Replacing the Value of "More" with "Enough

Blog   |   by Rob Dietz and Dan O'Neill   |   October 11, 2013

How can we overcome the dominance of consumer culture in America? Here are some ideas for getting the transition under way.

Saying Goodbye to Back-to-School Shopping

Blog   |   by Anne   |   August 5, 2008

5 Ways to Simplify Back-to-School Shopping

Blog   |   by Krislyn Placide   |   August 20, 2012

Forget the crazy school shopping bonanza, and save some money—and your sanity—in the process.

"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.

Worn Wear: An Antidote to the Black Friday Shopping Frenzy

Blog   |   by Sarah Baird   |   November 25, 2013

Released as an antidote to the Black Friday shopping frenzy, the new film Worn Wear is an invitation to celebrate the stuff you already own.

The Great Disruption: Why the Climate Crisis Will Bring On the End of Shopping and the Birth of a New World

Blog   |   by admin   |   June 8, 2011

In the coming years, “growth” will mean not quantity of stuff but quality and happiness of life. Yes, there is life after shopping.

How Two Women Followed Their Passions and Became "Green Bag Ladies"

Blog   |   by Pamela Lamp   |   June 6, 2018

Since the founding of this nonprofit group in 2008, volunteer “bagettes” have cut, sewn, and given away more than 46,000 reusable cloth shopping bags.

Northwest Earth Institute: How to Enjoy the Holidays with Less Stress and Less Stuff

Blog   |   by Deb McNamara   |   November 20, 2017

Our friends at New Dream have created a variety of resources designed to help people escape the shopping, spending, and frenzied preparations that have become synonymous with the winter holidays.

How the Pandemic Helped Me Rediscover Local Markets

Blog   |   by Kelley Dennings   |   June 9, 2020

Kelley Dennings shares how the challenges of grocery shopping during a pandemic reconnected her to local markets, and prompted an innovative yet old-fashioned approach to finding toilet paper.

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.

Treat Yourself to a Less Wasteful, More Meaningful Halloween

Blog   |   by Amy Curtis   |   October 19, 2011

Learn how you can experience a magically spooky Halloween night without all the shopping, sugar, and excess waste.

Mackle-more of What Matters

Blog   |   by Ryan Dwyer   |   March 8, 2013

You know times are changing when a rap about the hipness of thrift store shopping hits the top of the charts.

Before Eggnog: Holiday Highs, Lows, and the Simple Path in Between

Blog   |   by Kim   |   November 18, 2008

WALLET BUDDY: A cleverly designed printable paper sleeve to help you rethink your purchasing

Resources   |   by New Dream   |   June 3, 2011

Our Wallet Buddy is a cleverly designed paper sleeve that wraps around an ATM or credit card and offers a list of possible questions to ask before making a purchase.

ACTION KIT: Alternative Gift Fairs 101

Resources   |   by New Dream   |   April 14, 2017

Alternative Gift Fairs are a way to promote the gift-giving tradition of the holiday season without the wastefulness and commercialization of conventional shopping. Our resources include a step-by-step guide (including a timeline) to hosting a meaningful event that celebrates your values and supports important charities this holiday season.