Buy used

This is a very simple thing, but something most North Americans are not in the habit of doing. Buying used products accomplishes several goals at once for simple living.

1) It is a form of recycling, using something that already exists rather than expending energy and resources to create something new. This also saves the used object from going straight to a landfill.
2) It does justice. In many cases, people have been exploited to produce the new thing that we are buying. Buying used cuts down on the demand for these items and refuses to fuel a corrupt system which abuses the poor.
3) It promotes generosity. 99% of the time, used items are less expensive than new ones, this allows us to save money and have more to give back to those in need.
4) It promotes community. Because used items are generally not available in stores, we must seek them out via the paths of relationships and interact with people on a personal level rather than one of customer and employee.
5) It encourages creativity. Used items may not always be available to meet our exact needs the way that new items are. This requires us to be creative in problem-solving and finding existing products to meet our needs.

Finding used products is not always easy. Here's a few resources to get you started:

www.freecycle.org - a website based in local communities where users post items they want to give away (free!) and items they want to receive.
www.swaptree.com - an online bartering system. Simply create an account (it's free), list items you want to give away (books, music, ) and items you want to receive. The system automatically sets you up for 'swaps' with other users around the country. You only pay for postage. Send your item to them and receive your 'new' one in the mail!
www.craigslist.com - a resource for many things, but contains an extensive listing of used items for sale in the local community. Often very good prices!
The Salvation Army and other thrift or consignment shops - In my area there is a huge selection of quality items available for dirt cheap prices. Plus the money you do spend benefits the poor. You can't lose.
Second-hand book stores - Often you can bring books you don't want anymore and trade them for other used books you'd like to read. It can be an endless source of free reading material you might not find in libraries.
Yard Sales - duh. But beware buying things you don't need. That doesn't help anyone!