Preorder available now!
Publishing October 27th, 2026 from The Collective Book Studio.
Preorder bonus
Preorder bonus
Pre-ordering matters more than almost anything else you can do for an author, and it's exactly the kind of small choice with big impact this book is about. So here's my way of saying thank you! Preorder the book by October 27th and receive these bonuses:
A copy of Radical Business, my first book.
Your choice of a free digital copy or a physical copy at a discount. It's the foundation the new book is built on: how business can serve people, not just profit.
The Why We Buy Toolkit (digital download).
This Toolkit helps you take the ideas in the book and run with them, including:
The Plant, Water, Grow Journal, a companion to the book’s reflection sections,
A Book Club Discussion Guide for reading it with friends,
A 30-Day Kickstart Challenge to turn your intentions into habit,
The 5-Minute Greenwashing Check,
The Seven Seeds Company Evaluation Worksheet,
and The Conscious Consumer’s Personal Budget Worksheet.
Entry into the Ethical Brands Giveaway. ***
Everyone who preorders is entered to win a bundle of products from companies featured in the book, the kind of businesses voting with your dollar is all about. The grand prize pairs La Terza Coffee with a Cotopaxi bag, a Thistle Farms candle, and Soapbox soaps. Three more winners each take home a bag of La Terza Coffee plus one of the featured items.
***No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Open to legal US residents 18 and older. See official rules for the free entry method and full details.
Once you’ve completed your preorder, return to this page and submit the form below to claim your bonuses:
Claim your bonuses
Step 1
Preorder your copy of the book at your preferred retailer.
Step 2
Submit your information and confirmation of purchase in this form.
Step 3
Spread the word! Share your recent purchase with your community.
About the Book
Why We Buy, and Why It Matters is a hopeful guide to conscious consumerism that shows how small everyday choices can create meaningful impact.
In a culture shaped by speed, convenience, and algorithms, it is easy to forget the people behind the things we buy. This book invites readers to slow down and see consumption not as a mindless transaction, but as a human act of connection and interdependence.
Drawing on cultural research, personal reflection, consumer history, and his experience as a small-business owner, David Gaines reframes buying as an opportunity to honor the people, labor, and stories behind everyday goods. Through clear, accessible practices, he offers a compassionate path toward more intentional choices—without guilt, perfectionism, or overwhelm.
Here’s what makes Why We Buy and Why It Matters a practical and hopeful guide:
• A Fresh Look at Conscious Consumerism: Reframes ethical consumption as human, relational, and hopeful rather than guilt-driven or out of reach.
• Small Choices, Real Impact: Shows how everyday purchasing decisions can support human dignity, stronger communities, and deeper connection.
• Practical Daily Framework: The “Plant, Water, Grow” structure helps readers build habits of awareness, care, and intentional buying.
• Accessible and Grounded: Real-world examples and budget-conscious steps help readers align their choices with their values.
Why We Buy and Why It Matters is a thoughtful book about conscious consumerism, ethical buying, and the small choices that help us reconnect with the people behind what we use every day.