In an era of one-click shopping and instant gratification, Conshohocken real estate agent Jen Benner is opting for something a little slower and minimalistic, writes Erin McCarthy for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Benner has embraced a low-buy, low-waste lifestyle that started with childhood hand-me-downs. The mindset stuck with her through college, career, and marriage. Today, she spends about $150 a week on groceries for herself and her husband, keeps her dining out to once a week, and rarely buys anything beyond the essentials.
“I make good money in real estate,” Benner said. “My mindset is permanently engraved in me, so I just don’t really yearn for new things.”
Her quiet commitment to sustainability has caught on. Benner’s friend, Rachel Dwyer of Port Richmond, now uses Buy Nothing groups and Facebook Marketplace to furnish her home. For her, waiting is part of the process. “We live in this culture of constant gratification,” Dwyer said. “I challenge myself to sit in the discomfort of waiting.”
Benner is part of a growing movement of people across the region embracing no-buy or low-buy lifestyles in 2025—a trend that’s gained traction thanks to rising costs, digital minimalism, and a growing awareness of environmental impact.
Read more about Jen Benner’s low-buy lifestyle in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
