Anthony Yeznach

What "inspires" me most is knowing that there is a better, more efficient  option out there available. What tempers that is cost (the engineer training in me).  

When it comes to power generated, or fuel produced, being consumed, I want to know that it isn't being wasted by inefficient technology.  A good example of the benefits there: The power grid infrastructure did not need to be increased as population increased due to increased efficiencies in appliances, lighting, etc...  Demand actually decreased.

When it comes to sustainability, true sustainability and not just some corpo-babble buzzwords, there is an emotional aspect of it.  I look at the things that we as a planet have lost, or are ignorantly losing.  I'm not going to expand on that - you think about it.

Do people with economic privilege have a responsibility to consume and own less?

I think in a perfect world, the answer to this is yes. But no country, as it's economic position improves, has reigned in it's consumption. Major corporations target developing countries and economies as places for growth.  As expendable income increases, non-essential purchases increase. Things like laundry detergent, dish detergent, household cleaners, pet food, are examples of what large corporations use in target improving economies to increase sales. Some of these items you might not think of as "luxury" or "non-essential" but the US has long been past "developing" as an economy.  Your view is from a developed position.

How to present the concept of "reduce" to those who may be (are) struggling to have enough food, clothes, shelter?

I think the phrase "without sounding hypocritical." needs to be added to that.  Maybe, like on cigarette packaging, a system needs to be developed that evaluates the impact of each and every consumer product.  It should take into account how much energy and resources went into putting the item on the shelf, as well as how much will be required to negate the item's impact on the environment.

I'm tracking my purchases.  What have I noted about my purchases?  Where am I inclined to make shifts.

Tracking helps reduce unnecessary purchases, but not as well as you might expect. It's too easy to swipe or insert that card.  Recording it afterward doesn't interrupt that activity.  Yes, tracking does help, but it could be better. Pre-listing what you are going to get would be better, as long as you do not stray at all from the list.  Maybe working in cash would help as well.

I haven't seen a huge impact at the grocery store, but then I am still harvesting from the raised beds.  Grocery store purchases were limited prior to the challenge for exactly that reason.

I have cut back on the "extra" little things at the hardware store.  "I'll probably need that" becomes "if I need that I will get it next time."

Though I have to laugh - a friend of mine told me today that in order to complete a simple gutter-installation job at home, he had to make 5 trips to a particular home improvement store.

How can I prevent myself from accumulating more things in the future?

That is a seriously difficult question.
I grew up in a household where both my parents had come through the depression.  It was normal and expected to "save" everything.  This is imprinted on me from an early age.

To change this is to address behavioral change.  That takes a plan and awareness.

I'm on board with that, but.....   it is not going to be easy.