Some folks joke that they are “shopaholics,” but compulsive shopping is no laughing matter. Oniomania — the technical name for shopping addiciton, is a real and serious mental health concern. The Cleveland Clinic explains. (Photo: Daniel Kulinski, Creative Commons)
Baylor University’s extensive research into the corrosive effect of consumerism offers plenty of material for personal or group study. Download the work and six study guides, and get busy! (Photo: Pandah, Creative Commons)
Author and bookstore co-owner Ann Patchett gave up buying stuff (well mostly) for an entire year. “The unspoken question of shopping is ‘What do I need?’ What I needed was less,” Patchett writes in the New York Times. Read about her year and what she experienced during this experiment. Could you go a whole 365 […]
Budgeting may not only improve one’s financial condition but also one’s happiness. Good budgeting is also connected to smarter spending. Check out this article and see how you can adjust your spending habits to yield more satisfaction with life. (Photo: taxcredits.net, Creative Commons)
Lloyd Alter shares his story of downsizing during the renovation of a three-story house into two units. Instead of having a garage sale or selling on ebay, he and his wife gave their excess possessions to many different people. For the Alter family the experience was both liberating and joy-filled. (Photo: Stephan Dann, Creative Commons)
Church attendance goes up in January but giving goes down as people begin to pay off the Christmas spending. The Rocket Company offers four ideas for how to help parishioners avoid debt hangover in the future and become better stewards. (Photo: Mike Kline, Creative Commons)
An ever increasing number of people are choosing to live with fewer possessions and as a result are experiencing a better quality of life. Read about the new minimalists, gather some ideas, and use what fits your context to be a better steward of all of God’s creation in 2015. (Photo: storebukkebruse, Creative Commons)
The Barna Group offers this report about how technology is affecting celebrations of Christmas and other holidays of this season. Technology’s use, and its abuse, has a profound affect on our lives, so be sure to take time to read this short offering. (Photo: Luke Wroblewski, Creative Commons)
Good stewardship habits are good for both your life and your wallet, according to Consumer Psychologist Kit Yarrow, who includes sharing, gratitude, and contentment among her twelve tips to streamline one’s life and budget. Dr. Yarrow’s suggestions are particularly timely for this season of Advent when we are bombarded with messages to overspend and overbuy. (Photo: Rubbermaid Products, Creative Commons)
Here’s a wonderful toolkit from Interfaith Power and Light designed to help you start or continue a conversation about healthy food choices, environmental stewardship, and climate. The kit provides all you need to host your own event. (Photo: gina pina, Creative Commons)
