Our little adventure features in today’s Herald Sun. You can find a copy here to read about others going on this kind of adventure.
The Herald Sun photographer had us pose with sports gear to represent our choice to buy experiences over ‘stuff’
Here’s a bit from the article:
KEEPING up with the Joneses by buying the latest must-have items has been replaced by a new mark of social status.
The tradition of buying the latest appliance, gadget and fashions is being challenged by a new wave of consumers, known as the New Joneses.
They are less concerned with keeping up than they are with living up.
The New Joneses are still middle class but instead of buying the latest kitchen appliance they spend their money on learning a new language, taking an exotic vacation or developing a new skill in craft.
They want fewer objects and more experiences.
Swinburne Institute research fellow Aneta Podkalicka said psychological research shows that owning more does not equate to more happiness.
“There is a new economy emerging that places more value on immaterial goods,” Ms Podkalicka said.
“Investing in new skills renders you more social kudos than investing in new goods.”
RMIT Vice Chancellor and research fellow Dr Tania Lewis is leading a study into the history of consumption in Australia, prompted by claims of suburban alienation and consumerism.
But Dr Lewis believes, on the contrary, that people are enjoying more community involvement.
“In my research I’ve found so many examples of ad hoc groups getting together to help each other,” she said.
“There is a strong environmental awareness in this too but in the past it was about being a hippy activist but this is very different. They’re ordinary people just making changes in their every day lives.
“The consumer movement is very much about choice and that’s what these people have grown up with so they have a strong sense of choice. They are choosing not to consume as much.”
Dr Lewis said the shift was partly a reaction to super-busy lifestyles.
“Our lives are full in certain ways but not in a way that necessarily makes people satisfied,” she said.
“Australians are among the top nations in the world in terms of working hours and people are wanting a meaning and there is a shift in values taking place back to a more simple way of life.”
The Sunday Herald Sun spoke to people who have changed their lifestyle, buying less but experiencing more.
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Buy Nothing New Year 