I'm all about this. ... http://www.naturalnews.com/021641.html

About Me

Am I the only one who is finding ThisNext more and more annoying? I think I'm almost done here. Just be careful when shopping here. Its stuff that looks cool, but when it comes in the box.....remember those army men that looked 3d in the advertisements, and were actually flat? Its hard to find people, companies, and experiences that aren't 'for sale' these days :(

No seriously, I mean there is something wrong now with the site layout. It used to encourage a kind of interesting visual exploration, but that seems harder to do now. I used to think 'right on! This is the future of the internet', but now I'm worried that I'll be routed to Target instead of to the visual cousin of the interesting thing I'm looking at. And, I'm held up by the square thought bubbles. No, I don't want to annoy my friends with ThisNextness. And, the site looks cheaper. It probably all the cheap ads. I guess ThisNext couldn't get enough money from the interesting stuff. sad...

I sometimes look on this site, but I find it not very fun anymore. Its not the people (not most of the people who have lists, anyways), its the layout, which seems geared to trick me into stopping at a site I'd never want to visit. Someone wants to make some money here, just be aware of how you are being used on this site.

Do they really think we are this stupid!? That we'd wind up on the WalMart site and forget what we were looking for? Gotta laugh at that. I bet they are desperate for some internet commerce these days.

I'm coming to the conclusion that consumerism isn't good for the consumer in the long term. I started here because I thought it might help someone, and I hope it has. My family uses all the items posted here. The toys have made a world of difference for my autistic son and daughter. The quality of them is healing and has helped them be more secure and creative in an increasingly shaky world. So in honor of anti-consumerism, I'll show you how I buy all these pricey toys from Germany, unfortunately (most are not available in the U.S., but I think this will change), and still make the budget work.

We buy organic, and undergo herculean efforts not to buy from China. We live under our means....I have some ways we do it in the next paragraph....but to continue on this thought...I think the people of China are long suffering and wonderful, but I don't much like the government there, or its total lack of restrictions, shown by last years toxic pet food and toy scare. I shudder to think about the quality of toys that Chinese children might have at their disposal. I hope China cares enough about their children to treat them better than they are treating ours. Speaking of children, I'm boycotting the Olympics. Its very easy for me, because I don't watch TV anyway! I hope the people of China outlive their government. In fact, I hope citizens of the United States do also :) Our people have in common that must endure corrupt environments that test our resolve on a daily basis.

We don't have cable. We don't have TV. It save us at least $70 a month. I got rid of every extraneous service we use, when you start to look, even an average middle class family, it can be surprising what you don't need. We're getting rid of our cell phone package next. We recycle and buy the smallest waste package we can. We garden, starting to can, and rely heavily on U-pick. I hang out the laundry, turn off lights, and always try to save all the water I possibly can. Those pennies add up. I cook, and we almost never go out. I buy organic, preferably from someone I can look at in the eye, who grew the food, and cares about it. I don't ever go to WalMart, or CostCo, or Target, even on threat of death, I would not go to those stores. Look on the internet, WalMart in particular is one toxic place, on many levels (http://www.walmartsucks.org/). I try not to buy from any country with a poor human rights record, and although the U.S. does have a poor human rights record lately, I always try my best to buy from the U.S., or Canada because they are closer, more local.

There is obviously some sacrifice involved. A very small one is that I couldn't find an affordable shredder this way, that didn't have many of its components made in China, so now I spend time shredding our mail by hand. We never use our TV, but if it broke, I wouldn't get another one. Electronics are mostly made in China. I'm considering not having a computer, but I'll have to figure out how to get the news :)

All these things are being used against us. Companies are becoming more and more predatory. Television is expensive, and causes our children to have aggression and learning problems.....the courageous way out is to stop using it and start reading!

I get almost no junk mail, because I call each company that sends me junk. It doesn't take long, and hasn't cost me much. I suppose it doesn't save money, but it does save trees. I walk to the grocery store several times a week rather than drive. Its about 4-5 miles, but it does save money! We share bathwater, and if it involves circumstances not too gross, we don't flush the toilet at night. Seriously, its the little habits that save the environment, and money.

I think it matters, these small things. I have found that we save at least $20 a month by washing with cold water and hanging out the laundry. Little things add up, both personally and with regard to our national conscience. I hope you are able to find cost effective natural food where you live, good toys for your children and peace in your lives.

Member Since

Jan 13, 2008

What is the next...

Purchase you’ll make?

Food. We read all the labels, every week. Try to shop local and organic. Use coupons, plan the week's menu. Its a big deal! I need to buy more clothes for myself always. I'm hopeful about finally getting my hair cut. Its been 6 months!

Trend in design?

I'm changing. I love things that people make. I used to like sleeker stuff, but I like natural materials, no mass production, and real soul in the work. I still love Craftsman style homes.

Car you’d like to own?

none. I really hate owning a car. We try never to use it.

Big step you’d like to make?

Learn to can. Planting berries. Buying an affordable piano for the kids. Ultimately, I'd like to become a crusty old woman in the style of the elegant freethinking literary types that existed last century. But that is a few years away, if I'm lucky.

Fad that will fade?

The subprime crisis. I suppose it isn't a fad, but it will fade. I hope the zeitgeist of the U.S. that big business needs to be protected, but people, and children do not, will be overturned. We will have to do it ourselves though. Small steps can have big effects. Join me?

Vacation you’ll take?

Visit to Canada to see friends.

Thing you’re going to fight for?

The right of everyone to be able to buy nontoxic products without a second thought. And have available to them, for no additional cost, good food and clean water and air. People shouldn't have to be rich to be able to take care of themselves and their children. People used to have cleaner food, water and air. Its an awful time we live in, and activism is essential. I'm going with my passions and hoping that I can do my bid to change the world.

Secret that’s going to leak?

I hope this one leaks. There is lead ink in children's books. Even the baby board books. Plastics do cause hormone disruption and help to cause the epidemic of allergies, ADHD and autism in our children. Oh, and the crude and horrible mess that is Monsanto: http://www.naturalnews.com/021641.html You are buying Monsanto at WalMart, and most chain grocery stores. You can get better food at ultimately lower prices (like your healthcare bills) by NOT shopping at WalMart. www.wakeupwalmart.com.

Hollywood blockbuster going to be about?

ug, I'm getting bored, sorry :)

Life you’ll lead?

a mom. I think that's an influential and cool job :O)

Fountain of youth?

children in our lives

Book you’ll read?

I'm reading some Montessori books. Education books.

Thing that will change the world?

Could be anything. The world is always changing. I'm just trying to hang on this week!

Guilty-pleasure food in which you’ll indulge?

Dark chocolate and red red wine for the adults. The last time we did that was almost 8 months age though. Almost never now, we all get burgers and fries. But I did make a pie this week, out of blueberries :)

Person to whom you’ll say, “I love you”?

my kids and husband, of course :)