Not having to deal with money troubles seems like an impossibility in today’s culture. Surprisingly, there is a growing movement of anti-consumerism: everything from the Freegan movement to time-limited challenges people set for themselves, to people who choose to give away everything they own and live off the land.

Freegans are people who believe that society wastes too much. They aim to live without the use of currency, salvaging what others have thrown out whenever possible. This covers everything from food to household items to houses. Probably the most well-known aspect of Freeganism is the dumpster diving. The amount of edible food that is thrown out in the United States every year is unfathomable.  But for the people who are willing to go looking a veritable feast, it is readily available for free. In addition to this edible repast, there are many usable household items that get thrown out. After the college year ends, many gather to sort through dumpsters surrounding schools. In New York City one group found items including a TV, furniture, a book of stamps, laundry detergent, and paintings. The more affluent an area is, the more likely to provide like-new goodies.

A scaled-down version of anti-consumerism are challenges people set for themselves: trying to live a certain amount of time without a specific material or spending money on non-essentials. People undertake these types of challenges for many different reasons, ranging from health to curiosity to see if they can do it. Many times unexpected benefits were found. For one family the obvious benefit of saving money was just the start. They were able to spend more time together, learned how to repurpose and reuse many things they would previously have thrown out and just generally did more living.

Have you tried any of these or other ideas? Share your story below.

How many have heard of the increasingly popular “Meatless Monday?” Recently the USDA made a controversial public endorsement of this campaign. While it was later taken down due to the outrage that ensued there is an ever-growing inclusion of meatless options in cafeterias. Even though the USDA does not officially endorse the Meatless Monday campaign, they do provide vegetarian options. In addition they have publicly committed to having more locally and sustainably sourced foods. This ever more common pledge is sometimes at the core of how a restaurant is run. One such restaurant is the girl & the fig. Executive chef John Toulze has gone so far as to grow produce on a nearby two acre plot. Thereby ensuring produce travels as few miles as possible with the added benefit of keeping customers on their toes since the menu reflects the season and abundance of their efforts.

Some people take dietary restrictions in a different direction. They believe in the power of fasting. Some fast for health reasons, some for political and many for religious beliefs. Fasting is believed by many to detoxify and purify the body. This has been linked to many health benefits, including a longer life. Keeping this idea in mind, some use fasting as a way to try and bring about political change. The “Fast for the Earth” campaign believes that by fasting it is possible to bring increased awareness to those around them. Rather than asking people to take action they will educate and spread their message through their own interactions. They hope to increase acknowledgement of our impact on the world around us.

Using fasting for political reasons is not a new concept. It is claimed that Ramadan was originally a tradition where there was a month long truce between tribes. Once adopted by Islam the name Ramadan was applied and it became a celebration of The Oneness of God and a Pillar of Islam. The month-long fasting is practiced around the world. Even at the Olympics some athletes choose to participate, though many have been given permission to push back their observance in accordance with allowances. The occurrence of the Olympics during Ramadan has helped to increase awareness. The Iftar 2012 movement helps as well, any and all are invited to participate in the ceremonial breaking of the fast at mosques around London. The goal is to dispel myths and increase public knowledge and thereby change the public perception.

After years of recession, the national unemployment rate is still at 8.2%, with Illinois at 8.7% as of June 2012. Not being able to find work can be super depressing. Like, clinically. Especially for those who have been in a field for many years, your job can inevitably become wound up with your identity, so getting laid off not only means losing a paycheck but a part of yourself.

Is there such thing as funemployment? Maybe. Being laid off can certainly be a door closing/window opening opportunity and realization. Many take the time to learn a new skill, go back to school, or travel the world, assuming they had properly saved while getting a paycheck. San Francisco has a website dedicated to funemployment, full of free events, workshops, and sales going on throughout the city. Many people start blogs, learn new hobbies, and spend more  time with their family, all of which many don’t have time for with a 9 to 5.

So, is funemployment real? With a good severance check and a newfound passion, it can be.

There have certainly been a lot of global accomplishments to be proud of  this Olympics, but not without some turmoil.

Both exciting and surprisingly,  2012 is the first year that every country has women athletes competing in the games. Qatar and Brunei have never sent women to the Games before, and only a few weeks ago did Saudi Arabia  allow two women to compete, granted they follow very specific rules. The women will be accompanied by a male guardian the entire time and under strict watch. They are required to wear their headscarves during their events, which both sports eventually agreed to. While this seems like a small triumph for women’s rights, some are proposing this is a “false dawn” for the Saudi women, saying that it means very little for the country’s culture. Saudi tweeters have caused a storm with something that translates as #Olympic_Whore, in which they shame and disgrace the two competitors. Clearly, there is a long way to go.

In more positive news, Guor Mariol will be running for the world’s youngest nation – South Sudan, competing as an independent for the games.  Raised as a refugee in the United States, he is grateful for the opportunity to represent his homeland. “”Even if I am not going to carry or wear the flag, I will be the flag of my nation. South Sudan will be in my heart.”

Despite a few London gaffes so far – taxi strikes,  over-zealous security troops, and Mitt Romney’s disses, The Telegraph brings up a good point about the problems in the London Olympics- they are all in plain sight. We have to remember that the spectacular show of the Beijing Olympics was mostly a facade – protesters and even potential agitators had been jailed before the games even started. Beijing’s self promoting propaganda was so convincing that the world sat back in ignorant awe.

There are more to improve on how to portray and accomplish the true meaning of the Olympics – equality, solidarity, competition and celebration. But London 2012 is certainly on the right track.

“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” – Benjamin Franklin

Issues of security surrounding widely-publicized events can create support and disbelief from individuals. While there are some that regard safety as the top priority, others are appalled by massive surveillance.

Some may remember the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich when Israeli athletes and coaches were kidnapped and many were killed (including a police officer and terrorists). Although there was security at the event, recent evidence has emerged revealing that actions taken by the German authorities were kept secret. Apparently, knowledge of the terrorist attack was presented before the event and authorities failed to prevent it. Regardless, this tragic event has lead to the deployment of troops at later ‘Peace’ Games.

Britain is taking no chances with the security of the 2012 Olympic Games and is adding an extra line of defense. Soldiers fresh out of combat duty will supplement the troops already provided by the American security company G4S, pushing the total number of troops at the peace games to 18,200.