Ginevra Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 The "rules" of this challenge are self-defined. Anyone can join in at any time. The aim of the challenge (for me) is to combat consumerism, wastefulness, mindless buying, and overspending. It is meant to nurture creative problem solving, ecology, frugality, intentionalism, and resourcefulness. To support these goals, I seek to buy nothing new. I aim to use existing resources, borrow, hand-craft, and buy existing second-hand materials to the greatest extent possible. However, I recognize that life is unpredictable, and family life increases this factor exponentially, so I will buy new in the following cases, when a non-buying option does not present: Food, health, and necessary household goods excluded. Requirements for school, work, or health and well-being which cannot be obtained used. Gifts, when a creative non-commercial option will not suffice. Anything animal or gardening related that cannot be obtained used. Fuel/energy sources. Posts will appear each Saturday, referring to the week that is ending. Post your successes, creative solutions, relapses and weak moments. It doesn't matter if you have a weak moment! Just keep swimming! This past week, I went to the fabric store to buy material for DS' costume. Luckily, I found good material on sale for 1.99/yd. I bought a couple other things I need to make the costume (wire, hook & eye). While there, I also bought a few Halloween goods for the party we will host; bought paper napkins and candy sprinkles. Oh, and cupcake wrapper. DH decided he wants to be Superman for our Halloween party, so he asked me to get him a Superman shirt and a cape. I have not yet found the shirt in a size to fit him. (Target has them, but only XXL remained.) My idea was that I could be Lois Lane (can easily assemble this from things I own) and he could wear the S tee shirt with a business shirt unbuttoned. So, Clark Kent becoming Superman. I thought this was the better idea, because it is easier to have this look "authentic" than if he tries for full-on Superman costume. (I am a costume snob and I do NOT want to buy one of those cheap rayon-ish full costume-in-a-bag thingys.) Alas. Dh does not like this idea. :-/ probably in large part because it was not his idea. Other expenses this week: I bought candies from my friend's home-based treat shop, to send to DD in college. She will be delighted for sure! (Friend's store is Home Made Sweet Shop on FB; she formerly hsed and used to come to WTM now and then.) I bought a mini-quiche and a tea today at a French café, where I was meeting my Writer's Circle buddies. I did the big Costco run today and spent money there, but stuck to necessary goods. Also, fridge update: our spare fridge acts like it is "healed." I bought a fridge thermometer and DH turned the thermostat all the way down as cold as it would go. I don't know if this kick-started it or what exactly, but the thermometer is reading 29-31 degrees F consistently. We are going to unplug it, clean it all out, vacume everything we can reach in the base/compressor; then plug it back in and see if it keeps on running. So - yay! No appliance costs at the moment! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 We went to the movies...twice. Once Monday and then again yesterday. Both budgeted, and I'm cool with the expense. I bought fabric for a new quilt project yesterday - at a local quilt store. Came home to see an email from an online retailer offering 20% off the same fabric. I wish I hadn't seen that coupon. I guess at least I supported a local retailer. On the plus side, I bought gas 2 weeks ago and I still have plenty in the tank. Mindful spending has resulted in me combining errands and staying off the roads a lot more. Quill, glad to hear your spare fridge has been resurrected! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Hurray for a resurrected fridge. I had some good moments this week with repurposing stuff I already had. I had a weak moment at Target. While buying things I had planned (dry erase board, bulletin board, etc for my household management wall), I bought a few unplanned things. I got 3 $1.79 water carafes, a large white serving platter and an owl shaped trivet on a whim. I am sure I will use it all but it was not mindful to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 We bought plastic for our windows (helps to keep the heat in with drafty trailer windows), an air purifier (hopefully will help with dd2's allergies), bought dd2 her first pair of boots and bought dd1 new shoes (her school shoes already look rather rough and I know she isn't that hard on shoes), I also bought myself a new hat and gloves (these will be closely guarded), bought dh a pair of khaki slacks for work, otherwise just the normal stuff. I need dd1 to try on her snow pants from last year (her boots still fit) and find snowpants for dd2 along with long johns for all of us. Heard that this is supposed to be a hard winter and I would rather be prepared. We already had snow today :( 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Hurray for a resurrected fridge. I had some good moments this week with repurposing stuff I already had. I had a weak moment at Target. While buying things I had planned (dry erase board, bulletin board, etc for my household management wall), I bought a few unplanned things. I got 3 $1.79 water carafes, a large white serving platter and an owl shaped trivet on a whim. I am sure I will use it all but it was not mindful to me. I have a weakness for owl stuff as well :D though now I'm trying to save it for Christmas. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 We are getting ready to head into birthday and Christmas season here. I am trying to plan ahead so that I don't get caught up into consumerism. How do you guys go about this process? I am hoping to support some local artists and charities this year in some way. In my old town, there was an outreach program where the homeless shelter residents could make gourmet dog treats to sell. I am hoping to find something similar here supporting jobs and causes for those in need. I don't want to Black Friday at Target iykwim. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 We are getting ready to head into birthday and Christmas season here. I am trying to plan ahead so that I don't get caught up into consumerism. How do you guys go about this process? I am hoping to support some local artists and charities this year in some way. In my old town, there was an outreach program where the homeless shelter residents could make gourmet dog treats to sell. I am hoping to find something similar here supporting jobs and causes for those in need. I don't want to Black Friday at Target iykwim. In a town near me, there is a "Support Local Artisan" weekend in November. The main street area shops participate and one can find some lovely, unique things. i bough a cross-body knit purse a couple of years ago. Hand-knit, local artisan. I do love being able to do such things! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 We are getting ready to head into birthday and Christmas season here. I am trying to plan ahead so that I don't get caught up into consumerism. How do you guys go about this process? I am hoping to support some local artists and charities this year in some way. In my old town, there was an outreach program where the homeless shelter residents could make gourmet dog treats to sell. I am hoping to find something similar here supporting jobs and causes for those in need. I don't want to Black Friday at Target iykwim. We like to do experiences for our kids. They really don't need 'stuff'. For most family, we buy cheese. It sounds weird but we live a stone's throw from Wisconsin cheese country and locally made, award winning cheese is cheaper here than Kraft cheese costs where our families live. Plus it supports local dairy farmers and cheese makers. Our visitor center hosts a locally made expo in November and December- everything from locally produced maple syrup, pretzels, alpaca mittens/hat/scarf sets, craft beer, note cards with local artists' art, etc. The only organization I know locally that produces something is the special needs run operation that makes toilet paper. Probably not gift worthy. On the other hand, I have a sister in law who has been a pain in my butt all year long... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 I've finally started to make better use of some of the great free resources we have around here. We've started going on hikes and stuff at the nearby national park, which does not charge admission. I also registered for some educational hikes at a natural area owned by the natural history museum. And also signed up for some free programs at the library. The only problem is that it's hard for me to get away from work to take my kids to this stuff. My spending this week included our latest TKD belt test, which we thankfully passed. And a couple pumpkin spice lattes and a milkshake, which I definitely did not need. And I spent $20 for the three of us to go to an old historic farm where folks demonstrate how people did stuff long ago. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Having some needed upgrades done in the house. Whatever the plans for things like this, there is always something unexpected that arrives. For example, when the toilet was reconnected after new flooring was installed in a bath, the tank began leaking. This is an old toilet--can't blame the floor guys for this one. The upshot is that we are getting a new toilet which is not a huge line item in the budget and something that I know we'll be happy to have in the bigger picture as we are replacing the standard model with a high profile. We spent money on meals out this week. On Friday we attended a concert at the nearby university, a subsidized event that was wonderful and wonderfully inexpensive. We had a lovely Thai meal out beforehand. Yesterday we met up with family at a halfway point between our two residences. We picked up the lunch tab. Afterward we took advantage of special activities at a state historic site. The history buff and engineer in the family were thrilled to talk to experts. Grand nephew was happy with all of the hands on stations. Everyone was pleased with the quality of the programs. We are getting ready to head into birthday and Christmas season here. I am trying to plan ahead so that I don't get caught up into consumerism.How do you guys go about this process? I am hoping to support some local artists and charities this year in some way. In my old town, there was an outreach program where the homeless shelter residents could make gourmet dog treats to sell. I am hoping to find something similar here supporting jobs and causes for those in need. I don't want to Black Friday at Target iykwim. This is tricky if you have family members who define their bliss via stuff. But I am with you in supporting the local economy. And I love Annie's idea of giving experiences. On that note, I gave my nephew's family a gift card to their local ice rink last Christmas. Their young son has grandparents keep him in toy overload. The last thing the kiddo needs from me are more toys. So I have been giving my grand nephew a book and some cash for his birthday. I was thinking about giving the family a gift card to their community's family oriented bowling alley for Christmas this year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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