Ashlee Piper has written a no-nonsense guide to regaining control over your time, consumerist impulses, and financial and mental wellness. My review! #Bookthreads #Bookstagram #Booksky #NoNewStuff #AshleePiper #BookBlogger #Consumerism #ConspicuousConsumption #AudiobookReview #MacMillanAudio

http://bargain-sleuth.com/2025/03/27/%f0%9f%93%9a%f0%9f%8e%a7%f0%9f%92%b8no-new-things-saving-money-the-planet-and-your-sanity-audiobookreview-macmillanaudio-arcreview-finance-selfhelp/

I am sure this is not peak decadence, but they are working towards it.

My suggestion - an English (yes) Kent strawberry - or better still a bowl of them picked at the right time of the year. Other British berries are available. Worth the wait and a lot of less expensive.

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/mar/15/viral-strawberry-erewhon-los-angeles

Good morning.

17 April 2024

When I was in college, a subject that a teacher spoke of was conspicuous consumption. That is buying and using things of greater cost than is actually needed. It is a flaunting of wealth so that other people see that person's affluence. We mostly all do it I suppose to a certain extent, but some people take it to a new level and will often borrow money to appear affluent. Borrowing money to have stuff that you don't need just to impress someone that you probably don't know, doesn't make any sense. I mean, what's the point? Wanting other people' envy is not a good reason for spending.

“One of the main downsides of having low self-esteem is the attendant desire to have high-priced possessions, especially those with which you can leave your yard.” - Mokokoma Mokhonoana

It’s so messed up that western culture has us thrilled by the thought of the conspicuous wasting of resources. That we can achieve catharsis by destroying useful items. I see it in rage rooms where everyday items are smashed with sledgehammers, with food fights, trophy hunting, etc. What a bizarre culture. #Waste #Disposable #ConspicuousConsumption