One family, (The Ables), makes careful decisions about their economic and social activities and thus are working for their own self preservation. Even while spending little and saving much, they can live well and enjoy their surroundings while they strengthen their community and thus the nation.

The other family, (The Binges), blindly goes on its way leaving a trail of social and spriritual destruction in its wake. They consume and spend and go deeper into debt. Things just happen to them, life seems out of control, because, for them, it is.

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The Able family maintains a "wish list" of things that they decide they need in their home- Not what advertising suggests that they should want. Often the items on the list are crossed off as a substitute is found or a different way of doing things is discovered, or they just decide that the novelty is not worth the price in the time it would take to earn the money. If a household item breaks, a repair is attempted. If this is not possible or a replacement is not found used in alternate sources such as second hand stores, garage sales or Craigslist, they then research the new item before purchase.

Research means using the internet or personal recommendations from friends to check for quality and durability. Consumer Reports magazine is consulted at the local library. The Ables actually subscribed to the magazine in the library's name: this way they get to read it and so does the community. Advertising is a sign that the item probably is of lessor quality-otherwise why spend money touting it?

These researched items are purchased where possible, from local small businesses whose owners have a stake in their community, living near or in it and treating it with respect, rather than just as a "market." The items that the Ables buy may cost more short-term but pay for themselves many times over in durability and the pleasure that they provide to say nothing of potential resale value. Domestic and local manufacturers and food growers are favored, helping to keep money in the local and national economy and assuring that the items are made under U.S. environmental regulations. Buying organic produce grown nearby assures local food security and keeps the landscape nearby in farms and ranches rather than malls or subdivisions.

When they decide on a purchase, the Ables pay the local merchants in cash unless they choose to use a credit card to get a warranty extension backed by the credit card company, or to order something unavailable locally. Paying by cash or check saves the merchant the 2% to 6% percentage fee they must pay to the credit card company on the purchase plus the per transaction fee they have to pay their bank. Sometimes Lorna Able will ask the merchant to split those savings with her on more expensive items bought for cash.

Lorna asked her credit card companies to drop their annual fee. They do. All except American Express, "We offer some unique services to you Ms. Able-that's why we think you should continue paying our service fees," intoned their shill. I don't think you offer me anything, I'm canceling my account. And she did.

Michael Able researches any big purchases online, but he never buys this way, instead he helps create and maintain jobs as he calls the vendor's 800 number or goes to the retail outlet because no matter what the website says, no matter what gimmicky security software they tout, he just doesn't trust online ordering. Besides, he enjoys talking with people, asking about the product and their working situation. A few 800 numbers recently have been answered by people in India that work for slave wages. He asks them to hold on and puts the phone down then walks away for five minute or so and abandons the company for good. For the same reasons no one in the family ever uses an ATM or debit card, instead they make face to face contact with the bank tellers who are their neighbors when they deposit checks or withdraw cash.

They use a Safeway Club card which they occasionally use when an item is unavailable in the healthier alternative markets where they shop. When he filled out the application, Michael used the local address and the phone number of nuclear weapons maker General Electric. Whenever someone solicits a family member for personal information not required by law, they cheerfully provide it-with just a few numbers changed. "Yes, we would be glad to give you our social security number"-then they make one up-helping to confuse privacy busting databases.

The new items the Ables buy are treated as though they have to last a lifetime. For example tools are carefully oiled, instructions, warranties and receipts are filed alphabetically in a flex folder by store name. If an item is later sold or traded, having all the paperwork enhances its value. Any item that does fail gets returned to the store where it was bought. The Ables are merciless when it comes to this. If something fails, they take it back. If they don't need the item they take it back. If they bought too much of something, they take it back. Before they buy anything they check to make sure that there is no restocking fee.

The Ables create wealth for others by giving unwanted used goods to thrift stores or individuals rather than destining them to a landfill. Instruction manuals and paperwork are taped inside the object. Once again, Craigs List is an excellent way to sell or give away or find free or nearly free if you live in an area they serve.

The Ables treat every economic transaction as a constructive opportunity to exercise their social convictions.

They will point out to local merchants why they are deliberately shopping in the local community and boycotting large stores and that they will only buy quality merchandise. Shop owners embrace these convictions and often converse with Michael or Lorna and soon become their friends. When they have no alternative but to patronize large chain stores, they will ask the employees in the check out line how they are treated, whether they have health benefits and if they are able to support themselves or their families. Often other customers and sometimes nervous managers get involved in the discussion. The Ables have referred bright pleasant people that have met this way to several local businesses where they have become valuable employees and are paid better wages than in the profit sucking corporate boxes.

Lorna was once scolded by an officious manager of a national retail chain about how employees were not allowed to discuss details of their employment with the public and that "she had to stop asking questions."

That's all it took for her to basically cause a riot in the check-out line. One employee quit on the spot and took of his apron, throwing it on the ground at the feet of the corporate clown manager, customers were siding with Lorna and were shouting at the manager and vowing never to come back and other employees giggled and hid their smiles.

Lorna writes checks to pay her utility and water and scant credit card bills, the day they arrive, stamps the envelope and binder-clips them together with the appropriate mail date penciled on the back in chronological order. This way she mails them at the last (comfortable) minute and gets the use of the family's money as long as possible. She does however pay her dentist and local merchants immediately in cash before she's even billed. When she uses checks, they are from a local credit union that is a non-profit bank which returns all their earnings to their depositors in the form of lower fees and higher interest.

This family has one durable older carefully-maintained car which was paid for in cash when bought used. It costs little to register and insure. They carefully plan their use of it, combining errands, and thus are able to drive fewer miles. They ride share with several neighbors that are too old to drive--taking them to the store or picking them up after they have walked into town for exercise.

They buy exclusively organic food from nearby farms if possible and consume an ever increasing amount raised in their own backyard. They hang out in the garden a lot. It took a while to get the knowledge how to build up the soil and grow things in their climate, but now they have more fruit and seasonal vegetables than they can eat. What they can't grow they obtain from a Community Supported Agriculture Farm that delivers a box of in-season fresh organic produce to their door. This does cost slightly more than buying cheap industrial agriculture produce from their local Safeway, but they are receiving far more nutrition and satisfaction from it, and it tastes better because of the mineral rich soil in which it was grown. They are saving on potential future medical bills stemming from the long term effects of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, additives, preservatives and the chemicals used in packaging.

As Lorna, a Ph.D. microbiologist, puts it, "One pesticide-induced lymphoma or breast cancer will consume the savings from a lifetime of eating cheap food."

Lorna's major contribution to family economy is that she doen't spend a lot on buying things for herself or struggling to change her appearance. Her beauty regimen is eating healthy food, getting enough sleep and working in the backyard. She has natural teeth, a little crooked, but that are well cared for and a smile that is winsome and real. She jumps out of bed in the morning, brushes her hair and pins it back. She never wears makeup.

Michael's economic contribution is that he doesn't buy any of the macho toys that tempt most Americans such as the sports car, giant pickup truck, wide screen to watch billionaire's ball clubs,golf-clubs or other closet-stuffing junk.

This family practices short, medium and long-term planning. When they shop they buy their frequent purchases such as pasta or shampoo by the case thus saving money and being well provisioned against supply interuptions. They could live for half a year off what they have stored.

They spend less on material things than many of their neighbors and thus can actually save money or choose to work less which gives the family more time for leisure, interaction with each other, neighbors and friends. They plan to live in their home for a long time, while they continually improve it, thus benefiting their community and becoming a greater part of it, something that many of their friends who are renters also do through community activities.

By working less-they pay fewer taxes on income. Let's rephrase this in case the significance of this evades you. Individuals in the family can choose to earn only enough reported income to reach the standard deduction and no more.

Their son, Richard Able does just this. He attends university in the Bay Area and lives very comfortably in a communal housing situation where his daily expenses for housing, utilities and food are less than $22 per day--2021 prices. See the link for details.

There is contentment in their household. They are far less vulnerable to economic dislocation since they have distanced themselves from relying on the consumer economy. The only debt that they have is their mortgage, which they refinanced when rates dropped without taking any cash out. Soon it will be paid off and they will be 100% debt free except for property taxes.