I'm back...

American Consumer is revitalized with a peppy new writing style. Why? First, in short 4 months away there has been one major change in consumer habits. People are buying small cars instead SUVs. As NYTimes reported, "anything to get me out of my Tahoe..." WOW!

But really, we're facing environmental crisis and if I can help keep 1 plastic bag out of a landfill, its worth it. Well, I dont know... Who am I to change peoples behaviour? But maybe if I can make one person laugh a little, thats good enough. Uh, I guess thats presumptive too. Its hard to be funny writing about purchasing batteries. I know... If I can help just one worker kill a few minutes before lunch, I'm cool with that!

Besides, I've got some great new topics. Stay tuned for: "Phil Graham is right", "My crystal ball: what you can count on", "Grandma's awesome vacuum" and much more...

Wallet

Back on Jan 11 I wrote about losing my wallet and looking for a new one. Well.... I never bought one. Here's why.

About 6 weeks after I actually lost the thing, (on a train going to work from Boston to Framingham on Dec 3rd -- yes, using public transportation -- another worthy topic... but I digress...), I received a call from a guy named Phillip who actually found it on the train. Obviously, by that time I had replaced all the credit cards, but still - it was great that it wasnt in the hands of a thief. He said the money - over $80 - was still there. I said take $20 or $40 and mail it back!

Well, time and went by and it took a few reminders, and finally last Friday it arrived in the mail. Wow! My bulky wallet that I learned to live without... back in my pocket... with no money in it...

hmm - strange experience. On the one hand, its great to have it back and know nobody tried to use the credit cards and all... but dude, 4 months... crazy...

Drugs

Sorry for long gap - had a serious case of the flu. The only thing I purchased last week were perscription drugs. And I have to say, I never considered asking about their origin. Frankly, if the pharmacy told me they were manufactured by oppressed orphans in a toxin-infested sweatshop, that spewed tons of greenhouse gases and were transported by 50s era gas guzzlers, it wouldnt have mattered. I would have felt bad later, but at the time thats how much pain I was in.

Book

I bought something this week: a book - woo-hoo! (Unfortunately, nothing fun - web/tech stuff...)

My first thought was to buy at a store instead of online (reducing packaging and shipping emissions) but the B&N on Ventura didnt have it.

My second thought was, what else can a consumer do? "Hi. I'd like to buy this book from a publisher that only uses soy-based ink and recycled paper, and also uses only bio-degradable packaging material and shippers that purchase carbon emissions offsets. Can you help?""

hahaha. right?

Well, that is silly, but hey... maybe someone is doing this. So here is the email I sent to Amazon.

Hello,

I am interesting in purchasing books only from vendors who meet the highest environmental standards. Specifically, can Amazon help me shop from publishers that only use soy based ink and recycled paper?

I'd also prefer only bio-degradable packaging material and shippers that purchase carbon emissions offsets.

Can you assist? Thank you.

It will be interesting to see if I get a real reply...

I Am Lightweight

Forgoing bags and disposing of computer parts properly is really low hanging fruit (at least for me). When it comes to protecting the environment, I'm not really breaking a sweat. Here is a taste of the future of consumerism, people. This will become the norm eventually:
Read about it in the NYTimes.

I've been debating making more substantial sacrifice for both "the cause" as well as elevated blogging. Telling hopefully entertaining stories about the stuff I buy is getting harder.

Just an aside, here's your handy reminder of the day: Subway = Lame. Please dont eat there.

Cat Food

Lets say you want to make sure your kitties arent exposed to any Chinese manufactured contaminated ingredients... There is a choice - "Wellness brand Feline Dietary Solutions". American made chow that also cuts down on transportation emissions. Sounds pricey? You know it is! About 2.5 times more than regular cat food.

But come on, these kitties are worth it! Here they are enjoying the rug described in "trash pick 1".

Shaver Heads

Today I bought a new set of shaver heads for my old Norelco electric razor.
Um.... uh... Well, I cant think of a possible difference being a contientious consumer would make on this purchase.

I do have one word of advice for anyone considering buying an electric razor. Dont get a cordless model that only recharges by sitting in its charger stand. Eventually the battery will die, and replacing it costs as much as the razor. Better to get one with a regular AC cord. Besides, unless you go rustic style camping, when will you ever be in a bathroom without an outlet to plug it in? And in that case, let it grow, man... let it grow.