Without a smartphone, he pays $52 per month for a landline and an internet connection

A fulfilled Montrealer who has no smartphone, no credit card, no social media account, no cable, no car, etc., that exists!

THE Newspaper found this fan of “extreme” deconsumption: Luc Parent, 63, welcomed us into his studio in the Rosemont district. This is a housing non-profit where he can pay rent equivalent to 25% of his income.

“I am very happy to live with less,” he says with certainty, “in his studio which contains only the necessities: a bed, a fridge, an oven, a small sofa, a piece of furniture with books and a table. bedside. I’m not against technology, but I see how cell phones can become all-consuming, people are on it all the time.”

$1800 in savings per year

Luc Parent’s home telephone line and internet connection cost him a total of $52 per month.

“It is certainly less expensive than a smartphone which must be changed often because of planned obsolescence,” believes Mr. Parent, who therefore does not pay the prices of a package with cable and the use of telephones. data from a cell phone. According to the Center for Media Studies, in 2019, Quebecers spent an average of $2,469 per year on communication services. It therefore saves at least $150 per month.

Credit

Mr. Parent chose not to have a credit card. “I don’t suffer from credit debt either,” he adds. He even mentions being asked to become a credit card holder, since his credit is very good. “Credit increases consumption [et l’endettement] because you can buy right away even if you don’t have the funds,” he recalls.

Mr. Parent also recommends the various regional ACEF (Cooperative Family Economy Association) to learn more about financial education.

Insufficient resources

Now retired, Luc Parent sits voluntarily on two discussion tables of the Common Front for the Energy Transition. “We would need four planets with our current consumption in America, it’s not me who says it, it’s scientific studies [le Global Footprint Network fait ce genre de calcul]», explained Luc Parent, who has already worked in food production in ecovillages in Europe.

“This is not sustainable in the long term,” adds Mr. Parent, who also trained in organic farming in England. I want to make my contribution so as not to aggravate this problem and live lighter.”

Mr. Parent also takes the time to ask himself, before buying something, if he really needs it.

“I also try to reduce my consumption by seeing what I can borrow, exchange or buy second hand,” he adds. There are other options than buying new right away.”

He doesn’t fly either, he buys locally as much as possible and he’s vegan.

Eat with the seasons

When it comes to veganism, Mr. Parent tries to eat “with the seasons.” “Right now, it’s not the time to eat strawberries, there is an ecological cost to transporting these foods,” he explains. It’s my humble contribution, it puts me at peace between what I think and what I say.”

Mr. Parent sometimes finds himself watching a little television since he had to reduce his volunteer activities for health reasons. “It makes me realize how much advertising there is,” he says, adding that he mainly watches science shows.

Mr. Parent therefore says he has a lot of time, which allows him to indulge in swimming, running, walking and other sports. He was previously a physical education teacher. He also goes to see his partner in the countryside on the weekend.

DECONSUMPTION PORTRAIT

• Does not have a smartphone.
• Does not have credit cards.
• Not on social media.
• Does not own a car.
• Doesn’t have cable.
• Is vegan.
• Don’t take the plane.