Consume Local/hack Global Final Project – Essay – Jazzy Kealoha
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Consume Local/hack Global Final Project
Jazzy KealohaProfessor Sara Schoonmaker Consume Local/Hack Global18 April 2014Consume Local/Hack Global Final ProjectEveryone habitually utilizes private transportation and lacks a conscious mind towards our consumption practices. I am also guilty of selfishly using more than my share of the pie when it comes to my lifestyle. After moving from San Francisco to Redlands, California I noticed a huge a change in my spending habits– which I concluded is directly related to my consumption. Through this realization I wanted to see if I could lower my cost of living even more. My idea was to not consume, or be more mindful of my consumption. Over these couple weeks my goal was be to not purchase anything outside of my necessary needs and make conscious efforts to help the environment. In San Francisco, I lived a static cycle based on a number in my bank account– it filled at the start of the month and was emptied at the end of it. Not a healthy or happy cycle to be a part of. Being in the city I was tempted to shop, eat, explore, and SPEND! For people who have the means this doesn’t pose a problem (excluding values), but according to Bonnie Kavoussi, “about half of 3,000 Americans polled in a recent survey said that theyre spending more than they earn at least a few months each year.” Growing up,  I wasnt educated on handling my finances. My parents never talked about price or money issues that stood in the way of my goals or desires. This really affected my learning curve when I was sent to college and given the freedom of plastic. The problem is that in our society we are encouraged to consume everything, depleting resources and increasing debt. This poses a problem because “school children dont learn much about personal finance… [disabling] the connection between overspending and financial risk.” When discussing spending, I am concerned about consumption cost which include food, and specialty items (clothes). I am an honest shopaholic- whether that be online, mall or outlet mall.  For a portion of my project I halted all retail shopping, and if I had to urge to spend then I would visit local thrift stores or shop locally. This part of my project succeeded with extreme success– I haven’t bought a single piece of clothing for months and am proud for multiple reasons. Including the fact that I have been able to personally reduce my credit card debt, and increase my happiness.
This may seem like a trivial problem but Americans have managed to accumulate $18.4 billion in credit card debt in 2011. “Through making impulsive purchases [and boosting our moods, also known as retail therapy]… [we’re] likely to use a credit card to get what [we] want… It can be very difficult to cover the costs of an emotional shopping spree without going into debt.” From personal experience i’ve learned that climbing out of debt is that much more difficult than getting into it.  This goes back to the idea of being uneducated on finances; when paying for credit you also add interest, which means the longer it takes you pay, the more you end up paying in the end.  In San Francisco I have been guilty of putting myself in debt just to get my emotional fix or to maintain an image.  I tend to be “brand conscious” which is based on the prestige of something superficial, or brand recognition hoping for quality. As we have talked about in class the idea in America is that more is better, we are taught to want for the best and we are told that success is measured based on material wealth. “If you’re constantly comparing your life with others and trying to outdo them with material goods, [the debt cycle will never end].” We are able to control and “avoid some serious financial problems by living within [our] means and only buying things [we] can honestly afford.” This portion of the project has both reduced my credit card debt, and increased my overall happiness. I am only human and can’t help but give into natural desires of acceptance of others through sometimes shallow means, but I have learned to live by the saying, “there is also a heaven [or happiness] upon earth in our own breasts. Do not seek it without, but within your heart ; then you will not come into heaven for the first time when you die, but remain in it always.”  As the quotes states, my happiness is determined by me, not my material possessions. In other ways to adjust my consumption I ate at local eateries, avoiding chains (McDonalds, Taco Bell, etc), whenever I went out in attempts to make a financial contribution to the local community. This part of my project was similar to consuming the local where I was able stimulate the local. I believe that through this process I have built the foundation for strong community relations. For example, I have been visiting Augie’s Coffee House religiously, to the point where I have established a relationship with some of the employees. This same situation occurred at Heska’s Sugar Shack, located at the tip of Mentone. I have been able to truly find the homely feel of Redlands and the sense of community that is strongly tries to promote.
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By: Jazzy Kealoha
Submitted: December 8, 2015
Essay Length: 1,953 Words / 8 Pages
Paper type: Essay Views: 380
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