Many of us signed up for entertainment (streaming television! date night in a
box!) and regular home delivery of essentials (toothbrushes! groceries! toilet
paper!) at the start of the pandemic. If you’re like me, these days you may find
yourself signed up for 10 or more subscription services.
Subscriptions can be time-saving and convenient, and specialty ones make great
gifts. But if you aren’t receiving the value you expect from the subscription in
question, it’s simply a colossal waste of money and resources. There are other
drawbacks to the recurring payment model as well, and on today’s short and sweet
episode I’m uncovering them.
 
Here’s a preview:
[7:30] 5 disadvantages to subscription services that you may not have considered
[8:45] What do recurring charges mean for our data and privacy?
[12:30] Subscription services and the concept of sunk cost
[18:00] One incremental action step for listeners to save money
 
Further reading:
 * The Rise Of The Subscription Model
   [https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2019/08/12/whats-behind-the-rise-of-the-subscription-model/?sh=7ea5f18135c3]
   (via Forbes)

 
 
* Thank you to SigmaTeaches [https://www.sigmateaches.com/] for sponsoring this
episode! Use code SUSTAINABLE at checkout for up to $200 off your first
package. 

* Join our (free!) community here
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/].
* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook,
[https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/] Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/sustainableminimalists/] + Youtube
[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmEjOfANT67KkwTTp3pgSOg].
* Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com
 
The post Subscription Services [https://mamaminimalist.com/268/] appeared first
on Sustainable Minimalists [https://mamaminimalist.com].

Subscription Services

Home decor is a lot like fashion: the second we invest in a new piece of
furniture or a new decor item, the catalogs and showrooms push a new trend. The
items we just bought, then? They’re suddenly out of style.
Today I speak with interior designer Jessica Velazquez
[https://www.interiorsbyjessica.ca/] about curating rooms that are timeless.
Jessica believes that style must always support lifestyle: when we play it
right, we can design spaces that won’t expire when stores usher in a new trend.
 
Here’s a preview:
[5:00] Does evergreen and minimalist mean boring? Debunking common home decor
myths
[12:00] The Number One way to avoid making costly design mistakes
[18:00] The hierarchy of accent pieces: tips for refreshing a space by zeroing
in on accessories
[23:00] What color should we paint our walls?
[27:00] An eco-tip and a correction
 
Resources mentioned:
 * Jessica on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/interiors_by_jessica/]
 * Watch the extended version of this interview on Youtube
   [https://youtu.be/uEcQwDS_ng4]
 * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #217: Organized Entryway Ideas
   [https://mamaminimalist.com/217/]

 
* Thank you to SigmaTeaches [https://www.sigmateaches.com] for sponsoring this
episode! Use code SUSTAINABLE at checkout for up to $200 off your first
package. 

* Join our (free!) community here
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/].
* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook,
[https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/] Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/sustainableminimalists/] + Youtube
[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmEjOfANT67KkwTTp3pgSOg].
 
The post Evergreen Rooms [https://mamaminimalist.com/267/] appeared first on
Sustainable Minimalists [https://mamaminimalist.com].

Evergreen Rooms

We want new things and we want them now. Our spending habits put brands on
perpetual searches for ways to shorten the time between design, manufacturing,
and distribution, and China has stepped up with the technology and the supply
chains to meet our needs.
Our consumption habits, then, can only be satisfied by purchasing from China.
Today’s show analyzes the ethical and environmental implications associated with
excessive reliance on the “World’s Factory”, as China has affectionately been
dubbed. What does manufacturing and lax regulations mean for both the people and
the planet, and how can we as consumers do better?
 
Here’s a preview:
[2:00] What the Made In China label means (and doesn’t mean) about a product’s
quality
[5:00] A deep dive into Chinese manufacturing: 5 reasons why China has become
the “world’s factory”
[7:00] What China’s lower compliance standards mean for people
[10:30] The story of Oregon mother Julie Keith, Halloween decorations, and Sun
Yi
[14:00] Chinese manufacturing and environmental pollution
[19:15] Practical action steps for listeners that go beyond “just buy local”
 
Further reading:
 * Nearly 14,000 companies violate China pollution rules
   [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/13/world/asia/china-companies-air-pollution-paris-agreement.html]
   (via NYTimes)
 * How your cheap Chinese-made products may be killing thousands in China
   [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/03/29/china-pollution-manufacturing-factory-health/99782622/]
   (via USAToday)
 * How much do we buy from China?
   [https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2011/08/10/139388532/only-a-tiny-sliver-of-americans-personal-spending-goes-to-china]
   (via NPR)
 * Are Made In China toys safe?
   [https://thebabypenguin.com/are-made-in-china-toys-safe/] (via The Baby
   Penguin)

 
Resources mentioned:
 * Episode #186: The Lowdown On Wooden Toys with Christina Floyd
   [https://mamaminimalist.com/186-2/]

 
* Thank you to SigmaTeaches [https://www.sigmateaches.com] for sponsoring this
episode! Use code SUSTAINABLE at checkout for up to $200 off your first
package. 

* Join our (free!) community here
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/].
* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook,
[https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/] Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/sustainableminimalists/] + Youtube
[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmEjOfANT67KkwTTp3pgSOg].
 

Made In China

While minimalism may sometimes seem trendy, the reality is that the lifestyle
has been around for centuries. Indeed, ancient philosophies touted the
importance of Less Is More living as a means of finding inner peace amidst
frenetic daily life.
Today I speak with author Jessie Kanzer [https://jessiekanzer.com] about first
steps toward mental minimalism. Jessie argues that you don’t have to be a Zen
master to simplify your cognitions and reduce unnecessary internal chatter; she
argues too that enlightenment is about first learning to lighten up.
 
Here’s a preview:
[3:45] Minimalism isn’t a trend, it’s an ancient lifestyle
[10:30] Learning to slow down and be still in an achievement-based world
[16:15] How to get in touch with your Observer Self
[19:30] Taming our “monkey brains” as a means of enjoying little life moments
[21:15] What to do the next time life feels discombobulated
 
 
Resources mentioned:
 * Don’t Just Sit There, DO NOTHING: Healing, Chilling, and Living with the Tao
   Te Ching [https://amzn.to/3s32lya]
 * Watch the extended version of this interview on Youtube
   [https://youtu.be/QXTHphPYHFM]
 * Body sugaring 101 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qCVYtQ_orE]
 * Jessie on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jessiekanzer/]

 
* Thank you to KiwiCo [https://www.kiwico.com] for sponsoring this week’s
episode! Get 30% off your first month plus free shipping with code SUSTAINABLE
at kiwico.com [https://www.kiwico.com].
* Join our (free!) community here
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/].
* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook,
[https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/] Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/sustainableminimalists/] + Youtube
[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmEjOfANT67KkwTTp3pgSOg].
 
The post Mental Minimalism [https://mamaminimalist.com/265/] appeared first on
Sustainable Minimalists [https://mamaminimalist.com].

Mental Minimalism

When carbon and fluorine fuse together they create a virtually unbreakable
compound. These days, such per- and polyfluoroalkyl (or PFAS) substances are
widely used in thousands of products from food packaging to clothing, carpets,
and more. And because these chemicals are designed to be unbreakable, “forever
chemicals” are adding up in our bodies and in the environment.
On today’s episode I’m answering a listener’s question about the group of
chemicals known as PFAS by bringing you an interview with Kevin Loria. Kevin is
a Senior Health and Science writer for Consumer Reports and has extensively
covered CR’s research into the implications of extensive reliance on forever
chemicals.
Here’s a preview:
[1:45] A PFAS primer: What this family of chemicals is, where they’re most
commonly found, and why they’re dangerous
[5:00] Health and environmental concerns
[7:30] Forever chemicals in food packaging: What research found
[11:00] Where we’re at with regard to PFAS regulation in the US and around the
world
[15:00] EcoCraft, 100% Compostable, and other greenwashing examples: The
“environmentally friendly” food packaging that’s actually not environmentally
friendly at all
[16:45] 5 action steps to reduce PFAS exposure and make better purchasing
decisions moving forward
 
Resources mentioned:
 * Dangerous PFAS Chemicals Are in Your Food Packaging (via Consumer Reports)
   [https://www.consumerreports.org/pfas-food-packaging/dangerous-pfas-chemicals-are-in-your-food-packaging-a3786252074/]
 * Watch the extended version of this episode on Youtube
   [https://youtu.be/Y9PZM4Gb_9s]

 
 
* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #070: The Basics of Minimalists
Kitchens and Minimalist Cooking [https://mamaminimalist.com/070/].
* Join our (free!) community here
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/].
* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook,
[https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/] Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/sustainableminimalists/] + Youtube
[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmEjOfANT67KkwTTp3pgSOg].
 
The post

Forever Chemicals

Many to-be parents spend hours researching cribs and car seats; only rarely do
they consider all the *other* ways in which their lives are about to change. And
once the baby arrives? Many new mothers report a chasm between their parenting
expectations versus day-to-day reality.
Today I speak with journalist and parenting expert Ericka Sóuter
[http://erickasouter.com] about the unspoken challenges of motherhood. Ericka
has spent hundreds of hours interviewing mothers and she’s on the show to
discuss what moms are experiencing (but not saying aloud) about the state of
their homes, friendships, and professions.
Here’s a preview:
[12:00] 6 items on your New To-Do list
[13:30] 3 qualities every friendship needs to thrive
[15:00] Thoughts on MDML (Modern Day Mommy Loneliness)
[19:00] Practical ways to make your marriage less transactional
[28:00] Fighting back against the “motherhood penalty” at work
 
Resources mentioned:
 * How To Have A Kid And A Life: A Survival Guide [https://amzn.to/3qAYWWU]
 * Ericka on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/erickasouter/]
 * Watch the extended version of this interview on Youtube
   [https://youtu.be/fpRkggamv3k]

 
* Join our (free!) community here
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/].
* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook,
[https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/] Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/mommyminimalist/] + Pinterest
[https://www.pinterest.com/mommyminimalist/pins/].
 
The post Mommy Malaise [https://mamaminimalist.com/241/] appeared first on Mama
Minimalist [https://mamaminimalist.com].

Mommy Malaise

It’s human nature to pursue more: More stuff. More money. More professional
power. While it’s certainly important to both create and reach goals in life,
the mindless pursuit of more leaves many of us feeling depleted.
And when we’re always striving to attain the next big thing? We are effectively
removing ourselves from the beauty of the present moment.
On today’s show I’m speaking with blogger Tyler Moore [https://thetidydad.com]
about whether it’s possible to be happy with less and, if so, how.
 
Here’s a preview:
[7:45] The relationship between tidying up your stuff and tidying up your
priorities
[10:30] Quieting the voice in your head that yearns for more
[16:00] The unexpected benefits of living with just enough
[25:00] First steps for determining what’s just enough for you
 
Resources mentioned:
 * Tidy Dad on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tidydad/]
 * Watch the extended version of this episode on Youtube
   [https://youtu.be/cV_nmcp03v0].

 
* Thank you to KiwiCo [https://www.kiwico.com] for sponsoring this week’s
episode! Get 50% off your first month plus free shipping with code SUSTAINABLE
at kiwico.com [https://www.kiwico.com].
* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #146: 10 Secrets Of Successful
Declutterers [https://mamaminimalist.com/146/].
* Join our (free!) community here
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/].
* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook,
[https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/] Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/mommyminimalist/] + Pinterest
[https://www.pinterest.com/mommyminimalist/pins/].
 
 

Learning To Love “Just Enough”

“I want to be able to create a home that we can truly feel at-home in, but [my
new husband and I] still haven’t figured out what our “style” is. How can we
find our home decor style without buying & trying different items? How can we
figure out our tastes and preferences without spending a bunch of money,
creating waste, and/or accidentally getting swept up by what’s trendy?”
 
It happens to the best of us: we search high and wide for the perfect decor that
will transform our homes from lived-in disaster zones to ones reminiscent of
those within the glossy pages of decor catalogs (I get it; I’ve been there
too!). But “home” isn’t a place; it’s a feeling, and neither trinkets nor
furniture have the power to make a house a home.
Today I’m answering a listener’s question about how to determine your home decor
style. I’m also offering my best advice on how to avoid costly mistakes when
purchasing furniture and other expensive home items.
Here’s a preview:
[3:45] Home isn’t a place; it’s a feeling
[7:15] 5 ways to find your home decor style
[17:30] How (and why) you should “date” your home before furnishing it
[22:45] Practicality versus aesthetics
[24:00] Thoughts on personalizing your space without spending a lot of money
 
Resources mentioned:
 * Episode #191: Intentional Interior Decorating
   [https://mamaminimalist.com/191/] with Marianne Canada
 * Decorating style quiz [https://www.modsy.com/design-style-quiz/]

 
* Thank you to Zencastr
[https://zencastr.com/pricing?coupon=sustainableminimalists&fpr=yh1nt] for
sponsoring this week’s episode! Use promo code SUSTAINABLEMINIMALISTS for 30%
off your first 3 months.
* Thank you also to Scentfill [https://scentfill.com/pages/minimalist]! Use
promo code TSM10 for 10% off your order and fast, free shipping.
* Join our (free!) community here
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/].
* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook,
[https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/] Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/mommyminimalist/] + Pinterest
[https://www.pinterest.com/mommyminimalist/pins/].
 

How To Find Your Home Decor Style

Veganuary — the worldwide new years resolution movement — makes plant-based
living accessible while also pushing for corporate change. While proponents of
the month-long challenge report that veganism can be fun, today’s guest argues
that plant-based living on the large scale (which, in her view, is inevitable!)
will have positive consequences for our economy, climate, health, and culture.
Veganism is one of the fastest growing social movements in the world and so in
honor of Veganuary I’m speaking with anthropologist Roanne Van Voorst
[http://www.roannevanvoorst.com] about what’s possible once the majority of
humans embrace plant-based. Roanne offers new, compelling arguments for trying
Veganuary; she offers practical tips to help you stay on track, too.
 
Here’s a preview:
[5:15] We are amidst a great culture shift in which animal exploitation is
becoming a thing of the past. Here’s why
[10:00] Pushing back against the “but meat just tastes good!” argument
[12:30] How a future without industrial-farmed meat and dairy will improve both
the global economy and human culture
[18:00] 5 ways to avoid common carnivorous pitfalls 
[24:00] Smart steps to take before heading out to dinner
[26:20] (Literal) conscious consumption: How eating is a form of voting
 
Resources mentioned:
 * Veganuary [https://veganuary.com/en-us/]
 * Watch the extended version of this interview on Youtube
   [https://youtu.be/yGfo8pJnz8c]
 * Once Upon A Time We Ate Animals [https://amzn.to/3sUv0GH]

 
* Thank you to Zencastr
[https://zencastr.com/pricing?coupon=sustainableminimalists&fpr=yh1nt] for
sponsoring this week’s episode! Use promo code SUSTAINABLEMINIMALISTS for 30%
off your first 3 months.
* Thank you also to Scentfill [https://scentfill.com/pages/minimalist]! Use
promo code TSM10 for 10% off your order and fast, free shipping.
* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #148: The Case For Part-Time
Plant-Based [https://mamaminimalist.com/148-2/].
* Join our (free!) community here
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/].
* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook,
[https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/] Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/mommyminimalist/] + Pinterest
[https://www.pinterest.com/mommyminimalist/pins/].
 

Veganuary and The Future Of Food

If you often bump into side tables or trip over misplaced shoes you’ve likely
lamented your need for more space.
But staying in your existing home even though it’s imperfect has tangible
benefits like greater financial savings, more free time, and less stress. On
this episode I’m speaking with small living expert Melanie Gnau
[https://asmalllife.com] about how to create more livable space in your home
without undergoing a lengthy construction addition or moving to a bigger home.
 
Here’s a preview:
[3:00]  Stephanie’s 4 best tips for creating more space (without adding more
space)
[4:00] Furniture: Inserting the right amount in the appropriate sizes
[5:45] 4 ways to create smarter home storage
[11:00] How to make dead space work for you
[15:00] The relationship between small homes and conscious consumerism
[21:30] Thoughts on creating hangout space for older children and teenagers
[25:00] How to design a home that feels cohesive
 
Resources mentioned:
 * Watch the extended version of this episode on Youtube
 * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #152: How To Organize For Your
   Personality [https://mamaminimalist.com/152/]
 * Email Melanie at melanie@asmalllife.com

 
* Thank you to Zencastr
[https://zencastr.com/pricing?coupon=sustainableminimalists&fpr=yh1nt] for
sponsoring this week’s episode! Use promo code SUSTAINABLEMINIMALISTS for 30%
off your first 3 months.
* Thank you also to Beacon [http://beacon.site]! Head over to beacon.site
[http://beacon.site] to learn more and download for FREE for iOS and Android.
* Now’s the perfect time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts
app
[https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sustainable-minimalists-podcast/id1329830361],
hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes,
then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!)
* Join our (free!) community here
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/].
* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook,
[https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/] Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/mommyminimalist/] + Pinterest
[https://www.pinterest.com/mommyminimalist/pins/].
 

Mama Minimalist