To get me to where I am it has been a long road.
I am a struggling Target, WalMart, $Store addict, I like nice clothes and things, I always am wanting more, I waste money on eating out and drinking "glamorous" coffee, I like the readily accessibility of new, I am a sucker for sales, clearance and anything that seems like a GREAT deal, even if I don't need it and sometimes I don't even want it.
We are a family of 6 living in a 1 1/2 bedroom, less than 1000 square foot house, with two cats and soon a puppy. We have been decluttering for over a year and simplifying and organizing throughout that time. We are earthy (some say). We cloth diaper, use cloth wipes, eat mainly vegetarian, we are about 50% organic at this point, we use natural cleaning products, recycle, we don't vaccinate, by kids breastfeed for a long time, I love tie dye and by goly I rarely shave my legs :)
Well anyway, I wanted to give you a little background on us. Moving on...
December 29, 2007
I am on a journey of less spending, less consuming, more happiness, no debt, figuring out what *I* really need, what we (our family) really needs.
I have some thoughts about what "COMPACTING" would look like to me.
*One time per month trip to Target and only for necessities
*No brand new clothes for kids until 2009
*Limit brand new clothing for Nick and I
*REALLY THINK ABOUT PURCHASES
*Do not use credit
*Buy local as much as possible
*Bake bread once a week
*Declutter 2008 things in 2008
EXCEPTIONS
*Aidan's uniform clothes (I will try to first buy used)
*Underwear, socks, undershirts, shoes
*New car seats for Aidan and Coda
*Things that will help us to become more self-sufficient (not sure if that is the right word), such as cloth diapers, seeds, potting soil, etc for planting vegetables.
*Items needed to run our business
January 1, 2007
So far today I wanted to buy a new magazine "Mothering" (maybe Kristy could send me her copy when she is done with it), I wanted to buy a new book, I am going to check out the used bookstores.
Téadora's birthday is in 16 days. We really wanted to make her a play kitchen for her birthday. So today/tonight I am going to search in the house and garage for items that could be used. I wish myself luck.
Taken from "The Red Notebook"
10 comments:
while i applaud your efforts and admire you [cloth diapering!], i wonder why you say 'do not use credit.' i understand not using it as far as spending money you do not have or that you can not pay back at the end of the month, but using credit can have it's advantages. we don't put more on our card than we can pay off, we don't see it as free money like some people, and our card earns us money. we get either 1% or 3% cash back, depending on the purchase. plus, the whole month that our paycheck is sitting in our bank account it is earning interest, so more cash back. plus maintaining good credit can help when you are buying a house and get a lower interest rate.
We too use our credit card for purchases that we will be paying back right away. In my mind (then my journal) I meant that I wanted to accumulate no more debt! I guess that should have been what I said, "NO MORE DEBT".
Go Steph!! Woohoo!! I'm envious of your willpower! While we don't buy much more than groceries, I do buy little things here and there that add up...but I'd totally like to be inspired by your journey!! For me I'd probably have to do a week for starters and sort of "test the waters". LOL It's funny...it seems like such a difficult thing to do, not buying new, yet so much of the things we (as in, Americans) buy are unnecessary!
(BTW- Mothering mags will be on their way to you ASAP!)
I struggle in this area of living simply and purchasing stuff. I wanted to say that for your magazines you may want to check out your local library and see if they sell back copies of issues of mags. Also, you may want to start an exchange club with your local friends. You get together once a month with a theme and exchange goods that are useable but not being used (i.s. -kids clothes, lotions, baking equipment, books..)
Debbie aka The Real World Martha (S)
[...] under: Christian Woman Inspiration, Fantastic Frugality — by Brynna @ 2:36 pm My friend Stephanie sparked something in me today. Well…it’s been smoldering for a while but I just [...]
Wow, you guys are so awesome. I'm too...something for compacting right now. We had to for like two years (although we weren't 100% successful) and it still hurts. Maybe doing it on purpose would be healing though...I guess I'll talk to Trupe about it! Gosh you guys rock!
You rock, Steph! You can totally do it! Ed and I never use credit. Our only "debt" is our mortgage and my car until recently. We're committed to always maintaining a lower mortgage which means never having a "grande" house, but it's important to us to own a home quickly and not be in debt all of our lives. I've learned so many lessons throughout my life in this respect and praise God for Ed. He controls the finances, I've always had an allowance, I'm not permitted to spend freely in a wasteful way or anything like that...because if I could, then I probably would, LOL! You are awesome, Steph - definitely blog about your journey!!!!!! What an inspiration to so many!
P.S. Frugality is so important but most people equate that with "poor". What frugal really is all about is creativity. And you have it, mama! :o)
P.S. When I said that we never use credit, we don't have a credit card. Yes, may sound strange, but his credit is excellent b/c he's never missed a mortgage or car payment (or anything else for that matter). Mine is, well, another story of past mistakes that are being made up for. However, not having a credit card is an a-plus thing in my book.
Oh yeah, I meant to ask. Do you guys ever eat out, and how does that fit (or not fit) into your compacting?
We do eat out and sometimes we get "gourmet" coffee out. We set a limit of $50per month; so one date night dinner or family dinner and a few coffees or 3 or so times of fast food (yuck). So far we are on day 13 and have only spent $7 of our $50, YAY US!
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