Nothing New/Mindful Spending Week 29

[Ginevra]

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/unnecessary. 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!

Well, I've been keeping Amazon busy this week, but these have not been frivolous purchases. Some are curriculum, some are things I need to help older DS with his learning challenges. I paid the education consultant for testing this week, too.

 

I bought a dryer vent cover thingy to keep the wren from making another nest, after having evicted him twice. However, it's not the right kind, so I'll have to take it back. Grrr.

 

We are at the beach cottage this weekend, which is always nice, but it is super hot right now. It's not my favorite circumstance for being outdoors. Although we have a covered Easy-Up on the pier, it still just wears me down to sit in the heat and high humidity. The boys are heading out to fish right now, but I'm staying back at the house. Sitting on the boat when it's hot is a little unbearable to me.

[DawnM]

I don't normally join these threads because we don't really mindlessly spend anyway.   I do go out to eat more than many, but I feel I need that time with my girlfriends.  I have two different groups I do a monthly ladies' night out with.  They don't go to cheap places, but I don't order alcohol, usually order water, and get a reasonable meal.  I either get a lower cost meal or order something I know I can make into two meals, like fajitas. 

 

This month I am spending.  I have to.  I start my new job in 3 weeks and don't have clothing or shoes for the job.  I ended up ordering shoes online and got a great deal for 3 pairs.  I need more pants and accessories and light cotton sweaters.

 

The boys are starting school in 5 weeks.  They need some clothes to wear.  I need to get them out to get some jeans and decent clothing.  Although some can wait for the weather to cool down as they can wear shorts and a T-shirt and flip flops for a while.  Thankfully this school isn't as rigid with the dress code as middle son's previous school (khakis, collared shirts, belt, and closed toed shoes at all times.)  

 

Since I do still have 3 weeks, I plan to hit some thrift stores for my items.  I will go to 2 or 3 of our local thrift stores first.

[Guest]

Best of luck to you, Dawn. August usually brings in a ton of fantastic sales; even thrift stores often have sales in Aug.

[Annie G]

This week brought us a birthday dinner out for dd's birthday and two out of town trips. Dh had doc appointments in the town where he had his surgery so he spent half a day there- a little complication with his incision. Then he had a cardiologist appointment here in town so we left at 7 AM and got back  home around 4. Lunch out, of course.  Love that new Chick Fil A superfood salad. 

 

Then dh and I took a day trip and had lunch out.  He paid for our museum admission tickets and I bought two row kits for my quilt in progress. 

 

Dinner out with friends but they picked up the tab...we kind of round robin that and it was nice that it was their turn. 

 

Glad we're done with back to school shopping- it was expensive whether we were homeschooling, had kids in college, or kids in public school. I am sending some money to the grands this week so they can do some  back to school shopping. They are homeschooled but it's always fun to buy some new stuff. I can't feel too sorry for them- they live a couple blocks from the beach. 

 

I use index cards for my daily to-do lists and use the back of the day's card for any grocery list or errand list for the day. It fits in my back pocket and just works for me. I bought 600 of them yesterday for $2.  It was quite a splurge for me, as I generally buy them a hundred at a time. 

 

This week looks like a reasonably inexpensive one.  The only trip planned is a day of antiquing and lunch out with friends, and that's usually pretty cheap because we generally just enjoy looking rather than buying. 

 

Dawn, good luck with the new job. I'm sure it'll be a time of adjustment!

 

 

 

[Guest]

I use index cards for my daily to-do lists and use the back of the day's card for any grocery list or errand list for the day. It fits in my back pocket and just works for me. I bought 600 of them yesterday for $2. It was quite a splurge for me, as I generally buy them a hundred at

This is a good idea! I write things down on yellow note pads and then I'm constantly re-tracing to find where I last left my notepad.

[mommyoffive]

Not to much to report here.

 

Booked some hotels for our upcoming trip.  To get the better rate we had to pay now.  I usually prefer to pay there.  We can cancel so that always makes me feel better.  I need to book the rest of the trip soon.  It stresses me out to not have a plan.

Thinking of doing a mini trip before that.

 

Sold 2 things on CL

Have zero luck selling the kids old clothes.  Which really really stinks.  I am drowning in their clothes and I want it out.

 

Dh needs some new work clothes.  I have some old giftcards to lessen the blow

 

Talking about signing the kids up for fall activities.  Whoa that adds up fast.

 

Grocery shopping 175

 

I need to get some gas

 

We have done tons of swimming at the pool.  Our membership was so worth it this year!  Usually we fizzle out.  But there is nothing better to do on these crazy hot days.

Edited July 25, 2016 by mommyoffive

[SKL]

So busy this week, I haven't been to a store other than to buy a fixit kit for my kid's glasses (that reminds me, I still need to fix them!).

 

Last night we did an overnight at the nearest city zoo.  The total cost for 3 of us was $117 and it included evening snacks, sleeping accommodations (in a sort of canvas cabin - whatever you call that), breakfast, Sunday admission to the zoo, and a few hours of educational programming.  The cost of just zoo admission for us 3 would be $35 on a weekend day plus goodies.  So the overnight cost was quite reasonable IMO.

 

I have noticed that many kid-friendly public education places have overnights nowadays, and I think it's a good idea to consider these as an alternative to hotels if you're traveling to/through another city.  You'd have to know your travel plans well in advance, but it can be a good bang for the buck if it works out.

 

This past week, my kids did a cooking class and a magic class.  The cooking class was a big hit!  It was $99 per kid for 3 mornings, which of course included lunch.  :)  Not the cheapest camp, but within a reasonable range.  My kids want to know if this is something they can do during the school year.  They do have evening classes, but I don't know if I can make it work logistically.  Maybe for an occasional holiday camp.  Having kids who are comfortable in the kitchen is a great thing, especially since I have neither the time nor the inclination to be Chef Mommy.  I could tell myself it will save money someday.  Realistically it won't save *me* money, but maybe it will help *them* when they are young and cash-poor.  :)

 

The magic class was free at the library, so the price was right!  The experience was so/so.  Library class quality depends on who's teaching them; some are excellent, but you never know.  Plus, the library's internet kept kicking me out, so work was affected.  Might have been better to skip this one and just work at home.

 

I still haven't gone on Amazon to start the school order.  I guess I'll do that while the kids are at camp this week.  I hope they both stay all week this time!

[Guest]

I forgot to mention: I took several books to a book reseller nearby. Got an in-store credit, which is good. However, it is only $8.25, which is a serious pittance for the nice books I brought in. I have wondered before how they can stay in business. Well, I guess that's how!

[Annie G]

I forgot to mention: I took several books to a book reseller nearby. Got an in-store credit, which is good. However, it is only $8.25, which is a serious pittance for the nice books I brought in. I have wondered before how they can stay in business. Well, I guess that's how!

 

That is why I can't get dh to part with his books...there is so little resale value. 

 

 

I forgot two things I bought this week- one mindful and one not. Local corn is ready so I put up 11 bags of creamed.  I'll do twice that amount in cut corn for things like corn chowder. Creamed corn is a LOT of work. That was mindful spending because come winter I'll be happy to have fresh tasting corn in the freezer. 

 

Dd's birthday was a disappointment to her - dh was sick and we couldn't go out to dinner on her birthday (we managed to go later in the week) and as an adult, birthdays just aren't that fun. So anyway, she and I were out on her birthday and she wanted a treat and decided on a cinnabon. So I bought a box of six, as we haven't had any in years and I thought it would be a nice treat for the family. I don't know if they have changed or our taste buds have changed, but they were just so-so and I felt like I should have not splurged on them. 

 

This is what I need to focus on- I spend on groceries, for example, but are all of my grocery expenditures good choices or can I do better? I'm not even talking just about cost, but am I buying things that go to waste? Sometimes.  I need to get serious about that kind of thing because I've gotten lazy about my everyday 'necessary' purchases like groceries and household supplies.  Honestly, it's been SUPER hard on my budget having dh home. I've been so focused on his recovery that I've let other things slide. 

[mommyoffive]

So busy this week, I haven't been to a store other than to buy a fixit kit for my kid's glasses (that reminds me, I still need to fix them!).

 

Last night we did an overnight at the nearest city zoo.  The total cost for 3 of us was $117 and it included evening snacks, sleeping accommodations (in a sort of canvas cabin - whatever you call that), breakfast, Sunday admission to the zoo, and a few hours of educational programming.  The cost of just zoo admission for us 3 would be $35 on a weekend day plus goodies.  So the overnight cost was quite reasonable IMO.

 

I have noticed that many kid-friendly public education places have overnights nowadays, and I think it's a good idea to consider these as an alternative to hotels if you're traveling to/through another city.  You'd have to know your travel plans well in advance, but it can be a good bang for the buck if it works out.

 

This past week, my kids did a cooking class and a magic class.  The cooking class was a big hit!  It was $99 per kid for 3 mornings, which of course included lunch.  :)  Not the cheapest camp, but within a reasonable range.  My kids want to know if this is something they can do during the school year.  They do have evening classes, but I don't know if I can make it work logistically.  Maybe for an occasional holiday camp.  Having kids who are comfortable in the kitchen is a great thing, especially since I have neither the time nor the inclination to be Chef Mommy.  I could tell myself it will save money someday.  Realistically it won't save *me* money, but maybe it will help *them* when they are young and cash-poor.  :)

 

The magic class was free at the library, so the price was right!  The experience was so/so.  Library class quality depends on who's teaching them; some are excellent, but you never know.  Plus, the library's internet kept kicking me out, so work was affected.  Might have been better to skip this one and just work at home.

 

I still haven't gone on Amazon to start the school order.  I guess I'll do that while the kids are at camp this week.  I hope they both stay all week this time!

 

I would love to send my kids to cooking class. The results pay off so well over time.

 

Wow that is such a cheap zoo overnight.  The ones around me are 65 bucks a person.  I looked when we were going to San Diego and they were even more.

I would love to know what zoo that is or find one that low cost.  

[knoxinsox]

SKL, my kids would love an overnight at the zoo.  I need to look into that.

 

So, my family has left to go back home....Grandma brought bags of candy and gave it to them at bedtime...heeheehee.  Sigh...there was lots of lemonade drinking and sighing about how hot it was...um,yeah. Texas.  I spent my time cooking and washing dishes and praying about what to cook, but I succeeded in not feeding my Dad any gluten and he felt good the whole time he was here.  Husband ate out several times because he didn't like what I cooked, but actual illnesses trump preferences.   

 

Groceries: $180.  I'm hoping to stretch this til the end of next week--3 weeks total...with a trip for milk and bananas. I am feeling blessed with a freezer full of meat, fruit and veggies, so I think its entirely doable. 

 

We had a fun date night while we had free babysitters. Tried out a local Italian place and it was really good.  We even waited until 8pm so we could get half-price shakes at Sonic. 

 

Had to turn the AC lower by a lot to suit the houseguests.  I tried nudging it back up, but somebody always noticed.  If your feet are cold, then surely the AC can be turned up right?  LOL  Not looking forward to the bill.  

 

Hung 7 loads of laundry out today---decided to get all the sheets and towels done right away.  

 

Picked up a few more clothes for the kids at the thrift store and the freebie this week was a Walmart bag of beets.  They are organic, expensive,packaged and par cooked.  I'm making some pickled beets and I served a few packages to the guests.   Also, picked up 2 more bread pans for $2 each at the thrift store---now I have 5 total and since I make 5 loaves of bread a week, I think they will serve me well.  They are the same (expensive) ones I have had on my Amazon wish list for months.  

 

I was selected to receive a couple of items to "sample" and review.  Excited that one of them is a pair of jeans mentioned in another thread on here as really great.  

 

Goals for this week are mindfully doing nothing much.  I think all of us are done peopling for a while.  I took a nap today. Library water party tomorrow for the kids. Spending time sewing and working on my school plans for the upcoming year.  

 

 

[Baseball mom]

Quill -- hope you can enjoy the beach

 

Dawn -- good luck with the job and thrift store finds

 

Annie -- cool idea on the index cards

 

Mommyoffive -- hope the stuff starts selling quickly

 

SKL -- :coolgleamA: on the zoo

 

Knox -- :hurray: for keeping your dad feeling good

 

Spent way to much this week.

Birthday presents for mom

Dh a new shirt and new pair shorts

Out to eat for a mom's night out

Few groceries

 

Thought I had sold some curriculum but that fell through.  I really wish I could get it sold.

 

But did get some free things too

Corn

Blueberries

Blackberries

Jam - 3 pints

Cherry tomatoes

Hot peppers

 

Our garden has been doing pretty good too (above stuff not from my garden).  I shared some of our garden produce and freebies with others too.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SKL]

I had to buy my kids some rubber boots for camp.  I didn't even look at the price, I was in such a hurry.  But it was WalMart, so how much could it be?   :P  There is a reason we didn't have rubber boots before - no use for them - so I'm not worried about sturdiness (though they do look sturdy).  They will probably be outgrown before my kids wear them again.  I'm just glad the WalMart on the way to the camp is open 24 hours.  :)

 

The packing list for camp was kinda weird, so I'm lucky I had everything else.  At 5am this morning I was sewing pieces of ribbon onto 4 old bath towels to comply with one of their rules.  :P  Waiting to the last minute is usually not a good idea, but it can be a money saver as it requires you to improvise with whatever you have on the night before camp.  :P

 

Some of you might remember me mentioning the pants requirement for this camp months ago.  They were supposed to have 7 pairs of long pants (each) with no designs or logos.  I had to order several pairs for each kid, some of which didn't work due to size.  In the end I packed whatever was closest to fitting and called it good enough.  I'm pretty sure most of the girls there are from well-to-do families, just considering the tuition and the kinds of vehicles they arrived in.  So maybe buying a drawer full of pants just for one camp is no big deal for some.  Ironically, a theme of the camp is to be very simple / down-to-earth (this is in Amish country).

[Guest]

Picked up a few more clothes for the kids at the thrift store and the freebie this week was a Walmart bag of beets. They are organic, expensive,packaged and par cooked. I'm making some pickled beets and I served a few packages to the guests. Also, picked up 2 more bread pans for $2 each at the thrift store---now I have 5 total and since I make 5 loaves of bread a week, I think they will serve me well. They are the same (expensive) ones I have had on my Amazon wish list for months.

 

I love it when that happens!

 

BTW: were the jeans Jag Pull-ons?

[JustEm]

July is always a spendy month because both dh's bday and mine are in July. Plus my bil's bday is also this month. We spent roughly $300 total on bday gifts and dinners for the 3 of us. Since dh and I never spend money on ourselves I'm good with that amount. I know this wasn't this week but I always miss this thread on a regular basis, but I did some Christmas shopping and a bday gift for me on Prime day. $34 on blocks for my youngest, $15 on a big dump truck and boat for my nephew, and $80 on a purse for myself. The mindful part of these purchases is that I spent $0 out of our bank account because I used reward points and credit I had from signing up for an Amazon credit card! I also picked up some wonderful books for my niece's at Goodwill, 6 Little Bear books for $3. I think that was basically it so far this month.

[knoxinsox]

Picked up a few more clothes for the kids at the thrift store and the freebie this week was a Walmart bag of beets. They are organic, expensive,packaged and par cooked. I'm making some pickled beets and I served a few packages to the guests. Also, picked up 2 more bread pans for $2 each at the thrift store---now I have 5 total and since I make 5 loaves of bread a week, I think they will serve me well. They are the same (expensive) ones I have had on my Amazon wish list for months.

 

I love it when that happens!

 

BTW: were the jeans Jag Pull-ons?

 

 

Quill, making bread tomorrow so we'll see if expensive corrugated pans work better than my old ones.   

 

The jeans are Not Your Daughter's Jeans. I think those were mentioned either here or on a Facebook jeans discussion.