But Can I Buy Something? — Newsletter #4
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It looks like the CNN interview was pushed back a week, but it did air a few times on CNN International. Neat! I'll send the air dates as soon as they become available.
This week we're talking about something very important: actually making purchases, although you are presumably trying to rid yourself of many of your possessions.
Buying Things While Paring Down
Sometimes, it might feel like getting rid of things is the easy part. The hard part is limiting reconsumption. While some of us might think it would be nice to only make digital purchases, we are far from that (if we'll ever get there).
Recently, I had to make a purchase. Although my life is very digital by most standard, there are several things that the digital cannot replace. While I find that writing, watching, communicating and reading are made better by silicon, there is still one thing that the digital has not replaced: quick sketches. At work, I will often sketch out quick timing diagrams or flow charts to get my thoughts on paper. These become guiding diagrams for my daily tasks. I had been using a generic yellow sketch pad, but the pages would get crumpled up whenever I took the pad with me.
I have already found the pens that I like the most. They are the Zebra F-301 compact series. The pens are the epitome of a nerd pen: metallic and black and conveniently collapsible. They write well and have a good balance for a cheap pen. They are sturdy enough and small enough to withstand months in your pocket. I have found my ideal writing device, but now I needed to decide on a paper.
A fancy notebook is seen by many as a frivolous purpose. "What's wrong with a yellow pad of paper?" one might ask. In the best interest of avoiding buying something that I wouldn't use, I listed the problems that what I would buy would solve. While it looks like a penny-pinching exercise, I found that it helps make me more satisfied with my purchases and really only buy the things I need. As a subscriber to the Cult of Less, there is always a default question relevant: Will this help me do more with less or replace two or more things? Here were my problems:
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My current notepad would get crumpled when put in my bag
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My current notepad paper was thin, not the best quality
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I didn't like the top roll-over style
Given these problems, there were probably plenty of notebooks that would fit my requirements. So I set out to find a great notebook. I settled on the Leuchtturm 1917 Dotted Master Book (I could only find the Ruled on Amazon). I was able to swing by a local bookstore and see one in action before spending $30 (!!!) on a notebook.
All of this being said, I am very happy customer. I use the notebook every day at work and at home. It's great for sketching. It was something that I legitimately needed, so I did the responsible thing: I did my research.
So although we are trying to keep our belongings to a minimum, we can still make rational and conscious purchasing decisions. What was the most recent thing you bought? How much time did you do research for it? Send me an email with your anecdote!
Whew, that was a long one.
To continue the discussion until next week, use the hashtag #cultofless if you are on Twitter.
If you have any questions for me, you can always email me at: michael.k.sutton@gmail.com. Please send me pictures and stories of you purging your belongings!
Look out for next week's newsletter!
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