A friend of mine recently returned some items to a large online retailer (no need to mention the store specifically—that’s not the point).
After the return, she showed me the receipt.
This is what it said:
Own less. Live more.
Written by joshua becker · 43 Comments
A friend of mine recently returned some items to a large online retailer (no need to mention the store specifically—that’s not the point).
After the return, she showed me the receipt.
This is what it said:
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Debbi says
I had the same experience several months ago (I suspect it was the same store) and I found it deeply repugnant for exactly the reasons you discuss. I see an earlier commenter mentioned Duck Duck Go. I have been wondering about that. Do you happen to know if it is safe and if there is a “catch” to using it? I hate to be a pessimist but do not want to trade one problem for an even worse one!
Emily says
When the shopping bug hits me, I like to go out and buy something for the community pantry or some socks for the homeless shelter. Might as well let my consumer impulses do some good!
Charmaine says
While I think I have made great strides in reducing unnecessary purchases, the fact that I wasted so much money on such trivial things just shows us how powerful those ads are.
SD says
This reminds me of a similar experience I had recently. I ordered something online and when it arrived the words “mood boost” were written all over the packaging. Just another attempt to convince us that happiness and joy can be found in our purchases.
Joanne says
Great Way to start The weekend..Welcome Spring/ Daylight Savings time and share the message Of “ Things That Matter” sooo looking forward to your next book. This is a “ Spot on Article, Thanks for Sharing! Happy St. Patricks Day!☘️
Carrie England says
Excellent article. We are always being pressured to buy more and to be more!
Steven S says
I am going to flip the script on this. I remember a routine from a comic (can’t remember who though) and he was talking about how great the feeling of being next in line was, so he joked he would often let be go ahead of him when the “next” was called, that way he was always next. Knowing that the perfect find is still out there is like being next. I don’t have to feel compelled to buy this thing now, as an even better thing is always out there waiting for me to find it if I need it. It’s like always being next.
Steven S says
*he would often let ‘people’ go ahead of him…*
Carrie England says
Excellent article. We are always being pressured to buy more and to be more!
Carla says
Everyone should go through the experience of emptying another’s houses for estate settlement. We’ve found unopened appliances from QVC, unopened Tupperware, new powertools, etc. with price tags still attached. If you’re not replacing broken or unusable, don’t buy it. Look at “stuff” and ask when you last used it. Can’t remember? Say goodbye.
Bikurgurl says
Agreed! After reading, ‘The Gentle Art of Death Cleaning’, I had better talking points and ideas when discussing this with my own parents.
What I’ve *personally* been drawn to is second-hand items – be it from someone I know or the thrift store. ‘Saving’ them – whether from the landfill or other fate – took me years and years to come to terms with; that it’s just another kind of consumerism.
So as I prepare my house to sell and downsize, I’ve been very intentional about only moving what I truly love or need, while making a conscious decision to no longer keep duplicate items ‘just in case’. Since I’m moving from a single family home to an apartment, I’ve had the luxury to intentionally slowly move into the apartment while I prepare my home for sale. It’s been much easier to melt things go that not only no longer fit my life or preferences, but my new home.
I’m doing my best to track down charities who need the specific items I have, like schools and refugee skill building programs, consigning some, but a merely rant to offer the items for free to individuals – I don’t want to empower someone else to ‘find a place’ for something ‘good’ like I have done.
Brilliant brevity.
KD says
The irony is that the statement is also a slap in the face about what you JUST bought?! Like, it wasn’t ‘the perfect thing’ – you failed. It’s pretty rude actually! I don’t think I’d ever shop there again.
Craig Christenson says
I mentioned to my wife this morning I remembered as a kid growing up thinking that commercials on radio and tv did not tell the whole truth. That if you buy their product, you will be happier. Now I enjoyed many of the things I bought, but I can’t say it increased my happiness. I remember the saying that “the love of money is the root of all evil”. I believe that “lying to ones soul is the root of all evil”.
Craig Christenson