Oh, this is really good.

We are, in fact, entirely overmatched by the marketing machine, and first, I think we have to realize that there's nothing wrong with us in this...selling things is the basis of our rich economy, and the people who have been doing it for generations know their business. So this checklist is a wonderful antidote...and this forum has become a place where we seem to support each other in resisting, which is a wonderful thing as well.

Thank you, ML...another thoughtful contribution to this community.

I approach the right mindset by poring over design publications that achieve what I hope for. I used to be in the design trade, and I think visually about things to do with home.

There are lots of books we have talked about that tell us what to do...I'd like to recommend a couple that show us.

Some of the books are pricey, but might be in your library. They are available at Barnes and Noble, I know, and you can go look at them there.

FIrst, the latest issue of House Beautiful...it focuses on serenity this month. Their text is in the form of interviews with the designers whose work is shown, which gives you a deeper insight into the process, and how the results were achieved. The Spanish/European house in Dallas has one thing in the text that jumped out at me...(page 88, third column):
"Order always creates calm, and there are no quick ways of cultivating it - it comes from severe editing, lots of housekeeping, and deep storage."

Second, "Perfect Neutrals: Color You Can Live With", a book by Stephanie Hoppen. Preview it at Amazon.

Third, "Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors" by Barron and Sarramon. Vervoordt is a Belgian architect, his wife does fabrics and interiors with him, his two sons are also part of the studio, and although probably none of us can afford any of the rooms in this luscious book, the aesthetic is deeply inspiring to me. Likewise, preview it at Amazon.

And fourth, one I have mentioned before - "A Place For Everything," by Peri Wolfman.

I'd love to know what you think of them, if you take a look.

Thank you both for your book recommendations!

I for one, love to get recommendations on books! I tried to reserve some of the ones that you both mentioned at my library. They do have " A place for everything" but not "Dematerialization". "Dematerialization" I ordered from Amazon marketplace (new) for less than $2.00 new plus 3.99 for shipping.

Here is another book you might find interesting.
Although it was written in 1957, the concepts still apply.

Vance Packard The Hidden Persuaders

From Wikipedia: Packard explores the use of consumer motivational research and other psychological techniques, including depth psychology and subliminal tactics, by advertisers to manipulate expectations and induce desire for products, particularly in the American postwar era. It also explores the manipulative techniques of promoting politicians to the electorate. The book questions the morality of using these techniques.

-Lena

Here is a link that might be useful: Wikipedia entry on Vance Packard

Very thoughtful thread! I've quit buying magazines off the rack - will let several that I subscribe to expire. Most of them are half advertising. I don't think I've ever been motivated to buy something I've seen on TV ads - ever - I don't watch much TV and most of the ads I've seen are insulting to the average person's intelligence, IMHO. Catalogs I get in the mail are my weakness, but I'm getting pretty good at just tossing them - if I look through them a second time, I can usually find something that really appeals to me, so out they go! (I know, I should put a stop to them appearing in my mailbox!)
I think I read "The Hidden Persuaders" in college Psych - there's a reason why retailers do the things they do, so I try to ignore most of it. It is true that consumerism is the lifeblood of our country, but we need to remain in charge of what choices we do make with our purchasing power.

Very thought-provoking indeed.

Scraphappy wrote: I think I read "The Hidden Persuaders" in college Psych - there's a reason why retailers do the things they do

I guess I am old and (hopefully) wise, marketing doesn't quite work on me. One grocery store tucks the most popular fruit, bananas, in the way back corner. The blatant manipulation of making nearly every shopper parade past all the other tempting (and profitable) produce ticks me off.

It is true that consumerism is the lifeblood of our country
Unless $4 gas and negative home value growth might usher in a post-consumer era?

-Lena

Here is a link that might be useful: The Hidden Persuaders: Content

Because of the direct relationship between money and possessions, I'd recommend this book:

Your Money or Your Life

Check out the link from Amazon, the reviews of the books tell you a lot about the contents of this excellent book.

Here is a link that might be useful: Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence

Nice post, Maryliz. The author would be thrilled to read your glowing endorsement or her work. If her book is as good as your summary of it, it is definitely one I want to find. I'm an avid reader drawn to books that address the everyday issues of our lives--how we live with the mundane, nitty-gritty tasks of our days, and the spirituality & sacredness inherent in those tasks. HOW we choose to live out our days, how we spend money, how we care for our homes, each other, the earth, & how we think, feel, & process through all the messages our culture thrusts upon us via the media, etc., are all issues of great interest to me. You too, seem to be passionate about these ideas. Will look for the book! Thanks!

Thanks for the book suggestions. I've added them to my list, but I'd like to bring the topic back to Dematerializing.

I think most people would say that they are not affected by all the advertising that bombards us on a daily basis. I like to think of myself as being too intelligent to fall for all that nonsense. Then why do I sometimes find an advertising jingle stuck in my head? It's pretty rare, but when it happens, I have to flood it out by listening to music that I get to choose. ;-P

I believe that images on TV, in books and mags, etc. will reach the subconscious, and stick there. I try very hard to look away when the TV shows an ad for a horror movie. I certainly don't want that in my nightmares!

Some ads on TV and the radio are downright annoying! I try to mentally tune them out, or turn down the volume. I tell myself I will never buy that product, just because of their annoying ad. But by being so annoying, they have broken through to my consciousness. It is like a thorn in my side. Another bit of nonsense that I have to work at forgetting. (Deep breath! Ahhhh! Peace. Calm...) I don't watch TV much, and when I do it is usually PBS, which has only minimal commercials and sponsorships. When I am in the car, I find that CDs are better than the radio, because there are no annoying commercials. But sometimes I want to listen for a traffic report, so I eject the CD.

When I am shopping for the things I need, I sometimes find something that wasn't on my list. It seems like the solution to a problem. Perhaps I will get it. But if I really think hard about it, I usually end up putting it back, with a feeling of great relief. I have avoided the temptation to get something new to try to fix that diffuse dissatisfaction with life. I have to admit, some of those unexpected discoveries have been nice additions to my arsenal of tools for living.

The more I declutter, set up my home to be more comfortable, and step back to examine how I live, the more satisfied I am with my life just the way it is right now.

I can say with confidence that sewing helps me dematerialize. I enjoy making charity quilts to give away, and making primitive / folk art hand applique quilts to keep for myself. Having something to do with one's hands is like a type of meditation.

The ads I find most manipulative, and therefore most annoying, are the lovely, moving ones for Master Card that encourage you to do all kinds of things you can't otherwise afford, because the emotional payoff is "priceless."
Yikes.

ahhhh, as the economy tanks, the more marketers seem to target the richer amongst us, and their porno kitchen mags tops my list.

As I enter my near retirement years, the more I declutter of material objects, the more I resent the constant bombardment of spend, spend, spend.

I used to depend on Womans Day and Family Circle for ideas for the middle class for menus and decorating that matches a lower/middle class budget. Sadly, they too now only market to a much richer audience. But last year I did see they had the courage to post a letter from a person that echoed my thoughts!

I got so sick of all the promo junk mail that I signed up (some legit web site, sorry don't remember exact site) where you could opt out of credit report inquiries so these people could flood you with cc offers, etc. That reduced my mail considerably!

I find new ways each year to use 'free' sources for many aspects of my life, and enjoy the freedom.

The one I use is Catalog Choice.
Link below...

Here is a link that might be useful: Catalog Choice

reduce.org (run by the state of Minnesota) has some handy links for stopping junk mail and credit card offers. (Even stops the ValPak blue envelopes).

I've also found relief by getting rid of the TV, and listening only to public or listener-sponsored radio. Ad block helps a lot with web sites.

-Lena

Here is a link that might be useful: reduce the hail of unwanted mail