Recently, I have sold off quite a bit of furniture, donated piles of clothes to charity shops, and rid myself of a lot of stuff.  All in an attempt to live with less.

But part of living with less is buying less.

Buying less clothes. Reducing the cable package. Fewer toys for the children. No new handbags. Wasting less food. Avoiding big-box stores designed to encourage consumption.

It seems to be a trend that people are adopting.  Perhaps it’s because, as I’ve realized, buying less also means living more.

More money to see a theatre performance. Dine in a restaurant. Take a weekend getaway. Adventures with friends and family. Donations to deserving charities.  And possibly less stress when opening a credit card statement.

It’s these memories that will stick out in our minds for years to come.

Yet, it seems to be a trend that may not be too accepted in our society.  Over Christmas, a non-profit organization declared that North Americans would spend $3 billion over the holiday season.  Inevitably on stuff, rather than experiences, that will soon be forgotten.