Elizabeth H. reviewed The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
this one was an eye-opener. i'm currently reading the overworked american and it's just as enligthing.
Marian L. (sunfish) reviewed The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need on + 209 more book reviews
A thought provoking book on the causes and effects of consumerism in America. Includes how to change your personal consumer habits; downsizing information and a list of groups involved in downsizing.
This is aimed at Americans that are at least somewhat prosperous and carries on from her 'The Over Worked American" who is caught up in a cyle of 'work and spend.' In her heart she believes we cannot go on consuming resources in this manner. People need to pull back from conspicuous consumption and ideally return to making things last.
Cleverly noting Denis Diderot's essay 'Regret on Parting With My Old Dressing Gown,' she offers her nine 'principles' on how to live well without overconsumption. No competitive consumption, no shopalcoholicism, and curb spending on weddings, Xmas, and the like. She even advocates neighbors buy and share things like riding mowers and snow removal equipment. (The City of LA did have a handful of toy loan offices that endured through the decades after the Great Depression).
a professor, Dr. Schor has examined a good poll of SE Bell employees and used multiple regression analysis, as well as interviewed consumers.
I fear that the immense cost of shelter today may throw off some of these ideas she offers, even if well executed. Fifty years ago when the family finances tightened, we might reduce the grocer bill, turn out lights, dine at home, find a temp job, etc. in order to make the rent or mortgage. These small savings don't go far in meeting today's high shelter costs. And so, enter the payday lender!
Index, bibliography, endnotes, plus an illustration promoting 'Buy Nothing Day.'
Cleverly noting Denis Diderot's essay 'Regret on Parting With My Old Dressing Gown,' she offers her nine 'principles' on how to live well without overconsumption. No competitive consumption, no shopalcoholicism, and curb spending on weddings, Xmas, and the like. She even advocates neighbors buy and share things like riding mowers and snow removal equipment. (The City of LA did have a handful of toy loan offices that endured through the decades after the Great Depression).
a professor, Dr. Schor has examined a good poll of SE Bell employees and used multiple regression analysis, as well as interviewed consumers.
I fear that the immense cost of shelter today may throw off some of these ideas she offers, even if well executed. Fifty years ago when the family finances tightened, we might reduce the grocer bill, turn out lights, dine at home, find a temp job, etc. in order to make the rent or mortgage. These small savings don't go far in meeting today's high shelter costs. And so, enter the payday lender!
Index, bibliography, endnotes, plus an illustration promoting 'Buy Nothing Day.'
