A Light at the End of the Black Friday Tunnel

Blog   |   by Dave Evans   |   November 11, 2016

The Black Friday shopping frenzy has become extreme enough that even a handful of retailers themselves are protesting against it.

What Happened to Self-Reliance and the Do-It-Yourself Ethic? (Part 2 of 2)

Blog   |   by Addison Del Mastro   |   July 6, 2012

Self-reliance and the “can-do” spirit aren't gone. They're just dormant, drowned out by a fast-paced lifestyle and cheap consumer goods.

"Buying Nothing New" Isn't About Shopping, It's About Facing Our Deepest Values

Blog   |   by Anjuli Crocker   |   December 7, 2012

For AJ Crocker, a month-long attempt to "buy nothing new" became an unexpected exploration into her deepest motivations and values.

We Must Be the Change

Blog   |   by Edna Rienzi   |   January 24, 2017

Beyond everyday lifestyle changes like wasting less, we can take steps outside our homes to have greater influence.

Happiness and the New Simplicity: The Living Room Revolution of Community

Blog   |   by Cecile Andrews   |   July 23, 2013

Cecile Andrews explains how the cure to so many of our problems, particularly consumerism, is more community.

6 Ways That Parents Can Push Back Against Harmful School Commercialism

Blog   |   by Edna Rienzi   |   October 20, 2015

At school, ads can now be found on everything from team uniforms to cafeteria banners to homework folders. Learn some ways to push back.

Is It Wrong to Want to Give Your Children What You Never Had?

Blog   |   by Kelley Dennings   |   December 16, 2019

A strong advocate of experiences over gifts, Kelley talks about her own struggles with trying to make holiday memories less about what’s under the tree and more about spending time together. 

Myths About Mother Earth and Why They Matter

Blog   |   by Kim   |   April 29, 2009

Pushing Back Against Rampant Commercialism

Blog   |   by Wendy Philleo   |   October 29, 2014

Executive Director Wendy Philleo offers her thoughts on fighting rampant commercialism and how best to push back against it.

My Attempt to 'Buy Nothing New' This October

Blog   |   by Anjuli Crocker   |   October 22, 2012

How hard is it to not buy anything new for an entire month? New Dream's AJ Crocker tries it out—and finds a world of abundance and creativity.

The Lost Art of Asking Ourselves

Blog   |   by Paula Abreu   |   July 20, 2012

Have we lost the habit of reflecting on whether our decisions make us happy, resonate with our values, and feed our souls?

Black Friday Spoofs Have Come True, But You Don't Have to Join the Madness

Blog   |   by Addison Del Mastro   |   November 20, 2012

As Hollywood spoofs become Black Friday realities, we need to fundamentally question what this says about our consumer-driven society.

Hooked on Stuff: The Black Days of Post-Thanksgiving Consumerism

Blog   |   by Ray Lumpp   |   November 27, 2012

What started as a celebration of prosperity has become something akin to a national addiction. Are we choosing stuff over joy?

Consumerism, Values, and What Really Matters: An Interview with Tim Kasser

Blog   |   by Lisa Mastny   |   July 29, 2011

 Psychologist Tim Kasser describes his work on materialism and values, and how he’s tried to resist consumer pressures in his own life.

What Happened to Self-Reliance and the Do-It-Yourself Ethic? (Part 1 of 2)

Blog   |   by Addison Del Mastro   |   June 13, 2012

Fixing things ourselves can help relieve the money stress that many of us feel—but only if we're able to actually do the work.