Other than buying stamps the other day so I could mail DD's birthday party invitations, I haven't been buying anything. The shopping list has been growing, however. I've been trying to do without instead of running to the store everyday.
There was a while when I first started this that I was itching to shop just for entertainment. Now, because I have to go to the store frequently to get basic things we need, I don't want to go as much. Plus, DD has started riding the bus to school so I'm not in the car already. It is so nice NOT to be driving all the time.
The 'gift certificates' in DD's piano practice prize box are working MUCH better than expected. She has selected a trip to the park as her first item. It was a hot day but the park has a water feature and we brought DD's bathing suit so it turned out to be okay. The next night she selected to have me read her an extra chapter in her night-time story book. Yes! I can do that any time.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Shopping Update - 08/27 and 08/28
08/27: When will I learn? I promised to shop from a list and only buy what is on a list. Yet I went to the store and I got lulled. I bought another small gift for DD's upcoming birthday. Haven't I bought her enough already? Then I thought I remembered that we really did need a grocery item that wasn't on the list so I picked that up. I got home to find that I already had that item in the pantry. Apparently, I remembered we needed it the last time I went shopping.
08/28: The only trip was to a party store to get the invitations for DD's birthday party. I relented to buying a balloon for her, too. I consider everything purchased to be a disposable / consumable item.
08/28: The only trip was to a party store to get the invitations for DD's birthday party. I relented to buying a balloon for her, too. I consider everything purchased to be a disposable / consumable item.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Shopping Update - 08/26
Amazing how little shopping one does when we stay at home.
Well, we did go to church. My usual habit is to empty whatever dollar bills I still have in my wallet into the collection plate, on top of what we donate to the church through automatic check withdrawl. However, DD reminded me to "not give all my money away" because then we have nothing left to put into the donation basket for the snacks that are served after mass. Oops! Good thing she reminded me.
Well, we did go to church. My usual habit is to empty whatever dollar bills I still have in my wallet into the collection plate, on top of what we donate to the church through automatic check withdrawl. However, DD reminded me to "not give all my money away" because then we have nothing left to put into the donation basket for the snacks that are served after mass. Oops! Good thing she reminded me.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Shopping Update - 08/23, 24 and 25
08/23: Returned a light bulb to get a replacement. This is significant as I have fallen out of the habit of ever returning anything. I had just bought the light bulb and when I got it home, it didn't work so it had to be exchanged. Other than groceries - needed at home and for a lunch I was hosting with a friend the next day - that is all I bought.
08/24: Went to our local fair. This is apart of the philosophy of spending money on experiences, not things. It was money well spent. My DD had tons of fun on the rides. She did talk me into purchasing a light-up wand for her - $5. I relented knowing full well that carrying around the multi-colored light was apart of the 'experience' of being on the midway at night and that I would have to get rid of one of her other toy flashlights when I got home. The problem is, despite my searching, I couldn't find anything else that qualifies as either a flashlight or a wand. I know she has tons of both! I finally settle on getting rid of a plastic princess crown that has seen better days.
08/25: DD will be playing basketball this fall and today was a demo-camp with a local female basketball team. This is an experience I didn't want DD to miss. What I didn't know was the registration fee included a regulation sized basketball, in the team colors, for each child and the sports team was holding an autograph signing for the balls. Is the basketball something NEW that I purchased by paying the registration fee? Sadly, yes. Now I have to find another ball somewhere around here that will get donated to charity. Good thing the thrift store truck is coming to make a pick-up next week.
The problem is that DD likes the few balls she already owns. Among basketball we only own hubby's regulation-sized leather ball and DD's smaller basketball which is easier for her to handle. The obvious choice is to get rid of DD's smaller basketball, which needs to be filled with air anyway, but the new autographed basketball doesn't really replace it. They have two different purposes. I'll have to dig around in the sports equipment to see what I can find. Out in the backyard I find a basketball that I don't even remember owning. It is in fine shape except for the fact that it has obviously seen several seasons outside in the weather. It is worth keeping which means it is also worth passing along. How many basketballs does a family need?
And as DD's birthday approaches, I realize I'll be facing similar challenges in the near future. Trying to find old toys that she is willing to give up in favor of her new gifts shouldn't be a problem, but I know it will be. That we have already decluttered a bulk of DD's toys - which are sitting in the garage waiting for us to hold a garage sale - isn't the issue. We obviously will benefit from decluttering more. Just the other day I was raggin' on DD about how she has so many toys she can't take care of them properly.
Good news! I finally squeezed every last bit of accessible toothpaste out of two different tubes. Those went in the trash and I was able to withdraw another tube from the stash. Slowly the box empties.
08/24: Went to our local fair. This is apart of the philosophy of spending money on experiences, not things. It was money well spent. My DD had tons of fun on the rides. She did talk me into purchasing a light-up wand for her - $5. I relented knowing full well that carrying around the multi-colored light was apart of the 'experience' of being on the midway at night and that I would have to get rid of one of her other toy flashlights when I got home. The problem is, despite my searching, I couldn't find anything else that qualifies as either a flashlight or a wand. I know she has tons of both! I finally settle on getting rid of a plastic princess crown that has seen better days.
08/25: DD will be playing basketball this fall and today was a demo-camp with a local female basketball team. This is an experience I didn't want DD to miss. What I didn't know was the registration fee included a regulation sized basketball, in the team colors, for each child and the sports team was holding an autograph signing for the balls. Is the basketball something NEW that I purchased by paying the registration fee? Sadly, yes. Now I have to find another ball somewhere around here that will get donated to charity. Good thing the thrift store truck is coming to make a pick-up next week.
The problem is that DD likes the few balls she already owns. Among basketball we only own hubby's regulation-sized leather ball and DD's smaller basketball which is easier for her to handle. The obvious choice is to get rid of DD's smaller basketball, which needs to be filled with air anyway, but the new autographed basketball doesn't really replace it. They have two different purposes. I'll have to dig around in the sports equipment to see what I can find. Out in the backyard I find a basketball that I don't even remember owning. It is in fine shape except for the fact that it has obviously seen several seasons outside in the weather. It is worth keeping which means it is also worth passing along. How many basketballs does a family need?
And as DD's birthday approaches, I realize I'll be facing similar challenges in the near future. Trying to find old toys that she is willing to give up in favor of her new gifts shouldn't be a problem, but I know it will be. That we have already decluttered a bulk of DD's toys - which are sitting in the garage waiting for us to hold a garage sale - isn't the issue. We obviously will benefit from decluttering more. Just the other day I was raggin' on DD about how she has so many toys she can't take care of them properly.
Good news! I finally squeezed every last bit of accessible toothpaste out of two different tubes. Those went in the trash and I was able to withdraw another tube from the stash. Slowly the box empties.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Shopping experience - 08/22/07
Discovered our first category of 'necessity' when it comes to adding a 'new thing' to the house: medications. DD has been waking up with terrible sinus headaches. I called to mention this to her allergy and asthma doctor and they said she should be seen. While there they prescribed a nasal spray to help. So yes, we have something new in the house that isn't a replacement for anything else.
Earlier in the day DD and I also went to the dentist for a teeth cleaning. We walked out of there with a little baggie of the usual dentist visit souveniors: new toothbrushes, mini-tubes of toothpaste and floss. We didn't buy these items but we don't need them at this moment either. Should I have refused them? Probably. They are going into the box with all the other dental supplies that we're trying to use up.
The dental hygenist also strongly pushed that I purchase a Sonicare toothbrush. This would be replacing my standard toothbrush but I'm not ready to make the $130 investment in something that needs to be plugged in. I'm still trying to use up the stockpiled supply of manual toothbrushes. I also don't want the charging base perpetually sitting on my bathroom counter.
After the asthma doctor, DD and I were by the mall. I decided we needed to do some walking so we darted in with the mission to find some arm warmers (hand warmers, fingerless gloves, wristies, or whatever else people are calling them.) We do want DD to be stylin' for back to school. The only place we found a decent selection - or any at all that might fit a kid - was at "Hot Topics". Yes, DD ended up with two pairs and I bought a pair for myself. Now my job is to go into the winter accessories drawer and withdraw three pairs of gloves to give away BEFORE the new items get out of the bag.
While cruisin' around the mall, we decide to walk over to Old Navy, too. While there, DD finds a few items on sale to add to her piano practice prize box. Hmmm, now we have a non-necessity habit that will be difficult to break. I have to start putting I-O-U's for experiences into the prize box instead of junkly little $1 items or in addition to consumables which DD would use anyway. I'm also trying to work her up to earning bigger items instead of a daily prize.
And I found a men's sweater that I've been wanting for myself - full price - UGH! Like other purchases, before this item even exits the shopping bag, another sweater in the winter closet it getting removed.
The thrift store comes next week to do a pick-up. I'll definately have a few items for them.
Earlier in the day DD and I also went to the dentist for a teeth cleaning. We walked out of there with a little baggie of the usual dentist visit souveniors: new toothbrushes, mini-tubes of toothpaste and floss. We didn't buy these items but we don't need them at this moment either. Should I have refused them? Probably. They are going into the box with all the other dental supplies that we're trying to use up.
The dental hygenist also strongly pushed that I purchase a Sonicare toothbrush. This would be replacing my standard toothbrush but I'm not ready to make the $130 investment in something that needs to be plugged in. I'm still trying to use up the stockpiled supply of manual toothbrushes. I also don't want the charging base perpetually sitting on my bathroom counter.
After the asthma doctor, DD and I were by the mall. I decided we needed to do some walking so we darted in with the mission to find some arm warmers (hand warmers, fingerless gloves, wristies, or whatever else people are calling them.) We do want DD to be stylin' for back to school. The only place we found a decent selection - or any at all that might fit a kid - was at "Hot Topics". Yes, DD ended up with two pairs and I bought a pair for myself. Now my job is to go into the winter accessories drawer and withdraw three pairs of gloves to give away BEFORE the new items get out of the bag.
While cruisin' around the mall, we decide to walk over to Old Navy, too. While there, DD finds a few items on sale to add to her piano practice prize box. Hmmm, now we have a non-necessity habit that will be difficult to break. I have to start putting I-O-U's for experiences into the prize box instead of junkly little $1 items or in addition to consumables which DD would use anyway. I'm also trying to work her up to earning bigger items instead of a daily prize.
And I found a men's sweater that I've been wanting for myself - full price - UGH! Like other purchases, before this item even exits the shopping bag, another sweater in the winter closet it getting removed.
The thrift store comes next week to do a pick-up. I'll definately have a few items for them.
Welcome to Experiences, Not Things
Ever feel in an endless cycle of purchasing then decluttering? That's where our life has been for far too long. Even though I've been decluttering for years, often I feel overwhelmed with the magnitude of STUFF in this house.
How did it get here? Where did it all come from?
Look in the mirror. I BOUGHT IT!
Some decluttering is manditory. My lovely daughter WILL grow out of her clothes and get to old for some of her toys. I will wear out some of the products I use everyday and, hopefully, get too skinny to fit into any of my jeans. And some items we buy aren't meant to last a long time or be used over and over again. I already know that once I put together a jigsaw puzzle, I need to pass it along to someone else because I won't want to put it together again. Still I have to admit that far too many USEFUL items are leaving my house on too frequent a basis. I need to stop the cycle.
Step 1: Buy fresh and only buy what we need AT THE MOMENT.
I come from an inventory management background. I'll call this 'just-in-time' purchasing. No more buying ahead, stocking up, or buying a back-up. Let me explain. For years I've followed the 'pantry principal' and firmly believe in the benefits of it. However, I've not been organizing and using our stock so all those stocked items are going to waste. I need to streamline first. I can always go back to stockpiling later.
Step 2: Continue decluttering and use up what we already have on hand.
The concept is to 'shop at home first'.
Step 3: If I purchase an item, the item that it is replacing goes out the door.
This is an old concept of decluttering and one I haven't used nearly enough. After all, if I'm buying new walking shoes, why toss my old favorites? I could always use those for painting the house or gardening. The problem is, I probably have three pairs of shoes that I could paint the house in and I don't garden.
The rules:
1) Don't add to my clutter or someone else's. Buy experiences, not things. An experience is anything that doesn't ADD to my stash of items that I have to store in my house. I can go out to eat. I can treat someone to a trip to the museum. We can go horseback riding. I can even get my hair done. As long as I'm not bringing something home in a little shopping bag, it is an experience.
2) Purchase fresh foods and consumables. Purchase what we need, when we need it. Obviously, some food items are packed in multiples. I'm not going to the store to buy ONE slice of bread a day. However, I will buy ONE loaf of bread, not one and a second one for 'just in case'.
3) If I purchase a non-consumable item, it's replacement goes out the door. The easiest example of this is clothing. I really do NOT need another pair of jeans so if I buy a new pair of jeans, a pair that is already in my closet has to go.
You are welcome to follow me and my little family on this journey.
How did it get here? Where did it all come from?
Look in the mirror. I BOUGHT IT!
Some decluttering is manditory. My lovely daughter WILL grow out of her clothes and get to old for some of her toys. I will wear out some of the products I use everyday and, hopefully, get too skinny to fit into any of my jeans. And some items we buy aren't meant to last a long time or be used over and over again. I already know that once I put together a jigsaw puzzle, I need to pass it along to someone else because I won't want to put it together again. Still I have to admit that far too many USEFUL items are leaving my house on too frequent a basis. I need to stop the cycle.
Step 1: Buy fresh and only buy what we need AT THE MOMENT.
I come from an inventory management background. I'll call this 'just-in-time' purchasing. No more buying ahead, stocking up, or buying a back-up. Let me explain. For years I've followed the 'pantry principal' and firmly believe in the benefits of it. However, I've not been organizing and using our stock so all those stocked items are going to waste. I need to streamline first. I can always go back to stockpiling later.
Step 2: Continue decluttering and use up what we already have on hand.
The concept is to 'shop at home first'.
Step 3: If I purchase an item, the item that it is replacing goes out the door.
This is an old concept of decluttering and one I haven't used nearly enough. After all, if I'm buying new walking shoes, why toss my old favorites? I could always use those for painting the house or gardening. The problem is, I probably have three pairs of shoes that I could paint the house in and I don't garden.
The rules:
1) Don't add to my clutter or someone else's. Buy experiences, not things. An experience is anything that doesn't ADD to my stash of items that I have to store in my house. I can go out to eat. I can treat someone to a trip to the museum. We can go horseback riding. I can even get my hair done. As long as I'm not bringing something home in a little shopping bag, it is an experience.
2) Purchase fresh foods and consumables. Purchase what we need, when we need it. Obviously, some food items are packed in multiples. I'm not going to the store to buy ONE slice of bread a day. However, I will buy ONE loaf of bread, not one and a second one for 'just in case'.
3) If I purchase a non-consumable item, it's replacement goes out the door. The easiest example of this is clothing. I really do NOT need another pair of jeans so if I buy a new pair of jeans, a pair that is already in my closet has to go.
You are welcome to follow me and my little family on this journey.
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