Stopping buying things new.
this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2026
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Similar to what OP is doing - minimizing consumption as much as I can, and being selective with sources when I have to. If I need something, I try to buy used first.
This includes, but is not limited to, avoiding US products and services. I still have investments, but try to focus on ESG as much as possible (though I'm aware that participating in stock markets etc is problematic in itself, but I don't have a lot of choice in the matter).
I'm also trying to move away from a profit/monetary value maximizing mindset, and want to focus on sustainability, durability and social benefits.
In reality, these are all goals that I often fall short of. But I want to keep trying and get better.
I quit commercial Social Media and am only here and on Mastodon. So I'm not spending my time at Facebook, X, TikTok and so on anymore where they can show me ads and make money from them. I've moved most of my online stuff to a selfhosted solution and switched my computers to Linux.
The most impactful thing is something different, however: I put solar on my roof. Most of my power consumption is now from solar, which means that all those texan oil barons, saudi sheiks and russian dictators that are funding Trump, are getting less money from me. That are over 1000€ every year that I'm saving and that is not going into their pockets. And it is good for the environment, too!
My next plan. And shamefully but a FU to the energy Omani’s is a log burning stove.
I feel bad as I like to conserve, and I try to be non waste but it feels polluting.
Replaced Visa/Mastercard with local payment methods and cash. No practical change whatsoever in terms of convenience, was unexpected. Also am self hosting as much as I can.
Oh, this is something I don't do, but probably should. Though I do small grocery shopping, several times, as opposed to one big one, and I do self checkout. It is so much faster to just pay with the card. It never really crossed my mind to do otherwise. I think paying with cash deserves a try though!
With self checkout here I can use the local QR code payment system that replaces the card entirely, so cash isn't always necessary. Maybe there is something like that where you live!
Using the QR code is probably still using Mastercard/Visa, no? As long as the money is being transfered directly from your bank account, it should be going throw Visa/Mastercard. Or am I mistaken?
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Well we could all gently suggest to people that are having a crisis in continued existance, first that we want them to remain with us, but if you must go, why not take some trash out with you? If only we could tune in somehow, we could all play the new mario brothers game multiplayer and drop out of politics.
I put bologna on their car so it eats holes in the paint. 😤
I built an encrypted, secure, takedown safe network called Tenfingers but during the roughly 10 years of building, honing and polishing it, only 2 persons have ever tried it and one was a friend. So I guess it's not really what people want 😅.
I learned a lot though.
Bezos can’t have my money.
This one's tough! Have you found online shopping alternatives to get stuff? Just curious.
Mostly just don't buy as much shit. When I do need something find a site that specialises in that. Some I recently used: Brew2Bottle, Heinnie Haynes, SJS Cycles
Trying to build community resistance
Posting here for ideas, in trying to up my engagement.
By being very good at my job.
Nice try.