Eventually everything ends up at the dump. Think about it. Whatever you own and whatever you buy will eventually be discarded. From the throw away paper towel to that precious gift your grandmother gave you. Eventually all of it ends up in some landfill or incinerator. It's just a matter of time. Even recycling only prolongs the journey.

Think about that next time you put your hard earned cash on the counter. Is the short-lived usefulness of the product you are purchasing really worth the environmental costs associated with its production? And what about the cost of transportation? Some products seem benign enough until you realize they come from the other side of the globe and had to be brought to you by some diesel burning freightliner or container ship.

The question of "affordability" takes on a whole new meaning in this context. Not only are you placing a charge on your credit card but you are also leaving a "charge" for future generations to cope with. This is one place where you really can make a difference. Some simple strategies to reduce your consumption and associated impact on the planet include: 

- When buying for others, buy food or gift certificates. Best of all buy gift certificates for grocery stores.

- When buying for yourself, don't buy anything on sale. Instead wait until the need for the item is strong enough to pay full price for it. This will avoid all that "stuff" you buy because its on sale and some day you might be able to use it. It will save you and the planet a lot of resources in the long run.

- Take care of what you already own. Think of the care you give your possessions as manifesting your love in the world around you. Your care is your love and putting your care into the things that surround you every day means you will be surrounded by love all the time.

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