Reddit mentions of Hooked!: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume

Basically this. I am super frugal when it comes to buying things/items...I hate spending money on clothes (especially when most of the stuff out there these days is overpriced, cheaply made crap) or objects that aren't necessary. I do not mind spending money on food or going out with friends though. Although I have plenty of savings and could buy a new tv or netbook or cell phone (hell I don't even own a cell to begin with) or whatever...do I really need to? My tv still works. Sure it's 12 years old but it still works fine. My netbook is a few years old and it would be nice to have a newer one with a screen larger than 7" but is that really necessary? I've been using it for the past 3 years and would a larger screen really make me happier?

I don't know I guess my anticonsumption is very closely tied to my frugality and also to some Buddhist teachings that I've read about. Although I have urges to buy items, an ice cream maker for example, I tend to over think it...do I really need it, will it make my life better, is it really worth $70, will I actually use it? And eventually I just never make the purchase. I've been thinking about buying one for 3 years now...I have the money but I've lived for 36 years without one, do I really "need" one now? I should note that for the past 3 years I have not had any real ice cream as I am 99% vegan so it would be nice to be able to make my own vegan ice cream...yet I still can't seem to justify spending the money on this one object.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book: http://www.amazon.com/Hooked-Buddhist-Writings-Desire-Consume/dp/1590301722

It totally shaped my thoughts regarding anticonsumption.

The Mind of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics

Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens

Hooked!: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume