Posh Swaps Blog

Most people will probably admit to enjoying spending money but it is not the only way to have fun. In fact there are so many ways of having fun that do not involve spending money. Those who find themselves spending money to feel happy are likely to spend more than they have and end up in debt. The happiness caused by spending money is an empty sort of happiness and not really very fulfilling.

There are so many fulfilling ways to enjoy yourself without spending money. Spending time with family and friends is one of the best things in life. Having a chat over a cup of tea costs next to nothing and is likely to give you an instantly happy feeling (depending on who you are chatting with). A clothes swapping party with friends is a great way to refresh your wardrobe for free. You get just as much of a buzz from swapping something lovely that looks great on you if not more because you have no credit card to pay off afterwards.

The recession has caused so many people to rediscover the simple things in life and reconsider their consumerism due to lack of money. Perhaps some people will find that by spending less money, they can afford to work less hours, spend more time with the people that they love and lead a less stressful life.

We are really pleased to have a mention in the June edition of The Ecologist. The article which is part of a series entitles 101 ways forward:resources for a better world, discusses the issue of consumerism as well as 7 other topics of huge importance to the environment including waste, climate change and energy, food and farming. It outlines how we can take simple steps to reduce our consumerism and live a more sustainable life.

Swapping is of course one way to buy less new stuff and recycle old stuff and the article gives some great ideas for swapping, other than clothes. It also talks about ethical shopping and fairtrade, all great ways to live more sustainably.

Overall the article urges us to try and point where happiness comes from how little we own, not how much and changing the word ‘more’ for ‘enough’.

picture from the Ecologist