Nothing New/Mindful Spending Week 36

[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!

Did some shopping today. Bought myself a bike helmet. I had it in the back of my head to get one, but wasn't really planning to. I had a few minutes to kill waiting for DS to finish his driving lesson and waled into a new locally-owned bike shop. Nice guy there, mentioned the helmets are on sale, so I bought one. I would rather patronize him than go to Wally World.

 

I bought a gift for a baby shower, and some yarn to knit a baby cocoon that looks like a football. I think my nephew will love this for his new son. Bought some other miscellaneous stuff: shampoo, vitamins, lizard food, nail polish.

 

I got together with my friend Wednesday night. She is something of a family historian and is going through all kinds of amazing journals, records and photos from her ancestors. She told me about the fascinating "Common Day Book" kept by her great, great grandmother. The entries are from 1908. It is a record of every penny they earned (they were farmers) and every penny they spent. It really makes me think about how people once viewed money and goods. She bought SOOOO little much of the time. Can you imagine if we wrote down every individual item we bought, and every dozen eggs or pound of honey sold? It's just absolutely fascinating.

 

I saw an interesting article about a woman who decided to paint a picture of every longed-for thing she didn't buy, as a way of not spending and sort of meditating upon the things not bought. I thought that was an interesting idea. My first painting would be of my china sugar bowl lid, because I dropped it last week and it shattered. :( I was very close to buying a replacement on-line, but I decided not to. I poured the sigar in a tupperware container and am simply retiring the bowl to my china cabinet. But I'm sad about it because my grandmother gave me that sugar bowl and I am a little sentimental about it.

[JustEm]

Aside from groceries we spent $200 at the beach this weekend and that was it! Oh almost forgot, I bought some math curriculum today for $29.

 

I am in super purging and selling mode because I can not keep up will the amount of stuff in this house so I won't be spending any money on items until I'm content with the things in the house. I also have a goal of selling $250 with of stuff within the next 2 weeks. If I accomplish my goal I'm buying an Instant Pot that next time it is on sale. With my Crock-Pot on its last leg it isn't an impulse buy but it isn't something I'm ok with just purchasing without attaching it to some sort of goal. I have a perfectly good stove and oven so I dont really NEED an Instant Pot.

[JustEm]

Oh and dh installed a clothes line out back 2 weeks ago because our dryer is not drying well anymore. So instead of just getting a new one I've been line drying and it has been great. I actually get the job done faster because I fold as I take clothes down so I don't end up with a bunch of loads to fold at the end of the day that I've just let pile on the bed. It has also decreased our electricity use significantly!

[Jane in NC]

Back from a well deserved vacation with my husband.  He had loads of corporate travel this summer (which allowed for some fun diversions) but this getaway really allowed him to let his hair down, so to speak.  In addition to spending time with friends and family, he had some productive rows in a dory which led to fresh fish for dinner and lunch.

 

Admittedly we spent a fair amount on grocery items, beer and wine, a couple of restaurant meals where we treated family members who have done us favors.

 

Last night I attended a house concert. There was a $20 per person cover charge for a really fine show.  The home owner allowed those attending to bring snacks and beverages.  Lots of fun!

[Guest]

Oh and dh installed a clothes line out back 2 weeks ago because our dryer is not drying well anymore. So instead of just getting a new one I've been line drying and it has been great. I actually get the job done faster because I fold as I take clothes down so I don't end up with a bunch of loads to fold at the end of the day that I've just let pile on the bed. It has also decreased our electricity use significantly!

I'm sure you know this, but if you can vacuum out the lint collection chamber and the vent, you might get improved drying from your machine. Although I am all for line drying. :)

[Annie G]

Jane, I've never heard of a house concert but it sounds awesome. 

 

Quill, as sentimental as that sugar bowl is, I'd be replacing the lid.  I have a handful of items that remind me of the giver every time I use them and they bring me such joy. 

 

I had a good week. Groceries came in under budget again. I spent about $8 at the home improvement store for this week's projects.  I bought gas for my car, and it was the first time in a month I had to fill up so I was happy about that. But now that school has started and dd and I are both back to teaching, my gas won't last long since we share it. 

 

A dear friend met me for lunch this week and I paid- I like to do that for her occasionally.  We dined in a lovely tourist town near us and I splurged and spent $7 on treats for dh and me to have for dessert that night.  And I bought a four pack of red pencils to use when grading math papers.  I was bummed I couldn't buy just one!

 

I also booked my flight back from my November trip that will take me to Florida and Texas.  I've put off booking the flight home but it worked out great- snagged a super low priced flight into O'Hare at a decent time. 

 

The Fitbit I bought 51 weeks ago has developed a bubble on the band and Fitbit has already mailed a replacement.  They didn't ask for a picture or for me to return the damaged one...part of me is thrilled but another part wonders if this is such a common occurrence and this replacement isn't going to last long either. Sigh. 

[Desert Strawberry]

I joined Sam's Club Saturday. I spent ~$250 fully stocking the pantry. 20 pounds of rice, 20 pounds of beans, 25 pounds of flour,3 pounds of dried shredded potatoes, 50 pounds of popcorn, a gallon of coconut oil for$12 at Big Lots. Pasta, sauces, lots of other stuff. At least a month worth of food.

Plus, two workbooks for the little ones, 1000 baby wipes, 100 trash bags, zipper bags, 15 1-gallon storage containers, and so on. 

Wednesday, I had a molar pulled. It was paid for. I'm having a lot of pain, and it's not healing well. I'll call on Monday to get in for a follow-up and more pain meds. 

I had planned to get out this weekend to have Luna's hair cut, and go yarn shopping. I felt so horrible, I have hardly been out of bed/ off the couch all day. :(  Money saved, I guess.

D is out buying frozen custard right now. It's the only thing I have wanted.

 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2016 by Desert Strawberry

[JustEm]

I'm sure you know this, but if you can vacuum out the lint collection chamber and the vent, you might get improved drying from your machine. Although I am all for line drying. :)

Oh we've done everything we could to make it more efficient. It just has slowly lost its drying ability I guess. Clothes have to go through twice to get dry. It is roughly 15 years old so it isn't surprising that it's slowly dying.

 

We'll replace it eventually but I've beeneaning to start line drying so no better time than now.

[Annie G]

Desert Strawberry, hope you feel better soon!!

 

[knoxinsox]

Mindfully buying ice-cream again.  :drool5:  Tuesday, we headed out to pay the water bill (early!!! Saved us $4), then went to the thrift store where I purchased $30 of nice clothing for me and my daughter, plus a few odds and ends, gassed up the car and went to Dairy Queen for free frappes. Topped that off with the weekly ice-cream purchase and some Biz. $17.  (I did not think we bought that much ice cream, until I started writing it down here every week.)

 

Put in 3 Amazon orders--one for commercial cockroach bait, and 2 for Christmas presents.  Hoping to have the (inherited) roach problem fixed in a couple of weeks.  Apparently, they resided here in this rental before we did and do not wish to be evicted.  I've never had roaches before and they are immune to Ortho Home Defense. Really, wondering if there is a water leak somewhere and they have a nest under the house, since the house is kept pretty clean.  Also, on a much nicer note, hoping to have Christmas shopping done before the end of October. 

 

And that's all for the spending.  Made pizza for dinner rather than getting it delivered.  Dried my clothes outside. Ate leftovers, but still wasted some.  I need to remember to put it in the freezer instead.  Looking forward to opening the windows again and saving a little on the electric bill.  We did come in lower than last year which was awesome.  

 

DH worked 72 hours this week, including Labor Day.  While we hate that he has to work so much OT from now to the end of the year, we are very thankful that the salary law was changed and he is getting paid for those extra hours now. We'll keep the extreme cost cutting measures in place though, and hopefully be able to put more towards his student loans. We went (almost) zero waste to keep the budget down, and have learned to like it that way.  We'll never be Bea Johnson, but its been interesting how our mind set has changed. My subconscious still must want disposables though, cause I dreamed the other night about paper towels.  LOL

[JustEm]

 

DH worked 72 hours this week, including Labor Day. While we hate that he has to work so much OT from now to the end of the year, we are very thankful that the salary law was changed and he is getting paid for those extra hours now. We'll keep the extreme cost cutting measures in place though, and hopefully be able to put more towards his student loans.

Ugh! The salary law goes into effect Dec 1 and dh's boss has not addressed it yet. Waiting to see how it effects dh is driving me insane. He works some crazy hours, never less than 45 hours a week so the law will certainly change something. I'd prefer if they keep him at his crazy hours and pay him OT but that is unlikely. They'll likely just keep him at 40hrs a week, which will be nice too. They could also cut his base pay to make up for what they end up paying in OT. if that is the case I'm putting my foot down and either finding my own job or telling dh he has to start job searching. We won't know until just before December 1st I'm sure. They like waiting last minute on everything.

[mommyoffive]

Argh

 

Just lost my post.

 

Ok.  We were out of the country for the last 2 weeks.  Most of it was mindful spending.  Booking the best deals.  Going through Ebates and hotels.com.   Charging on a points credit card that is paid off in full every month.  We flew on points and had some free nights.

Free breakfasts at alot of the places helped out a lot too.

 

But we also spent.  We did whatever experience things we wanted to, ate out, tried local dishes, and bought things too.

Hopefully we will have nice low gas and water bills.

 

As we left our washer broke.  I think instead of buying another 100 buck part for the second time we are going to get a new one.  So I need to look into that. 

 

And our AC went nuts the night before we left.  Hopefully it isn't anything huge. 

 

Kid classes and teams start this week so out goes the $.

Edited September 11, 2016 by mommyoffive

[SKL]

I was doing pretty good up until last night - Amazon.com strikes again!  I went online to order book covers.  They don't sell them in stores around here.  My kids' teacher added this requirement after the kids went back to school.  I probably could have made some from junk paper around the house, but I have to conserve my time and energy for things like chatting on WTM.  :P  I just figured they would be cheap to buy, and I needed to order some clarinet reeds anyway.  Then I allowed myself to be tempted by some books.  And sugarless candies.  Ended up spending over $100.  :/

 

I finally did the wire transfer for a year of groceries to my kid's birth mom.  It was a lot more trouble than I expected, but at least it's only once a year.

 

We finally bought a replacement shower curtain and hooks for my kids' bathroom.  It's only been a year since they installed the shower.  Someone had bought a set and misplaced it, and then nobody wanted to buy another one because it would seem like a waste.  Well ... we're talking about $20, so let's get real.  So now the kids' new rooms (new as of last fall) are fully functional.  Yay!

 

I bought a $90 annual membership to the natural history museum so we can take advantage of some interesting weekly programs.  They have a cool new exhibit about global foods, and every Saturday they will be giving a free cooking demonstration.  Perfect timing, as I'm getting serious about teaching my kids to cook.  They also have other fun programs that we hope to enjoy.  (We've been members most of the time since my kids were about 4, but I let it lapse over the summer.)

[Desert Strawberry]

I felt much worse this morning, so I called the oral surgeon. Bone chips will heal. No infection. No need to come in. He called in more pain meds and told me to wait it out. I've been asleep all day.

Good news that I don't need another visit (which would mean D taking off work). I should feel better in a few days.

 

Layoffs are Tuesday. D has a face to face interview for a good job Tuesday afternoon. We should have lots more information after that.

[Annie G]

Desert Strawberry, I can't bring myself to like your post. Hope your mouth heals quickly and that your dh weathers Tuesday's layoffs.  We're going through the same here..the wait is awful. 

[mommyoffive]

Hoping you both hear good news.  How stressful.

[TechWife]

I got a deal this week on Cheerios: 

 

5 boxes for $10 - $2 in coupons = 5/$8 = $1.60 each. The regular price is $3.99 each. 

 

Nature Valley Granola Bars were also 5/$10: 

$10 - $3 in coupons = 5/$7 = $1.40 each. The regular price is $3.49 each. 

 

 

[Desert Strawberry]

We have been waiting 3months since they announced the layoffs. We don't even care which way it goes. We just want it over.

The following week is furlough. If he does keep his job, he has a week without pay. Pfft. Ready to be done with it.

The good news is that either way, I will have my van back. D is going to buy a car during furlough, if he still has a job or if he gets an offer from this new job.

[Desert Strawberry]

D still has his job. He's safe for three months.

He had a phone interview today. His face to face is Friday.

We are going to a car auction this weekend.

I am finally starting to heal.

Things are rolling right along.

[Annie G]

D still has his job. He's safe for three months.

He had a phone interview today. His face to face is Friday.

We are going to a car auction this weekend.

I am finally starting to heal.

Things are rolling right along.

 

Good news all around!!!

[Baseball mom]

Desert Strawberry -- Good news!

 

Nothing exciting.  Brother was in town.  Spent a lot of time over at mom's visiting with him.  Mama fed us all too. 

Took a picnic and went fishing.  Just cost gas to get there.  Made ds2 happy.

Quick trip to grocery for milk and bread and peanut butter.

 

Really trying to stay home as much as possible or at least do things that don't cost.

[Desert Strawberry]

D bought a car at auction yesterday for $1400! It's cute! Bright green Ford Focus. It's old, but it's cheap and it's ours. 

He took Sagg with him. They bid on a bunch of cars and had a lot of fun. We are already making plans for my next vehicle, Sagg's first car, and, probably first, a camper.