Everyone is trying to cut back a little on spending this holiday season -- our economy is too volatile, our unemployment rate is too high, our savings are too fragile. Eco-folk have been advocating for generations that "Less is more," that we can live richer, better lives, by spending less time and money on "stuff." If you are hoping to cut back on buying this season, we have lots of ideas! And soon we will post an updated NNN Holiday Eco-Market.

For starters, you can donate your extra coats to the Buy Nothing Day Winter Coat Exchange. For gifts, consider supporting our local arts organizations and nonprofit groups -- take a friend to a play, or a concert, or for a hike or a seal-watching trip. Buy locally made products, and shop at locally owned stores -- your dollars will go a lot farther in our local economy to support jobs for your neighbors. 

Here are a few ideas from our NNN inbox... The Chorus of Westerly is an awesome arts group with lots of holiday events coming up, starting with a Fall Concert this Sunday. Myopic Books, one of our awesomest local bookshops, is holding a Fall Sale at both the Providence and Wakefield locations, Friday through Sunday. And the Providence Public Library is holding a sale Thursday through Sunday, with used books, CDs, DVDs, maps, magazines, encyclopedia sets, English language learning manuals, foreign language titles and more. Click here for all the details.