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Many of us have tried to call a halt to our spending at one time or another. But what if we decided not to buy anything for a whole year? Obviously, we would need necessities like food and soap, but how would be manage without new clothes, treats, entertainment? Funny, smart and self-deprecating, Not Buying It is a close look at our society's obsession with shopping and the cold turkey confession of a woman we can all identify with - someone who can't live without French roast coffee and expensive wool socks, but who has had enough of spending money for the sake of it. Without consumer goods and experiences, Levine and her partner Paul pursue their careers, nurture family relationships and try to keep their sanity and humour intact. Tracking their progress and lapses, she contemplates the meanings of need and desire, scarcity and security, consumerism and citizenship. She asks the big questions - can the economy survive without shopping? Are Q-tips a necessity? A thought-provoking account of the pleasures and perils of the purchase-driven life, Not Buying It will get readers talking about their reliance on the act of buying and the possibility of getting off the merry-go-round.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Like many reviewers, I found Not Buying It a disappointing read. Disappointing because Judith Levine embarks on an extraordinary adventure in buying nothing but essentials for a year, and yet she shares so little of the experience. I was hoping for ideas and inspiration in my own battle to get out of debt and break free of consumerism. Instead, I got a lot of rather dull musings on economics and American politics, most of which were over my head (and I'm a university graduate).
In places the book reads more like an academic report than a biography, but then Levine's project was academic. She and her partner didn't need to cut down on their spending, not did they choose to do so for ideological reasons. Instead, they set up an experiment with an arbitrary set of rules (tissues weren't considered a necessity, but newspapers were, and they thought nothing of building a large extension on one of their properties during the year). By the end of the book, I didn't have a very favourable impression of Judith Levine. I was irritated by her constant intellectualising over ethical issues; she always seemed to talk herself out of taking any action. This is a woman who appears concerned about the environment, yet regularly commutes between Vermont and New York.
If you're interested in politics, economics or sociology you may enjoy this book. But if your interest is in saving money, my advice is to do just that and leave this book on the shelf.
In places the book reads more like an academic report than a biography, but then Levine's project was academic. She and her partner didn't need to cut down on their spending, not did they choose to do so for ideological reasons. Instead, they set up an experiment with an arbitrary set of rules (tissues weren't considered a necessity, but newspapers were, and they thought nothing of building a large extension on one of their properties during the year). By the end of the book, I didn't have a very favourable impression of Judith Levine. I was irritated by her constant intellectualising over ethical issues; she always seemed to talk herself out of taking any action. This is a woman who appears concerned about the environment, yet regularly commutes between Vermont and New York.
If you're interested in politics, economics or sociology you may enjoy this book. But if your interest is in saving money, my advice is to do just that and leave this book on the shelf.
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have to agree with those reviewers who were disappointed by this. I, too, skipped a lot of the political stuff to get back to her lifestyle, but didn't get much out of it. As an avid anti-consumerist myself, I found it difficult to empathize with her and her partners' situation. They had a comfortable city home as well as a place in the country where they could play at the simple life, once the agony about having the right sort of sock abated. She may well make her mascara last a long time, but I got the feeling that taking your own sandwich rather than buying one was a big deal for her!
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had high hopes for this book - but very quickly it disappointed. It's not all that relevant to the UK Market for a start. When Ms Levine gets bored, and wants to do something that won't involve spending money, she does what any ordinary Brit would do - goes ski-ing. Hm.
More seriously, this is badly written, self indulgent, and just doesn't keep the interest more than a couple of pages. Spend your money elsewhere.
More seriously, this is badly written, self indulgent, and just doesn't keep the interest more than a couple of pages. Spend your money elsewhere.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dull ad i felt abit cheated!
As im having a no spending year myself i thought i try this book even know i shouldnt of brought it but i thought it mite help. Read more
Published 4 months ago by HellTempest
If only it were in English!
My review was originally published for the hardback edition.
Judith Levine writes with confidence; her theories are well researched and she exhibits a tolerance towards... Read more
Judith Levine writes with confidence; her theories are well researched and she exhibits a tolerance towards... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mrs. Katharine Kirby
This could have been so much better.. impractical and self absorbed.
This reminded me of India Knight's The Thrift Book in a way - a book on how to live on less, written by someone who didn't have to. Read more
Published 16 months ago by A. I. McCulloch
An Enjoyable and Enlightening read
Having read a few of the other reviews, I'm really the odd one out in that I actually did like this book. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Louise
If only there was a 2.5 rating option
This isn't a practical book on how to save money.
Levine raises some interesting points on consumerism, capatalism and privatisation, with a heavy dose of American politics... Read more
Levine raises some interesting points on consumerism, capatalism and privatisation, with a heavy dose of American politics... Read more
Published 20 months ago by jess
I wish I never bought THIS!
This book was recommended by the author of How I Lived a Year on a Pound a Day which is a fabulous book and makes Judi Levine look amateur in comparison. Read more
Published on 18 April 2010 by K. WALT
excellent buying
The book is illuminating (and funny!)
Everybody should read it to understand the mechanisms that we all undergo everyday.
Everybody should read it to understand the mechanisms that we all undergo everyday.
Published on 9 Dec 2009 by Lionello Andrea
With the recession at hand, could you do it?
An ingenious concept, born well before the current wave of books cashing in on the recession. Levine and her partner make the decision to purchase nothing but necessities for one... Read more
Published on 17 Jan 2009 by Miss E. Potten
Bought it!
Whilst this was an easy read and the author had some interesting things to say about consumerism, I can't help feeling slightly cheated for having 'bought it'! Read more
Published on 10 April 2008 by Annabel Gaskell
Not a lot of use really!
I received this (on request) for Christmas, and really wish I'd asked for Barbara Kingsolver's book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle instead. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2008 by Gentle Reader
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