By Gene Ayres

We've talked about conservation—a word non-existent in GWB's lexicon. Go shopping is more like it. At Wal-Mart, if you're lucky enough to still have a job. But there are other ways for consumers to keep even, if not get there (don't even talk about “get ahead,” ain't gonna happen).

There are ways to spend less, especially given you're probably paying more and getting less as we speak, for whatever you do or buy, unless you're Clay Bennett (he got his money the old fashioned way: he married it). Fans of Seattle sports have ways to get even: and spend less. You want to pay less taxes? Then don't support a taxpayer-financed subsidy for Big Sports, who then just turn around, and if not stealing your team, are busy scheming with politicians how to get you to pay for everything they want, then reward you with sky high ticket prices (talk about adding injury to insult).

Here's how to save a bundle, sports consumers: boycott those overpriced tickets and taxpayer-financed stadiums. Instead, watch sports on TV. At a bar. Where you buy a drink or a coffee. In a hotel lobby is another good bet. Or at the display station at your favorite department store. Who'll notice? Granted they tried to take that right away decades ago and lost, and might win next time. But if that happens I'd say boycott the whole phony business. (Do those players really care if they play for you or for Oklahoma City so long as they get their five mil? I don't think so.)

You can also buy a still-perfectly good analog TV at Goodwill and an antennae and watch it at home for about $10. Last month you could buy a LCD HD TV, and pretty much whatever else you might want at Office Depot for free. That's right. I bought a new Acer 17” laptop (on which I'm writing this article, while surfing my email) with built-in wireless, DVDW, about a zillion gigs of memory (barely enough, with Vista) built in crystal webcam, 4 USB slots, 2 card slots, and hi fi stereo. Then I added on a 37” Chinese LCD HD TV (basically a great big flat screen computer monitor, which it also can be). Total cost: free!

For a year, that is. With an Office Depot credit card. I hate credit cards (I usually only use debit cards to avoid outrageous interest and fees) but this was free, also. No annual fee, interest, no payments, no nothin' for a year, and then the original invoice price is due. They probably figure a lot of folks will forget, or fall behind, and rack up a whole new finance bubble.

Meanwhile I get a whole year to worry about it, before the bubble is due. Or pay for it. But even to the most conservative investor this deal makes sense. Because I can put that $1500 and change today (and did so last month) into a CD or money market accountant, earn 4.5% or so, and come out way ahead. And keep my good rating at the same time, if not improve it. That's how I'll watch sports. If and when I want to, next season. And my new tools work great.

When my kid was around five, I remember visiting some affluent friends or relatives who were a living dream for the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. Every consumer product ever sold for sale anywhere was crammed into this house. And of course that involved a lot of really, really wasteful packaging. A lot of which is still not recyclable, by the way, such as Styrofoam. There was food half-eaten, then tossed. Fridge-fulls. Room-fulls. Expensive food. Stuff like steaks and salmon and half finished beverages, stale cake, and so on. Someone is paid to come and haul it away. To use up otherwise usable land somewhere else, as a landfill. Every room was jammed with things recently bought, and seldom used, if ever. “Wow,” said my kid, looking around, “they sure do use a lot of stuff!”

So here's my Recommendation Number One: use less stuff.

Use less fuel, because we're almost out, and even drilling to China ain't gonna solve it. That means drive less. I heard on NPR a wistful comment last week, that the age of Cruisin' is over. Even teens can't afford to do it any more. No more American Graffiti, no more James Dean, no more street rods or road trips (or Roadies) until we have a whole new economy and technology basis. Fat chance for the next fifty years, if the same folks remain in charge.

So here's a suggestion: less driving and more parking! Maybe someone can contribute a nice list of nearby places for teens to go parking. Maybe on bicycles. Hey, it could be even more romantic, although you can't lock the doors. But then anyone who's ever seen a horror flick or been to summer camp (two more things we'll have to do less of or do at home) knows that's no use anyway.

Buy less food. Which is to say, eat less. It's good for you. And you'll use up a lot less wasteful stuff too.

Use less stuff that requires bubble wrap packaging, the most annoying and wasteful invention ever. Better yet, buy nothing that needs bubble wrap packaging because chances are you don't need that stuff, whatever it is, anyway.

Buy less heavy stuff. Starting with vehicles. Better to use up what we have and be ready for the next technology cycle, whenever that should be. If you have to buy a car, buy a small used car, not a big new one, for goodness sake, and save thousands. (I know, I know, I just bought a heavy LCD TV. But it's actually no heavier than a big analog, and a lot less than a plasma.) This also means use stuff longer.

Use less charcoal next barbecue. There's free bio-waste for the taking all over the place out there. It burns too, if you keep it dry. Instead of that Webbie, try a campfire cookout for a change.

Use less sugar. It'll save your teeth, at the very least, and also your waistline. And thereby less cotton, wool, nylon, silk, and other materials. And food. And so the cycle goes.

In my lifetime I've saved a ton by not smoking. And another ton by not using shaving cream. I shave every day, in the shower. And by the way: use less water. Short showers can suffice, if you're efficient. You want a soak, try a lake.

Remember: less is best. Plus, there's no other alternative, if we're to survive. Happy holidays.