as a 'Superstar'. That can't be good. I have a huge bag of clothing to send them. Supposedly I get a credit. Danger* They send a bag and pay for the postage. It's pretty full. I'm not done filling it.

I've read I must have a goal. That's pretty easy. 

First goal... To have $20,000 in our savings account. And of course, no debt. We don't have much debt. That's not the issue. Besides, it'll be gone in a few weeks. Our current savings will pay it off easily. As I said, it's not much. The $20,000 is pretty easy to accomplish too, if I quit spending money. Maybe more. 

Actually, let's say the goal is more like $30,000. I've been wanting a she-shed for an office ever since COVID hit and my daughter and her family moved here. We all share our property now, happily. But no office. I've been eyeing some modern sheds I could make into one. For now, it isn't a top priority. But I do miss it. Let's say that's a desire. Once $20,000 is securely in place.

But more than all that, I want to just be grateful for what I have and understand at a deeper level, a psychospiritual level if you will, that I'm unconsciously addicted to buying stuff. It happens too fast. I want to slow it all down. Address minimalism. Address the addictive quality of life that I, and most Americans, have acquired over these last few decades. Acknowledge the sheer ridiculousness of it all. The unabashed gluttony. Have some healthy shame about it.

So this is my record. I thought I'd do it here quietly. I'm afraid I'll fail. So it's just you and me on this one. I'm accountable to you.