Living Car Free - Car free and consumerism free

I figure this would be liked in this forum. This group went a year pledging to purchase nothing other than food.

http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Features/what_happens_when_people_stop_shopping_and_join_the_compact

They even seem to be reasonable and level headed. Who'dathunk? I've actually considered doing something like this before... it seems pretty easy and straightforward.

“There is no dogma,” says Kesel. “No one is out to chide you for not being perfect. We’re not out to be environmental martyrs. We’re just a group of folks looking to consciously reduce our consumption and keep trash out of the landfills.”

That would be hard to do. I don't think I could do it. Could you?

That would be hard to do. I don't think I could do it. Could you?

Why would it be hard to just purchase food (and toilet paper)? I think they also buy secondhand stuff now and then.

I'd have to resist the temptation to purchase cycling stuff, of course, but it's only for a year ... and I've gone extended periods of time (several months) on many occasions without purchasing anything other than food/grocery items.

Why would it be hard to just purchase food (and toilet paper)? I think they also buy secondhand stuff now and then.

I'd have to resist the temptation to purchase cycling stuff, of course, but it's only for a year ... and I've gone extended periods of time (several months) on many occasions without purchasing anything other than food/grocery items.

Throw in the toilet paper and secondhand stuff and MAYBE I could do it. I don't buy a whole lot either. I would miss coffee the most, but maybe that counts as food?

Also what about buying stuff for other people? And what about transportation? Can I buy needed bike stuff and an occasional bus ticket?

That would be hard to do. I don't think I could do it. Could you?

Well defining it would be harder I think.

I live very frugal, yet I still splurge. (which is just my perception of splurging. )

Good for them maybe there is a wife out there somewhere.

And what about transportation? Can I buy needed bike stuff and an occasional bus ticket?

That's a good one. I just bought a new chain and cassette for my bike. Without it, I wouldn't get to work and I wouldn't be able to buy any food or toilet paper!

Throw in the toilet paper and secondhand stuff and MAYBE I could do it. I don't buy a whole lot either. I would miss coffee the most, but maybe that counts as food?

Also what about buying stuff for other people? And what about transportation? Can I buy needed bike stuff and an occasional bus ticket?


The article says this:

"Back on the first of January, 2006, she and a group of nine San Franciscan friends vowed to purchase nothing new for one calendar year." ........ so it sounds like you could purchase secondhand things, which would cover any clothing purchases, as well as things like kitchenware, furniture, etc.

And they say this:

"The premise was simple: barter, borrow, or buy secondhand for a year—food, drink, health, and safety necessities excluded. Yes, they could buy toilet paper and new underwear, but, say, a gallon of white house paint or new dog toys? Unacceptable." ........ so you could buy your coffee, and could get things like bandages and ibuprofen.

They also comment that air travel is permitted, so I would imagine that you could get bus tickets. And in another paragraph the founder of the movement is filling little gift bags for his son's party, all acquired either secondhand or as castoffs, so yes, getting things for other people would be permitted.

And it sounds like things like Freecycle exchanges are permitted as well.

So it's not an exceptionally austere lifestyle.

Actually it sounds very much like my life, for the most part, over the past 20 years. I've had 2 or 3 years of buying (and buying new) in those 20 years, but for the most part I've lived very frugally.

Throw in the toilet paper and secondhand stuff and MAYBE I could do it. I don't buy a whole lot either. I would miss coffee the most, but maybe that counts as food?

Also what about buying stuff for other people? And what about transportation? Can I buy needed bike stuff and an occasional bus ticket?
Medical necessity in my book...it keeps me sane in the mornings:lol:

I have gone long periods without purchasing anything but food and necessities. The general rule around our house is we don't spend money impulsively, it if isn't a medical necessity or food we discuss it first.

Aaron:)

It sounds reasonable. I'm almost disappointed that such an approach to consumption is considered strange enough to be considered an experiment with a time limit.

Those who buy used in America are rather fortunate since goods here quickly depreciate in value until many used items can be had for almost nothing! I've been told that in places such as Nepal, a used or even broken item can fetch 60-70% of the value it had while new. For those of us who live frugally in America, the savings are tremendous! Finally, a positive side to our rampant over-consumption!

I frequently have to do some repairs to my house so it's impossible to only buy food for me.

I'm not a huge spender but agree that it would be difficult to not buy anything other than food for a year. What about the concept of if you get rid of something (sell, donate, give away) that you could purchase a replacement for it. Get rid of an old mattress so you buy a new one...

I have gone long periods without purchasing anything but food and necessities. The general rule around our house is we don't spend money impulsively, it if isn't a medical necessity or food we discuss it first.


Exactly. After all, if you're set up with furnishings, kitchenware, etc. (most of which you can buy used) what else do you need?



It sounds reasonable. I'm almost disappointed that such an approach to consumption is considered strange enough to be considered an experiment with a time limit.

Those who buy used in America are rather fortunate since goods here quickly depreciate in value until many used items can be had for almost nothing! I've been told that in places such as Nepal, a used or even broken item can fetch 60-70% of the value it had while new. For those of us who live frugally in America, the savings are tremendous! Finally, a positive side to our rampant over-consumption!

I almost laughed when I read the article because that kind of lifestyle is certainly not unusual to me ... and yet, like you noticed, it seems to be strange enough to be considered an experiment with a time limit. I haven't lived along those lines for environmental reasons or anything, but rather because I want to save my money.

Most of my books, even my textbooks whenever possible, are used. Most of my clothing is either used or purchased at a greatly reduced price. Much of my school supplies were given to me ... one of the places where I worked was clearing out old binders, etc. etc., heard I was going back to school, and gave me boxes of the stuff. Now that I'm done school and don't need it anymore, I've gone on to give most of it to an elementary school I worked at. CDs can be picked up used in little thrift shops. A lot of the decorative things in my place were given to me, or picked up used.

I did acquire a number of new things over a period of a couple years around 2000-2002, but now that I'm downsizing, I actually regret spending money on those things because I'm just giving them away now.

I'm not a huge spender but agree that it would be difficult to not buy anything other than food for a year. What about the concept of if you get rid of something (sell, donate, give away) that you could purchase a replacement for it. Get rid of an old mattress so you buy a new one...

If the old mattress is good enough to sell or give away, why do you need a new one?

I'm not a huge spender but agree that it would be difficult to not buy anything other than food for a year. What about the concept of if you get rid of something (sell, donate, give away) that you could purchase a replacement for it. Get rid of an old mattress so you buy a new one...


If the old mattress is good enough to sell or give away, why do you need a new one?

And mattresses aren't something you replace every year. I finally tossed my previous mattress after 17 years of use, and really good mattresses can last even longer. I could see buying a nice, new mattress (I'm all about a comfortable sleep) ... but then you're set for a decade or two or three.

It's the same with furniture ... you could buy a sofa, and then not have to buy another sofa again for the next 30 years, if you take good care of it.

I don't have a mattress in my apartment. A couple of layers of blankets on the floor, and I'm good to go.

It sounds reasonable. I'm almost disappointed that such an approach to consumption is considered strange enough to be considered an experiment with a time limit.

Agreed. It sounds like an experiment created by someone who thinks they are on the "bleeding edge" or blazing some new trail. I think my parents lived like this through most of their lives. Like most people posting here, I go for long stretches without buying anything other than food... one reason is that to buy new clothing and such around here, you might have to go to a mall.

But every once in a while, you need a new chain. Used won't cut it.

But every once in a while, you need a new chain. Used won't cut it.

True. My chains only seem to last about 3 years.

But about cycling stuff, since 2004 I have usually placed an order for new cycling stuff once a year for the year. This order will include tubes, tires, maybe a pair of shorts, possibly new tights if I need them, and possibly a few other things. I kind of stock up once a year, and then I'm usually good to go for the year.

I know someone else that did this. They could buy any consumable (light bulbs, toilet paper, food, cassette, chain), but nothing else. They could barter and get things for free.

EDIT - They could also get services (taxi ride, dry cleaning, etc).

It sounds reasonable. I'm almost disappointed that such an approach to consumption is considered strange enough to be considered an experiment with a time limit.

Those who buy used in America are rather fortunate since goods here quickly depreciate in value until many used items can be had for almost nothing! I've been told that in places such as Nepal, a used or even broken item can fetch 60-70% of the value it had while new. For those of us who live frugally in America, the savings are tremendous! Finally, a positive side to our rampant over-consumption!

:thumb: Love my thrift stores!


I'm not a huge spender but agree that it would be difficult to not buy anything other than food for a year. What about the concept of if you get rid of something (sell, donate, give away) that you could purchase a replacement for it. Get rid of an old mattress so you buy a new one...

We actually try to live that way, we did just buy a new sofa, we got rid of a recliner, coffee table, ottoman and the old sofa:lol: The old sofa and recliner were worn out and were hand me downs. I know for a fact the recliner was on it's 4th family.:D and it has gone on to yet another one, the handy man at the shop at the head of the road asked for it.


I frequently have to do some repairs to my house so it's impossible to only buy food for me.

Lots of ways around having to purchase things for repairs, dumpster diving and bartering come to mind. I swapped an old washing machine for a new in the box water heater and the washing machine was in trade for a couple of old riding mowers that needed repairs.

Aaron:)

Why didn't the just do an article on homeless people?
Now thats consumer free I tell ya.

True. My chains only seem to last about 3 years.

But about cycling stuff, since 2004 I have usually placed an order for new cycling stuff once a year for the year. This order will include tubes, tires, maybe a pair of shorts, possibly new tights if I need them, and possibly a few other things. I kind of stock up once a year, and then I'm usually good to go for the year.

That sounds reasonable. But my point is that it isn't about used or not used. It's about not consuming things that you really don't need. As well, like you say, of appreciating the value of items that may be used.

It's not about a six month commitment, but about a continuing life-long program that is pretty hard to implement in this society. You sound like you are pretty much under control in that department. Perhaps because you don't have a longterm job yet. I would have to fess up to some backsliding, but overall committed to reducing waste and enjoying what I already have.

That sounds reasonable. But my point is that it isn't about used or not used. It's about not consuming things that you really don't need. As well, like you say, of appreciating the value of items that may be used.

It's not about a six month commitment, but about a continuing life-long program that is pretty hard to implement in this society. You sound like you are pretty much under control in that department. Perhaps because you don't have a longterm job yet. I would have to fess up to some backsliding, but overall committed to reducing waste and enjoying what I already have.

When I think about it, I've been living more or less like that group all my life. My parents raised me that way ... I learned to live frugally and carefully, and have continued to live pretty much that way during the 20 years or so years of living on my own. My mother introduced me to thrift shops when I was just a baby. :)

During my 20-ish adult years I had a very good 8-year job as an Engineering Tech. But that's about as long-term as I think I would want a job to get. I could have continued working there for the rest of my life ... but at the end of 8 years I had to make a change ... too restless ... too many other things I wanted to do with my life. I highly doubt I will ever have a longterm job ... at least I have no plans for that. Working at one thing for an extended period of time is just not in my nature.

It was during those 8 years that I bought a few new things like a TV, a sofa, table and chairs, and numerous decorative things ... and I'm now regretting those purchases. The TV died, I have to sell the sofa at a loss, I'm torn about what to do with the table and chairs, and I have to give away most of the decorative things. Those things just don't fit into Rowan's and my semi-transient lifestyle plans.

I don't, however, regret the inexpensive purchases I've made at used places. I'm keeping a number of those things because they are practical ... and I don't feel bad about getting rid of the rest because I didn't spend much money on them, and they're going back into the circle again. :)

Pledging to not buy new stuff seems a bit histronic to me. Whatever I buy, I tend to use to destruction. I just bought two pair of new jeans. The first since my divorce. The old ones were about to get some large and embarrassing holes where the entire back pocket was tearing out with wear.

But then I look at my furniture, the only things I bought new were a drafting table and an inflatable mattress. The mattress is fairly new, but the drafting table is almost 30 years old. Most of the rest was donated to me or I inherited. A few things I bought used.

Electronics change enough that I buy them new. But even then, not much ostentation. My sound system is my DVD/VHS player hooked to some computer speakers. The TV was a demonstrater model and is showing its wear and tear with a nice purple blotch in the picture. Even so, I'll probably pick up a converter box rather than an HD monitor. I do have two cell phones, the cheap soap bar type on the pay as you go plan. One was set to a New York area as a tool for job hunting. The regular one is registered out of Arkansas. It probably gets used twice a week.

My bikes, one bought new, two bought used, and two used bicycles as gifts from non-cyclists.

No set rules, but that's what's happened. I've got better things to do than go making pledges trying to influence others behavior. Life is busy.

No set rules, but that's what's happened. I've got better things to do than go making pledges trying to influence others behavior. Life is busy.

I agree ... living that way (much like how you have described) just happened to me too. It's normal ... nothing so unique that I have to make a pledge to live that way.


BTW - my TV is a free hotel castoff. I've been using it for 3 years and it is still going strong. The brand new TV I bought a number of years ago had to go into the shop after 3 years because I could get sound but no picture ... and about 18 months later it was completely dead. I'm not terribly enthusiastic about buying a new TV again.

I agree ... living that way (much like how you have described) just happened to me too. It's normal ... nothing so unique that I have to make a pledge to live that way.


BTW - my TV is a free hotel castoff. I've been using it for 3 years and it is still going strong. The brand new TV I bought a number of years ago had to go into the shop after 3 years because I could get sound but no picture ... and about 18 months later it was completely dead. I'm not terribly enthusiastic about buying a new TV again.

We didn't get television at my parents' house until I was in high school (mid 70's) that was UNHEARD of:eek: I still don't watch much television. The one here in my motel room hasn't been turned on in over a week. There are many other things that I prefer over TV...like cycling.:lol: If you don't have cable or satellite where I live there isn't much of anything worth watching.


When television is good, nothing — not the theater, not the magazines or newspapers — nothing is better.

But when television is bad, nothing is worse. I invite you to sit down in front of your television set when your station goes on the air and stay there, for a day, without a book, without a magazine, without a newspaper, without a profit and loss sheet or a rating book to distract you. Keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that what you will observe is a vast wasteland.

You will see a procession of game shows, formula comedies about totally unbelievable families, blood and thunder, mayhem, violence, sadism, murder, western bad men, western good men, private eyes, gangsters, more violence, and cartoons. And endlessly commercials — many screaming, cajoling, and offending. And most of all, boredom. True, you'll see a few things you will enjoy. But they will be very, very few. And if you think I exaggerate, I only ask you to try it_Newton Minnow, FCC Chairman May 9,1961

IMHO little has changed in broadcast television, with cable/satellite only marginally better.


Aaron:)

I don't have a TV, and have never owned one as an adult. Never missed it, either.

I think this is a great thing, as long as they don't start pushing this view onto others.

I know how this will sound, but why is it a big deal to spend money? Like it or not consumerism has allowed America to get to the point where people can live comfortably. If people didn't buy new $200 shoes that money wouldn't be in the economy, America would not be as comfortable of a place as it is.

If a doctor spends 8 years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to go to school and they are finally rewarded with a high salary, who are we to say they shouldn't spend the money they earned?

We didn't get television at my parents' house until I was in high school (mid 70's) that was UNHEARD of:eek: I still don't watch much television. The one here in my motel room hasn't been turned on in over a week. There are many other things that I prefer over TV...like cycling.:lol: If you don't have cable or satellite where I live there isn't much of anything worth watching.



We didn't have a TV in my house until about 1984, I think it was, right toward the end of my high school years ... and then we got this little bitty black and white thing that doubled as a computer monitor. :D That was back in the day when disc drives were cassette decks. :lol:

When my "good" TV died the first time, it was about 5 months before I even bothered to take it in to the shop to have it looked at because it died sometime in April, and I was out cycling all summer. Along about September or October I finally decided it might be worth fixing if I were going to be cycling inside on my trainer during the winter.

My lively hood consists of producing a manufactured product, so I couldn't do it.
I have to have supplies.

I couldn't produce as much of my own food without buying supplies either.
Same goes for storing and canning food.

Does not watching or owning a TV make a person more or less car free than a person who does own or watch TV?

Is a car free person who enjoys consuming products any less car free than an ascetic puritan existing in the basement of his parent's house?

does not watching or owning a tv make a person more or less car free than a person who does own or watch tv?

Is a car free person who enjoys consuming products any less car free than an ascetic puritan existing in the basement of his parent's house?

+1

:thumb: Love my thrift stores!

Lots of ways around having to purchase things for repairs, dumpster diving and bartering come to mind. I swapped an old washing machine for a new in the box water heater and the washing machine was in trade for a couple of old riding mowers that needed repairs.

Aaron:)

There is not much paint and wood for my floor lying around at the dump unfortunately.

But i don't buy much else besides that so i guess i live pretty frugal already as do most posters here :twitchy:

Has anybody seen the "No Impact Man" documentary or Blog? He went a year doing this and documented it all. The blog now is a little on the environmental activism side, but read some of the history.
http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/

I've been thinking about this...

What about, not buying ANYTHING for a year? I've been giving this some serious thought since I find myself currently in between jobs. Get 20+ acres and a wood-fired stove in your small-ish house/cabin.

You can work the land for food (including raising free-range chickens for meat), use the trees on your land for heat (it'd be a rather small house), bike to work, and patch clothes instead of buying new. Granted, this rather extreme lifestyle would require much preparation and planning (cache of tire patches anyone?), and I think I might make ONE concession to use fuel powered farming and logging tools, but it certainly seems doable.

The problem with the non-consumerist people is that their stuff originally WAS consumer-based. Even the fact that they buy from vintage shops and second hand stores shows that they're consumers, simply because they're consuming those goods. Yes, it's a good thing that they're not buying new, but IMO, go big or go home. I think in the past year, I've bought a sport coat and a pair of jeans new. Everything else has been used (or, like my 6 year old underwear, hasn't needed replacing). What's the big deal here?

What about, not buying ANYTHING for a year? I've been giving this some serious thought since I find myself currently in between jobs. Get 20+ acres and a wood-fired stove in your small-ish house/cabin.

You can work the land for food (including raising free-range chickens for meat), use the trees on your land for heat (it'd be a rather small house), bike to work, and patch clothes instead of buying new. Granted, this rather extreme lifestyle would require much preparation and planning (cache of tire patches anyone?), and I think I might make ONE concession to use fuel powered farming and logging tools, but it certainly seems doable.


Did you watch the show "Pioneer Quest" in 2000? I was fascinated by that show ... the TV producers took two couples and put them out onto a remote bit of land in Manitoba where they lived a very realistic pioneer life for a year.
http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol8/no20/pioneer.html


And now ... the last 17 shots in this set are of Rowan's and my small cabin with it's wood fireplace which is used to heat the place. We will still be buying our food, although I'm wondering if a garden would be possible.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14302884@N04/sets/72157611337191865/

Does not watching or owning a TV make a person more or less car free than a person who does own or watch TV?
?

It's OK to have a TV, just don't watch NASCAR on it.

We will still be buying our food, although I'm wondering if a garden would be possible.[/url]
Probably yes, if you're able to monitor the pest situation and keep up with watering & weeding. I don't know the local situation there, but if you're way out in the country you might be concerned about wild animals helping themselves to your plants. That implies a fence of some kind, which might be a big task.

Probably yes, if you're able to monitor the pest situation and keep up with watering & weeding. I don't know the local situation there, but if you're way out in the country you might be concerned about wild animals helping themselves to your plants. That implies a fence of some kind, which might be a big task.

Well the kangaroos and deer do help themselves to the fruit & trees in the orchard, so I imagine they wouldn't have a problem helping themselves to my garden if I were to put one in!! :D

but if you're way out in the country you might be concerned about wild animals helping themselves to your plants. That implies a fence of some kind, which might be a big task.

I live in town and the deer ate any tomatoes or sunflowers my wife tried to grow. Here they were nibbling on the flowers at the right of the picture.

Very nice photo, ILTB. The deer look very well fed!

That's a great pic. My Dad grows vegetables in the backyard, and the rabbits and birds are constantly trying to eat for free.

It's OK to have a TV, just don't watch NASCAR on it.

That works for me, but wouldn't go over well with my wife :D.

When I was a kid, we lived on a farm. No cable, no satellite. We got one TV station, so we would come indoors and if we didn't like what was on, we would turn it off and go outside and play.

Now we have people mindlessly flipping from one channel to the next hoping in vain to find something to capture their interest.

I think this is a great thing, as long as they don't start pushing this view onto others.

I know how this will sound, but why is it a big deal to spend money? Like it or not consumerism has allowed America to get to the point where people can live comfortably. If people didn't buy new $200 shoes that money wouldn't be in the economy, America would not be as comfortable of a place as it is.

If a doctor spends 8 years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to go to school and they are finally rewarded with a high salary, who are we to say they shouldn't spend the money they earned?

I guess to me it isn't spending the money that is the problem. It is spending it on non-essential stuff. Some people shop out of boredom, or they buy stuff because they can and not because they need something. To me that's where the line is crossed. It becomes especially troublesome when people become overburdened with debt because of all of their purchases.

I think this is a great thing, as long as they don't start pushing this view onto others.

I know how this will sound, but why is it a big deal to spend money? Like it or not consumerism has allowed America to get to the point where people can live comfortably. If people didn't buy new $200 shoes that money wouldn't be in the economy, America would not be as comfortable of a place as it is.

If a doctor spends 8 years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to go to school and they are finally rewarded with a high salary, who are we to say they shouldn't spend the money they earned?

And unfortunately many of those items were purchased using credit...and now it is time to pay the piper. Nothing wrong with purchasing anything, but a society can not live on consumption alone, as we are finding out.

Aaron:)

I live in town and the deer ate any tomatoes or sunflowers my wife tried to grow. Here they were nibbling on the flowers at the right of the picture.


That's a very cool pic. I like how they are all facing the camera, like friends at a party.

I guess to me it isn't spending the money that is the problem. It is spending it on non-essential stuff. Some people shop out of boredom, or they buy stuff because they can and not because they need something. To me that's where the line is crossed. It becomes especially troublesome when people become overburdened with debt because of all of their purchases.

Exactly. Or they buy stuff out of habit, forgetting they already have something like it, or they buy in order to fit in with a perceived norm, or they buy out of a failure of imagination in finding solutions to problems (i.e. fixing things that break). The debt burden is significant, but so is the physical clutter, and I honestly believe both come with an emotional cost.

I'm about to leave a 3-year relationship because of incompatible ideas about "stuff." The Boy and his family take Stuff for granted. Stuff is important. Stuff shows the kind of person you are (the more Stuff you have, the better you are, of course). When you get new Stuff, you shouldn't get rid of the old Stuff in case the new Stuff breaks; also, having garage sales or giving things to the thrift shop shows that you are cheap. (Oddly, auctions are OK. I don't really understand why). But Stuff that is new and on sale for a "bargain" must ALWAYS be purchased even if nobody knows what it is or how to use it. Stuff that breaks has betrayed you and you should be angry with it, with the people who made it, and the people who sold it to you. Stuff is eternal. They are always in search of the newest, best Stuff.

I'm the child of hippies. I LITERALLY played with rocks and string as a child; I remember being thrilled with wooden toys and handmade teddy bears from my parents' friends, and baffled by a Lego set that could only be put together one way. We grew most of our own food. We had a tiny black and white TV set that could pull in 1 channel until I was in high school. My parents STILL have bookshelves made out of cinderblock bricks and long planks of wood. Stuff, for us, is transient. Something appears; you use it for a while; someone else needs it more, or you find something else that works a little better for what you want to do; you pass the first item along to someone else who can use it, or you recycle it directly. Who you are is not determined by what you have.

I'm most comfortable in a frugal lifestyle, not so much anti-consumerist as slightly bewildered by the whole thing. I got my first new bicycle when I was 32 years old (and sold it a year later, because I had found 2 vintage bikes I liked a lot more :)). In the past year, I have bought 6 articles of clothing new. 4 of these were cycling related. On any given day, I'm likely to be wearing at least one thing I have made or repaired, and one thing that I got for free. I buy books secondhand because I have a reading habit that would rival a fairly severe crack habit for dollar expenditure if I bought books at cover price... I get overwhelmed and anxious in shopping malls or very large stores. Too much Stuff everywhere.

I like to DO things, not HAVE things. Stuff makes me nervous. It wants me to dust it and worship it and keep it warm in my house. I want to use the space in my house to do yoga (I don't need a DVD to show me how) or lay out fabric scraps on the floor to make a pretty, warm quilt. I don't want to buy new fabric (OK, I lied there, I always want new fabric...) in a kit with a pattern and a special ruler just for that one design of quilt block. I don't want to spend longer setting up, then disassembling and cleaning, the fancy pasta maker than it takes to actually eat the pasta.

So it is time for me to move on to a small place of my own, where I can grow bean sprouts on the windowsill, make bread with crazy kinds of flour in it, ride my bike to do all my errands, get DVDs from the library instead of pirating them (this bugs me, a lot), hang all of my laundry to dry in the sun, eat meatless meals once in a while because they are tasty, and generally get back to my crunchy-granola, pinko commie roots. :D

That works for me, but wouldn't go over well with my wife :D.

When I was a kid, we lived on a farm. No cable, no satellite. We got one TV station, so we would come indoors and if we didn't like what was on, we would turn it off and go outside and play.

Now we have people mindlessly flipping from one channel to the next hoping in vain to find something to capture their interest.

I had the same experience living overseas as a military brat. We moved to a base where a hill blocked the signal from the base, and I learned to play guitar instead. I was 17, and didn't miss it at all.

I haven't paid for TV for years. Yesterday I went out with my son to the W&OD for 5 hours and just hung out at the parks, dipped our feet in the stream, and played with roly-polies... The best 50 dollars a month I never spent.

I live in town and the deer ate any tomatoes or sunflowers my wife tried to grow. Here they were nibbling on the flowers at the right of the picture.

I fail to see how this has anything to do with carfree living or bicycles. I highly doubt that the deer choose to be carfree, rather they are forced by circumstances, unlike the naive and arrogant high-horse regulars who post on this list.

:p :lol:

I fail to see how this has anything to do with carfree living or bicycles. I highly doubt that the deer choose to be carfree, rather they are forced by circumstances, unlike the naive and arrogant high-horse regulars who post on this list.

:p :lol:

I am sure the deer would very much prefer if the roads were car free since so many deer around here have close encounters of the fatal kind with them.

Every time I warn my son to be careful of the deer driving home at night after a visit, he cautions me to look out for the deer when I am cutting the grass.