Post by: lifejoy on December 18, 2017, 05:51:37 PM
I’ll be giving up jewellery purchases for 2018 (ack!). What will you be giving up? Consider this thread your support group. We will be firm and we will hold you accountable. Post here when you’re feeling weak or triumphant. Let’s give up buying gazingus pins for 2018! We can do it!
Here’s who is participating, and the gazingus pin they’re pledging to give up for a year:
☆⋆✮Lifejoy - Clothing (except bridesmaid outfits)
☆CheapskateWife - books, jewellery, clothes, and amazon purchases
☆⋆✮✧✪✬Iowajes / I'm a red panda- fabric and nail polish
⋆Vertkurt - watches
⋆✮✧Inkedup - coffee and tea (until home collection is used up)
☆⋆✮✪✬Middo - tools (unless in emergency)
☆⋆✮✧✪✬Happierathome - Tupperware
☆Harper - workout videos and no more than one workout video subscription site
☆Horsepoor - Horse blankets (barring massive destruction of a winter blanket that doesn't have a spare), Saddle pads, Riding breeches or boots, and kitchen gadgets
☆⋆✧✪✬Tris Prior - tea (until home collection is used) and no fun socks/tights
⋆Duchess - eating out junk food / sweets
☆Alleykat - all beauty-related items
⋆✮✧✪Poundwise - craft supplies
☆JanetJackson - energy drinks
☆⋆✮✧✪✬Laura33 - tea
☆✧Chaskavitch - grocery store chocolate, clothing
☆⋆✮✧✪✬Mspym - material or patterns
☆⋆✮✪✬Rosy - jewellery
☆⋆✮✧✪✬Diapasoun - books (unless needed for book club)
☆⋆✧✪✬Formerlydivorcedmom - books (exception: one per month), candles
☆✧✪✬Crustybadger - junk food bought at work
☆⋆✮✪Zeli2033 - books
☆Izybat - eating out
☆⋆✮✧✪✬RetiredAt63 - fibre
☆⋆DTaggart - outdoor gear
☆⋆✧✪✬Serendip - books and workshops/self-improvement courses
✧Gaja - pens, pencils, stationary
✮✧✪Maybebabymustache - GCs unless to be used immediately
Post by: lifejoy on December 18, 2017, 05:52:24 PM
What things do you particularly like to buy, and buy often? What items are so hard to resist that you just can’t pass them by? Everyone has them …
For some people it’s ceramic figurines; for others it’s pens.
For some people it’s shoes; for others it’s earrings.
For some it’s sports memorabilia; for others it’s electronic gadgets.
We call these “gazingus pins.” They are those things you buy automatically, because it’s a habit, or because they make you feel a certain way. You can create categories to track gazingus pins and to monitor when you make unconscious choices out of emotion or habit.
How Do You Know if Something Is a Gazingus Pin?
Ask these questions:
Do I/we need this? Do I/we really want it?
Where would this item be on the fulfillment curve (survival, comfort, luxury, clutter) when I first buy it?
Where would this item be in another month? Two months? A year?
- https://yourmoneyoryourlife.weebly.com/discover-your-gazingus-pins.html
Post by: meadow lark on December 18, 2017, 06:39:41 PM
I can't think of any category of things I buy like that anymore, but if one hits me I will post!
Post by: lifejoy on December 18, 2017, 08:09:17 PM
I love the idea, and often say to myself when I want something, "this is just a gazingus pin." I don't know why it helps give me perspective, but it really does.
I can't think of any category of things I buy like that anymore, but if one hits me I will post!
Haha that’s probably a good thing if you don’t have an obvious answer come to mind ;)
For me, it used to be sweets until I started tracking my spending and found out I was spending $20-40/week on chocolates and pastries! Now it’s jewellery but I’m ready to swear off it for 12 months and appreciate what I have.
Post by: meadow lark on December 20, 2017, 01:57:49 PM
I love jewelry too, but every time Inam tempted I remember how much I already have that I don't wear.
Post by: gaja on December 20, 2017, 02:57:40 PM
Post by: lexde on December 20, 2017, 03:11:58 PM
Post by: Serendip on December 20, 2017, 03:15:01 PM
I am giving up art workshops for the year.
Even though I studied arts and have taken many workshops--I always feel compelled to learn something new (even when I am not practicing half the things I would like to practice)
And books..no buying books (the library and our personal library will have to suffice)
Post by: CheapskateWife on December 20, 2017, 03:24:13 PM
Good idea!Books...I am also so terrible about buying something that looks interesting and then allowing it to collect dust forever and ever more.
I am giving up art workshops for the year.
Even though I studied arts and have taken many workshops--I always feel compelled to learn something new (even when I am not practicing half the things I would like to practice)
And books..no buying books (the library and our personal library will have to suffice)
Post by: lifejoy on December 20, 2017, 03:58:31 PM
Mine is notebooks. I have at least 20 empty ones, but still buy more. Bookshops in general are a vice.
This is for you: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/culturebox/2013/02/addicted_to_stationery_confessions_of_a_woman_who_haunts_paper_stores_and.html
Post by: lifejoy on December 20, 2017, 03:59:33 PM
Good idea!Books...I am also so terrible about buying something that looks interesting and then allowing it to collect dust forever and ever more.
I am giving up art workshops for the year.
Even though I studied arts and have taken many workshops--I always feel compelled to learn something new (even when I am not practicing half the things I would like to practice)
And books..no buying books (the library and our personal library will have to suffice)
When I gave up buying books a beautiful thing happened: I always had 3-6 weeks to read a particular (library) book. It often meant that I actually read it! Having a due date can be a wonderful thing :)
Post by: lifejoy on December 23, 2017, 09:29:34 AM
Rules for myself:
-cannot buy jewellery
-cannot buy jewellery accessories (holders, cleaners, etc)
-can receive as gifts
-can use gift cards for these types of things
-cannot opt for elective “repairs” (I.e. refinishing a piece or changing the setting of a stone)
So I guess my goal is to not spend my money on such things, but if they come my way it’s ok.
Post by: gaja on December 23, 2017, 10:03:14 AM
Ok, I admit it. At least 20 empty books means 32 untouched, blank, ready to open, notebooks, and about 10 where I have used just a few pages.Mine is notebooks. I have at least 20 empty ones, but still buy more. Bookshops in general are a vice.
This is for you: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/culturebox/2013/02/addicted_to_stationery_confessions_of_a_woman_who_haunts_paper_stores_and.html
Unlike the lady in the article, all my notebooks are basicly the same: A5 in size, unlined, soft cover. I guess that makes it even more crazy.
Post by: lifejoy on December 23, 2017, 07:59:58 PM
Ok, I admit it. At least 20 empty books means 32 untouched, blank, ready to open, notebooks, and about 10 where I have used just a few pages.Mine is notebooks. I have at least 20 empty ones, but still buy more. Bookshops in general are a vice.
This is for you: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/culturebox/2013/02/addicted_to_stationery_confessions_of_a_woman_who_haunts_paper_stores_and.html
Unlike the lady in the article, all my notebooks are basicly the same: A5 in size, unlined, soft cover. I guess that makes it even more crazy.
I’ll trade you gazingus pins? I collect diamonds LOL it would be much more cost-effective if I collected notebooks ;)
Everyone has their thing!
Post by: soccerluvof4 on December 24, 2017, 03:58:45 AM
The other thing is every night I put something sweet in the bottom of my yogurt every night so I buy crap like Debbie cakes etc.. to dump my yogurt over as my night time snack. This to is ending in 2018.
I never ate sweets till I met my DW 21 + years ago and I gotta stop. So No Buying of Sweets!!!!
Post by: Astatine on December 24, 2017, 04:55:59 AM
Post by: I'm a red panda on December 24, 2017, 05:13:14 AM
Not sure I can get through the year without buying more, but I'd like to try!
(DH just said "what if you need more"? But why would I -need- it? I told him if he thinks it is life's necessity, he can buy it.)
Post by: lifejoy on December 24, 2017, 05:56:14 AM
For me its going to be sweets especially buying boxed candy. I have a weakness for Peanut M&M's and though I usually buy them at Dollar store on way to something I am going to replace them with something healthier. Only exception will be if someone buys them for me.
The other thing is every night I put something sweet in the bottom of my yogurt every night so I buy crap like Debbie cakes etc.. to dump my yogurt over as my night time snack. This to is ending in 2018.
I never ate sweets till I met my DW 21 + years ago and I gotta stop. So No Buying of Sweets!!!!
When I cut back on sugary treats, my taste buds really changed and it was very eye-opening. I also found that gifts took on a whole new level of possibility; now when people gift me chocolate it’s like OH WOW THANKS!!!! instead of just more chocolate in an over-sugared life. I hope you have the same experience!
Post by: lifejoy on December 24, 2017, 05:58:08 AM
Fabric. (Yardage, not presewn, I don't buy that much)
Not sure I can get through the year without buying more, but I'd like to try!
(DH just said "what if you need more"? But why would I -need- it? I told him if he thinks it is life's necessity, he can buy it.)
Sounds like a great way to keep the sewing pile organized :)
Also my mom recycles fabric. Like making a baby bib out of an old shirt. Good luck!
Post by: lifejoy on December 24, 2017, 05:58:41 AM
I'm not sure if I still have any (definitely used to be books) but I'm intrigued so I'm posting to follow.
How did you change and stop buying books?
Post by: I'm a red panda on December 24, 2017, 06:47:50 AM
Fabric. (Yardage, not presewn, I don't buy that much)
Not sure I can get through the year without buying more, but I'd like to try!
(DH just said "what if you need more"? But why would I -need- it? I told him if he thinks it is life's necessity, he can buy it.)
Sounds like a great way to keep the sewing pile organized :)
Also my mom recycles fabric. Like making a baby bib out of an old shirt. Good luck!
I'm no longer allowed to reuse fabric like that. I was told it had crossed the line to hoarding. I can braid a T-shirt into a dog toy immediately, but anything else must leave the house.
Post by: lifejoy on December 24, 2017, 07:19:09 AM
Fabric. (Yardage, not presewn, I don't buy that much)
Not sure I can get through the year without buying more, but I'd like to try!
(DH just said "what if you need more"? But why would I -need- it? I told him if he thinks it is life's necessity, he can buy it.)
Sounds like a great way to keep the sewing pile organized :)
Also my mom recycles fabric. Like making a baby bib out of an old shirt. Good luck!
I'm no longer allowed to reuse fabric like that. I was told it had crossed the line to hoarding. I can braid a T-shirt into a dog toy immediately, but anything else must leave the house.
Ahh gotcha.
Post by: lifejoy on December 24, 2017, 12:09:50 PM
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/opinion/sunday/shopping-consumerism.html?mc=adintl&mcid=Facebook&ad-keywords=IntlAudDev&subid1=TAFI&mccr=tafiwomen&referer=http://m.facebook.com
And it gets easier with practice!
Post by: vertkurt on December 24, 2017, 07:32:19 PM
Post by: lifejoy on December 24, 2017, 09:15:06 PM
Watches are my pins. I just don't know why, but I'm always looking at watches to buy even though I have 5 already and can only wear one at a time.
So you’ll give up acquiring new ones for a year?
Post by: Inkedup on December 25, 2017, 09:20:03 AM
I've been on the stationery-addict bandwagon for years (notebooks! fountain pen inks!). Ditto sweets. Ditto expensive coffees and teas. Books, too, have been an issue in the past, but I have gotten much better about focusing instead on reading than acquiring in the past year.
It's much easier for me to talk myself out of a gazingus pin if the item in question is non-comestible. If I can eat or drink it, I find myself justifying the cost. "It won't go to waste because I'm going to use it up! Also: it's only temporarily taking up space!" This is why putting the brakes on acquiring more coffee/tea is so difficult. Since I have weaned myself off the daily habit of buying drinks in to-go cups, I'm admittedly giving myself mental justification in brewing up a good-quality beverage to bring to work than buying the burnt brew at a local cafe. But I have enough to supplement work lunches for the next year.
Post by: lifejoy on December 25, 2017, 10:20:34 AM
Where to begin? :)
I've been on the stationery-addict bandwagon for years (notebooks! fountain pen inks!). Ditto sweets. Ditto expensive coffees and teas. Books, too, have been an issue in the past, but I have gotten much better about focusing instead on reading than acquiring in the past year.
It's much easier for me to talk myself out of a gazingus pin if the item in question is non-comestible. If I can eat or drink it, I find myself justifying the cost. "It won't go to waste because I'm going to use it up! Also: it's only temporarily taking up space!" This is why putting the brakes on acquiring more coffee/tea is so difficult. Since I have weaned myself off the daily habit of buying drinks in to-go cups, I'm admittedly giving myself mental justification in brewing up a good-quality beverage to bring to work than buying the burnt brew at a local cafe. But I have enough to supplement work lunches for the next year.
Sooo if I’m hearing you right, no buying of coffee or tea?
Post by: lifejoy on December 25, 2017, 10:21:07 AM
Hopefully it will help us all stay on track and accountable! And perhaps we can share ideas with others that are abstaining from buying the same thing.
Post by: gaja on December 25, 2017, 11:35:35 AM
I’m going to update the top first post with our usernames and the thing they’re abstaining from buyingPlease add pens and pencils to mine, or just put me down for (against) stationery. I will also cut down on art supplies for the kids, but cutting it completely will be too big a step.
Hopefully it will help us all stay on track and accountable! And perhaps we can share ideas with others that are abstaining from buying the same thing.
Post by: Astatine on December 25, 2017, 03:46:46 PM
I'm not sure if I still have any (definitely used to be books) but I'm intrigued so I'm posting to follow.
How did you change and stop buying books?
Edited because TMI. It was an accidental side-effect of several years of full-on decluttering and getting rid of stuff.
Post by: Inkedup on December 25, 2017, 05:02:06 PM
Where to begin? :)
I've been on the stationery-addict bandwagon for years (notebooks! fountain pen inks!). Ditto sweets. Ditto expensive coffees and teas. Books, too, have been an issue in the past, but I have gotten much better about focusing instead on reading than acquiring in the past year.
It's much easier for me to talk myself out of a gazingus pin if the item in question is non-comestible. If I can eat or drink it, I find myself justifying the cost. "It won't go to waste because I'm going to use it up! Also: it's only temporarily taking up space!" This is why putting the brakes on acquiring more coffee/tea is so difficult. Since I have weaned myself off the daily habit of buying drinks in to-go cups, I'm admittedly giving myself mental justification in brewing up a good-quality beverage to bring to work than buying the burnt brew at a local cafe. But I have enough to supplement work lunches for the next year.
Sooo if I’m hearing you right, no buying of coffee or tea?
Not until I drink up what I already own. It's going to be difficult because I love to collect and drink different kinds of loose-leaf Asian teas. The variety is astounding. And there's always something new to try :(
Post by: middo on December 25, 2017, 06:30:56 PM
Just in case.
So, no more purchases of tools that are not needed IMMEDIATELY. I think I can do that, with some help.
Post by: Eucalyptus on December 25, 2017, 07:00:56 PM
I'm not going to buy any books that are not work related. I'm going to try library them instead and read the ones I've got.
I'm not going to buy any more Men's Fitness or Men's Health magazines! This is a particularly bad habit of mine...
Post by: lifejoy on December 25, 2017, 07:15:05 PM
Excellent thread!
I'm not going to buy any books that are not work related. I'm going to try library them instead and read the ones I've got.
I'm not going to buy any more Men's Fitness or Men's Health magazines! This is a particularly bad habit of mine...
Check out if your library has Press Display or RB Digital. Free access to magazines on your computer, phone, or tablet!
Post by: lifejoy on December 25, 2017, 07:18:12 PM
My gazingus pin is tools. I buy too many, and buy ones I don't need now. The problem is we live on a small farm out of town. Going to town for a tool takes over an hour, so things get bought
Just in case.
So, no more purchases of tools that are not needed IMMEDIATELY. I think I can do that, with some help.
Good one! I have been surprised in the past at the sorts of things I’ve been able to borrow from my network of contacts once I’ve reached out to them :)
Facebook can be handy for that sort of thing.
Post by: lifejoy on December 25, 2017, 07:20:18 PM
Post by: lifejoy on December 25, 2017, 07:21:13 PM
Where to begin? :)
I've been on the stationery-addict bandwagon for years (notebooks! fountain pen inks!). Ditto sweets. Ditto expensive coffees and teas. Books, too, have been an issue in the past, but I have gotten much better about focusing instead on reading than acquiring in the past year.
It's much easier for me to talk myself out of a gazingus pin if the item in question is non-comestible. If I can eat or drink it, I find myself justifying the cost. "It won't go to waste because I'm going to use it up! Also: it's only temporarily taking up space!" This is why putting the brakes on acquiring more coffee/tea is so difficult. Since I have weaned myself off the daily habit of buying drinks in to-go cups, I'm admittedly giving myself mental justification in brewing up a good-quality beverage to bring to work than buying the burnt brew at a local cafe. But I have enough to supplement work lunches for the next year.
Sooo if I’m hearing you right, no buying of coffee or tea?
Not until I drink up what I already own. It's going to be difficult because I love to collect and drink different kinds of loose-leaf Asian teas. The variety is astounding. And there's always something new to try :(
Now you have an easy answer when people ask you what you’d like for birthday/Xmas/etc! “Well, I’m not buying any tea right now but I love trying new ones...”
Post by: lifejoy on December 25, 2017, 07:24:32 PM
Hoping this tides me over! It will.
I’m uncertain as to whether or not I want to include optional repairs to my personal challenge. Not buying jewellery and jewellery-related-things will be good for me. It will also cut down on my shopping overall. But what if I want to re-size a ring? Or repair a necklace? On the one hand, that means I’m not buying anything new, which I usually think is fine. On the other hand, it is feeding into my jewellery addiction and the fact that all my fun money ends up going to jewellery-related purchases.
Thoughts?
Post by: HappierAtHome on December 26, 2017, 12:53:21 AM
I received two necklaces, a ring box, earrings, and a travel jewellery case for Xmas :D
Hoping this tides me over! It will.
I’m uncertain as to whether or not I want to include optional repairs to my personal challenge. Not buying jewellery and jewellery-related-things will be good for me. It will also cut down on my shopping overall. But what if I want to re-size a ring? Or repair a necklace? On the one hand, that means I’m not buying anything new, which I usually think is fine. On the other hand, it is feeding into my jewellery addiction and the fact that all my fun money ends up going to jewellery-related purchases.
Thoughts?
Make a list throughout the year, tell yourself you can do it all in 2019 if you want to. Then see if you still want to. Waiting a year can't hurt, right?
Post by: lifejoy on December 26, 2017, 02:10:07 AM
I'm in! No Tupperware (the brand, not the generic category of plastic containers) in 2018.I received two necklaces, a ring box, earrings, and a travel jewellery case for Xmas :D
Hoping this tides me over! It will.
I’m uncertain as to whether or not I want to include optional repairs to my personal challenge. Not buying jewellery and jewellery-related-things will be good for me. It will also cut down on my shopping overall. But what if I want to re-size a ring? Or repair a necklace? On the one hand, that means I’m not buying anything new, which I usually think is fine. On the other hand, it is feeding into my jewellery addiction and the fact that all my fun money ends up going to jewellery-related purchases.
Thoughts?
Make a list throughout the year, tell yourself you can do it all in 2019 if you want to. Then see if you still want to. Waiting a year can't hurt, right?
I like that plan.
Post by: vertkurt on December 26, 2017, 05:44:35 PM
Watches are my pins. I just don't know why, but I'm always looking at watches to buy even though I have 5 already and can only wear one at a time.
So you’ll give up acquiring new ones for a year?
Yes I will and may sell some of the others off.
Post by: lifejoy on December 26, 2017, 07:46:38 PM
Watches are my pins. I just don't know why, but I'm always looking at watches to buy even though I have 5 already and can only wear one at a time.
So you’ll give up acquiring new ones for a year?
Yes I will and may sell some of the others off.
Bravo!! Perhaps I will sell some jewellery...
Post by: soccerluvof4 on December 27, 2017, 03:34:46 AM
For me its going to be sweets especially buying boxed candy. I have a weakness for Peanut M&M's and though I usually buy them at Dollar store on way to something I am going to replace them with something healthier. Only exception will be if someone buys them for me.
The other thing is every night I put something sweet in the bottom of my yogurt every night so I buy crap like Debbie cakes etc.. to dump my yogurt over as my night time snack. This to is ending in 2018.
I never ate sweets till I met my DW 21 + years ago and I gotta stop. So No Buying of Sweets!!!!
When I cut back on sugary treats, my taste buds really changed and it was very eye-opening. I also found that gifts took on a whole new level of possibility; now when people gift me chocolate it’s like OH WOW THANKS!!!! instead of just more chocolate in an over-sugared life. I hope you have the same experience!
I couldn't of said it better. I find when I give things up in about 2 weeks I don't crave them anymore. And sure is a killer thats for sure.
Post by: lifejoy on December 27, 2017, 05:43:42 AM
For me its going to be sweets especially buying boxed candy. I have a weakness for Peanut M&M's and though I usually buy them at Dollar store on way to something I am going to replace them with something healthier. Only exception will be if someone buys them for me.
The other thing is every night I put something sweet in the bottom of my yogurt every night so I buy crap like Debbie cakes etc.. to dump my yogurt over as my night time snack. This to is ending in 2018.
I never ate sweets till I met my DW 21 + years ago and I gotta stop. So No Buying of Sweets!!!!
When I cut back on sugary treats, my taste buds really changed and it was very eye-opening. I also found that gifts took on a whole new level of possibility; now when people gift me chocolate it’s like OH WOW THANKS!!!! instead of just more chocolate in an over-sugared life. I hope you have the same experience!
I couldn't of said it better. I find when I give things up in about 2 weeks I don't crave them anymore. And sure is a killer thats for sure.
I found this documentary to be really useful. It was on Netflix at some point : https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sugar_coated/
Post by: Harper on December 27, 2017, 08:16:46 AM
I think I'm ready to throw my hat in for this.
I also stream one workout site that will expire in May. I have some Christmas money that I will use if I decide to resubscribe to that one or another. But that's it...no new videos and only one streaming site.
Post by: horsepoor on December 27, 2017, 08:38:54 AM
Horse blankets (barring massive destruction of a winter blanket that doesn't have a spare)
Saddle pads
Riding breeches or boots
Post by: Tris Prior on December 27, 2017, 10:26:44 AM
Not until I drink up what I already own. It's going to be difficult because I love to collect and drink different kinds of loose-leaf Asian teas. The variety is astounding. And there's always something new to try :(
I'm trying this too - no more tea until I use up what I have. I'm trying to lose weight so I have replaced my nightly snack and/or glass of wine with a cup (or several) of herbal tea. I went a bit overboard with flavors, I think, because I am starving all the time from this stupid diet so I figured that at least if I have tea I really like maybe I won't be so miserable?
Also, no more fun socks or tights. I am addicted to sockdreams.com, have an impressive collection of warm stripey thigh-high socks that allow me to wear skirts while it's freezing cold out, and am studiously ignoring that they're having a big sale right now. When I bought my last few pairs and realized that my sock drawer no longer closes (it's a small drawer, but still!) I decided that it had gotten a little bit out of hand. At this point it's pure want, not need.
Post by: lifejoy on December 27, 2017, 01:21:57 PM
I’m feeling very motivated because we’re all “in it together” and I’m being held accountable by this thread. And it’s keeping it in the forefront of my mind! Thanks, guys.
Post by: Duchess on December 28, 2017, 02:07:18 AM
I'm still OK with going out for meals with family and friends. What I want to avoid are the unplanned stops on the way to work because I wasn’t organised enough to have breakfast at home, or the mid-afternoon pick-me-up coffee and sweet treat. While we meal plan for lunch and dinner, I need to get better at planning healthier and lower-cost snacks. I may even try a bit of baking.
This challenge will also tie in nicely with the Frugalwoods Uber Frugal Month which I've signed up for.
Post by: lifejoy on December 28, 2017, 02:13:58 AM
OK. I'm in. I've been resisting this thread for about a week because posting means I finally have to acknowledge my gazingus pin: junk food and drinks while out and about.
I'm still OK with going out for meals with family and friends. What I want to avoid are the unplanned stops on the way to work because I wasn’t organised enough to have breakfast at home, or the mid-afternoon pick-me-up coffee and sweet treat. While we meal plan for lunch and dinner, I need to get better at planning healthier and lower-cost snacks. I may even try a bit of baking.
This challenge will also tie in nicely with the Frugalwoods Uber Frugal Month which I've signed up for.
That used to be me! The transition was hard but switching to tea and vegetables eventually helped me avoid major energy slumps. And was far cheaper!
*now off I go to check out the FW Uber frugal month...*
Post by: alleykat on December 28, 2017, 06:05:12 AM
Post by: Duchess on December 28, 2017, 06:19:06 AM
OK. I'm in. I've been resisting this thread for about a week because posting means I finally have to acknowledge my gazingus pin: junk food and drinks while out and about.
I'm still OK with going out for meals with family and friends. What I want to avoid are the unplanned stops on the way to work because I wasn’t organised enough to have breakfast at home, or the mid-afternoon pick-me-up coffee and sweet treat. While we meal plan for lunch and dinner, I need to get better at planning healthier and lower-cost snacks. I may even try a bit of baking.
This challenge will also tie in nicely with the Frugalwoods Uber Frugal Month which I've signed up for.
That used to be me! The transition was hard but switching to tea and vegetables eventually helped me avoid major energy slumps. And was far cheaper!
*now off I go to check out the FW Uber frugal month*
As someone mentioned above, the tricky thing about food and drink is that it's soooo easy to justify buying since you have to eat and drink. I don’t necessarily need an over-priced latte and a chocolate cupcake though.
I managed to resist temptation this morning when I popped to the shop, and also when passing by not one, not two but three food outlets at IKEA. So feeling a little proud of my good start.
Post by: lifejoy on December 28, 2017, 09:18:54 PM
I have so many “pins” it is not even funny, however, for 2018 I will pick skincare, hair care and makeup purchases. All beauty related items. Will purchase only when replacing something needed. I really need to get this area under control.
Do you know that you get a free bday fist from Sephora if you’re a VIB member?
Post by: lifejoy on December 28, 2017, 09:19:17 PM
OK. I'm in. I've been resisting this thread for about a week because posting means I finally have to acknowledge my gazingus pin: junk food and drinks while out and about.
I'm still OK with going out for meals with family and friends. What I want to avoid are the unplanned stops on the way to work because I wasn’t organised enough to have breakfast at home, or the mid-afternoon pick-me-up coffee and sweet treat. While we meal plan for lunch and dinner, I need to get better at planning healthier and lower-cost snacks. I may even try a bit of baking.
This challenge will also tie in nicely with the Frugalwoods Uber Frugal Month which I've signed up for.
That used to be me! The transition was hard but switching to tea and vegetables eventually helped me avoid major energy slumps. And was far cheaper!
*now off I go to check out the FW Uber frugal month*
As someone mentioned above, the tricky thing about food and drink is that it's soooo easy to justify buying since you have to eat and drink. I don’t necessarily need an over-priced latte and a chocolate cupcake though.
I managed to resist temptation this morning when I popped to the shop, and also when passing by not one, not two but three food outlets at IKEA. So feeling a little proud of my good start.
You should feel proud :)
That is an excellent start!
Post by: Tris Prior on December 29, 2017, 09:07:21 AM
Do you know that you get a free bday fist from Sephora if you’re a VIB member?
I'm guessing this is a typo but part of me giggled at the thought of getting a free birthday facepunch at Sephora. "No more expensive makeup for you, spendypants!" ;)
I have only once liked the free gift. Last year it was a matte lip gloss that was so nude, it made me look like a corpse. Oh well.
Post by: lifejoy on December 29, 2017, 01:05:41 PM
Do you know that you get a free bday fist from Sephora if you’re a VIB member?
I'm guessing this is a typo but part of me giggled at the thought of getting a free birthday facepunch at Sephora. "No more expensive makeup for you, spendypants!" ;)
I have only once liked the free gift. Last year it was a matte lip gloss that was so nude, it made me look like a corpse. Oh well.
LMFAO yeah what a typo!!!
Post by: hegemony on December 29, 2017, 05:39:10 PM
I think I have the cast iron cookware, wool blankets, vintage dishes, and tote bags largely under control now. Books and knitting supplies are still an issue, though, so those will be my gazingus pins to avoid this year.
Post by: lifejoy on December 29, 2017, 11:52:49 PM
I have a thrift store habit that has led to quite a few gazingus pins over time.
I think I have the cast iron cookware, wool blankets, vintage dishes, and tote bags largely under control now. Books and knitting supplies are still an issue, though, so those will be my gazingus pins to avoid this year.
Added! :)
Post by: middo on December 30, 2017, 01:43:19 AM
My gazingus pin is tools. I buy too many, and buy ones I don't need now. The problem is we live on a small farm out of town. Going to town for a tool takes over an hour, so things get bought
Just in case.
So, no more purchases of tools that are not needed IMMEDIATELY. I think I can do that, with some help.
I feel a little success already. I needed a brick bolster yesterday, which i thought I had one of somewhere, but couldn't find at the time. Rather than buying a new one, a look through the three sheds did not find it. But, a text to my son shed some light on the issue. He last used it doing some paving down the back, it might be there. A look through the.long grass, and success!
Post by: lifejoy on December 30, 2017, 05:17:04 AM
My gazingus pin is tools. I buy too many, and buy ones I don't need now. The problem is we live on a small farm out of town. Going to town for a tool takes over an hour, so things get bought
Just in case.
So, no more purchases of tools that are not needed IMMEDIATELY. I think I can do that, with some help.
I feel a little success already. I needed a brick bolster yesterday, which i thought I had one of somewhere, but couldn't find at the time. Rather than buying a new one, a look through the three sheds did not find it. But, a text to my son shed some light on the issue. He last used it doing some paving down the back, it might be there. A look through the.long grass, and success!
That’s awesome!! Off to a great start!
Myself, I have stopped shopping for jewellery which is a big help when trying to not buy!
Post by: lifejoy on January 01, 2018, 06:49:04 AM
This is the year of anti-accumulation for me! :)
I’m moving a lot, so it’s good timing. Happy New Year, everyone.
Post by: alleykat on January 01, 2018, 08:25:37 AM
Do you know that you get a free bday fist from Sephora if you’re a VIB member?
I'm guessing this is a typo but part of me giggled at the thought of getting a free birthday facepunch at Sephora. "No more expensive makeup for you, spendypants!" ;)
I have only once liked the free gift. Last year it was a matte lip gloss that was so nude, it made me look like a corpse. Oh well.
LMFAO yeah what a typo!!!
Lmao. I wish it was a fist punch, it would help to say no.
I will also add groceries. This is a hard area for me but I need to control what comes in and work through what I already have before things expire. No more stuff just because unless needed.
Post by: lifejoy on January 01, 2018, 10:12:03 AM
Do you know that you get a free bday fist from Sephora if you’re a VIB member?
I'm guessing this is a typo but part of me giggled at the thought of getting a free birthday facepunch at Sephora. "No more expensive makeup for you, spendypants!" ;)
I have only once liked the free gift. Last year it was a matte lip gloss that was so nude, it made me look like a corpse. Oh well.
LMFAO yeah what a typo!!!
Lmao. I wish it was a fist punch, it would help to say no.
I will also add groceries. This is a hard area for me but I need to control what comes in and work through what I already have before things expire. No more stuff just because unless needed.
I think... the broadness and life-necessity-ness of groceries might make it a tricky “gazingus pin”. In fact- you’re inspiring me! Maybe I should make a thread for “no food waste in 2028”?
Post by: lifejoy on January 01, 2018, 10:12:53 AM
Post by: horsepoor on January 01, 2018, 10:20:29 AM
Post by: lifejoy on January 01, 2018, 11:02:58 AM
OK, starting today! Full confession: I bought two horse blankets a few days back when they were on super-sale, reasoning that it was not yet 2018. I am so weak. But now it's officially 2018, so I no longer have that excuse.
Every day is a new day :)
And every year is a new year!
Leave the past in the past. You are now a person that does not buy horse stuff until 2019. You’re obviously a very caring horse owner/companion, but your horse sounds like it has everything it needs so you can stop using your time and money buying stuff for it.
What will you do with your newfound time and money?
Myself: I am going to try and divert some of that shopping energy (so much browsing!) into improving my cooking skills.
Post by: 10dollarsatatime on January 01, 2018, 11:04:33 AM
Canning jars. I have a problem. I will allow myself to get any actual antiques, but must also practice a one in-two out (post 1940s) if I find any.
Post by: lifejoy on January 01, 2018, 11:06:22 AM
Tea, until drink up what I have... and I have a ridiculous amount.
Canning jars. I have a problem. I will allow myself to get any actual antiques, but must also practice a one in-two out (post 1940s) if I find any.
Just curious: are you at risk of finding a bunch of antiques to replace the buying of regular canning jars? If you still shop/hunt for antiques, is that going to just transform the gazingus pin?
Consider this a gentle push to maybe go for no canning jars at all :)
Post by: lifejoy on January 01, 2018, 11:08:35 AM
Post by: lifejoy on January 01, 2018, 11:12:03 AM
Or if you have old gift cards kicking around. Or maybe you have friends that have a bunch of tea they’re not going to drink? My friends and I do clothing/stuff swaps and people often bring tea.
Some events have tea out, and maybe you could pocket one for later. Hotels often have tea in the room that you could pocket and have replenished after housekeeping comes in. Also are you already using tea bags more than once? Give it a try!
I have a ton of tea right now because I cut back when I was pregnant.
Post by: horsepoor on January 01, 2018, 11:56:29 AM
OK, starting today! Full confession: I bought two horse blankets a few days back when they were on super-sale, reasoning that it was not yet 2018. I am so weak. But now it's officially 2018, so I no longer have that excuse.
Every day is a new day :)
And every year is a new year!
Leave the past in the past. You are now a person that does not buy horse stuff until 2019. You’re obviously a very caring horse owner/companion, but your horse sounds like it has everything it needs so you can stop using your time and money buying stuff for it.
What will you do with your newfound time and money?
Myself: I am going to try and divert some of that shopping energy (so much browsing!) into improving my cooking skills.
Well, hopefully I will riding more. ;) My horses tend to have issues that stop me from riding, then I get bored and think of things they "need", especially when it's winter and there's snow on the ground.
Post by: Cassie on January 01, 2018, 11:57:51 AM
Post by: lifejoy on January 01, 2018, 11:58:59 AM
OK, starting today! Full confession: I bought two horse blankets a few days back when they were on super-sale, reasoning that it was not yet 2018. I am so weak. But now it's officially 2018, so I no longer have that excuse.
Every day is a new day :)
And every year is a new year!
Leave the past in the past. You are now a person that does not buy horse stuff until 2019. You’re obviously a very caring horse owner/companion, but your horse sounds like it has everything it needs so you can stop using your time and money buying stuff for it.
What will you do with your newfound time and money?
Myself: I am going to try and divert some of that shopping energy (so much browsing!) into improving my cooking skills.
Well, hopefully I will riding more. ;) My horses tend to have issues that stop me from riding, then I get bored and think of things they "need", especially when it's winter and there's snow on the ground.
Good that you’ve identified this!
Me, I spend too much time shopping on my phone. Online shopping is my biggest issues. I need to replace that habit with one of... cooking tips? Netflix? Podcasts? Candy crush? I’m still working out the details.
Post by: lifejoy on January 01, 2018, 12:00:56 PM
Clothes and jewelry used to be so hard for me. Then in my mid 40's the desire for clothes just went away. The urge for jewelry took a lot longer to leave and did not occur until my late 50's. I also used to buy knick-naks but after semi-retiring I got sick of dusting them when I no longer had cleaners and eventually decluttered a ton of stuff. I have no clue why the desire for some things just disappeared. I think it is good to know what things you over buy and to cut back on that. A friend of mine buys tons of yarn but since I knit scarves for the homeless she will frequently donate some of it to me so I benefit from her overbuying:))
Good observations! If you ever figure out how you lost the desire to buy clothes and jewellery, DO let me know! :)
Post by: Poundwise on January 03, 2018, 04:47:25 AM
Post by: lifejoy on January 03, 2018, 08:30:44 PM
I'm in! No more craft supplies for me. My problem is that it's a moving target... I stop buying yarn, I start buying fabric. Stop buying fabric, start buying gardening supplies, etc. I need to sense what my latest fad is, stop it in its tracks, and finish some projects for once.
Welcome! Added!
I sense a lot of creativity in your future :)
Post by: Duchess on January 08, 2018, 06:04:57 AM
I've realised that choosing no junk food while out and about as my gazingus pin requires daily willpower and organisation. So far there's been one occasion where I shared a fizzy drink that my husband bought while were we on the road visiting family at the weekend. I don't think I'd have bought it myself if he hadn't been there.
Otherwise, I've been pretty organised taking lunch/snacks with me when I go out and making sure my water bottle is full. I've only been at work for one day since Christmas though so we'll see how things pan out next week when I'm back to my normal working pattern and the little one is in childcare. Mornings always seem rushed trying to get everyone out of the house on time.
Post by: JanetJackson on January 08, 2018, 10:04:23 AM
I have not read the book, so I don't have a pure frame of reference, but I certainly get the idea...
mine is pure evil: ENERGY DRINKS.
Over the last few years, my consumption of these awful cans of chemical waste has increased to an alarming level. I'm not trying to cut out caffeine, I can easily and cheaply make coffee at home, but these fizzy gut-bombs need to stop. I buy them at Aldi for 78c each (the Aldi equivalent of Monster) and guzzle two a day MINDLESSLY (and almost every single day- that's 12-14 a week!!), and then wonder why my stomach hurts so bad every. single. day. Then I go to the grocery store again, and pile them up in my cart. I'm embarrassed when I go to the check out, I'm embarrassed if someone sees me with one at work. Overall, this needs to stop.
I'm excited about this one. I don't need to buy these, I have coffee. Coffee is cheaper, more reasonable, and easier on my gut.
I'm in- starting today, since my fridge is empty of the poison, currently.
Post by: lifejoy on January 08, 2018, 10:17:13 AM
Re: not buying jewellery or clothes, I’m doing well! I’ve stopped browsing jewellery (formerly my favourite hobby!) and as far as clothes are concerned, I am attempting to see my closet with new eyes. I think I will allow tailoring, dry cleaning, and any other clothing-care so I can preserve what I have!
Post by: lifejoy on January 08, 2018, 10:19:52 AM
I'm in!!
I have not read the book, so I don't have a pure frame of reference, but I certainly get the idea...
mine is pure evil: ENERGY DRINKS.
Over the last few years, my consumption of these awful cans of chemical waste has increased to an alarming level. I'm not trying to cut out caffeine, I can easily and cheaply make coffee at home, but these fizzy gut-bombs need to stop. I buy them at Aldi for 78c each (the Aldi equivalent of Monster) and guzzle two a day MINDLESSLY (and almost every single day- that's 12-14 a week!!), and then wonder why my stomach hurts so bad every. single. day. Then I go to the grocery store again, and pile them up in my cart. I'm embarrassed when I go to the check out, I'm embarrassed if someone sees me with one at work. Overall, this needs to stop.
I'm excited about this one. I don't need to buy these, I have coffee. Coffee is cheaper, more reasonable, and easier on my gut.
I'm in- starting today, since my fridge is empty of the poison, currently.
Added! And welcome :)
When I dramatically cut back on sweets, it helped me to envision and frame to myself that, “I am not a person that consumes X.” And also, “I am not the kind of person that seeks our bakeries at every turn.” Haha!
But it really helped me.
Good luck and glad you joined in!
Post by: Tris Prior on January 08, 2018, 10:22:01 AM
Though, I realized that one of the teas I bought, I really don't like. And yesterday, the third time trying it in hopes it would suddenly mutate into something delicious, I thought, "ugh, I REALLY have to slog through 17 more cups of this crap before I can buy more?" Is it cheating to make it really weak so that I can't really taste it? I'm at least trying to alternate it with the 4 other flavors that I really like so I don't get stuck with this and nothing else.
Lesson learned: Despite its name, "sugar cookie" herbal tea will never, ever actually taste like a sugar cookie. You are not fooling anyone, Celestial Seasonings!!
Post by: JanetJackson on January 08, 2018, 10:23:29 AM
Glad to be here!
I'm in!!
I have not read the book, so I don't have a pure frame of reference, but I certainly get the idea...
mine is pure evil: ENERGY DRINKS.
Over the last few years, my consumption of these awful cans of chemical waste has increased to an alarming level. I'm not trying to cut out caffeine, I can easily and cheaply make coffee at home, but these fizzy gut-bombs need to stop. I buy them at Aldi for 78c each (the Aldi equivalent of Monster) and guzzle two a day MINDLESSLY (and almost every single day- that's 12-14 a week!!), and then wonder why my stomach hurts so bad every. single. day. Then I go to the grocery store again, and pile them up in my cart. I'm embarrassed when I go to the check out, I'm embarrassed if someone sees me with one at work. Overall, this needs to stop.
I'm excited about this one. I don't need to buy these, I have coffee. Coffee is cheaper, more reasonable, and easier on my gut.
I'm in- starting today, since my fridge is empty of the poison, currently.
Added! And welcome :)
When I dramatically cut back on sweets, it helped me to envision and frame to myself that, “I am not a person that consumes X.” And also, “I am not the kind of person that seeks our bakeries at every turn.” Haha!
But it really helped me.
Good luck and glad you joined in!
Post by: Laura33 on January 08, 2018, 10:58:18 AM
But . . . but . . . but then I see people wrote "tea." You mean the delicious beverage -- that elixir of the Gods, that delicious nectar that comes in all sorts of wonderful varieties -- can be a gazingus pin? Oh. Shit.
So, yeah, I'm in. My name is Laura, and I have a problem. It's tea. I have a shelf full of it -- so full that it has spilled out onto the adjacent shelves (which I rationalized as "oh, that's the 'old' stuff" and "oh, I'll put DD's there," and "that 1-lb bag is just too large to fit in the cabinet"*). So. No more loose tea purchases until I have used up my current 'stache of the varieties I like.** Not even in-kind replacements, dammit (because that's why the "old" stuff never gets drunk).
Now if only I could get DH to swear off buying more wine. . . .
*You'd think that even saying that out loud would have been a tip-off, wouldn't you?
**Not including the stuff I keep for guests.
Post by: lifejoy on January 08, 2018, 11:16:26 AM
I'm doing well. Studiously ignored the sockdreams.com clearance sale. Have not bought any more tea (though am drinking a lot of it to stay warm through this awful cold snap, which thankfully seems to be over for the moment).
Though, I realized that one of the teas I bought, I really don't like. And yesterday, the third time trying it in hopes it would suddenly mutate into something delicious, I thought, "ugh, I REALLY have to slog through 17 more cups of this crap before I can buy more?" Is it cheating to make it really weak so that I can't really taste it? I'm at least trying to alternate it with the 4 other flavors that I really like so I don't get stuck with this and nothing else.
Lesson learned: Despite its name, "sugar cookie" herbal tea will never, ever actually taste like a sugar cookie. You are not fooling anyone, Celestial Seasonings!!
Ack that tea sounds bad!
Maybe you could trade it with a friend? Do you know anyone that might like it?
I have a drawer full of tea and half of it I will never drink. I think I’ll put all the flavours I don’t like into the next clothing swap.
Post by: lifejoy on January 08, 2018, 11:18:14 AM
OMG I totally should not have read this thread. I read it to (a) figure out wth a "gazingus pin" was, and (b) see what kind of "stuff" Mustachians get sucked into buying, since this crew is known for being anti-stuff. I just sort of assumed this wasn't me, because I'm not really a "stuff" person.
But . . . but . . . but then I see people wrote "tea." You mean the delicious beverage -- that elixir of the Gods, that delicious nectar that comes in all sorts of wonderful varieties -- can be a gazingus pin? Oh. Shit.
So, yeah, I'm in. My name is Laura, and I have a problem. It's tea. I have a shelf full of it -- so full that it has spilled out onto the adjacent shelves (which I rationalized as "oh, that's the 'old' stuff" and "oh, I'll put DD's there," and "that 1-lb bag is just too large to fit in the cabinet"*). So. No more loose tea purchases until I have used up my current 'stache of the varieties I like.** Not even in-kind replacements, dammit (because that's why the "old" stuff never gets drunk).
Now if only I could get DH to swear off buying more wine. . . .
*You'd think that even saying that out loud would have been a tip-off, wouldn't you?
**Not including the stuff I keep for guests.
What would it be like if you didn’t have specific tea reserved for guests?
Anyways, glad we caught your attention and happy to have you join us! :)
Post by: lifejoy on January 08, 2018, 11:19:56 AM
I was tempted to buy a gorgeous cashmere cardigan... and then my baby peed on me. LOL! I think I can wait for fancy clothes and live with what I’ve got for now
Post by: Poundwise on January 08, 2018, 11:30:55 AM
Quote
We're a week into the challenge; how is everyone doing?
Me: Not so great! Because we were having a kids' party over the weekend, I bought a bunch of sewing and soap making supplies so I could make mitten clips and cute bath soaps for the goodie bags. But the snowstorm delayed shipping and now I will have yet more craft supplies arriving today which means more clutter. Well, I guess I shall have to save them for the next party...
Maybe one way I can prevent this kind of thing is by planning further ahead, so I can use up existing supplies for my crafting "needs". Correctly applied, crafting is positive in my life because I enjoy it, I am skilled, and at relatively low cost, can make many nice things for gifts and personal use. But buying supplies without using them up is a waste of money, fills up the very limited storage in my home, so that I spend more time moving things around and less time crafting. Also, there is usually no need to buy supplies new as it can all be found used on freecycle or ebay.
Post by: gaja on January 08, 2018, 11:35:41 AM
Post by: lifejoy on January 08, 2018, 12:15:47 PM
QuoteWe're a week into the challenge; how is everyone doing?
Me: Not so great! Because we were having a kids' party over the weekend, I bought a bunch of sewing and soap making supplies so I could make mitten clips and cute bath soaps for the goodie bags. But the snowstorm delayed shipping and now I will have yet more craft supplies arriving today which means more clutter. Well, I guess I shall have to save them for the next party...
Maybe one way I can prevent this kind of thing is by planning further ahead, so I can use up existing supplies for my crafting "needs". Correctly applied, crafting is positive in my life because I enjoy it, I am skilled, and at relatively low cost, can make many nice things for gifts and personal use. But buying supplies without using them up is a waste of money, fills up the very limited storage in my home, so that I spend more time moving things around and less time crafting. Also, there is usually no need to buy supplies new as it can all be found used on freecycle or ebay.
Good analysis!
Me, I don’t like crafting. So I would have a hard time devoting money to it. That being said, I’m not sure how old your kids are but I worked at a Libray that did a bunch of low budget crafts. Like this one:
https://www.theseasonedmom.com/fall-leaves-wax-paper/
Maybe it would be a good challenge for you to think of the crafts that you can make for free, instead of the very best craft that is out there for low cost?
Post by: lifejoy on January 08, 2018, 12:16:10 PM
Re:tea. If I buy or get gifted tea/coffee and don’t like the taste of it, I’ll usually bring it to work. Stuff that is left in the coffee area will disappear in very short time.
That’s a good plan :)
Post by: Tris Prior on January 08, 2018, 12:37:34 PM
Post by: lifejoy on January 08, 2018, 12:41:53 PM
Food/drink I don't want always goes on the "free" table in the work breakroom. I figured that was cheating, though?
Oh. Yeah, it probably would be cheating! :)
Post by: gaja on January 08, 2018, 01:29:46 PM
Food/drink I don't want always goes on the "free" table in the work breakroom. I figured that was cheating, though?
Oh. Yeah, it probably would be cheating! :)
As part of distancing myself from my upbringing, I decided life was to short to do or eat things I didn't like, if the only argument for is that I "aught to". Arguments like "healthy", "good for society", "polite", still stand. But stinky tea; no.
But that is what *I* needed to do to change into a more balanced and happy person, after years of suffering consequences of "good girl syndrome". YMMV.
Post by: CheapskateWife on January 08, 2018, 01:56:32 PM
The thing is that I do the books through goodwill purchases, so they are dirt cheap. But there is a pile of them here in my home that we just haven't read, and I have no idea if they ever will get read. So books. (Excluding digital free books through my library of course)
Amazon...its not a huge problem but something I can and should improve on. There are lots of random things I have purchased through amazon (clothing specifically) that once I got it home was not pleased and then of course didn't return. The quality is never what I want, it almost always comes from Asia, and I'm not content with it once I get it.
Seriously, for clothes and jewelry, I have more than enough. No buys this year.
Post by: horsepoor on January 08, 2018, 02:06:15 PM
We're a week into the challenge; how is everyone doing?
The site with the best deals on horse blankets just closed their business, so that's one temptation gone for me. So far, so good.
Trying to be very deliberate with any other purchases to make sure I'm not just replacing one pin with another.
Post by: TartanTallulah on January 08, 2018, 02:15:05 PM
I don't have any of my own to add because over the past few years I've obliterated most of them, but reading through the thread I can see lots of former gazingus pins of mine - expensive chocolate, fancy coffee, books, magazines, hand made soap, crafting tools and materials, kitchen equipment - and I can add running shoes, of which I have so many stashed that I won't need to buy another pair till around 2025.
Post by: Laura33 on January 08, 2018, 02:16:49 PM
What would it be like if you didn’t have specific tea reserved for guests?
Guess I should have been clearer: the "guest" teas are ones I do not like. The only one I buy on purpose is Earl Grey (the only thing my MIL drinks; I cannot stand it). The rest are usually teas that I was given as a gift and really really don't like, so I put them in a little canister in case someone else does. I am willing to cut back on my hoarding of delicious teas, but I am not willing to drink stuff I hate. :-)
Post by: JanetJackson on January 09, 2018, 07:53:59 AM
I'll probably check in a lot, so I apologize ahead of time- addiction and habit are STRONG forces and I need a lil' accountability.
No energy drink today! My cold brew coffee was not quite done yet (I make it in the fridge overnight), but I still poured some into a mason jar with a splash of almond milk and have been sipping on it this morning- although it's a bit weak. I have another jar in my lunch bag as a back up. I won't have any time to run out to the store today, so no chance of me buying one- and my fridge is energy drink free. Going ok so far.
I def want it- I love how fizzy they are in the morning and how they kind of punch you awake. Oh well! :)
Post by: chaskavitch on January 09, 2018, 08:32:00 AM
I'm in, I think. I'm going to try to avoid buying sweets/snacks on grocery trips (or at all, unless DH specifically requests it), and clothes for myself? These are going to be really hard.
I tend to pick up a Lara bar or 3 oz of chocolate covered almonds or a piece of cornbread at the grocery store for like $1 and then eat it on my walk home. It isn't much money or too many calories for each instance, but even if I only do it once a week, that's at a minimum $52 a year I'm wasting.
Clothes... I don't feel like I buy a lot of clothes, but I definitely HAVE a lot of clothes, so I must keep getting them. I just bought another pair of leggings this morning off of Facebook, for goodness sake (which is not great for my uber frugal January, lol). They're lularoe, so comfy, second-hand, and were only $10, but still, I didn't NEED them. I'll take free clothes, but only if I'm getting rid of something else.
I'm not giving up buying all clothes, because we have a 19 month old, and he's going to need things, but I'll make it a priority to check with my friends for hand-me-downs before I buy anything. Everything is second-hand or on clearance anyhow, but again, being cheap doesn't mean I need it.
Post by: Poundwise on January 09, 2018, 08:55:54 AM
As for teas, I drink only black tea, but I do keep some florals (which I hate but get gifted to me) around for guests. I have two decorated tins-- one for herbal packets, one for florals that I keep filled for guests, plus two boxes of black teas for myself. Maybe it helps in general to have a space limit? I.e., if it won't fit, you can't buy more?
Thanks for the crafting suggestion, lifejoy! I'm mostly interested, though, in doing crafts that would be expensive to buy premade or don't exist for purchase at all. So for instance, I too would covet a $400 cashmere cardigan, but then end up spending $70 on cashmere yarn (and as a matter of fact I have knit several items using industrial-sized cones of cashmere yarn, but in some cases I had to stop partway because I ran out of the right color of yarn, or else I have yarn left over.)
This is a consequence of still having champagne tastes on a beer budget. Instead of giving up champagne, I learn how to make champagne (don't let's mention the craft beer kit in the garage.)
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on January 09, 2018, 12:48:37 PM
I'm doing well. Studiously ignored the sockdreams.com clearance sale. Have not bought any more tea (though am drinking a lot of it to stay warm through this awful cold snap, which thankfully seems to be over for the moment).
Though, I realized that one of the teas I bought, I really don't like. And yesterday, the third time trying it in hopes it would suddenly mutate into something delicious, I thought, "ugh, I REALLY have to slog through 17 more cups of this crap before I can buy more?" Is it cheating to make it really weak so that I can't really taste it? I'm at least trying to alternate it with the 4 other flavors that I really like so I don't get stuck with this and nothing else.
Lesson learned: Despite its name, "sugar cookie" herbal tea will never, ever actually taste like a sugar cookie. You are not fooling anyone, Celestial Seasonings!!
I'm now embarrassed to admit that I have a huge soft spot for that tea! It has a very mild flavor, and took some getting used to, but now I'm sad I can't find it. The shame of an adoration of the sugar cookie tea! :-)
Post by: horsepoor on January 09, 2018, 01:50:25 PM
I'm doing well. Studiously ignored the sockdreams.com clearance sale. Have not bought any more tea (though am drinking a lot of it to stay warm through this awful cold snap, which thankfully seems to be over for the moment).
Though, I realized that one of the teas I bought, I really don't like. And yesterday, the third time trying it in hopes it would suddenly mutate into something delicious, I thought, "ugh, I REALLY have to slog through 17 more cups of this crap before I can buy more?" Is it cheating to make it really weak so that I can't really taste it? I'm at least trying to alternate it with the 4 other flavors that I really like so I don't get stuck with this and nothing else.
Lesson learned: Despite its name, "sugar cookie" herbal tea will never, ever actually taste like a sugar cookie. You are not fooling anyone, Celestial Seasonings!!
I'm now embarrassed to admit that I have a huge soft spot for that tea! It has a very mild flavor, and took some getting used to, but now I'm sad I can't find it. The shame of an adoration of the sugar cookie tea! :-)
I was laughing earlier because I went and dropped off an unwanted box of tea (Bigelow Orange Spice) in the communal tea area, and there was a box of Celestial Seasonings Sugar Cookie tea!
Post by: mspym on January 10, 2018, 02:22:29 AM
Previous gazingus pins I have picked up and discarded- manga, bags, shoes, coats/jackets, vintage glassware, letterpress prints, sports equipment. It really is a roving collective urge.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on January 10, 2018, 07:29:10 AM
I'm doing well. Studiously ignored the sockdreams.com clearance sale. Have not bought any more tea (though am drinking a lot of it to stay warm through this awful cold snap, which thankfully seems to be over for the moment).
Though, I realized that one of the teas I bought, I really don't like. And yesterday, the third time trying it in hopes it would suddenly mutate into something delicious, I thought, "ugh, I REALLY have to slog through 17 more cups of this crap before I can buy more?" Is it cheating to make it really weak so that I can't really taste it? I'm at least trying to alternate it with the 4 other flavors that I really like so I don't get stuck with this and nothing else.
Lesson learned: Despite its name, "sugar cookie" herbal tea will never, ever actually taste like a sugar cookie. You are not fooling anyone, Celestial Seasonings!!
I'm now embarrassed to admit that I have a huge soft spot for that tea! It has a very mild flavor, and took some getting used to, but now I'm sad I can't find it. The shame of an adoration of the sugar cookie tea! :-)
I was laughing earlier because I went and dropped off an unwanted box of tea (Bigelow Orange Spice) in the communal tea area, and there was a box of Celestial Seasonings Sugar Cookie tea!
When I'm trying to lose weight & am hungry in the evenings, the smell of the sugar cookie tea almost makes me feel like I'm having a treat. Who are all of these others giving away my favorite?! :-)
Post by: asauer on January 10, 2018, 08:58:37 AM
Post by: Tris Prior on January 10, 2018, 09:11:36 AM
I'm now embarrassed to admit that I have a huge soft spot for that tea! It has a very mild flavor, and took some getting used to, but now I'm sad I can't find it. The shame of an adoration of the sugar cookie tea! :-)
Is it cheating if I mail the rest of mine to you? ;)
I don't like mildly flavored tea, that must be it. I like strong teas and no matter how long I steep it it just looks pale and tastes gross.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on January 10, 2018, 09:18:53 AM
I'm now embarrassed to admit that I have a huge soft spot for that tea! It has a very mild flavor, and took some getting used to, but now I'm sad I can't find it. The shame of an adoration of the sugar cookie tea! :-)
Is it cheating if I mail the rest of mine to you? ;)
I don't like mildly flavored tea, that must be it. I like strong teas and no matter how long I steep it it just looks pale and tastes gross.
Ah yes, I love mild flavored tea, so that makes sense! The sugar cookie is probably the most mild in my bunch.
And, my gazingus pin - not buying discounted gift cards unless I have an actual planned expense that will use them up. I sometimes get caught up in the "bargain"
Post by: Laura33 on January 10, 2018, 01:33:33 PM
I do agree that available space is an issue, so my goal here is to reduce my own tea back to its original single shelf, which is more than sufficient for any reasonable human. I then want to weed the stupid cups and saucers down to a single shelf, so we can consolidate DD's and MIL's stashes into that third shelf. (Believe it or not, all those mugs and cups/saucers are what is left after a weeding-out about two years ago -- people keep giving us mugs, and I hate to toss them because I don't want to hurt feelings).
Some progress: I have already finished off one canister of very, very old tea that had been sitting there for God-knows how long.
Post by: DTaggart on January 10, 2018, 09:44:07 PM
Friends, I do indeed have a gazingus pin. My name is DTaggart, and I have a problem buying outdoor gear. Mr. Taggart and I really enjoy hiking and camping, and we've been slowly acquiring gear to get into overnight backpacking. It's pretty ridiculous how much stuff you need to enjoy such a supposedly minimalist hobby! One of our long term post-FIRE plans is to travel around and do some long distance backpacking like the PCT and AT so I've been trying to buy high-quality, lightweight stuff that will last us for a long time, but that also means EXPENSIVE. Late last year we finally got the last pieces of "essential" gear we need to start doing some basic treks, so my goal for 2018 is to not buy any additional stuff or "upgrade" any existing items, and to focus on using and enjoying what I already have. There's a lot of little additional things that are so easy to pick up here and there - a new pair of wool socks (I have tons of good socks already!), an inflatable travel pillow (I can stuff my extra clothes into an existing stuff-sack!), a cook pot that weighs .1 oz less than my current pot (extra weight is good for training!).... Nope. I already have the things I really need.
So, this year I will not buy new outdoor or fitness stuff with the following exceptions:
1. Consumable stuff that needs to be replaced (I'm thinking mainly of fuel for the stove, maybe a new cartridge for the water filter)
2. My current pair of hiking shoes are in good shape, but they may wear out before the end of the year, so I will allow myself ONE pair of replacement shoes if necessary. I may also require a new pair of running shoes for road-running, which I am trying to get back into - one pair if necessary.
3. If I find high quality performance clothing at the thrift shop in my CURRENT size, I can buy that. This is a pretty rare event and usually saves 90% or more so I don't want to pass up such a unicorn if I happen upon it. But I will NOT buy used gear from online resale groups, or gear from discount sites, because those deals will come around again next year if I still think I really want the item.
4. If anything breaks and cannot be repaired, I am allowed to replace it.
So that's it. Mr. Taggart isn't going to like this, but if there's something he really wants he can spend is personal spending money on it.
Post by: JanetJackson on January 11, 2018, 06:00:27 AM
So far it's costing me a bit more, as I realized I was out of creamer at home both yesterday and today and ended up stopping to get gas station coffee (where I would have normally just slung a can of energy drink out of my fridge, since they were ALWAYS in there).
It's going ok so far. It's amazing how instinctual these things become. When I went into the gas station I went RIGHT to the energy drink cooler... and then had to redirect myself over to the little starbucks doubleshots. On my way home from work today I will buy creamer (well my version of creamer- almond milk) so I can drink the abundance of coffee I have at home, ha.
Post by: lifejoy on January 11, 2018, 07:27:38 AM
Post by: lifejoy on January 11, 2018, 07:31:29 AM
Post by: lifejoy on January 11, 2018, 09:15:13 AM
It really is a roving collective urge.
This.
Now that I’m not buying clothing or jewellery, I find myself interested in glassware and china... which I absolutely do not have a shortage of and do not need!
Post by: lifejoy on January 11, 2018, 09:20:23 AM
I'm now embarrassed to admit that I have a huge soft spot for that tea! It has a very mild flavor, and took some getting used to, but now I'm sad I can't find it. The shame of an adoration of the sugar cookie tea! :-)
Is it cheating if I mail the rest of mine to you? ;)
I don't like mildly flavored tea, that must be it. I like strong teas and no matter how long I steep it it just looks pale and tastes gross.
Ah yes, I love mild flavored tea, so that makes sense! The sugar cookie is probably the most mild in my bunch.
And, my gazingus pin - not buying discounted gift cards unless I have an actual planned expense that will use them up. I sometimes get caught up in the "bargain"
Would it not be easier to just cut out GCs completely? Or would you be forgoing major savings? This sounds like it could be one of those “spend money to *save* money” things... better to just not spend at all, no?
Post by: lifejoy on January 11, 2018, 09:32:45 AM
So in the interest of full disclosure and accountability, here is a pic of my tea cabinet. The cabinet (left side) was supposed to be one shelf of everyday mugs, one shelf of tea, and two shelves of extra storage for things we don't use often and don't want in the main part of the kitchen. The open shelving (right side) was supposed to store cute stuff, like my sugar and creamer set or little art pieces. Now my tea takes up the entire designated tea shelf and three of the open shelves (the tea on the second-from-top cabinet shelf is my MIL's, while the stuff on the bottom open shelf is my DD's + some of the flavored stuff I offer guests). Not shown is open 45-degree shelving to the right that contains the teapots and such; even that now has a couple of canisters in it.
I do agree that available space is an issue, so my goal here is to reduce my own tea back to its original single shelf, which is more than sufficient for any reasonable human. I then want to weed the stupid cups and saucers down to a single shelf, so we can consolidate DD's and MIL's stashes into that third shelf. (Believe it or not, all those mugs and cups/saucers are what is left after a weeding-out about two years ago -- people keep giving us mugs, and I hate to toss them because I don't want to hurt feelings).
Some progress: I have already finished off one canister of very, very old tea that had been sitting there for God-knows how long.
Great pic!!! I will post my own gazingus pins.
Also,
“In “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” Marie Kondo says that we should never keep gifts out of guilt because the giver’s joy happens the moment the gift is given.”
Sooooo get rid of the mugs you don’t love! I give you permission
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180111/93d32a8f80aa18c7e567e12fdbe56fbf.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180111/21bbe26e6e81c72e6cfba9311a5cc76f.jpg)
This is a pic of my jewellery I decided to bring to my temporary location. I have LOADS more and do not need anything else!!!
I also took a pic of clothes I have that I don’t like or that don’t fit. I have a clothing swap to go to in February - so I do not need to buy a thing else!
PS - lol you guys make me want to try sugar cookie tea!
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on January 12, 2018, 08:29:51 AM
I'm now embarrassed to admit that I have a huge soft spot for that tea! It has a very mild flavor, and took some getting used to, but now I'm sad I can't find it. The shame of an adoration of the sugar cookie tea! :-)
Is it cheating if I mail the rest of mine to you? ;)
I don't like mildly flavored tea, that must be it. I like strong teas and no matter how long I steep it it just looks pale and tastes gross.
Ah yes, I love mild flavored tea, so that makes sense! The sugar cookie is probably the most mild in my bunch.
And, my gazingus pin - not buying discounted gift cards unless I have an actual planned expense that will use them up. I sometimes get caught up in the "bargain"
Would it not be easier to just cut out GCs completely? Or would you be forgoing major savings? This sounds like it could be one of those “spend money to *save* money” things... better to just not spend at all, no?
It's a fair question. Here's an example of how I used one recently that worked well, in my mind. Knew I would be buying a flight. Explored options & price compared to find best deals. Explored all other ways to get a price discount, frequent flier miles, etc. Bought the gift card for $180/200 gift card. Immediately applied to flight. So, I'm okay with that, as I consider it just another discount. But, buying for some future "unknown - oh I may need this" is not useful.
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 12, 2018, 08:40:35 AM
Post by: Serendip on January 12, 2018, 08:59:49 AM
It's the 12th day of the year and already I really want to buy fabric. For nothing. I have NOTHING planned. UGH.
Good job recognizing the itch vs. scratching the itch :)
I also am a collector of fabrics but stopped accumulating last year and this year even downsized my stash.
Do you have anything in particular you want to create with what you already own?
Post by: Serendip on January 12, 2018, 09:03:41 AM
(we are on a no-shopping year and I only enjoy drawing/writing with black)
My partner actually laughed-out-loud at the absurdity of this since I own heaps of black markers/pens and even a pot of black india ink.
It was a good reminder that it's time to move beyond the habit of buying myself microline pens regularly and experiment with the stuff I have!
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 12, 2018, 09:10:33 AM
It's the 12th day of the year and already I really want to buy fabric. For nothing. I have NOTHING planned. UGH.
Good job recognizing the itch vs. scratching the itch :)
I also am a collector of fabrics but stopped accumulating last year and this year even downsized my stash.
Do you have anything in particular you want to create with what you already own?
Oh, I have tons of things I want to make with what I already own. But no time. I have plenty of time for online shopping, but no time for actual sewing. So my hobby has been reduced to accumulating.
And I don't want to buy anymore!
Post by: Laura33 on January 12, 2018, 10:22:56 AM
[snip]
Your gazingus pins are much cuter than mine. ;-)
Post by: lifejoy on January 12, 2018, 08:29:28 PM
I'm now embarrassed to admit that I have a huge soft spot for that tea! It has a very mild flavor, and took some getting used to, but now I'm sad I can't find it. The shame of an adoration of the sugar cookie tea! :-)
Is it cheating if I mail the rest of mine to you? ;)
I don't like mildly flavored tea, that must be it. I like strong teas and no matter how long I steep it it just looks pale and tastes gross.
Ah yes, I love mild flavored tea, so that makes sense! The sugar cookie is probably the most mild in my bunch.
And, my gazingus pin - not buying discounted gift cards unless I have an actual planned expense that will use them up. I sometimes get caught up in the "bargain"
Would it not be easier to just cut out GCs completely? Or would you be forgoing major savings? This sounds like it could be one of those “spend money to *save* money” things... better to just not spend at all, no?
It's a fair question. Here's an example of how I used one recently that worked well, in my mind. Knew I would be buying a flight. Explored options & price compared to find best deals. Explored all other ways to get a price discount, frequent flier miles, etc. Bought the gift card for $180/200 gift card. Immediately applied to flight. So, I'm okay with that, as I consider it just another discount. But, buying for some future "unknown - oh I may need this" is not useful.
Gotcha. Instant usage or not happening! Good call :)
Post by: lifejoy on January 12, 2018, 08:31:39 PM
It's the 12th day of the year and already I really want to buy fabric. For nothing. I have NOTHING planned. UGH.
My mom bought fabric a few days ago.
She also dug put some fabric that she bought nearly 30 years ago when *I* was a baby, and is using it now.
Haha anyways that’s your cautionary tale ;)
You can do it!!!
To her credit, my mom also uses old shirts and old blankets for sewing fabric. Maybe if you feel the itch you could find some “new” fabric through repurposing?
Post by: lifejoy on January 12, 2018, 08:32:54 PM
I just yesterday was lamenting the fact that I might 'run out' of black ink/pens this year
(we are on a no-shopping year and I only enjoy drawing/writing with black)
My partner actually laughed-out-loud at the absurdity of this since I own heaps of black markers/pens and even a pot of black india ink.
It was a good reminder that it's time to move beyond the habit of buying myself microline pens regularly and experiment with the stuff I have!
Sounds like a good reality check, and/or encouragement to try something new! Hooray!
Post by: lifejoy on January 12, 2018, 08:34:23 PM
It's the 12th day of the year and already I really want to buy fabric. For nothing. I have NOTHING planned. UGH.
Good job recognizing the itch vs. scratching the itch
I also am a collector of fabrics but stopped accumulating last year and this year even downsized my stash.
Do you have anything in particular you want to create with what you already own?
Oh, I have tons of things I want to make with what I already own. But no time. I have plenty of time for online shopping, but no time for actual sewing. So my hobby has been reduced to accumulating.
And I don't want to buy anymore!
Sounds like the kind of shopping I do. A bit aspirational. I covet really pretty party dresses because parties = awesome. But I am not really going to many parties! And even if I were, it’s not like I don’t already own dresses...
Anyways I love the resolve in your last sentence
You got this!!
Post by: lifejoy on January 12, 2018, 08:35:28 PM
[snip]
Your gazingus pins are much cuter than mine. ;-)
Haha thanks! ;)
(Psst - don’t encourage me! Lol)
Post by: mspym on January 13, 2018, 06:43:43 PM
It's the 12th day of the year and already I really want to buy fabric. For nothing. I have NOTHING planned. UGH.
I keep my fabric in a transparent box so when I get the urge to buy more, the surplus I already have is staring me in the face.
A thought- what is underneath the urge? for me it's a combination of hope [this will be the magical easy pattern I don't need to tweak] and a reminder of the things I want to do and will have time to do in the future but don't right now. A combo of stockpiling and daydreaming in the form of physical objects.
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 13, 2018, 07:02:00 PM
I keep mine in 9, plus a shelving unit. I have a dedicated sewing room.
And my quilting club mocks me for how little "stash" I have...
Post by: chaskavitch on January 14, 2018, 07:57:45 AM
A transparent box? Like just one?
I keep mine in 9, plus a shelving unit. I have a dedicated sewing room.
And my quilting club mocks me for how little "stash" I have...
Ohh, a dedicated craft room would be amazing. My fabric is stashed in tubs around our basement, and I do my sewing on a table that's an offshoot of my computer desk. It is distracting, because my husband works from home, so whenever I try to sew, he's either working or playing video games right across the table from me.
Also, I totally failed already. Bought myself a shirt at Costco. I really like it, and it's perfect for leggings because it's grey and longish in the back and not super tight but still flattering...I should not be allowed to go shopping by myself. And I have a clothing swap in a few weeks! I didn't get invited to it until after I bought the shirt, but it probably wouldn't have made a difference. Here's hoping I get rid of more than I take it at the swap :)
On the bright side, I'm doing well with grocery shopping! Yay!
Post by: lifejoy on January 14, 2018, 09:48:44 AM
A transparent box? Like just one?
I keep mine in 9, plus a shelving unit. I have a dedicated sewing room.
And my quilting club mocks me for how little "stash" I have...
Ohh, a dedicated craft room would be amazing. My fabric is stashed in tubs around our basement, and I do my sewing on a table that's an offshoot of my computer desk. It is distracting, because my husband works from home, so whenever I try to sew, he's either working or playing video games right across the table from me.
Also, I totally failed already. Bought myself a shirt at Costco. I really like it, and it's perfect for leggings because it's grey and longish in the back and not super tight but still flattering...I should not be allowed to go shopping by myself. And I have a clothing swap in a few weeks! I didn't get invited to it until after I bought the shirt, but it probably wouldn't have made a difference. Here's hoping I get rid of more than I take it at the swap :)
On the bright side, I'm doing well with grocery shopping! Yay!
Will you re-set with clothing? Like starting anew or saying no more than one item per month? Or one-in, one-out?
Post by: chaskavitch on January 14, 2018, 10:24:23 AM
A transparent box? Like just one?
I keep mine in 9, plus a shelving unit. I have a dedicated sewing room.
And my quilting club mocks me for how little "stash" I have...
Ohh, a dedicated craft room would be amazing. My fabric is stashed in tubs around our basement, and I do my sewing on a table that's an offshoot of my computer desk. It is distracting, because my husband works from home, so whenever I try to sew, he's either working or playing video games right across the table from me.
Also, I totally failed already. Bought myself a shirt at Costco. I really like it, and it's perfect for leggings because it's grey and longish in the back and not super tight but still flattering...I should not be allowed to go shopping by myself. And I have a clothing swap in a few weeks! I didn't get invited to it until after I bought the shirt, but it probably wouldn't have made a difference. Here's hoping I get rid of more than I take it at the swap :)
On the bright side, I'm doing well with grocery shopping! Yay!
Will you re-set with clothing? Like starting anew or saying no more than one item per month? Or one-in, one-out?
I think I'll say that I'm going to aim for no more buying clothes. I can't imagine NEEDING more things unless my dresser catches on fire, which seems unlikely :) There's nothing I've been waiting to buy or longing for specifically, except for some shortish boots to wear with skinny jeans/leggings. My only ones are an impractical (but excellent) red velvet. If I find some super on sale, I might buy them, but I'm not going to go look specifically for boots. Mostly I'd end up with like 37 open tabs in Chrome and decision fatigue, and maybe also boots.
The whole time I was looking at this shirt at Costco, and carrying it around in my cart, I was thinking "Man, I really don't need this. It's going to throw off my MMM challenged AND my Frugalwoods challenge. But I really like it!" So ridiculous.
For the shirt I just bought, I will definitely go find another piece of clothing to add to my clothes swap pile. I'll hopefully find more than one, though.
ETA - I might need to buy some new bras. I've been wearing the same three cheap comfy cloth ones since our son was born, and they're getting holes in them. I'm not looking forward to going back to the structured underwire style, especially since we're going to try for another kid this year. Underwires and pregnant boobs do not get along. I'll wait until these ones are actually kaput, though, and replace rather than add.
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 14, 2018, 11:35:18 AM
Returns are a good way to deal with the aftermath of a shopping high.
Post by: chaskavitch on January 14, 2018, 11:36:28 AM
For the Costco shirt, could you return it? They are great about returns. Maybe after your clothing swap when you know you have something else.
Returns are a good way to deal with the aftermath of a shopping high.
...yeah, I'm definitely wearing it at work right now, so no. That would have been a good solution, though :)
Post by: Inkedup on January 14, 2018, 12:09:31 PM
As I continue to consume my stash, however, the hoarding urge remains firmly rooted in place and I'm constantly making a mental note to "buy more of x soon," because the supply is dwindling.
Have I given in? No. But here's my stumbling block: The teas I drink are loose-leaf varieties from Asia, which I buy from an American-based importer who seems to be the only source for some of these kinds of teas in the States. (When you google the varieties, other American tea companies may turn up, but they admittedly get their supply from him.) This is all well and good, but this importer is a one-man operation who is getting up in years and wants to retire. So. The urge to place a massive order is firmly planted in my brain.
If I liked the boxed teas at the grocery store, I could easily talk myself out of this urge to stockpile. You can count on brands such as Celestial Seasonings, Twinings, and the Republic of Tea, to be there in a year. A small business is more likely to abruptly pull up stakes and shut down its website when the owner has decided he's had enough.
Post by: galliver on January 14, 2018, 12:58:53 PM
I also wanted to comment on sugar cookie tea: it wasn't my favorite, but I found it's much better with sugar(/sweetener). Imagine unsweetened sugar cookies...blech. But then, I prefer most of my fruit teas and some black teas sweetened. YMMV.
PS We have a stuffed tea cabinet, too. I relate. But I think bf is the greater contributor to that and I'm not taking in a challenge dependent on his behavior rather than mine...and in fairness he's been pushing gently to have more of the "cabinet teas" vs our typical black Ceylon.
Post by: galliver on January 14, 2018, 01:01:59 PM
So far so good on the tea-buying.I'm curious what these tea varieties are...
As I continue to consume my stash, however, the hoarding urge remains firmly rooted in place and I'm constantly making a mental note to "buy more of x soon," because the supply is dwindling.
Have I given in? No. But here's my stumbling block: The teas I drink are loose-leaf varieties from Asia, which I buy from an American-based importer who seems to be the only source for some of these kinds of teas in the States. (When you google the varieties, other American tea companies may turn up, but they admittedly get their supply from him.) This is all well and good, but this importer is a one-man operation who is getting up in years and wants to retire. So. The urge to place a massive order is firmly planted in my brain.
If I liked the boxed teas at the grocery store, I could easily talk myself out of this urge to stockpile. You can count on brands such as Celestial Seasonings, Twinings, and the Republic of Tea, to be there in a year. A small business is more likely to abruptly pull up stakes and shut down its website when the owner has decided he's had enough.
If larger tea shops sell them (and there is demand...), they will likely pursue another source if this particular importer goes out of business....
Post by: lifejoy on January 14, 2018, 01:45:35 PM
I’m noticing some themes in myself and others, things that come up when we’re trying to resist:
-scarcity (“What if I run out? Better stock up”)
-good deals (“I’ve never seen such a good price on XYZ! I had to get it!)
-amnesia or blindness (“I didn’t realize I already had a bunch of XYZ”)
For me, I am resisting a silk top that is normally $300... it is on for $15. Whaaaaat!!! See above identified danger feelings ;)
But I keep imagining how cool and awesome I’m going to feel when at the end of the year I get to say: I didn’t buy any clothes or jewellery this year. And I also look forward to breaking the habit in my brain. Stopping shopping is going to be key to my success.
I’ve been working on my stylebook app. You add pics of clothes you own and input detail like how much it cost and how many times you’ve worn it. The smart closet app does the same thing (but that app is free). Let me just say it is a VERY effective way to stop buying clothing because you see what you’ve got AND how much you paid for all of it! Yikes.
And it occupies my time the same way online shopping used to.
So anyways... staying strong!
Post by: galliver on January 14, 2018, 01:49:55 PM
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/opinion/sunday/shopping-consumerism.html
Post by: Inkedup on January 14, 2018, 02:12:36 PM
So far so good on the tea-buying.I'm curious what these tea varieties are...
As I continue to consume my stash, however, the hoarding urge remains firmly rooted in place and I'm constantly making a mental note to "buy more of x soon," because the supply is dwindling.
Have I given in? No. But here's my stumbling block: The teas I drink are loose-leaf varieties from Asia, which I buy from an American-based importer who seems to be the only source for some of these kinds of teas in the States. (When you google the varieties, other American tea companies may turn up, but they admittedly get their supply from him.) This is all well and good, but this importer is a one-man operation who is getting up in years and wants to retire. So. The urge to place a massive order is firmly planted in my brain.
If I liked the boxed teas at the grocery store, I could easily talk myself out of this urge to stockpile. You can count on brands such as Celestial Seasonings, Twinings, and the Republic of Tea, to be there in a year. A small business is more likely to abruptly pull up stakes and shut down its website when the owner has decided he's had enough.
If larger tea shops sell them (and there is demand...), they will likely pursue another source if this particular importer goes out of business....
It's called puerh tea, and there are literally thousands of different types. Each one tastes a bit different. As with wine, you can age them which is supposed to improve the flavor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu%27er_tea
Most loose leaf tea retailers offer some puerhs, but a lot of it is mediocre quality. There isn't a lot of demand for it in the U.S. due to its distinctive (acquired?) taste and the finicky brewing involved. Most of the good stuff tends to stay in Asian countries.
Drinking and collecting puerhs can be an "expensive" hobby, but only in terms of up front costs. Buying a 400g cake of tea may set you back $60-80, but you tend to use only 5g per sitting. Unlike tea bags, good quality tea leaves can be re-steeped multiple times, so you end up spending less than $1 per serving on a type of tea that some consider the best in the world. It's actually a mustachian beverage :) But it's easy to go crazy with collecting...
Post by: galliver on January 14, 2018, 03:57:50 PM
My bf likes puerh, among others! So I am familiar with the "tea that is swampy...in a good way". Not my jam, but I suspect there are enough of you puerh drinkers out there to justify filling a market vacancy. Don't stock up!So far so good on the tea-buying.I'm curious what these tea varieties are...
As I continue to consume my stash, however, the hoarding urge remains firmly rooted in place and I'm constantly making a mental note to "buy more of x soon," because the supply is dwindling.
Have I given in? No. But here's my stumbling block: The teas I drink are loose-leaf varieties from Asia, which I buy from an American-based importer who seems to be the only source for some of these kinds of teas in the States. (When you google the varieties, other American tea companies may turn up, but they admittedly get their supply from him.) This is all well and good, but this importer is a one-man operation who is getting up in years and wants to retire. So. The urge to place a massive order is firmly planted in my brain.
If I liked the boxed teas at the grocery store, I could easily talk myself out of this urge to stockpile. You can count on brands such as Celestial Seasonings, Twinings, and the Republic of Tea, to be there in a year. A small business is more likely to abruptly pull up stakes and shut down its website when the owner has decided he's had enough.
If larger tea shops sell them (and there is demand...), they will likely pursue another source if this particular importer goes out of business....
It's called puerh tea, and there are literally thousands of different types. Each one tastes a bit different. As with wine, you can age them which is supposed to improve the flavor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu%27er_tea
Most loose leaf tea retailers offer some puerhs, but a lot of it is mediocre quality. There isn't a lot of demand for it in the U.S. due to its distinctive (acquired?) taste and the finicky brewing involved. Most of the good stuff tends to stay in Asian countries.
Drinking and collecting puerhs can be an "expensive" hobby, but only in terms of up front costs. Buying a 400g cake of tea may set you back $60-80, but you tend to use only 5g per sitting. Unlike tea bags, good quality tea leaves can be re-steeped multiple times, so you end up spending less than $1 per serving on a type of tea that some consider the best in the world. It's actually a mustachian beverage :) But it's easy to go crazy with collecting...
Post by: Inkedup on January 14, 2018, 05:16:19 PM
My bf likes puerh, among others! So I am familiar with the "tea that is swampy...in a good way". Not my jam, but I suspect there are enough of you puerh drinkers out there to justify filling a market vacancy. Don't stock up!
It's not only swampy, but peaty and earthy, as well as fruity and floral if you taste a nice green puerh :) (I'm making myself thirsty...)
Post by: lifejoy on January 14, 2018, 08:18:41 PM
My bf likes puerh, among others! So I am familiar with the "tea that is swampy...in a good way". Not my jam, but I suspect there are enough of you puerh drinkers out there to justify filling a market vacancy. Don't stock up!
It's not only swampy, but peaty and earthy, as well as fruity and floral if you taste a nice green puerh :) (I'm making myself thirsty...)
Does it expire? Could you stretch out your remaining supply? Things are more luxurious and savoured when not enjoyed regularly :)
Post by: better late on January 14, 2018, 09:59:53 PM
Post by: Inkedup on January 14, 2018, 11:03:15 PM
My bf likes puerh, among others! So I am familiar with the "tea that is swampy...in a good way". Not my jam, but I suspect there are enough of you puerh drinkers out there to justify filling a market vacancy. Don't stock up!
It's not only swampy, but peaty and earthy, as well as fruity and floral if you taste a nice green puerh :) (I'm making myself thirsty...)
Does it expire? Could you stretch out your remaining supply? Things are more luxurious and savoured when not enjoyed regularly :)
Good point :) It actually doesn't expire! This tea is actually meant to be aged and enjoyed along the way as its flavor evolves. What tempts me is not just the potential scarcity of what I have found and enjoy but also the sheer variety of unexplored teas.
But I do have other types of teas to drink...and these should be prioritized for consumption, as they do lose their flavor over time! I'm going to brew a nice green tea for my work thermos this week :)
Post by: lifejoy on January 15, 2018, 01:58:02 AM
I'd like to join this challenge. I didn't think I had a Gazingus pin until I uh opened my purse and 5 lipsticks fell out. Combined with the few in the car. And the ones in my minimalist makeup bag. And the three of the same color still in packaging that I bought on eBay that are stored in my drawer in my bathroom because they were discontinued and I might never be able to find as good a color. Yeah. I should be all set for 2018
Welcome! Added! Apt username ;)
Post by: lifejoy on January 15, 2018, 01:58:51 AM
My bf likes puerh, among others! So I am familiar with the "tea that is swampy...in a good way". Not my jam, but I suspect there are enough of you puerh drinkers out there to justify filling a market vacancy. Don't stock up!
It's not only swampy, but peaty and earthy, as well as fruity and floral if you taste a nice green puerh :) (I'm making myself thirsty...)
Does it expire? Could you stretch out your remaining supply? Things are more luxurious and savoured when not enjoyed regularly :)
Good point :) It actually doesn't expire! This tea is actually meant to be aged and enjoyed along the way as its flavor evolves. What tempts me is not just the potential scarcity of what I have found and enjoy but also the sheer variety of unexplored teas.
But I do have other types of teas to drink...and these should be prioritized for consumption, as they do lose their flavor over time! I'm going to brew a nice green tea for my work thermos this week :)
Sounds like an excellent plan!
And I believe you have a case of tea FOMO - fear of missing out!
Post by: Laura33 on January 15, 2018, 07:23:11 AM
I’m noticing some themes in myself and others, things that come up when we’re trying to resist:
-scarcity (“What if I run out? Better stock up”)
-good deals (“I’ve never seen such a good price on XYZ! I had to get it!)
-amnesia or blindness (“I didn’t realize I already had a bunch of XYZ”)
Mine is a funky version of scarcity. I hate shopping (my most reliable tea source was in the mall), and I hate wasting money on things I don’t like (so not excited about buying something online I haven’t tasted). So when I see something I like, think, “gee, better stock up so I don’t have to deal with this hell again for a long time” - so I’d go to the mall and walk out with over a hundred bucks worth of tea.
But then once I have it, I don’t ever want to use it up, because that means I will be out. I have a ton of little special packets I bought off the internet (like the kinds that bloom into a flower), and I never want to use them, because then they will be gone!* And worse: now the mall place is out of business, and I cannot find their particular version of my favorite tea anywhere. So I am now down to a few pots’ worth, and I am hoarding that remaining stash — I don’t want to use it because then it’ll be gone forever!
*Because, you know, it’s not like I could ever buy more. . . . Yes, I realize it is completely illogical.
Post by: Tris Prior on January 15, 2018, 10:44:25 AM
I also wanted to comment on sugar cookie tea: it wasn't my favorite, but I found it's much better with sugar(/sweetener). Imagine unsweetened sugar cookies...blech. But then, I prefer most of my fruit teas and some black teas sweetened. YMMV.
Huh, that's probably true, but I've quit sugar and don't like artificial sweetener. Oh well.
I have the flu. At the rate I'm going through tea right now, I should be through my stash way faster than I'd anticipated.
I have a scarcity mentality too sometimes with my shopping. For example - I love Halloween and will use Halloween-themed bath/body products, wear Halloween-themed socks, use Halloween-themed housewares all year 'round. But you can only buy them in the fall - so as soon as I see, for example, that my favorite handmade bath/body seller has released her Halloween products, I'll buy up a bunch of them, to get me through to next year. So, that's usually a big outlay of money all at once...... but then I don't buy more during the year, because I literally can't, so maybe it is a wash? Dunno.
Post by: JanetJackson on January 15, 2018, 11:52:12 AM
I'm still at ZERO energy drinks so far! I did buy some carbonated water, although I hate the expense... I think I like carbonation for my general stomach upset, so I figured I'd use those for a while and then wean them back if I can.
I did get AGGRESSIVE when my roommate "borrowed" a cup of coffee from my pitcher of cold brew in the fridge. There was still plenty left in the pitcher, so I had to reel myself back into "reasonable land" and just tell him it was fine. UGH. MY CAFFEINE.
Post by: Inkedup on January 15, 2018, 12:47:35 PM
I’m noticing some themes in myself and others, things that come up when we’re trying to resist:
-scarcity (“What if I run out? Better stock up”)
-good deals (“I’ve never seen such a good price on XYZ! I had to get it!)
-amnesia or blindness (“I didn’t realize I already had a bunch of XYZ”)
Mine is a funky version of scarcity. I hate shopping (my most reliable tea source was in the mall), and I hate wasting money on things I don’t like (so not excited about buying something online I haven’t tasted). So when I see something I like, think, “gee, better stock up so I don’t have to deal with this hell again for a long time” - so I’d go to the mall and walk out with over a hundred bucks worth of tea.
But then once I have it, I don’t ever want to use it up, because that means I will be out. I have a ton of little special packets I bought off the internet (like the kinds that bloom into a flower), and I never want to use them, because then they will be gone!* And worse: now the mall place is out of business, and I cannot find their particular version of my favorite tea anywhere. So I am now down to a few pots’ worth, and I am hoarding that remaining stash — I don’t want to use it because then it’ll be gone forever!
*Because, you know, it’s not like I could ever buy more. . . . Yes, I realize it is completely illogical.
Laura33, I could suggest an alternative source for those blooming teas, but don't want to compromise your efforts to hold back on tea buying! :)
Post by: Inkedup on January 15, 2018, 01:14:20 PM
Sounds like an excellent plan!
And I believe you have a case of tea FOMO - fear of missing out!
FOMO infiltrates every facet of life, doesn't it? :)
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 15, 2018, 01:25:04 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0D0s9eIKuw
Post by: Laura33 on January 15, 2018, 02:58:52 PM
I’m noticing some themes in myself and others, things that come up when we’re trying to resist:
-scarcity (“What if I run out? Better stock up”)
-good deals (“I’ve never seen such a good price on XYZ! I had to get it!)
-amnesia or blindness (“I didn’t realize I already had a bunch of XYZ”)
Mine is a funky version of scarcity. I hate shopping (my most reliable tea source was in the mall), and I hate wasting money on things I don’t like (so not excited about buying something online I haven’t tasted). So when I see something I like, think, “gee, better stock up so I don’t have to deal with this hell again for a long time” - so I’d go to the mall and walk out with over a hundred bucks worth of tea.
But then once I have it, I don’t ever want to use it up, because that means I will be out. I have a ton of little special packets I bought off the internet (like the kinds that bloom into a flower), and I never want to use them, because then they will be gone!* And worse: now the mall place is out of business, and I cannot find their particular version of my favorite tea anywhere. So I am now down to a few pots’ worth, and I am hoarding that remaining stash — I don’t want to use it because then it’ll be gone forever!
*Because, you know, it’s not like I could ever buy more. . . . Yes, I realize it is completely illogical.
Laura33, I could suggest an alternative source for those blooming teas, but don't want to compromise your efforts to hold back on tea buying! :)
I’ll hold you to that - maybe I can use that as incentive to power through the challenge. :-)
Post by: lifejoy on January 15, 2018, 03:06:00 PM
I’m noticing some themes in myself and others, things that come up when we’re trying to resist:
-scarcity (“What if I run out? Better stock up”)
-good deals (“I’ve never seen such a good price on XYZ! I had to get it!)
-amnesia or blindness (“I didn’t realize I already had a bunch of XYZ”)
Mine is a funky version of scarcity. I hate shopping (my most reliable tea source was in the mall), and I hate wasting money on things I don’t like (so not excited about buying something online I haven’t tasted). So when I see something I like, think, “gee, better stock up so I don’t have to deal with this hell again for a long time” - so I’d go to the mall and walk out with over a hundred bucks worth of tea.
But then once I have it, I don’t ever want to use it up, because that means I will be out. I have a ton of little special packets I bought off the internet (like the kinds that bloom into a flower), and I never want to use them, because then they will be gone!* And worse: now the mall place is out of business, and I cannot find their particular version of my favorite tea anywhere. So I am now down to a few pots’ worth, and I am hoarding that remaining stash — I don’t want to use it because then it’ll be gone forever!
*Because, you know, it’s not like I could ever buy more. . . . Yes, I realize it is completely illogical.
Laura33, I could suggest an alternative source for those blooming teas, but don't want to compromise your efforts to hold back on tea buying! :)
I’ll hold you to that - maybe I can use that as incentive to power through the challenge. :-)
Inkedup you should refer her in 2019 ;)
Post by: Inkedup on January 15, 2018, 04:01:37 PM
The tea discussion reminded me of this. She probably made a few thousand (or more, likely) dollars on this video mixing together her massive stash of teas. But won't it all go bad now that it's opened?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0D0s9eIKuw
They won't go bad, per se, but flavor-wise these teas will be a ghost of their former selves. Even many teas in sealed packets have shelf lives, but exposure to light and air really speeds things up. It's just not a good idea to buy and tear open so many bags of tea at once.
Post by: Inkedup on January 15, 2018, 04:03:56 PM
I’m noticing some themes in myself and others, things that come up when we’re trying to resist:
-scarcity (“What if I run out? Better stock up”)
-good deals (“I’ve never seen such a good price on XYZ! I had to get it!)
-amnesia or blindness (“I didn’t realize I already had a bunch of XYZ”)
Mine is a funky version of scarcity. I hate shopping (my most reliable tea source was in the mall), and I hate wasting money on things I don’t like (so not excited about buying something online I haven’t tasted). So when I see something I like, think, “gee, better stock up so I don’t have to deal with this hell again for a long time” - so I’d go to the mall and walk out with over a hundred bucks worth of tea.
But then once I have it, I don’t ever want to use it up, because that means I will be out. I have a ton of little special packets I bought off the internet (like the kinds that bloom into a flower), and I never want to use them, because then they will be gone!* And worse: now the mall place is out of business, and I cannot find their particular version of my favorite tea anywhere. So I am now down to a few pots’ worth, and I am hoarding that remaining stash — I don’t want to use it because then it’ll be gone forever!
*Because, you know, it’s not like I could ever buy more. . . . Yes, I realize it is completely illogical.
Laura33, I could suggest an alternative source for those blooming teas, but don't want to compromise your efforts to hold back on tea buying! :)
I’ll hold you to that - maybe I can use that as incentive to power through the challenge. :-)
Inkedup you should refer her in 2019 ;)
Will do!
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 15, 2018, 04:16:46 PM
The tea discussion reminded me of this. She probably made a few thousand (or more, likely) dollars on this video mixing together her massive stash of teas. But won't it all go bad now that it's opened?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0D0s9eIKuw
They won't go bad, per se, but flavor-wise these teas will be a ghost of their former selves. Even many teas in sealed packets have shelf lives, but exposure to light and air really speeds things up. It's just not a good idea to buy and tear open so many bags of tea at once.
Well it didn't sound like she bought them all at once, so probably it didn't matter that she opened them since she'd been hoarding anyway since you say sealed tea goes bad too.
Post by: lifejoy on January 15, 2018, 04:23:21 PM
The tea discussion reminded me of this. She probably made a few thousand (or more, likely) dollars on this video mixing together her massive stash of teas. But won't it all go bad now that it's opened?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0D0s9eIKuw
Hahahahaha ok that was the best. Even if it hurt my minimalist soul a little ;)
Post by: middo on January 16, 2018, 03:40:27 AM
My gazingus pin is tools. I buy too many, and buy ones I don't need now. The problem is we live on a small farm out of town. Going to town for a tool takes over an hour, so things get bought
Just in case.
So, no more purchases of tools that are not needed IMMEDIATELY. I think I can do that, with some help.
So today I sharpened my chain saw again, but the chain is really at the end of its life. New chain next time I am in town, but, no new tools with it. Just the chain to maintain the current tool.
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 16, 2018, 06:57:42 AM
The tea discussion reminded me of this. She probably made a few thousand (or more, likely) dollars on this video mixing together her massive stash of teas. But won't it all go bad now that it's opened?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0D0s9eIKuw
Hahahahaha ok that was the best. Even if it hurt my minimalist soul a little ;)
I don't know what this woman does with all her hoarding (the amount of nail stuff she has is insanity, she mixed nail powders in one video and had like 70 of them, though I assume at this point most of it is free)- because while she is a youtube millionaire, it seems like they live in a reasonably sized Ottawa condo.
Post by: lifejoy on January 16, 2018, 07:17:42 AM
My gazingus pin is tools. I buy too many, and buy ones I don't need now. The problem is we live on a small farm out of town. Going to town for a tool takes over an hour, so things get bought
Just in case.
So, no more purchases of tools that are not needed IMMEDIATELY. I think I can do that, with some help.
So today I sharpened my chain saw again, but the chain is really at the end of its life. New chain next time I am in town, but, no new tools with it. Just the chain to maintain the current tool.
Chainsaw is something you’ll be needing to use straightaway?
Post by: alleykat on January 16, 2018, 10:14:26 AM
Post by: DTaggart on January 16, 2018, 11:42:28 AM
Immediately after my post, I realized that I don't have a rain-cover for my backpack, which is something I will probably need to get eventually. But I did some thinking and googling and realized I can use a trash bag to keep my pack and gear dry, and I have an emergency rain poncho that will cover my pack as well. Coupled with the fact that most of the near-term plans I have are unlikely to find me getting caught in the rain (hooray for droughts?!) and I think I can avoid this purchase for now.
Hubby and I did a long hike on Sunday, and he damaged one of his trekking poles (slipped, put all his weight on the pole to avoid a fall and the handle came loose), so I thought "Great, guess we're going to have to replace those." But he jammed the handle back on and reported that it seemed to be holding. I also realized that since I've been having some issues with one of my elbows I might be better off using one pole instead of two for a while, in which case we could trade for the time being. I guess we'll see if his "repair" holds or not.
One of my friends is planning a backpacking trip for June which I am hoping to join, but it requires a bear-proof canister which I don't have. I checked the local outdoor store and found I can rent one for about $10 or so. This will give me an opportunity to try before I buy and get a better idea of what size/brand I really want to commit to when I do buy.
And finally, one of my "exceptions" was to maybe buy a new pair of running shoes, and lo and behold someone posted a pair of brand new shoes in my size on my local Buy Nothing Group today! I indicated my interest and am waiting to hear back.
So, patience and a little bit of planning/thinking instead of running out and buying things right away is paying off :)
Post by: galliver on January 16, 2018, 01:13:18 PM
Hubby and I did a long hike on Sunday, and he damaged one of his trekking poles (slipped, put all his weight on the pole to avoid a fall and the handle came loose), so I thought "Great, guess we're going to have to replace those." But he jammed the handle back on and reported that it seemed to be holding. I also realized that since I've been having some issues with one of my elbows I might be better off using one pole instead of two for a while, in which case we could trade for the time being. I guess we'll see if his "repair" holds or not.
Can you epoxy it? (Tube of 5-minute is cheaper and more versatile than a trekking pole ;) )
Post by: DTaggart on January 16, 2018, 01:18:04 PM
Hubby and I did a long hike on Sunday, and he damaged one of his trekking poles (slipped, put all his weight on the pole to avoid a fall and the handle came loose), so I thought "Great, guess we're going to have to replace those." But he jammed the handle back on and reported that it seemed to be holding. I also realized that since I've been having some issues with one of my elbows I might be better off using one pole instead of two for a while, in which case we could trade for the time being. I guess we'll see if his "repair" holds or not.
Can you epoxy it? (Tube of 5-minute is cheaper and more versatile than a trekking pole ;) )
Yeah I think that's the next step if the "jamming it back on" technique doesn't work :) He got mad at me for poking at it since it seemed to be holding and he didn't want to mess it up again lol
Post by: galliver on January 16, 2018, 01:26:28 PM
Hubby and I did a long hike on Sunday, and he damaged one of his trekking poles (slipped, put all his weight on the pole to avoid a fall and the handle came loose), so I thought "Great, guess we're going to have to replace those." But he jammed the handle back on and reported that it seemed to be holding. I also realized that since I've been having some issues with one of my elbows I might be better off using one pole instead of two for a while, in which case we could trade for the time being. I guess we'll see if his "repair" holds or not.
Can you epoxy it? (Tube of 5-minute is cheaper and more versatile than a trekking pole ;) )
Yeah I think that's the next step if the "jamming it back on" technique doesn't work :) He got mad at me for poking at it since it seemed to be holding and he didn't want to mess it up again lol
As a pessimist, I would expect a "just jam it back on" solution to fail at the most inopportune moment. Like, the farthest point of a particularly strenuous hike when you are actively leaning on it.... so, I'm on your side re: poking at it vs your husbands re: leave it alone.
Post by: DTaggart on January 16, 2018, 01:35:35 PM
Hubby and I did a long hike on Sunday, and he damaged one of his trekking poles (slipped, put all his weight on the pole to avoid a fall and the handle came loose), so I thought "Great, guess we're going to have to replace those." But he jammed the handle back on and reported that it seemed to be holding. I also realized that since I've been having some issues with one of my elbows I might be better off using one pole instead of two for a while, in which case we could trade for the time being. I guess we'll see if his "repair" holds or not.
Can you epoxy it? (Tube of 5-minute is cheaper and more versatile than a trekking pole ;) )
Yeah I think that's the next step if the "jamming it back on" technique doesn't work :) He got mad at me for poking at it since it seemed to be holding and he didn't want to mess it up again lol
As a pessimist, I would expect a "just jam it back on" solution to fail at the most inopportune moment. Like, the farthest point of a particularly strenuous hike when you are actively leaning on it.... so, I'm on your side re: poking at it vs your husbands re: leave it alone.
My thoughts exactly, I think I'll encourage him to stress test it at home.... part of the "no poking" irritation was probably that we were in the middle of the trail at the time.
Post by: DTaggart on January 16, 2018, 02:10:01 PM
One of my friends is planning a backpacking trip for June which I am hoping to join, but it requires a bear-proof canister which I don't have. I checked the local outdoor store and found I can rent one for about $10 or so. This will give me an opportunity to try before I buy and get a better idea of what size/brand I really want to commit to when I do buy.
Haha, my friend just posted that she has FIVE bear canisters, so I guess I can probably borrow one of hers. This is EXACTLY the type of excessive over-buying of gear that I want avoid :)
Post by: middo on January 16, 2018, 03:30:43 PM
My gazingus pin is tools. I buy too many, and buy ones I don't need now. The problem is we live on a small farm out of town. Going to town for a tool takes over an hour, so things get bought
Just in case.
So, no more purchases of tools that are not needed IMMEDIATELY. I think I can do that, with some help.
So today I sharpened my chain saw again, but the chain is really at the end of its life. New chain next time I am in town, but, no new tools with it. Just the chain to maintain the current tool.
Chainsaw is something you’ll be needing to use straightaway?
I'll definately need to use it today or tomorrow. So it is a need not a want. No other tool purchases at the same time is the challenge for me.
Post by: TartanTallulah on January 16, 2018, 03:35:33 PM
Not very long ago, I'd have said, "It's a cheap luxury and I don't have many luxuries," and hit the spend button without hesitation.
Post by: lifejoy on January 16, 2018, 09:35:27 PM
Well, so far so good on my no outdoor/fitness gear goal.
Immediately after my post, I realized that I don't have a rain-cover for my backpack, which is something I will probably need to get eventually. But I did some thinking and googling and realized I can use a trash bag to keep my pack and gear dry, and I have an emergency rain poncho that will cover my pack as well. Coupled with the fact that most of the near-term plans I have are unlikely to find me getting caught in the rain (hooray for droughts?!) and I think I can avoid this purchase for now.
Hubby and I did a long hike on Sunday, and he damaged one of his trekking poles (slipped, put all his weight on the pole to avoid a fall and the handle came loose), so I thought "Great, guess we're going to have to replace those." But he jammed the handle back on and reported that it seemed to be holding. I also realized that since I've been having some issues with one of my elbows I might be better off using one pole instead of two for a while, in which case we could trade for the time being. I guess we'll see if his "repair" holds or not.
One of my friends is planning a backpacking trip for June which I am hoping to join, but it requires a bear-proof canister which I don't have. I checked the local outdoor store and found I can rent one for about $10 or so. This will give me an opportunity to try before I buy and get a better idea of what size/brand I really want to commit to when I do buy.
And finally, one of my "exceptions" was to maybe buy a new pair of running shoes, and lo and behold someone posted a pair of brand new shoes in my size on my local Buy Nothing Group today! I indicated my interest and am waiting to hear back.
So, patience and a little bit of planning/thinking instead of running out and buying things right away is paying off :)
You’re off to a fantastic start!!!
Post by: lifejoy on January 16, 2018, 09:37:23 PM
Stay strong, you can do it!!! :)My gazingus pin is tools. I buy too many, and buy ones I don't need now. The problem is we live on a small farm out of town. Going to town for a tool takes over an hour, so things get bought
Just in case.
So, no more purchases of tools that are not needed IMMEDIATELY. I think I can do that, with some help.
So today I sharpened my chain saw again, but the chain is really at the end of its life. New chain next time I am in town, but, no new tools with it. Just the chain to maintain the current tool.
Chainsaw is something you’ll be needing to use straightaway?
I'll definately need to use it today or tomorrow. So it is a need not a want. No other tool purchases at the same time is the challenge for me.
Maybe take a really close look at all the tools you so own before you go?
For me, becoming intimately aware of what I own make me less likely to add to it.
Post by: lifejoy on January 16, 2018, 09:38:16 PM
So far, besides one skincare item I could have probably done without, no other skincare or makeup purchases and I don't foresee myself buying anymore. As a matter of fact I am going to challenge myself to see how far I can go before purchasing any at all.Props to you for continuing on. I like your challenge to yourself.
Post by: lifejoy on January 16, 2018, 09:39:46 PM
I'm quite pleased with myself today. My favourite upmarket chocolate shop is still having its post-Christmas sale. I logged on to the website and filled a basket with beautifully packaged delicacies. Then I thought, "I can't believe I'm going to spend that much on confectionery," emptied the basket, and closed the window.Healthier choice, too! Way to go!!!
Not very long ago, I'd have said, "It's a cheap luxury and I don't have many luxuries," and hit the spend button without hesitation.
When I stopped buying chocolate (used to buy a bar EVERY grocery trip) it made gifted chocolate ten times more enjoyable :)
Post by: lifejoy on January 16, 2018, 09:41:36 PM
Also my stylebook app is really helping me because it’s showing me how many clothes I have that I don’t even wear! The idea of adding more becomes bonkers!
Post by: middo on January 17, 2018, 03:37:22 AM
Stay strong, you can do it!!! :)My gazingus pin is tools. I buy too many, and buy ones I don't need now. The problem is we live on a small farm out of town. Going to town for a tool takes over an hour, so things get bought
Just in case.
So, no more purchases of tools that are not needed IMMEDIATELY. I think I can do that, with some help.
So today I sharpened my chain saw again, but the chain is really at the end of its life. New chain next time I am in town, but, no new tools with it. Just the chain to maintain the current tool.
Chainsaw is something you’ll be needing to use straightaway?
I'll definately need to use it today or tomorrow. So it is a need not a want. No other tool purchases at the same time is the challenge for me.
Maybe take a really close look at all the tools you so own before you go?
For me, becoming intimately aware of what I own make me less likely to add to it.
I bought a new chain, but that is all. I didn't even look at the other power tools (well, not enough to feel the need to buy one). So I think this is maintaining a tool I already have rather than buying one. I used it this afternoon to clear some wattle that had fallen over a fence and was causing issues on our driveway, and broke our sons car aerial. So probably a necessary purchase.
Post by: lifejoy on January 17, 2018, 03:39:12 AM
Stay strong, you can do it!!!My gazingus pin is tools. I buy too many, and buy ones I don't need now. The problem is we live on a small farm out of town. Going to town for a tool takes over an hour, so things get bought
Just in case.
So, no more purchases of tools that are not needed IMMEDIATELY. I think I can do that, with some help.
So today I sharpened my chain saw again, but the chain is really at the end of its life. New chain next time I am in town, but, no new tools with it. Just the chain to maintain the current tool.
Chainsaw is something you’ll be needing to use straightaway?
I'll definately need to use it today or tomorrow. So it is a need not a want. No other tool purchases at the same time is the challenge for me.
Maybe take a really close look at all the tools you so own before you go?
For me, becoming intimately aware of what I own make me less likely to add to it.
I bought a new chain, but that is all. I didn't even look at the other power tools (well, not enough to feel the need to buy one). So I think this is maintaining a tool I already have rather than buying one. I used it this afternoon to clear some wattle that had fallen over a fence and was causing issues on our driveway, and broke our sons car aerial. So probably a necessary purchase.
Woohoo! Great job
I agree - tool maintenance
Post by: HappierAtHome on January 17, 2018, 03:42:43 AM
Post by: horsepoor on January 17, 2018, 07:17:08 AM
I am adding kitchen equipment to my pins. I replaced four coffee mugs that were going on 20 years old, as well as two sheet pans that were starting to peel. Since that followed the 1 in, 1 out rule (actually, I chucked some other cookie sheets I never use as well as the old sheet pans). We also replaced our old soup bowls a couple months ago too. I received a fancy immersion circulator for Christmas, and now I'm eyeing the accessories available for it, but it's feeling a lot like clutter. So unless something breaks, no new kitchen gadgets, dishes, etc. for the rest of the year. I cook a ton, but still, the kitchen gadgets are a lot. If I want something, I'll add it to a list and reassess the need/want at the end of the year.
Post by: TartanTallulah on January 17, 2018, 07:40:58 AM
I'm quite pleased with myself today. My favourite upmarket chocolate shop is still having its post-Christmas sale. I logged on to the website and filled a basket with beautifully packaged delicacies. Then I thought, "I can't believe I'm going to spend that much on confectionery," emptied the basket, and closed the window.Healthier choice, too! Way to go!!!
Not very long ago, I'd have said, "It's a cheap luxury and I don't have many luxuries," and hit the spend button without hesitation.
When I stopped buying chocolate (used to buy a bar EVERY grocery trip) it made gifted chocolate ten times more enjoyable :)
Alas, I haven't given up buying chocolate. I'll just buy cheaper chocolate from the supermarket and spend £10 or so a month instead of £70 including postage on a stash that might last three months.
I've tried many times to stop buying, or even eating, chocolate. I end up making up the calories with things I don't normally eat - cookies, breakfast cereal, other candy - so have given up giving up.
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 17, 2018, 09:08:39 AM
Julep has a grab bag for 10 polishes for $20. But I do not need them. And I really don't want duplicates of ones I have, so a mystery bag is not a good idea.
I really like spending money recently. This is not good.
Post by: lifejoy on January 17, 2018, 09:14:00 AM
So this wasn't my challenge- but someone please stop me from buying more nail polish.
Julep has a grab bag for 10 polishes for $20. But I do not need them. And I really don't want duplicates of ones I have, so a mystery bag is not a good idea.
I really like spending money recently. This is not good.
I find they when I stop buying one category of thing, it’s hard for me to resist the urge to reallocate that money to other shopping.
Nail polishes last forever and really add to clutter! IMO...
Maybe use up the ones you’ve got before adding to the collection?
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 17, 2018, 09:22:05 AM
So this wasn't my challenge- but someone please stop me from buying more nail polish.
Julep has a grab bag for 10 polishes for $20. But I do not need them. And I really don't want duplicates of ones I have, so a mystery bag is not a good idea.
I really like spending money recently. This is not good.
I find they when I stop buying one category of thing, it’s hard for me to resist the urge to reallocate that money to other shopping.
Nail polishes last forever and really add to clutter! IMO...
Maybe use up the ones you’ve got before adding to the collection?
Use up the ones I've got- hahahahaha!
To be fair, I do a lot of nail art, and have an instagram dedicated to it (I'd be on my way to making $$$, lol, except youtube demonetized my account for having fewer than 1000 subscribers). And I did clean out any really old or ugly ones this year. Now my polish collection is much more "curated".
Post by: lifejoy on January 17, 2018, 09:25:36 AM
So this wasn't my challenge- but someone please stop me from buying more nail polish.
Julep has a grab bag for 10 polishes for $20. But I do not need them. And I really don't want duplicates of ones I have, so a mystery bag is not a good idea.
I really like spending money recently. This is not good.
I find they when I stop buying one category of thing, it’s hard for me to resist the urge to reallocate that money to other shopping.
Nail polishes last forever and really add to clutter! IMO...
Maybe use up the ones you’ve got before adding to the collection?
Use up the ones I've got- hahahahaha!
To be fair, I do a lot of nail art, and have an instagram dedicated to it (I'd be on my way to making $$$, lol, except youtube demonetized my account for having fewer than 1000 subscribers). And I did clean out any really old or ugly ones this year. Now my polish collection is much more "curated".
Hey I have an IG devotes to fancy jewellery product photography pics... doesn’t mean I get to buy more jewellery ;)
(I wish it did)
(Must resist)
Iowajes - you can’t be missing any crucial colours?
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 17, 2018, 09:42:39 AM
Thank you for helping me not press buy, even though the price is amazing.
Still trying to figure out how to monetize this and/or my sewing. Might need to go back to the blog to have something with ad revenue I can direct to from instagram. Really annoyed at youtube- it was just a dollar or two a video, but it was slowly adding up.
Post by: lifejoy on January 17, 2018, 10:52:54 AM
I have a pretty long wishlist to fill out my "needs" (haha)- but that isn't what I'm looking at here.
Thank you for helping me not press buy, even though the price is amazing.
Still trying to figure out how to monetize this and/or my sewing. Might need to go back to the blog to have something with ad revenue I can direct to from instagram. Really annoyed at youtube- it was just a dollar or two a video, but it was slowly adding up.
That’s really really cool that you were making any money at all for any period of time on YouTube!
There will be more amazing prices in the future :)
And you can always tell people what to get you for bday or Xmas!
Post by: diapasoun on January 18, 2018, 10:40:33 AM
Therefore, I have a moratorium on buying new books; the only exception is a book for the book club I run IF I can't find it at any of the libraries I have access to, or on a friend's shelf. Audible subscrip is cancelled, my comic pull list is set to run out at the ends of the current runs (may take a bit but we'll see), and I have given myself a firm GLARE about buying rarer medieval texts at the specialty bookshop. Gift books are okay (they're the guaranteed thing I receive on any gift-giving occasion). I'm not sure what my line is yet on free books (e.g. free piles or Little Library books). I'm leaning towards no on the freebies, but I'm not sure yet.
Congrats to everyone who is successfully resisting their gazingus pins! Woooo!
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 18, 2018, 10:49:47 AM
NOT BUYING!
Post by: diapasoun on January 18, 2018, 11:01:15 AM
Post by: Poundwise on January 18, 2018, 02:44:41 PM
And now the nail polish grab bag is 20% off. UGH.
NOT BUYING!
If you belong to a nail polish or cosmetics community, how about organizing a "mystery grab bag" swap? You could collect a few names and assign everyone a random partner, Secret Santa style. Then everyone puts the same number of their unused nail polishes, or an equal dollar value of cosmetics, in pretty bags, and sends it to their partner.
Lifejoy, that's some lovely jewelry but the goal is not for us to swap gazingus pins!! It may inspire me to check out my jewelry making kit, which has been unused for several years, though.
I'm happy to say that I haven't purchased anything but basic food since I last wrote in. I was working on an electronics project for which I already owned 90% of the materials, went online to get the missing bits, saw that there was a $100 free shipping minimum, started adding items that I might need just in case, then suddenly realized that I was about to start another gazingus binge. I asked my husband to check if he has the pieces I need (<$3) in his workshop already.
Post by: Rosy on January 18, 2018, 04:25:39 PM
I've followed this challenge from the beginning and I've resisted joining in the fun (fun, ugh - highly debatable:). Resistance proved futile - I have some bada$$ goals for 2018 and unless I kick my jewelry habit - I love natural gemstones and whenever there is a new mine find or a favorite, like Sleeping Beauty Turquoise about to be mined out - I spend every extra penny on my sparkly obsession.
Looking over my 2017 expenditures showed me that I lied to myself all of 2017 - I am an out of control, raging jewelry/gemstone collector. Yes, I've successfully beat the collector's fever down to a smoldering fire - a few times in the last three years and yes, I did no real damage to my finances, yet.
However, the ugly truth is that if I want to meet my goals this year I need to step away from the fire.
A few days ago:
Oh lord, help me - it's gem week and I just discovered that my favorite designer is offering an event price on the matching earrings and ring to the necklace I already own.
This is my birthstone and my birthday is coming up and I really want to own the complete ensemble - well, everyone knows a complete set is more valuable to a collector .....
OMG, I can't stand to watch - this is the last cut (meaning he is out of that stone cut) - meaning this is a one and done, unless I order this now - it will be gone forever. I.WANT.IT.!!!
I came to this thread thirty times and shut off the TV for the afternoon - when I looked again, the set was sold out. So I didn't really totally resist temptation, I knew that if I held off for a few hours it would be gone forever - oh the agony!
Relief too - this was $700 I could ill afford to spend and I knew it, still, while I was in the grip of desire - imagining wearing my new complete set on my birthday - I was coming up with all sorts of spins to make it happen anyway - I mean I could ask for the ring for my birthday, ignoring that I already asked for a watch - I'm worth it, right?!
Full disclosure:
I did order a ring during gem week, before I saw the jewelry ensemble to match my necklace. My intention had been to allow myself one item, but only an item that I had been drooling over for a while and only if it was at a killer event price to boot.
So there is that - 99 bucks worth incl S&H.
But - that was before I discovered the extent of my jewelry purchases in 2017 at another channel that I had managed to hide from my conscious inspection. So now I feel guilty, chagrined.
I am questioning my values and what I'm even doing on MMM - since obviously I may be bada$$ in some areas - but a total failure in the obsession with sparkly beauties department.
@lifejoy - I hope it is OK for me to hang out with you here. I do think jewelry repairs should be allowed, if we don't, we deprive ourselves of the joy of wearing our sparkling beauties.
I am holding off on having my mother's pearl necklace restrung because I don't wear it that often.
I will not have anything reworked or have a new piece designed around my Morganite stones collection like I hoped to do for my birthday either.
I'm really feeling the pinch of paying off the few sparklies incl a lovely Chrome Diopside necklace with awesome stone quality that I pounced on during the holiday sale. These were pieces to enhance my collection and I love and wear everyone one of them with great joy. The trouble is that I forgot how much of an impact even a $200 monthly payment can have on an already tight budget - there was much upheaval in my budget in 2017 and I'm still trying to adjust - not fun.
So since it is no longer in the budget and all my resources in 2018 will be poured into my two goals of $50K savings and filling up my travel fund in time for my Europe trip later this year - there will be no more Gazingus pins for me in 2018.
Oh and lifejoy, I am glad that I was never into diamonds, although I admire the Art Deco pieces, they never were in my price range:) Although I do own a couple, including one ring I bought in Amsterdam at the Diamond Exchange a long time ago, small, but exquisite.
I'm a sucker for gold though and one day I will buy that one particular style gold necklace I've always wanted, maybe for my 70th birthday. Yes, I think I'd like that.
In fact, as I write this I've come to a decision - that necklace will be the last thing I'll ever buy. I love jewelry and always pick up something on every trip I take, but I am well aware that the time has come to say enough is enough and in a sense, I am good with that.
So I will end it all in style with a fine gold necklace.
Whew - funny how these things happen sometimes - it will be so much easier to quit cold turkey now.
So now I am thinking - - yup, nothing at all is just fine with me.
Just think, I'll save a bunch of money now and in the future. I'll be able to meet both my goals a lot easier and I have that last fine gold necklace to look forward to.
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 18, 2018, 07:47:36 PM
We are redoing our living room, and the design presented includes $700 of pillows. I can make 8 pillows for about $50-100, even with expensive home dec fabric. I will first go through my stash of quilting cottons and see if I can do anything with what I have, including dyeing some; so I'm going to avoid buying. But there is NO WAY I will buy a pillow. Especially not for $80 (I used to balk at $25 pillows...)
Post by: mspym on January 19, 2018, 12:30:09 AM
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on January 19, 2018, 07:43:04 AM
Post by: Serendip on January 19, 2018, 10:03:03 AM
@Rosy - just really wanted to say that I enjoyed reading your post. I was giggling a lot. Sounds like a worthy & expensive gazingus pin! Good luck.
I agree--really enjoyed reading that Rosy.
We all understand the strange feeling that seems to override every other bit of logic when our particular 'precious' is in our grasp. :)
Good job! And I think you are onto something..you will look forward to your new golden beauty and appreciate all the sparklies you have so much more if you aren't worried about the next accumulation.
Thanks for sharing!
Post by: CheapskateWife on January 19, 2018, 10:28:12 AM
No really, its for my new singing gig, got to protect the pipes.
Post by: HappierAtHome on January 19, 2018, 11:00:57 AM
Really appreciating this thread. Making a public commitment to buy NO gazingus pins has helped me in ways I did not expect - it is oddly soothing to know I won't be browsing certain online shops, won't be agonising over potential purchases, won't be wondering afterwards if they will be worth it. Thanks Lifejoy!
Post by: lifejoy on January 20, 2018, 05:26:09 AM
So... it looks like my husband will be using my exception and buying fabric.
We are redoing our living room, and the design presented includes $700 of pillows. I can make 8 pillows for about $50-100, even with expensive home dec fabric. I will first go through my stash of quilting cottons and see if I can do anything with what I have, including dyeing some; so I'm going to avoid buying. But there is NO WAY I will buy a pillow. Especially not for $80 (I used to balk at $25 pillows...)
Gotta ask... could you live without pillows for 11.5 months? Any worries that this could be the first exception of many...?
Though I will admit that I did suggest to my husband that he could buy me a silk top I found for $15! He knows I’m in this challenge and didn’t fall for it ;)
Post by: alleykat on January 20, 2018, 06:14:33 AM
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 20, 2018, 06:56:10 AM
So... it looks like my husband will be using my exception and buying fabric.
We are redoing our living room, and the design presented includes $700 of pillows. I can make 8 pillows for about $50-100, even with expensive home dec fabric. I will first go through my stash of quilting cottons and see if I can do anything with what I have, including dyeing some; so I'm going to avoid buying. But there is NO WAY I will buy a pillow. Especially not for $80 (I used to balk at $25 pillows...)
Gotta ask... could you live without pillows for 11.5 months? Any worries that this could be the first exception of many..
I could, I'm not really a fan of them on couches, but redecorating our living room is husbands #1 priority this year. If I don't make them, he will buy them.
Post by: Duchess on January 20, 2018, 10:14:55 AM
There have been some occasions where we’ve visited a café for drinks and a cake as a family. These were unplanned purchases but the rest of my family hasn’t signed up for this challenge and it doesn’t seem fair to impose my rules on them. Sometimes we end up popping into a café to escape the rain and thaw out after doing fairly frugal and outdoorsy activities. Acquiring a thermos flask might help us have hot drinks on the go once the weather improves.
This challenge has really helped me to become more aware of the thoughts and emotions triggered in certain shopping-related circumstances. Consequently, I need to own up to another gazingus pin: Clothes for my daughter.
She gets so many hand-me-downs from her older cousin that we really don’t need to buy her much at all. But I find it hard to resist a bargain especially when it’s from one of the organic brands much beloved by some parents in our area. This is TOTALLY about impression management. I can deal with the idea of people judging me negatively based on my attire but I would hate for them to do the same to my daughter. Logically, I know that this really shouldn’t matter but emotionally, that’s a different matter.
Post by: Inkedup on January 20, 2018, 10:52:16 AM
Confession time: I bought tea for a family member who recently ran out of her regular brew of choice, and succumbed to the temptation to add something for myself to the order as well. Sigh.
Not going to waste anyone's time by rationalizing the purchase on here, though it was not a mindless one. Also, if I hadn't decided to participate in this thread I would likely have bought more. A LOT more. And it would have been the varietals that expire sooner.
I have no intention of slinking off into the shadows and quitting altogether. But I wanted to come clean. This stuff is hard, and I admire you all for sticking to your guns. Onward and upward...
Post by: lifejoy on January 20, 2018, 11:19:45 AM
So... it looks like my husband will be using my exception and buying fabric.
We are redoing our living room, and the design presented includes $700 of pillows. I can make 8 pillows for about $50-100, even with expensive home dec fabric. I will first go through my stash of quilting cottons and see if I can do anything with what I have, including dyeing some; so I'm going to avoid buying. But there is NO WAY I will buy a pillow. Especially not for $80 (I used to balk at $25 pillows...)
Gotta ask... could you live without pillows for 11.5 months? Any worries that this could be the first exception of many..
I could, I'm not really a fan of them on couches, but redecorating our living room is husbands #1 priority this year. If I don't make them, he will buy them.
Ah gotcha. Not sure if it would work for you guys but we found some throw pillows at a thrift shop, 3 for $7. The colours and the cleanliness worked for us :)
Post by: lifejoy on January 20, 2018, 11:23:31 AM
Wow. It seems likes everyone is doing well. I’m still going strong and have avoided buying any snacks while out and about on my own.
There have been some occasions where we’ve visited a café for drinks and a cake as a family. These were unplanned purchases but the rest of my family hasn’t signed up for this challenge and it doesn’t seem fair to impose my rules on them. Sometimes we end up popping into a café to escape the rain and thaw out after doing fairly frugal and outdoorsy activities. Acquiring a thermos flask might help us have hot drinks on the go once the weather improves.
This challenge has really helped me to become more aware of the thoughts and emotions triggered in certain shopping-related circumstances. Consequently, I need to own up to another gazingus pin: Clothes for my daughter.
She gets gets so many hand-me-downs from her older cousin that we really don’t need to buy her much at all. But I find it hard to resist a bargain especially when it’s from one of the organic brands much beloved by some parents in our area. This is TOTALLY about impression management. I can deal with the idea of people judging me negatively based on my attire but I would hate for them to do the same to my daughter. Logically, I know that this really shouldn’t matter but emotionally, that’s a different matter.
Props to you for such great awareness! Do you want me to add DD clothing to your name on the first post?
I grew up in handmedowns and it instilled some good values in me :)
One being that it’s important to be presentable but more important to have a good personality and be kind and hardworking etc. I guess I’m saying, maybe you can hope that people will judge your daughter based upon who she is and not what she’s wearing. (I know we as a society judge by appearances but still.)
Anyways great job with the snacks etc! And the awareness and thought process just sounds really great.
Post by: lifejoy on January 20, 2018, 11:24:48 AM
Hi Everyone!
Confession time: I bought tea for a family member who recently ran out of her regular brew of choice, and succumbed to the temptation to add something for myself to the order as well. Sigh.
Not going to waste anyone's time by rationalizing the purchase on here, though it was not a mindless one. Also, if I hadn't decided to participate in this thread I would likely have bought more. A LOT more. And it would have been the varietals that expire sooner.
I have no intention of slinking off into the shadows and quitting altogether. But I wanted to come clean. This stuff is hard, and I admire you all for sticking to your guns. Onward and upward...
You’re right - it is so hard to change ingrained habits! You’ve got guts to fess up and continue on :)
I believe in you.
Keep on keepin’ on. Make the decision to make this work and I bet you could do it. Only 11.5 months to go!
Post by: lifejoy on January 20, 2018, 11:30:38 AM
OK OK - here I am, joining the club - pass the tea, please:)
I've followed this challenge from the beginning and I've resisted joining in the fun (fun, ugh - highly debatable:). Resistance proved futile - I have some bada$$ goals for 2018 and unless I kick my jewelry habit - I love natural gemstones and whenever there is a new mine find or a favorite, like Sleeping Beauty Turquoise about to be mined out - I spend every extra penny on my sparkly obsession.
Looking over my 2017 expenditures showed me that I lied to myself all of 2017 - I am an out of control, raging jewelry/gemstone collector. Yes, I've successfully beat the collector's fever down to a smoldering fire - a few times in the last three years and yes, I did no real damage to my finances, yet.
However, the ugly truth is that if I want to meet my goals this year I need to step away from the fire.
A few days ago:
Oh lord, help me - it's gem week and I just discovered that my favorite designer is offering an event price on the matching earrings and ring to the necklace I already own.
This is my birthstone and my birthday is coming up and I really want to own the complete ensemble - well, everyone knows a complete set is more valuable to a collector .....
OMG, I can't stand to watch - this is the last cut (meaning he is out of that stone cut) - meaning this is a one and done, unless I order this now - it will be gone forever. I.WANT.IT.!!!
I came to this thread thirty times and shut off the TV for the afternoon - when I looked again, the set was sold out. So I didn't really totally resist temptation, I knew that if I held off for a few hours it would be gone forever - oh the agony!
Relief too - this was $700 I could ill afford to spend and I knew it, still, while I was in the grip of desire - imagining wearing my new complete set on my birthday - I was coming up with all sorts of spins to make it happen anyway - I mean I could ask for the ring for my birthday, ignoring that I already asked for a watch - I'm worth it, right?!
Full disclosure:
I did order a ring during gem week, before I saw the jewelry ensemble to match my necklace. My intention had been to allow myself one item, but only an item that I had been drooling over for a while and only if it was at a killer event price to boot.
So there is that - 99 bucks worth incl S&H.
But - that was before I discovered the extent of my jewelry purchases in 2017 at another channel that I had managed to hide from my conscious inspection. So now I feel guilty, chagrined.
I am questioning my values and what I'm even doing on MMM - since obviously I may be bada$$ in some areas - but a total failure in the obsession with sparkly beauties department.
@lifejoy - I hope it is OK for me to hang out with you here. I do think jewelry repairs should be allowed, if we don't, we deprive ourselves of the joy of wearing our sparkling beauties.
I am holding off on having my mother's pearl necklace restrung because I don't wear it that often.
I will not have anything reworked or have a new piece designed around my Morganite stones collection like I hoped to do for my birthday either.
I'm really feeling the pinch of paying off the few sparklies incl a lovely Chrome Diopside necklace with awesome stone quality that I pounced on during the holiday sale. These were pieces to enhance my collection and I love and wear everyone one of them with great joy. The trouble is that I forgot how much of an impact even a $200 monthly payment can have on an already tight budget - there was much upheaval in my budget in 2017 and I'm still trying to adjust - not fun.
So since it is no longer in the budget and all my resources in 2018 will be poured into my two goals of $50K savings and filling up my travel fund in time for my Europe trip later this year - there will be no more Gazingus pins for me in 2018.
Oh and lifejoy, I am glad that I was never into diamonds, although I admire the Art Deco pieces, they never were in my price range:) Although I do own a couple, including one ring I bought in Amsterdam at the Diamond Exchange a long time ago, small, but exquisite.
I'm a sucker for gold though and one day I will buy that one particular style gold necklace I've always wanted, maybe for my 70th birthday. Yes, I think I'd like that.
In fact, as I write this I've come to a decision - that necklace will be the last thing I'll ever buy. I love jewelry and always pick up something on every trip I take, but I am well aware that the time has come to say enough is enough and in a sense, I am good with that.
So I will end it all in style with a fine gold necklace.
Whew - funny how these things happen sometimes - it will be so much easier to quit cold turkey now.
So now I am thinking - - yup, nothing at all is just fine with me.
Just think, I'll save a bunch of money now and in the future. I'll be able to meet both my goals a lot easier and I have that last fine gold necklace to look forward to.
Welcome, Rosy!! You’re a girl after my own heart :)
Something that has helped me buy less jewellery is to take photos and itemize and appreciate everything I already own. I’ve stopped shopping for jewellery but I haven’t unsubscribed to emails or bling Instagram accounts. That’ll be step two :)
You might check out the Smart Closet or Stylebook apps. I’m using stylebook (because I didn’t know about the free alternative, Smart Closet) and its REALLY helping me. You take pics and you can see cost per wear and everything!
I’m doing well and a book that I keep thinking of is The Power of Habit. (Your library will probably have it! I https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12609433-the-power-of-habit) I am making a new habit.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180120/fd05e2bed3ef44d3684f82d6d0746b37.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180120/9f8bd1f226725284c7a160d539522814.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180120/fcf15bd95789daf39d48659de73df574.jpg)
Post by: Duchess on January 20, 2018, 11:53:15 AM
Props to you for such great awareness! Do you want me to add DD clothing to your name on the first post?Thank you 😊 Yes, please add DD clothing to the list.
@lifejoy I notice in your stylebook screen that you have zero items on your wish list. That’s got to be a good thing!
Post by: lifejoy on January 20, 2018, 12:07:59 PM
Avoided some adorable fashion and accessories last night...a lovely lace bralette that I just don't need was passed over with only an adoring glance. Sadly, I know that my girls would never be contained by such frivolity, but it is nice to day dream. Buttery soft navy blue and magnolia leggings with a denim tunic...sigh. And then I wandered away from the shiny pretties, muttering under my breath "no gazingus pins" and made haste to the item I really needed, TEA...bahahahahaha
No really, its for my new singing gig, got to protect the pipes.
Way to go!!!! Practice that resistance muscle!
Post by: lifejoy on January 20, 2018, 12:10:59 PM
Totally late, but I'm definitely joining this. I have a few smaller gazingus pins that are mostly under control, but my biggest gazingus pin is and always has been books. Being surrounded by books is intensely comforting to me for a whole variety of reasons. While that's not necessarily bad, the fact that I buy books and then don't READ them is. Books are great, but my relationship with them is off, and to me it feels disrespectful to a book to buy it and then never interact with it again.
Therefore, I have a moratorium on buying new books; the only exception is a book for the book club I run IF I can't find it at any of the libraries I have access to, or on a friend's shelf. Audible subscrip is cancelled, my comic pull list is set to run out at the ends of the current runs (may take a bit but we'll see), and I have given myself a firm GLARE about buying rarer medieval texts at the specialty bookshop. Gift books are okay (they're the guaranteed thing I receive on any gift-giving occasion). I'm not sure what my line is yet on free books (e.g. free piles or Little Library books). I'm leaning towards no on the freebies, but I'm not sure yet.
Congrats to everyone who is successfully resisting their gazingus pins! Woooo!
Welcome! I hear ya on buying books and not reading them. It wasn’t until I switched to 99% library books and I had 3-9 weeks (depending on renewals) to read them... that I started really, swiftly, reading them. It’s pretty great!!
You got this. :)
For comic books, my library has the hoopla app and it allowed me to read the Saga comic (including the latest one in the day of its release! Awesome!). Maybe your library has something like that?
Post by: lifejoy on January 20, 2018, 12:13:15 PM
Just checking in to say I'm still going strong.
Really appreciating this thread. Making a public commitment to buy NO gazingus pins has helped me in ways I did not expect - it is oddly soothing to know I won't be browsing certain online shops, won't be agonising over potential purchases, won't be wondering afterwards if they will be worth it. Thanks Lifejoy!
I feel the same way. Telling myself something is not an option has kind of mentally taken it off the table for me.
Also I am somewhat housebound with a baby, so that helps me avoid the malls! ;)
But online shopping was always my bigger challenge anyways. I am avoiding online shopping by reading blogs and watching videos and posting on the MMM forum, instead.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on January 20, 2018, 02:20:06 PM
Staying strong. Have not bought any gift cards, and have been slowly using up a couple that we have.
Post by: Inkedup on January 20, 2018, 02:56:54 PM
Hi Everyone!
Confession time: I bought tea for a family member who recently ran out of her regular brew of choice, and succumbed to the temptation to add something for myself to the order as well. Sigh.
Not going to waste anyone's time by rationalizing the purchase on here, though it was not a mindless one. Also, if I hadn't decided to participate in this thread I would likely have bought more. A LOT more. And it would have been the varietals that expire sooner.
I have no intention of slinking off into the shadows and quitting altogether. But I wanted to come clean. This stuff is hard, and I admire you all for sticking to your guns. Onward and upward...
You’re right - it is so hard to change ingrained habits! You’ve got guts to fess up and continue on :)
I believe in you.
Keep on keepin’ on. Make the decision to make this work and I bet you could do it. Only 11.5 months to go!
Thanks, lifejoy! :D
Post by: lifejoy on January 20, 2018, 04:13:35 PM
And, my gazingus pin - not buying discounted gift cards unless I have an actual planned expense that will use them up. I sometimes get caught up in the "bargain"
Staying strong. Have not bought any gift cards, and have been slowly using up a couple that we have.
Woo woo!! Nailing it!
Post by: diapasoun on January 20, 2018, 04:37:49 PM
Welcome! I hear ya on buying books and not reading them. It wasn’t until I switched to 99% library books and I had 3-9 weeks (depending on renewals) to read them... that I started really, swiftly, reading them. It’s pretty great!!
You got this. :)
For comic books, my library has the hoopla app and it allowed me to read the Saga comic (including the latest one in the day of its release! Awesome!). Maybe your library has something like that?
It's both hard and easy -- most of the time it's not too rough, but I have some very weird, niche interests, and so when I'm in some old used bookstore and a book hits that interest perfectly... it can be hard. One of the things I need to do is just not go into the bookstores that have my biggest problem books.
My library has an okay comic collection, not great. It does look like we have Hoopla, though; I need to look. I have CloudLibrary, may as well add Hoopla in...!
Post by: lifejoy on January 20, 2018, 09:10:07 PM
Welcome! I hear ya on buying books and not reading them. It wasn’t until I switched to 99% library books and I had 3-9 weeks (depending on renewals) to read them... that I started really, swiftly, reading them. It’s pretty great!!
You got this. :)
For comic books, my library has the hoopla app and it allowed me to read the Saga comic (including the latest one in the day of its release! Awesome!). Maybe your library has something like that?
It's both hard and easy -- most of the time it's not too rough, but I have some very weird, niche interests, and so when I'm in some old used bookstore and a book hits that interest perfectly... it can be hard. One of the things I need to do is just not go into the bookstores that have my biggest problem books.
My library has an okay comic collection, not great. It does look like we have Hoopla, though; I need to look. I have CloudLibrary, may as well add Hoopla in...!
I am HUGE into the “Saga” graphic novel series and Hoopla has it. Super easy to read on phone, tablet, or computer!
Yes learning to stop shopping for our gazingus pins seems to be vital.
Post by: diapasoun on January 21, 2018, 09:27:07 AM
I am HUGE into the “Saga” graphic novel series and Hoopla has it. Super easy to read on phone, tablet, or computer!
Yes learning to stop shopping for our gazingus pins seems to be vital.
Saga is amazing, and one of the things that got me back into comics after years off.
Yeah, learning to avoid certain triggery places is so helpful. I'm glad mine are physical - easier to avoid than websites. I feel for everyone who has an online trigger!
Post by: lifejoy on January 21, 2018, 09:49:58 AM
I am HUGE into the “Saga” graphic novel series and Hoopla has it. Super easy to read on phone, tablet, or computer!
Yes learning to stop shopping for our gazingus pins seems to be vital.
Saga is amazing, and one of the things that got me back into comics after years off.
Yeah, learning to avoid certain triggery places is so helpful. I'm glad mine are physical - easier to avoid than websites. I feel for everyone who has an online trigger!
Sometimes I dream of camping with no wifi...
Post by: DTaggart on January 21, 2018, 10:48:23 AM
Hubby seems pretty convinced his trekking poles are in good shape and don't need replacement, but he also emailed the company to see if what they say or if they can repair them.
I ran several times last week, and had a good hike yesterday, all with my existing gear. Buying shit doesn't make me outdoorsy, going outside makes me outdoorsy :)
Sometimes I dream of camping with no wifi...
Oooh! Do you need help shopping for a tent??? (KIDDING)
Post by: chaskavitch on January 21, 2018, 11:01:01 AM
My clothes swap has been moved from the beginning of Feb to the beginning of March, which I'm taking as a good thing - more time to go through my clothes and resign myself to getting rid of more! I still haven't chosen a shirt to get rid of in response to buying that Costco shirt, which is just sad.
DH has a standing video game engagement on Monday nights - I think I'm going to try to go through my dresser once a week and get rid of at least one thing, as well as consider carefully what I'm keeping. I have a bunch of shirts that I have either never worn or wear very seldom, but I keep them "just in case" - for that one perfect situation, or to try with that other pair of pants that isn't quite comfortable yet, so I still haven't worn it. I have a shirt that I got (for free, at least) that gaps at the front buttons, and I rationalized it with "once I'm done breastfeeding this will totally fit!" I think that's the one that's going to go first.
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 21, 2018, 11:10:26 AM
Post by: lifejoy on January 21, 2018, 11:13:58 AM
Checking in... so far I'm still on the wagon! The Buy Nothing Group shoes I was hoping to get didn't happen, the person flaked out, which is fine. I had already mentally selected a pair of older, uncomfortable trail shoes in my closet that I would have put in the donation bag, so I feel good about exercising the one-in one-out mentality.
Hubby seems pretty convinced his trekking poles are in good shape and don't need replacement, but he also emailed the company to see if what they say or if they can repair them.
I ran several times last week, and had a good hike yesterday, all with my existing gear. Buying shit doesn't make me outdoorsy, going outside makes me outdoorsy :)Sometimes I dream of camping with no wifi...
Oooh! Do you need help shopping for a tent??? (KIDDING)
Hahaha good one!!! ;)
Also smart on you guys for emailing the company. And I really like: “Buying shit doesn't make me outdoorsy, going outside makes me outdoorsy :)”
I think that sentence can be adopted for all aspirational buying!
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on January 21, 2018, 11:34:18 AM
I'm doing well this week, I think. I haven't bought any clothes, and I have avoided buying extra snacks except for two granola bars (Kind savory bars) to bring to work. Right now I only have sweet things to snack on, and that just spirals down into eating tortillas with melted chocolate chips and peanut butter when DH isn't looking (for real - it's ridiculous and terrible and I can't stop myself, which is yet another problem).
My clothes swap has been moved from the beginning of Feb to the beginning of March, which I'm taking as a good thing - more time to go through my clothes and resign myself to getting rid of more! I still haven't chosen a shirt to get rid of in response to buying that Costco shirt, which is just sad.
DH has a standing video game engagement on Monday nights - I think I'm going to try to go through my dresser once a week and get rid of at least one thing, as well as consider carefully what I'm keeping. I have a bunch of shirts that I have either never worn or wear very seldom, but I keep them "just in case" - for that one perfect situation, or to try with that other pair of pants that isn't quite comfortable yet, so I still haven't worn it. I have a shirt that I got (for free, at least) that gaps at the front buttons, and I rationalized it with "once I'm done breastfeeding this will totally fit!" I think that's the one that's going to go first.
Here's one idea that works well for me. If my clothes are super well organized, I'm much more inclined to a) see everything and b) know what I'm wearing/not wearing or c) wear everything.
Here are a few tips I use:
-I roll all of my tank tops & then line them up by color in drawers. (I'm in California, so layer a lot of thin cardigans with colored tank tops for work). The rolling gives you a TON of space, and you can easily see everything at one glance. Seeing how many lovely colors I have is really helpful & prevents me wanting to buy more
-Work out clothes. Same thing - I group into categories (running pants for warmer weather, cooler weather, and just around the house pants). I fold the pants, but they are all in convenient stacks, so I don't need to see everything. Once I grouped them by usage, it became clear that I had too many of one type. (Will sell the nicer pair on eBay). For my workout tanks, I arrange by sports bras (just stacked on each other), rolled dry fit tshirts, and work out tanks. I can easily see everything I have, and things go through quite a rotation
I could go on, but the organization is key for me in seeing what I'm using, using what I have, and discovering when I have too much of any one thing.
Post by: lifejoy on January 21, 2018, 12:03:49 PM
Things I’ve done to prep for clothing swaps is to reverse the direction of all my hangers and then turn them the other way once I’ve worn that item. Over time it because obvious which items you’ve never grabbed for.
Also I keep a bag in my closet for potential clothing swap items. I feel it on an ongoing basis. If I never dig an item out, then I know I won’t miss it if I give it up!
Good luck :)
This website helped me narrow down what kind of items I should keep: https://anuschkarees.com/
Post by: Laura33 on January 21, 2018, 01:03:46 PM
But I am reminded why I don’t go to the mall! It’s funny, the last few weeks I have had unexpected free time as DD is now driving and taking care of stuff, and I am realizing that I have spent more money than before, because I am using my free time to take care of annoying errands that involve the mall or a shopping center (which I normally avoid like the plague), and then I see other things that seem like a good idea, and before I know it, I’ve bought crap I don’t actually need. Just this AM I talked myself out of picking up a new pair of gym shoes “while I was out” — I knew I was going to be next to the store, and I had a coupon and member “bucks,” so I thought, well, might as well get that taken care of so I don’t have to make another trip when the shoes give out. And then I made myself inspect my shoes, and yes, they are over a year old, but they are just fine, so I put the coupon down and stepped away.
So clearly the lesson for me is to stick with habits that keep me away from temptation. Because willpower goes only so far. Luckily, this morning it took me right past that pretty new tea shop and out to my car. ;-). And I’ve finished off a second bag of tea, too.
Post by: chaskavitch on January 21, 2018, 01:04:37 PM
@chaskavitch:
Things I’ve done to prep for clothing swaps is to reverse the direction of all my hangers and then turn them the other way once I’ve worn that item. Over time it because obvious which items you’ve never grabbed for.
Also I keep a bag in my closet for potential clothing swap items. I feel it on an ongoing basis. If I never dig an item out, then I know I won’t miss it if I give it up!
Good luck :)
This website helped me narrow down what kind of items I should keep: https://anuschkarees.com/
I've tried the reverse hanger thing before, but I always convince myself that I have a good reason for keeping things :) I should probably try again.
That's an interesting website! I vacillate a lot about what my "style" is, or what colors I enjoy. I should really think about it so I end up with a cohesive wardrobe, instead of random outfits that don't intermingle.
ETA: Now I'm just going through pinterest looking for pretty lace tops /sigh
Post by: diapasoun on January 21, 2018, 02:57:47 PM
I've tried the reverse hanger thing before, but I always convince myself that I have a good reason for keeping things :) I should probably try again.
I don't know if this would work for you, but two things I've done:
1. When I do the reverse hanger trick, I give myself a full year to turn the hangers back around. If I haven't worn it in over a year, it GOES (unless it's something I'm only gonna wear to a wedding) -- work clothes, workout clothes, etc, it goes. Because I know it GOES, this means I purposefully put items into rotation, and wear them when I might not otherwise. And when I keep staring at something and still don't want to wear it, even if I know it has to go after a year, it usually means I should probably get rid of it before the year is up.
2. I am not allowed to acquire more clothing storage space. No more hangers than I have. No more drawer or shelf space than I have. If something new doesn't fit in that space, something old has to get tossed. This absolutely works well for me in getting rid of things I don't wear, and has prevented me from buying stuff before too ('This is a hanger top and not cooler than anything else I have!').
Clothing's not my gazingus pin, so not sure if this would work for you. I'm kind of using the second method for my books right now -- if there's no shelf space, there's no space for new books (which is... very true right now, and helping me in not buying new stuff).
Post by: chaskavitch on January 21, 2018, 03:51:49 PM
I've tried the reverse hanger thing before, but I always convince myself that I have a good reason for keeping things :) I should probably try again.
I don't know if this would work for you, but two things I've done:
1. When I do the reverse hanger trick, I give myself a full year to turn the hangers back around. If I haven't worn it in over a year, it GOES (unless it's something I'm only gonna wear to a wedding) -- work clothes, workout clothes, etc, it goes. Because I know it GOES, this means I purposefully put items into rotation, and wear them when I might not otherwise. And when I keep staring at something and still don't want to wear it, even if I know it has to go after a year, it usually means I should probably get rid of it before the year is up.
2. I am not allowed to acquire more clothing storage space. No more hangers than I have. No more drawer or shelf space than I have. If something new doesn't fit in that space, something old has to get tossed. This absolutely works well for me in getting rid of things I don't wear, and has prevented me from buying stuff before too ('This is a hanger top and not cooler than anything else I have!').
Clothing's not my gazingus pin, so not sure if this would work for you. I'm kind of using the second method for my books right now -- if there's no shelf space, there's no space for new books (which is... very true right now, and helping me in not buying new stuff).
So, another problem with this method right now (and yet another justification) is that I'm in the middle of kids. I got pregnant in summer 2015; spent half of 2016 pregnant; and spent last year convincing myself I was going to be consistent working out, eating right, lose weight, and fit in the clothes I've been saving for years for "when I'm thinner again". We're considering trying to have another kid this year, so everything will hopefully be in flux for a while longer.
On the other hand, there are clothes that I definitely already look at and think "I should really try that shirt again", and pass them over because I just don't like them that much, due to comfort/color/style. Those clothes, at least, should definitely go.
I also like the idea of not adding things I don't have space for. I've already been pregnant, and theoretically shouldn't need to buy even more maternity clothes this time around.
Post by: Harper on January 21, 2018, 07:49:12 PM
I haven't bought any new workout videos -- at least in 2018. I did pick up 8 videos for $8 at Dollar Tree at the end of December but no more.
Post by: lifejoy on January 22, 2018, 01:09:20 AM
I've tried the reverse hanger thing before, but I always convince myself that I have a good reason for keeping things :) I should probably try again.
I don't know if this would work for you, but two things I've done:
1. When I do the reverse hanger trick, I give myself a full year to turn the hangers back around. If I haven't worn it in over a year, it GOES (unless it's something I'm only gonna wear to a wedding) -- work clothes, workout clothes, etc, it goes. Because I know it GOES, this means I purposefully put items into rotation, and wear them when I might not otherwise. And when I keep staring at something and still don't want to wear it, even if I know it has to go after a year, it usually means I should probably get rid of it before the year is up.
2. I am not allowed to acquire more clothing storage space. No more hangers than I have. No more drawer or shelf space than I have. If something new doesn't fit in that space, something old has to get tossed. This absolutely works well for me in getting rid of things I don't wear, and has prevented me from buying stuff before too ('This is a hanger top and not cooler than anything else I have!').
Clothing's not my gazingus pin, so not sure if this would work for you. I'm kind of using the second method for my books right now -- if there's no shelf space, there's no space for new books (which is... very true right now, and helping me in not buying new stuff).
So, another problem with this method right now (and yet another justification) is that I'm in the middle of kids. I got pregnant in summer 2015; spent half of 2016 pregnant; and spent last year convincing myself I was going to be consistent working out, eating right, lose weight, and fit in the clothes I've been saving for years for "when I'm thinner again". We're considering trying to have another kid this year, so everything will hopefully be in flux for a while longer.
On the other hand, there are clothes that I definitely already look at and think "I should really try that shirt again", and pass them over because I just don't like them that much, due to comfort/color/style. Those clothes, at least, should definitely go.
I also like the idea of not adding things I don't have space for. I've already been pregnant, and theoretically shouldn't need to buy even more maternity clothes this time around.
Clothes that don’t fit right now:
Would you buy it brand new today? No? Why?
Keep the stuff that you’d buy new in the right size. But if the style gives you pause, that should tell you something!
Pack up the clothes that don’t fit now. For me, my pre-pregnancy clothes got packed away. And now my maternity clothes are packed away, too. I’ve got out my pre-pregnancy clothes that fit, and my nursing clothes. It helps me focus on the clothes that work now instead of being overwhelmed by a whole bunch of sizes.
Download the free app “Smart Closet”. If there’s an article of clothing you don’t want to add, pay attention to that feeling! It’s probably something you don’t really like.
Hope that helps :)
Another thing you can do is to move all your “maybe” clothes (that do fit) instal a spare closet. If you never reach for them... you know you’ll never miss them!
Post by: lifejoy on January 22, 2018, 01:10:24 AM
Great job everyone!
I haven't bought any new workout videos -- at least in 2018. I did pick up 8 videos for $8 at Dollar Tree at the end of December but no more.
Woo woo! That’s really excellent of you!!
Post by: lifejoy on January 22, 2018, 01:35:33 AM
Does this fit me?
Is this age-appropriate?
Is this my true style?
Do I love this?
Do I wear this?
Post by: chaskavitch on January 22, 2018, 06:23:05 AM
PS good questions for looking through clothing:
Does this fit me?
Is this age-appropriate?
Is this my true style?
Do I love this?
Do I wear this?
Those are nice simple questions that seem like they should be easy to answer if I go with my gut reaction. We'll see how tonight goes. I did make some lists yesterday after reading through a few posts on the website you recommended, and I realized I never wear brown. Ever. I think of myself as having sort of an earthy palate usually, lots of greens and burgundys, burnt orange, etc., but I have exactly one brown camisole and one other shirt (that I rarely wear) with brown accents. It's weird that I never noticed that before.
Post by: lifejoy on January 22, 2018, 06:28:31 AM
PS good questions for looking through clothing:
Does this fit me?
Is this age-appropriate?
Is this my true style?
Do I love this?
Do I wear this?
Those are nice simple questions that seem like they should be easy to answer if I go with my gut reaction. We'll see how tonight goes. I did make some lists yesterday after reading through a few posts on the website you recommended, and I realized I never wear brown. Ever. I think of myself as having sort of an earthy palate usually, lots of greens and burgundys, burnt orange, etc., but I have exactly one brown camisole and one other shirt (that I rarely wear) with brown accents. It's weird that I never noticed that before.
Sounds like you’re off to a great start! And you’ll be getting new-to-you stuff at your upcoming swap. It’ll feel good to contribute the stuff you don’t wear and don’t love :)
Post by: Rosy on January 22, 2018, 07:57:13 AM
My last jewelry payment is in May - some of it will drop off in Jan and then March. So to make this challenge more real and effective, I will take exactly half of each of those payments and send them to my Holiday Club savings account @2% APR instead.
So come Feb 1, I'll see my first small $ win. It will be only $22 (pmt was 43.88) but hey, I'll take it.
lifejoy, you are right - it certainly helps to take inventory of what you already own. I did that last year and was shocked when I found a couple of near-duplicates - what a waste of money. For shame!
My downfall has been the jewelry channels on TV, I discovered them at a time when I was sick and depressed ... I stopped buying for awhile when the monthly pmts got out of hand - WTH? I knew I was in trouble then:)
This is year four and ugh, I find that I'm still not quite where I would like to be, although there has been a measurable improvement.
Last year I organized my jewelry by gemstone which really made me happy:). I ordered jewelry boxes with a glass top lid so I can see at a glance what I already have.
That gave me great satisfaction, definitely saved me some money, because I could take a time out from TV and quickly look in my jewelry box. It stopped me from buying more.
Of course, it also led to a list of - I need earrings to go with that....
Taking inventory, taking pictures and having all jewelry invoices in one place went a long way towards reigning in the spontaneous spend. I realized there was significant appreciation of a couple solitaire stones I purchased years ago. Sweet!
So there is that.
Post by: lifejoy on January 22, 2018, 11:18:31 AM
Post by: lifejoy on January 22, 2018, 10:00:19 PM
Well I’ve been slowly adding to my digital closet and WOAH. Maybe when I’m done I’ll reveal the total $ but for now I’ll just use it as a VERY effective way to not give in!
Post by: lifejoy on January 23, 2018, 08:05:44 AM
"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180123/9cabcb7175c411af259ad0668b42b1b8.jpg)
Post by: lifejoy on January 23, 2018, 11:24:43 AM
Socrates — 'He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.'(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180123/0e6362123127d44624a8eb130bf3b34e.jpg)
Post by: HappierAtHome on January 23, 2018, 03:35:05 PM
My thought for this morning:
"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180123/9cabcb7175c411af259ad0668b42b1b8.jpg)
Love this one!!
Post by: Rosy on January 24, 2018, 09:03:21 AM
Rosy, I think you and I are making a smart move by calming it down on the jewellery! I own stuff I’ve never even worn...
Lifejoy - I confess there are three items in my jewelry box at present that I have not yet worn - although I will say in my defense that two of them are "going out" pieces not suited for daily wear.
The third - well, is one of the reasons I am toning it down.
In my e-mail this morning:
Rosy, we've got a markdown with your name on it .....
Sure I let myself be pulled into the rabbit hole and looked ... and oh yeah, I was sooo tempted for about 5 minutes until, like you, I looked at last years credit card statement and I was once again - temporarily - cured.
Those statements, and yesterday I looked all the way back to 2013, are like throwing cold water on my feverish desire for more ...
Yes, I wanted those two items and had saved them, but hey, I am sticking to my plan - no more gemstones/jewelry for me in 2018.
I am hoping that together we will make it through this year. If I want to meet my goals I simply have to re-direct my money, that is all there is to it.
Something else I noticed, one of the last pieces I bought in December and another around June of last year - were "upgrades"!!!!
A dangerous development.
I already own most of the collection (95%) that I set out to accumulate - oh yeah, somewhere along the line this "collection" turned into a "goal" of owning certain gemstones/jewelry ensembles.
Post by: diapasoun on January 24, 2018, 10:58:05 AM
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 24, 2018, 11:09:56 AM
No fabric so far in January. And I've actually sewn a few times, so used some.
Post by: Laura33 on January 24, 2018, 12:08:45 PM
And if you really want to be depressed, start with that (e.g., take your last year's jewelry spending and multiply by 25 to get the extra 'stache needed), and then compare that figure to how much $$ you are saving each year, in total. How many more years will you need to work at that savings rate to cover the cost of your habit? Is it worth that extra time?
I'm not going to blow smoke: I will freely admit that sometimes my answer to that question has been "hell yes, this is worth it!" But way more often, the answer is either "what the hell was I thinking, I don't need this!" or "you know, I like this and appreciate it, but maybe $X is enough to make me happy instead of $XX."
On the tea front, another tin down. :-) I have really been surprised to discover how many containers I had with only a pot or two of tea left -- just getting rid of those will free up a ton of room in the pantry.
Post by: DTaggart on January 24, 2018, 12:46:03 PM
I had a moment of major temptation yesterday. I'm in several Facebook groups for discussing hiking/backpacking gear, and yesterday someone pointed out a MassDrop deal for 3-packs of Darn Tough merino wool hiking socks for about 1/3 off the normal price. I would have scrolled right on by, except that Darn Tough is an AWESOME brand who happens to have a lifetime guarantee - if you ever get a hole in one of their socks you can send them in and receive a replacement pair. I already own 1 pair and have had them replaced once, so I know they make good on the guarantee. My eventual goal is to someday have 4-5 pairs of Darn Tough socks each for both hubby and I, and then we'll never have to pay for hiking socks again!
So needless to say, the deal caught my eye. But then I clicked on it, and it turned out it was for the short ankle-height socks which neither of us like, so I was able to resist. I'm not sure I would have passed it up if they were a length and style I wanted.
I should probably unsubscribe from some of these gear groups, but even if I'm not planning on buying gear, I still want to learn about it and keep up on things, because eventually I'll have to replace some stuff. I think this issue will mostly resolve itself once I'm FIREd (ONE MORE WEEK YA'LL!!) and will not have nearly so much idle time to waste scrolling through FB. I'll give it a few weeks and revisit.
Post by: Rosy on January 24, 2018, 02:00:43 PM
Clothing's not my gazingus pin, so not sure if this would work for you. I'm kind of using the second method for my books right now -- if there's no shelf space, there's no space for new books (which is... very true right now, and helping me in not buying new stuff).
Thanks for the encouragement on the jewelry temptations, diapasoun:)
About the books - I've adopted the one in and one out plan, the best and only thing that I ever did that helped me go from over seven large bookcases down to three medium-size ones.
I do love my books, although not to the point of a gazingus pin. Good books on Herbs - Aromatherapy - Herbal recipes or medicine are expensive and not easy to find. Over time I built a small collection on that and other subjects that interest me. I keep them, exchanging rarely for another, better book.
All the leisure reading-sci-fi, romance, top ten, thriller etc. is read and then immediately donated. I actually have a stack of books that I haven't read yet, doesn't happen often. We have a new 3-2-1 used bookstore and I picked up a stack of $1 and $3 books.
Unfortunately, our library is often sorely lacking in books about finance or anything else I find myself interested in - heck even jewelry making - there is practically nothing to choose from. Decorating books from the 60s? give me a break.
My next endeavor will entail reading the classics, hopefully, I can find a good source online and some at my library.
I'm with you that clothing is not my gazingus pin - I've planned my wardrobe on a yearly basis since I was ten - no joke:) It was born out of necessity and later it became a fun challenge.
I could probably do classes on how to go about it and come away with a great wardrobe suited to you and your lifestyle.
@Laura33 - Money is an emotional trigger for me - I am rarely rational about it. I totally get what you are saying, especially the time factor - for all intents and purposes I am out of time.
You are right, it does help to see the statements from the past four years and I have been looking at them obsessively. It is a clarifier and motivator.
Bottomline:
This is only the beginning of the year and I am frankly terrified that I can't make my goals happen because I can't control my spending habits when it comes to gemstones/jewelry. I will feel better once I see the final numbers for January - because that means I won the battle - one month down and 11 more months to go.
This is about as bada$$ as it gets, I left MMM creampuff territory because I am making one last push for two goals that are important to me. So I really hope this thread will continue to stay strong and supportive throughout all of 2018 - I need you guys!
@iowajess you wanna trade my gemstone/jewelry gazingus pin for your nailpolish addiction?:) It would totally solve my problem:)
Post by: diapasoun on January 24, 2018, 02:19:12 PM
My next endeavor will entail reading the classics, hopefully, I can find a good source online and some at my library.
If you're willing to read electronically (either on an ereader or on a computer screen), Project Gutenberg has pretty much ALL the classics, and they're completely free. PG's an open source site dedicated to getting out of print books into electronic format, and of course the popular ones got up there first. However, there's a really wide variety. One of my vices is medieval cookbooks, and they have a pretty sweet selection! So, if you're looking for more traditional classics, you've got a very good chance of finding them.
(Obviously, since of my vices is medieval cookbooks, I feel you on the specialty book life.)
Post by: lifejoy on January 24, 2018, 04:25:41 PM
I’m starting to analyze my reasons for jewellery buying. A lot of it I seldom wear because I don’t like looking “showy”. But I love collecting it.
Iowajes - bravo! Way to exercise that resistance muscle!
Laura33 - good tip about multiplying by 25! There is also a free app (called “Pretirement”) and it does calculations to show you how far away you are from FIRE if you add or subtract certain purchases from your life.
DTaggart - woohoo! So close to FIRE! Let us know if that changes your ability to resist gazingus pins!
Rosy - does your library so interlibrary loans? Also, are you a university graduate who lives near a university? As an alumni you should be able to take out books from your alma matter and schools that have a partnership with it. +1 for Project Gutenberg! Classics you find for free (and copyright free!) http://www.gutenberg.org/
Also, you are SUPER BADASS! Good job on signing up for this and I know we can do it. Find a new hobby to replace the time you used to spend shopping for jewellery. Post here when you need support. We can do this!
Like yoda says... (I think)... “Do or do not. There is no ‘try’”.
Post by: lifejoy on January 24, 2018, 07:23:32 PM
The author summarizes some interesting points about addiction vs passion.
http://www.mindfulhub.com/passion-vs-addiction/
“Passion is generous because it’s not ego-driven. Addiction is self-centered. Passion gives and enriches, addiction is a thief.” (From “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts” by Gabor Maté).
Anyways I’ve read a lot about shopping addiction and the formation of habits, and this book takes a unique look at addiction in general (although it focuses on drug addiction). Thought you guys might find it interesting!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/617702.In_the_Realm_of_Hungry_Ghosts
(Oh, but for you book buyers make sure to get it from the library!)
Post by: Brother Esau on January 25, 2018, 05:48:42 AM
1. Not buying any clothes this year. I have multiples of everything in case something rips or gets ruined somehow.
2. Zero spend on bike parts and maintenance. Again, have multiples of extra stuff (grips, tires/tubes, helmets, etc). Also, fortunate enough to possess a gift card from my local bike shop in case something major happens like blowing out a drivetrain or breaking a frame.
Good luck to all!
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 25, 2018, 06:59:47 AM
I'm so excited about the new living room. (And instead of the $500 table that is apparently made from MDF, my husband bought $125 of supplies and will be building our table. He makes great furniture.)
This should be the ONLY fabric purchase this year- and I'm really considering it a pillow purchase. I just wanted to pass out at the thought of spending that much on premade pillows.
Post by: Rosy on January 25, 2018, 07:31:55 AM
My next endeavor will entail reading the classics, hopefully, I can find a good source online and some at my library.
If you're willing to read electronically (either on an ereader or on a computer screen), Project Gutenberg has pretty much ALL the classics, and they're completely free. PG's an open source site dedicated to getting out of print books into electronic format, and of course the popular ones got up there first. However, there's a really wide variety. One of my vices is medieval cookbooks, and they have a pretty sweet selection! So, if you're looking for more traditional classics, you've got a very good chance of finding them.
(Obviously, since of my vices is medieval cookbooks, I feel you on the specialty book life.)
@diapasoun
Well, what do you know - I happen to have a thing for medieval cookbooks too:) Hard to come by that is for sure. One of the smaller castles I went to in Germany had an awesome collection and they would let you view the uber rare ones by special arrangement. Very cool.
I don't remember the name except that it was close to Heidelberg and it was actually famous for saving wild birds, like falcons and in particular, hawks. A sanctuary with falconry shows in a medieval tower on top of the hill, high above the river Neckar?.
They also had a collection of rare medieval - I'm not sure what to call it - seeds, plants and leaves - the real thing, preserved in books, with annotations and observations for growing and use. Some medicinal.
I've always wanted to go back there.
I owned a couple of reprints from the medieval cuisine around Frankfurt (they do reprints sometimes for celebrations) but they disappeared during one of my moves. Some of the recipes were too awful to contemplate to eat, much less cook. But it was fun to test a couple - tastes sure were different back then.
What do you find most interesting about medieval cookbooks?
Post by: Rosy on January 25, 2018, 07:41:49 AM
If I had the money, I would have a library in my house no doubt about that. I make do with a nice study instead.
Oh and I forgot to post a win from yesterday - got an early cash birthday present and the question, "Would you like some jewelry for your birthday?".
DRUMROLL PLEASE ..... I said NO to more jewelry and put the cash in my bank account instead to keep me on track with my goals for the year!
Post by: Poundwise on January 25, 2018, 07:51:25 AM
They also had a collection of rare medieval - I'm not sure what to call it - seeds, plants and leaves - the real thing, preserved in books, with annotations and observations for growing and use. Some medicinal.
I've always wanted to go back there.
Herbarium?
Post by: Poundwise on January 25, 2018, 07:57:58 AM
Yesterday I did buy a single ball of yarn so I could finish a pair of mittens that I started last year. Unfortunately, it was the wrong yarn, so I will have to go back, return it, and ask the store to order the correct one (they were out of the right one but I couldn't quite remember what I needed). Then, the old me would likely buy more yarn I didn't need, to reward them for all the trouble they've taken for me. What do you do when you have a relationship with a worthy small business that you'd like to support?
Post by: Rosy on January 25, 2018, 08:10:21 AM
They also had a collection of rare medieval - I'm not sure what to call it - seeds, plants and leaves - the real thing, preserved in books, with annotations and observations for growing and use. Some medicinal.
I've always wanted to go back there.
Herbarium?
Herbarium - perhaps. It was rather obscure, "the books" were rather small (but thick), akin to our modern day book sizes. Made from a particular kind of wood to better preserve the plant materials, something that keeps critters and insects at bay. Most of them had spaces carved out inside. It also had thick paper pages with some pressed leaves, drawings and writings.
It was someone's lifework of botanical observations - a true treasure. There were extinct plants and plants imported from around the world. Fascinating.
Not at all like the illuminated, colorful, fancy large books/copies produced by the monks.
Post by: diapasoun on January 25, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
What do you do when you have a relationship with a worthy small business that you'd like to support?
Unsurprisingly, I have this with my local bookshop. :) It helps to remember that I've already supported them a great deal monetarily -- it's okay for me to take a break from that. They don't live and die by my purchases alone, and if they did, it would be an indication that no matter how much I love them, that's not a business that can (or likely should) survive.
I do try to advertise for them as much as I can (word of mouth, on instagram, etc) and I do still go to events they put on.
They also had a collection of rare medieval - I'm not sure what to call it - seeds, plants and leaves - the real thing, preserved in books, with annotations and observations for growing and use. Some medicinal.
I've always wanted to go back there.
Herbarium?
Herbarium - perhaps. It was rather obscure, "the books" were rather small (but thick), akin to our modern day book sizes. Made from a particular kind of wood to better preserve the plant materials, something that keeps critters and insects at bay. Most of them had spaces carved out inside. It also had thick paper pages with some pressed leaves, drawings and writings.
It was someone's lifework of botanical observations - a true treasure. There were extinct plants and plants imported from around the world. Fascinating.
Not at all like the illuminated, colorful, fancy large books/copies produced by the monks.
Those sound absolutely beautiful, oh my gosh. Scratch both the medieval itch and the naturalist itch.
I'm lucky in that actually owning a book like that generally doesn't interest me -- the upkeep is so intensive for truly old books and I don't have the archival skills. However, I would 100% take a trip that was centered around seeing old manuscripts. For my birthday one year the celebration was "go to the travelling exhibition of the Magna Carta." That was AWESOME.
Post by: Laura33 on January 25, 2018, 11:19:24 AM
Oh and I forgot to post a win from yesterday - got an early cash birthday present and the question, "Would you like some jewelry for your birthday?".
DRUMROLL PLEASE ..... I said NO to more jewelry and put the cash in my bank account instead to keep me on track with my goals for the year!
Yaaaaay Rosy!!!
Post by: lifejoy on January 25, 2018, 11:23:11 AM
Thanks to lifejoy and diapasoun - I'll keep the Gutenberg in mind. I do read a lot on my phone, some on the computer too. I'd like to read Goethe's Faust in German and then in English and I've never read anything by Dickens..... so you see, it will take me a very long time to slog through all the classics.
If I had the money, I would have a library in my house no doubt about that. I make do with a nice study instead.
Oh and I forgot to post a win from yesterday - got an early cash birthday present and the question, "Would you like some jewelry for your birthday?".
DRUMROLL PLEASE ..... I said NO to more jewelry and put the cash in my bank account instead to keep me on track with my goals for the year!
Rock on, Rosy! Way to go!
My win: before we go to sleep my husband and I have started doing a new thing where we say three things that we are happy the other person did. It’s a great way to acknowledge acts of service (cleaning the kitchen!) or qualities we enjoy (that joke you told!). Last night my husband listed my jewellery ban as one of his three things he appreciated me doing.
My intense desire for new jewellery has been a point of contention for us at times, so his appreciation of my ban was some excellent reinforcement of my mission.
Post by: lifejoy on January 25, 2018, 11:24:15 AM
Last night I was looking for soap recipes to use up the supplies I bought earlier this month, and found the most wonderful site (Soapqueen) showing the most beautiful products-- free instructions, and of course all the tools and supplies available for sale! Pre-challenge, I would have thrown $100 at the site, turned about $20 worth into gifts, and then the remaining $80 would sit around taking up my storage...
Yesterday I did buy a single ball of yarn so I could finish a pair of mittens that I started last year. Unfortunately, it was the wrong yarn, so I will have to go back, return it, and ask the store to order the correct one (they were out of the right one but I couldn't quite remember what I needed). Then, the old me would likely buy more yarn I didn't need, to reward them for all the trouble they've taken for me. What do you do when you have a relationship with a worthy small business that you'd like to support?
Write positive reviews for them online
Facebook, Yelp, google. It can help small businesses immensely.
Post by: alleykat on January 25, 2018, 11:28:01 AM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on January 25, 2018, 03:44:36 PM
My gazingus pin is books.
I read voraciously (and re-read regularly) and it's habit to go down the book aisle at the grocery store every week and add a book...or a handful of books ... to the cart. That's on top of the Amazon purchases (like the other poster, I had to disable one-click). I LOVE BOOKS.
I've been trying to cut down over the last few months. I started separating out the book purchases from the grocery purchases for better transparency. That was ... eye-opening. I also decluttered my bookshelves and gave away a couple of hundred books (don't worry - we still have 5 bookshelves full of adult books).
I realized I was buying books
1) to fill in my "collection" of certain authors (and romance authors can be PROLIFIC) ... some books I purchased more than once because I didn't remember I'd already bought it and read it)
2) to try new authors, many of whom I didn't like
3) because I thought I ought to read them ... but those just languished in a pile
I am not going to be able to adhere to 0 books purchased this year, but I want to make sure that I'm only buying the books I want to read over and over.
I'm going to limit myself to buying 1 book per month this year [excluding books purchased with gift cards I am given]. I've already made this month's purchase.
Post by: diapasoun on January 25, 2018, 03:50:35 PM
My gazingus pin is books.
[...]
I realized I was buying books
1) to fill in my "collection" of certain authors (and romance authors can be PROLIFIC) ... some books I purchased more than once because I didn't remember I'd already bought it and read it)
2) to try new authors, many of whom I didn't like
3) because I thought I ought to read them ... but those just languished in a pile
Welcome, fellow bibliophile!
Do you have a Goodreads account or some other way of tracking what you've read? I've found this is helpful for me in remembering what I've read, because I can just look something up on GR and see if I've read it or not. Could help in the accidental re-buys.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on January 25, 2018, 04:07:20 PM
Welcome, fellow bibliophile!
Do you have a Goodreads account or some other way of tracking what you've read? I've found this is helpful for me in remembering what I've read, because I can just look something up on GR and see if I've read it or not. Could help in the accidental re-buys.
I started tracking on a spreadsheet this year. I've never tracked before because I read so much it was hard to keep up with. The spreadsheet doesn't help, though, when I'm at the store and don't have it handy to check. Sigh.
That was a bad week in general. Besides duplicate buying, I also ordered 2 books from the library that I already owned and had forgotten about. That was another clue that maybe my book-buying had gotten out of control.
Post by: lifejoy on January 25, 2018, 04:35:38 PM
Post by: CrustyBadger on January 25, 2018, 05:13:00 PM
I can eat chips if I want chips but I have to buy them in a large back and pack them for my lunch.
I realized I was spending up to $15 a week on these things. My health doesn't need it and neither does my wallet.
Post by: lifejoy on January 25, 2018, 05:17:30 PM
Post by: Inkedup on January 25, 2018, 05:26:09 PM
My gazingus pin is books.
[...]
I realized I was buying books
1) to fill in my "collection" of certain authors (and romance authors can be PROLIFIC) ... some books I purchased more than once because I didn't remember I'd already bought it and read it)
2) to try new authors, many of whom I didn't like
3) because I thought I ought to read them ... but those just languished in a pile
Welcome, fellow bibliophile!
Do you have a Goodreads account or some other way of tracking what you've read? I've found this is helpful for me in remembering what I've read, because I can just look something up on GR and see if I've read it or not. Could help in the accidental re-buys.
I second the Goodreads recommendation as a book tracker. A few years ago I also started keeping a list in a notebook of titles I read from year to year, which I have continued to keep up. Regardless of how you choose to track your books, it's fun to look back on what you've accomplished.
As a former librarian, books are a gazingus pin for me, too, but I've gotten better about it over the years.
Post by: lifejoy on January 25, 2018, 05:56:05 PM
My gazingus pin is books.
[...]
I realized I was buying books
1) to fill in my "collection" of certain authors (and romance authors can be PROLIFIC) ... some books I purchased more than once because I didn't remember I'd already bought it and read it)
2) to try new authors, many of whom I didn't like
3) because I thought I ought to read them ... but those just languished in a pile
Welcome, fellow bibliophile!
Do you have a Goodreads account or some other way of tracking what you've read? I've found this is helpful for me in remembering what I've read, because I can just look something up on GR and see if I've read it or not. Could help in the accidental re-buys.
I second the Goodreads recommendation as a book tracker. A few years ago I also started keeping a list in a notebook of titles I read from year to year, which I have continued to keep up. Regardless of how you choose to track your books, it's fun to look back on what you've accomplished.
As a former librarian, books are a gazingus pin for me, too, but I've gotten better about it over the years.
I’m a former librarian too! Hi :)
Post by: Inkedup on January 25, 2018, 06:47:28 PM
My gazingus pin is books.
[...]
I realized I was buying books
1) to fill in my "collection" of certain authors (and romance authors can be PROLIFIC) ... some books I purchased more than once because I didn't remember I'd already bought it and read it)
2) to try new authors, many of whom I didn't like
3) because I thought I ought to read them ... but those just languished in a pile
Welcome, fellow bibliophile!
Do you have a Goodreads account or some other way of tracking what you've read? I've found this is helpful for me in remembering what I've read, because I can just look something up on GR and see if I've read it or not. Could help in the accidental re-buys.
I second the Goodreads recommendation as a book tracker. A few years ago I also started keeping a list in a notebook of titles I read from year to year, which I have continued to keep up. Regardless of how you choose to track your books, it's fun to look back on what you've accomplished.
As a former librarian, books are a gazingus pin for me, too, but I've gotten better about it over the years.
I’m a former librarian too! Hi :)
No way! Lol. It's nice to meet all these fellow book nerds :)
Post by: lifejoy on January 25, 2018, 07:39:09 PM
My gazingus pin is books.
[...]
I realized I was buying books
1) to fill in my "collection" of certain authors (and romance authors can be PROLIFIC) ... some books I purchased more than once because I didn't remember I'd already bought it and read it)
2) to try new authors, many of whom I didn't like
3) because I thought I ought to read them ... but those just languished in a pile
Welcome, fellow bibliophile!
Do you have a Goodreads account or some other way of tracking what you've read? I've found this is helpful for me in remembering what I've read, because I can just look something up on GR and see if I've read it or not. Could help in the accidental re-buys.
I second the Goodreads recommendation as a book tracker. A few years ago I also started keeping a list in a notebook of titles I read from year to year, which I have continued to keep up. Regardless of how you choose to track your books, it's fun to look back on what you've accomplished.
As a former librarian, books are a gazingus pin for me, too, but I've gotten better about it over the years.
I’m a former librarian too! Hi :)
No way! Lol. It's nice to meet all these fellow book nerds :)
Definitely! No surprise that books are a common addiction :)
Post by: CheapskateWife on January 26, 2018, 03:18:40 PM
Actually, I must finish the three quilts I have supplies for and then I can think about a new project, but oh, look at these...
Instituted a new rule for my craft room...2 projects out, before 1 new one goes in. That should have me sufficiently focused on finishing what I have started before starting something new.
Post by: Izybat on January 26, 2018, 08:45:09 PM
However, my Gazingus pin is restaurants, or more to the point, eating anything out of the house. I tend to stop and buy breakfast food on the way to work (sometimes even after I've eaten at home), or buy snacks at work or on the way home from work. Our eating out budget is insane, and its one of the things that drives me crazy financially.
So, my goal is to limit myself to one restaurant/eating out per week (we usually do carry out pizza once per week). This would go a long way for both my health and my budget, but it's going to be very difficult.
Post by: Parizade on January 26, 2018, 08:54:16 PM
Post by: lifejoy on January 27, 2018, 01:15:19 AM
Thusfar my identified Gazingus pins are thrifted books and clothes, but a new pin is stirring and I need to get ahead of it. Quilting fabric is calling me...I must have more...
Actually, I must finish the three quilts I have supplies for and then I can think about a new project, but oh, look at these...
Instituted a new rule for my craft room...2 projects out, before 1 new one goes in. That should have me sufficiently focused on finishing what I have started before starting something new.
Welcome! Good job identifying all of your gazingus pins. I haven’t added quilting supplies to the front page (yet) because it sounds like you get to buy some kind of like whenever you want, as long as you put the work in
Let me know if you disagree or if you want to adapt your plan!
Post by: lifejoy on January 27, 2018, 01:22:41 AM
I always thought that I was getting over my spendy ways because I've really reined in a lot. I used to buy tons of books, now I order them from the library. I have trouble coming up with ideas for people to give me a gifts for birthdays and Christmas because I never seem to want anything (my default is Home Depot gift cards because my house needs a ton of work).
However, my Gazingus pin is restaurants, or more to the point, eating anything out of the house. I tend to stop and buy breakfast food on the way to work (sometimes even after I've eaten at home), or buy snacks at work or on the way home from work. Our eating out budget is insane, and its one of the things that drives me crazy financially.
So, my goal is to limit myself to one restaurant/eating out per week (we usually do carry out pizza once per week). This would go a long way for both my health and my budget, but it's going to be very difficult.
That sounds like a great goal! Stretch challenge: make it once a month and I’ll add you to the first page :)
I feel like this thread is becoming very permissive... this is my effort to tighten things up a bit! However I do want you to feel welcome, and I recognize what a big change going from daily to weekly would be. I just don’t want this to be a “cutting back on gazingus pins” thread - it’s a No gazingus pins thread! :) Break the habit! Look back on 2018 with awe and pride!
That being said, I’m not such a hardass. I can add you to the first post if you like :)
Just wanna tempt you into monthly because I bet you can do it!
Post by: lifejoy on January 27, 2018, 01:23:12 AM
Craft and/or art supplies. I have more than enough to last me at least 10 years even if I used them which I tend not to do.
Added you! Welcome! :)
Post by: Rosy on January 27, 2018, 07:34:49 AM
My gazingus pin is books.
[...]
I realized I was buying books
1) to fill in my "collection" of certain authors (and romance authors can be PROLIFIC) ... some books I purchased more than once because I didn't remember I'd already bought it and read it)
2) to try new authors, many of whom I didn't like
3) because I thought I ought to read them ... but those just languished in a pile
Welcome, fellow bibliophile!
Do you have a Goodreads account or some other way of tracking what you've read? I've found this is helpful for me in remembering what I've read, because I can just look something up on GR and see if I've read it or not. Could help in the accidental re-buys.
I second the Goodreads recommendation as a book tracker. A few years ago I also started keeping a list in a notebook of titles I read from year to year, which I have continued to keep up. Regardless of how you choose to track your books, it's fun to look back on what you've accomplished.
As a former librarian, books are a gazingus pin for me, too, but I've gotten better about it over the years.
I’m a former librarian too! Hi :)
No way! Lol. It's nice to meet all these fellow book nerds :)
Definitely! No surprise that books are a common addiction :)
I used to volunteer at my local library:) Me and my grandfather were the bibliophiles in the family.
Post by: Tris Prior on January 27, 2018, 08:01:49 AM
Write positive reviews for them online
Facebook, Yelp, google. It can help small businesses immensely.
Yes, this! As a small business owner this is SO important. Also like, comment on, and share their social media posts, as Facebook in particular buries them and refuses to show them to people who've liked our page if we don't pay money, but will show them to more people if they qualify as "engaging" (i.e., popularity contest; posts that are liked and commented on and shared are shown to more people).
Post by: horsepoor on January 27, 2018, 09:04:15 AM
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 27, 2018, 10:03:31 AM
So no fabric (excepting the pre-pillows for our living room), no nail polish.
I haven't bought any but I want to so bad. I really love nail polish .
I really think the issue is time. When I have lots of time I don't shop that much because I actually use the stuff I have but when I don't have very much time I mostly just shop because my hobby boils down to fabric collecting or nail polish collecting rather than sewing or painting.
Post by: lifejoy on January 27, 2018, 11:06:39 AM
@iowajes - I think “no nail polish” is a perfect addition to your “no gazingus pin” decree! I also think you’re doing a great job identifying your habits and desires. You got this!
Post by: lifejoy on January 27, 2018, 08:12:05 PM
Post by: Rosy on January 28, 2018, 07:31:23 AM
I will finish January with 1 skincare purchase and no makeup. I have no interest in purchasing either going forward unless absolutely necessary. As a matter of fact, the more shit happens at work, my resolve is getting stronger. I am in good shape financially because of the market but I am more motivated to save my money than purchase more of this stuff that will just sit in my cabinets and eventually get tossed. I want the option of leaving if I need to so instead I will try and focus on saving a few years worth of expenses.
Yay @alleykat! I agree with you, it helps a great deal to have clear goals of what you want to do with your money - instead.
So is a watch considered jewellery? Haaaaaa... just kidding ;)
Not really - I think watches should be in their own category:) Dear @lifejoy - could it be that you hid a gazingus pin under another gazingus pin:)?
Just checking in - almost caved last night:
There it was, the perfect beautiful three-row green gemstone bracelet to complete my ensemble. The one I've been dying to add to my collection, at a price I can afford?:).
The Gods are mocking me - my desire is killing me.
I feel bereft - damn, I know I can't afford to give in - it is a choice of either sticking with my goals ...
This morning:
I'm telling you, if I see this bracelet at this price again, I am buying it - consequences be damned... I know this stone is mined out and this is in truth a good opportunity.
No, no and NO - I have to face reality - I want it all, my goals and my gazingus pin, but something's gotta give.
I'll be so happy when January is over and I can say - I did not give in to my desires this month. No more gazingus pins for 2018 for me!
I think I'm experiencing withdrawals.
Post by: lifejoy on January 28, 2018, 07:42:51 AM
I think you and I have to learn to stop shopping for the things we’re addicted to! Oh well, we’ve almost survived month one...
I’ve been tempted. Instead I make a list of all the things I want to buy in 2019, haha.
Post by: Inkedup on January 28, 2018, 10:19:57 AM
No no no, Inkedup.
After finishing up one 1/4lb packet of tea and the remaining beans in a bag of coffee this month, I am feeling more determined about sticking to my guns moving forward. Thinking of it in zero sum terms has helped a bit: "Do you want to buy more crap or do you want to buy financial security/an earlier retirement date?"
I have SO. FREAKING. MUCH. stuff, in the form of both consumables and non-consumables, to enjoy. Chasing after the next item is so silly.
Post by: Poundwise on January 29, 2018, 08:04:32 AM
However, constant exposure to beautiful pictures of things to want, want, want, will wear down even the strongest resolve. If we are serious about cutting our jewelry, tea, nailpolish, or crafting supplies habits, we are going to have to cut off the route. For instance, I am also trying to lose a little weight, so this means turning off the light in the kitchen right after dinner and not going back in there! I used to wander in after putting the kids to bed, then after tidying up I would reward myself with a little snack or three. Then, more likely than not, I would settle down and do some online shopping. Now I am trying to spend that time working on some of my unfinished projects, or simply going to bed early. So far, so good!
Post by: RetiredAt63 on January 29, 2018, 08:40:26 AM
One of my gazingus pins is fibre (I spin) and I have a stash that will keep me going for a few years. I am totally avoiding events where there will be masses of yummy fibre for sale, because it would be so so easy to buy some. You know, you bury your hands in this luscious fluff, and dream of the yarns that it will make, and the next thing you know you have bought it.
Post by: zeli2033 on January 29, 2018, 09:39:03 AM
So in 2018, it’s books for me! Couple caveats I want to throw in for myself:
1. If there’s a new book on my radar, must check library first!
2. Cannot buy new books unless it is with cash received from selling other books back. This way books can’t come in the door unless enough books have gone out the door to pay for them (hmmm...is this cheating?)
3. Cannot buy a book unless it’s guaranteed I will re-read it and criteria for #2 is met
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on January 29, 2018, 12:50:55 PM
In a very alarmed voice, he asked why on earth I'd do something like that, and then he tried to argue me out of it. (I could see him thinking "holy heck, when she runs out of reading material she invents household projects to do!")
I pointed out that my book budget last year was somewhere between $500-750, and I promised not to add any new household projects to the list. He walked away shaking his head.
I went shopping with middle kid this weekend and did not go down the book aisle at the grocery store, did not buy a book at Costco, and didn't even step foot in Barnes and Noble even though the only parking spot I found at the shopping center was right in front of their store.
Post by: lifejoy on January 29, 2018, 01:48:21 PM
Poundwise is so right! When I was a poor broke poor grad student there was no internet, but there were masses of advertising inserts in the Saturday paper. I never looked at them, because if I did I would see all sorts of things I wanted. IF I didn't see the ads I didn't feel the "need" for the stuff.
One of my gazingus pins is fibre (I spin) and I have a stash that will keep me going for a few years. I am totally avoiding events where there will be masses of yummy fibre for sale, because it would be so so easy to buy some. You know, you bury your hands in this luscious fluff, and dream of the yarns that it will make, and the next thing you know you have bought it.
LOL I thought you meant spin class and edible fibre! LOL
Do you want me to add you to the first post? No fibre for 2018?
Post by: lifejoy on January 29, 2018, 01:50:17 PM
Hope it’s not too late to join in on this one but my gazingus pins are books like many others here. There is little I love more than buying a stack of new books and coming home to curl up with a warm beverage, my robe and cozy socks to read the day away. (If I were being cut throat I’d add tea to the list but I’m going for progress here - don’t want to give myself a breakdown :)
So in 2018, it’s books for me! Couple caveats I want to throw in for myself:
1. If there’s a new book on my radar, must check library first!
2. Cannot buy new books unless it is with cash received from selling other books back. This way books can’t come in the door unless enough books have gone out the door to pay for them (hmmm...is this cheating?)
3. Cannot buy a book unless it’s guaranteed I will re-read it and criteria for #2 is met
Welcome! It sounds like I should’ve made a “Buy less gazingus pins for 2018!” Thread ;)
I jest, I jest! I agree, progress is progress. I’ll add you to the first post :)
Post by: lifejoy on January 29, 2018, 01:51:45 PM
I proudly told my husband I'd signed on for this challenge and was going to limit myself to no more than 1 book per month.
In a very alarmed voice, he asked why on earth I'd do something like that, and then he tried to argue me out of it. (I could see him thinking "holy heck, when she runs out of reading material she invents household projects to do!")
I pointed out that my book budget last year was somewhere between $500-750, and I promised not to add any new household projects to the list. He walked away shaking his head.
I went shopping with middle kid this weekend and did not go down the book aisle at the grocery store, did not buy a book at Costco, and didn't even step foot in Barnes and Noble even though the only parking spot I found at the shopping center was right in front of their store.
WOW!!!! You are doing wonderfully!!! Incredible job for month 1. You got this!!!! Your husband is going to be so impressed in December :)
Post by: lifejoy on January 29, 2018, 01:55:05 PM
@Poundwise - sigh. You are right! If I’m going to stop buying, I need to stop shopping. Blarrrgh. Baby steps.
Post by: chaskavitch on January 29, 2018, 04:45:23 PM
One more step toward having a wardrobe full of only clothes that I actually like to wear :)
Post by: CrustyBadger on January 29, 2018, 04:49:41 PM
I was really, sorely tempted today. I did pack a lunch, but I skipped breakfast, and I was hungry from the get go.
But... it's started to become a habit for me NOT to buy from the vending machine. So I had the thought (I should get some Doritos) and then immediately tamped it down. Ate my lunch a little earlier, and was full. And didn't have a craving again until I came, where (to sate my carb craving) I had a slice of whole grain bread and butter.
Post by: lifejoy on January 29, 2018, 05:53:08 PM
Do you think we should be like in kindergarten and get a star by our name if we survived the month? I know I like to track things visually, myself...
Post by: diapasoun on January 29, 2018, 06:47:48 PM
Chaskavitch and crustybadger- you guys are doing great!!!
Do you think we should be like in kindergarten and get a star by our name if we survived the month? I know I like to track things visually, myself...
I am totally pro-big golden stars!
Post by: HappierAtHome on January 29, 2018, 06:52:50 PM
Chaskavitch and crustybadger- you guys are doing great!!!
Do you think we should be like in kindergarten and get a star by our name if we survived the month? I know I like to track things visually, myself...
YES I WANT A STAR!
Post by: CrustyBadger on January 29, 2018, 07:06:32 PM
Post by: lifejoy on January 29, 2018, 07:30:17 PM
I will dole out stars on February 1st!
Post by: Izybat on January 29, 2018, 07:56:37 PM
Post by: Laura33 on January 29, 2018, 08:12:23 PM
Post by: horsepoor on January 29, 2018, 08:24:49 PM
Yesterday I got an email from SmartPak Equine with additional 20% off of clearance stuff. I got as far as having two pairs of breeches in my cart before I decided I didn't really like the color of the pair that was truly a good deal, and the deal wasn't that great on the pair I really liked. Clicked out of there without buying anything. Now that I took advantage of the 50% off promo on horse supplements I needed to buy, I will unsubscribe from their emails.
Received a Dover Saddlery catalog in the mail today and deposited it directly in the recycling bin.
Post by: DTaggart on January 29, 2018, 09:21:00 PM
I am still holding strong, no new outdoor or fitness gear has been purchased. I'm totally focusing on getting outside and using the gear I already own and its been excellent. I hiked both Saturday and Sunday, and ran MWF last week. And I'm making plans with some friends for a trip in Sep/Oct to the amazing Havasupai Indian Reservation (difficult-to-get permits go on sale Thursday, wish us luck).
Post by: lifejoy on January 29, 2018, 09:23:41 PM
Ok so you guys will totally help me figure out if one of y’all is missing a star, right? I mean I’m good, but I have a baby and sleep eludes me so I can’t pretend I’ll get it perfect first shot :)
Yay I feel like a kindergarten teacher.
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 29, 2018, 10:28:48 PM
Post by: lifejoy on January 29, 2018, 10:38:01 PM
It's up to you if I get a star. Fabric came into my house, and I picked it out. But DH bought it (because of this challenge). It's not his gazingus pin...
Aw you’re sweet to give me the power but I consider this a personal challenge! You’ll have to tell me if you feel like you bought a gazingus pin for January
Edited to add: part of why I need you to tell me is because I don’t know what your financial situation is like with your husband. If my husband bought me jewellery I picked out with OUR money, I’d call that me buying a gazingus pin. If he used his fun money to buy me jewellery, hmm definitely more of a grey area and I think then it would depend on what my specific goals were.
Part of my goal is to resist the itch. So I’m being pretty rigid with myself. It sounds like your situation was the lesser of two “evils” - your DH was going to buy pillows if you didn’t make them (IIRC). So anyways, up to you! Whichever will encourage you more to stay strong for the rest of the year
Post by: galliver on January 30, 2018, 12:54:30 AM
It's up to you if I get a star. Fabric came into my house, and I picked it out. But DH bought it (because of this challenge). It's not his gazingus pin...(...)
What about a delayed star awarded when the fabric is all pillows, if that is not yet the case? If it is finished, then it's basically a pillow purchase accomplished for cheaper, win! But if not, it's contributing to the stash-of-materials/unfinished-projects problem. :)
Post by: mspym on January 30, 2018, 01:54:26 AM
I am avoiding the fabric shops near work and am maintaining rigid unsubscribe boundaries on my email. Plus the pile of half finished projects is still in my line of sight, taunting me whenever I feel tempted.
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 30, 2018, 03:24:26 AM
So I get a star :)
Post by: lifejoy on January 30, 2018, 04:14:02 AM
Lifejoy, my husband and I have shared money, and no personally allocated funds. We don't have any sort of budget, just a "don't spend a lot of money" plan that has always worked. We actually don't do gifts for the reason you said. Him buying something for me is just spending our money, I might as well buy it myself! But he bought the fabric because he wanted the pillows. And I didn't buy myself a birthday present last week.
So I get a star :)
Works for me! Happy belated birthday! That’s some good willpower right there. I loooove buying myself a birthday present. Good job, you!
Post by: zeli2033 on January 30, 2018, 07:06:07 AM
Hope it’s not too late to join in on this one but my gazingus pins are books like many others here. There is little I love more than buying a stack of new books and coming home to curl up with a warm beverage, my robe and cozy socks to read the day away. (If I were being cut throat I’d add tea to the list but I’m going for progress here - don’t want to give myself a breakdown :)
So in 2018, it’s books for me! Couple caveats I want to throw in for myself:
1. If there’s a new book on my radar, must check library first!
2. Cannot buy new books unless it is with cash received from selling other books back. This way books can’t come in the door unless enough books have gone out the door to pay for them (hmmm...is this cheating?)
3. Cannot buy a book unless it’s guaranteed I will re-read it and criteria for #2 is met
Welcome! It sounds like I should’ve made a “Buy less gazingus pins for 2018!” Thread ;)
I jest, I jest! I agree, progress is progress. I’ll add you to the first post :)
@lifejoy YOU’RE RIGHT. Ok. I’m in. No caveats. No book purchases in 2018. So far, so good this month. Although now I feel extra twitchy...
Post by: chaskavitch on January 30, 2018, 07:08:55 AM
Hope it’s not too late to join in on this one but my gazingus pins are books like many others here. There is little I love more than buying a stack of new books and coming home to curl up with a warm beverage, my robe and cozy socks to read the day away. (If I were being cut throat I’d add tea to the list but I’m going for progress here - don’t want to give myself a breakdown :)
So in 2018, it’s books for me! Couple caveats I want to throw in for myself:
1. If there’s a new book on my radar, must check library first!
2. Cannot buy new books unless it is with cash received from selling other books back. This way books can’t come in the door unless enough books have gone out the door to pay for them (hmmm...is this cheating?)
3. Cannot buy a book unless it’s guaranteed I will re-read it and criteria for #2 is met
Welcome! It sounds like I should’ve made a “Buy less gazingus pins for 2018!” Thread ;)
I jest, I jest! I agree, progress is progress. I’ll add you to the first post :)
@lifejoy YOU’RE RIGHT. Ok. I’m in. No caveats. No book purchases in 2018. So far, so good this month. Although now I feel extra twitchy...
Woo, peer pressure FTW!
Post by: lifejoy on January 30, 2018, 08:11:50 AM
Hope it’s not too late to join in on this one but my gazingus pins are books like many others here. There is little I love more than buying a stack of new books and coming home to curl up with a warm beverage, my robe and cozy socks to read the day away. (If I were being cut throat I’d add tea to the list but I’m going for progress here - don’t want to give myself a breakdown
So in 2018, it’s books for me! Couple caveats I want to throw in for myself:
1. If there’s a new book on my radar, must check library first!
2. Cannot buy new books unless it is with cash received from selling other books back. This way books can’t come in the door unless enough books have gone out the door to pay for them (hmmm...is this cheating?)
3. Cannot buy a book unless it’s guaranteed I will re-read it and criteria for #2 is met
Welcome! It sounds like I should’ve made a “Buy less gazingus pins for 2018!” Thread
I jest, I jest! I agree, progress is progress. I’ll add you to the first post
@lifejoy YOU’RE RIGHT. Ok. I’m in. No caveats. No book purchases in 2018. So far, so good this month. Although now I feel extra twitchy...
Wooooohoo!!!! Go Zeli! You can do it. Be creative. Be strong. It’s only for 11 more months! And think of how badass you will feel on December 31
Hehe now we just have to peer pressure @formerlydivorcedmom to follow suit! :D
Post by: diapasoun on January 30, 2018, 09:31:06 AM
Hope it’s not too late to join in on this one but my gazingus pins are books like many others here. There is little I love more than buying a stack of new books and coming home to curl up with a warm beverage, my robe and cozy socks to read the day away. (If I were being cut throat I’d add tea to the list but I’m going for progress here - don’t want to give myself a breakdown :)
So in 2018, it’s books for me! Couple caveats I want to throw in for myself:
1. If there’s a new book on my radar, must check library first!
2. Cannot buy new books unless it is with cash received from selling other books back. This way books can’t come in the door unless enough books have gone out the door to pay for them (hmmm...is this cheating?)
3. Cannot buy a book unless it’s guaranteed I will re-read it and criteria for #2 is met
Welcome! It sounds like I should’ve made a “Buy less gazingus pins for 2018!” Thread ;)
I jest, I jest! I agree, progress is progress. I’ll add you to the first post :)
@lifejoy YOU’RE RIGHT. Ok. I’m in. No caveats. No book purchases in 2018. So far, so good this month. Although now I feel extra twitchy...
Think of how many wonderful books you already own, waiting for you to pick up their familiar covers again and while away some time with them!
And think of how many wonderful books are sitting in the library, waiting for human hands to pick them up and treat them gently.
You got this!
Post by: Rosy on January 30, 2018, 09:36:24 AM
@lifejoy I'll be standing in line for my first gold star tomorrow - ready to polish it with my jewelry cleaning cloth:)
January has been a really tough month - temptations galore.
1. The little devil sitting on my shoulder whispered that gift cards don't count - umm, yes, clearly that is an excuse to buy.
2. Then I kept rationalizing that I could allow myself - just one inexpensive item of jewelry every month to ease the transition,
umm, NO - I am abstaining - period.
In January:
1. Told Mr. R. - no jewelry for my birthday (although we do have separate finances)
2. Resisted strong temptations for two purchases - that I'm secretly still shedding a tear over:)
3. Decided not to indulge myself for my birthday with a jewelry purchase either.
To firm my resolve for February:
I am re-directing my money to my two goals for 2018 instead. I want to travel and save money way more than I want to acquire more jewelry.
In truth, the time has come to stop collecting anyway.
There will be a reward in 2019, a long coveted Italian gold necklace for my birthday.
Maybe it will get a bit easier in February as we strengthen our badass mustachian muscles and set aside our creampuff entitlement attitude.
We can do this together - thanks for all of your support.
Post by: CrustyBadger on January 30, 2018, 03:33:57 PM
I buy the doritos and cheese doodles for the kids to take to school as snacks, but lately I will eat a bunch myself when I get home from work or after dinner.
This was NEVER something I would do before and it is counter to the spirit of this challenge.
I bought a ton of popcorn kernels instead to keep on hand for late night snacking if need be. That's my usual snack anyhow. And I need to think of other habits, like coming home from work and drinking a nice cool glass of ice water while I relax.
Post by: lifejoy on January 30, 2018, 04:08:43 PM
CrustyBadger - I am impressed at your awareness and introspection. Myself, I try to replace unhealthy snacks with stuff that will fill me up. Mini carrots instead of chips, peanut butter on toast instead of chocolate. I'm human so it doesn't always work. But maybe you could think of things you could eat so that your tum isn't empty, but that aren't nutritionless snacks? "Eat to Live" is a book that really helped me see food differently.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34451.Eat_to_Live
So I'm reading this book about addiction, and it had a part about dopamine being released in the brain even when we just see a cue of the thing we're addicted to. I.e. if you see a chocolate bar, you don't even have to be eating it yet, and your brain will release the happy chemicals just by SEEING it. And then there is an urge to consummate the desire of eating it...
Anyways all of that to say, y'all are right and I have to get out of temptation's way. No more online browsing for me! The looking clearly makes my brain happy, but it's also tortuously tempting!
Post by: lifejoy on January 30, 2018, 05:26:25 PM
If January was not your month, know that changes take time! Be kind to yourself. Maybe January was what you needed in order to mentally prepare for Frugal February
Stay strong and carry on!
Post by: RetiredAt63 on January 30, 2018, 06:35:52 PM
Poundwise is so right! When I was a poor broke poor grad student there was no internet, but there were masses of advertising inserts in the Saturday paper. I never looked at them, because if I did I would see all sorts of things I wanted. IF I didn't see the ads I didn't feel the "need" for the stuff.
One of my gazingus pins is fibre (I spin) and I have a stash that will keep me going for a few years. I am totally avoiding events where there will be masses of yummy fibre for sale, because it would be so so easy to buy some. You know, you bury your hands in this luscious fluff, and dream of the yarns that it will make, and the next thing you know you have bought it.
LOL I thought you meant spin class and edible fibre! LOL
Do you want me to add you to the first post? No fibre for 2018?
Sure! Although this is a carry-over from 2917, I haven't bought any for at least 6 months. I did get a gift bag last fall but it was free (and lovely alpaca, so nice, perfect colour), given out to everyone in a group. So I gather I am eligible for a star?
My other gazingus pin is books, but since I joined a good library that itch has been well satisfied. I still read a lot, all for my annual membership (non-resident) which is a tiny fraction of the cost of the books.
Post by: Inkedup on January 30, 2018, 07:05:30 PM
Post by: lifejoy on January 30, 2018, 07:09:08 PM
Lifejoy: I don't deserve a star! Remember, I caved this month ;)
My bad!!
Thanks for the correction :)
Hope I whet your appetite for next month!
Post by: Inkedup on January 30, 2018, 07:24:53 PM
Lifejoy: I don't deserve a star! Remember, I caved this month ;)
My bad!!
Thanks for the correction :)
Hope I whet your appetite for next month!
As long as you don't whet my appetite for tea ;) (kidding...)
Post by: zeli2033 on January 30, 2018, 09:08:13 PM
I’m 5 years old and I love it.
Post by: lifejoy on January 30, 2018, 09:29:11 PM
Lifejoy: I don't deserve a star! Remember, I caved this month ;)
My bad!!
Thanks for the correction :)
Hope I whet your appetite for next month!
As long as you don't whet my appetite for tea ;) (kidding...)
I hope you’re re-using those tea bags! ;)
Post by: lifejoy on January 30, 2018, 09:29:47 PM
Oh my goodness. The star is amazing. I. Am. So. Motivated. BECAUSE OF THE STAR.
I’m 5 years old and I love it.
Oh yes.... and there’s another star in it for you if you make it through February!!!
Post by: Serendip on January 30, 2018, 09:42:53 PM
No books bought this year ( I found one I really wanted to read and of course my library had it and another one they brought in when I requested it!).
I've extended 'no art workshops' to include no self-improvement courses and resisted a yoga retreat. It's funny--these are good things but I know my gazingus pin...I've got plenty of things to work with without adding more :)
Post by: lifejoy on January 30, 2018, 11:39:23 PM
oohh..I want the star!
No books bought this year ( I found one I really wanted to read and of course my library had it and another one they brought in when I requested it!).
I've extended 'no art workshops' to include no self-improvement courses and resisted a yoga retreat. It's funny--these are good things but I know my gazingus pin...I've got plenty of things to work with without adding more :)
Excellent!! My phone is not letting me add stars. I will do it as soon as I can get to a computer or desktop :)
Post by: mspym on January 31, 2018, 03:24:08 AM
And like everyone else my tea collection is getting a bit ridiculous - at least 15 varieties of black and herbal - but since that has been my substitute for alcohol over the last 6 months I am giving myself a pass on it as long as I keep drinking it at my current rate. I am prepared to add this to my pins if I lose my ability to say "but this tea is a slight variation on 3 teas I already have, if I want that flavour I should ue one I already own".
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on January 31, 2018, 01:00:59 PM
I'm not going to get to 0 for the year. My favorite authors have new books coming out, and I know I will reread those umpteen times (probably 3x each this year), and, um, they're already preordered. I may be able to get down to less than the 12 I had limited myself to, though - I think I only have 6 preordered.
The children found out about my challenge and assumed it also applied to them. D12 asked me to request a book she wants from the library. D8 used his allowance to buy a book he's been wanting - he didn't even ask me to buy it first!
Official January total - 1 book, bought before I joined this challenge.
Post by: CheapskateWife on January 31, 2018, 01:07:36 PM
Post by: CrustyBadger on January 31, 2018, 04:28:01 PM
Post by: Inkedup on January 31, 2018, 06:25:51 PM
Lifejoy: I don't deserve a star! Remember, I caved this month ;)
My bad!!
Thanks for the correction :)
Hope I whet your appetite for next month!
As long as you don't whet my appetite for tea ;) (kidding...)
I hope you’re re-using those tea bags! ;)
Oh, I drink loose teas! It tastes better, creates much less waste, and offers more steeps :)
Post by: I'm a red panda on January 31, 2018, 07:05:36 PM
I think I may need a new gazingus pin. This month without work snack food was very easy to accomplish.One month usually isn't too hard for anything.
You need the resolve to keep it going
Post by: middo on January 31, 2018, 10:14:46 PM
Post by: alleykat on January 31, 2018, 10:24:52 PM
Post by: Rosy on February 01, 2018, 10:19:08 AM
I think I may need a new gazingus pin. This month without work snack food was very easy to accomplish.One month usually isn't too hard for anything.
You need the resolve to keep it going
Oh no, iowajes:) - this first month about killed me, but I think February will be a breeze. I got the worst of the collection fever out of my system for now, anyway.
This was a major mindset adjustment - there were plenty of times when I thought I couldn't do it - even for just one month.
Besides, with all this talk about books and me not buying jewelry, I used a little of my discretionary funds on books - treated myself at B&N to a finance book that was on my list to buy (got it from the library first, but I wanted my own copy) and picked up two of their half off books in defiance. I mean, that is what discretionary or pocket money is for, right?:)
Membership at B&N is about to run out soon. I decided not to renew, so at least I took advantage of that extra 10% off - so there is that.
Not another gazingus pin - I don't think I could handle that, but it gave me some relief/reward and I may even repeat that maybe in March - a coffee, an apple thingie and one book, I love their cafe.
I do better when there is a reward:), but I'll only do it if I make it through Feb without buying gemstones/jewelry. Gotta show some restraint, even a creampuff mustachian must have some standards after all, n'est pas?
Post by: lifejoy on February 01, 2018, 11:07:02 AM
I think I may need a new gazingus pin. This month without work snack food was very easy to accomplish.One month usually isn't too hard for anything.
You need the resolve to keep it going
Oh no, iowajes:) - this first month about killed me, but I think February will be a breeze. I got the worst of the collection fever out of my system for now, anyway.
This was a major mindset adjustment - there were plenty of times when I thought I couldn't do it - even for just one month.
Besides, with all this talk about books and me not buying jewelry, I used a little of my discretionary funds on books - treated myself at B&N to a finance book that was on my list to buy (got it from the library first, but I wanted my own copy) and picked up two of their half off books in defiance. I mean, that is what discretionary or pocket money is for, right?:)
Membership at B&N is about to run out soon. I decided not to renew, so at least I took advantage of that extra 10% off - so there is that.
Not another gazingus pin - I don't think I could handle that, but it gave me some relief/reward and I may even repeat that maybe in March - a coffee, an apple thingie and one book, I love their cafe.
I do better when there is a reward:), but I'll only do it if I make it through Feb without buying gemstones/jewelry. Gotta show some restraint, even a creampuff mustachian must have some standards after all, n'est pas?
Haha last I checked, most books are cheaper than most jewellery! ;)
Definitely I think when practicing extreme willpower, it’s normal to cave or reward yourself somewhere else! I bought myself a $4 bag at the library... to carry my fifty bajillion books through the rain. *Joy* :)
Ok I think I have properly doled out stars, but tell me if I haven’t got it right yet. Also we need to hear from a few people:
@gaja
@lexde
@Astak
@soccerluvof4
@vertkurt
@Eucalyptus
@Tris Prior
@Duchess
@hegemony
@10dollarsatatime
@JanetJackson
@asauer
@MaybeBabyMustache
@Better Late
@Parizade
Talk about accountability! Tell us how you did. We’ll be nice :)
Bravo to everyone who survived January! You’ve done it once, now just do it 11 more times. And for those of you that used January to gear up, then February is where you hit your stride!!! ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Post by: Poundwise on February 01, 2018, 12:10:39 PM
As I posted in the first week of the month, I bought all those craft supplies to make goodies for my daughter's birthday party-- they arrived too late for the party-- will do better in February.
Post by: CrustyBadger on February 01, 2018, 12:13:40 PM
I think I may need a new gazingus pin. This month without work snack food was very easy to accomplish.One month usually isn't too hard for anything.
You need the resolve to keep it going
I think it might mean that snacks at work weren't really a gazingus pin, they were just a bad habit I fell into. I'll keep up this new habit for the rest of the year, of course (not trying to weasel out of it!!) but am just thinking I probably have other gazingus pins I could identify.
Post by: lifejoy on February 01, 2018, 12:29:31 PM
I hate to admit it, but I don't deserve my star. :~(
As I posted in the first week of the month, I bought all those craft supplies to make goodies for my daughter's birthday party-- they arrived too late for the party-- will do better in February.
Oops! Well now you know how good it’s going to feel when you get one in February! ;)
Post by: frontstepdesign on February 01, 2018, 12:42:18 PM
Post by: Duchess on February 01, 2018, 01:40:29 PM
I’m not allowed one for January though :-( Very nearly made it but didn’t take enough food to work with me yesterday and ended up buying a packet of crisps (i.e., chips for the non-Brits). Hey-ho, I’m back on the wagon for February. At least with just 28 days it’s a slightly shorter month.
@lifejoy I totally love the energy you’re bring to the challenge; it’s like we’ve got a personal cheerleader.
Post by: lifejoy on February 01, 2018, 03:34:28 PM
Ah, another challenge I should join! @lifejoy, put me down for craft supplies - I have so many non-house projects I could work on. (I don't deserve a Jan star, either - but February should be better!)
Added! :)
Oh dammit. I don’t check in with the thread for a few days and totally miss the introduction of stars. It’s a great idea!
I’m not allowed one for January though :-( Very nearly made it but didn’t take enough food to work with me yesterday and ended up buying a packet of crisps (i.e., chips for the non-Brits). Hey-ho, I’m back on the wagon for February. At least with just 28 days it’s a slightly shorter month.
@lifejoy I totally love the energy you’re bring to the challenge; it’s like we’ve got a personal cheerleader.
Star power!!!!! I'm almost certain they've done studies that show tracking goals with visual rewards (stars!) leads to greater success. Haha Duchess I love your logic - February is going to be a breeze with it's shorter amount of days! Hurrah! And I'm super glad you're enjoying my cheerleading. I have to be honest, though - I'm doing it just as much for myself as for you guys. I need to keep this thread active in order to keep myself accountable, haha. They say shame is one of the most powerful human emotions, and TBH I don't know if I could handle coming in here and confessing to breaking my ban... you guys are keeping me honest and on track!
With one month under our belts (for better or for worse), has anyone noticed anything? CrustyBadger has noticed that his supposed gazingus pin was too easy, and Rosy survived month 1 and thinks the second will be easier... I'm going back and forth, myself. Sometimes I think it's easy to buy ZERO of something, go cold turkey. I'm just not online browsing like I used to, because I know I can't buy any of the stuff that normally tempts me. On the other hand, sometimes things trigger me (tv shows! friends that shop! pants that don't fit!) and I find it very hard to resist! Overall I'm realizing that I can get by with a lot less clothes than I though I needed, and also that if I buy jewellery it just sits in a drawer. I hoard it. Oops.
I'm reading a book that is helping. It's called "Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm during the Great Depression". It's excellent so far. A true story and a really neat read if you want to not shop... because it's set in a time that is the OPPOSITE of Amazon Prime. You CANNOT shop because there are no almost no stores and when the depression hits, there is no money! How do ya like that? I like it. It motivated me to make a pot of dal (famously cheap dinner, fave of Jacob from ERE) and clean my house. Oh I'm so industrious when I'm not shopping! Lol.
CrustyBadger, can you think of a new gazingus pin to add to the challenge?
Also... does anyone have any books to recommend to me? On the topic of changing habits, resisting addictions, etc. I'm reading "Little Heathens" (described above) and also "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts" (on the topic of addiction) and in the past I've read "The Power of Habit" and I think maybe I should revisit that one. I know there are a lot of readers in this thread so send me some recommendations!
Another thing I've noticed: we have a lot of people with identical gazingus pins. Isn't that interesting? I think some things lend themselves to collections better than others. But I wonder what it is about books, tea, crafting, jewellery, and junk food that make us addicted and crave more more more? Is it simply variety? FOMO? (Fear of missing out). Advertising? Hmm. I welcome your thoughts.
I'm being extremely verbose but I have to tell you something else: Jewellery and clothing are the gazingus pins I've banned myself from, but I have to confess that I have purchased a bridesmaid dress. This, I consider a mandatory purchase, and do not count it in this personal challenge. I see no way of obtaining one for free and I make it my business to do whatever makes the bride less stressed. So that is my exception.
Ok stay strong everyone! They say that part of the success of alcoholics anonymous is that it builds a community that is going for the same goal. Well, I think we've got a lovely team of people here and I KNOW we can do it! Only 334 more days to go ;)
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 01, 2018, 04:02:09 PM
Post by: CrustyBadger on February 01, 2018, 04:06:28 PM
CrustyBadger has noticed that his supposed gazingus pin was too easy
Just FYI for your mental imagery -- CrustyBadger is a girl!!
Post by: CrustyBadger on February 01, 2018, 04:07:44 PM
I have to confess that I have purchased a bridesmaid dress. This, I consider a mandatory purchase, and do not count it in this personal challenge. I see no way of obtaining one for free and I make it my business to do whatever makes the bride less stressed. So that is my exception.
The bride must be obeyed!! We all know that!
Post by: horsepoor on February 01, 2018, 05:37:29 PM
Only 334 more days to go ;)
Aaack! ;)
So I had a $10 off promo code from SmartPak, then they emailed me a $25 gift card as a sorry because they got way behind on sending out orders around New Year's. It would have been easy to justify buying a pair of breeches for almost free, but I stuck to my guns and ordered some protective boots my horse needed, and a package of her amino acid supplements that will run out in about two weeks.
Staying focused on killing 1/3 of my remaining car loan at the end of this month!
Post by: lifejoy on February 01, 2018, 07:09:05 PM
CrustyBadger has noticed that his supposed gazingus pin was too easy
Just FYI for your mental imagery -- CrustyBadger is a girl!!
Oops :)
Thanks for letting me know!!
Post by: lifejoy on February 01, 2018, 07:09:48 PM
I think a lot of pins are similar because they are aspirational things: crafting and sewing supplies - because we want to be creative and do all those Pinteresty things; books - because we want to be educated well-red; outdoor gear - because we want to be outdoorsy. It's the same with my horse stuff - because I want to be a better rider, but of course buying matchy breeches and saddle pads don't do that; buying riding lessons and practicing as much as possible does that.Only 334 more days to go ;)
Aaack! ;)
So I had a $10 off promo code from SmartPak, then they emailed me a $25 gift card as a sorry because they got way behind on sending out orders around New Year's. It would have been easy to justify buying a pair of breeches for almost free, but I stuck to my guns and ordered some protective boots my horse needed, and a package of her amino acid supplements that will run out in about two weeks.
Staying focused on killing 1/3 of my remaining car loan at the end of this month!
Good job!!!
And I think you’re probably right about them being aspirational. I didn’t think about that but it really adds up!
Post by: Tris Prior on February 01, 2018, 07:54:07 PM
(The trick is to avoid buying new flavors because if I drink any more GD "sugar cookie" or "bengal spice" I may vomit. But, so far so good.)
Post by: Laura33 on February 01, 2018, 08:13:40 PM
For me, it is all mixed up in personal history. Sweet tea at Granny’s as a kid, so warm fuzzies around tea from very small. Needed caffeine by college, so that was a natural choice. Grew up poor so never learned to really enjoy shopping and felt guilty about spending money - but once I had a job and some spare cash, I could justify a small indulgence, like a glass of tea while out, and not feel too bad about it. And then I discovered some better teas while traveling, and found that I really noticed and appreciated the difference in flavor. And then of course they don’t sell these things everywhere, and I hate shopping, so whenever I do see it, I tell myself I’d better stock up. Multiply by 30 years and a lot more discretionary income than when I started, and you have a gazingus pin, a/k/a something that does serve a purpose, but that has become a spendy, unthinking habit that is out of proportion to that purpose — somehow, it just trips a switch in my brain that it is “ok” to buy tea, and that in fact I really should stock up when I find it, so the rational decision making part of my brain shuts off, and the moremoremore 3-yr-old takes over.
The nice thing is that just making it conscious again has gone a long way toward breaking the cycle. The first time I walked past a tea shop, man, my knees got weak. But now I’m looking at and appreciating what I already have and am enjoying recovering some more space and organization in my tea cabinet, so that I can see and enjoy what I have. I have no intention of cutting out tea entirely, or even cutting back on my consumption. I just need to be paying as much attention to those purchases as I do to other stuff - I needed to break that “automatic preapproval” cycle.
Post by: DTaggart on February 01, 2018, 08:28:48 PM
I think a lot of pins are similar because they are aspirational things: crafting and sewing supplies - because we want to be creative and do all those Pinteresty things; books - because we want to be educated well-red; outdoor gear - because we want to be outdoorsy. It's the same with my horse stuff - because I want to be a better rider, but of course buying matchy breeches and saddle pads don't do that; buying riding lessons and practicing as much as possible does that.
And I think you’re probably right about them being aspirational. I didn’t think about that but it really adds up!
Yes, for me it is definitely the aspirational aspect. A lot of times at work I'd find myself trying to distract myself from the things I didn't want to deal with (namely, work) by browsing gear or reading email ads. While I wanted to be doing these activities I loved, I couldn't because WORK, but I could certainly take a few minutes between tasks and order a new pair of socks. Maybe I skipped my workout the day before because I was tired when I got home, but I could buy some new shoes or a new kettlebell or whatever, and then I was still "committed" to my exercise goals. So that's why I'm trying to shift my focus to actually DOING the things I want to be doing, not buying things as a lame substitute.
Having several trips lined up for this year is definitely motivating, because I need to get in shape for them! But, I may have identified 1 thing that I think I will need to buy for a trip (a rodent proof food bag), but I don't think I will need it before a particular outing in September. So for now I'm just not going to worry about it. I will be on the look out for a reasonable substitute/alternative (do I already have something that will work? Does someone have one I can borrow, or maybe someone else on the trip will have room in their bag?) but I also don't want to be "that person" on the trip who doesn't have her crap together and sponges off of everyone else. But I don't need it for awhile, so I am going to wait and see if it really seems like a legitimate need or not.
Post by: Astatine on February 02, 2018, 12:35:19 AM
I think a lot of pins are similar because they are aspirational things: crafting and sewing supplies - because we want to be creative and do all those Pinteresty things; books - because we want to be educated well-red; outdoor gear - because we want to be outdoorsy. It's the same with my horse stuff - because I want to be a better rider, but of course buying matchy breeches and saddle pads don't do that; buying riding lessons and practicing as much as possible does that.
This is from a minimalist blog, not a not-shopping blog, but I love this concept of a fantasy self (http://www.missminimalist.com/2011/08/declutter-your-fantasy-self/). I came across this blog post a few years ago and still find it a really useful concept to work out what I actually need and want in terms of physical items, but also helps steer to what I want to be doing, rather than what I think I should be doing to live up to a fantasy self.
It might be relevant to some of you in this challenge. And lifejoy, if you want something to read, I found the comments well worth a read as well.
Post by: mspym on February 02, 2018, 02:04:04 AM
Astatine- thanks for the fantasy self link, that is both intriguing and a useful tool.
Post by: Poundwise on February 02, 2018, 06:50:29 AM
There's also the "pretty things" aspect. It's really hard to resist the urge to collect pretty shiny things... all those lovely compact tins of tea, the sparkling stones in the jewelry, the colorful soft yarn and bright fabrics.
And lifejoy, you are absolutely right about leaving a great review for the yarn shop! I will do so right away. And maybe I'll teach a friend or two how to knit so as to leave the world at par for yarn buyers.
Post by: frontstepdesign on February 02, 2018, 07:34:21 AM
I saw a piece on an amazing house, whose interior and porch were covered in glittered decoration and pattern - all of which was done in schoolchild art materials, from the grocery store, in rural Mississippi. (Said art was moved to an art museum in Wisconsin.) It doesn't take much extra (money, stuff) to be creative.
https://misspreservation.com/2016/08/19/going-inside-loy-bowlins-beautiful-holy-jewel-home/
Post by: Rosy on February 02, 2018, 12:37:23 PM
I didn't sign up for this challenge but I'm still reading along (I suspect there is something I need from this thread, though).I think a lot of pins are similar because they are aspirational things: crafting and sewing supplies - because we want to be creative and do all those Pinteresty things; books - because we want to be educated well-red; outdoor gear - because we want to be outdoorsy. It's the same with my horse stuff - because I want to be a better rider, but of course buying matchy breeches and saddle pads don't do that; buying riding lessons and practicing as much as possible does that.
This is from a minimalist blog, not a not-shopping blog, but I love this concept of a fantasy self (http://www.missminimalist.com/2011/08/declutter-your-fantasy-self/). I came across this blog post a few years ago and still find it a really useful concept to work out what I actually need and want in terms of physical items, but also helps steer to what I want to be doing, rather than what I think I should be doing to live up to a fantasy self.
It might be relevant to some of you in this challenge. And lifejoy, if you want something to read, I found the comments well worth a read as well.
Great link, thanks, @Astatine! I think part of decluttering, letting go or re-evaluating your gazingus pins is about entering another phase of your life. You are breaking with old habits, we grow, we reinvent ourselves, we move on - it is a natural process.
If we stay static and unchanged we end up mired in old habits that no longer serve us well, at their worst these unchecked behaviors may do serious damage to our health or destroy our financial lives.
Change is invigorating and letting go when you know you are ready is highly satisfying, but it is not easy and might take more time than we like to tackle the disposal of a collection.
Age and circumstances, environment and your health are all factors.
All change requires a good look at ourselves and our actions. It begs the question: who is this person? and who do I want to be? Not always comfortable, especially if you don't like what you see.
One day you wake up and something shifted and we start questioning ourselves and our values and desires and collections and indeed our very way of life.
Post by: I'm a red panda on February 02, 2018, 05:39:05 PM
Post by: JanetJackson on February 02, 2018, 06:22:34 PM
I also joined a new gym a few weeks ago that has a sport and energy drink cooler RIGHT AT THE FRONT and I haven't even caved. How?!?! Yay!
Post by: Inkedup on February 02, 2018, 07:46:51 PM
But now I’m looking at and appreciating what I already have and am enjoying recovering some more space and organization in my tea cabinet, so that I can see and enjoy what I have. I have no intention of cutting out tea entirely, or even cutting back on my consumption. I just need to be paying as much attention to those purchases as I do to other stuff - I needed to break that “automatic preapproval” cycle.
Bingo. I've been on autopilot where acquiring tea is concerned because it has replaced the more costly daily habit of buying beverages in to-go cups during the workday. The justification feels weird now because even a steady rate of consumption won't make a dent in what's in the cabinet. Now that I'm no longer contemplating the next purchase, it's much easier to relax and enjoy what's in my cup instead of experiencing this adrenaline-fueled thought that, "This is good. I should buy another pack."
Post by: lifejoy on February 03, 2018, 04:22:56 AM
But now I’m looking at and appreciating what I already have and am enjoying recovering some more space and organization in my tea cabinet, so that I can see and enjoy what I have. I have no intention of cutting out tea entirely, or even cutting back on my consumption. I just need to be paying as much attention to those purchases as I do to other stuff - I needed to break that “automatic preapproval” cycle.
Bingo. I've been on autopilot where acquiring tea is concerned because it has replaced the more costly daily habit of buying beverages in to-go cups during the workday. The justification feels weird now because even a steady rate of consumption won't make a dent in what's in the cabinet. Now that I'm no longer contemplating the next purchase, it's much easier to relax and enjoy what's in my cup instead of experiencing this adrenaline-fueled thought that, "This is good. I should buy another pack."
+1 to enjoying what I have now, because acquiring more has been taken off the table. It has shifted my focus onto what I have instead of what I want.
Post by: alleykat on February 03, 2018, 04:46:27 AM
Still, so far, so good. And I am thrilled with no makeup purchases at all.
Post by: zeli2033 on February 03, 2018, 06:57:18 AM
Another thing I've noticed: we have a lot of people with identical gazingus pins. Isn't that interesting? I think some things lend themselves to collections better than others. But I wonder what it is about books, tea, crafting, jewellery, and junk food that make us addicted and crave more more more? Is it simply variety? FOMO? (Fear of missing out). Advertising? Hmm. I welcome your thoughts.
For me, books are escapism. My "gazingus pin drug of choice" is of the fictional variety for the most part*. As a kid, they were my main coping skill to get away from a less than ideal home life. As I got older and life got better, I continued using it as a coping skill but for avoidance of smaller things like the emotions felt after a hard day at work. Or I bought books/read simply to make me feel differently than however I felt before I picked up the book, good or bad.
Books still represent a means to live a different life which is silly because I like my life especially now that I've been working to craft the one I really want. It just seems like my autopilot is still on ("hey, buy that book so the next time you feel [insert emotion] you have another world to jump into").
Hmmmm.
*Less intense is my desire for books to better myself. I certainly do buy books for my "fantasy self" as well but the internal alarm doesn't sound as readily or loudly as it does when I'm perusing fiction.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on February 03, 2018, 07:55:10 AM
Hm, about 80% of the blouses in my closet could go too, they do not fit my retired lifestyle at all. I think I have kept them just so that when prospective purchasers look in the closets they will see clothes.
I too used fiction (especially science fiction) as an escape when I was a child and especially a teenager. I am so glad I am not a teenager any more. Although I wish I still had my teenage body. ;-)
Post by: lifejoy on February 03, 2018, 10:17:31 AM
But I decided that purses and bags count as clothing. So I did not buy!
And then today, DH says: if you want jewellery for Valentine’s Day, you can have anything you want as long as it’s under $1000. WHAT. Old me, 2017 me, would’ve been ecstatic! 2018 me demurely mumbled that that would not be necessary and maybe he could just make me a delicious meal. Ha! Who am I??? I don’t even recognize myself!
But suffice to say that I am staying strong :)
Post by: Serendip on February 03, 2018, 10:36:21 AM
Ok, pretty proud of myself right now! A best bud sent me a link of a purse saying “I bet you’d like this!”. Well guess what? I LOVE it. It’s everything I’m looking for! AND it was on sale. Whaaaaat.
But I decided that purses and bags count as clothing. So I did not buy!
And then today, DH says: if you want jewellery for Valentine’s Day, you can have anything you want as long as it’s under $1000. WHAT. Old me, 2017 me, would’ve been ecstatic! 2018 me demurely mumbled that that would not be necessary and maybe he could just make me a delicious meal. Ha! Who am I??? I don’t even recognize myself!
But suffice to say that I am staying strong :)
Worth feeling proud about! Congrats: it's like watching yourself transform right before your own eyes (and ours, ha)
(and also JanetJackson with no energy drinks) so fantastic!
Post by: lifejoy on February 03, 2018, 10:46:02 AM
Serendip, I like that. Thinking of it like a transformation. Very cool way to picture it. Who will I be by the end of 2018? Wait and see!
I’m still in shock that DH offered jewellery. He would typically never go for that! Good thing I have such steady resolve, lol ;)
Gahhhhh
Post by: lifejoy on February 03, 2018, 10:46:45 AM
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 03, 2018, 01:59:08 PM
I am giving myself a pass on this, as both will be almost immediately used. The $20 reward for grocery store credit is an awesome win. The starbucks one is high value, but I would have passed unless we needed the Home Depot money for today. I use Starbucks only when traveling.
Post by: HappierAtHome on February 03, 2018, 04:49:56 PM
Ok, pretty proud of myself right now! A best bud sent me a link of a purse saying “I bet you’d like this!”. Well guess what? I LOVE it. It’s everything I’m looking for! AND it was on sale. Whaaaaat.
But I decided that purses and bags count as clothing. So I did not buy!
And then today, DH says: if you want jewellery for Valentine’s Day, you can have anything you want as long as it’s under $1000. WHAT. Old me, 2017 me, would’ve been ecstatic! 2018 me demurely mumbled that that would not be necessary and maybe he could just make me a delicious meal. Ha! Who am I??? I don’t even recognize myself!
But suffice to say that I am staying strong :)
Amazing!!
Post by: RetiredAt63 on February 03, 2018, 06:19:45 PM
I had a potential activity today that involved an hour+ drive each way in -15C weather, where there would have been masses of lovely tempting fibre. I stayed home. I have to admit most years I would have gone for the socializing, but I am not feeling very social at the moment, so staying home was not a big sacrifice.
Post by: mspym on February 03, 2018, 07:45:00 PM
Post by: lifejoy on February 03, 2018, 10:40:29 PM
Not adding more seems to be inspiring me to clear out the old from my life - Another pile of clothes to take to the opshop. More books moved to the little free libraries nearby.
I am feeling this way, too!
Post by: HappierAtHome on February 03, 2018, 11:02:41 PM
Not adding more seems to be inspiring me to clear out the old from my life - Another pile of clothes to take to the opshop. More books moved to the little free libraries nearby.
I am feeling this way, too!
Yes! Me too! I love it.
Post by: chaskavitch on February 04, 2018, 06:42:53 AM
However, my crossfit gym is selling shirts for the 2018 Crossfit Open, and they're only $20, and I am weirdly attached to having lots of workout shirts. I only wear like 4 of the 15 or 20 I have now. It's a mixture of color preferences, how they fit while I'm a little heavier than I used to be, and style for crossfit vs yoga or rock climbing, but I obviously don't need ANOTHER workout shirt.
But I really really want it. /sigh
Post by: lifejoy on February 04, 2018, 09:08:34 AM
I think it is interesting that we have such a variety of pins, AND that there are still so many overlaps. Personally, I don't think I have a single piece of jewelry that cost more that $30 besides my wedding ring. I can't even imagine what I would spend $1000 on - I wouldn't have space for all the $20 earrings I could buy :)
However, my crossfit gym is selling shirts for the 2018 Crossfit Open, and they're only $20, and I am weirdly attached to having lots of workout shirts. I only wear like 4 of the 15 or 20 I have now. It's a mixture of color preferences, how they fit while I'm a little heavier than I used to be, and style for crossfit vs yoga or rock climbing, but I obviously don't need ANOTHER workout shirt.
But I really really want it. /sigh
Haha my dad made a comment about the cost of jewellery and then I asked him how much he’s spent on beer in his lifetime. That made him shaddup and think! We all have our thing that we think is worth the cost. (I almost never drink. My beer money goes towards jewellery! Or used to...)
Post by: Rosy on February 04, 2018, 10:35:46 AM
Ok, pretty proud of myself right now! A best bud sent me a link of a purse saying “I bet you’d like this!”. Well guess what? I LOVE it. It’s everything I’m looking for! AND it was on sale. Whaaaaat.
But I decided that purses and bags count as clothing. So I did not buy!
And then today, DH says: if you want jewellery for Valentine’s Day, you can have anything you want as long as it’s under $1000. WHAT. Old me, 2017 me, would’ve been ecstatic! 2018 me demurely mumbled that that would not be necessary and maybe he could just make me a delicious meal. Ha! Who am I??? I don’t even recognize myself!
But suffice to say that I am staying strong :)
An extra sparkly star for lifejoy please:)
We had the exact same conversation and I too choked a little bit - I think we are not quite fluent in this new language yet:)
Feb - so far not even tempted, mostly because I keep focusing more and more on my upcoming trip, so my attention is pleasantly engaged elsewhere.
Post by: lifejoy on February 04, 2018, 11:59:34 AM
Ok, pretty proud of myself right now! A best bud sent me a link of a purse saying “I bet you’d like this!”. Well guess what? I LOVE it. It’s everything I’m looking for! AND it was on sale. Whaaaaat.
But I decided that purses and bags count as clothing. So I did not buy!
And then today, DH says: if you want jewellery for Valentine’s Day, you can have anything you want as long as it’s under $1000. WHAT. Old me, 2017 me, would’ve been ecstatic! 2018 me demurely mumbled that that would not be necessary and maybe he could just make me a delicious meal. Ha! Who am I??? I don’t even recognize myself!
But suffice to say that I am staying strong :)
An extra sparkly star for lifejoy please:)
We had the exact same conversation and I too choked a little bit - I think we are not quite fluent in this new language yet:)
Feb - so far not even tempted, mostly because I keep focusing more and more on my upcoming trip, so my attention is pleasantly engaged elsewhere.
Solidarity!!!
Post by: Laura33 on February 04, 2018, 01:04:13 PM
Not adding more seems to be inspiring me to clear out the old from my life - Another pile of clothes to take to the opshop. More books moved to the little free libraries nearby.
I am feeling this way, too!
Yes!! I am now also working through the collection of half-used cosmetics samples and products -- I don't wear much makeup, so those things tend to stick around forever, and I have just decided I am not buying more of that until I get rid of what I have. Not a gazingus pin, though, as that has piled up through sheer laziness and lack of interest. ;-)
@lifejoy: congrats! What a HUGE win!!!
One more little bag of tea gone here, too -- one of those that I hadn't finished because I didn't really love it, but I just sucked it up and drank it, and now I don't have to think about it or waste cabinet space on it any more.
Post by: mspym on February 05, 2018, 01:34:27 AM
Not adding more seems to be inspiring me to clear out the old from my life - Another pile of clothes to take to the opshop. More books moved to the little free libraries nearby.
I am feeling this way, too!
Yes!! I am now also working through the collection of half-used cosmetics samples and products -- I don't wear much makeup, so those things tend to stick around forever, and I have just decided I am not buying more of that until I get rid of what I have. Not a gazingus pin, though, as that has piled up through sheer laziness and lack of interest. ;-)
@lifejoy: congrats! What a HUGE win!!!
One more little bag of tea gone here, too -- one of those that I hadn't finished because I didn't really love it, but I just sucked it up and drank it, and now I don't have to think about it or waste cabinet space on it any more.
@Laura33 I've been slowly throwing out all my halfused makeup and taking the random samples on trips to get rid of them.
Amazing how inertia keeps you from removing things you haven't touched in YEARS. Once you start looking, it's *everywhere*
Post by: I'm a red panda on February 05, 2018, 07:06:37 AM
It was shockingly hard to part with free toiletries.
Post by: Inkedup on February 05, 2018, 11:39:43 AM
However, my crossfit gym is selling shirts for the 2018 Crossfit Open, and they're only $20, and I am weirdly attached to having lots of workout shirts. I only wear like 4 of the 15 or 20 I have now. It's a mixture of color preferences, how they fit while I'm a little heavier than I used to be, and style for crossfit vs yoga or rock climbing, but I obviously don't need ANOTHER workout shirt.
But I really really want it. /sigh
If you find yourself starting to cave, just think: All those other now-unworn tops were wants at some point along the way. Will it really make you happy to add another one to the pile?
Post by: diapasoun on February 05, 2018, 12:09:01 PM
I didn't sign up for this challenge but I'm still reading along (I suspect there is something I need from this thread, though).I think a lot of pins are similar because they are aspirational things: crafting and sewing supplies - because we want to be creative and do all those Pinteresty things; books - because we want to be educated well-red; outdoor gear - because we want to be outdoorsy. It's the same with my horse stuff - because I want to be a better rider, but of course buying matchy breeches and saddle pads don't do that; buying riding lessons and practicing as much as possible does that.
This is from a minimalist blog, not a not-shopping blog, but I love this concept of a fantasy self (http://www.missminimalist.com/2011/08/declutter-your-fantasy-self/). I came across this blog post a few years ago and still find it a really useful concept to work out what I actually need and want in terms of physical items, but also helps steer to what I want to be doing, rather than what I think I should be doing to live up to a fantasy self.
It might be relevant to some of you in this challenge. And lifejoy, if you want something to read, I found the comments well worth a read as well.
Great link, thanks, @Astatine! I think part of decluttering, letting go or re-evaluating your gazingus pins is about entering another phase of your life. You are breaking with old habits, we grow, we reinvent ourselves, we move on - it is a natural process.
If we stay static and unchanged we end up mired in old habits that no longer serve us well, at their worst these unchecked behaviors may do serious damage to our health or destroy our financial lives.
Change is invigorating and letting go when you know you are ready is highly satisfying, but it is not easy and might take more time than we like to tackle the disposal of a collection.
Age and circumstances, environment and your health are all factors.
All change requires a good look at ourselves and our actions. It begs the question: who is this person? and who do I want to be? Not always comfortable, especially if you don't like what you see.
One day you wake up and something shifted and we start questioning ourselves and our values and desires and collections and indeed our very way of life.
I just wanted to pop in and say how much I've enjoyed the discussion on this thread about why gazingus pins are gazingus pins for us -- it's such a good read and food for thought.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 05, 2018, 02:27:21 PM
I finished one over the weekend and went to my stash to pull out another one. OMG I have a lot of candles - and that's after I "decluttered" the candle cabinet last summer! This time, I grabbed one of the "beautiful" ones that I've had for years and refused to burn because it was sooo pretty. It doesn't look pretty hidden in the stupid cabinet in the laundry room. Now it will fulfill it's purpose in life and make me happy looking at it (and smelling it) in my living room.
As for why certain objects become gazingus pins...I have an overactive brain. If I don't give it something to do, it goes nuts thinking about all kinds of crap....like a three-hour spell pondering why certain words are spelled one way and other words are spelled another way. Or I start doing massive house projects because I need to be active in some way. I can't turn it off...except with books. I love to escape into other worlds. I read voraciously (I've finished 16 books so far in 2018 and am halfway through three others - which means I'm off my normal pace), and I reread voraciously. It's easier to have the books here with me than go to the library, which might be closed or might not have the exact book I want to read right at this moment.
[This is not a new thing. My tiny hometown opened its first library when I was 15. The children's section was literally 90% books I donated since I had outgrown them. Once I hauled them to the library, I still had 1,000 books in my bedroom, and I could find whichever one I wanted within 2 minutes.]
Candles are just pretty, and they smell good.
Post by: chaskavitch on February 05, 2018, 02:59:13 PM
I want to add a second gazingus pin - candles. I will not buy another candle this year.
I finished one over the weekend and went to my stash to pull out another one. OMG I have a lot of candles - and that's after I "decluttered" the candle cabinet last summer! This time, I grabbed one of the "beautiful" ones that I've had for years and refused to burn because it was sooo pretty. It doesn't look pretty hidden in the stupid cabinet in the laundry room. Now it will fulfill it's purpose in life and make me happy looking at it (and smelling it) in my living room.
As for why certain objects become gazingus pins...I have an overactive brain. If I don't give it something to do, it goes nuts thinking about all kinds of crap....like a three-hour spell pondering why certain words are spelled one way and other words are spelled another way. Or I start doing massive house projects because I need to be active in some way. I can't turn it off...except with books. I love to escape into other worlds. I read voraciously (I've finished 16 books so far in 2018 and am halfway through three others - which means I'm off my normal pace), and I reread voraciously. It's easier to have the books here with me than go to the library, which might be closed or might not have the exact book I want to read right at this moment.
[This is not a new thing. My tiny hometown opened its first library when I was 15. The children's section was literally 90% books I donated since I had outgrown them. Once I hauled them to the library, I still had 1,000 books in my bedroom, and I could find whichever one I wanted within 2 minutes.]
Candles are just pretty, and they smell good.
I am so impressed that you've read 16 books this year! Nice. I read quickly (especially compared to DH who reads, like, one book a year), but I think I've only read 5 or 6. Does your library do e-books? I like reserving the ones I want, and then being able to download them immediately when they email me that they're available instead of having to make a trip all the way to the library :) The selection isn't always great, but it's a nice supplement to your zillions of books at home.
Post by: chaskavitch on February 05, 2018, 03:13:42 PM
Now I'm really sad, and all DH said was "Well, the calendar was free when we made our plans. You wanna bail on the trip?" /sigh. Just commiseration, dude, come on. That's all I want.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 06, 2018, 08:21:17 AM
Post by: lifejoy on February 06, 2018, 08:56:42 AM
Dang it. I just realized that I forgot to put my clothes swap on my Google calendar, because it has moved dates twice since I originally accepted the FB invite. We're going to be out of town on our anniversary trip with friends that weekend :( I was looking forward to it so much! It's hosted by my pastor's wife, and this is the 11th annual swap - I've made all 10 of the previous ones.
Now I'm really sad, and all DH said was "Well, the calendar was free when we made our plans. You wanna bail on the trip?" /sigh. Just commiseration, dude, come on. That's all I want.
I can show you commiseration! That SUCKS!!!!!! But I bet you get to attend the next one :)
Post by: zeli2033 on February 06, 2018, 09:11:33 AM
I want to add a second gazingus pin - candles. I will not buy another candle this year.
I finished one over the weekend and went to my stash to pull out another one. OMG I have a lot of candles - and that's after I "decluttered" the candle cabinet last summer! This time, I grabbed one of the "beautiful" ones that I've had for years and refused to burn because it was sooo pretty. It doesn't look pretty hidden in the stupid cabinet in the laundry room. Now it will fulfill it's purpose in life and make me happy looking at it (and smelling it) in my living room.
As for why certain objects become gazingus pins...I have an overactive brain. If I don't give it something to do, it goes nuts thinking about all kinds of crap....like a three-hour spell pondering why certain words are spelled one way and other words are spelled another way. Or I start doing massive house projects because I need to be active in some way. I can't turn it off...except with books. I love to escape into other worlds. I read voraciously (I've finished 16 books so far in 2018 and am halfway through three others - which means I'm off my normal pace), and I reread voraciously. It's easier to have the books here with me than go to the library, which might be closed or might not have the exact book I want to read right at this moment.
[This is not a new thing. My tiny hometown opened its first library when I was 15. The children's section was literally 90% books I donated since I had outgrown them. Once I hauled them to the library, I still had 1,000 books in my bedroom, and I could find whichever one I wanted within 2 minutes.]
Candles are just pretty, and they smell good.
I am so impressed that you've read 16 books this year! Nice. I read quickly (especially compared to DH who reads, like, one book a year), but I think I've only read 5 or 6. Does your library do e-books? I like reserving the ones I want, and then being able to download them immediately when they email me that they're available instead of having to make a trip all the way to the library :) The selection isn't always great, but it's a nice supplement to your zillions of books at home.
This. This is my new favorite thing. I have so many ebooks on hold and it’s like my birthday each time one is ready for me to read. I can download onto my phone and anytime I have a few spare minutes or want to zone out over lunch at work or something, I can pull up the book and read a few chapters. Best thing ever.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 08, 2018, 01:48:31 PM
Last night I finished the first book in a series. It was sooo good, and I wanted to read the next three.
Normally I'd place an Amazon order and get them this weekend. Instead, I ordered them from the library...and they'll be in my branch on Saturday.
Post by: Rosy on February 08, 2018, 05:18:37 PM
Checking in - ALMOST caved just now, saved by a snafu when I tried to order. I took it as a sign that I need to stay on the straight and narrow.
Even the universe is telling me to stop!:)
Sigh - not really happy with myself and not really happy that the order didn't go through either.
Damn, I thought I was doing so well - guess I deceived myself.
I am still in danger of caving.
Post by: lifejoy on February 08, 2018, 06:25:41 PM
Win for me!
Last night I finished the first book in a series. It was sooo good, and I wanted to read the next three.
Normally I'd place an Amazon order and get them this weekend. Instead, I ordered them from the library...and they'll be in my branch on Saturday.
That is all kinds of excellent! Not only are you reading for *free*, but you are also helping your local library by beefing up their statistics! Really helpful for when they request funding and/or need stats to prove their worth. Go, you!!!
Post by: lifejoy on February 08, 2018, 06:26:35 PM
Sweet win ^^^
Checking in - ALMOST caved just now, saved by a snafu when I tried to order. I took it as a sign that I need to stay on the straight and narrow.
Even the universe is telling me to stop!:)
Sigh - not really happy with myself and not really happy that the order didn't go through either.
Damn, I thought I was doing so well - guess I deceived myself.
I am still in danger of caving.
It takes time. Be kind to yourself! You’re doing really really well! And I think it WAS a sign from the universe ;)
The universe is rooting for you!
Post by: horsepoor on February 08, 2018, 09:33:01 PM
Post by: CrustyBadger on February 09, 2018, 05:26:53 AM
But, I took some long drinks of water from the water fountain and didn't buy anything.
Post by: Rosy on February 09, 2018, 06:46:00 AM
Post by: Rosy on February 09, 2018, 07:09:19 AM
@ horsepoor - interesting dilemma. My first inclination is to say 45 minutes of your time saved several times this year is worth it. Preventing the horse from illness is more important than anything. That would be a necessity.
However, you can do without that moisture wicking blanket and do the work.
But then - we are trying to flex our hardcore MMM muscles in just this one area of our lives. Definitely not an easy feat.
Here is an evil suggestion: To drive the point home we could give out cream puffs at the end of the month to those of us who do not make it that month? I almost qualified for one last night - it is soo easy to give in, almost an automatic reaction. I really do want to break that habit.
Post by: lifejoy on February 09, 2018, 07:58:42 AM
Did I mention that the ring I tried to order last night is now following me around on the Internet? Every time I open up a new page - the picture of that damn ring pops up - that is just cruel and unusual punishment!
@ horsepoor - interesting dilemma. My first inclination is to say 45 minutes of your time saved several times this year is worth it. Preventing the horse from illness is more important than anything. That would be a necessity.
However, you can do without that moisture wicking blanket and do the work.
But then - we are trying to flex our hardcore MMM muscles in just this one area of our lives. Definitely not an easy feat.
Here is an evil suggestion: To drive the point home we could give out cream puffs at the end of the month to those of us who do not make it that month? I almost qualified for one last night - it is soo easy to give in, almost an automatic reaction. I really do want to break that habit.
Gah! Rosy! How cruel that the ring is following you! I have had that happen to me. If you open up a “private” or “incognito” internet window, will it go away? I’m just hypothesizing.
Rosy, sometimes I pretend I’ve bought the ring. The itch to buy it disappears (in a pretend way) and I ask myself: has my life changed? Nope. I just have another ring in the drawer and I’ve lost that addictive urge. Going through that mental process kind of wakes me up.
And I think you make good points about how easy it is to give in.
I’ve been having leg pain and my massage therapist told me that wearing shoes with proper support (like running shoes for walking) could help. I’m not sure what to do. My ability to get size 9 running shoes for free is... limited.
Hmm. Maybe I can wear my hiking shoes. I will have to do some research.
As far as horsepoor is concerned, my initial reaction was, “its for the good of the horse! How could she say no?” But after thinking some more and reading your comment Rosy, I think there could always be an excuse like that. Similar to parents who buy stuff for their children. Sometimes it’s a true need (food!) and sometimes not (toys). Horsepoor, I can see this will be a good challenge for you. What are you hoping to get out of 2018? Have you added up how much you’re spending on your horse? I suspect it could be more than you realize.
Post by: lifejoy on February 09, 2018, 08:02:22 AM
Not spending money on jewellery and clothes has freed up a lot of my disposable fun money. It allowed me to commit a random act of kindness yesterday. It was really great to realize: hmm. Instead of a new pair of jeans I got to make that person’s day. This kind of feels better than a new pair of jeans...
Definitely this is an awareness and realization process for me! And it’s only February.
Post by: CrustyBadger on February 09, 2018, 08:45:35 AM
Post by: lifejoy on February 09, 2018, 09:51:43 AM
Life joy, if there were a medical reason I needed to eat Doritos and coke, I’d search for the Best Buy in bulk and optimize what I could, but count it as a need not a want. A single pair of proper tiring running shoes IMO does not count as a gazingus pin.
Lol! Good one!!
Yeah, I’m thinking that it is not in line for my goals to stop spending that benefits my health. It’s the mindless fashion spending that I seek to challenge. I’m going to think on it a little more though.
Thanks for the laugh and the sound advice!!
Post by: lifejoy on February 09, 2018, 10:15:30 AM
Win for me -- yesterday I had a flat tire after work and took my car to a tire shop. I was hungry and thirsty and they had a snack machine right there for me tempting me with sodas and snacks. I almost rationalized buying something saying I had had a difficult afternoon, I was tired, and I said my Gazingus Pin was "vending machine snacks at work" not "vending machine snacks after work" so.. technicality.
But, I took some long drinks of water from the water fountain and didn't buy anything.
I'm intrigued, because January sounded pretty easy for you but I guess it is still requiring effort! I only mention that because of your comment about maybe needing to find a new gazingus pin to add. But I think this one is still a good challenge to cement :)
You're doing great! I try filling up on water in the middle of the night when I'm a bit hungry. I'm up at all hours breastfeeding my baby but the baby weight started falling off when I stopped eating at all hours, too! ;)
JanetJackson - added your star, finally! Formerlydivorcedmom - added candles to your list of gazingus pins. Hooray! You know what? I used to have a candle addiction, too! I had a *COLLECTION*. And it was beautiful. And then I realized that buying candles meant that I was literally setting fire to my money. Plus I was collecting candles much faster than I was using them. Bah. Not good!
Now when I get given candles or chocolates (things I'm not buying), I am delighted. Such a great gift. In the past, it was kind of a shrug and a mechanical *add to collection*. When I stop buying things for myself it makes receiving them as gifts so much more meaningful.
--
Food for thought: we are buying less gazingus pins. Or even zero gazingus pins! What are we creating room for? What values are we spending on instead? For me:
- Freedom (FIRE! Woot!)
- Giving (friends, strangers, charities)
- Space (by not adding to my clutter)
- Relationships (buying gifts and not having almost-fights with DH about stuff I want but don't have the fun money for)
- Confidence/security (happier with the clothes I have instead of always needing more more more)
- Health (spending my time cooking instead of online shopping)
- Time! (not spending so much shopping, buying and returning things)
- Modelling (showing my baby daughter that life is not all about consuming!)
I feel good that resisting my gazingus pins is making room in my life for me to focus on the things I TRULY value. What are you making room for in your life?
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 09, 2018, 10:18:20 AM
@lifejoy, buy the shoes. I just got back from the podiatrist, where I spent a wonderful $500 on X-rays and custom orthotics. If I'd been wearing properly supportive shoes (cost = $100), I wouldn't have had foot problems. He literally took one look at my tennis shoes at my first appointment and said "'NO." So I had to spend the $100 on the new shoes anyway...but I get the doctor bills on top of that.
Last night was Literacy Night at my son's school. He had saved his allowance to buy books. My husband showed me an awesome cookbook, which ended up on my credit card. I got home and realized that cookbooks count as books. Dammit. Anyway, that's my 1 book for February.
Post by: lifejoy on February 09, 2018, 10:31:02 AM
You guys are doing so great - and it's lovely when the universe steps in to help.
@lifejoy, buy the shoes. I just got back from the podiatrist, where I spent a wonderful $500 on X-rays and custom orthotics. If I'd been wearing properly supportive shoes (cost = $100), I wouldn't have had foot problems. He literally took one look at my tennis shoes at my first appointment and said "'NO." So I had to spend the $100 on the new shoes anyway...but I get the doctor bills on top of that.
Last night was Literacy Night at my son's school. He had saved his allowance to buy books. My husband showed me an awesome cookbook, which ended up on my credit card. I got home and realized that cookbooks count as books. Dammit. Anyway, that's my 1 book for February.
Yikes! Good cautionary tale about the footwear. Maybe running/walking shoes are more like athletic or sports wear, which is definitely not a gazingus pin category for me. Thanks for sharing your story :)
Also... the cookbook thing, I have so been there! The “oh yeah, I guess earrings are jewellery” realization of when you’re going through the motions and then realize you’re falling into Ann old habit. Yep. Good on you for realizing and committing! February is a short month, after all ;)
Post by: Rosy on February 09, 2018, 02:20:21 PM
Food for thought: we are buying less gazingus pins. Or even zero gazingus pins! What are we creating room for? What values are we spending on instead? For me:
- Freedom (FIRE! Woot!)
- Giving (friends, strangers, charities)
- Space (by not adding to my clutter)
- Relationships (buying gifts and not having almost-fights with DH about stuff I want but don't have the fun money for)
- Confidence/security (happier with the clothes I have instead of always needing more more more)
- Health (spending my time cooking instead of online shopping)
- Time! (not spending so much shopping, buying and returning things)
- Modelling (showing my baby daughter that life is not all about consuming!)
I feel good that resisting my gazingus pins is making room in my life for me to focus on the things I TRULY value. What are you making room for in your life?
I'm sure there is something in my life that I am making room for, but right now all I can see is that buying zero jewelry in 2018
1. keeps my finances intact.
2. makes it possible to reach my two goals for the year - trip and the savings goal.
3. gives me a bit of breathing room in my discretionary budget.
I am on a really tight budget, because of my two goals for this year and because I'm helping out a family member, so I have plenty of financial incentives to make it happen.
In other words, it is strengthening my focus and financial discipline - one may hope:)
"What values are we spending on instead?"
I am not spending on other things, rather I am prioritizing what I value most - FI - savings aka reaching that $50K goal in 2019!
Second, I am choosing a paid for trip over using my credit card (I will, but only to get the points - then I'll pay it from my savings) and over spending money on jewelry.
Given all that - it should be easy to do, but it is surprisingly hard and I do wonder if I can make it through the second month.
Self-sabotage and temptation must be first cousins:)
lifejoy - buy the shoes! There is nothing frivolous or spendy about buying a pair of shoes that are good for your health, your legs and probably your back too. Do some research.
Here is a site that may have better prices on your shoes than store retail - I plan on buying my hiking shoes there.
Be sure to check the reviews on your choices - I thought of going to the local store and trying them on, then get a much better sale price from this site.
www.sierratradingpost.com
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 09, 2018, 03:39:09 PM
Yikes! Good cautionary tale about the footwear. Maybe running/walking shoes are more like athletic or sports wear, which is definitely not a gazingus pin category for me. Thanks for sharing your story :)
In your case, new running shoes ought to go in the medical spending bucket. It's an investment in your health.
Food for thought: we are buying less gazingus pins. Or even zero gazingus pins! What are we creating room for? What values are we spending on instead? For me:
- Freedom (FIRE! Woot!)
- Giving (friends, strangers, charities)
- Space (by not adding to my clutter)
- Relationships (buying gifts and not having almost-fights with DH about stuff I want but don't have the fun money for)
- Confidence/security (happier with the clothes I have instead of always needing more more more)
- Health (spending my time cooking instead of online shopping)
- Time! (not spending so much shopping, buying and returning things)
- Modelling (showing my baby daughter that life is not all about consuming!)
I feel good that resisting my gazingus pins is making room in my life for me to focus on the things I TRULY value. What are you making room for in your life?
For me, this challenge is about learning to be more mindful.
I will always be a reader, I am just changing the way I do that. I've done a good job of starting the decluttering process in my house over the last 6 months, since I discovered the KonMari method. I want to take this time to be more intentional about everything that comes into my house. If I can get to that level with the thing I am most passionate about, I feel like the rest with follow. And THAT means ...
less clutter ... which means
less stress
more appreciation for what I already have
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 09, 2018, 03:44:26 PM
I know that I get personally caught up in finding "the best deal" & get a high from said deal, but if I step back & consider it, it's actually not the best financial choice. Sometimes that's no boring, there's no accompanying high, and i just need to be able to think through & make the better decision.
Also, extra gift cards are just more clutter, & I often forget to use them, etc.
Post by: CrustyBadger on February 09, 2018, 04:04:12 PM
Win for me -- yesterday I had a flat tire after work and took my car to a tire shop. I was hungry and thirsty and they had a snack machine right there for me tempting me with sodas and snacks. I almost rationalized buying something saying I had had a difficult afternoon, I was tired, and I said my Gazingus Pin was "vending machine snacks at work" not "vending machine snacks after work" so.. technicality.
But, I took some long drinks of water from the water fountain and didn't buy anything.
I'm intrigued, because January sounded pretty easy for you but I guess it is still requiring effort! I only mention that because of your comment about maybe needing to find a new gazingus pin to add. But I think this one is still a good challenge to cement :)
You're doing great! I try filling up on water in the middle of the night when I'm a bit hungry. I'm up at all hours breastfeeding my baby but the baby weight started falling off when I stopped eating at all hours, too! ;)
I still feel little twinges at work every now and then.. a little craving of something salty, or the boost of caffeine and sugar from a Coke.
I think the big difference between my Cokes and SNacks, versus other people's jewelry/books/fine teas, is that those things you chose you actually enjoy -- you value them, think they are worthwhile, just that you have too many of them. (I think?)
Whereas I know these snacks are junk food, they are bad for me, I don't want to be eating them. If I remember to pack a proper lunch, they don't tempt me at all. They were just a bad habit. I eat them for a boost, but know full well that after I eat and drink them I will just crash harder.
But man, at 4:30 after a long day of teaching and worrying about car trouble it was hard to say no to a nice cold coke! I did it again today when I went to pick up my car!
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 09, 2018, 04:39:27 PM
I'm weaning myself off of soda again this month, as part of an eating plan to break the addiction to sugar. I love my nice cold diet cokes.....and they are free at work....sigh. I would have made it my gazingus pin, too, except soda is the only type of caffeine I drink, and there will occasionally be a day I need one to power through.
Today I had to pretend to myself that I just had my teeth cleaned, so I don't want to stain them with soda or Dorito stains already.
Post by: Poundwise on February 09, 2018, 07:58:45 PM
I was about to report that I had at last gone an entire month without a craft purchase, thus rightfully earning my star, when I suddenly recalled a purchase that I made in mid-January that I had completely forgotten within an hour of it happening!
A friend of mine mentioned that she needed some grommets put on a banner, and since I had some returns to make at the craft store I thought I would pick some up for her. I had about 15 minutes to spare, so I charged through the store, making my return, grabbed the grommets, and then I picked up some colorful buttons that my daughter begged me for, and then on the way out of the store I snagged some sale rolls of ribbon! And some other small stuff I don't even remember!
In the end, it probably didn't cost much, as nothing was that expensive and I had a gift card (MaybeBabyMustache, I had GCs as a past gazingus pin!) But really it is quite shocking, how little memory I have of the entire transaction!
So it turns out my friend didn't need the grommets after all. I was going to return them, but I think I had better just stop going into the store, since apparently I don't have anything approaching control when I get there.
Post by: lifejoy on February 09, 2018, 09:45:23 PM
Good work, everyone!!
I was about to report that I had at last gone an entire month without a craft purchase, thus rightfully earning my star, when I suddenly recalled a purchase that I made in mid-January that I had completely forgotten within an hour of it happening!
A friend of mine mentioned that she needed some grommets put on a banner, and since I had some returns to make at the craft store I thought I would pick some up for her. I had about 15 minutes to spare, so I charged through the store, making my return, grabbed the grommets, and then I picked up some colorful buttons that my daughter begged me for, and then on the way out of the store I snagged some sale rolls of ribbon! And some other small stuff I don't even remember!
In the end, it probably didn't cost much, as nothing was that expensive and I had a gift card (MaybeBabyMustache, I had GCs as a past gazingus pin!) But really it is quite shocking, how little memory I have of the entire transaction!
So it turns out my friend didn't need the grommets after all. I was going to return them, but I think I had better just stop going into the store, since apparently I don't have anything approaching control when I get there.
It’s amazing, the sorts of things we do on autopilot!
Perhaps you could have someone return the grommets for you?
I recently returned some pants (purchased in December) and I had to put imaginary blinders on as I walked into the department store! I got $120 back and the lady was so nice, processed it as a return instead of store credit, even though it had been nearly two months... lol. Really psyched that I won’t be spending my 2018 life busy with returns. I definitely see unnecessary shopping and my habit of returning things as activities that take me away from my baby and my family and things I truly value.
Post by: Serendip on February 10, 2018, 09:05:45 AM
I found myself lost down the spiral of on-line book browing and almost purchased one this week. I realized I REALLY want to make it through this year without buying books (although I have 5 out from the library!), since I don't know when/if that has happened before.
Also please add me to the tea gazingus-pin group.
I was previously in denial but this morning saw a basket full of tea that I rarely touch. Been slowly working through my herbal collections (my sister is a herbalist so I have lovely selections of locally gathered plants..but the whole point is to use it and appreciate it). I love to make blended elixirs and concoctions but sometimes forget about the simple joy of a basic tea. Which is what I am enjoying this morning.
Post by: diapasoun on February 10, 2018, 10:45:11 AM
1. More time to read my books because I'm shopping less
2. More appreciation for the books I already have.
3. More money to FI.
4. More space in my house, because books are also leaving.
5. Greater thoughtfulness about what brings happiness into my life and home.
@CrustyBadger I feel like I should join you at some point this year on a version of the snacks!gazingus pin, but I'm not quite there yet. My issue is dealing with junk food -- it's hard for me to resist. I'm currently pretty healthy, but that's likely because I'm still pretty young. I want to deal with any junk food issues before it becomes an issue, not after. So I've recently given myself a challenge: I only get junk food if I or a friend made it, or possibly on very special occasions (birthdays or big holidays). So I can make myself brownies, or if a friend makes cookies, I can have a cookie; but I can't dive into that bag of chips at D&D because those were bought from a store. It's definitely an ongoing process right now and not something I can do cold turkey yet (if only because I'm forgetful about it), but I hope that in a little bit I can join you in my version of this one.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 10, 2018, 11:51:33 AM
Thought of all of you with the jewelry gazingus pins! Oh, & he also got me noise cancelling headphones for my international work trips. Mine are 12 years old, and are falling apart & no longer work. Definitely keeping those.
Life is funny. In my 20s, I would have LOVED a diamond necklace for my birthday. I'm so content & happy with the life I have now. (This is no judgment of anyone else who loves sparkly things, I have my own gazingus pins I assure you. ;-))
Post by: zeli2033 on February 10, 2018, 11:57:43 AM
For me, not buying books this year also means:
1. Learning to practice patience. Just because I want it now doesn't mean I actually need to fulfill that desire at that instant. If I still want it in 11 months, I can easily have it. What I've found is that the internal alarm bells stop chiming so loudly once I delay fulfilling the desire for a new book. I consider it the practice I need as we work toward FIRE
2. Fostering a growing appreciation for my local library - both to check out books and in the joy I experience walking there, sometimes alone and sometimes with DH, and just browsing. Engaging with my local community more is already proving to be a huge positive and it's exactly what I want to make space and time for.
Post by: Serendip on February 10, 2018, 12:02:00 PM
Today is my birthday, & my husband got me a sparkly necklace. Disclaimer, we can afford this, & my husband is an amazing guy with great taste. I thanked him, hugged him & let him know that I'd really prefer something smaller, and/or to put that money towards a few nice dinners out together, etc. He's returning it, and no feelings were hurt. I know he loves to spoil me, but all I really need today, I have. Went for a run in the sunshine, he's doing the Costco run (yes!), he's picking up fancy cupcakes & champagne, the kids cleaned their rooms for my gift, and we're all happy & healthy.
Thought of all of you with the jewelry gazingus pins! Oh, & he also got me noise cancelling headphones for my international work trips. Mine are 12 years old, and are falling apart & no longer work. Definitely keeping those.
Life is funny. In my 20s, I would have LOVED a diamond necklace for my birthday. I'm so content & happy with the life I have now. (This is no judgment of anyone else who loves sparkly things, I have my own gazingus pins I assure you. ;-))
HAPPY BIRTHDAY :)
enjoy the cupcakes and champagne..isn't it lovely to enjoy what we already own?!
have a great day (sparkly life vs. sparkly gift)
I think that's one the biggest reasons I strive to minimize accumulation: freeing up mindspace and homespace to enjoy the gifts I have, including the good people in life.
Post by: lifejoy on February 10, 2018, 02:27:03 PM
Today is my birthday, & my husband got me a sparkly necklace. Disclaimer, we can afford this, & my husband is an amazing guy with great taste. I thanked him, hugged him & let him know that I'd really prefer something smaller, and/or to put that money towards a few nice dinners out together, etc. He's returning it, and no feelings were hurt. I know he loves to spoil me, but all I really need today, I have. Went for a run in the sunshine, he's doing the Costco run (yes!), he's picking up fancy cupcakes & champagne, the kids cleaned their rooms for my gift, and we're all happy & healthy.
Thought of all of you with the jewelry gazingus pins! Oh, & he also got me noise cancelling headphones for my international work trips. Mine are 12 years old, and are falling apart & no longer work. Definitely keeping those.
Life is funny. In my 20s, I would have LOVED a diamond necklace for my birthday. I'm so content & happy with the life I have now. (This is no judgment of anyone else who loves sparkly things, I have my own gazingus pins I assure you. ;-))
HAPPY BIRTHDAY :)
enjoy the cupcakes and champagne..isn't it lovely to enjoy what we already own?!
have a great day (sparkly life vs. sparkly gift)
I think that's one the biggest reasons I strive to minimize accumulation: freeing up mindspace and homespace to enjoy the gifts I have, including the good people in life.
Sparkly life vs sparkly gift! I love it!!!
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 10, 2018, 02:59:16 PM
Today is my birthday, & my husband got me a sparkly necklace. Disclaimer, we can afford this, & my husband is an amazing guy with great taste. I thanked him, hugged him & let him know that I'd really prefer something smaller, and/or to put that money towards a few nice dinners out together, etc. He's returning it, and no feelings were hurt. I know he loves to spoil me, but all I really need today, I have. Went for a run in the sunshine, he's doing the Costco run (yes!), he's picking up fancy cupcakes & champagne, the kids cleaned their rooms for my gift, and we're all happy & healthy.
Thought of all of you with the jewelry gazingus pins! Oh, & he also got me noise cancelling headphones for my international work trips. Mine are 12 years old, and are falling apart & no longer work. Definitely keeping those.
Life is funny. In my 20s, I would have LOVED a diamond necklace for my birthday. I'm so content & happy with the life I have now. (This is no judgment of anyone else who loves sparkly things, I have my own gazingus pins I assure you. ;-))
HAPPY BIRTHDAY :)
enjoy the cupcakes and champagne..isn't it lovely to enjoy what we already own?!
have a great day (sparkly life vs. sparkly gift)
I think that's one the biggest reasons I strive to minimize accumulation: freeing up mindspace and homespace to enjoy the gifts I have, including the good people in life.
Sparkly life vs sparkly gift! I love it!!!
I will definitely remember this! Love that so much. thanks, Serendip!
Post by: mspym on February 10, 2018, 03:07:44 PM
So what I am gaining is
1- more money
2- more thoughtful consumption
3- improved skills and ability to tackle tougher projects by working through the hard parts of my current projects.
Post by: horsepoor on February 10, 2018, 10:16:36 PM
As far as horsepoor is concerned, my initial reaction was, “its for the good of the horse! How could she say no?” But after thinking some more and reading your comment Rosy, I think there could always be an excuse like that. Similar to parents who buy stuff for their children. Sometimes it’s a true need (food!) and sometimes not (toys). Horsepoor, I can see this will be a good challenge for you. What are you hoping to get out of 2018? Have you added up how much you’re spending on your horse? I suspect it could be more than you realize.
Good question! What I really want to avoid is buying stuff because "oh, it's a good deal and nice to have an extra! or oh, I'll need this for a hypothetical show I might go to in six months, or oh, wouldn't my horse look cute decked out in matching teal accessories!!"
I spend enough on my horses (I have three) to make any self-respecting Mustachian crap their thrifted jeans, but I'm OK with that. I just don't want to buy stuff that doesn't actually further my goals, or will sit and gather dust. So I did buy the sheet ($61.98 with shipping) because it's something I have an actual use for right now. If I had it already, it would have come in handy today when my mare was sweaty after our riding lesson and it was windy and 36F (she wore my other horse's too-big wool sheet for the trailer ride home). I will note that I refrained from buying a matching one for my other horse, who is away at reform school and won't be back until summer, when such an item will be unnecessary.
Post by: WootWoot on February 11, 2018, 11:21:26 AM
Good idea!
I am giving up art workshops for the year.
Even though I studied arts and have taken many workshops--I always feel compelled to learn something new (even when I am not practicing half the things I would like to practice)
And books..no buying books (the library and our personal library will have to suffice)
Post by: Mezzie on February 11, 2018, 02:56:46 PM
-fountain pens
-books not required for school (I usually just rely on the library, but I bought three cookbooks in December -- granted, after I had checked them out from the library and tested some recipes, and I'm using the cookbooks weekly, but three are enough)
-stationery (unless I actually use mine up)
Post by: Tris Prior on February 11, 2018, 06:09:46 PM
Yes!! I am now also working through the collection of half-used cosmetics samples and products -- I don't wear much makeup, so those things tend to stick around forever, and I have just decided I am not buying more of that until I get rid of what I have. Not a gazingus pin, though, as that has piled up through sheer laziness and lack of interest. ;-)
I'm the same way (though I do wear makeup daily). I don't consider makeup a gazingus pin because I don't have to restrain myself from accumulating more shiny things, but I just seem to accumulate it anyway. I have so much eyeshadow right now because a friend gave me a couple of large palettes she wasn't going to use. I have a bunch of lip balm that I'm never going to get through because a little goes a LONG way with this brand and I got a 4-pack on clearance a couple years ago. Today I was in Sephora to buy a mascara because mine was dried up and I was drooling over all of the eyeshadows but wasn't really tempted to bring any home because, honestly, the amount I have kind of stresses me out. Too much choice! But I feel bad just throwing it out.
Why does having a lot of makeup stress me out, whereas having a lot of tea and a lot of socks/tights doesn't? That's an excellent question; I don't have the answer. All my makeup lives in a big metal lunchbox and takes up very little space compared to the legwear so I don't know.
I am still holding strong. I did visit my nemesis sockdreams.com today but didn't buy anything. I really had the urge to spend today because, well, my cat died yesterday and I'm trying not to emotionally eat or drink wine in response (dieting) so of course that leaves retail therapy, right? :P At any rate, instead of buying, I added some things I liked to my wishlist on the site. And deleted a few things on my wishlist that I was like "why on earth did I even want that?" It was a great tool to feel like I was shopping for myself, without spending anything or accumulating more STUFF.
Post by: lifejoy on February 11, 2018, 08:11:52 PM
Yes!! I am now also working through the collection of half-used cosmetics samples and products -- I don't wear much makeup, so those things tend to stick around forever, and I have just decided I am not buying more of that until I get rid of what I have. Not a gazingus pin, though, as that has piled up through sheer laziness and lack of interest. ;-)
I'm the same way (though I do wear makeup daily). I don't consider makeup a gazingus pin because I don't have to restrain myself from accumulating more shiny things, but I just seem to accumulate it anyway. I have so much eyeshadow right now because a friend gave me a couple of large palettes she wasn't going to use. I have a bunch of lip balm that I'm never going to get through because a little goes a LONG way with this brand and I got a 4-pack on clearance a couple years ago. Today I was in Sephora to buy a mascara because mine was dried up and I was drooling over all of the eyeshadows but wasn't really tempted to bring any home because, honestly, the amount I have kind of stresses me out. Too much choice! But I feel bad just throwing it out.
Why does having a lot of makeup stress me out, whereas having a lot of tea and a lot of socks/tights doesn't? That's an excellent question; I don't have the answer. All my makeup lives in a big metal lunchbox and takes up very little space compared to the legwear so I don't know.
I am still holding strong. I did visit my nemesis sockdreams.com today but didn't buy anything. I really had the urge to spend today because, well, my cat died yesterday and I'm trying not to emotionally eat or drink wine in response (dieting) so of course that leaves retail therapy, right? :P At any rate, instead of buying, I added some things I liked to my wishlist on the site. And deleted a few things on my wishlist that I was like "why on earth did I even want that?" It was a great tool to feel like I was shopping for myself, without spending anything or accumulating more STUFF.
Props to you for holding strong. I am so sorry to hear about your cat. Years ago, I bought jewellery after finding out my cousin died. I eventually gave away that piece. Looking at it always made me feel sad.
Maybe buying socks would make you feel sad when you looked at them.
Is there a better way you could do retail therapy? Donating money to a pet shelter? Buying flowers or a plaque to put on the garden as a memorial?
Anyways my heart goes out to you.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 11, 2018, 08:41:59 PM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 12, 2018, 07:53:20 AM
I had to go down the book aisle at the grocery store this weekend (because the Valentine's cards were there too, and my son needed to pick up a box for school). I lingered to read the titles of the new releases. My son (age 8) poked me in the back and said "NO BOOKS, MAMA! You promised."
Surprisingly, I wasn't actually going to buy one. There was one that sounded good by an author I like, and I just put it on my mental list to get from the library.
Post by: lifejoy on February 12, 2018, 08:16:10 AM
Happy belated birthday, @MaybeBabyMustache , and hugs to you, @Tris Prior .
I had to go down the book aisle at the grocery store this weekend (because the Valentine's cards were there too, and my son needed to pick up a box for school). I lingered to read the titles of the new releases. My son (age 8) poked me in the back and said "NO BOOKS, MAMA! You promised."
Surprisingly, I wasn't actually going to buy one. There was one that sounded good by an author I like, and I just put it on my mental list to get from the library.
Kudos to you, and your son! Sounds like you have accountability in real life in addition to online :)
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 12, 2018, 08:47:15 AM
Post by: diapasoun on February 12, 2018, 09:55:13 AM
Post by: Rosy on February 13, 2018, 07:02:03 AM
Quote
I am still holding strong. I did visit my nemesis sockdreams.com today but didn't buy anything. I really had the urge to spend today because, well, my cat died yesterday and I'm trying not to emotionally eat or drink wine in response (dieting) so of course that leaves retail therapy, right? :P At any rate, instead of buying, I added some things I liked to my wishlist on the site. And deleted a few things on my wishlist that I was like "why on earth did I even want that?" It was a great tool to feel like I was shopping for myself, without spending anything or accumulating more STUFF.
1. Sorry about your kitty. I had a little black one that lived 21 years and moved to two continents with me, twice:) I cried so hard on the freeway the next day that I don't even know how I could see to drive. She will forever live in my memory.
2. That's funny about the wishlist - I rarely use them, because I don't want to turn them into a goal:)
You are stronger than I, because my mind will not let go of that list until I "accomplished" it.
I do have an Amazon book list, but it doesn't tempt me and physically draw me like jewelry does.
@MabeBabyMustache - I love the sparkly life vs sparkly jewelry analogy. But, then I immediately think - WHY can't I have both?:)
Post by: chaskavitch on February 13, 2018, 07:08:59 AM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 13, 2018, 07:45:55 AM
I successfully navigated Walmart and King Soopers without buying anything not on my grocery list. I LOVE LOVE LOVE those little Cadbury mini eggs. I don't know why, but I could eat a full sized bag of them all by myself in a single sitting (I think I might have, a few years ago). And I didn't buy them, even though they're on aisle displays literally all over the place. Good for my wallet, my blood sugar, and my self control.
The worst part is they are ON SALE at my grocery store right now. I had to be very very very strong not to buy them this week, but they weren't on the list. I've also successfully refrained from putting them on next week's list.
We deserve major karma points for this level of self-control.
Post by: Poundwise on February 13, 2018, 09:00:57 AM
Post by: lifejoy on February 13, 2018, 09:37:21 AM
@TrisPriorQuoteI am still holding strong. I did visit my nemesis sockdreams.com today but didn't buy anything. I really had the urge to spend today because, well, my cat died yesterday and I'm trying not to emotionally eat or drink wine in response (dieting) so of course that leaves retail therapy, right? :P At any rate, instead of buying, I added some things I liked to my wishlist on the site. And deleted a few things on my wishlist that I was like "why on earth did I even want that?" It was a great tool to feel like I was shopping for myself, without spending anything or accumulating more STUFF.
@MabeBabyMustache - I love the sparkly life vs sparkly jewelry analogy. But, then I immediately think - WHY can't I have both?:)
My hero, Gail Vaz-Oxlade, says you CAN have it all! ... just not all at the same time ;)
Gotta prioritize! Sparkly life, THEN sparkly jewellery ;)
Post by: lifejoy on February 13, 2018, 09:38:04 AM
I successfully navigated Walmart and King Soopers without buying anything not on my grocery list. I LOVE LOVE LOVE those little Cadbury mini eggs. I don't know why, but I could eat a full sized bag of them all by myself in a single sitting (I think I might have, a few years ago). And I didn't buy them, even though they're on aisle displays literally all over the place. Good for my wallet, my blood sugar, and my self control.
That is BAD-ASS!!
Post by: lifejoy on February 13, 2018, 09:38:45 AM
I successfully navigated Walmart and King Soopers without buying anything not on my grocery list. I LOVE LOVE LOVE those little Cadbury mini eggs. I don't know why, but I could eat a full sized bag of them all by myself in a single sitting (I think I might have, a few years ago). And I didn't buy them, even though they're on aisle displays literally all over the place. Good for my wallet, my blood sugar, and my self control.
The worst part is they are ON SALE at my grocery store right now. I had to be very very very strong not to buy them this week, but they weren't on the list. I've also successfully refrained from putting them on next week's list.
We deserve major karma points for this level of self-control.
I agree! Karma points to the max!
Post by: diapasoun on February 13, 2018, 10:26:59 AM
I successfully navigated Walmart and King Soopers without buying anything not on my grocery list. I LOVE LOVE LOVE those little Cadbury mini eggs. I don't know why, but I could eat a full sized bag of them all by myself in a single sitting (I think I might have, a few years ago). And I didn't buy them, even though they're on aisle displays literally all over the place. Good for my wallet, my blood sugar, and my self control.
Easter candy is my nemesis. Cadbury? Jelly beans? Little chocolate rabbits? I've given myself a gentle ban on buying junk food (I can only buy raw ingredients and make it) and I'm really hoping I pull through that for the Easter season....
Post by: frontstepdesign on February 14, 2018, 12:17:44 PM
...it's okay to stop working on that step of the coat when I run out of thread.
There's so much left to do for the coat (spin/weave the collar, design the back embroidery), and theres NO WAY I could finish during coat wearing season in the short term, so... it's ok. I'll just finish knitting up the rest of the thread I have, making as much cording as it makes, and put it away for later. I'll ask for more thread for birthday(Aug)/Christmas - it's hard to find, anyway. I have plenty else to work on in the meantime, and THAT FEELS FINE. (I can't believe this. It's amazing!!!)
Post by: diapasoun on February 14, 2018, 12:22:21 PM
Ok, so it's halfway through the month, and I have been working on the Embroidered Magyar Coat (pics in my journal), and realizing I'm going to run out of the wool thread I've been using. HERE'S THE BIG BREAKTHROUGH THAT IS GOING TO MEAN A STAR...
...it's okay to stop working on that step of the coat when I run out of thread.
There's so much left to do for the coat (spin/weave the collar, design the back embroidery), and theres NO WAY I could finish during coat wearing season in the short term, so... it's ok. I'll just finish knitting up the rest of the thread I have, making as much cording as it makes, and put it away for later. I'll ask for more thread for birthday(Aug)/Christmas - it's hard to find, anyway. I have plenty else to work on in the meantime, and THAT FEELS FINE. (I can't believe this. It's amazing!!!)
This is AMAZING! So many congrats to you on feeling okay about shifting your focus to other, more easily created portions of the coat right now. Boo-yah!
Post by: Rosy on February 14, 2018, 12:25:36 PM
I'm lucky in that Mr. R. gives me a Lindt chocolate bunny (my fave) and a package of three Cadbury Caramel eggs for Easter. It's become a tradition. Once I discovered this keeps me from roaming the Easter chocolate aisle and buying enough for five people, because of course, I like it all - that saved the day.
Valentine's day, I forgot to tell him no chocolate gift - I got three this morning. What was he thinking?:)
I asked for potted Anthurium lilies from Aldi - they are beautiful, and I sort of appropriated a gift card from his rewards card that I coveted:)
Just looking at all that chocolate prompted me to get out my bike, the weather is perfect and a nearby park has great biking trails.
I need to be more active, not eat more chocolate truffles! Says she who is making a chocolate mousse cup for Valentine's Dinner tonight - hypocrite.
Post by: lifejoy on February 14, 2018, 12:42:52 PM
Ok, so it's halfway through the month, and I have been working on the Embroidered Magyar Coat (pics in my journal), and realizing I'm going to run out of the wool thread I've been using. HERE'S THE BIG BREAKTHROUGH THAT IS GOING TO MEAN A STAR...
...it's okay to stop working on that step of the coat when I run out of thread.
There's so much left to do for the coat (spin/weave the collar, design the back embroidery), and theres NO WAY I could finish during coat wearing season in the short term, so... it's ok. I'll just finish knitting up the rest of the thread I have, making as much cording as it makes, and put it away for later. I'll ask for more thread for birthday(Aug)/Christmas - it's hard to find, anyway. I have plenty else to work on in the meantime, and THAT FEELS FINE. (I can't believe this. It's amazing!!!)
You are ALL KINDS of amazing!!!
And I love you for reminding me that the month is half over. This has been a hard one for me. I have noticed that my triggers are when I feel tired and insecure. As a new Mom, this happens often. Shopping to the rescue! Not.
Post by: lifejoy on February 14, 2018, 01:18:38 PM
Oh, oh sweets - Cadbury Caramel filled Easter eggs and the little plain solid chocolate Easter eggs.
I'm lucky in that Mr. R. gives me a Lindt chocolate bunny (my fave) and a package of three Cadbury Caramel eggs for Easter. It's become a tradition. Once I discovered this keeps me from roaming the Easter chocolate aisle and buying enough for five people, because of course, I like it all - that saved the day.
Valentine's day, I forgot to tell him no chocolate gift - I got three this morning. What was he thinking?:)
I asked for potted Anthurium lilies from Aldi - they are beautiful, and I sort of appropriated a gift card from his rewards card that I coveted:)
Just looking at all that chocolate prompted me to get out my bike, the weather is perfect and a nearby park has great biking trails.
I need to be more active, not eat more chocolate truffles! Says she who is making a chocolate mousse cup for Valentine's Dinner tonight - hypocrite.
You can send the chocolates to me ;)
I’ve had chocolate for breakfast and lunch... oh and am like you, having a chocolate mousse cake with dinner! Lol you are a girl after my own heart!!
DH gave me $100 to buy lingerie or nightgown. I told him I’m not buying clothes so he can buy me something or keep the money. Sweet thought, he finds it hard to shop for me (understandably!) but I am resisting the urge to show for wearable clothes.
I did buy sunglasses for $7 because DH sat on my only pair. Sunglasses are not clothes or jewellery so I feel ok about that.
I’m still debating the walking shoes. Will probably buy some.
Post by: diapasoun on February 14, 2018, 01:37:18 PM
And I love you for reminding me that the month is half over. This has been a hard one for me. I have noticed that my triggers are when I feel tired and insecure. As a new Mom, this happens often. Shopping to the rescue! Not.
It's good to know that those are triggers for you! (I suspect they're triggers for all of us, really.)
Are there any things you can do to galvanize yourself when you're tired or insecure? Things that remind you that you are a competent and capable human, or ways to get a twenty minute nap when you need it? (I imagine the latter is especially hard, given the nature of babies.)
Post by: lifejoy on February 14, 2018, 03:13:28 PM
And I love you for reminding me that the month is half over. This has been a hard one for me. I have noticed that my triggers are when I feel tired and insecure. As a new Mom, this happens often. Shopping to the rescue! Not.
It's good to know that those are triggers for you! (I suspect they're triggers for all of us, really.)
Are there any things you can do to galvanize yourself when you're tired or insecure? Things that remind you that you are a competent and capable human, or ways to get a twenty minute nap when you need it? (I imagine the latter is especially hard, given the nature of babies.)
I will think on this! Excellent questions.
Post by: Serendip on February 14, 2018, 04:22:54 PM
I love that you quoted Gail--she is amazing.@TrisPriorQuoteI am still holding strong. I did visit my nemesis sockdreams.com today but didn't buy anything. I really had the urge to spend today because, well, my cat died yesterday and I'm trying not to emotionally eat or drink wine in response (dieting) so of course that leaves retail therapy, right? :P At any rate, instead of buying, I added some things I liked to my wishlist on the site. And deleted a few things on my wishlist that I was like "why on earth did I even want that?" It was a great tool to feel like I was shopping for myself, without spending anything or accumulating more STUFF.
@MabeBabyMustache - I love the sparkly life vs sparkly jewelry analogy. But, then I immediately think - WHY can't I have both?:)
My hero, Gail Vaz-Oxlade, says you CAN have it all! ... just not all at the same time ;)
Gotta prioritize! Sparkly life, THEN sparkly jewellery ;)
Sparkly Life for the win! (while appreciating all the sparkly jewels we already have?) :)
I actually pulled out a pair of dangly earrings from India and wore them for our Valentines Day ramen lunch. ha.
Drama at unexpected moments is way more exciting!
Post by: Serendip on February 14, 2018, 04:30:50 PM
I could have written this! Always on the hunt for good online art workshops.Glad to have people who understand WootWoot!Good idea!
I am giving up art workshops for the year.
Even though I studied arts and have taken many workshops--I always feel compelled to learn something new (even when I am not practicing half the things I would like to practice)
And books..no buying books (the library and our personal library will have to suffice)
I just recycled the beautiful booklets sent to me by one of my favorite schools about upcoming spring courses. It feels SO good to slowly begin looking at what I have half-finished and decide whether I want to move forward with things.
A friend is joining an arts-community which focuses on helping female artists develop the business side of their art practice and she invited me to come. It's expensive to join but seems very productive.
I said no and that this year is for developing the skills I already have but sometimes neglect.
So yesterday I went upstairs, did some drawing, did some stitching and made some plans for a larger sculptural work I'd like to attempt this year. Feeling inspired!
Post by: lifejoy on February 14, 2018, 09:04:38 PM
The group mentality is helping. I’m home alone because DH is at work and I’m browsing jewellery because I want to feel loved. I miss him and I want to fill the void with diamonds.
Not going to, though! I’ve tried that, and it doesn’t work.
As George Carlin says, "Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body".
Yup!
Post by: Serendip on February 15, 2018, 11:21:27 AM
Nice going, Serendip!
The group mentality is helping. I’m home alone because DH is at work and I’m browsing jewellery because I want to feel loved. I miss him and I want to fill the void with diamonds.
Not going to, though! I’ve tried that, and it doesn’t work.
As George Carlin says, "Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body".
Yup!
The image of taped sandwiches is a good one...just replace that with any of our collective 'pins' and you get a pretty funny visualisation of our material selves trying to cover our emotional selves with 'stuff' :)
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 15, 2018, 01:54:57 PM
DH gave me $100 to buy lingerie or nightgown. I told him I’m not buying clothes so he can buy me something or keep the money. Sweet thought, he finds it hard to shop for me (understandably!) but I am resisting the urge to show for wearable clothes.
...
I’m still debating the walking shoes. Will probably buy some.
Can you use the $100 for the walking shoes?
He wants you to have something, and you need shoes for your health. Think of it as a gift AND as a medical necessity. Then it's okay. Right? (or am I just a bad influence?)
Post by: Tris Prior on February 15, 2018, 02:35:32 PM
And I love you for reminding me that the month is half over. This has been a hard one for me. I have noticed that my triggers are when I feel tired and insecure. As a new Mom, this happens often. Shopping to the rescue! Not.
February has been tough for sure! I now know my spending triggers are: not being able to leave the house due to horrible weather, loneliness (because no one else wants to leave the house either due to horrible weather), feeling unattractive (because due to horrible weather my hair and skin are dry and gross and I have to run around looking like the Michelin man due to the need for so many layers - sensing a theme here? ;) ), and dieting (no weather tie-in here, I'm just freaking starving all the time and since I cannot eat or drink anything I like, I feel deprived).
Post by: lifejoy on February 15, 2018, 03:44:33 PM
DH gave me $100 to buy lingerie or nightgown. I told him I’m not buying clothes so he can buy me something or keep the money. Sweet thought, he finds it hard to shop for me (understandably!) but I am resisting the urge to show for wearable clothes.
...
I’m still debating the walking shoes. Will probably buy some.
Can you use the $100 for the walking shoes?
He wants you to have something, and you need shoes for your health. Think of it as a gift AND as a medical necessity. Then it's okay. Right? (or am I just a bad influence?)
Haha I like the way you think!
What I did was told him to buy me pretty pjs but that I would not be shopping for them. I don’t want to get back into that habit of shopping. And I’m wearing nursing tops and pj pants to bed, not gonna lie it would be nice to wear something prettier some days.
Post by: CrustyBadger on February 15, 2018, 05:07:57 PM
Post by: lifejoy on February 15, 2018, 07:36:45 PM
Lifejoy I also think you should use the $100 on some comfortable walking shoes. IT would give you more energy for all your life's (ahem) passions. I'm not sure if that's what your husband had in mind as he seemed to be thinking "lingerie" but that's my opinion! (-:
I think that’s a great suggestion but I’m afraid our dynamic is such that I think it’s best I don’t ask for a different gift. I don’t want to hurt his feelings, and it will be great for me to have pajamas! We chose something useful for daily wear instead of special-occasion wear ;)
I’m just pleased I didn’t take it as an opportunity to shop my face off :)
I bet I can get walking shoes for under $100! Good challenge for me. Or maybe they can be my mother’s day gift... hmmmm
Post by: mspym on February 16, 2018, 12:27:46 AM
I actually ended up on the Simplicity website and downloaded the (FREE!) instructions which confirmed my suspicion - one length of cloth, and two partial seams and some hemming. So I am going to do this with some of my spare fabric and if it doesn't work out, well I haven't cut into the cloth and can just re-use it.
Post by: lifejoy on February 16, 2018, 12:37:13 AM
Went into the fabric shop today as I've been trying to get pics of clothes/material I like as part of figuring out my style, no problem, I wasn't tempted - I was HORRIFIED that people would pay NINETEEN WHOLE AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS for a pattern which was a tube of material sewn along a side to form the body. What's next? A pattern for making a sarong?
I actually ended up on the Simplicity website and downloaded the (FREE!) instructions which confirmed my suspicion - one length of cloth, and two partial seams and some hemming. So I am going to do this with some of my spare fabric and if it doesn't work out, well I haven't cut into the cloth and can just re-use it.
I think that’s badass that you stared your gazingus pin in the face and resisted sinking any money into it, and still get to enjoy it! Way to go!
Post by: mspym on February 16, 2018, 03:11:28 AM
Post by: Laura33 on February 16, 2018, 02:16:05 PM
Hit a watershed moment here: just today I used up the last of my decaf loose tea. So, yay. But then I realized: what do I do when I need decaf tea? This isn't an immediate issue, because I usually make "DIY" decaf by re-using the regular tea a couple of times, and I have some bags of decaf I can still drink. But I do like to have some loose-leaf decaf around for days like today, when I want to make a whole pot in the afternoon and leaves from yesterday are all used-up (because, grr, I forgot and let them steep for like 20 minutes when I got distracted by work). So I am going to have to figure out what that means for my challenge.
I think I am going to come up with specific categories of tea that I want to have around, and when I run out of any specific category, I am allowed to buy one new one (given that the idea is to use up what I have, not deprive myself of teas for a year). But that is a slippery slope, because I have various flavors/varieties of tea, and I don't want to define the categories so narrowly that the exception swallows the rule.* So I am going to need to think this over and figure out what is reasonable (vs. what my tea-craving brain is telling me to do) -- I think I will need to keep the categories very broad for now (maybe green/black/decaf), and then once everything is appropriately used up, I can re-think what categories I want to keep stocked long-term.
*E.g., I like jasmine and peach flavors, in both green and white forms, along with plain green tea. I have very little of the former and a metric shit-ton of the latter, because usually I'm going for jasmine or peach over plain green. So it would be easy to define each of those as a separate category, and restock when I run out of, say, green jasmine. But that would enable me to continue to avoid ever drinking the plain green tea ("oops, out of green jasmine, don't want plain green, so better get some more!"), which would defeat the entire purpose of this effort!
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 16, 2018, 02:35:16 PM
Post by: mspym on February 16, 2018, 03:14:48 PM
I have started thinking of tea the way I am going through my wardrobe and comparing to my actual lifestyle, i.e. if 40% of my life is at work, is 40% of my wardrobe workclothes, why is my wardrobe 30% party frocks when that makes up 10% of my time etc?
I am not allowed to buy any more ginger or licorice herbal teas until I have used up all my current stock. In fact the only one I am allowed to buy right now is the best sleepytime tea I have ever drunk, and that's only because we used up the last of it two days ago. [Pukka Night Time tea, for those who *are* allowed tea purchases]
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 16, 2018, 03:36:48 PM
I'm amazed that after 7 weeks I don't feel like I'm missing out anything because I haven't blown $50 or more on books.
I hope you tea lovers can find the right balance for you.
(And good work, @MaybeBabyMustache , for using up a gift card!)
Post by: mspym on February 16, 2018, 03:48:03 PM
The best part of this exercise is realizing what we actually value and miss.
I'm amazed that after 7 weeks I don't feel like I'm missing out anything because I haven't blown $50 or more on books.
I hope you tea lovers can find the right balance for you.
(And good work, @MaybeBabyMustache , for using up a gift card!)
That is great stuff! I haven't declared a moratorium on books but have finally been making progress through my TBR pile, instead of it getting bigger and bigger. Turns out all those books I was saving up are pretty good reads, who would have thought it?
This is a really good challenge and is making me reexamine a lot of unexpected areas in my consumption patterns and my values. STARS ALL ROUND.
Post by: lifejoy on February 16, 2018, 03:50:14 PM
I bought some dye ($7) because instead of coveting a new house sweater, I am going to dye the one I love to wear (but have always hated the colour of). I’m not very crafty so this is out of my comfort zone, but an awesome way to appreciate the wardrobe I already have!
Post by: Rosy on February 16, 2018, 05:02:28 PM
You guys are awesome! I am so impressed by the folks staring temptation in the face and walking away!
Hit a watershed moment here: just today I used up the last of my decaf loose tea. So, yay. But then I realized: what do I do when I need decaf tea? This isn't an immediate issue, because I usually make "DIY" decaf by re-using the regular tea a couple of times, and I have some bags of decaf I can still drink. But I do like to have some loose-leaf decaf around for days like today, when I want to make a whole pot in the afternoon and leaves from yesterday are all used-up (because, grr, I forgot and let them steep for like 20 minutes when I got distracted by work). So I am going to have to figure out what that means for my challenge.
I think I am going to come up with specific categories of tea that I want to have around, and when I run out of any specific category, I am allowed to buy one new one (given that the idea is to use up what I have, not deprive myself of teas for a year). But that is a slippery slope, because I have various flavors/varieties of tea, and I don't want to define the categories so narrowly that the exception swallows the rule.* So I am going to need to think this over and figure out what is reasonable (vs. what my tea-craving brain is telling me to do) -- I think I will need to keep the categories very broad for now (maybe green/black/decaf), and then once everything is appropriately used up, I can re-think what categories I want to keep stocked long-term.
*E.g., I like jasmine and peach flavors, in both green and white forms, along with plain green tea. I have very little of the former and a metric shit-ton of the latter, because usually I'm going for jasmine or peach over plain green. So it would be easy to define each of those as a separate category, and restock when I run out of, say, green jasmine. But that would enable me to continue to avoid ever drinking the plain green tea ("oops, out of green jasmine, don't want plain green, so better get some more!"), which would defeat the entire purpose of this effort!
I'm totally fascinated - following the ongoing tea struggles and considerations, who knew such a tea quagmire existed?:) Perhaps you could come up with seven categories? One for each day of the week? So you always have choices and don't have to drink the same tea twice in a week?
If that is too limiting you could pick an extra one that fits into each category - giving you 14 days of different teas.
My tea experience is limited, I like the one in the pretty dragon tin, because it gives me energy, it's called Dragonwell Fancy Green. I like strong dark tea from Turkey and Earl Grey (although I don't do tea for breakfast) and the kind that looks like a rose and it floats and makes a lovely green or white? tea. I'd like to try a good jasmine tea, but the only jasmine tea I've ever had is the one served by our favorite Thai restaurant.
I also like herbal teas and make a few concoctions from my own organic garden, but find it difficult to find really good herb tea in the states, especially if you like a blend of different herbs.
Post by: Laura33 on February 17, 2018, 09:20:59 AM
Post by: Tris Prior on February 17, 2018, 10:03:30 AM
I was about to take a box of lemon ginger (one of my favorites) off the shelf when Boyfriend - who does not know about this challenge other than a casual "I really shouldn't buy more tea until I drink what I have" comment - said, "didn't you just say the other day that you're really sick of tea?" I agreed, pointed out that I drink tea when I want wine or junk food so I do need to have some on hand, but did move on without buying it! Because that was enough of a reminder about this challenge.
Post by: Poundwise on February 17, 2018, 07:40:55 PM
*E.g., I like jasmine and peach flavors, in both green and white forms, along with plain green tea. I have very little of the former and a metric shit-ton of the latter, because usually I'm going for jasmine or peach over plain green. So it would be easy to define each of those as a separate category, and restock when I run out of, say, green jasmine. But that would enable me to continue to avoid ever drinking the plain green tea ("oops, out of green jasmine, don't want plain green, so better get some more!"), which would defeat the entire purpose of this effort!
Is it possible that you could flavor your plain green tea somehow to make it more pleasurable to drink? Like make a mix with some other tea, or add a fruit syrup?
Post by: CrustyBadger on February 18, 2018, 06:14:17 AM
Post by: Jim Fiction on February 18, 2018, 03:34:31 PM
I've always been a collector. If you can name it, I probably collected it as a kid/adolescent/young adult/twenty-something. I've gotten a lot better at this, a large part of which was finding this site and embracing many of the ideas of MMM. I sometimes joke to myself that I collect money now.
Lately, I've gotten into "collecting" beer. Now I don't retain the cans/bottles or anything like that, but I've gotten very into trying new beers as often as possible. I've been a big fan of craft beer pretty much since I started drinking beer. Budweiser and the like never really did much for me outside of getting me drunk. As I got less and less into wanted to get drunk, I gravitated more towards craft and local beer. It has become a fun hobby of mine, I enjoy going to a beer fest or two throughout the year and rarely buy the same beer twice, opting instead to try something different which normally equated to a new 4 or 6 pack every other week or two, with an occasional trip to a brewery for a growler fill.
Within the last 6 months or so, my beer enthusiasm has begun to morph into more of a collection. Attempting to try or "collect" as many different beers as I can. In part this is due to an app called untappd, in which you log the beers you have tried, earn lame badges and get to comment and "toast" beers that your friends have tried. Additionally, my best friend is big into it as well and its given us another hobby to bond over and talk about. But now I find myself buying way more than I should, and feeling compelled to run off to one of my favorite brewery the moment they release a new brew, worried that if I don't try it now I might lose my chance forever. It directly mirrors the mentality I had previously when I was collecting records, or pez dispensers or beanie babies, or whatever else I used to collect. I check the facebook pages or local breweries every day, I look through my untappd list and admire how many different beers I have tried from a particular brewery and lament the fact that I never kept track of the such things before I found out this app existed.
While I don't want to give up beer entirely, I do know that I need to trim back. My short-term plan is to take a month off from buying beer, then re-evaluate after that.
Best of luck to everyone else in their efforts!
Post by: Rosy on February 20, 2018, 07:35:43 AM
almost two months in - have resulted in freeing up $200 in my upcoming March budget! Better yet, if I stay on course it will help me save up that extra $1K I discovered I need for my trip by June.
I'm not looking at jewelry
I'm not buying jewelry
I am not lying awake at night - thinking about all the jewelry I will buy as soon as this challenge is over.
... regardless, I know temptation can still strike at a weak, unguarded moment ...
@Jim Fiction - the first month is the hardest:)
I guess I am a beer snob, I'll be happy to try something new, but I am firmly in the stout, dark slightly sweet beer camp, although I'll go for a good Pilsner or May Doppelbock in the summertime.
There is a craft brewery downtown St. Petersburg (well, there are several:) but this one has one called "1516" brewed in accordance with the German Reinheitsgebot - it is da bomb:) Smooth and surprisingly light tasting for a dark beer.
Post by: I'm a red panda on February 20, 2018, 08:41:26 AM
I need to email and cancel, but I feel bad- because I kind of cheated to get an awesome gift with purchase (in December), and am canceling right away...
Post by: Inkedup on February 20, 2018, 11:39:13 AM
The other day I practiced not-buying: allowed myself to look, filled up a shopping cart, thought about how amazing it all would taste, and then exited the site. Walking away was much easier than anticipated. And it felt insanely empowering.
Post by: lifejoy on February 20, 2018, 01:39:47 PM
Just "skipped" my Julep nail polish box for the month. Even though the colors in it were amazing.
I need to email and cancel, but I feel bad- because I kind of cheated to get an awesome gift with purchase (in December), and am canceling right away...
Omg don’t feel bad AT ALL! Emphasis on gift WITH PURCHASE. They got your money ;)
Post by: lifejoy on February 20, 2018, 01:40:38 PM
Beer is definitely a gazingus pin! The upside to drinking down the tea stash is that it's killing my appetite for alcohol.
The other day I practiced not-buying: allowed myself to look, filled up a shopping cart, thought about how amazing it all would taste, and then exited the site. Walking away was much easier than anticipated. And it felt insanely empowering.
That is REALLY cool and not at all easy to do!
Post by: lifejoy on February 20, 2018, 01:42:25 PM
I find that not shopping for jewellery is keeping me from seeing those pieces I just HAVE to HAVE.
Post by: lifejoy on February 20, 2018, 01:44:27 PM
For me this is easily beer.
I've always been a collector. If you can name it, I probably collected it as a kid/adolescent/young adult/twenty-something. I've gotten a lot better at this, a large part of which was finding this site and embracing many of the ideas of MMM. I sometimes joke to myself that I collect money now.
Lately, I've gotten into "collecting" beer. Now I don't retain the cans/bottles or anything like that, but I've gotten very into trying new beers as often as possible. I've been a big fan of craft beer pretty much since I started drinking beer. Budweiser and the like never really did much for me outside of getting me drunk. As I got less and less into wanted to get drunk, I gravitated more towards craft and local beer. It has become a fun hobby of mine, I enjoy going to a beer fest or two throughout the year and rarely buy the same beer twice, opting instead to try something different which normally equated to a new 4 or 6 pack every other week or two, with an occasional trip to a brewery for a growler fill.
Within the last 6 months or so, my beer enthusiasm has begun to morph into more of a collection. Attempting to try or "collect" as many different beers as I can. In part this is due to an app called untappd, in which you log the beers you have tried, earn lame badges and get to comment and "toast" beers that your friends have tried. Additionally, my best friend is big into it as well and its given us another hobby to bond over and talk about. But now I find myself buying way more than I should, and feeling compelled to run off to one of my favorite brewery the moment they release a new brew, worried that if I don't try it now I might lose my chance forever. It directly mirrors the mentality I had previously when I was collecting records, or pez dispensers or beanie babies, or whatever else I used to collect. I check the facebook pages or local breweries every day, I look through my untappd list and admire how many different beers I have tried from a particular brewery and lament the fact that I never kept track of the such things before I found out this app existed.
While I don't want to give up beer entirely, I do know that I need to trim back. My short-term plan is to take a month off from buying beer, then re-evaluate after that.
Best of luck to everyone else in their efforts!
Join us! We give out gold stars ;)
Well, stars, at least. I’m staying away from gold, myself. Lol
And if you download Tapatalk you can easily have us on your phone...
So when will your month begin? Sounds like you have a bad case or FOMO! (Fear of missing out).
Post by: Rosy on February 20, 2018, 06:01:17 PM
@Rosy - and no more lying awake in bed, thinking of that jewellery piece you saw and want to buy but shouldn’t but, you know you shouldn’t, but omg do you ever want to and if you just bought it you’d be able to get rid of this niggling feeling of need...
I find that not shopping for jewellery is keeping me from seeing those pieces I just HAVE to HAVE.
@lifejoy - I was just kidding:) - the ultimate goal for me is to let go - for good! So I'm glad that I'm not dreaming up a list of jewelry I denied myself this year - only to buy it next year.
I am not going through all this pain this year only to start up again next year.
Post by: gaja on February 21, 2018, 03:23:33 PM
Post by: Mezzie on February 21, 2018, 03:31:19 PM
Post by: diapasoun on February 21, 2018, 04:35:01 PM
I'm working now on running down my home book collection. So far this year this year I've only read 2/9 books that are mine (likely finishing 3/10 soon) -- so I think I need to prioritize a few books from my collection on my TBR.
Post by: lifejoy on February 21, 2018, 04:37:36 PM
@Rosy - and no more lying awake in bed, thinking of that jewellery piece you saw and want to buy but shouldn’t but, you know you shouldn’t, but omg do you ever want to and if you just bought it you’d be able to get rid of this niggling feeling of need...
I find that not shopping for jewellery is keeping me from seeing those pieces I just HAVE to HAVE.
@lifejoy - I was just kidding:) - the ultimate goal for me is to let go - for good! So I'm glad that I'm not dreaming up a list of jewelry I denied myself this year - only to buy it next year.
I am not going through all this pain this year only to start up again next year.
Uhh same here *shifty eyes*
Ok maybe not. I am definitely currently planning to buy lots of gazingus pins next year. Hmmm maybe a flaw to my plan!
Post by: CrustyBadger on February 21, 2018, 05:44:10 PM
@Rosy that's amazing that you have freed up $200 for next month already! Good for you!
I am going strong with no junk food at work from the vending machine. I estimate I have freed up somewhere between $20 and $40 per month on this bad habit, possibly even more. I do occasionally find myself craving a cold Coke around 3 PM every day but it is very easy to just tell myself no.
After reading these threads, I think it might be time to buy some tea... and possibly sip it evenings, in place of certain other beverages? Hmmmm.... this might not so much be a gazingus pin, as a different type of habit I have let myself get into. But it might be a good idea for me health and sleepwise.
Post by: Poundwise on February 22, 2018, 05:49:43 AM
I racked my brains and I cannot think of a single craft purchase, conscious or unconscious, since I last wrote in. I was sorely tempted last weekend, because we want to have a movie night for an upcoming birthday party, and we want to make a projector screen instead of buying one. No solution yet... think I may have some blackout cloth in my stash, but it is probably not big enough.
Post by: I'm a red panda on February 22, 2018, 06:30:05 AM
I will say I picked up a bad habit early this year of going to Hardees for breakfast ($1.79 a morning) but it turns out it was a "special" price. I went in yesterday and it was over $4! I actually got to the window asked the guy if the price was correct, and told him never mind to cancel my order. That's an insane amount of money to spend on breakfast at a drive through. Habit broken.
Post by: PingMe97 on February 22, 2018, 06:55:52 AM
Cameras and lenses were my addiction. I would buy latest and greatest get bored and then sell it off at few hundred dollars loss swearing not to do it again. But it will repeat every few weeks and it’s largely the reason for my financial mess (refer my journal thread).
But no more. I will not buy any camera or a lens for rat of 2018 and will be using only iPhone camera
Post by: RetiredAt63 on February 22, 2018, 07:24:35 AM
I don't have a ban on needles, though, because sometimes a project needs a size I don't have. I am working on a toque and I want to move down a needle size for the ribbing - after looking through all my needles I don't have the size I need, and will buy some, but if I had had the ones I need on another project I would have managed to use them and not buy new.
Post by: Rosy on February 22, 2018, 08:54:35 AM
@Rosy - and no more lying awake in bed, thinking of that jewellery piece you saw and want to buy but shouldn’t but, you know you shouldn’t, but omg do you ever want to and if you just bought it you’d be able to get rid of this niggling feeling of need...
I find that not shopping for jewellery is keeping me from seeing those pieces I just HAVE to HAVE.
@lifejoy - I was just kidding:) - the ultimate goal for me is to let go - for good! So I'm glad that I'm not dreaming up a list of jewelry I denied myself this year - only to buy it next year.
I am not going through all this pain this year only to start up again next year.
Uhh same here *shifty eyes*
Ok maybe not. I am definitely currently planning to buy lots of gazingus pins next year. Hmmm maybe a flaw to my plan!
@lifejoy - Please tell me you are not thinking of sabotaging yourself? Been there, done that you know:) Yes, definitely consider ruminating over that teeny tiny flaw in your plan:)
Maybe you could come up with a comprise, a spending cap or limit your acquisition to particular events or holidays? It is difficult, I thought I was in control once before, but we have a way of fooling ourselves:)
Kudos for being honest with yourself!
@CrustyBadger - thank you, I'm thrilled to see a monetary impact.
It is hard to resist snack attacks and while I hardly drink any sodas, I do have a penchant for those little glass bottles of coke that you can still find in six packs. I buy one every six months:)
Lately, I've had some sweets in the evening and the chocolate I received for Valentine's Day is not helping. I used to have a rule of no snacks after six or seven in the evening - may have to implement that again.
Post by: Serendip on February 22, 2018, 09:02:52 AM
I found myself almost buying a book..but found it online via a borrowing site,
found myself dreaming of a yoga retreat somewhere warm..so I deleted the email,
a new artist with beautiful work was added to our art gallery shop...so I pointedly avoided going in
*dodging temptation...we are getting goood at this!
Post by: lifejoy on February 22, 2018, 09:26:40 AM
Post by: lifejoy on February 22, 2018, 09:27:19 AM
New Here but I will jump in.
Cameras and lenses were my addiction. I would buy latest and greatest get bored and then sell it off at few hundred dollars loss swearing not to do it again. But it will repeat every few weeks and it’s largely the reason for my financial mess (refer my journal thread).
But no more. I will not buy any camera or a lens for rat of 2018 and will be using only iPhone camera
Welcome! Did you buy any in January? Wondering if I owe you a star...
Post by: PingMe97 on February 22, 2018, 10:21:21 AM
Welcome! Did you buy any in January? Wondering if I owe you a star...
Post by: mspym on February 23, 2018, 02:49:14 AM
Post by: I'm a red panda on February 23, 2018, 05:25:23 AM
If anyone is the tiniest bit crafty, and likes draped tops, look up Simplicity 8452. You can practically make it from the cover image, and the instructions bear this out. There are some nice reviews for it as well from people who have made it. (NINETEEN DOLLARS! how could you sleep at night charging that much?)Do you actually have to pay the price on patterns? The stores here always have them half off, and often have them for 99 cents or 1.99. I didn't know anyone sold them face value. Thats insane.
Post by: lifejoy on February 23, 2018, 06:39:31 AM
@PingMe97 that's EXCELLENT, keep up the good work.
+1 Bravo!!! Next time I’m at a computer, you’ll be getting a star! Woot woot!
Yesterday I was feeling WEAK. Sad, tired, stressed. Self-esteem looooow. Cuddle time with DH and sushi and early to bed seemed to cure what ails me.
Made it through! Almost 2/12 months! And given that in halfway through a move AND breastfeeding, I have a ton of clothes that I haven’t worn for... a very long time, and now that baby isn’t eating every second of every day (and I’ve lost weight) I think I can start wearing more of my old clothes and that will feel awesome :)
Also I have two clothing swaps coming up. For me, the challenge is not to spend rather than not to accumulate so clothing swaps are A-ok! I have one in April and one in June. Hooray! Can’t wait.
Post by: Rosy on February 23, 2018, 06:54:14 AM
Just a few more days gang ... our second month - gold star - is almost within reach, we can do this!
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 23, 2018, 07:52:24 AM
I have a gift card worth $15 that i'd like to sell, but I'm having a hard time finding a place to sell. Local FB group turned up no interest. My group is way less active than it was a year ago, sadly.
In other news, not my gazingus pin, but I did also commit to not buying more tea until I worked through my stash. Have finished 4/5 boxes of clearance teas (purchased for less than $1/each). Liked the first two, hate the last box I'm working through. After that, I have two boxes of decaf green tea + some loose leaf tea. Looking forward to one day actually spending the money to buying a box that I will fully enjoy! :-)
Post by: PingMe97 on February 23, 2018, 09:06:53 AM
Put it in cart and went up to payment quite few times :-) but in the end have not bought it till now. Help me avoid the purchase. If I carry through end of Feb it would be two months without any unnecessary purchase.
Post by: frontstepdesign on February 23, 2018, 01:09:30 PM
I'm torn on this (more in my journal), because on one hand, what I finish training on, I rarely regret. On the other...I tend to sign up for more than I can do at one time. So it's kind of like whoever's tea...it's generally a good idea, but buying more than one can consume... seems to be YES, but I just found another whole course that looks SO HELPFUL, and of course they're running a limited time deal, and I'm already getting a lot out of the free material...
learn all the things!
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 23, 2018, 02:11:36 PM
Whereas if you are taking classes because they meet a specific goal (to get a degree, to learn a foreign language, to get a certification in something), then that is likely more mindful and not a gazingus pin.
Post by: frontstepdesign on February 23, 2018, 02:51:13 PM
I think the key for all of us is mindfulness. If taking classes is just a habit, and you sign up for all the classes because reasons, then yes, it definitely could be a gazingus pin.
Whereas if you are taking classes because they meet a specific goal (to get a degree, to learn a foreign language, to get a certification in something), then that is likely more mindful and not a gazingus pin.
Ah, so helpful! My list is definitely components of a larger goal, and perhaps if I can keep an eye on estimated completion, I can keep this activity on this side of the line.
Post by: mspym on February 23, 2018, 03:52:17 PM
If anyone is the tiniest bit crafty, and likes draped tops, look up Simplicity 8452. You can practically make it from the cover image, and the instructions bear this out. There are some nice reviews for it as well from people who have made it. (NINETEEN DOLLARS! how could you sleep at night charging that much?)Do you actually have to pay the price on patterns? The stores here always have them half off, and often have them for 99 cents or 1.99. I didn't know anyone sold them face value. Thats insane.
This is because you are Not In Australia*. It is bonkers here, and I assume we are subsidising a lot of the 99 cent patterns in the States.
I have bought a LOT of patterns from op shops because I can pick someone else's never realised fantasy pattern for 25 cents instead of paying the envelope price.
*It was a Christmas miracle when my Spotlight membership meant I could buy a lot of the patterns for $5 each instead of $18. Even with the discount though, Vogue patterns were still ~$15
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 23, 2018, 05:40:07 PM
Have $50 Bestbuy Reward Card, very tempted to use it to buy kindle or Alexa. I don’t need either and I know it’s just a gadget lust...
Put it in cart and went up to payment quite few times :-) but in the end have not bought it till now. Help me avoid the purchase. If I carry through end of Feb it would be two months without any unnecessary purchase.
Stay strong! February is almost over, & you want to keep your positive momentum going. The time delay will also give you time to really evaluate your purchase & whether it's worth it.
Post by: Rosy on February 24, 2018, 06:35:05 AM
Wait - who knows what cool gadget they will come out with next year?:) and you may have more gc's to spend by then too.
One year of restraint - you can do it:)
Post by: Rosy on February 24, 2018, 07:04:59 AM
Working through my existing gift card stash & spent 2 gift cards yesterday on a few things we needed. My son also spent his birthday gift card, which means 3 less things to carry around in my wallet.@MaybeBabyMustache
I have a gift card worth $15 that i'd like to sell, but I'm having a hard time finding a place to sell. Local FB group turned up no interest. My group is way less active than it was a year ago, sadly.
In other news, not my gazingus pin, but I did also commit to not buying more tea until I worked through my stash. Have finished 4/5 boxes of clearance teas (purchased for less than $1/each). Liked the first two, hate the last box I'm working through. After that, I have two boxes of decaf green tea + some loose leaf tea. Looking forward to one day actually spending the money to buying a box that I will fully enjoy! :-)
Never thought of gift cards as a gazingus pin. I am not sure why it would be?, you are not buying them yourself, are you?
I have a stash of HD and Lowe's cards for the spring gardening that I ogle with glee while I plan my garden. All the other cards I use for fun or when the budget is too tight that month.
That's nothing to feel guilty about and if you decide you don't want the gc you can sell it if you prefer cash or give it away - so I am slightly confused about why this would be a gazingus pin?
LOL about the tea - looking forward to one day actually spending the money to buying a box that I will fully enjoy:)
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 24, 2018, 07:57:55 AM
Post by: lifejoy on February 24, 2018, 08:22:51 AM
I’m kind of analyzing how stupid it is for me to stop for a year so I can go crazy next year :/
Post by: Serendip on February 24, 2018, 08:39:48 AM
I am definitely planning on this being a longer-term approach.
The no-buying ban is one year but I hope it will show me how I really don't 'need' the things I convince myself I NEED.
Not hoping to rely on willpower, since that is limited. They say repetition builds habit, so I suppose I am hoping to build long-term mindfulness through this practice if that makes sense?
It's definitely helping to have this gauntlet as well as my 'no-shopping' experiment with my SO..I've seen appealing courses & books & earrings and they all fire up the reward centre in my brain...
I get activated, don't act on it and then move on.
Post by: Rosy on February 24, 2018, 08:47:37 AM
Hearing it in this context makes a difference (and I do remember now reading your first post). Yes, it is certainly a much better strategy to reduce your gc purchases to imminent need/want, otherwise, it only reduces your available cash at hand - which then limits your choices.
I suppose this is another example of mindful acquisition, because it really does save you money.
Yet, if you save say five or ten bucks, but lock up $50 or $100 in cash repeatedly it is no longer such a good idea? Pure math says it is a good thing - but your actual behavior patterns show it to be detrimental to your budget - interesting:)
Just ruminating - so many of our financial choices can unwittingly turn into a money trap.
The only gc buying we ever do is take advantage if one of the credit card rewards gc's goes on special or our favorite restaurant runs a promo. Saves maybe $40 a year, but hey, these things add up.
Post by: Rosy on February 24, 2018, 08:59:30 AM
Just curious - which of you hope to maintain your willpower forever, and who among us (me with the *shifty eyes* again!) is planning to buy TONS of gazingus pins in 2019?
I’m kind of analyzing how stupid it is for me to stop for a year so I can go crazy next year :/
Basically, I hope to have strengthened my willpower enough to resist ongoing temptation. I stopped once for about eight months and then slowly revved up to a roar - I.will.not.repeat.that.outcome.
I had allowed myself certain expenditures and then made the stupid mistake of using monthly payments for purchases (at zero interest, but still).
So this time, I will allow for jewelry gifts, but all my own purchases have to be paid in full on the spot. If you can't pay for it without impacting your goals, you can't afford it!
No hiding behind monthly payments!
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 24, 2018, 09:52:21 AM
Just curious - which of you hope to maintain your willpower forever, and who among us (me with the *shifty eyes* again!) is planning to buy TONS of gazingus pins in 2019?
I’m kind of analyzing how stupid it is for me to stop for a year so I can go crazy next year :/
I'm not planning to unleash the beast again in 2019. I'm hoping to learn better tools to optimize, and when "a bargain" is truly a bargain. I've had this problem with other things as well: clothes, toiletries, etc. And then you move & discover that you have 32 bottles of shampoo because they were "a great deal". I love deals, & I will certainly look to optimize our cash flow. But, I'm really looking to build better habits & mindfulness. If I'm being mindful, I'd ask myself why I'm buying a discounted gift card to a clothing store, when in reality, I'm trying to reduce my clothing shopping, and that locks me into one store which may not have what I need.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on February 24, 2018, 09:55:25 AM
Got it @MaybeBabyMustache
Hearing it in this context makes a difference (and I do remember now reading your first post). Yes, it is certainly a much better strategy to reduce your gc purchases to imminent need/want, otherwise, it only reduces your available cash at hand - which then limits your choices.
I suppose this is another example of mindful acquisition, because it really does save you money.
Yet, if you save say five or ten bucks, but lock up $50 or $100 in cash repeatedly it is no longer such a good idea? Pure math says it is a good thing - but your actual behavior patterns show it to be detrimental to your budget - interesting:)
Just ruminating - so many of our financial choices can unwittingly turn into a money trap.
The only gc buying we ever do is take advantage if one of the credit card rewards gc's goes on special or our favorite restaurant runs a promo. Saves maybe $40 a year, but hey, these things add up.
Yup. There are plenty of ways it works for us, but I need to be more mindful vs just getting the quick thrill of a bargain that will result in spending that wouldn't have otherwise happened. It's worked so far. And, the getting rid of gift cards is simply enjoyable at this point, because I carry them around in my bag & there are a ton of them taking up space, as well as mental energy (don't forget to use that X gift card!)
Post by: lifejoy on February 24, 2018, 12:39:28 PM
Got it @MaybeBabyMustache
Hearing it in this context makes a difference (and I do remember now reading your first post). Yes, it is certainly a much better strategy to reduce your gc purchases to imminent need/want, otherwise, it only reduces your available cash at hand - which then limits your choices.
I suppose this is another example of mindful acquisition, because it really does save you money.
Yet, if you save say five or ten bucks, but lock up $50 or $100 in cash repeatedly it is no longer such a good idea? Pure math says it is a good thing - but your actual behavior patterns show it to be detrimental to your budget - interesting:)
Just ruminating - so many of our financial choices can unwittingly turn into a money trap.
The only gc buying we ever do is take advantage if one of the credit card rewards gc's goes on special or our favorite restaurant runs a promo. Saves maybe $40 a year, but hey, these things add up.
Yup. There are plenty of ways it works for us, but I need to be more mindful vs just getting the quick thrill of a bargain that will result in spending that wouldn't have otherwise happened. It's worked so far. And, the getting rid of gift cards is simply enjoyable at this point, because I carry them around in my bag & there are a ton of them taking up space, as well as mental energy (don't forget to use that X gift card!)
Plus if you lose your wallet! That would be a problem!
Post by: Tris Prior on February 24, 2018, 01:06:31 PM
(Though this doesn't mean "I just bought 10 things at Sock Dreams so now I'm going to toss out 10 that I already have!" Moderation would be good here, I think. I will never need 10 new footwear items at once.)
I am down to 1 box of tea, in a flavor I don't really like. Nghhhhhhhhh. :(
Post by: Laura33 on February 24, 2018, 01:58:24 PM
Just curious - which of you hope to maintain your willpower forever, and who among us (me with the *shifty eyes* again!) is planning to buy TONS of gazingus pins in 2019?
I’m kind of analyzing how stupid it is for me to stop for a year so I can go crazy next year :/
In the middle. I need a better habit of buying teas that I will drink, rather than buying tons of different varieties just because they sound cool and then not drinking them and letting them clutter up my pantry.
TBH, I am starting to feel the pinch a bit - I have gotten to the point where I realized I have to start alternating teas I don’t like so much in with the ones I love, or I’m going to drink all the delicious ones first and end up with a month or two of “meh” teas. And the little gremlin in my head is saying, goddammit, you make money, you can buy some damn tea! But I just need to rein the gremlin in, because the whole point is to stop being so wasteful - life isn’t getting exactly what you want, the minute you want it, and it’s not healthy to fall into that expectation. My days of meh teas are my penance for my excess in years past. But like any penance, it chafes!
Post by: Tris Prior on February 24, 2018, 04:14:21 PM
TBH, I am starting to feel the pinch a bit - I have gotten to the point where I realized I have to start alternating teas I don’t like so much in with the ones I love, or I’m going to drink all the delicious ones first and end up with a month or two of “meh” teas.
Welcome to my current life! I rationed out the teas I love, and ran out anyway. Blah.
Post by: lifejoy on February 24, 2018, 04:18:05 PM
Just curious - which of you hope to maintain your willpower forever, and who among us (me with the *shifty eyes* again!) is planning to buy TONS of gazingus pins in 2019?
I’m kind of analyzing how stupid it is for me to stop for a year so I can go crazy next year :/
In the middle. I need a better habit of buying teas that I will drink, rather than buying tons of different varieties just because they sound cool and then not drinking them and letting them clutter up my pantry.
TBH, I am starting to feel the pinch a bit - I have gotten to the point where I realized I have to start alternating teas I don’t like so much in with the ones I love, or I’m going to drink all the delicious ones first and end up with a month or two of “meh” teas. And the little gremlin in my head is saying, goddammit, you make money, you can buy some damn tea! But I just need to rein the gremlin in, because the whole point is to stop being so wasteful - life isn’t getting exactly what you want, the minute you want it, and it’s not healthy to fall into that expectation. My days of meh teas are my penance for my excess in years past. But like any penance, it chafes!
Well said.
I bet the days you have “good” teas are extra delightful!
Post by: mspym on February 24, 2018, 04:29:37 PM
In the middle. I need a better habit of buying teas that I will drink, rather than buying tons of different varieties just because they sound cool and then not drinking them and letting them clutter up my pantry.
TBH, I am starting to feel the pinch a bit - I have gotten to the point where I realized I have to start alternating teas I don’t like so much in with the ones I love, or I’m going to drink all the delicious ones first and end up with a month or two of “meh” teas. And the little gremlin in my head is saying, goddammit, you make money, you can buy some damn tea! But I just need to rein the gremlin in, because the whole point is to stop being so wasteful - life isn’t getting exactly what you want, the minute you want it, and it’s not healthy to fall into that expectation. My days of meh teas are my penance for my excess in years past. But like any penance, it chafes!
It's like eating something you are not mad for- don't leave it all to the end, or the meal will end in sadness
:)
I like the idea of alternating the favourites and not-so-favoured. I wonder though if you only drank the not-favourites would you start appreciating them more? Like when you cut out sugar and suddenly fruit starts blowing your mind?
Post by: Tris Prior on February 24, 2018, 04:44:49 PM
I like the idea of alternating the favourites and not-so-favoured. I wonder though if you only drank the not-favourites would you start appreciating them more? Like when you cut out sugar and suddenly fruit starts blowing your mind?
In my experience, no. I'm drinking so much tea these days as a substitute for what I really want - baked goods, wine, cheese, pasta, bread, food in general (am dieting via counting calories). Subbing good tea for what I really wanted to be eating and drinking was somewhat helpful to my mental state, and I did find myself really enjoying my favorites. Having to sub tea I don't like SUCKS and reminds me that tea isn't what I really want in the first place.
Post by: HappierAtHome on February 24, 2018, 05:02:51 PM
Just curious - which of you hope to maintain your willpower forever, and who among us (me with the *shifty eyes* again!) is planning to buy TONS of gazingus pins in 2019?
I’m kind of analyzing how stupid it is for me to stop for a year so I can go crazy next year :/
I'm hoping to be more MINDFUL going forward after this challenge. Tupperware is my listed gazingus pin, and I do want to be more selective in 2019+ with that, and definitely but less than I have in the past.
I didn't list clothes as a gazingus pin, but I'm not buying any clothes whatsoever in 2018 (separate challenge). The interesting thing is that I had already been a wardrobe minimalist for several years, so not buying anything in 2018 almost certainly means that I'll be scraping by towards the end of the year as items fail, and I will be buying several items in January 2019.
Post by: lifejoy on February 24, 2018, 05:09:28 PM
Post by: Inkedup on February 24, 2018, 06:28:15 PM
Just curious - which of you hope to maintain your willpower forever, and who among us (me with the *shifty eyes* again!) is planning to buy TONS of gazingus pins in 2019?
I’m kind of analyzing how stupid it is for me to stop for a year so I can go crazy next year :/
Planning to be reasonable in 2019. There's no need to return to stockpiling mode, and space is finite anyway. I have so much tea that it feels like a relief to settle in to enjoy it and reign in the impulse to consider what to buy next. When I consider the current stash, I ask myself which teas I feel meh about and which ones I love enough to re-buy and have only a handful in the latter category. That's pretty revealing.
Thanks for the positive reinforcement and feedback!
Post by: diapasoun on February 24, 2018, 07:17:33 PM
Post by: horsepoor on February 24, 2018, 09:33:20 PM
Quote from: HappierAtHome
I'm hoping to be more MINDFUL going forward after this challenge. Tupperware is my listed gazingus pin, and I do want to be more selective in 2019+ with that, and definitely but less than I have in the past.
This for me. I suppose I want a sort of capsule wardrobe for my horse stuff. This year will help me crystallize the items I really want to have, and not buy stuff I won't put to good use.
Post by: chaskavitch on February 25, 2018, 06:52:32 AM
Just curious - which of you hope to maintain your willpower forever, and who among us (me with the *shifty eyes* again!) is planning to buy TONS of gazingus pins in 2019?
I’m kind of analyzing how stupid it is for me to stop for a year so I can go crazy next year :/
I'm hoping to be more MINDFUL going forward after this challenge. Tupperware is my listed gazingus pin, and I do want to be more selective in 2019+ with that, and definitely but less than I have in the past.
I didn't list clothes as a gazingus pin, but I'm not buying any clothes whatsoever in 2018 (separate challenge). The interesting thing is that I had already been a wardrobe minimalist for several years, so not buying anything in 2018 almost certainly means that I'll be scraping by towards the end of the year as items fail, and I will be buying several items in January 2019.
This is what I'm going for with clothes, too. Now that I've started looking at what I ACTUALLY wear, it's a very small portion of my winter wardrobe. I probably don't wear half of my sweaters, for work or at home. I'm assuming summer will be the same. What I'm struggling with is that it's a lot of different clothes than I wore last winter - I'm really hoping my tastes aren't that variable all the time and I'm just honing in on what I like? Maybe?
Post by: Jim Fiction on February 25, 2018, 07:12:15 AM
Join us! We give out gold stars ;)
Well, stars, at least. I’m staying away from gold, myself. Lol
And if you download Tapatalk you can easily have us on your phone...
So when will your month begin? Sounds like you have a bad case or FOMO! (Fear of missing out).
Hi lifejoy!
The FOMO is definitely strong with me! Realizing this is a good start, next is taking steps to work on the problem.
The official start will be March 1st. I will go a full month without purchasing or drinking any beer. I may leave myself one cheat day - we have a work happy hour coming on 3/15 (I'm a tax accountant and its one of our deadlines). Those drinks will be work provided, so at least I won't be spending my own money!
I've unofficially started - one of my favorite local breweries released a new, tasty-looking DIPA yesterday and despite the intense pull to head there to try it after I left work I came directly home instead. Baby steps!
Post by: I'm a red panda on February 25, 2018, 07:23:54 AM
I suspect it is similar to our drug prices. We are told we bear the r&d cost.If anyone is the tiniest bit crafty, and likes draped tops, look up Simplicity 8452. You can practically make it from the cover image, and the instructions bear this out. There are some nice reviews for it as well from people who have made it. (NINETEEN DOLLARS! how could you sleep at night charging that much?)Do you actually have to pay the price on patterns? The stores here always have them half off, and often have them for 99 cents or 1.99. I didn't know anyone sold them face value. Thats insane.
This is because you are Not In Australia*. It is bonkers here, and I assume we are subsidising a lot of the 99 cent patterns in the States.
I have bought a LOT of patterns from op shops because I can pick someone else's never realised fantasy pattern for 25 cents instead of paying the envelope price.
*It was a Christmas miracle when my Spotlight membership meant I could buy a lot of the patterns for $5 each instead of $18. Even with the discount though, Vogue patterns were still ~$15
Vogue is always more expensive here.
Post by: lifejoy on February 25, 2018, 08:06:52 AM
Join us! We give out gold stars ;)
Well, stars, at least. I’m staying away from gold, myself. Lol
And if you download Tapatalk you can easily have us on your phone...
So when will your month begin? Sounds like you have a bad case or FOMO! (Fear of missing out).
Hi lifejoy!
The FOMO is definitely strong with me! Realizing this is a good start, next is taking steps to work on the problem.
The official start will be March 1st. I will go a full month without purchasing or drinking any beer. I may leave myself one cheat day - we have a work happy hour coming on 3/15 (I'm a tax accountant and its one of our deadlines). Those drinks will be work provided, so at least I won't be spending my own money!
I've unofficially started - one of my favorite local breweries released a new, tasty-looking DIPA yesterday and despite the intense pull to head there to try it after I left work I came directly home instead. Baby steps!
Woohoo! Way to prep for March!!!
Post by: Jim Fiction on February 25, 2018, 08:13:44 AM
Update:
almost two months in - have resulted in freeing up $200 in my upcoming March budget! Better yet, if I stay on course it will help me save up that extra $1K I discovered I need for my trip by June.
I'm not looking at jewelry
I'm not buying jewelry
I am not lying awake at night - thinking about all the jewelry I will buy as soon as this challenge is over.
... regardless, I know temptation can still strike at a weak, unguarded moment ...
@Jim Fiction - the first month is the hardest:)
I guess I am a beer snob, I'll be happy to try something new, but I am firmly in the stout, dark slightly sweet beer camp, although I'll go for a good Pilsner or May Doppelbock in the summertime.
There is a craft brewery downtown St. Petersburg (well, there are several:) but this one has one called "1516" brewed in accordance with the German Reinheitsgebot - it is da bomb:) Smooth and surprisingly light tasting for a dark beer.
Hi Rosy! Thank you for the encouragement. At heart I'm a hop-head and thus a big IPA fan, but I enjoy most varieties as long as they're done well. For example ,I've enjoyed some tremendous porters and stouts the last few months (they're "in-season" here in CT due to the cold weather). Probably the best thing I've had over the last few months was actually a scotch ale from a local spot (Relic Brewing). I'm sort of a beer snob in that I go for local stuff over anything else, but I don't dedicate myself too heavily a particular style, though IPAs/DIPAs are my favorite style and the most popular in this region and breweries are constantly putting out new beers in this vein so there is always something new to try.
Post by: Rosy on February 25, 2018, 09:16:50 AM
@lifejoy I don't know if I'll do a hard cut in 2019 like I'm doing this year. Part of that depends on how many of my books I read this year. What I think my eventual goal needs to be is to read down my book collection - to always be at some percentage read (say, 90% of the collection). Not gonna lie, that's going to take a while! I'm helping right now by not adding to the collection, but I met too work at it from the other direction, too.
Not exactly to your point, but now that I am no longer buying jewelry, my book buying has suddenly reached "stack" proportion. Books will always be a weakness of mine, but it is a habit that I thought I had under control.
I'm not adding it as a gazingus pin, because it is not anywhere near that level, but now there will be a max budget for books going forward.
It is so strange to me - in the past I never had unread books in the house, because who buys books and then doesn't read them? When I struggled with at least putting a damper on my jewelry spending last year, I started buying books, but I kept up with reading them and then donated them.
Unless they qualified for one book in - another book out, within my mini-collections on various subjects.
This year, I bought both new books and used books and I find I don't like seeing stacks of them - it makes me antsy.
In the past, I would have been happy just to look at my book acquisitions, but I graduated to curating with strict requirements.
So I am back to mindfulness - which takes commitment and mental effort. I don't envy you the pain of deciding how to deal with your book collection and your book acquisitions going forward. You can do it over time and with a long look at what you value in your life.
It literally hurt letting go - people with no affinity for books cannot possibly understand what they mean to a bibliophile.
Books will always be important to me, but these days I can curate, let go or update. It is such a hard-won victory that just the thought of backsliding raises my anxiety level.
Letting go of a jewelry gazingus pin may be hard, but nothing compared to the deep-rooted emotional upheaval I felt about reducing down to three bookshelves.
Post by: CrustyBadger on February 26, 2018, 05:29:08 PM
I have had some very troubling times this past week, and a bad weekend. Went to work today without a proper breakfast or lunch and feeling emotionally overwhelmed. At the first break I thought, "What would really pick me up would be a nice jolt of cheesy salty oil crackers!" AKA Doritos. I'll be honest, they didn't solve any of my problems, but I did feel good eating them, even though I knew it meant no stars for me.
Post by: diapasoun on February 26, 2018, 05:58:57 PM
@lifejoy I don't know if I'll do a hard cut in 2019 like I'm doing this year. Part of that depends on how many of my books I read this year. What I think my eventual goal needs to be is to read down my book collection - to always be at some percentage read (say, 90% of the collection). Not gonna lie, that's going to take a while! I'm helping right now by not adding to the collection, but I met too work at it from the other direction, too.[snip't]
So I am back to mindfulness - which takes commitment and mental effort. I don't envy you the pain of deciding how to deal with your book collection and your book acquisitions going forward. You can do it over time and with a long look at what you value in your life.
It literally hurt letting go - people with no affinity for books cannot possibly understand what they mean to a bibliophile.
Books will always be important to me, but these days I can curate, let go or update. It is such a hard-won victory that just the thought of backsliding raises my anxiety level.
Letting go of a jewelry gazingus pin may be hard, but nothing compared to the deep-rooted emotional upheaval I felt about reducing down to three bookshelves.
Books, and my personal library, are absolutely a deep-seated THING for me. It's changed and it's generally become healthy for me over the years, although I couldn't do what some friends have done, and reduce my library to a single shelf that never gets any larger. I appreciate having a personal library waaaay too much, for reasons that could probably extend to a multi-thousand-word screed.
That being said, I've got a few strategies I want to rely on in the future:
1. Get rid of any book that I read and just didn't enjoy much. This is a small but non-zero part of my collection, and these books should absolutely go out into the world and find owners who will appreciate them more. I currently have a stack of five or six books that I'm going to take to my local bookshop for re-sale, or plonk into a nearby Little Free Library. This will increase as I...
2. Read all of the books in my collection. This is going to sound a little woo, but I feel like when I buy a book and never read it, I'm disrespecting the book. Like I said above, I'd like to get to at least a 90% read rate, preferably higher.
3. Even after this gauntlet is over, I want to continue using the library as my primary way of experiencing new books, instead of buying them from the store. I'm doing really well on the need to purchase new books; it doesn't itch at me. That means that I should prioritize using my library, which (a) supports the library, (b) saves me money, and (c) means I avoid the whole Book Collecting thing generally.
If I do all these, I'll get to a point where I have a collection that FITS me. It will be a collection of books I've read and loved, and which I actively want in my home. That sounds like how I want my life to be.
Post by: lifejoy on February 26, 2018, 10:24:49 PM
I have failed this month -- no star for me!
I have had some very troubling times this past week, and a bad weekend. Went to work today without a proper breakfast or lunch and feeling emotionally overwhelmed. At the first break I thought, "What would really pick me up would be a nice jolt of cheesy salty oil crackers!" AKA Doritos. I'll be honest, they didn't solve any of my problems, but I did feel good eating them, even though I knew it meant no stars for me.
Hey, so sorry to hear you’re having a rough time. I think you’ve been doing a great job overall and I hope you’re feeling ok to get back on the bandwagon :)
We’ll be here, cheering you on!
Many years ago, my counsellor told me: doing a thing once, or twice, or a few times, does not make you A Person Who Does That Forever. Each day we are born again. Every day is a new day. You can choose to be whoever you want to be <3
Maybe instead of a star, you get hearts <3 <3 <3
Hang in there.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on February 27, 2018, 08:49:37 AM
That being said, I've got a few strategies I want to rely on in the future:
1. Get rid of any book that I read and just didn't enjoy much. This is a small but non-zero part of my collection, and these books should absolutely go out into the world and find owners who will appreciate them more. I currently have a stack of five or six books that I'm going to take to my local bookshop for re-sale, or plonk into a nearby Little Free Library. This will increase as I...
2. Read all of the books in my collection. This is going to sound a little woo, but I feel like when I buy a book and never read it, I'm disrespecting the book. Like I said above, I'd like to get to at least a 90% read rate, preferably higher.
3. Even after this gauntlet is over, I want to continue using the library as my primary way of experiencing new books, instead of buying them from the store. I'm doing really well on the need to purchase new books; it doesn't itch at me. That means that I should prioritize using my library, which (a) supports the library, (b) saves me money, and (c) means I avoid the whole Book Collecting thing generally.
If I do all these, I'll get to a point where I have a collection that FITS me. It will be a collection of books I've read and loved, and which I actively want in my home. That sounds like how I want my life to be.
I struggle with the "Get rid of books I didn't enjoy all that much" when they were written by one of my favorite authors. I like the idea of having a collection of all of their works...but, honestly, I'll never read that particular book again unless I choose to hate-read it (which I do occasionally).
I did go through my TBR pile and give away a lot of books that I know I will never read. Most of those were given to me, and after looking at them for a few years, I know I won't ever pick them up on my own.
My goal is to get my books-for-pleasure down to 3 bookcases, and my research books (I write Wikipedia articles and do genealogy) to fit on another 2-3 shelves (half a bookcase).
Post by: Poundwise on February 27, 2018, 09:17:32 AM
I'm pleased to say that I don't think I've made any craft purchases since that unconscious one. I had to swallow the $7 grommet purchase, because I'm afraid to step into Jo-Ann to return it. But I stood strong in terms of not going to buy blackout cloth for our projector screen. Instead I burrowed into my fabric stash and it turned out that I have enough blackout cloth already! So the challenge has saved me money and stopped me from adding to clutter!
I do confess that hobby spending this month is not zero. I started an aquarium as a birthday present for one of my kids, and though I got the big tank for free and still had many supplies left over from our last fish, we did splash out on a new filter, bubbler, and some other supplies. I'm not going to feel too guilty as we would have spent money on something for him, though I am a little worried that the aquarium will be a money pit. Beats a video game, though.
Post by: Tris Prior on February 27, 2018, 09:24:15 AM
I got a care package in the mail yesterday that included a pair of socks that say "I am a delicate fucking flower." I laughed hysterically.
Post by: zeli2033 on February 27, 2018, 09:24:32 AM
3. Even after this gauntlet is over, I want to continue using the library as my primary way of experiencing new books, instead of buying them from the store. I'm doing really well on the need to purchase new books; it doesn't itch at me. That means that I should prioritize using my library, which (a) supports the library, (b) saves me money, and (c) means I avoid the whole Book Collecting thing generally.
If I do all these, I'll get to a point where I have a collection that FITS me. It will be a collection of books I've read and loved, and which I actively want in my home. That sounds like how I want my life to be.
+100 - this right here. In all honesty, I should have quoted all 3 strategies diapasoun shared but I’ve gone to far now on the tiny phone screen and have to stick to this :) i also love the part I bolded for emphasis. There’s something really amazing about actively pursuing a life you want when that involves consuming less and intentionally using what you already have that continues to bring value to your life.
Post by: lifejoy on February 27, 2018, 09:27:08 AM
It doesn't count if someone gifts you a gazingus pin, right?
I got a care package in the mail yesterday that included a pair of socks that say "I am a delicate fucking flower." I laughed hysterically.
1. I want those socks!!
2. For me, part of what’s amazing about this challenge is that when or if I get gifted a gazingus pin, it will feel AMAZING instead of “oh, I just bought five of these today. Here is another one. Cool.”
So I think that’s great!!
Post by: lifejoy on February 27, 2018, 09:28:27 AM
Post by: Rosy on February 27, 2018, 12:50:12 PM
Quote
If I do all these, I'll get to a point where I have a collection that FITS me. It will be a collection of books I've read and loved, and which I actively want in my home. That sounds like how I want my life to be.
Yes, that is it in a nutshell!:), brilliant! ... and it is where I am at present.
Books do not really fit in the consuma sucka mold. Far from it, we use them to better ourselves, open and mold our minds and study a myriad of subjects. Libraries are a wonderful public service, but they are not the be all and end all. Perhaps they are for mainstream literature or romance novels, but books go past entertainment and education.
I grew up in a household where I had access to books and to a nearby library. No one ever told me about certain subjects not fit for children, I read whatever interested me, a lot I didn't understand and when I discovered my local library had young adult books it was a revelation. My summers consisted of riding my bike to the pool and reading my books in the shady area under trees. It was a huge outdoor facility with lots of grass and trees, three different pool areas, a kiosk and an outdoor cafe.
Even buying the annual pass for the pool entrance was an expenditure planned for in advance. A couple times a week I might have enough money to buy a coke or an ice cream cone there - doesn't mix well with reading:)
Anyway, I have a small collection of books that I re-read every few years. I love it when I discover that my perception has changed. It is amazing to me when I suddenly see certain passages in a different light. It shows me that I have grown wiser as a person, more forgiving or sometimes less forgiving, depending:).
Maybe I see clearer now what shattering consequences certain actions and behaviors can have?
I have one book about poetry that makes me cry every time I read it:) How I came by it or why I love it so much is a mystery to me - I'm not "into" poetry as such, but I do appreciate the work of certain authors, from the old Persians to Morrison - if it touches the soul it is good and will resonate for another thousand years - powerful stuff those books.
@formerlydivorcedmom - somewhere along the line - I decided that my time was too precious to waste on finishing reading a book that I clearly found less than, and I am certainly not using my precious bookshelf space for a book that I do not like. Even our favorite authors sometimes miss the mark - it happens.
Once I let go of two romance book collections by favorite authors - I never looked back. Unless I am about to read it, you will not find a single romance book in my house anymore.
These days, I regularly cull my books - sometimes I lose interest in a particular subject, so I let go of my mini-library of art books. I've had books about my favorite painters since I was nine years old - no more. For whatever reason, I do not need them anymore.
Besides, one needs to leave room for new passions:), right?
Next on my list for a cull is my cookbook collection - that is not too hard, I'll keep my favorites and three that I hardly use, but love dearly and one amazing thrift shop find. A very old German Christmas cookie baking book - elevated my cooking baking to stellar - no lie. Best macaroons and best vanilla, sugar, butter cookie recipes ever.
So yeah, books do not compare to a gazingus pin like jewelry buying, but nevertheless, mindfulness in acquisition and culling principles are a necessity lest one lose control of one's possessions:)
Sorry, I'll shut up about books now. Ahem, I will be ready for my second extra sparkly gold star tomorrow ...:)
Post by: diapasoun on February 28, 2018, 11:22:29 AM
Post by: DTaggart on February 28, 2018, 02:06:23 PM
I FIREd at the start of the month and I have to say my "aspirational" purchasing tendencies have all but disappeared. While working I would often feel frustrated that I couldn't be out hiking or playing outside and would buy stuff to compensate. Now when I find myself thinking "Gee it's a nice day, it would be nice to do an outdoor thing," I just get up and go do an outdoor thing!
I've been out for longer hikes at least twice a week, training up for some backpacking trips I have planned this summer. I load up my big pack with extra weight (extra water bottles and a small dumbell) and stagger my way up a mountain. I've been able to go running around my neighborhood somewhat consistently, as of yesterday I'm up to 4 miles. We've been taking the dog out for walks everyday too - he's up to 2 miles at a stretch. Even if we don't get out to one of the "hiking" areas, just walking around our neighborhood scratches the "go outside and play" itch.
I went on my first overnight backpacking trip a few weeks ago and finally got to put my backpacking gear to a real test. I admit I have identified several items I want to buy, but I feel more like they are legitimate needs at this point then wants. The weather was REALLY windy and I had some issues getting my stove to boil water so I think a windscreen is in order (I actually had to eat my dehydrated chicken and veggies while they were still a bit crunchy since it was taking so long to boil water). I've also been considering buying an inflatable pillow and after my trip I'm more inclined to get this item - my original plan was to use a stuff sack full of clothes as a pillow but I was wearing all my clothes because it was so cold. I tried using my backpack as a pillow but it wasn't comfortable at all.
Also, for a trip coming up in June I'm pretty sure I'm going to need to get a real rain cover, as well as a duffel bag to transport my backpack in since we'll be flying (a lot of people recommend this when checking your backpack as baggage since the straps and buckles can get caught on the conveyors and wreck your pack).
I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out if I'm just rationalizing getting these items, but I don' feel like they are the mindless aspirational purchases I've been trying to avoid. Having been on the trip without the stove windscreen and pillow and realizing that having them would have made a meaningful improvement, I feel comfortable that those would be bought for an actual purpose rather than just making me feel a certain way. Ditto for the rain cover for my pack. The duffel bag bugs me a little since I feel like it's not something I will use regularly, but I don't want to risk my pack getting f'ed up.
My plan though is to wait for my birthday in May and ask for some of these things as gifts. The duffel bag I will look for in thrift stores or on ebay, and hopefully get that used fairly cheap. I also have a few things I don't use that I will try to sell on eBay or Craigslist and can use the money towards the new items, so I'll at least end up with a net zero increase in "stuff" :) I'm also not running out and buying any of these things on a whim, but holding off until closer to the trip to make sure I still think they're necessary.
As to lifejoy's question about what I expect for my habits after 2018 is over: My goal is just to be more mindful of my purchases. I don't want to buy things as a lame substitute for actually doing the things I enjoy, and I don't want to buy things impulsively because they seem like a good idea/useful. I only want to buy things if I legitimately have a need for them and if they fulfill an actual purpose. So, yet another long-sleeved running top (I already have several, and it is rarely cold enough that I need long sleeves) is not a valid purchase. A lightweight frying pan so I can cook pancakes on the trail (I have numerous food options that do not require a frying pan) is not a valid purchase. A pillow so I can get a good night's rest and not end up with a sore neck? Well, I've tried the alternatives and I'm convinced that this is something I will use and get value from - valid purchase.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on February 28, 2018, 05:43:44 PM
Post by: diapasoun on February 28, 2018, 07:35:58 PM
I too am here to report a gazingus pin-free month for February. Huzzah!
Post by: horsepoor on February 28, 2018, 09:21:53 PM
Onward to March!
Post by: middo on February 28, 2018, 09:56:33 PM
Post by: HappierAtHome on February 28, 2018, 10:46:35 PM
Post by: mspym on March 01, 2018, 12:54:31 AM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on March 01, 2018, 08:14:30 AM
Great work to everyone else last month. I bought the one cookbook, but that was it, so I think I get a gold star as well.
My library is moving this week from a very convenient location next to my daughter's school to a less convenient location across town. That will present a bigger challenge, but I'm up for it!
For this month, I'm thinking about using my book purchase to get a book for my son. He's on the list to get it from the library, but it will probably be months before it's his turn. I hadn't originally intended to keep the kids' books as part of my challenge, but the children seem to think it covers them too. My son asked me last night for chores so he could earn money for other books he wants. I don't know, maybe I'll just wait and give him this one for his birthday.
Next year, I need to make frozen cookie dough my gazingus pin challenge. I have a weakness for both cookies and cute kids selling stuff for school...which means we have a lot of cookie dough.
Post by: Poundwise on March 01, 2018, 08:18:25 AM
Good work, everyone who earned a star-- and also for everyone who resisted even a single temptation throughout the month! Perfection is good, but better is best!
Post by: Rosy on March 01, 2018, 08:43:03 AM
Only one occasion of intense temptation - saved by the universe aka computer glitch.
Post by: Tris Prior on March 01, 2018, 08:47:22 AM
Post by: zeli2033 on March 01, 2018, 08:51:43 AM
Post by: I'm a red panda on March 01, 2018, 08:52:12 AM
My favorite nail polish brand just released their spring collection....OMG so much pretty; I am resisting.
Post by: Serendip on March 01, 2018, 02:41:32 PM
Holding strong on the art workshops..even though I read about many appealing ones. I definitely get mental stimulation from them so am working out ways to keep myself motivated in other ways..
Also @lifejoy , I think you have me doubled up on the list if you could remove the first one (initially my username was astak) thank you!
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on March 01, 2018, 09:02:19 PM
One star for me please.
Holding strong on the art workshops..even though I read about many appealing ones. I definitely get mental stimulation from them so am working out ways to keep myself motivated in other ways..
Also @MaybeBabyMustache, I think you have me doubled up on the list if you could remove the first one (initially my username was astak) thank you!
I think you're looking for @lifejoy :-)
Post by: Serendip on March 02, 2018, 12:32:22 AM
oops, you are correct :) thanks!One star for me please.
Holding strong on the art workshops..even though I read about many appealing ones. I definitely get mental stimulation from them so am working out ways to keep myself motivated in other ways..
Also @MaybeBabyMustache, I think you have me doubled up on the list if you could remove the first one (initially my username was astak) thank you!
I think you're looking for @lifejoy :-)
Post by: CrustyBadger on March 02, 2018, 07:09:48 AM
I have failed this month -- no star for me!
I have had some very troubling times this past week, and a bad weekend. Went to work today without a proper breakfast or lunch and feeling emotionally overwhelmed. At the first break I thought, "What would really pick me up would be a nice jolt of cheesy salty oil crackers!" AKA Doritos. I'll be honest, they didn't solve any of my problems, but I did feel good eating them, even though I knew it meant no stars for me.
Gosh, no star for me this month and I"m OK with that -- but geez, I should have realized I caved on Feb 26th -- only two days till the end of the month! Maybe that would have held me out longer!!
Anyhow, I am on track to try again in March!
Post by: Laura33 on March 02, 2018, 12:14:49 PM
I got a care package in the mail yesterday that included a pair of socks that say "I am a delicate fucking flower." I laughed hysterically.
I totally want those socks!!
One of the guys at my gym -- total badass -- has a t-shirt with pink writing/drawing that says "I'm a unicorn, damn it!" I love him. :-)
And a gold star for me too -- no tea purchases, despite walking by several tempting displays in the grocery store! I actually really feel like I earned this one; the first month felt really good to clear out a bunch of partially-drunk boxes, and I almost felt guilty accepting a star for it. But this month, man, drinking the "meh" teas really started to grate. But I did it! And the good news is if I keep it up, I may have only another month or two before I clear out everything else and get to buy some replacements, so there's an incentive -- I mean, if I can't hold out for 3-4 months, that is total wuss-level.
Post by: Inkedup on March 02, 2018, 06:30:55 PM
Post by: Duchess on March 03, 2018, 11:04:35 AM
Definitely didn’t buy any clothing for my little one although was tempted a couple of times.
I’m finding it difficult to draw clear boundaries around buying snacks while out and about. I’ve avoided making unnecessary purchases in this category while on my own but we’ve made some unplanned food purchases as a family. It doesn’t seem fair to force this challenge on my husband though. The meals out were further compounded by being away on holiday (i.e., vacation) last week.
Post by: lifejoy on March 04, 2018, 04:12:52 PM
In the meantime, I did NOT go into the jewellery store that had signs that said: SALE! Up to 80% off! Everything must go!
Gah. I’m staying strong!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180304/7570db92d6a0e427aae4a80d42fa324a.jpg)
Post by: lifejoy on March 04, 2018, 09:23:15 PM
Inkedup - curious: how much do you think you used to spend on tea each month, prior to this challenge? And yay, star!
Laura33 - any plans to find cheaper tea options for when you are allowed to purchase? (Warning: not trying to make you start shopping now!)
I think you tea people are proof that every dollar counts and adds up. My major pin being jewellery makes tea seem CHEAP but I know it’s just an illusion! ;) Great job for making it through the month, Laura!
CrustyBadger - it is in some ways harder to keep going after a misstep than when you’re totally cold turkey. I’m really impressed by you and could totally see you making it the rest of the year!
Serendip - changed! And here I thought you had a twin ;) Great job on February! Sounds like you faced a lot of temptation and held strong!
Iowajes - you are the bomb!!! If you’re anything like me, willpower + motherhood is a big LOL sometimes... SO HARD!!! (Iowajes and I both have babies.)
Zeli - books are the best and you are even better!! Way to go!
Tris - have you counted how many socks you own? Great job on resisting socks AND tea!
Rosy - I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you being in this challenge. We could have our very own thread: jewellery addicts anonymous. You did so well this month! And fate helped! I’m so impressed that you’re meeting your savings goals.
Poundwise - lol whoops. I shall exchange your January star for a February one :)
That ok with you?
And perhaps I should give people stars ahead of time... it sucks to lose something that you feel is already yours! Haha jk! But great job!
Formerly divorced Mom - no candles, either? Way to go!! As for buying cookie dough.. it’s not smart but sometimes I give the kids money and tell them to keep their hot dogs / cookies / chocolates / whatever. I’m spendy though... love throwing away my money to deserving kids haha
I think it’s really cool that your son has joined the challenge, without you even making him! Maybe you could make it very easy for him to earn the money? Lots of little job options? So cool. Part of what motivates me is my long-term goal of being a good role model for my daughter. My mom loves deals and shopping and I have memories of “Can we GO now???!” And I don’t want babyjoy to see my life as very consumerist and superficial. (No shade on my mom - she’s great! But is a bit addicted to shopping like 90% of the western world...)
Mspym - great going :)
Happierathome - I know you well enough that I’m not surprised you got a star! Is willpower easy-ish for you, or is there a struggle? How’s it going for you?
Middo - I’m so impressed. Tools are far easier to rationalize than another diamond ring! Ha!!
Horsepoor - I think while it doesn’t mean a star for February, I think it is a win for Mustachian living: you made a very conscious purchase and limited yourself from frivolous spending. Go, you!!
Diapasoun - woohoo! Great job! I wonder if you could get your book club titles far enough in advance that you could put holds on the books with plenty of time to spare?
RetiredAt63 - way to go! And I’m laughing because I’m still picturing a gazingus pin of edible fibre. Oops. Yarn etc! My mistake ;)
And great job!
DTaggart - congrats on FIRE and February! It’s really interesting to hear about how it’s affected your purchases. Lifestyle change can do that. I find I care less about superficial purchases now that I’m on maternity leave. No point in buying expensive and nice things to wear while I’m a poop slave ;)
Whew. I think that was everyone? Let me know if I missed you! Stop waiting to hear from a few people... come out, come out, wherever you are!
Update from me: I’m selling a ring and have had a few bites but haven’t been able to meet prospective buyers because: BABY. I’m ok with that. I think I will try again to sell the ring in a few months when it’s (hopefully) easier to leave baby with a sitter. Sigh. Sucks to miss out on a potential $1400 though...
Clothes I’m doing fine with. I crave new nursing tops because I’m wearing the same five 24/7 but babyjoy is nursing less often so I think I can wear my normal clothes more often and it’ll be less of a big deal. Cool. And I have two clothing swaps come up, so that will help. AND I’m really enjoying having a real true capsule wardrobe and how easy, simple, and clean it is. Yep.
Ok goodnight!
Post by: diapasoun on March 05, 2018, 07:30:43 AM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on March 05, 2018, 08:48:17 AM
Formerly divorced Mom - no candles, either? Way to go!! As for buying cookie dough.. it’s not smart but sometimes I give the kids money and tell them to keep their hot dogs / cookies / chocolates / whatever. I’m spendy though... love throwing away my money to deserving kids haha
I think it’s really cool that your son has joined the challenge, without you even making him! Maybe you could make it very easy for him to earn the money? Lots of little job options? So cool. Part of what motivates me is my long-term goal of being a good role model for my daughter. My mom loves deals and shopping and I have memories of “Can we GO now???!” And I don’t want babyjoy to see my life as very consumerist and superficial. (No shade on my mom - she’s great! But is a bit addicted to shopping like 90% of the western world...)
I didn't buy any candles either. Cub Scouts is great at letting people pay for popcorn and send it to troops overseas; I wonder if the cookie dough people do the same thing?
My son gets a regular allowance for inside chores, and I'm paying him to do yard work. I broke my foot and can't do it, so he gets money based on how much he chooses to do - weeding, planting, putting out mulch (which is uberfun, because you get to be dirty!).
I have been pondering the comments on this thread about books and why we keep them, so last night I made yet another pass through one of my bookshelves. I put 12 books in the Goodwill box, and set aside another 30 that I enjoy but that I never think about when I'm ready to reread an old favorite. I'll give myself one month - any of those 30 that aren't read in that time go in the box, and of any that I do read, I can only keep a max of 5, IF I truly think I'll proactively reread it again. Next month I'll work on the next bookshelf. This is going to keep me busy for most of the year.
Post by: lifejoy on March 05, 2018, 07:34:21 PM
@lifejoy We send out the titles for our book club about a month in advance, which is plenty of time for holds to come in... provided the book is in the system. One of the books this month is not. :( So, I'll have to use the book club clause for the first time.
I was in a book club that was devout about library usage and not buying books. Any chance you could borrow the book from a keen reader that is planning on buying?
Post by: lifejoy on March 05, 2018, 07:35:34 PM
@lifejoy , way to go for not stopping at the jewelry store!Formerly divorced Mom - no candles, either? Way to go!! As for buying cookie dough.. it’s not smart but sometimes I give the kids money and tell them to keep their hot dogs / cookies / chocolates / whatever. I’m spendy though... love throwing away my money to deserving kids haha
I think it’s really cool that your son has joined the challenge, without you even making him! Maybe you could make it very easy for him to earn the money? Lots of little job options? So cool. Part of what motivates me is my long-term goal of being a good role model for my daughter. My mom loves deals and shopping and I have memories of “Can we GO now???!” And I don’t want babyjoy to see my life as very consumerist and superficial. (No shade on my mom - she’s great! But is a bit addicted to shopping like 90% of the western world...)
I didn't buy any candles either. Cub Scouts is great at letting people pay for popcorn and send it to troops overseas; I wonder if the cookie dough people do the same thing?
My son gets a regular allowance for inside chores, and I'm paying him to do yard work. I broke my foot and can't do it, so he gets money based on how much he chooses to do - weeding, planting, putting out mulch (which is uberfun, because you get to be dirty!).
I have been pondering the comments on this thread about books and why we keep them, so last night I made yet another pass through one of my bookshelves. I put 12 books in the Goodwill box, and set aside another 30 that I enjoy but that I never think about when I'm ready to reread an old favorite. I'll give myself one month - any of those 30 that aren't read in that time go in the box, and of any that I do read, I can only keep a max of 5, IF I truly think I'll proactively reread it again. Next month I'll work on the next bookshelf. This is going to keep me busy for most of the year.
I do something similar with my books. It is my reality check!
And thanks for the props :)
I am getting better at this!
Post by: diapasoun on March 05, 2018, 08:14:35 PM
@lifejoy We send out the titles for our book club about a month in advance, which is plenty of time for holds to come in... provided the book is in the system. One of the books this month is not. :( So, I'll have to use the book club clause for the first time.
I was in a book club that was devout about library usage and not buying books. Any chance you could borrow the book from a keen reader that is planning on buying?
Unfortunately very unlikely. :( The club is small. There are two folks besides me who attend pretty much every month. One does almost exclusively ebooks (and is likely to ebook this one, since her bookshelf is currently full and she's not highly invested in this one). The other lives about 30 miles from us, and 60 miles round trip is not cost effective when I can get the paperback used. I'd rather enact the book club clause and spend less overall.
I do have time, so I'm not rushing out to get the book in case something pops up.
Post by: lifejoy on March 05, 2018, 08:36:03 PM
@lifejoy We send out the titles for our book club about a month in advance, which is plenty of time for holds to come in... provided the book is in the system. One of the books this month is not. :( So, I'll have to use the book club clause for the first time.
I was in a book club that was devout about library usage and not buying books. Any chance you could borrow the book from a keen reader that is planning on buying?
Unfortunately very unlikely. :( The club is small. There are two folks besides me who attend pretty much every month. One does almost exclusively ebooks (and is likely to ebook this one, since her bookshelf is currently full and she's not highly invested in this one). The other lives about 30 miles from us, and 60 miles round trip is not cost effective when I can get the paperback used. I'd rather enact the book club clause and spend less overall.
I do have time, so I'm not rushing out to get the book in case something pops up.
Oh! Buying a used paperback is pretty darn legit. Props! Just trying to help you think out all the potential options, but I can see you’ve been there and done that!
Post by: Rosy on March 06, 2018, 06:30:20 AM
Just want to say that I'm pretty impressed with horsepoor even though officially it was a star-less month for her in Feb.
@lifejoy - oh wow - you really did not even enter that 80% off store closing?:) I'm not sure I could have resisted. HIGH FIVE! Good luck with the ring sale, may I ask what venue you are using?
@formerlydivorcedmom - I like that you are re-thinking your book stash. Again, this comes down to not just mindful acquisition, but also re-thinking mindless possession. Once it lives in my house for three weeks I don't really "see" things anymore.
Re-evaluating and de-cluttering is an ongoing battle.
FWIW - I'll be tackling at least one of my bookshelves this month.
Update: No serious temptations - yet. Not sure if that is really due to changing habits or because I've had one money set down after another since Mar 1.
Post by: Laura33 on March 06, 2018, 06:31:17 AM
Laura33 - any plans to find cheaper tea options for when you are allowed to purchase? (Warning: not trying to make you start shopping now!)
Yeah, I have to admit, my first thought was, "oooohhh, good idea, let me see what's out there!" :-) Yeah, no, not yet. :-)
Seriously, I haven't thought that far ahead. I am just tired of being surrounded by the mental clutter of stuff I don't really like; it means every time I open the cabinet, I think, "oh, yeah, I gotta drink that one of these days" instead of "which deliciousness shall I enjoy today?" So right now, I just want fewer -- I want a simplified cabinet and to break myself of the habit of just picking up whatever looks good as a treat.
The reality is that most of my tea isn't too expensive -- we're talking Tazo-level for everyday, not froofy fancy stuff.* So maybe the answer is going to be to have my basic categories of everyday drinking teas, and then have one slot for froofy teas; that way I can still try something new/different/fancy, but just one at a time, and I need to drink it all before trying something else. But it's still more about self-control than money.
PS -- Awesome job walking away from that sale!!
*Don't get me wrong -- I love froofy fancy teas. I'm just too cheap to drink them every day, especially given how much I drink. :-) And on the flip side, I'm not willing to go cheaper -- believe me when I say that I have tried every cheap brand of tea in the grocery store, and Tazo is about the level that brings me daily happiness.
Post by: chaskavitch on March 06, 2018, 06:53:37 AM
Alas, no stars for me for February. I bought two cookies for myself at Sprouts last week because they opened a new little gourmet "buy it by the lb" cookie stand thing. I ended up getting them for free, because the cashier couldn't figure out how to code it, but I still intended to purchase them :( Carmelita bars are just so good!
Post by: lifejoy on March 06, 2018, 08:43:06 AM
Laura33 - I have only bought tazo with a coupon, because it’s too expensive for me
(because I had to save money for DIAMONDS lol) Thanks for the props Yeah tazo seems to be a good mix between quality and affordability. Next time someone gifts you a Starbucks gift card, maybe save it up for when you need to buy your next box of tea? Maybe the Starbucks would sell you a box
Chaskavitch - coooool! Sounds like you did well at the clothing swap! Also, that is very honourable to admit you intended to buy your free cookies!
Post by: Laura33 on March 06, 2018, 09:26:47 AM
Laura33 - I have only bought tazo with a coupon, because it’s too expensive for me
Alas, Starbucks no longer sells Tazo. But I figured out it costs me about 70 cents a day for 1-2 pots, and it's the only non-alcoholic thing I drink, so I give myself a pass on that little splurge. ;-) [To be more precise, I tell myself I'm still doing better than DH, who insists on getting 2-3 Diet Pepsis from the vending machine at work for $1 a pop!]
IDK, maybe when I'm FIRE and "on a fixed income" (and don't have free tea at work any more!) I'll care more. Or, you know, maybe not. ;-)
Post by: diapasoun on March 06, 2018, 09:34:01 AM
@lifejoy We send out the titles for our book club about a month in advance, which is plenty of time for holds to come in... provided the book is in the system. One of the books this month is not. :( So, I'll have to use the book club clause for the first time.
I was in a book club that was devout about library usage and not buying books. Any chance you could borrow the book from a keen reader that is planning on buying?
Unfortunately very unlikely. :( The club is small. There are two folks besides me who attend pretty much every month. One does almost exclusively ebooks (and is likely to ebook this one, since her bookshelf is currently full and she's not highly invested in this one). The other lives about 30 miles from us, and 60 miles round trip is not cost effective when I can get the paperback used. I'd rather enact the book club clause and spend less overall.
I do have time, so I'm not rushing out to get the book in case something pops up.
Oh! Buying a used paperback is pretty darn legit. Props! Just trying to help you think out all the potential options, but I can see you’ve been there and done that!
Haha I appreciate it! One needs many angles, and I had forgotten to think through whether I could borrow it from someone this month (I've done it before with other books).
Post by: RetiredAt63 on March 06, 2018, 10:55:08 AM
Post by: vertkurt on March 06, 2018, 11:02:17 AM
Watches are my pins. I just don't know why, but I'm always looking at watches to buy even though I have 5 already and can only wear one at a time.
Holding strong...not a single watch purchase this year. Been resisting all the new micro brand releases!
Post by: lifejoy on March 06, 2018, 04:32:49 PM
Laura33 - I have only bought tazo with a coupon, because it’s too expensive for me
Alas, Starbucks no longer sells Tazo. But I figured out it costs me about 70 cents a day for 1-2 pots, and it's the only non-alcoholic thing I drink, so I give myself a pass on that little splurge. ;-) [To be more precise, I tell myself I'm still doing better than DH, who insists on getting 2-3 Diet Pepsis from the vending machine at work for $1 a pop!]
IDK, maybe when I'm FIRE and "on a fixed income" (and don't have free tea at work any more!) I'll care more. Or, you know, maybe not. ;-)
Tea is much cheaper than pop, and diamonds, and books even! I’d say you’re doing just fine!! ;)
I gotta always ask the tough questions though :D
Post by: lifejoy on March 06, 2018, 04:33:24 PM
March has been a high fibre exposure month - and I am holding firm.
Yesssss!!!!!! Good job.
Post by: lifejoy on March 06, 2018, 04:34:37 PM
Watches are my pins. I just don't know why, but I'm always looking at watches to buy even though I have 5 already and can only wear one at a time.
Holding strong...not a single watch purchase this year. Been resisting all the new micro brand releases!
Oh snap. Do you hang out on watchuseek? If you don’t... I would say don’t start until 2019 ;)
And I’ll give you a star once I get to a computer!!
Post by: HappierAtHome on March 06, 2018, 04:40:01 PM
March has been a high fibre exposure month - and I am holding firm.
I had to read this a few times; the use of "fibre" and "firm" in the same sentence suggested a completely different topic of discussion.
Post by: lifejoy on March 06, 2018, 05:13:52 PM
March has been a high fibre exposure month - and I am holding firm.
I had to read this a few times; the use of "fibre" and "firm" in the same sentence suggested a completely different topic of discussion.
Hahaha I’m glad I’m not the only one that had that thought!
Post by: HappierAtHome on March 06, 2018, 05:14:55 PM
March has been a high fibre exposure month - and I am holding firm.
I had to read this a few times; the use of "fibre" and "firm" in the same sentence suggested a completely different topic of discussion.
Hahaha I’m glad I’m not the only one that had that thought!
Maybe it's related to being in the "feeding baby solids" stage of parenting :-P
Post by: Inkedup on March 06, 2018, 05:17:08 PM
Post by: middo on March 06, 2018, 07:12:38 PM
This afternoon I have to visit the hardware for a sprinkler after I mowed the top off one on the weekend. No tools. No tools. No tools. Repeat after me, no tools...
Post by: lifejoy on March 06, 2018, 07:54:53 PM
I received a catalog through the mail a couple of days ago from "hardware warehouse". Tool drool time. But I was good, and threw it away. After looking at it with my son who agreed with me that we could spend so much money on tools that wouldn't be used very often at all.
This afternoon I have to visit the hardware for a sprinkler after I mowed the top off one on the weekend. No tools. No tools. No tools. Repeat after me, no tools...
It’ll be worth it to resist! You got this :)
We’re all rooting for you.
Post by: lifejoy on March 06, 2018, 10:15:20 PM
(Coffee meditation)
Post by: Rosy on March 13, 2018, 06:21:20 PM
Got three e-mails for TV shows with my favorite designers and I know they are doing a gemstone event. I am not going to tune in, because I don't want to be tempted.
This has been a real up and down month for me emotionally and financially - so I am not exposing myself to temptation for buying jewelry. In two more days it is halftime again, Mar 15 - small victories.
We can do this!
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on March 14, 2018, 08:03:18 AM
We can do it!
Post by: I'm a red panda on March 14, 2018, 08:18:29 AM
Post by: Rosy on March 14, 2018, 09:04:48 AM
Emailed Julep to cancel nail polish box instead of just "skipping" it every month. :)
Yay @iowajes !!! Victory:) Yes, that makes a great deal of sense, you will not be torturing yourself any longer.
Inspired me to opt out of all future e-mails for upcoming jewelry shows - I don't need the distraction, aggravation or temptation.
Post by: Serendip on March 14, 2018, 10:15:22 AM
-1st one was about a medical condition
-2nd one was about possible treatment for said medical condition
:)
I will be able to write off the expense but need to share in terms of accountability..I don't want to get back into the habit even though I normally buy physical books, not the kindle versions.
Post by: lifejoy on March 15, 2018, 03:07:44 AM
Be strong everyone...we are 11 weeks into the year, which means we are 20% done.
We can do it!
Oh wow! What a great number to see! That really helps, thanks!
I’ve been shopping for jewellery a LOT lately... I think it’s due to stress or boredom or something (definitely not due to a need for jewellery!) so it’s nice to know I’ve already lasted 20%!!
Only 291 days to go... it’s almost been 100 days!
Post by: lifejoy on March 15, 2018, 03:08:54 AM
Emailed Julep to cancel nail polish box instead of just "skipping" it every month. :)
Yay @iowajes !!! Victory:) Yes, that makes a great deal of sense, you will not be torturing yourself any longer.
Inspired me to opt out of all future e-mails for upcoming jewelry shows - I don't need the distraction, aggravation or temptation.
Good going, iowajes! I need to do this... trouble is, I’m following so many yummy bling accounts on Instagram.
Post by: lifejoy on March 15, 2018, 03:10:59 AM
I bought 2 books (ebooks, not the physical version) not too upset since I couldn't access them otherwise and
-1st one was about a medical condition
-2nd one was about possible treatment for said medical condition
:)
I will be able to write off the expense but need to share in terms of accountability..I don't want to get back into the habit even though I normally buy physical books, not the kindle versions.
Those sound like legit books! And how very accountable of you!
Does this mean I should confess I want to get a friend a piece of jewellery for her bridal shower? SIGH. A big part of my goal is because I don’t want to own more bling for me, but I never meant to cut down on the bling for others...
I’m undecided on whether or not this challenge affects or counts for gifting. I dunno...
Post by: diapasoun on March 15, 2018, 09:50:19 AM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on March 15, 2018, 10:35:04 AM
Only 291 days to go... it’s almost been 100 days!
In the US,
M oldest and I spent hours attaching 100 Cheerios or 100 stickers or 100 toothpicks to stuff.
When youngest kid got to 1st grade he firmly declined to participate in or associate with any craft project that had to be done at home, so I finally got out of it. Little man and I were born without the craft gene.
Post by: lifejoy on March 15, 2018, 03:47:26 PM
Only 291 days to go... it’s almost been 100 days!
In the US,kids(oh who are we kidding) parents are expected to do elaborate craft projects to celebrate the 100th day of school. As a new mom, maybe we ought to have you practice by doing one for the 100th day of our challenge ;)
M oldest and I spent hours attaching 100 Cheerios or 100 stickers or 100 toothpicks to stuff.
When youngest kid got to 1st grade he firmly declined to participate in or associate with any craft project that had to be done at home, so I finally got out of it. Little man and I were born without the craft gene.
LOL can I make it out of diamonds?? Or can it be like in AA and I get a medallion for making it that far? ;)
Haha I am soooo not a crafter.
Post by: Poundwise on March 15, 2018, 09:03:11 PM
Post by: Serendip on March 15, 2018, 09:16:22 PM
LOL can I make it out of diamonds?? Or can it be like in AA and I get a medallion for making it that far? ;)
Haha I am soooo not a crafter.
Ha, @lifejoy you are doing a FANTASTIC job of slowing your gem-stone aquisition.
And 100 days of anything is fantastic, so congrats to all the rest of you as well :)
Post by: lifejoy on March 15, 2018, 11:48:23 PM
LOL can I make it out of diamonds?? Or can it be like in AA and I get a medallion for making it that far? ;)
Haha I am soooo not a crafter.
Ha, @lifejoy you are doing a FANTASTIC job of slowing your gem-stone aquisition.
And 100 days of anything is fantastic, so congrats to all the rest of you as well :)
Thanks :)
I’ve been feeling so tempted lately. But I keep imagining how good I’ll feel, knowing I’ve gone a year!
Post by: RetiredAt63 on March 16, 2018, 07:42:47 AM
For those who understand jewellery but not fibre, Shetland wool can be spun very fine and soft - they knit "Wedding ring shawls" out of this. The shawl is so fine and light-weight that a whole shawl can go through a wedding ring.
Post by: I'm a red panda on March 16, 2018, 07:58:32 AM
I don't think a gift can count against you. Though I suppose the question is why are you doing the challenge: is it about money or about hoarding?
Could you give away a similar quantity of another fiber?
Post by: lifejoy on March 16, 2018, 11:32:49 AM
For me, gifts or freebies 100% don’t count! Because the challenge for me is to not spend money in these areas. It makes unexpected gifts or freebies extra special and I appreciate them more.
Post by: Rosy on March 16, 2018, 05:08:00 PM
LOL can I make it out of diamonds?? Or can it be like in AA and I get a medallion for making it that far? ;)
Haha I am soooo not a crafter.
Ha, @lifejoy you are doing a FANTASTIC job of slowing your gem-stone aquisition.
And 100 days of anything is fantastic, so congrats to all the rest of you as well :)
Thanks :)
I’ve been feeling so tempted lately. But I keep imagining how good I’ll feel, knowing I’ve gone a year!
@lifejoy - baby steps, don't think about the entire year. Only 15 more days left in this month!
You can do this - one day at a time - 15 more days to go until the next extra shiny, extra sparkly star just for lifejoy!:)
@RetiredAt63 - gifts and freebies don't count - you get a free pass:) Shetland wool is a very fine thing - enjoy your free gift and honor the sheep by making something beautiful..
Post by: RetiredAt63 on March 16, 2018, 05:56:42 PM
@RetiredAt63 - gifts and freebies don't count - you get a free pass:) Shetland wool is a very fine thing - enjoy your free gift and honor the sheep by making something beautiful..
Whew! ;-)
Post by: lifejoy on March 16, 2018, 07:38:01 PM
I’m just finding I need a new outlet. Instead of feel bad, buy jewellery or clothes- I need a new habit. Like, feel bad —> go walk in nature.
Post by: chaskavitch on March 18, 2018, 06:54:22 AM
And THEN I finally got the book Overdressed from the library, and now I feel absolutely awful about all of my clothing purchases. Everything I own was made in Cambodia or Vietnam or China by people who make like $5 a month, and they're all made partially of plastic. Gah. On the bright side, at least half of my clothes are second hand, but it's still ridiculous.
My plan was already to ask for nice replacement clothes for birthday and Christmas presents, once things start to break, but now it's definitely a stronger commitment to buy from Patagonia or the Made in the USA Carhartt line. I never in a million years thought I'd say I wanted "made in the USA" things, but not supporting sweat shops seems like a good reason. Patagonia is also trying to ensure good working conditions in their production facilities around the world, and they've got a great repair/replacement support system. There's actually a page on their website on how to re-treat or repair all of the clothes they sell, which I thought was neat.
Post by: Hula Hoop on March 18, 2018, 08:28:22 AM
Post by: chaskavitch on March 18, 2018, 08:38:22 AM
That's interesting, chaskavitch. I feel kind of bad about buying cheapo clothes at H&M too. Any other clothing brands which don't use sweatshops you can recommend?
I haven't done a lot of research into it yet. Patagonia is mentioned in the book as doing more work than "required" to ensure their sources are ethical, and I've always liked their business model and products. My husband asked me to look into Carhartt, because he really likes their workwear.
I'm sure there are a number of little artisan or local places that at least construct their clothing in the US. If I find any other bigger brands when I look into it, I'll update here :)
I've also been more interested in sustainability overall in the last few months - less plastic use, better energy and water use, more gardening, getting local and more ethically raised meat, getting more chickens so we don't need to buy as many eggs - so this interest in sustainable clothing consumption is really just an expansion of my recent trains of thought.
Post by: Serendip on March 18, 2018, 11:49:30 AM
That's interesting, chaskavitch. I feel kind of bad about buying cheapo clothes at H&M too. Any other clothing brands which don't use sweatshops you can recommend?
I haven't done a lot of research into it yet. Patagonia is mentioned in the book as doing more work than "required" to ensure their sources are ethical, and I've always liked their business model and products. My husband asked me to look into Carhartt, because he really likes their workwear.
I'm sure there are a number of little artisan or local places that at least construct their clothing in the US. If I find any other bigger brands when I look into it, I'll update here :)
I've also been more interested in sustainability overall in the last few months - less plastic use, better energy and water use, more gardening, getting local and more ethically raised meat, getting more chickens so we don't need to buy as many eggs - so this interest in sustainable clothing consumption is really just an expansion of my recent trains of thought.
@Hula Hoop & @chaskavitch
Here is one website you can explore a bit..they have a list under Resources (I believe) about some top retailers and whether they are complying or transparent with working conditions for garment workers. http://fashionrevolution.org/about/
After years of watching this type of issue, I honestly feel that brands who are doing something about addressing these issues will be vocal (in their marketing) as they realize it's a growing concern.
2nd hand is great since textile dye-waste is also a massive environmental concern.
Patagonia is one well-known brand (pricey but will last ages). In Canada we have Mountain Equipment Co-op (which carries Prana, Arcteryx, etc)
Post by: Hula Hoop on March 18, 2018, 03:56:16 PM
That's interesting, chaskavitch. I feel kind of bad about buying cheapo clothes at H&M too. Any other clothing brands which don't use sweatshops you can recommend?
I haven't done a lot of research into it yet. Patagonia is mentioned in the book as doing more work than "required" to ensure their sources are ethical, and I've always liked their business model and products. My husband asked me to look into Carhartt, because he really likes their workwear.
I'm sure there are a number of little artisan or local places that at least construct their clothing in the US. If I find any other bigger brands when I look into it, I'll update here :)
I've also been more interested in sustainability overall in the last few months - less plastic use, better energy and water use, more gardening, getting local and more ethically raised meat, getting more chickens so we don't need to buy as many eggs - so this interest in sustainable clothing consumption is really just an expansion of my recent trains of thought.
@Hula Hoop & @chaskavitch
Here is one website you can explore a bit..they have a list under Resources (I believe) about some top retailers and whether they are complying or transparent with working conditions for garment workers. http://fashionrevolution.org/about/
After years of watching this type of issue, I honestly feel that brands who are doing something about addressing these issues will be vocal (in their marketing) as they realize it's a growing concern.
2nd hand is great since textile dye-waste is also a massive environmental concern.
Patagonia is one well-known brand (pricey but will last ages). In Canada we have Mountain Equipment Co-op (which carries Prana, Arcteryx, etc)
Thanks for that. I was really surprised to see that H&M, Uniqlo and other budget brands that are often considered 'fast fashion' actually do really well in the transparency index. And some expensive luxury brands like Hermes and Fendi are ranked really low. Food for thought.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on March 19, 2018, 07:19:41 AM
Post by: Serendip on March 19, 2018, 07:28:32 AM
Thanks for that. I was really surprised to see that H&M, Uniqlo and other budget brands that are often considered 'fast fashion' actually do really well in the transparency index. And some expensive luxury brands like Hermes and Fendi are ranked really low. Food for thought.
Yes, sometimes public pressure has helped increase the transparency for the well-known brands.
There are, of course, other factors like you said, that a lot of cheaper clothing isn't well made (not long-lasting at all) and composed of synthetic fibers (won't degrade), so it ends up in landfills even when donated to charities.
Textile waste is currently one of the biggest contributors to garbage heaps and some poorer countries are even trying to outlaw the dumping of N.American clothing into their economy since it ruins the local economy for tailors/sewers. An interesting issue to pay attention to that's for sure :)
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on March 19, 2018, 08:13:10 AM
I have to finish my library books before I will allow myself to read it. One and a half to go.
Post by: Laura33 on March 19, 2018, 11:03:23 AM
I will say, though, I have caught myself in what I can only call a semi-cheat: I found myself filling up the strainer to the very top to try to work through the remaining stuff more quickly! Of course, that was largely irrelevant, because I re-steep each pot several times for my decaf tea, and of course more tea in the pot = shorter brewing time each time = more pots until the flavor runs out. ;-) So at least my bad intentions didn't actually help me cheat. I just want to know what this part of my brain is that thinks up these things without me even realizing it until I'm doing it the second or third time!
Post by: middo on March 19, 2018, 07:42:10 PM
Post by: vertkurt on March 20, 2018, 01:05:40 PM
Watches are my pins. I just don't know why, but I'm always looking at watches to buy even though I have 5 already and can only wear one at a time.
Holding strong...not a single watch purchase this year. Been resisting all the new micro brand releases!
Oh snap. Do you hang out on watchuseek? If you don’t... I would say don’t start until 2019 ;)
And I’ll give you a star once I get to a computer!!
Too late! I'm already a long time lurker on that website!
Post by: Tris Prior on March 21, 2018, 08:21:35 AM
I am down to ONE tea bag. According to the rules I set, I can't buy more tea until I drink what I've got. Thanks to it still being Ass Cold out, I will most likely drink that tonight and will then be totally out.
So - time to replenish. I am not totally giving up tea as it's my healthy substitute for what I really want to be eating/drinking (wine, sweets, cheese, other junk food). Just have to figure out how to replenish in a non-gazingus-pin manner. For starters, I need to stop buying new varieties simply because I'm bored with what I've got (and really don't want tea anyway but instead want wine and junk); that leads to a package of tea I don't like and have to force myself to choke down. Which, y'know, runs counter to the whole point of trying to convince myself I'm having a treat.
Post by: lifejoy on March 21, 2018, 09:38:19 AM
Watches are my pins. I just don't know why, but I'm always looking at watches to buy even though I have 5 already and can only wear one at a time.
Holding strong...not a single watch purchase this year. Been resisting all the new micro brand releases!
Oh snap. Do you hang out on watchuseek? If you don’t... I would say don’t start until 2019 ;)
And I’ll give you a star once I get to a computer!!
Too late! I'm already a long time lurker on that website!
WUS was a major reason I suddenly needed watches... my husband really benefitted from my obsession! I no longer cruise on WUS because of too much temptation.
Yesterday I was at a thrift shop and an $8 gold seiko caught my eye. DID NOT BUY. I feel like watches are half jewellery and half "clothing" so they would count as a gazingus pin for me. I held strong!
Also... my husband is crazy, and he's going on a trip to a big city today and feels badly about leaving me home with baby all day even though he's on holiday. He'll be having brunch and dinner with friends, going to art galleries and beaches. Anyways - he says to me: "Want me to buy you a diamond when I'm in town? Something from Tiffany's??"
I say.... "NOOoooooooOOOOooo.... you can just get me a chocolate from Purdy's or something." ACK! What strong will. What torturous temptation. Especially since if DH used his fun money it would not totally be me cheating... but I will admit, he already bought me an ultrasonic cleaner with his fun money (even though I insisted he should wait until 2019) so I'm trying to be really really good.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on March 21, 2018, 10:10:21 AM
I say.... "NOOoooooooOOOOooo.... you can just get me a chocolate from Purdy's or something." ACK! What strong will. What torturous temptation. Especially since if DH used his fun money it would not totally be me cheating... but I will admit, he already bought me an ultrasonic cleaner with his fun money (even though I insisted he should wait until 2019) so I'm trying to be really really good.
You are being REALLY REALLY GOOD!!!
Can I divert you with jewellery advice assistance? I would like to occasionally wear a ring, but I have short stubby fingers. Short enough that I can barely span the octave on a piano. And chubby. What styles of rings look good on fingers like that? I know none of my rings look good right now because they are a bit tight and they look like they are going to cut off the circulation for that finger. But stone shape?
There is no rush, I am trying to gradually (sensibly) lose weight to be kinder to my knees and more active this summer. And that will mean thinner fingers. But even when I had thin fingers, rings never looked all that great because of the short part. Help?
Post by: lifejoy on March 21, 2018, 11:59:22 AM
I say.... "NOOoooooooOOOOooo.... you can just get me a chocolate from Purdy's or something." ACK! What strong will. What torturous temptation. Especially since if DH used his fun money it would not totally be me cheating... but I will admit, he already bought me an ultrasonic cleaner with his fun money (even though I insisted he should wait until 2019) so I'm trying to be really really good.
You are being REALLY REALLY GOOD!!!
Can I divert you with jewellery advice assistance? I would like to occasionally wear a ring, but I have short stubby fingers. Short enough that I can barely span the octave on a piano. And chubby. What styles of rings look good on fingers like that? I know none of my rings look good right now because they are a bit tight and they look like they are going to cut off the circulation for that finger. But stone shape?
There is no rush, I am trying to gradually (sensibly) lose weight to be kinder to my knees and more active this summer. And that will mean thinner fingers. But even when I had thin fingers, rings never looked all that great because of the short part. Help?
Hi!!!
Oh yes, I can DEFINITELY help you :D
I will PM you so this doesn’t turn into a shopping thread, but this site is cool for seeing what certain styles look like on different finger sizes: https://mysparkly.com/
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on March 21, 2018, 12:21:16 PM
He does buy me gift cards to the bookstore....but I think maybe I'm missing out here!
Post by: ohsnap on March 21, 2018, 03:14:45 PM
As for the sunglasses...they are only sold at certain specialty retailers, and when we travel out of state I literally search to see if there's a retailer in that city so I can bring home a "souvenir". Ugh. So I am posting here to be accountable. I should probably tell my husband about my resolve so he won't enable me. ("sure honey we can stop at that running store...")
Post by: Rosy on March 21, 2018, 03:54:52 PM
Update - not caving so far, but what a terribly long month this appears to be.
Spending more time spring gardening and other diversions are helping me stay on track.
Meanwhile, the payments for jewelry bought in the past are slowly dropping off. I'll be done with all but one in May. ~ 75 more days to a clean slate - YAY.
Post by: Laura33 on March 22, 2018, 08:24:57 AM
Please post how you decide to address future tea purchases -- I am perhaps a month or so out myself and need to come up with a plan to counteract my "oh doesn't that look delicious think I'll treat myself" instinct.
Post by: Tris Prior on March 22, 2018, 08:47:55 AM
Post by: lifejoy on March 22, 2018, 05:04:43 PM
My husband has never randomly offered to buy me jewelry. :(
He does buy me gift cards to the bookstore....but I think maybe I'm missing out here!
Omg before my self-imposed challenge he has NEVER offered and I have always asked!!! Maybe he’s offering because he knows my resolve is strong? Gah.
Post by: ohsnap on March 23, 2018, 02:11:45 PM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on March 23, 2018, 04:02:58 PM
I had pre-ordered a new release for this month and was so excited to get my paperback. I went to the library today...and they have 2 hardcover copies of the book in the new releases section. Apparently it came out in hardcover at the same time.
This book I would have bought anyway because it's part of a series that I adore, but now I'm going to have to rethink my book-buying habits even more.
Post by: lifejoy on March 23, 2018, 06:05:44 PM
One of the ways I justified to myself that I could still buy a few books a year is that the library doesn't tend to get a lot of the romances that I love. Most of those books don't come out in hardcover, so the libraries don't always get them.
I had pre-ordered a new release for this month and was so excited to get my paperback. I went to the library today...and they have 2 hardcover copies of the book in the new releases section. Apparently it came out in hardcover at the same time.
This book I would have bought anyway because it's part of a series that I adore, but now I'm going to have to rethink my book-buying habits even more.
Libraries are often very receptive to purchase requests from their patrons! Another thing to think about :)
Post by: Rosy on March 25, 2018, 08:36:19 AM
One of the ways I justified to myself that I could still buy a few books a year is that the library doesn't tend to get a lot of the romances that I love. Most of those books don't come out in hardcover, so the libraries don't always get them.
I had pre-ordered a new release for this month and was so excited to get my paperback. I went to the library today...and they have 2 hardcover copies of the book in the new releases section. Apparently it came out in hardcover at the same time.
This book I would have bought anyway because it's part of a series that I adore, but now I'm going to have to rethink my book-buying habits even more.
Oh no!:) more romance book temptation:) I had convinced myself that my local library NEVER gets any new romance books - they all seem to be at a minimum five to eight years old, most are from the nineties.
Not that I care when it was written, but it would be nice to be able to read all of your favorite author's books in real time - not twenty years down the road.
I've been keeping my new romance book buying to about four-five books a year - like when I travel or was sick or wanted to treat myself.
I am sticking to my plan of reading 25 money/finance/economic books this year so this leaves considerably less time to read romances, but addicts always find time for reading somehow:).
Full disclosure, I spent close to $100 on books this year already, on a wide range of topics, haven't read any of them yet - unusual for me. Normally, I spend between $50 and $200 total annually, depending on whether I received gift cards or not.
For now, I'm good with reading down my stack of books from the library, the second-hand store, and B&N.
I think it is a good exercise to reflect on your spending and set limits, but $200 max a year does not put me in gazingus pin territory since I can easily handle it out of my monthly discretionary funds.
The enjoyment I get from reading, the educational value and the leisurely afternoon spent sipping a fancy coffee while selecting my purchases is just one of the things that makes life worth living - other people may choose to camp out in the wilderness instead - the horror:)
Post by: chaskavitch on March 25, 2018, 01:00:46 PM
My library seems to get a number of romance novels fairly quickly after they're released. I never thought about what that says about the demographics of my city :) I'm struggling to get through my stack of books now (all of which I want to read) because all I want to do in my free time is re-watch Doctor Who now that I found it on Amazon prime. Good thing they're all moderately low on other people's lists of must-read books, so I can renew them for another three weeks :)
Post by: HappierAtHome on March 26, 2018, 12:23:38 AM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on March 26, 2018, 08:18:11 AM
One of the ways I justified to myself that I could still buy a few books a year is that the library doesn't tend to get a lot of the romances that I love. Most of those books don't come out in hardcover, so the libraries don't always get them.
I had pre-ordered a new release for this month and was so excited to get my paperback. I went to the library today...and they have 2 hardcover copies of the book in the new releases section. Apparently it came out in hardcover at the same time.
This book I would have bought anyway because it's part of a series that I adore, but now I'm going to have to rethink my book-buying habits even more.
Oh no!:) more romance book temptation:) I had convinced myself that my local library NEVER gets any new romance books - they all seem to be at a minimum five to eight years old, most are from the nineties.
Not that I care when it was written, but it would be nice to be able to read all of your favorite author's books in real time - not twenty years down the road.
I've been keeping my new romance book buying to about four-five books a year - like when I travel or was sick or wanted to treat myself.
I am sticking to my plan of reading 25 money/finance/economic books this year so this leaves considerably less time to read romances, but addicts always find time for reading somehow:).
Full disclosure, I spent close to $100 on books this year already, on a wide range of topics, haven't read any of them yet - unusual for me. Normally, I spend between $50 and $200 total annually, depending on whether I received gift cards or not.
For now, I'm good with reading down my stack of books from the library, the second-hand store, and B&N.
I think it is a good exercise to reflect on your spending and set limits, but $200 max a year does not put me in gazingus pin territory since I can easily handle it out of my monthly discretionary funds.
The enjoyment I get from reading, the educational value and the leisurely afternoon spent sipping a fancy coffee while selecting my purchases is just one of the things that makes life worth living - other people may choose to camp out in the wilderness instead - the horror:)
My goal is 50 nonfiction books for the year. I've read 45 books total already this year - 27 are romances. They're like candy. Or crack.
I can well afford to toss a few books in my cart every week, and I do think I need to spend some money supporting my favorite authors, if only to convince them to keep writing! My goal for this year is to be more mindful about my book lust in general. If my TBR stack is so high I can't even remember what's in it (and therefore buy it again. And again.), then I have a problem. If I'm keeping dozens of books not because I want to read them again but because I'm too emotional to give them up...I have a problem.
<waves>My name is FDM and I have a book addiction.
This weekend I may have broken my goal for this month. I gave oldest kid $10 for her book fair (I always give them book fair money with the caveat that it must be spent on books) and bought the youngest kid the first Wings of Fire book. He's been really upset that he's been on the waiting list at the library for two months and probably has another two months to go before it's his turn. I felt sorry for him...and a friend dragged me with her to B&N and I have an inability to leave that store without buying SOMETHING.
Post by: I'm a red panda on March 26, 2018, 09:21:27 AM
I think it is a good exercise to reflect on your spending and set limits, but $200 max a year does not put me in gazingus pin territory since I can easily handle it out of my monthly discretionary funds.
It's a personal challenege so obviously you set your own parameters, but I don't think ability to afford has anything to do with what a gazingus pin is, as defined in the first group.
If it did, I could buy hundreds of nail polishes or yards of fabric every month. The issue is habitual buying of things you don't really need.
Post by: lifejoy on March 26, 2018, 03:23:00 PM
Monkey brain says: why not just spend ALL THE MONEY on ALL THE THINGS
Post by: diapasoun on March 26, 2018, 04:55:02 PM
I’ve been feeling weak lately. I’m struggling to remember the reasons of why I’m doing this :/
Monkey brain says: why not just spend ALL THE MONEY on ALL THE THINGS
What are the big goals you have for your money?
Early retirement, where you have the time to luxuriate in bed in the morning and have a slow cup of coffee/tea in your bedroom? The ability to go for a run, or to paint, or to do what most fulfills you, day in and day out?
Waving kids off to college, happy and healthy, knowing that you're setting them up for an easier life with fewer/no student loans?
A trip to Asia?
Funding a scholarship at your alma mater?
What do you most deeply wish you had the money for? Because that's why you're resisting monkey brain.
(I have literally taken a post it, written a reason to not spend on it, and stuck the post-it on my debit card before.)
Post by: HappierAtHome on March 26, 2018, 05:08:30 PM
I’ve been feeling weak lately. I’m struggling to remember the reasons of why I’m doing this :/
Monkey brain says: why not just spend ALL THE MONEY on ALL THE THINGS
Can you remember a time you bought ALL THE THINGS and then felt crappy about it afterwards?
Post by: lifejoy on March 26, 2018, 07:33:44 PM
Post by: CrustyBadger on March 26, 2018, 07:39:04 PM
Post by: lifejoy on March 26, 2018, 08:36:31 PM
-stop buying stuff I really really don’t need
-stop buying stuff out of habit
-stop buying stuff when sad/insecure/bored
-stop adding to clutter
-stop web shopping
-stop mindless consumption/acquisition
-gain time
-gain space in my home
-gain mental space
-be a better role model for my daughter
-develop new hobbies
-gain confidence
-be more creative with current wardrobe
-be more environmentally-friendly by consuming less and reusing more
Thanks for helping me think about this stuff.
And happierathome, YES I have bought stuff and regretted it SO MANY TIMES, ESPECIALLY with clothing and jewellery. They are very much aspirational purchases for me, and the reality rarely meets the illusion/delusion. So yeah. Staying strong!
Also, I went out to go buy some walking shoes. Major win: I’m in the shop and my mom says, “Oh, I have some just like that! Do you want mine? I never wear them.” SCORE!!!!! So, so far this year, I’ve only bought sunglasses (to replace my only pair that broke) and a bridesmaid dress (mandatory). Doing well!!!
I want to buy the bride a piece of jewellery as a bridal shower gift/keepsake. I know she would appreciate that, but I worry that it’s me cheating or projecting. I’m thinking on it.
Post by: middo on March 26, 2018, 11:03:50 PM
The biggest change is that I no longer even think of browsing for things. We occasionally buy items that are not available locally (and no, Amazon is not really an option here), but it is not a go-to.
Post by: Poundwise on March 27, 2018, 07:50:56 AM
I want to buy the bride a piece of jewellery as a bridal shower gift/keepsake. I know she would appreciate that, but I worry that it’s me cheating or projecting. I’m thinking on it.
What kind of gift would you get her if you didn't buy her jewelry? Would you consider giving away a piece from your own collection instead of buying?
I would come up with a dollar amount that you feel you ought to spend on the wedding gift, and if buying jewelry fits into that amount, then just go ahead and do it. However, if you feel comfortable giving away a piece that you already own that you think she would appreciate, and that would be at that value or greater-- why not do that, and put the savings towards your big goal?
Post by: lifejoy on March 27, 2018, 08:27:29 AM
I want to buy the bride a piece of jewellery as a bridal shower gift/keepsake. I know she would appreciate that, but I worry that it’s me cheating or projecting. I’m thinking on it.
What kind of gift would you get her if you didn't buy her jewelry? Would you consider giving away a piece from your own collection instead of buying?
I would come up with a dollar amount that you feel you ought to spend on the wedding gift, and if buying jewelry fits into that amount, then just go ahead and do it. However, if you feel comfortable giving away a piece that you already own that you think she would appreciate, and that would be at that value or greater-- why not do that, and put the savings towards your big goal?
I will think on this. Unfortunately I don’t own anything like I’m thinking of gifting, but I’m going to make certain!
I want to get her a bracelet from Tiffany’s, (she threw me a Breakfast at Tiffany’s bridal shower, so it’s a nice tie-in), but my other ideas are a nice pitcher for entertaining or a basket of date gift cards / wine / etc.
Post by: lifejoy on March 27, 2018, 10:09:45 AM
Post by: Serendip on March 27, 2018, 10:15:02 AM
I know that I am trying not to buy books for others as well this year * I love finding books that I think someone would love* but I am also trying to reprogram my impulse to shop/to buy (for so many of those reasons you have listed above lifejoy!)
Sometimes the person will love the gift, but perhaps I am also adding to their clutter, or list of to-dos (ie..read this book!)
Post by: Rosy on March 27, 2018, 02:06:12 PM
I think it is a good exercise to reflect on your spending and set limits, but $200 max a year does not put me in gazingus pin territory since I can easily handle it out of my monthly discretionary funds.
It's a personal challenege so obviously you set your own parameters, but I don't think ability to afford has anything to do with what a gazingus pin is, as defined in the first group.
If it did, I could buy hundreds of nail polishes or yards of fabric every month. The issue is habitual buying of things you don't really need.
@iowajes - yes and no. I do agree with you that habitual buying of things you don't really need is an issue and a reason/definition of a gazingus pin. However, for me, books fall into the non-negotiable, this adds value to my life category.
I do exercise control of my impulses along with fiscal responsibility by curbing the book spend, using libraries and asking for gift cards. Books may be considered an indulgence by others if you purchase them outright instead of living with what the library has to offer.
You may call them personal spending "habits", but I disagree.
Books are important to me, they are not a "thing" like nail polish or jewelry.
Just like the occasional big trip or the pleasure I get from designing our big, organic garden, it is intertwined with my core values and way of life.
Books are not necessary for survival, but I'd forego eating for a good book and actually have on rare occasions in the distant past. That alone shows where my values lie, even though I am a foodie, I'd still choose a book.
Notwithstanding the ultimate pleasure of sippin' something or the double indulgence of eating chocolate while reading:)
I view my jewelry and gemstone addiction as a serious gazingus pin. I do not like that it has become a habit that is hard to kick for good. It was beginning to actually cause financial damage, which is completely unacceptable. The jewelry and gemstones do add great enjoyment to my life and even add monetary value, but if this particular buying habit goes unchecked, it can cause trouble since my financial resources are limited.
In truth, I have enough, still, it is proving hard to abstain from "habitual" buying and acquisition. I've actually never before had a true buying addiction like this one and I am rather unhappy with myself over it. It is hard to admit, but I am still tempted, although not as much.
So you see I agree with your analysis that affordability is not the absolute measure or even a reason (although in my case it was part of the reason) for a gazingus pin.
But controlling your spending habits is the ultimate reason - I am in agreement there .
I want to severely limit, if not eliminate entirely, my jewelry/gemstone addiction, but I do not in the least feel that buying the occasional book rates as a gazingus pin in any way.
To the contrary, I would consider it a good habit:)
Sure, I'd prefer not to have to spend a dime on books, but that is not realistic or even desirable, given that without authors who can actually earn a living from their writing, the library would not have any books either.
I'd support an author any day before I would support a merchant. You buy a book - you buy an idea, entertainment, escape from reality, knowledge or an education.
Post by: middo on March 27, 2018, 07:14:08 PM
PS - So what do you all think? If you wanted to buy your gazingus pin as a gift for a friend, would that be cheating?
No. If I was to buy a present for my son for his birthday, and he wanted some tools, I would see that as a good decision on his behalf. Most quality tools last a long time and are pay back their value in savings over getting someone else in to do the work.
Jewelry? I don't know if it ticks all of the boxes above. But if it is something that you would feel great about giving, and something that means a lot to both of you, and she would keep and wear and get great enjoyment out of it, then that ultimately is what money is for (aside from keeping us alive). If you are not fully convinced that she will love the present, then maybe reconsider it.
Post by: lifejoy on March 27, 2018, 08:05:02 PM
PS - So what do you all think? If you wanted to buy your gazingus pin as a gift for a friend, would that be cheating?
No. If I was to buy a present for my son for his birthday, and he wanted some tools, I would see that as a good decision on his behalf. Most quality tools last a long time and are pay back their value in savings over getting someone else in to do the work.
Jewelry? I don't know if it ticks all of the boxes above. But if it is something that you would feel great about giving, and something that means a lot to both of you, and she would keep and wear and get great enjoyment out of it, then that ultimately is what money is for (aside from keeping us alive). If you are not fully convinced that she will love the present, then maybe reconsider it.
Cool. I have some time. I’m going to dig deep and be honest with myself about whether this gift would be more satisfying to me or for her. I also have a pearl necklace I never wear, which could be an option (as suggested above).
Post by: I'm a red panda on March 28, 2018, 06:31:31 AM
I think it is a good exercise to reflect on your spending and set limits, but $200 max a year does not put me in gazingus pin territory since I can easily handle it out of my monthly discretionary funds.
It's a personal challenege so obviously you set your own parameters, but I don't think ability to afford has anything to do with what a gazingus pin is, as defined in the first group.
If it did, I could buy hundreds of nail polishes or yards of fabric every month. The issue is habitual buying of things you don't really need.
@iowajes - yes and no. I do agree with you that habitual buying of things you don't really need is an issue and a reason/definition of a gazingus pin. However, for me, books fall into the non-negotiable, this adds value to my life category.
I do exercise control of my impulses along with fiscal responsibility by curbing the book spend, using libraries and asking for gift cards. Books may be considered an indulgence by others if you purchase them outright instead of living with what the library has to offer.
You may call them personal spending "habits", but I disagree.
Books are important to me, they are not a "thing" like nail polish or jewelry.
Just like the occasional big trip or the pleasure I get from designing our big, organic garden, it is intertwined with my core values and way of life.
Books are not necessary for survival, but I'd forego eating for a good book and actually have on rare occasions in the distant past. That alone shows where my values lie, even though I am a foodie, I'd still choose a book.
Notwithstanding the ultimate pleasure of sippin' something or the double indulgence of eating chocolate while reading:)
I view my jewelry and gemstone addiction as a serious gazingus pin. I do not like that it has become a habit that is hard to kick for good. It was beginning to actually cause financial damage, which is completely unacceptable. The jewelry and gemstones do add great enjoyment to my life and even add monetary value, but if this particular buying habit goes unchecked, it can cause trouble since my financial resources are limited.
In truth, I have enough, still, it is proving hard to abstain from "habitual" buying and acquisition. I've actually never before had a true buying addiction like this one and I am rather unhappy with myself over it. It is hard to admit, but I am still tempted, although not as much.
So you see I agree with your analysis that affordability is not the absolute measure or even a reason (although in my case it was part of the reason) for a gazingus pin.
But controlling your spending habits is the ultimate reason - I am in agreement there .
I want to severely limit, if not eliminate entirely, my jewelry/gemstone addiction, but I do not in the least feel that buying the occasional book rates as a gazingus pin in any way.
To the contrary, I would consider it a good habit:)
Sure, I'd prefer not to have to spend a dime on books, but that is not realistic or even desirable, given that without authors who can actually earn a living from their writing, the library would not have any books either.
I'd support an author any day before I would support a merchant. You buy a book - you buy an idea, entertainment, escape from reality, knowledge or an education.
But being able to -afford- something has nothing to do with whether it is a gazingus pin or not.
It is "the non-essential that you keep on buying even though you don’t need it, you already have some, and it’s just not necessary! It’s your kryponite, your habit, your addiction. Your collection. Your irrational obsession."
If you think books are essential, you need them and they are necessary- then it isn't a gazingus pin at all. That they fit your budget doesn't matter. All my gazingus pins fit my budget (and also are a huge part of my stress relief, and therapist prescribed mental health care; though using, not buying...) But just because I can afford more doesn't mean I need more. What makes them not a gazingus pin is that to you they are necessary purchases. Not that you are spending only $200 on them.
Post by: repman on March 28, 2018, 06:50:17 AM
- coffee, sweets, chocolate
- books: I have first to read all the old ones
cheers
repman
Post by: Rosy on March 29, 2018, 06:38:39 AM
I think it is a good exercise to reflect on your spending and set limits, but $200 max a year does not put me in gazingus pin territory since I can easily handle it out of my monthly discretionary funds.
It's a personal challenege so obviously you set your own parameters, but I don't think ability to afford has anything to do with what a gazingus pin is, as defined in the first group.
If it did, I could buy hundreds of nail polishes or yards of fabric every month. The issue is habitual buying of things you don't really need.
@iowajes - yes and no. I do agree with you that habitual buying of things you don't really need is an issue and a reason/definition of a gazingus pin. However, for me, books fall into the non-negotiable, this adds value to my life category.
I do exercise control of my impulses along with fiscal responsibility by curbing the book spend, using libraries and asking for gift cards. Books may be considered an indulgence by others if you purchase them outright instead of living with what the library has to offer.
You may call them personal spending "habits", but I disagree.
Books are important to me, they are not a "thing" like nail polish or jewelry.
Just like the occasional big trip or the pleasure I get from designing our big, organic garden, it is intertwined with my core values and way of life.
Books are not necessary for survival, but I'd forego eating for a good book and actually have on rare occasions in the distant past. That alone shows where my values lie, even though I am a foodie, I'd still choose a book.
Notwithstanding the ultimate pleasure of sippin' something or the double indulgence of eating chocolate while reading:)
I view my jewelry and gemstone addiction as a serious gazingus pin. I do not like that it has become a habit that is hard to kick for good. It was beginning to actually cause financial damage, which is completely unacceptable. The jewelry and gemstones do add great enjoyment to my life and even add monetary value, but if this particular buying habit goes unchecked, it can cause trouble since my financial resources are limited.
In truth, I have enough, still, it is proving hard to abstain from "habitual" buying and acquisition. I've actually never before had a true buying addiction like this one and I am rather unhappy with myself over it. It is hard to admit, but I am still tempted, although not as much.
So you see I agree with your analysis that affordability is not the absolute measure or even a reason (although in my case it was part of the reason) for a gazingus pin.
But controlling your spending habits is the ultimate reason - I am in agreement there .
I want to severely limit, if not eliminate entirely, my jewelry/gemstone addiction, but I do not in the least feel that buying the occasional book rates as a gazingus pin in any way.
To the contrary, I would consider it a good habit:)
Sure, I'd prefer not to have to spend a dime on books, but that is not realistic or even desirable, given that without authors who can actually earn a living from their writing, the library would not have any books either.
I'd support an author any day before I would support a merchant. You buy a book - you buy an idea, entertainment, escape from reality, knowledge or an education.
But being able to -afford- something has nothing to do with whether it is a gazingus pin or not.
It is "the non-essential that you keep on buying even though you don’t need it, you already have some, and it’s just not necessary! It’s your kryponite, your habit, your addiction. Your collection. Your irrational obsession."
If you think books are essential, you need them and they are necessary- then it isn't a gazingus pin at all. That they fit your budget doesn't matter. All my gazingus pins fit my budget (and also are a huge part of my stress relief, and therapist prescribed mental health care; though using, not buying...) But just because I can afford more doesn't mean I need more. What makes them not a gazingus pin is that to you they are necessary purchases. Not that you are spending only $200 on them.
@iowajes - agreed:) - whew.
@lifejoy - I'm wondering why this month still seemed so tough for you? Is there some trigger point that you haven't admitted to yourself?
You are not your jewelry:)? - true, but then, "who are you without your jewelry?"
Update: Looking forward to gold star #3 - extra sparkly, please:) I've only been mildly tempted this month to buy jewelry. In two months I will be totally free of jewelry payments too. I could pay it off now, but I want to remind myself of past transgressions:)
Three more days ...
Post by: I'm a red panda on March 29, 2018, 06:43:51 AM
Post by: diapasoun on March 29, 2018, 08:16:50 AM
Post by: middo on March 29, 2018, 07:03:35 PM
Post by: lifejoy on March 30, 2018, 03:54:52 PM
This month was particularly hard for me because my ever-lovin’ husband kept offering to buy me a piece of jewellery! (Which he normally never does, haha oh man).
But I stayed strong. Thanks for the help, everyone!
One of my cardigans has a hole (oops) but I have a clothing swap coming up in two weeks. Hopefully I’ll replenish then.
My mom’s walking shoes don’t work for me. Too bad! I am going to buy some good support shoes, but I’m counting it as an athletic/health purchase instead of fashion. My sport is walking! I wouldn’t consider cleats a wardrobe purchase. So yeah.
Post by: CrustyBadger on March 30, 2018, 04:11:29 PM
But....
I've only had two slip ups in two months. So I can confidently say I am developing strong new habits against snacking from the vending machine at work. And April will be a new month (and short one because the first week is Spring Break for us!!)
Post by: RetiredAt63 on March 30, 2018, 05:12:30 PM
My mom’s walking shoes don’t work for me. Too bad! I am going to buy some good support shoes, but I’m counting it as an athletic/health purchase instead of fashion. My sport is walking! I wouldn’t consider cleats a wardrobe purchase. So yeah.I think this is perfectly legit. My coffee out dosn't go in my food budget, it goes in my socializing budget, because I only get coffee out when I am meeting friends.
I too have been "good" this month, gold star worthy.
Post by: Poundwise on March 30, 2018, 07:37:01 PM
OTOH, I have been spending money this month on what seems to be my new hobby... fish.
So crafts is a continuing gazingus pin, but I do go through these fads as well.
Post by: Inkedup on March 30, 2018, 08:19:17 PM
Good grief, I have a lot of tea. I'm down to using my last bag of coffee, though.
No purchases this month. I'll take a gold star for March :)
Post by: mspym on March 31, 2018, 12:20:38 AM
Post by: lifejoy on March 31, 2018, 07:14:58 AM
Yay for less clutter. Yay for focusing on what you already have.
In other news, since I’m not buying clothing or jewellery I have to confess I’ve been buying HOUSEWARES. Thrifted tea cups, platters, and a mirror (it’s gorgeous). In general, the overall spend is less than what I would normal spend on jewellery and clothes. But the habit of “needing” to buy and collect is still present. I’m going to tackle this impulse for April.
Anyone else finding that they’re replacing gazingus pin spending with some other category?
Post by: Laura33 on March 31, 2018, 12:47:45 PM
Anyone else finding that they’re replacing gazingus pin spending with some other category?
YES! I am dying on my grocery challenge, because that desire to treat myself is still there, so instead of teas, I am heading down to the local pizza-and-ice-cream shop. All things considered, not sure that’s really a win. 😉
But at least I get a gold star here - zero teas this month! And the best part is that as of yesterday, I got all of my canisters of tea into a single row in my cabinet, instead of 2-3 deep, and I have cleared out about half of what was in the open shelving. I would guess I am at most one more month from completion, which would be awesome.
Post by: Inkedup on March 31, 2018, 02:07:03 PM
Anyone else finding that they’re replacing gazingus pin spending with some other category?
Yes :( Sigh.
Stationery is another gazingus pin, as are books. Although I have been doing well with abstaining from book buying, the notebooks are a different story. I like to take notes when I read history books, so one interest definitely feeds the other. While I have purchased fewer items overall this year, I have admittedly accumulated far more than I need.
Shall I focus on the fact that I'm still doing better than I otherwise would have during my out of control, accumulation years?
Post by: Inkedup on March 31, 2018, 02:08:51 PM
Anyone else finding that they’re replacing gazingus pin spending with some other category?
And the best part is that as of yesterday, I got all of my canisters of tea into a single row in my cabinet, instead of 2-3 deep, and I have cleared out about half of what was in the open shelving. I would guess I am at most one more month from completion, which would be awesome.
Great work, Laura33! That's amazing progress.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on March 31, 2018, 02:11:08 PM
Post by: mspym on March 31, 2018, 03:10:32 PM
Anyone else finding that they’re replacing gazingus pin spending with some other category?
YES! I am dying on my grocery challenge, because that desire to treat myself is still there, so instead of teas, I am heading down to the local pizza-and-ice-cream shop. All things considered, not sure that’s really a win. 😉
But at least I get a gold star here - zero teas this month! And the best part is that as of yesterday, I got all of my canisters of tea into a single row in my cabinet, instead of 2-3 deep, and I have cleared out about half of what was in the open shelving. I would guess I am at most one more month from completion, which would be awesome.
That is really awesome, Laura. I've been barrelling through my tea stash as it's my alcohol substitute but there's definitely one Less Favoured Tea in my collection that is a bit of an act of will to drink, although I am learning to appreciate it.
Post by: diapasoun on March 31, 2018, 06:50:11 PM
Anyone else finding that they’re replacing gazingus pin spending with some other category?
I'm getting a lot more books out of the library - so I'm still not reading down my own library nearly as much as I'd like. It scratches the itch for New, and for particular books, quite well and for free - and I read every library book. So, not really a gazingus pin, but still an "accumulation" in some ways.
Post by: lifejoy on April 01, 2018, 05:19:22 AM
Try decluttering your house to get it ready to paint and sell. That has drowned any desire I have to buy anything (except maybe alcohol, but I am holding steady there too). Except if my shredder dies it will definitely need to be replaced. The blue bags and blue bags of shredded paper I have put out for recycling, sigh. And today I just filled another one.
Oh man, such a good point! I have moved 5 times in 7 years, and I have one or two more moves in my near future. I’ve got to remember how much I end up hating the majority of my possessions when I have to move all of them!!
Post by: lifejoy on April 01, 2018, 05:22:54 AM
Erm... I also had ordered some shoes on amazon (free shipping, free returns!) and they were on SALE but I have just cancelled that order even before it shipped.
It’s important that I didn’t manage to buy these shoes because they were more for fashion than function. I can survive the next 9 months with my athletic walking shoes, and the fashion shoes I already own.
Anyways I find this hard but you guys are great for me to have in mind when I need to steel my resolve!
Post by: lifejoy on April 01, 2018, 05:51:50 AM
Post by: HappierAtHome on April 01, 2018, 06:14:48 AM
Post by: zeli2033 on April 01, 2018, 08:39:29 AM
Post by: RetiredAt63 on April 01, 2018, 08:54:17 AM
Well, I spoke too soon! Too bad about April because I just bought a diamond tshirt, which means I didn’t make it for BOTH of my gazingus pins this month... it was on sale for $999 so I couldn’t resist!!!! Sounds crazy, I know, but it’s designer. So yeah. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180401/bdb657e17743d69864abf32bf21abff7.jpg)Psyched about my purchase so I guess I don’t really mind.
You ARE having fun today, eh? ;-)
Post by: lifejoy on April 01, 2018, 08:55:00 AM
Good one :-P
Haha thanks ;)
Post by: Well Respected Man on April 01, 2018, 07:46:27 PM
Regarding the Tiffany jewelry dilemma, I think a Tiffany gift is about as gazingus-y as it gets. Literally the color of the bag or box is cause to charge 2-3x a comparable jewelry gazingus or 100-500x a comparable functional item*. Give a functional or consumable gift, not a gazingus.
* I have a Tiffany keyring, which cost who the hell knows how much, but it's solid silver and from Tiffany, so I'm guessing it cost 100-500x what a regular loop of steel would cost. The damn gazingus has a ball screwed onto one end so that you can modify your mix of keys, and the ball works itself loose every so often, so that you risk losing your keys.
Post by: lifejoy on April 01, 2018, 11:41:31 PM
I hate the very idea of gazingus pins, so I applaud all of you who are making the effort not to acquire any more. There are shiploads of containers of gazingus pins arriving daily at a port near you, and it is all BS busywork. Why don't we all switch to virtual gazingus pins, where people pretend to make things, and other people pretend to buy them, and everyone still gets to eat.
Regarding the Tiffany jewelry dilemma, I think a Tiffany gift is about as gazingus-y as it gets. Literally the color of the bag or box is cause to charge 2-3x a comparable jewelry gazingus or 100-500x a comparable functional item*. Give a functional or consumable gift, not a gazingus.
* I have a Tiffany keyring, which cost who the hell knows how much, but it's solid silver and from Tiffany, so I'm guessing it cost 100-500x what a regular loop of steel would cost. The damn gazingus has a ball screwed onto one end so that you can modify your mix of keys, and the ball works itself loose every so often, so that you risk losing your keys.
Well.... yeah, I pretty much agree, but I also believe that usually the purpose is a gift is to give something you think the other person would would really enjoy. And she totally would. So yeah.... dilemma.
Post by: lifejoy on April 01, 2018, 11:42:37 PM
Are you going to join us? Do you buy any gazingus pins these days?
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on April 02, 2018, 07:48:19 AM
Apparently I used up all my willpower earlier in the month and should not have attempted to walk down the book aisle.
Post by: I'm a red panda on April 02, 2018, 07:58:43 AM
(For the record- I have a Tiffany bracelet. Not the one from Legally Blonde, but a similar one- as that was SO popular when I was in college and my husband gave me it. I wore it always in college and never wear silver now. He was broke in college, so I can't imagine what he went without to get me this! He hasn't bought me a piece of jewelry since we got married so I guess now we are even for it.)
Post by: Well Respected Man on April 02, 2018, 08:04:26 AM
PS but if I had a tiffany key ring I might feel the same way as you ;)OK, since you were so gracious about my not very nice post, I'll join. I don't really buy much besides food and alcohol these days, so I'll go with no Doritos or other fancy chips, and no expensive craft beer.
Are you going to join us? Do you buy any gazingus pins these days?
Post by: lifejoy on April 02, 2018, 08:45:30 AM
PS but if I had a tiffany key ring I might feel the same way as you ;)OK, since you were so gracious about my not very nice post, I'll join. I don't really buy much besides food and alcohol these days, so I'll go with no Doritos or other fancy chips, and no expensive craft beer.
Are you going to join us? Do you buy any gazingus pins these days?
Very cool! And welcome! Haha and I’m not afraid of a facepunch (when warranted) every now and again, so don’t sweat it.
Post by: Serendip on April 02, 2018, 09:51:13 AM
Post by: Poundwise on April 02, 2018, 10:30:29 AM
Well, I spoke too soon! Too bad about April because I just bought a diamond tshirt, which means I didn’t make it for BOTH of my gazingus pins this month... it was on sale for $999 so I couldn’t resist!!!!
Ha, you fooled me until I saw the price! And for a moment I had serious doubts about your taste!
Is the jewelry you want to buy your friend over budget? How does it stack up to value of the pearl necklace you never wear? Is she the kind of person who would find it tacky if you gift her a vintage (preowned) Tiffany item rather than a brand-new-in-box item?
Post by: lifejoy on April 02, 2018, 01:12:28 PM
Well, I spoke too soon! Too bad about April because I just bought a diamond tshirt, which means I didn’t make it for BOTH of my gazingus pins this month... it was on sale for $999 so I couldn’t resist!!!!
Ha, you fooled me until I saw the price! And for a moment I had serious doubts about your taste!
Is the jewelry you want to buy your friend over budget? How does it stack up to value of the pearl necklace you never wear? Is she the kind of person who would find it tacky if you gift her a vintage (preowned) Tiffany item rather than a brand-new-in-box item?
Hehe ;)
Yes, probably about $100 more than I want to spend.
The value is similar to the pearl necklace but I feel weird about regifting. I feel like I would have to buy something else if I went with that. Maybe a jewellery box to go with it? I’m not sure.
I think she’d be fine with vintage/preowned! I looked into it a bit. Trouble is, a lot of Tiffany stuff holds its value and the resale doesn’t have the kind of amazing deals that would make it worth it for me.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on April 05, 2018, 07:57:37 AM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on April 05, 2018, 08:23:12 AM
I'm glad you've got a handle on your gift cards now. Now I have to figure out how to help the kid get a handle on his.
After the kids went to bed, I sat in my personal library and looked at all my lovely gazingus pins. [Yes, I actually have a room dedicated to my gazingus pins. It's half the reason I bought this house - a lovely open loft area between the kids' rooms that fits 6 bookshelves and two nice armchairs. All for MEEEEEEE and my preciouses, bwahahaha.] Part of this challenge, for me, is finding more of an emotional balance with books. Not just being more intentional with what I buy, but being more intentional with what I keep.
I've done MAJOR book decluttering in the last year (I got rid of about 25% of my collection). However, I still have hundreds of books (possibly more than a thousand). It make me anxious to think about getting rid of more (red flag)...yet at the same time I want to give away All The Things because I'm so tired of stuff.
I'm quite jealous of all of you with perishable gazingus pins. You are using up your tea and your gift cards. For the others who, like me, have gazingus pins that translate into stuff, are you planning to pare your collections this year?
Post by: diapasoun on April 05, 2018, 09:14:34 AM
I'm quite jealous of all of you with perishable gazingus pins. You are using up your tea and your gift cards. For the others who, like me, have gazingus pins that translate into stuff, are you planning to pare your collections this year?
I'm with you: I need to get rid of books, especially because my shelves are overflowing!
I do have a small set of books that I know I don't want, and can either put in one of our Little Free Libraries, or sell to our local shop. Most of them are ones I've inherited from friends, and although they look fun they're just not high up enough on my TBR that I'll get to them this year -- or likely even next year. It doesn't make sense to me to keep books around so that I can read them in five years, especially when I'll probably be moving before then AND these are the sorts of books you can easily find in libraries.
I just need to sit down and do the cull.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on April 05, 2018, 01:42:38 PM
I'm quite jealous of all of you with perishable gazingus pins. You are using up your tea and your gift cards. For the others who, like me, have gazingus pins that translate into stuff, are you planning to pare your collections this year?
I'm with you: I need to get rid of books, especially because my shelves are overflowing!
I do have a small set of books that I know I don't want, and can either put in one of our Little Free Libraries, or sell to our local shop. Most of them are ones I've inherited from friends, and although they look fun they're just not high up enough on my TBR that I'll get to them this year -- or likely even next year. It doesn't make sense to me to keep books around so that I can read them in five years, especially when I'll probably be moving before then AND these are the sorts of books you can easily find in libraries.
I just need to sit down and do the cull.
Those were the easy ones for me to get rid of (mostly). Last night's anxiety - I have ALL the Janet Evanovich books and ALL of the J.D. Robb "In Death" series and ALL of the Agatha Christie mysteries. So does my library. Occasionally I reread them. I'm hoping in a few years the kids will want to read them. But do I really need to keep them? And if I get rid of them, well, now I have a giant empty space in my bookshelves!
Post by: diapasoun on April 05, 2018, 02:00:35 PM
I'm quite jealous of all of you with perishable gazingus pins. You are using up your tea and your gift cards. For the others who, like me, have gazingus pins that translate into stuff, are you planning to pare your collections this year?
I'm with you: I need to get rid of books, especially because my shelves are overflowing!
I do have a small set of books that I know I don't want, and can either put in one of our Little Free Libraries, or sell to our local shop. Most of them are ones I've inherited from friends, and although they look fun they're just not high up enough on my TBR that I'll get to them this year -- or likely even next year. It doesn't make sense to me to keep books around so that I can read them in five years, especially when I'll probably be moving before then AND these are the sorts of books you can easily find in libraries.
I just need to sit down and do the cull.
Those were the easy ones for me to get rid of (mostly). Last night's anxiety - I have ALL the Janet Evanovich books and ALL of the J.D. Robb "In Death" series and ALL of the Agatha Christie mysteries. So does my library. Occasionally I reread them. I'm hoping in a few years the kids will want to read them. But do I really need to keep them? And if I get rid of them, well, now I have a giant empty space in my bookshelves!
Ohhh that one's hard. Very few of my most precious books are easily found in libraries -- they're either too niche, or in the case of a few, too likely to be stolen (see: the Sandman comics series).
How do you feel when you look at those books? Do you feel happy and joyful? Do you feel weighed down?
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on April 05, 2018, 03:22:43 PM
I'm quite jealous of all of you with perishable gazingus pins. You are using up your tea and your gift cards. For the others who, like me, have gazingus pins that translate into stuff, are you planning to pare your collections this year?
I'm with you: I need to get rid of books, especially because my shelves are overflowing!
I do have a small set of books that I know I don't want, and can either put in one of our Little Free Libraries, or sell to our local shop. Most of them are ones I've inherited from friends, and although they look fun they're just not high up enough on my TBR that I'll get to them this year -- or likely even next year. It doesn't make sense to me to keep books around so that I can read them in five years, especially when I'll probably be moving before then AND these are the sorts of books you can easily find in libraries.
I just need to sit down and do the cull.
Those were the easy ones for me to get rid of (mostly). Last night's anxiety - I have ALL the Janet Evanovich books and ALL of the J.D. Robb "In Death" series and ALL of the Agatha Christie mysteries. So does my library. Occasionally I reread them. I'm hoping in a few years the kids will want to read them. But do I really need to keep them? And if I get rid of them, well, now I have a giant empty space in my bookshelves!
Ohhh that one's hard. Very few of my most precious books are easily found in libraries -- they're either too niche, or in the case of a few, too likely to be stolen (see: the Sandman comics series).
How do you feel when you look at those books? Do you feel happy and joyful? Do you feel weighed down?
Both :( I might take one or all of these series and hide them in the closet for a month. I did that with a set of romance books last month; 30 days later it was a lot easier to decide which ones should go and which ones should stay.
Post by: diapasoun on April 05, 2018, 03:28:26 PM
Quotesnip't
Those were the easy ones for me to get rid of (mostly). Last night's anxiety - I have ALL the Janet Evanovich books and ALL of the J.D. Robb "In Death" series and ALL of the Agatha Christie mysteries. So does my library. Occasionally I reread them. I'm hoping in a few years the kids will want to read them. But do I really need to keep them? And if I get rid of them, well, now I have a giant empty space in my bookshelves!
Ohhh that one's hard. Very few of my most precious books are easily found in libraries -- they're either too niche, or in the case of a few, too likely to be stolen (see: the Sandman comics series).
How do you feel when you look at those books? Do you feel happy and joyful? Do you feel weighed down?
Both :( I might take one or all of these series and hide them in the closet for a month. I did that with a set of romance books last month; 30 days later it was a lot easier to decide which ones should go and which ones should stay.
That's a great way of deciding about it. The distance helps.
Post by: mspym on April 06, 2018, 02:41:46 AM
At least with the Kdrama/Jdrama, it was all files so I could delete them and that was it.
Question to the group: I don't know if this was a gazingus pin so open to losing my star if you reckon it was. When I left my last job, work gave me some giftcards to the local craft store, with a 12 month expiry. I used the cards yesterday to buy various bobbins/patterns/bias tape/material that I wanted - which IS a direct violation of my pin [material/patterns] BUT if I had stuck to the zero exceptions then they would have expired before the challenge was up AND I carefully stayed in the total envelope of the cards, rather than spend any of my own money PLUS now I have absolutely no excuses - any future purchases are 100% gazingus pin that's for sure. Judgement?
Post by: lifejoy on April 06, 2018, 08:45:12 AM
In your case I think it’s really great that you stayed under the coat of the gift card. Whether or not it counts as “cheating” - that’s up to you. Did it feel like giving in to a gazingus pin addiction? Did it feel like falling off the wagon? Or did it feel like a random and necessarily blip on an otherwise successful journey?
FormerlydivorcedMom - I am trying to downsize my gazingus pin collections. Clothes I am finding easier. I have a clothing swap coming up. Jewellery I go back and forth. The cheap stuff I can part with unless it’s tied to an emotional event. The good stuff- I largely have a hard time parting with it. I’ve been trying to sell a ring and have had some bites, and I just haven’t been able to meet with the buyers (#babylife) so it hasn’t sold yet. I just got another bite... but recently I had decided to keep it. But maybe I should sell. Gah!
I could part with the jewellery more easily, except I always think “omg family heirloom!”. Plus I’ve gotten such deals, I could never buy them again for the price I originally got them for.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on April 06, 2018, 11:14:10 AM
I could part with the jewellery more easily, except I always think “omg family heirloom!”. Plus I’ve gotten such deals, I could never buy them again for the price I originally got them for.
Are they family heirlooms that were passed down to you, or future family heirlooms that you want to pass down to your children?
A few years before my grandmother died, she called all of us into her room, laid out all her nice jewelry, and told us to each pick one item*. Everything else, she sold or gave away to friends. I was grateful, because it meant that we didn't have to deal with it all later, when sentiment would make it harder to make decisions. I don't own a lot of expensive jewelry - it doesn't fit my lifestyle much - and I wouldn't have had a clue what to do with all of hers.
As for the buying it again...would you want to? It's a sunk cost right now, and it really doesn't matter if you *could* buy it again at that price if you *wouldn't* buy it again.
*She was closest to my sister and I, so we were each given an extra sentimental piece of relatively cheap jewelry - my sister got Mamaw's rosary, and I received a cloisonne' necklace that my grandfather gave to her when they were dating. I value (and wear) that necklace much more than the diamond tennis bracelet.
Post by: mspym on April 06, 2018, 03:39:48 PM
Mspym - if someone gave me a gift card to Tiffany’s that expired this year, well, I’m not an idiot - of course I’d spend it!
In your case I think it’s really great that you stayed under the coat of the gift card. Whether or not it counts as “cheating” - that’s up to you. Did it feel like giving in to a gazingus pin addiction? Did it feel like falling off the wagon? Or did it feel like a random and necessarily blip on an otherwise successful journey?
It felt a bit like a lucky escape- I left ~80 cents unspent rather than risk going over. And now the card is gone and I don't have any excuse to be tempted. But yes, I would have felt like a bit of a chump if I had let a business keep $100 of my friends money and not got any of the promised goods in exchange!
FormerlydivorcedMom - I am trying to downsize my gazingus pin collections. Clothes I am finding easier. I have a clothing swap coming up. Jewellery I go back and forth. The cheap stuff I can part with unless it’s tied to an emotional event. The good stuff- I largely have a hard time parting with it. I’ve been trying to sell a ring and have had some bites, and I just haven’t been able to meet with the buyers (#babylife) so it hasn’t sold yet. I just got another bite... but recently I had decided to keep it. But maybe I should sell. Gah!
I could part with the jewellery more easily, except I always think “omg family heirloom!”. Plus I’ve gotten such deals, I could never buy them again for the price I originally got them for.
This is how I feel about some of my books/vintage frocks, but I have been having a quiet word with myself- Am I ever going to read/wear it again? Would I buy it again now? Do I know someone who would enjoy it as much as I did? Remember how AWESOME it felt to find something AMAZING at a bargain price? Well, why not let someone else have that feeling too? [that last one gets me to donating most times]
I do have the benefit of all my decisions being on the small potatoes side of the financial scale - I am not losing big money on letting things go. The money is already spent, and it bought me the use and enjoyment of the thing for as long as I had it. Now I just need to change from buying things for my ideal self to buying things for my actual self. : /
Post by: lifejoy on April 06, 2018, 04:23:04 PM
I could part with the jewellery more easily, except I always think “omg family heirloom!”. Plus I’ve gotten such deals, I could never buy them again for the price I originally got them for.
Are they family heirlooms that were passed down to you, or future family heirlooms that you want to pass down to your children?
A few years before my grandmother died, she called all of us into her room, laid out all her nice jewelry, and told us to each pick one item*. Everything else, she sold or gave away to friends. I was grateful, because it meant that we didn't have to deal with it all later, when sentiment would make it harder to make decisions. I don't own a lot of expensive jewelry - it doesn't fit my lifestyle much - and I wouldn't have had a clue what to do with all of hers.
As for the buying it again...would you want to? It's a sunk cost right now, and it really doesn't matter if you *could* buy it again at that price if you *wouldn't* buy it again.
*She was closest to my sister and I, so we were each given an extra sentimental piece of relatively cheap jewelry - my sister got Mamaw's rosary, and I received a cloisonne' necklace that my grandfather gave to her when they were dating. I value (and wear) that necklace much more than the diamond tennis bracelet.
Both - some jewellery belonging to my mom and grandparents and great grandparents (not much!) and some is mine which even if I never wear it, I reckon I can have fun giving it away one day.
Oh man I love cloissone. What a beautiful story. My gramma gave me a gold filled (“cheaper”) heart locket bracelet that my grampa had given her. It’s engraved and everything. One of my most prized possessions!
As for whether or not I’d buy my own items again.... if I saw them for such a deal, I’d find it hard to resist!!! It’s more like, if you saw a car or a book or a boatload of tea for an incredibly discounted price... would you want to buy it??? Whatever it is you like to buy, if you saw a helluva deal you’d probably want to buy it. My trick needs to be: stop looking!!!
Post by: lifejoy on April 06, 2018, 04:23:54 PM
Post by: Rosy on April 07, 2018, 09:47:15 AM
I thought of you last night, @MaybeBabyMustache - I was helping my 8-year-old declutter his room, and I found half a dozen (unused) gift cards tucked into various drawers.
I'm glad you've got a handle on your gift cards now. Now I have to figure out how to help the kid get a handle on his.
After the kids went to bed, I sat in my personal library and looked at all my lovely gazingus pins. [Yes, I actually have a room dedicated to my gazingus pins. It's half the reason I bought this house - a lovely open loft area between the kids' rooms that fits 6 bookshelves and two nice armchairs. All for MEEEEEEE and my preciouses, bwahahaha.] Part of this challenge, for me, is finding more of an emotional balance with books. Not just being more intentional with what I buy, but being more intentional with what I keep.
I've done MAJOR book decluttering in the last year (I got rid of about 25% of my collection). However, I still have hundreds of books (possibly more than a thousand). It make me anxious to think about getting rid of more (red flag)...yet at the same time I want to give away All The Things because I'm so tired of stuff.
I'm quite jealous of all of you with perishable gazingus pins. You are using up your tea and your gift cards. For the others who, like me, have gazingus pins that translate into stuff, are you planning to pare your collections this year?
LOL @formerlydivorcedmom you are me about eight years ago:) In a sense, I still have that room but I reduced the number of bookshelves as well as the size of bookshelves. It was tough, but once I had a system I could live with it suddenly all worked very well.
In the past eight years, I've gradually let go of some of my book collection when I realized that I lost interest in that subject, which in turn made rooms for books on new subjects of interest.
Feng Shui teaches that one always needs to leave space for new things to come into our lives. I think that is profound and brilliant:)
Besides, I like breathing space and being a bibliophile could easily lead to rooms crammed full of books. I do love that idea on some level:), but in the end, I decided to control that impulse, if for no other reason than that I am not the only one living in that house.
On the gift cards - I carry all my gift cards in my purse in a see through plastic envelope, sorted by restaurant/dept store/home improvement/specialty store. That way I know what I have and I can always use them.
I've never purchased any for myself except for ordering a rewards gift card for Xmas or talking Mr. R. into giving up his rewards as a Valentine's present for me - yeah, I'm like that:).
Post by: Laura33 on April 07, 2018, 11:57:54 AM
PS - did I catch everyone up on stars? Let me know if I’ve missed you! ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮
Where's the post with the stars? As I am currently working my way through the "meh" teas, I want to gaze upon the wonder of my stars!!!
Post by: lifejoy on April 07, 2018, 12:50:19 PM
PS - did I catch everyone up on stars? Let me know if I’ve missed you!
Where's the post with the stars? As I am currently working my way through the "meh" teas, I want to gaze upon the wonder of my stars!!!
Page 1! Original OP post :)
Post by: Rosy on April 07, 2018, 12:55:50 PM
Do you want to be the lady with the most beautiful diamond collection or the lady who teaches baby joy about finances, core values and what really matters in life?
Doesn't mean you can't own an awesome diamond collection, but it does mean impulse control and believe me I know how hard that is.
It's all about choices and different perspectives. I think what has helped me the most with resisting the "deal of a lifetime" temptation is that I have set other priorities. Clear goals that are important and enticing to me. The longer I'm resisting impulse buying the more I can see the direct impact on my finances.
That, in turn, re-affirms my goal of re-directing my money to one of my core values, i.e. travel and a true financial need, a solid financial base for retirement that I'd like to cement further.
Temptation lurks everywhere and it is a good thing we committed to a full year, because I don't think three months is enough to keep me from going rogue once again.
In that vein, it has been six months since I ordered jewelry from one channel and four months since I ordered jewelry from the other jewelry channel. I looked it up this morning. I nearly caved and picked up a ring on clearance:(
I'll look more seriously into selling once I get back from my trip in September, maybe close to the holidays is a better time to sell gemstones and jewelry anyway.
It's not like I'll never buy another thing, but I am not even thinking about making a list of what I might buy once this challenge is over.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on April 07, 2018, 03:16:49 PM
PS - did I catch everyone up on stars? Let me know if I’ve missed you! ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮
I just checked, I have 2, so that is January and February. Except for the fibre gift, I also made it through March. Whew!
Pretty stars. 😊
Post by: lifejoy on April 07, 2018, 07:53:46 PM
PS - did I catch everyone up on stars? Let me know if I’ve missed you!
I just checked, I have 2, so that is January and February. Except for the fibre gift, I also made it through March. Whew!
Pretty stars.
Sorry I missed you!! Will add tonight :)
(Tapatalk doesn’t let me so I’ll use my laptop later)
Post by: chaskavitch on April 08, 2018, 06:41:04 AM
PS - did I catch everyone up on stars? Let me know if I’ve missed you!
Ooh, me! I haven't bought any clothes at all this year still. I'm doing much better about chocolate at the store, or at least I was until last week when I went and was bombarded with Easter sales :( No star for April. It was a terrible idea, too, because I ate the ENTIRE bag of Cadbury mini eggs all at once instead of portioning it out and then felt so awful. That's 1200 calories that's basically straight sugar. Ugh.
Post by: Laura33 on April 09, 2018, 07:35:08 AM
@lifejoy: Just a little perspective to follow Rosy's thoughts on how to resist temptation. Last year, I bought myself a StupidCar. I have wanted it for 20+ years, but I could never justify it.* And then I realized that we were FI and we had college covered, and we were going to keep working for 6-8 more years anyway, so I bought it. And the one thing I can tell you is that I enjoy that car so much more because I waited for it. There is no guilt at all;** I didn't blow money on "stuff" before we both our own future and the kids taken care of, so the purchase did not interfere in any way with our other plans -- basically, I didn't put my own frivolous wants ahead of the big-picture things that were more important to me. I am free just to enjoy it, without feeling like I am a bad person for wanting it. Which is really a new thing for me. And totally fucking awesome.
I don't know if that helps or not, but I hope that knowing that the enjoyment factor is exponentially higher when you wait until you see all your ducks lined up in a row may provide a little extra fuel.
*Because it is really massively stupid. And there's barely room for kids in the back seat, much less carseats.
**I believe that guilt is what happens when your actions are inconsistent with your values.
Post by: lifejoy on April 09, 2018, 08:10:08 AM
Yeah, I also seem to have only two stars, but I've made it three months!!!
@lifejoy: Just a little perspective to follow Rosy's thoughts on how to resist temptation. Last year, I bought myself a StupidCar. I have wanted it for 20+ years, but I could never justify it.* And then I realized that we were FI and we had college covered, and we were going to keep working for 6-8 more years anyway, so I bought it. And the one thing I can tell you is that I enjoy that car so much more because I waited for it. There is no guilt at all;** I didn't blow money on "stuff" before we both our own future and the kids taken care of, so the purchase did not interfere in any way with our other plans -- basically, I didn't put my own frivolous wants ahead of the big-picture things that were more important to me. I am free just to enjoy it, without feeling like I am a bad person for wanting it. Which is really a new thing for me. And totally fucking awesome.
I don't know if that helps or not, but I hope that knowing that the enjoyment factor is exponentially higher when you wait until you see all your ducks lined up in a row may provide a little extra fuel.
*Because it is really massively stupid. And there's barely room for kids in the back seat, much less carseats.
**I believe that guilt is what happens when your actions are inconsistent with your values.
Laura I really, really like your thoughts and I am going to sit with them!
Also I think star #2 is really small and not showing up for people. Are you on a computer or your phone?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180409/f4ca24fd6e18376281a81251bebecc24.jpg)
Post by: Serendip on April 09, 2018, 09:13:28 AM
Going through receipts for taxes is showing me how outrageous some of my spending was last year (art workshops--thousands in fees & supplies).
Now, if I had the money for it that is fine, but I don't and am a fairly low earner in these circles (with minimum retirement savings and currently almost no EF).
But that is changing and I am glad I have recommitted myself to wiser, long-term choices even as summer art workshops beckon. :)
Post by: Rosy on April 09, 2018, 10:00:24 AM
Yeah, I also seem to have only two stars, but I've made it three months!!!
@lifejoy: Just a little perspective to follow Rosy's thoughts on how to resist temptation. Last year, I bought myself a StupidCar. I have wanted it for 20+ years, but I could never justify it.* And then I realized that we were FI and we had college covered, and we were going to keep working for 6-8 more years anyway, so I bought it. And the one thing I can tell you is that I enjoy that car so much more because I waited for it. There is no guilt at all;** I didn't blow money on "stuff" before we both our own future and the kids taken care of, so the purchase did not interfere in any way with our other plans -- basically, I didn't put my own frivolous wants ahead of the big-picture things that were more important to me. I am free just to enjoy it, without feeling like I am a bad person for wanting it. Which is really a new thing for me. And totally fucking awesome.
I don't know if that helps or not, but I hope that knowing that the enjoyment factor is exponentially higher when you wait until you see all your ducks lined up in a row may provide a little extra fuel.
*Because it is really massively stupid. And there's barely room for kids in the back seat, much less carseats.
**I believe that guilt is what happens when your actions are inconsistent with your values.
@Laura33 - I agree 100%. Regretfully, I am the poster child of what not to do when it comes to getting the car you always wanted, especially since it will be my last car purchase ever.
I'd been saving up for two years and had the money to finally let go of my lil ole red 1998. I looked and looked and found the car I really wanted, it was $2000 more than I'd decided on - arbitrarily. I could make the extra $2K happen. I decided not to and instead went another $3K lower than what I'd saved up already.
I came across the deal of a lifetime.
I've regretted it ever since!
I am now the sort of proud owner of a really nice car, 2014 with only 16K miles on it when I bought it, with all the techie stuff I wanted, good gas mileage etc.
I feel like I cheated myself out of the joy of owning the car I wanted and cheated myself out of the reward of my savings - why did I not use them to please myself and allow myself the joy of paying cash for a car I really wanted?
As it happened I ended up buying a second car for a family member a couple of weeks later, I don't feel bad about that at all. I was glad I was in a position to do that. Had I bought the car I wanted, I would not have been able to help. So there is that.
Still, I'm seriously considering trading in my "last new car" that I purchased last August and get the one I really want. Financially speaking probably a really bad idea since I am now still paying for the second car.
But dammit this has been hands down one of the worst decisions I've ever made and I hate having to live with it.
*** REGRET is what happens when you ignore the wishes of your heart that were within your grasp and power to satisfy.
BTW - only twenty more days until star #4 - we can do this!
Post by: lifejoy on April 09, 2018, 11:21:36 AM
I’m glad you reminded me of how close I am... last night I was thinking that I could blow this month, and spend a lot of money on clothing and jewellery (like A LOT) and it would help me last again until the rest of the year ;) SNEAKY!
But I’m going to stay strong. I have a clothing swap in 5 days, so that should help. And when I was jonesing for a brooch, I remembered I actually have one! Even better, it’s inherited from my gramma that I was bffs with. This challenge made me stop and think about what I already own. That was good!
Post by: lifejoy on April 09, 2018, 11:22:47 AM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on April 09, 2018, 11:36:26 AM
Finding a balance is HARD.
Post by: Duchess on April 09, 2018, 01:47:15 PM
PS - did I catch everyone up on stars? Let me know if I’ve missed you! ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮
Totally late checking in for my March star please. I seem to have turned a corner with my gazingus pin of snacks/junk food while out and about. My husband and I did the Whole30 elimination diet in the run up to Easter. We felt so fantastic on it that we haven’t wanted to re-introduce any processed foods back into our diets.
Post by: mspym on April 10, 2018, 03:09:55 AM
Meanwhile I am using up some of my bias binding stash to hem my shorts shorter. [The top of them was just right but they go all the way to my knees because I am short.]
Post by: Rosy on April 11, 2018, 09:54:55 AM
I'm not really motivated by cheap - I'm not going to buy a ton more books just because they are 5/$1 instead of $7 each.....my weakness is whether they look interesting. If they look like something I might enjoy, I want to buy them. If I'm bored, I buy a book. If I'm sick, I buy a book. If my kids are driving me crazy, I buy a book. If I suddenly decide it might be interesting to learn about Tudor England because I saw a display at Half-Priced books, I buy books.
Finding a balance is HARD.
That's actually an incredibly odd thought, to buy a book because it is cheap? I buy books, because I either want to escape RL or I am interested in a topic or want to expand my knowledge.
Price only interferes if it is a really expensive book, so I might consider the used version instead.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on April 11, 2018, 11:47:36 AM
I'm not really motivated by cheap - I'm not going to buy a ton more books just because they are 5/$1 instead of $7 each.....my weakness is whether they look interesting. If they look like something I might enjoy, I want to buy them. If I'm bored, I buy a book. If I'm sick, I buy a book. If my kids are driving me crazy, I buy a book. If I suddenly decide it might be interesting to learn about Tudor England because I saw a display at Half-Priced books, I buy books.
Finding a balance is HARD.
That's actually an incredibly odd thought, to buy a book because it is cheap? I buy books, because I either want to escape RL or I am interested in a topic or want to expand my knowledge.
Price only interferes if it is a really expensive book, so I might consider the used version instead.
I know several people who go to library book sales, etc, and buy dozens of books just because they are 10 or 25 cents each. They probably have an aspiration to one day read them, but for the most part, they don't. I think it's odd, too.
Post by: middo on April 11, 2018, 07:18:25 PM
I'm not really motivated by cheap - I'm not going to buy a ton more books just because they are 5/$1 instead of $7 each.....my weakness is whether they look interesting. If they look like something I might enjoy, I want to buy them. If I'm bored, I buy a book. If I'm sick, I buy a book. If my kids are driving me crazy, I buy a book. If I suddenly decide it might be interesting to learn about Tudor England because I saw a display at Half-Priced books, I buy books.
Finding a balance is HARD.
That's actually an incredibly odd thought, to buy a book because it is cheap? I buy books, because I either want to escape RL or I am interested in a topic or want to expand my knowledge.
Price only interferes if it is a really expensive book, so I might consider the used version instead.
I know several people who go to library book sales, etc, and buy dozens of books just because they are 10 or 25 cents each. They probably have an aspiration to one day read them, but for the most part, they don't. I think it's odd, too.
My wife. She is slowly curing herself of "saving" books that libraries are throwing out. I have recently told her I am no loger building book cases, so every book that enters the house requires at least one to go out at the same time. She can understand the logic, but still struggles with the "loss of knowledge".
Post by: middo on April 11, 2018, 07:24:16 PM
We are also moving interstate, and I am having lots of thoughts about appropriate tools to bring with us. We will eventually be moving back to the farm, so it is a one to two year move. How much do I need? What to leave behind? I am determined to not buy any more tools, so I need to choose wisely.
Post by: Rosy on April 13, 2018, 12:09:56 PM
Well, hell, I am catching myself having a sneak peek at all the jewelry channels, every one of them - no, no and NO!
Really, how bad would it be if I spent just fifty bucks on jewelry, I could pay it off monthly, interest-free, interest free is good, right??
Not going there - it is Pandora's box:) ...
What I really want right now is a thousand dollars to just blow with no rhyme or reason - oh, I am so not mustachian material!
Creampuff! Creampuff!
OK then, breathe Rosy - by tomorrow you'll feel better and stronger about it all ... oh, and do you know that I don't own a single emerald?
Since rationale is failing me, stronger measures are called for, I need an ice cream intervention along with a nice cappuccino ... it is too lovely a day to waste on TV anyway.
My garden Gazebo, ice cream and cappuccino to the rescue - pfft, emeralds ...
17 more days to our next gold star .....
Post by: lifejoy on April 13, 2018, 12:36:26 PM
My jewelry addiction is calling...
Well, hell, I am catching myself having a sneak peek at all the jewelry channels, every one of them - no, no and NO!
Really, how bad would it be if I spent just fifty bucks on jewelry, I could pay it off monthly, interest-free, interest free is good, right??
Not going there - it is Pandora's box:) ...
What I really want right now is a thousand dollars to just blow with no rhyme or reason - oh, I am so not mustachian material!
Creampuff! Creampuff!
OK then, breathe Rosy - by tomorrow you'll feel better and stronger about it all ... oh, and do you know that I don't own a single emerald?
Since rationale is failing me, stronger measures are called for, I need an ice cream intervention along with a nice cappuccino ... it is too lovely a day to waste on TV anyway.
My garden Gazebo, ice cream and cappuccino to the rescue - pfft, emeralds ...
17 more days to our next gold star .....
Sounds like Pandora’s jewelry box alright!!
Stay strong. Jewelry is sooooo not a need, and you have such good financial goals to meet.
Also I’m pretty sure they’re going to be selling emeralds next year ;)
Post by: diapasoun on April 13, 2018, 10:04:10 PM
Post by: lifejoy on April 14, 2018, 04:22:40 AM
Think of the beautiful jewelry you already have - sitting there, waiting for your attention, hoping to be worn! That's already a wondrous bounty.
Yes! And I have heard you can only wear so much at one time (don’t ask me how I know this lol!)
Also think of people on the world that have so little... having buckets of jewellery seems a little... excessive or unnecessary, no?
Post by: lifejoy on April 15, 2018, 04:50:06 AM
My only exception to my challenge this year has been the bridesmaid dress (had to buy!) and I was going to make an exception for the shoes... but now I don’t have to! :D
I am committed to finding or borrowing a coverup/topper for the wedding, and not buying one. Hooray!
Post by: Rosy on April 16, 2018, 09:12:45 AM
You guys- at the clothing swap I went to, I got two pairs of shoes that could work for the wedding I’m going to! I’m a bridesmaid so this is a must!
My only exception to my challenge this year has been the bridesmaid dress (had to buy!) and I was going to make an exception for the shoes... but now I don’t have to! :D
I am committed to finding or borrowing a coverup/topper for the wedding, and not buying one. Hooray!
lifejoy you are so brave for tackling two gazingus pins at once.
Cover ups are notoriously difficult - at least for me. I have a holiday dress that I'd like a nice jacket for - five years later I still haven't found anything suitable. A shawl/wrap would work, but I am short with wide shoulders and wear a size 14 - so unfortunately, I tend to look short and dumpy instead of elegant and feminine with a pretty shawl draped around my shoulders. Ugh!
This year, if the dress still fits I may cave and have a jacket made - if it no longer fits I'm donating it instead.
On the jewelry front - I'm hanging in there, for now anyway.
Post by: Poundwise on April 16, 2018, 04:11:16 PM
Quote
Cover ups are notoriously difficult - at least for me. I have a holiday dress that I'd like a nice jacket for - five years later I still haven't found anything suitable. A shawl/wrap would work, but I am short with wide shoulders and wear a size 14 - so unfortunately, I tend to look short and dumpy instead of elegant and feminine with a pretty shawl draped around my shoulders. Ugh!
How about a long narrow scarf, looped around your neck and then with the ends flowing straight down in front or back to create a vertical line? Won't cover your shoulders, but would provide a little warmth? Or a long jacket almost the same length as your dress?
I'm happy to say that I have made no craft purchases this month. And yet, I bought more stuff for my son's aquarium and more plants for the garden. I need to work on hobbies using materials I already have on hand! I may need to change my focus to reflect that... at least until I have used up/decluttered a certain amount of supplies, say the equivalent of a closet.
Post by: Rosy on April 17, 2018, 08:23:30 AM
QuoteCover ups are notoriously difficult - at least for me. I have a holiday dress that I'd like a nice jacket for - five years later I still haven't found anything suitable. A shawl/wrap would work, but I am short with wide shoulders and wear a size 14 - so unfortunately, I tend to look short and dumpy instead of elegant and feminine with a pretty shawl draped around my shoulders. Ugh!
How about a long narrow scarf, looped around your neck and then with the ends flowing straight down in front or back to create a vertical line? Won't cover your shoulders, but would provide a little warmth? Or a long jacket almost the same length as your dress?
I'm happy to say that I have made no craft purchases this month. And yet, I bought more stuff for my son's aquarium and more plants for the garden. I need to work on hobbies using materials I already have on hand! I may need to change my focus to reflect that... at least until I have used up/decluttered a certain amount of supplies, say the equivalent of a closet.
Yes, it is all about that vertical line, but I really don't do well with scarves either (I either step on them - don't ask me how:) or I'm constantly messing with them and they never look like they should. I do own several, big and small but I rarely wear them. I should stop buying them altogether, but it is hard to resist a beautiful scarf/shawl - I love the patterns and the materials and the colors ...
I really need a jacket for lightweight warmth - amazing how the parties always seem to be on a cold day and the next day it is back to eighty in sunny Florida. Nothing like a cold wind blowing from the ocean and you stand on an ice cold terrace watching the sunset with your Margarita:)
Post by: Rosy on April 17, 2018, 08:49:43 AM
It's gem week and I ordered a Tsavorite piece last night. Favorite designer, lovely jewelry, deal of a lifetime...
I mildly regret it, but I am not returning it unless I don't like it once it arrives.
I refuse to beat myself up over it, I knew going into this challenge that it would be an extremely difficult challenge to complete totally unscathed.
It has actually been six months since I ordered anything from this channel.
Sux to admit it, but I failed this month - resuming challenge for May to Dec 2018. Chagrin ...
Post by: lifejoy on April 17, 2018, 08:55:23 AM
Oh and I blew it - @lifejoy - no gold star for me this month.
It's gem week and I ordered a Tsavorite piece last night. Favorite designer, lovely jewelry, deal of a lifetime...
I mildly regret it, but I am not returning it unless I don't like it once it arrives.
I refuse to beat myself up over it, I knew going into this challenge that it would be an extremely difficult challenge to complete totally unscathed.
It has actually been six months since I ordered anything from this channel.
Sux to admit it, but I failed this month - resuming challenge for May to Dec 2018. Chagrin ...
See how you feel when it arrives! I assume you are American and returns are easy
<3
If at first we don’t succeed, try, try again!
Edited to add: just curious- did buying it “scratch an itch” or “fill a void”? Or did it make you feel happy?
Post by: RetiredAt63 on April 17, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
I really need a jacket for lightweight warmth - amazing how the parties always seem to be on a cold day and the next day it is back to eighty in sunny Florida. Nothing like a cold wind blowing from the ocean and you stand on an ice cold terrace watching the sunset with your Margarita:)
Are any of the scarves/shawls suitable for turning into a shrug?
Post by: Rosy on April 17, 2018, 10:14:31 AM
I really need a jacket for lightweight warmth - amazing how the parties always seem to be on a cold day and the next day it is back to eighty in sunny Florida. Nothing like a cold wind blowing from the ocean and you stand on an ice cold terrace watching the sunset with your Margarita:)
Are any of the scarves/shawls suitable for turning into a shrug?
I hadn't thought of that - excellent idea!!! Possibly one of them - yay! If not, I can get a fabulous one for under ten bucks from a dealer on base.
THANK YOU - you just solved my problem:)
Post by: Rosy on April 17, 2018, 11:42:47 AM
Oh and I blew it - @lifejoy - no gold star for me this month.
It's gem week and I ordered a Tsavorite piece last night. Favorite designer, lovely jewelry, deal of a lifetime...
I mildly regret it, but I am not returning it unless I don't like it once it arrives.
I refuse to beat myself up over it, I knew going into this challenge that it would be an extremely difficult challenge to complete totally unscathed.
It has actually been six months since I ordered anything from this channel.
Sux to admit it, but I failed this month - resuming challenge for May to Dec 2018. Chagrin ...
See how you feel when it arrives! I assume you are American and returns are easy
<3
If at first we don’t succeed, try, try again!
Edited to add: just curious- did buying it “scratch an itch” or “fill a void”? Or did it make you feel happy?
Hmm, good question. The short answer is that I feel deep satisfaction - it felt right.
Upon reflection, I'd say you could call this a planned purchase. It was a deliberate action, rather than an emotional snap decision. It just made sense to me to veer off the no gazingus pin path this one time - I don't really feel tempted to buy any other jewelry.
I feel deep satisfaction because it is a stone I've wanted for years and thought I'd never own. Certainly normally out of my price range.
This one has it all, color and carat at a killer price. Of course, I am excited to see it in person.
I don't have any buyer's remorse, but I will return it immediately if it is not what I wanted.
Now I wonder if psychologically speaking this means I am deceiving myself and I'm making excuses for my undisciplined behavior or that I showed good judgement and flexibility:) in recognizing that veering off the path can be a good thing.
What do you think?, or does this automatically mean any failure is a failure and nothing but a failure and lack of discipline? Shouldn't we always consider our actions instead of blindly following a given path?
I think of this challenge as a way to learn to control impulse buying - you have to keep saying NO and that builds a new habit. I never thought much about what might be an exception to the rule. I didn't officially have a planned purchase either.
Nevertheless, I guess for me this is an exception.
It is actually a planned purchase, it was not an impulsive, oh look shiny, wouldn't that look cute, sort of purchase.
It feels right and I am fine with it.
So what do you say?
Post by: lifejoy on April 17, 2018, 12:22:24 PM
For me, this challenge started because of mindless spending and I was buying stuff that was NOT making me happy. So I think it all depends on what your original goals were :)
Post by: diapasoun on April 17, 2018, 12:27:40 PM
For me with books: It's a gazingus pin because I love reading and I love how books make me feel -- but some of those feelings stem from a place of anxiety that I want to work on. Books and reading are both very wrapped up with identity for me in some weirdly complex ways. I'm a reader, and I'm from a rural lower-middle/lower class family, and reading (and by extension books) have long been an escape and a lifeline for me, but also a signal. We Read. We're Educated. We have Books In The House. We value Knowledge more than Looks. Etc etc. I feel uncomfortable with that right now, and so while most of the no gazingus pin challenge has been practical and about not spending money when I have plenty available to read already, it's also been making me examine my relationship to books as physical objects more. I want to take time to keep examining that, without the mental clutter of acquisition.
So, for me right now, purchasing books not only skews that "read" percentage of my collection, but it interferes with a long slow process in thinking about how books relate to a bunch of things in my life. Dis-recommended!
Post by: QuillScroll on April 17, 2018, 01:28:12 PM
books
jewelry
home decoration items
Post by: Well Respected Man on April 18, 2018, 06:21:29 AM
I also realized I have a gift certificate for a brew your own beer place, but the amount is not enough to cover the price of brewing a batch plus buying bottles. I have 12 bottles, but would need to buy 12 more, so total cost for two cases of 22 oz. bottles would be about $35. That's well below $1/alcohol unit, so I will probably do it. I could also bring a friend and have him buy the other 12 bottles.
Post by: zeli2033 on April 18, 2018, 07:39:46 AM
A little stumble in the grand scheme of things but no star this month. Now I just have to Keep it from turning into a free for all for the rest of April.
Post by: lifejoy on April 18, 2018, 07:45:01 AM
So I hit a bump this month. I bought two books, one for professional learning which I’m hoping to get reimbursed for from my work in which case I won’t count it against me this month. But the other one...I bought with the intention of reading and returning after discussing it at a book club (I know, shameful). But the book was amazing and I can’t inagine taking it back. Plus I got it for half off since I used a gift card I had left over...
A little stumble in the grand scheme of things but no star this month. Now I just have to Keep it from turning into a free for all for the rest of April.
Ok now I’m dying to know the book!
Also it seems like this fourth month is really hard for a lot of us! I’m struggling, too!
Post by: zeli2033 on April 18, 2018, 08:08:19 AM
So I hit a bump this month. I bought two books, one for professional learning which I’m hoping to get reimbursed for from my work in which case I won’t count it against me this month. But the other one...I bought with the intention of reading and returning after discussing it at a book club (I know, shameful). But the book was amazing and I can’t inagine taking it back. Plus I got it for half off since I used a gift card I had left over...
A little stumble in the grand scheme of things but no star this month. Now I just have to Keep it from turning into a free for all for the rest of April.
Ok now I’m dying to know the book!
Also it seems like this fourth month is really hard for a lot of us! I’m struggling, too!
The books is a YA novel called “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas. I don’t usually read YA books but this one was a game changer for me and my maybe-in-the-future kiddo(s).
The fourth month struggle is so real!
Post by: lifejoy on April 18, 2018, 08:29:31 AM
So I hit a bump this month. I bought two books, one for professional learning which I’m hoping to get reimbursed for from my work in which case I won’t count it against me this month. But the other one...I bought with the intention of reading and returning after discussing it at a book club (I know, shameful). But the book was amazing and I can’t inagine taking it back. Plus I got it for half off since I used a gift card I had left over...
A little stumble in the grand scheme of things but no star this month. Now I just have to Keep it from turning into a free for all for the rest of April.
Ok now I’m dying to know the book!
Also it seems like this fourth month is really hard for a lot of us! I’m struggling, too!
The books is a YA novel called “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas. I don’t usually read YA books but this one was a game changer for me and my maybe-in-the-future kiddo(s).
The fourth month struggle is so real!
Haha I’m like number 200 on the library wait list for that one!! I’ve heard great things. You should also try the book “Wonder” if you’re looking for amazing books to benefit potential future kids!
Post by: zeli2033 on April 18, 2018, 08:37:31 AM
So I hit a bump this month. I bought two books, one for professional learning which I’m hoping to get reimbursed for from my work in which case I won’t count it against me this month. But the other one...I bought with the intention of reading and returning after discussing it at a book club (I know, shameful). But the book was amazing and I can’t inagine taking it back. Plus I got it for half off since I used a gift card I had left over...
A little stumble in the grand scheme of things but no star this month. Now I just have to Keep it from turning into a free for all for the rest of April.
Ok now I’m dying to know the book!
Also it seems like this fourth month is really hard for a lot of us! I’m struggling, too!
The books is a YA novel called “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas. I don’t usually read YA books but this one was a game changer for me and my maybe-in-the-future kiddo(s).
The fourth month struggle is so real!
Haha I’m like number 200 on the library wait list for that one!! I’ve heard great things. You should also try the book “Wonder” if you’re looking for amazing books to benefit potential future kids!
So worth it! I put myself on the waitlist for the book months ago thinking I’d get it in time to read for the club but alas - no dice :) enjoy! And thank you so much for the recommendation, I’m looking into Wonder ASAP.
Post by: lifejoy on April 18, 2018, 08:40:44 AM
So I hit a bump this month. I bought two books, one for professional learning which I’m hoping to get reimbursed for from my work in which case I won’t count it against me this month. But the other one...I bought with the intention of reading and returning after discussing it at a book club (I know, shameful). But the book was amazing and I can’t inagine taking it back. Plus I got it for half off since I used a gift card I had left over...
A little stumble in the grand scheme of things but no star this month. Now I just have to Keep it from turning into a free for all for the rest of April.
Ok now I’m dying to know the book!
Also it seems like this fourth month is really hard for a lot of us! I’m struggling, too!
The books is a YA novel called “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas. I don’t usually read YA books but this one was a game changer for me and my maybe-in-the-future kiddo(s).
The fourth month struggle is so real!
Haha I’m like number 200 on the library wait list for that one!! I’ve heard great things. You should also try the book “Wonder” if you’re looking for amazing books to benefit potential future kids!
So worth it! I put myself on the waitlist for the book months ago thinking I’d get it in time to read for the club but alas - no dice :) enjoy! And thank you so much for the recommendation, I’m looking into Wonder ASAP.
By R. J. Palacio :)
The made it into a movie but the book is better (of course).
Post by: Laura33 on April 18, 2018, 10:29:23 AM
Now I wonder if psychologically speaking this means I am deceiving myself and I'm making excuses for my undisciplined behavior or that I showed good judgement and flexibility:) in recognizing that veering off the path can be a good thing.
What do you think?, or does this automatically mean any failure is a failure and nothing but a failure and lack of discipline? Shouldn't we always consider our actions instead of blindly following a given path?
Personally, I have decided I need a harder-line path for right now. Because my fundamental problem is that I am just fucking awesome at rationalizing what I want (high intelligence + decades of experience = fantastic excuse-making ability, to the point I frequently even believe the line of crap I am feeding myself).
So part of this for me is a re-set of habits, that kind of automatic thoughtless spending that I have fallen into. But another part of it is to try to train myself to better distinguish when I am making a logical, rational decision from those times when I am just deluding myself. So I figure I am going to go cold turkey until my tea is basically done and I actually need replacements. And then I am going to ask myself whether I still think I missed out on some of those opportunities that I passed by -- or, in fact, if I even remember them!! (So far the answer is no -- I remember the feeling of "wanting," but I can't really even remember where/when, much less that knee-shaking kind of "can't believe I skipped that!").*
So I think if you really want to answer your question, you have to be willing to test yourself and miss out on a few deals, because sometimes the only way to find out where the line is is by crossing it.
*I have a high bar for this. When I was in college, I spent a semester studying in Greece, and during a trip to Turkey, I had the opportunity to buy a silk Turkish rug for like $150. But I was poor, and that was basically food for a month, and so I passed. I have regretted it ever since. So that is a useful self-test for me: "Is this really a Turkish rug? Or just a passing fancy that I'll have forgotten by tomorrow?"
Post by: Rosy on April 20, 2018, 10:59:51 AM
I think that whether or not a purchase like the one that @Rosy made is "right" or "safe" or "dangerous" or the like depends on so many individual factors -- in particular, why and how something is a gazingus pin. What need is the gazingus pin satisfying?
For me with books: It's a gazingus pin because I love reading and I love how books make me feel -- but some of those feelings stem from a place of anxiety that I want to work on. Books and reading are both very wrapped up with identity for me in some weirdly complex ways. I'm a reader, and I'm from a rural lower-middle/lower class family, and reading (and by extension books) have long been an escape and a lifeline for me, but also a signal. We Read. We're Educated. We have Books In The House. We value Knowledge more than Looks. Etc etc. I feel uncomfortable with that right now, and so while most of the no gazingus pin challenge has been practical and about not spending money when I have plenty available to read already, it's also been making me examine my relationship to books as physical objects more. I want to take time to keep examining that, without the mental clutter of acquisition.
So, for me right now, purchasing books not only skews that "read" percentage of my collection, but it interferes with a long slow process in thinking about how books relate to a bunch of things in my life. Dis-recommended!
It took me a while to respond @diapasoun but that is because I once looked at books pretty much the same way you do and my reply was a wall of text that was way too personal and I'm not even sure that it would have been helpful to you.
Every word you said about your book addiction resonates with me. Our identities are entangled with books. I actually laughed out loud when I finally got to the bottom of my own book addiction - the truth shall set you free:) There was a lot to analyze mostly about how I saw myself and why.
Took me several years, because I totally rejected the idea of reducing any of my book collection:) It all happened in spurts over time.
I still love books, but I see everything from a different perspective than I once did. It is a slow process and looking back, I think it was a good experience, helpful in getting to know myself.
Post by: Rosy on April 20, 2018, 11:14:25 AM
Now I wonder if psychologically speaking this means I am deceiving myself and I'm making excuses for my undisciplined behavior or that I showed good judgement and flexibility:) in recognizing that veering off the path can be a good thing.
What do you think?, or does this automatically mean any failure is a failure and nothing but a failure and lack of discipline? Shouldn't we always consider our actions instead of blindly following a given path?
Personally, I have decided I need a harder-line path for right now. Because my fundamental problem is that I am just fucking awesome at rationalizing what I want (high intelligence + decades of experience = fantastic excuse-making ability, to the point I frequently even believe the line of crap I am feeding myself).
So part of this for me is a re-set of habits, that kind of automatic thoughtless spending that I have fallen into. But another part of it is to try to train myself to better distinguish when I am making a logical, rational decision from those times when I am just deluding myself. So I figure I am going to go cold turkey until my tea is basically done and I actually need replacements. And then I am going to ask myself whether I still think I missed out on some of those opportunities that I passed by -- or, in fact, if I even remember them!! (So far the answer is no -- I remember the feeling of "wanting," but I can't really even remember where/when, much less that knee-shaking kind of "can't believe I skipped that!").*
So I think if you really want to answer your question, you have to be willing to test yourself and miss out on a few deals, because sometimes the only way to find out where the line is is by crossing it.
*I have a high bar for this. When I was in college, I spent a semester studying in Greece, and during a trip to Turkey, I had the opportunity to buy a silk Turkish rug for like $150. But I was poor, and that was basically food for a month, and so I passed. I have regretted it ever since. So that is a useful self-test for me: "Is this really a Turkish rug? Or just a passing fancy that I'll have forgotten by tomorrow?"
LOL - been there done that, but I can say that going for an even harder approach at present would backfire for me, based on the other goals I currently have.
You are right, this may well have been my "Turkish rug".
It is interesting that we are all still struggling on occasion at almost four months in. I am a little bummed that I tripped up this month, we'll see how we all manage going forward.
Post by: diapasoun on April 20, 2018, 11:20:53 AM
I think that whether or not a purchase like the one that @Rosy made is "right" or "safe" or "dangerous" or the like depends on so many individual factors -- in particular, why and how something is a gazingus pin. What need is the gazingus pin satisfying?
For me with books: It's a gazingus pin because I love reading and I love how books make me feel -- but some of those feelings stem from a place of anxiety that I want to work on. Books and reading are both very wrapped up with identity for me in some weirdly complex ways. I'm a reader, and I'm from a rural lower-middle/lower class family, and reading (and by extension books) have long been an escape and a lifeline for me, but also a signal. We Read. We're Educated. We have Books In The House. We value Knowledge more than Looks. Etc etc. I feel uncomfortable with that right now, and so while most of the no gazingus pin challenge has been practical and about not spending money when I have plenty available to read already, it's also been making me examine my relationship to books as physical objects more. I want to take time to keep examining that, without the mental clutter of acquisition.
So, for me right now, purchasing books not only skews that "read" percentage of my collection, but it interferes with a long slow process in thinking about how books relate to a bunch of things in my life. Dis-recommended!
It took me a while to respond @diapasoun but that is because I once looked at books pretty much the same way you do and my reply was a wall of text that was way too personal and I'm not even sure that it would have been helpful to you.
Every word you said about your book addiction resonates with me. Our identities are entangled with books. I actually laughed out loud when I finally got to the bottom of my own book addiction - the truth shall set you free:) There was a lot to analyze mostly about how I saw myself and why.
Took me several years, because I totally rejected the idea of reducing any of my book collection:) It all happened in spurts over time.
I still love books, but I see everything from a different perspective than I once did. It is a slow process and looking back, I think it was a good experience, helpful in getting to know myself.
I think there's a LOT of us with relationships like this to books. And it's really good to hear that there are folks on the other side. ;)
I'm actually planning to put some books in some Little Free Libraries this weekend -- got them piled up and everything. THAT is a satisfying place to have gotten to!
Post by: middo on April 22, 2018, 03:55:50 AM
Post by: CrustyBadger on April 22, 2018, 06:39:07 AM
As for me: I have exactly 6 more work days to get through till the end of April. I am bound and determined to get my star this month! No vending machine snacks at work for me whatsoever. I don't even carry cash anymore usually so even if tempted there's not much I can do about it.
Post by: lifejoy on April 22, 2018, 08:36:02 AM
I'm out this month. I bought a chain riveter. It was necessary, as it saved me $125 from getting the chain on the motorbike replaced by the shop ($200 labour vs $75 tool and some sweat). But it was still a tool purchase.
That doesn’t sound like a mindless impulse buy... but like the other poster said, you know yourself best.
Post by: middo on April 22, 2018, 02:38:52 PM
(Aw, middo! That hardly seems like a gazingus pin to me, if actually know how to use it and it saves you money on a necessary repair! But you know yourself and your gazingus pins best.)
As for me: I have exactly 6 more work days to get through till the end of April. I am bound and determined to get my star this month! No vending machine snacks at work for me whatsoever. I don't even carry cash anymore usually so even if tempted there's not much I can do about it.
I'm out this month. I bought a chain riveter. It was necessary, as it saved me $125 from getting the chain on the motorbike replaced by the shop ($200 labour vs $75 tool and some sweat). But it was still a tool purchase.
That doesn’t sound like a mindless impulse buy... but like the other poster said, you know yourself best.
Thanks. The problem with tool purchases is that they can always be justified. Hence I want to keep myself honest.
Post by: lifejoy on April 23, 2018, 01:34:12 AM
(Aw, middo! That hardly seems like a gazingus pin to me, if actually know how to use it and it saves you money on a necessary repair! But you know yourself and your gazingus pins best.)
As for me: I have exactly 6 more work days to get through till the end of April. I am bound and determined to get my star this month! No vending machine snacks at work for me whatsoever. I don't even carry cash anymore usually so even if tempted there's not much I can do about it.I'm out this month. I bought a chain riveter. It was necessary, as it saved me $125 from getting the chain on the motorbike replaced by the shop ($200 labour vs $75 tool and some sweat). But it was still a tool purchase.
That doesn’t sound like a mindless impulse buy... but like the other poster said, you know yourself best.
Thanks. The problem with tool purchases is that they can always be justified. Hence I want to keep myself honest.
Ahh of course. I get it now. Just because it’s useful doesn’t mean it’s not a gazingus pin!
Post by: I'm a red panda on April 23, 2018, 06:42:17 AM
I'm trying to swatch through all my polishes, so that is helping there.
Post by: lifejoy on April 23, 2018, 10:07:16 AM
Post by: Serendip on April 23, 2018, 10:39:35 AM
When your gazingus pin is leather products from Gucci: https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.gq.com/story/buzz-bissinger-shopaholic-gucci-addiction/amp
Wow, quite the story. Over half a mil! The mind boggles..
"As any addict knows, impulsivity is the meal ticket of addiction. The more you do it, the more you do it."
Post by: Rosy on April 23, 2018, 02:09:49 PM
When your gazingus pin is leather products from Gucci: https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.gq.com/story/buzz-bissinger-shopaholic-gucci-addiction/amp
Quote
It wasn't until the preparation of this story that I actually took a detailed look at the items I have purchased from 2010 through 2012. I was afraid, quite candidly, although a total of a quarter of a million dollars would not have fazed me.
I was somewhat off: $587,412.97.
Oh, wow - I thought I had problems:)
Modified to comment on the link.
Also updated my earlier comment:(
Since I blew it already this month can I order just one more thing>:) Just kidding! - Well, I did cave twice more and all I can say is that my head is spinning right now. Not even analyzing!
I'm ready to start over fresh in May - seven more days and I have another chance at a star! - right now I don't even believe that! I'm stumbling and slinking away until next month.
Post by: Rosy on April 25, 2018, 10:55:01 AM
The saga continues, I am returning the jewelry I ordered.
It arrived yesterday and while it is lovely and truly a killer deal, the stone, Tsavorite, (which is what my collection is basically all about - the stones) looks identical to the Russian Chrome Diopside collection, (think Emeralds if you haven't heard of the stone), that I already own.
My main objective had been to own just one good quality Tsavorite, normally not in my price range.
I debated a bit - it would be nice to at least be able to say I own a Tsavorite, but meh, not when it looks identical to my Russian "Emerald" collection.
I slept on it, but I see no reason to keep it.
Like I said before, for me this one was an exception akin to a planned purchase.
However, the other two small purchases (under $50 each - auction) that I made later are definitely addiction type cave ins - both are earrings to go with sets that I already own. Felt good and guilty at the same time, like sneaking an ice cream cone when you are on a diet:)
Nevertheless, when they arrive I'll evaluate if they work with the two ensembles I intended them for - if not, they'll become gifts for two upcoming birthdays.
I've thought about dropping out of the challenge, mainly because I've finally figured out where my problem lies. A bitter AHA moment - reality sux. I may have to make changes going forward, but for now I appreciate the three months of goldstars and I'll move past this one month of failure.
Stay strong everyone - only five more days to your next goldstar!
Post by: RetiredAt63 on April 25, 2018, 06:56:59 PM
My main objective had been to own just one good quality Tsavorite, normally not in my price range.
What a pretty green stone. Much prettier than my peridot birthstone. Where do I petition to add it to the August birthstone list? ;-)
Look at what a pretty ring it makes!
Post by: Rosy on April 27, 2018, 11:43:36 AM
@RetiredAt63 - Good Peridot is beautiful - did you know that most of Cleopatras Emeralds were really Peridot?:), good Peridot practically glows in the dark.
I own some very fine Peridot pieces, beautiful apple green, (none are yellowish or olive or clouded) got it before the prices went up and while they still had quality big carat stones coming out of the mine.
It was a window of opportunity. What they are finding at the Hebei mine in China right now isn't as good in color and clarity - they used to have the best quality stones. India's Peridot is a tad olive and from what I heard about the stateside mine, it has some good stones, but only a small production.
I also have a few loose stones in the two, three and four-carat range that came with a random stone parcel I ordered on a whim about four years ago. I think I'll have to take a closer look at them - I never expected Peridot prices to go up or that the good stuff would be mined out this soon.
Post by: lifejoy on April 27, 2018, 11:47:02 AM
Post by: RetiredAt63 on April 27, 2018, 11:49:01 AM
Are there only a few mines for peridot in the world?
Post by: lifejoy on April 27, 2018, 11:49:15 AM
I've thought about dropping out of the challenge, mainly because I've finally figured out where my problem lies. A bitter AHA moment - reality sux. I may have to make changes going forward, but for now I appreciate the three months of goldstars and I'll move past this one month of failure.
Stay strong everyone - only five more days to your next goldstar!
Care to elaborate? I’d love to hear more about the root of your addiction, especially as my own is so similar.
And I am really, really, REALLY impressed that you returned the jewellery you bought!!!!
Post by: diapasoun on April 27, 2018, 12:50:06 PM
(I can also take this over into Ask a Mustachian and not derail this thread.)
Post by: lifejoy on April 27, 2018, 02:00:51 PM
Jewelry folks, y'all obviously know stones and their provenance very well. If I were trying to ethically source stones (i.e. minimal environmental damage and acceptable working conditions), how would I check up on that? A friend of mine is super into crystals and she doesn't want to buy stones that are, well, horrible. She's not here for very expensive stones, more things like the various quartzes, but either way -- I have no idea where to look to help her.
(I can also take this over into Ask a Mustachian and not derail this thread.)
For her purposes, would labcreated stones satisfy?
What country does she live in?
Post by: Rosy on April 27, 2018, 02:20:31 PM
My baby’s birthstone is peridot! I have yet to find a peridot piece that tempts me.
@lifejoy Here is one by EFFY that you might like. https://www.evine.com/Product/168-821
My one peridot is a very pale green, you have to look close to see it has colour. My Dad's birthstone is Emerald, I wish I had been born in May!
Are there only a few mines for peridot in the world?
@RetiredAt63 Ah, I understand - a lack of color - no wonder you are underwhelmed.
To give you an idea:
Here is a current page with a variety of styles and price ranges - https://www.evine.com/search/?q=peridot+ring&icid=InternalSearch_Default_peridot+ring
You can tell there is a significant difference in the brilliance and the depth of color, a good Peridot is alive with color, add a specialty cut and you have eternal beauty.
BTW - Peridot is found in meteors as well - so it is indeed out of this world:) and it is never treated - it is simply cleaned and cut - a true gem:)
Yes, there are very few active Peridot mines in the world.
Jewelry folks, y'all obviously know stones and their provenance very well. If I were trying to ethically source stones (i.e. minimal environmental damage and acceptable working conditions), how would I check up on that? A friend of mine is super into crystals and she doesn't want to buy stones that are, well, horrible. She's not here for very expensive stones, more things like the various quartzes, but either way -- I have no idea where to look to help her.@diapasoun
(I can also take this over into Ask a Mustachian and not derail this thread.)
That question requires more expertise than I have, but I can tell you that there is a clear Quartz stone called Herkimer Diamond out of I believe NY state. The mine is owned and operated by a lady - a family business. HSN sometimes has their finished jewelry, but they sell other places and may have their own website.
I dare say they are an ethical outfit, and no one has stricter regulations for mines than the US and I believe Germany.
OK found it for ya, here is the website for the mine: https://www.herkimerdiamond.com/
She might be best off to look online for gemstone shows in her area or a gemstone society, both would offer better access and better prices and good information. They do vary greatly though and some only have beads where others specialize in minerals and specimen, but most have at least a small section for crystals - it's a start.
There is also a small village/family operation in Brazil that I am aware of that has the most awesome "untreated" quality amethysts - purple to die for:). I'll see if I can dig up the information and give you a link. There are lots of small mines in the US, sometimes just a man and his pic ax - you sort of find out as you get into gemstones:)
Post by: Rosy on April 27, 2018, 02:44:58 PM
Jewelry folks, y'all obviously know stones and their provenance very well. If I were trying to ethically source stones (i.e. minimal environmental damage and acceptable working conditions), how would I check up on that? A friend of mine is super into crystals and she doesn't want to buy stones that are, well, horrible. She's not here for very expensive stones, more things like the various quartzes, but either way -- I have no idea where to look to help her.
(I can also take this over into Ask a Mustachian and not derail this thread.)
For her purposes, would labcreated stones satisfy?
What country does she live in?
Oh please that is a dirty word for any gemstone lover - lab created:) Just for edification lab created means it is totally lab grown, not that they can't be pretty and they are cheap.
If you use them for healing or similar purposes you certainly want the real thing and preferably untreated. If you just want to hang a pretty glass bauble in the window - then ouch - lab created will do:)
There are also enhanced gemstones (about 95% of all gemstones are enhanced in some way or treated and/or have coatings).
Some quartz is treated - some are left natural. Amethyst, for instance, can be both. It might be heated or receive a coating, but of course, the best is untreated and it varies greatly in color - the best color is whatever you prefer:). But, you would want it at least eye clean, no inclusions floating around inside the stone.
Emeralds are oiled and are allowed inclusions, the best literally have none visible to the eye, and Rubies might be FF - fissure filled, they carve out the impurities and fill it with something like glass color. So if you see FF in the description it means fissure filled.
Burmese rubies are left totally natural - no treatment.....
Sorry lifejoy:) didn't mean to interfere.
Post by: diapasoun on April 27, 2018, 02:47:04 PM
Quote
That question requires more expertise than I have, but I can tell you that there is a clear Quartz stone called Herkimer Diamond out of I believe NY state. The mine is owned and operated by a lady - a family business. HSN sometimes has their finished jewelry, but they sell other places and may have their own website.
I dare say they are an ethical outfit, and no one has stricter regulations for mines than the US and I believe Germany.
She might be best off to look online for gemstone shows in her area or a gemstone society, both would offer better access and better prices and good information. They do vary greatly though and some only have beads where others specialize in minerals and specimen, but most have at least a small section for crystals - it's a start.
There is also a small village/family operation in Brazil that I am aware of that has the most awesome "untreated" quality amethysts - purple to die for:). I'll see if I can dig up the information and give you a link. There are lots of small mines in the US, sometimes just a man and his pic ax - you sort of find out as you get into gemstones:)
I guess I better stop derailing this thread, before I get in trouble:).
Herkimer diamonds! I grew up in NY and so have been to Herkimer. :) I can't believe I didn't think of them.
The gemstone shows + societies are a good idea. We definitely have those in this area. She's interested in most things that aren't already jewelry -- points, tumbled stones, and "raw" stones would probably all do well.
Keep yourself safe here ;) and thanks for the info!
For her purposes, would labcreated stones satisfy?
What country does she live in?
I believe they would, although I'm not 100%. She's also in the US -- west coast.
Post by: diapasoun on April 27, 2018, 02:54:16 PM
Oh please that is a dirty word for any gemstone lover - lab created:) Just for edification lab created means it is totally lab grown, not that they can't be pretty and they are cheap.
If you use them for healing or similar purposes you certainly want the real thing and preferably untreated. If you just want to hang a pretty glass bauble in the window - then ouch - lab created will do:)
There are also enhanced gemstones (about 95% of all gemstones are enhanced in some way or treated and/or have coatings).
Some quartz is treated - some are left natural. Amethyst, for instance, can be both. It might be heated or receive a coating, but of course, the best is untreated and it varies greatly in color - the best color is whatever you prefer:). But, you would want it at least eye clean, no inclusions floating around inside the stone.
Emeralds are oiled and are allowed inclusions, the best literally have none visible to the eye, and Rubies might be FF - fissure filled, they carve out the impurities and fill it with something like glass color. So if you see FF in the description it means fissure filled.
Burmese rubies are left totally natural - no treatment.....
Sorry lifejoy:) didn't mean to interfere.
The healing bit is why I'm not sure if she's okay with lab grown gems -- she's definitely using these for woo-woo purposes. ;) And since I don't know anything about woo-woo uses of stones, I have no clue if that would preclude it for her.
Post by: Rosy on April 27, 2018, 06:11:57 PM
I saw that the Herkimer Diamond which is a Quartz is supposed to have excellent healing powers because of the crystal structure which is different from other crystals. Have her do a google search.
My other friend has crystals that are bathed, ahem, I mean cleansed in the moonlight on a full moon ...:)
Yes, for healing stones they have to be as they came out of the earth - they can only be cleaned and cut. So Herkimer is apparently an excellent choice, maybe I should order some for my friend as a gift.
Although I know she used a black stone, not sure what kind, that thing literally whittled away and started having holes in it when she used it - definitely woo woo, how is that even possible?
She said you have to hold the stone in your hand and it will call out to you if it is the right one. I tried it and the one that called out to me turned out to be a bloodstone, that thing heated up in my hand like nobody's business.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on April 28, 2018, 07:21:51 AM
Post by: CrustyBadger on April 28, 2018, 02:42:09 PM
Post by: lifejoy on April 28, 2018, 04:02:09 PM
I know there are some places in the US where you can go gem digging. Maybe that would be possible?
Anyways I’m excited to dole out stars! This challenge has been going nearly 1/3 of a year!!!! Wooooot!
Ok if anyone has a suggestion for what kind of star should come next, comment with it :)
It has to be one we haven’t used yet.
Post by: chaskavitch on April 29, 2018, 11:18:42 AM
DH and I get "spontaneous" money each month - $100 for him, $75 for me (my other $25 goes to GiveWell).
Feb - spent $47.40 on the Crossfit Open and non-stick baking sheets that I use all the time
March - spent $10.17 on some unknown thing at Walmart (sad that I can't remember what it was - my budget line says "Walmart - stuff?")
April - spent $25.25 on a movie date with my sister and admission to a petting zoo farm when my parents came up to visit
That's ridiculous and amazing. I'm thinking a lot more about what I'm spending my money on, especially after I couldn't remember what I purchased at Walmart - obviously nothing life changing!
Now I just have to start keeping track of unnecessary grocery shopping (above and beyond the snacks I'm not buying). I bet I can cut out a LOT.
Post by: gaja on April 29, 2018, 12:58:19 PM
My baby’s birthstone is peridot! I have yet to find a peridot piece that tempts me.
Jewelry folks, y'all obviously know stones and their provenance very well. If I were trying to ethically source stones (i.e. minimal environmental damage and acceptable working conditions), how would I check up on that? A friend of mine is super into crystals and she doesn't want to buy stones that are, well, horrible. She's not here for very expensive stones, more things like the various quartzes, but either way -- I have no idea where to look to help her.
(I can also take this over into Ask a Mustachian and not derail this thread.)
On the north west coast of Norway, there is a large island consisting almost entirely of olivine. Peridot is the gem grade quality of olivine. They mine the olivine for industrial purposes, within Norwegian labour laws (way stricter than the US ones), and with very strict environmental standards (here is an article about an energy efficiency project: http://www.mynewsdesk.com/no/enova-sf/news/energiledelse-ga-store-besparelser-139102). There is a local visiting center, where you can search for your own peridots, or buy jewelry from the local goldsmith. https://www.visitnorway.no/listings/norsk-olivinsenter-(nos)/19230/
This is the queen's jewelry, made from Åheim peridot: http://www.buggeauthen.no/spesialarbeid/hkh-dronning-sonja-sitt-halskjede/
I'm doing quite well with my challenge. Every so often, I find myself in a book shop, perusing the stationary shelf. But so far, I have managed to walk away without buying anything. being part of this challenge does help.
Post by: Laura33 on April 29, 2018, 03:57:15 PM
I was also very very tempted today - I realized I am out of decaf green and wanted to replenish. But I realized I have three boxes of decaf black (which I don’t drink because I find it insipid). These boxes epitomize my gazingus pins, because I bought a box to make sure I had some for guests, and then over time bought two more because I wasn’t paying attention to what I already had. So as a matter of principle, I am making myself drink two of those before any decaf replacements are allowed.
But I still want my decaf green, dammit. So I am definitely looking forward to my star this month!!
Post by: Rosy on April 29, 2018, 06:49:03 PM
I have small hands too, but they've changed a lot due to arthritis-they broadened, ugh, I used to wear a size 7, now I wear a size 10, size nine on a good day and on one finger I can still wear a size eight.
gaja - Oh, I love that peridot necklace in gold - that stone does not look olive at all.
lifejoy - I feel a bit adrift going into May - we'll see.
CONGRATS to everyone who scored a gold star in April!!!
Post by: HappierAtHome on April 29, 2018, 07:01:50 PM
Post by: Serendip on April 29, 2018, 09:52:59 PM
Another star of any variety is appreciated @lifejoy
Post by: diapasoun on April 29, 2018, 10:39:09 PM
Post by: RetiredAt63 on April 30, 2018, 07:53:47 AM
I was "good" this month, avoided temptation, I earned a star.
Post by: I'm a red panda on April 30, 2018, 08:10:46 AM
But I have to admit, I'm really glad no one in this thread is posting pictures of beautiful nail polishes. Talk about temptation jewelry people.
Post by: Poundwise on April 30, 2018, 09:14:03 AM
I believe there's another thread for that, but I'm too lazy to find it right now. Aiming to finish some projects without buying anything. So my goal is to finish some knitting (maybe while waiting to pick up kids from activities) and yet not get more craft supplies. That is, decouple my satisfying craft hobbies from my unsatisfying shopping/hoarding hobby.
Post by: CrustyBadger on April 30, 2018, 05:38:20 PM
Post by: Rosy on May 01, 2018, 07:21:29 AM
I get a star for April!
But I have to admit, I'm really glad no one in this thread is posting pictures of beautiful nail polishes. Talk about temptation jewelry people.
Oh so true:), but we are working on a steely resolve:) or is a willowy approach better? ... lots of bending (the rules?:) but no final break down - steel snaps!, LOL.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on May 01, 2018, 09:15:03 AM
We've been to the library on average twice a week.
I may actually be making progress on making more mindful purchases :)
Post by: mspym on May 04, 2018, 02:23:29 AM
Post by: SquashingDebt on May 04, 2018, 04:56:25 AM
So, no buying new colorful pens (or any pens) until I actually run out. I think this will take at least through the end of the year, based on my current stash.
Post by: I'm a red panda on May 04, 2018, 07:19:02 AM
So now I'm trying to figure out if I go the rest of the year without polishing my nails (horrible!), polish without a base coat (bumpy, chippy, and stain my nails), or buy one and lose a star :(
Post by: Tris Prior on May 04, 2018, 09:04:03 AM
Except when I saw the socks with pictures of a goth/punk version of Rosie the Riveter giving the finger. I mean, seriously!! Didn't buy them though.
Post by: mspym on May 04, 2018, 07:01:30 PM
I ran out of base coat...
So now I'm trying to figure out if I go the rest of the year without polishing my nails (horrible!), polish without a base coat (bumpy, chippy, and stain my nails), or buy one and lose a star :(
Honestly? I wouldn't count this towards losing a star. It's like running out of laundry soap or umm bread. It's not a new tempting colour or sparkly thing. It's a precondition to using up what you already have. Of course, if you use this as an opportunity to grab multiple base coats or other colours then starloss away.
Post by: Poundwise on May 05, 2018, 10:18:39 AM
I ran out of base coat...
So now I'm trying to figure out if I go the rest of the year without polishing my nails (horrible!), polish without a base coat (bumpy, chippy, and stain my nails), or buy one and lose a star :(
See if you can find someone who will trade base coat for a bottle or two of a color you don't use?
Post by: Serendip on May 05, 2018, 12:03:39 PM
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on May 06, 2018, 03:30:53 PM
Post by: lifejoy on May 08, 2018, 03:22:25 PM
Caved right near the end because DH strongly suggested buying me a piece of jewellery for Mother’s Day. I am only human! Haha. Oh well. I’m staying strong on the clothing front.
But I do find it hard to find new enthusiasm to continue, now that the floodgates gave opened.
Post by: diapasoun on May 08, 2018, 03:25:25 PM
I’ve been dreading telling you all that I didn’t make it last month!
Caved right near the end because DH strongly suggested buying me a piece of jewellery for Mother’s Day. I am only human! Haha. Oh well. I’m staying strong on the clothing front.
But I do find it hard to find new enthusiasm to continue, now that the floodgates gave opened.
The floodgates have NOT opened. You found a small leak. You can patch this leak up.
Think of the many reasons you have to not buy jewelry -- saving money for other purposes; feeling mastery over your desires; enjoying the beautiful collection you already have; and so on and so on.
Post by: lifejoy on May 08, 2018, 04:31:45 PM
I’ve been dreading telling you all that I didn’t make it last month!
Caved right near the end because DH strongly suggested buying me a piece of jewellery for Mother’s Day. I am only human! Haha. Oh well. I’m staying strong on the clothing front.
But I do find it hard to find new enthusiasm to continue, now that the floodgates gave opened.
The floodgates have NOT opened. You found a small leak. You can patch this leak up.
Think of the many reasons you have to not buy jewelry -- saving money for other purposes; feeling mastery over your desires; enjoying the beautiful collection you already have; and so on and so on.
Thanks :)
I’ll divy our stars soon! I need to regroup.
Post by: Well Respected Man on May 08, 2018, 06:55:33 PM
I’ve been dreading telling you all that I didn’t make it last month!
Caved right near the end because DH strongly suggested buying me a piece of jewellery for Mother’s Day. I am only human! Haha. Oh well. I’m staying strong on the clothing front.
But I do find it hard to find new enthusiasm to continue, now that the floodgates gave opened.
The floodgates can be closed. After my slip in the middle of last month, I remained strong, including not loading a digital Doritos coupon to my loyalty card and buying Bud Light instead of expensive craft beer. So you have a whole new month, and a whole seven months after that. Think of damage containment instead of dam breaching. You are the dam, not an innocent fish getting washed downstream. Push the button to close those floodgates, and redirect the water through the turbines to generate power.
I'm looking forward to earning my first star this month.
Post by: Inkedup on May 08, 2018, 08:47:10 PM
I’ve been dreading telling you all that I didn’t make it last month!
Caved right near the end because DH strongly suggested buying me a piece of jewellery for Mother’s Day. I am only human! Haha. Oh well. I’m staying strong on the clothing front.
But I do find it hard to find new enthusiasm to continue, now that the floodgates gave opened.
One piece is not a floodgate! Onwards and upwards from here :)
Post by: Inkedup on May 08, 2018, 08:49:54 PM
When I said I had a LOT of tea, I meant it. As much as I'm drinking on a regular basis, the stash has only been moderately depleted. Geez.
Post by: chaskavitch on May 09, 2018, 06:49:57 AM
Post by: RetiredAt63 on May 09, 2018, 08:00:04 AM
We can do this, everyone!
Post by: Mezzie on May 09, 2018, 07:00:37 PM
Post by: HappierAtHome on May 09, 2018, 07:07:49 PM
I’ve been dreading telling you all that I didn’t make it last month!
Caved right near the end because DH strongly suggested buying me a piece of jewellery for Mother’s Day. I am only human! Haha. Oh well. I’m staying strong on the clothing front.
But I do find it hard to find new enthusiasm to continue, now that the floodgates gave opened.
How amazing would it be to make it through the rest of the year without caving (and having to confess it here!) again? Have you ever made it through a full year only buying one piece of jewellery before?
Post by: Rosy on May 10, 2018, 01:16:48 PM
I’ve been dreading telling you all that I didn’t make it last month!
Caved right near the end because DH strongly suggested buying me a piece of jewellery for Mother’s Day. I am only human! Haha. Oh well. I’m staying strong on the clothing front.
But I do find it hard to find new enthusiasm to continue, now that the floodgates gave opened.
@lifejoy - AHH, so we are truly gem geek sisters:) - I knew it! See, now we can hobble along together in May - staring down those pretty sparklies that managed to temporarily defeat us in April. We are in good company and it does help a bit to listen to all the supportive comments.
We can do this!
Regroup - we just lost a battle, but not the war:) - don't dwell on this one month of caving. Change strategy if we must! We had three good - no jewelry buying months already, that is something, right!?
It is already ten days into May - one third-victory:) - let's not give up now.
I'm not happy that I caved either, but hey - think about it, we already won three out of four months so let's make it four out of five! GAME ON!
If we were perfect we wouldn't be here struggling even though we know we are out of control:)
Progress report:
temptation never ceases:) and yes, like you, the moment I caved I was tempted to just keep going and buy whatever my little heart desired - which is more jewelry - which I do not need!
Dammit!
I do know now, why it is so hard for me to stop and it isn't something that I can make go away, I just have to accept it and find a way to live with it. The trouble is I don't trust myself yet to just change strategy and allow myself to buy something occasionally. I know what you mean about the floodgates have opened - well, we just have to see it as releasing pressure and capping the damned dam once again!:)
I am super busy with family/guest at the moment so I don't have time to look at jewelry which makes it easy to stay on track at least until Tuesday.
Post by: diapasoun on May 10, 2018, 04:00:07 PM
However, I thought about my star, and thought about how long it would take me to get around to this beautiful old book, and how impulse buying pretty things is not what my library should be about. And so I put it back, so that someone else could have it and enjoy it in their library.
Post by: HappierAtHome on May 10, 2018, 06:32:47 PM
Fellow gazingus-ers, I am happy to report that I resisted a real moment of temptation the other day, in part because I imagined how sad I would be to lose my star for May. I was in the bookstore (it's a local hangout for us -- I think I'm in there one day a week just to browse, and to catch up with friends who work there) and came across an old hardback volume by Kahlil Gibran. I love Gibran's work, and this was one I hadn't read in a cool old volume. It was under $10, and I thought "but, maybe this one?"
However, I thought about my star, and thought about how long it would take me to get around to this beautiful old book, and how impulse buying pretty things is not what my library should be about. And so I put it back, so that someone else could have it and enjoy it in their library.
Yay! Good on you!!
I too am very motivated by those stars :-P
Post by: lifejoy on May 10, 2018, 10:16:52 PM
The good, bad, and ugly:
DH offered me jewellery ($). I said no thanks.
He offered again, ($$$$), I said nope - jewellery challenge.
He offered again, for Mother's Day, ($$$$x4) and I said no thanks! Go me!
And then a week later, I said, ok YES. Because I am human and jewellery is my weakness and DH very seldom (if ever) wants to devote our shared monies to jewellery and I wanted to seize the opportunity while it was still there! And then DH said, oh - uhh, well that's a lot of money! Maybe we could just get something $$$$?
And so then I was upset, and we had discussions. Because I then felt like it was a disingenuous offer etc etc and who was he to tempt me anyways? Blah blah blah we eventually compromised with $$$$x2. So I chose something beautiful. I haven't received it yet, and I COULD return it, but I would lose probably around $300-500 due to shipping and duties fees. Probably not worth it. And FWIW the expenditure was a very small percentage of our income, we have savings, and it is for my first Mother's Day.
Other jewellery: my friend found that tiffany's bracelet for my bride friend - $125, pre-owned, worn only once, she was selling it because it was from her ex. The box and bag and bracelet were pristine! my friend even got it re-wrapped for me at Tiffany's! Why they were willing to do that, I'll never know. Anyways I'm pleased as punch to be giving my friend this bracelet (regular like $350+ tax) for an on-budget price (that's how much I wanted to spend on her shower gift) and given that my bride friend threw my bridal shower (Tiffany themed!) it's just the perfect gift. Yay!
Found a 10k gold ring for a different friend for $30 total (score!) for her 30th bday in the fall. We have a $30 budget set for each other for this bday, so that makes me happy.
Bought a ring I didn't have to (not great...) I think I will give it to a different bride friend for her shower - it is gold with aquamarine's so it could be her "something blue" and it was $20 so that's something I can live with. Giving it away will help me because part of this challenge for me is to stop accumulating!!!
I put a ring on layaway for myself. It was $300 and I *Love* it. It was a major break of my challenge and in part a result of the floodgates opening for a minute. It made me feel ok about SHOPPING and looking at places I normally don't.
How I'm going to plug the leak:
-focus on painting my nails instead of adorning them with rings! (Thanks Iowajes, I'm having trouble successfully responding our your PMs, I keep getting error message, but thank you so much for the nail polish shade ideas! I love them! And I'm really into the royals so Essie's ballet slipper pink interests me greatly).
-Strongly consider returning any rings I don't LOVE
-Focus on making it the rest of the year
-Celebrate the fact that I haven't bought any clothing this year. I have bought sunglasses, walking shoes, and a bridesmaid dress and bridesmaid shoes. All completely necessary purchases, as far as I'm concerned! And with the exception of the bridesmaid dress, none of them "clothing".
-I am also going to UNFOLLOW any jewellery accounts on my facebook and instagram (*cries*!). This is a big deal for me. Gah. Should be helpful though. And I will focus on unsubscribing from anything jewellery-related on all social media.
-Not read books about jewellery. The book "Brilliance and Fire" was AWESOME but way too "triggering".
Ok. Time to dole out stars. No star for me for May, but as for the rest of the year: bring it on!
Post by: lifejoy on May 10, 2018, 10:23:40 PM
I’ve been dreading telling you all that I didn’t make it last month!
Caved right near the end because DH strongly suggested buying me a piece of jewellery for Mother’s Day. I am only human! Haha. Oh well. I’m staying strong on the clothing front.
But I do find it hard to find new enthusiasm to continue, now that the floodgates gave opened.
How amazing would it be to make it through the rest of the year without caving (and having to confess it here!) again? Have you ever made it through a full year only buying one piece of jewellery before?
Oh, and, uhm, no. Haha I have been a jewellery lover for a long, long LOOOOOONG time. I even remember when my mom gave my sister and I (as kids) each a dollar to buy each other something from the dollar store. She bought me a pink snail-shaped squirt gun. I bought her stick-on earrings. LOL and definitely because they were what I would most want for myself!!
Part of me is considering making like some of the book people on here and limiting myself to one piece of jewellery a month ;)
But by the same token, I had a great chat with an old friend of mine (herself a jewellery lover) and she asked me if I had insurance. Nope. She doesn't either. We talked about the pros and cons and essentially I realized that it's kind of dumb of me to own a bunch of jewellery to have to worry about it or pay to insure it. So I may consider more pro-actively selling some stuff. I've had bites but it's been hard for me to meet sellers (due to new baby) but I can work on it.
@Rosy - do you have insurance? Do you worry about the cost of keeping such a great collection? And please feel free to stay mysterious, but you've twice vaguely mentioned being aware of your reasons for collecting jewellery - do you want to go into more detail? I'd be interested. For me, jewellery is inherently beautiful, it lasts longer than other things I like (clothes wear out, food gets eaten, etc etc), it is often meaningful, and I can pass it down the generations. It is also a status symbol and can be an expression of love. I think those last reasons explain why I crave jewellery when I'm feeling insecure. Do you go through anything like that?
Post by: lifejoy on May 10, 2018, 10:32:20 PM
#stayinghonest
Post by: lifejoy on May 10, 2018, 10:34:33 PM
Post by: lifejoy on May 10, 2018, 10:37:40 PM
I bought some pajamas and shoes for our toddler, and it seems to have scratched my clothes-buying itch for now. They were reasonably necessary - all he has are footed fleece jammies, which are very summer-inappropriate, and one pair of Keens that he wears ALL THE TIME. Now he has cute new (to us) dino jammies and some red sandals that he loves, and I still haven't bought myself any clothes, yay!
Do I owe you some stars? You only have two (including April).
Post by: lifejoy on May 10, 2018, 10:40:15 PM
I'm still on the wagon and, to be honest, have not really been that tempted.
Except when I saw the socks with pictures of a goth/punk version of Rosie the Riveter giving the finger. I mean, seriously!! Didn't buy them though.
I only have three stars for you (including April) - did I miss one?
Anyone else missing a star?
Post by: lifejoy on May 10, 2018, 10:41:34 PM
I've been following this thread all year and finally thought of my gazingus pin! Mine is fun, colorful pens. Luckily I'm not into any that are too fancy/expensive, but am always tempted to buy them even though I have about 30 already. I realized this on vacation last week (man does Germany have a lot of nice stationary stores all over the place!) and managed to think of this thread and resist buying any.
So, no buying new colorful pens (or any pens) until I actually run out. I think this will take at least through the end of the year, based on my current stash.
Added you! Are you also Mezzie or do you two just have a common gazingus pin? Glad you guys joined us!
Post by: lifejoy on May 10, 2018, 10:46:41 PM
Please take pity on me - I am a sleep-deprived new mom, and need your help! If I missed giving you a star, so sorry, please let it be known and I will get to it ASAP.
What a great cohort we have here. You guys are really great. I'm so inspired! Bring on the rest of May, the rest of 2018!
Post by: HappierAtHome on May 10, 2018, 10:59:32 PM
The good, bad, and ugly
I really admire how you're working through what went wrong and how you'll move forward. This is great stuff!
Post by: lifejoy on May 10, 2018, 11:03:02 PM
Thanks for my stars! I love the one you choose for AprilThe good, bad, and ugly
I really admire how you're working through what went wrong and how you'll move forward. This is great stuff!
Oh, and I should add that I made DH VERRRRRY aware about this challenge! I had casually mentioned it in the past but now he REALLY knows.
Thanks so much for your support <3
Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’m moving in the right direction. And 3.5 months is longer than I’ve lasted in a LONG time!
Post by: HappierAtHome on May 10, 2018, 11:28:45 PM
Post by: mspym on May 11, 2018, 03:53:32 AM
Rode home and mentioned I'd been looking at bags - keeping it honest- but that I was going to rotate through my current bag collection instead. Because if I can donate multiple items of a brand and STILL HAVE >1 of that brand in my collection, I don't need any more flipping bags. Even if I am really really good at scoring them for very little money. *sigh*
Lifejoy: please add bags to my list?
Post by: SquashingDebt on May 11, 2018, 05:00:40 AM
I've been following this thread all year and finally thought of my gazingus pin! Mine is fun, colorful pens. Luckily I'm not into any that are too fancy/expensive, but am always tempted to buy them even though I have about 30 already. I realized this on vacation last week (man does Germany have a lot of nice stationary stores all over the place!) and managed to think of this thread and resist buying any.
So, no buying new colorful pens (or any pens) until I actually run out. I think this will take at least through the end of the year, based on my current stash.
Added you! Are you also Mezzie or do you two just have a common gazingus pin? Glad you guys joined us!
@lifejoy Nope, just a common gazingus pin!
Post by: RetiredAt63 on May 11, 2018, 06:38:38 AM
Post by: mspym on May 11, 2018, 04:29:13 PM
[why yes, I *do* want a sticker, thank you :) ]
Post by: Poundwise on May 11, 2018, 09:07:52 PM
d'oh!
Post by: lifejoy on May 13, 2018, 11:55:07 PM
Post by: Laura33 on May 14, 2018, 12:06:08 PM
I returned a ring :)
Yayyyyy!!! You should give out partial stars for folks who succumb to temptation but then think better of it. Good job!
I am still drinking down my teas, but it's funny: I am almost done with the "meh" ones, but I still haven't touched the really nice ones (e.g., I have a few that you serve in a glass pot and that open into a flower as they steep). And I'm finding it really hard to force myself to do so -- my knee-jerk brain says it's just not a special-enough occasion! So I'm not quite sure what to do. Do I make myself finish those off as part of the challenge? Or do I say it's ok to keep a few special teas back?
I think the answer is that I make myself drink almost all of them -- that whole scarcity mindset is still strong, and I totally hoard things I think will be hard to replace (ask me about the bottle of 50-year-old balsamic that I got in Italy in 2011!). But I also don't want to get into a habit of drinking my really expensive teas just because they're there. So maybe I let myself keep one variety of "special" tea, just like I plan to let myself keep one variety of other categories, and I drink down all the rest.
Post by: lifejoy on May 14, 2018, 12:14:11 PM
I returned a ring :)
Yayyyyy!!! You should give out partial stars for folks who succumb to temptation but then think better of it. Good job!
I am still drinking down my teas, but it's funny: I am almost done with the "meh" ones, but I still haven't touched the really nice ones (e.g., I have a few that you serve in a glass pot and that open into a flower as they steep). And I'm finding it really hard to force myself to do so -- my knee-jerk brain says it's just not a special-enough occasion! So I'm not quite sure what to do. Do I make myself finish those off as part of the challenge? Or do I say it's ok to keep a few special teas back?
I think the answer is that I make myself drink almost all of them -- that whole scarcity mindset is still strong, and I totally hoard things I think will be hard to replace (ask me about the bottle of 50-year-old balsamic that I got in Italy in 2011!). But I also don't want to get into a habit of drinking my really expensive teas just because they're there. So maybe I let myself keep one variety of "special" tea, just like I plan to let myself keep one variety of other categories, and I drink down all the rest.
:) honourary imaginary stars for me!
Definitely drink the special-occasion tea. Save some if you want... but life is short! And you never know how short! Bring the little luxuries into your life without making them habitual :)
That’s my vote!
Post by: lifejoy on May 14, 2018, 12:16:05 PM
Btw - My friend bought me a pair of Theory pants at a rummage sale ($5!) because she knows about my challenge and thought I would like them. I love them! But I love them way way more than I normally would, because I can’t just go out and buy some.
Anyways, this challenge is enriching my life already!
Post by: diapasoun on May 14, 2018, 12:16:51 PM
Post by: I'm a red panda on May 14, 2018, 12:21:24 PM
Really, I need time to go to therapy and REALLY need time to sleep. But buying nail polish seems to give me a few seconds of happy. If I could just keep doing that non-stop....
Post by: Laura33 on May 14, 2018, 12:31:34 PM
@Laura33, would going an entire month without buying tea and getting another star be an acceptable occasion for your special teas? :)
Ooooohhhhhh, brilliant!!
Seriously, this is one of the areas in which I take delayed gratification well past any logical end point -- I mean, I have literally kept some imported pate my mom gave me in my pantry so long it went bad, you know? So I really do need to retrain myself to find reasons to enjoy the little special things like that.
Post by: Laura33 on May 14, 2018, 12:34:22 PM
I would really like to buy some nail polish. I've been really down lately and don't have time to do anything so I want to either buy or eat my feelings. I don't really want to be fat, so the buying thing seems to be the way to go.
Really, I need time to go to therapy and REALLY need time to sleep. But buying nail polish seems to give me a few seconds of happy. If I could just keep doing that non-stop....
I'm so sorry! But don't give in! Because you know exactly what happens: you have that second of happiness, and then you have the guilt hangover that leaves you feeling even worse! Can you find time to take a walk in some nice sunshine maybe? Find some other way to give yourself a little peace, even if it is only for a few minutes. Step outside, take some deep breaths, even do a sun salutation and stretch a bit. 5 minutes, I guarantee you will feel at least a teensy bit better.
Post by: I'm a red panda on May 14, 2018, 12:38:02 PM
I would really like to buy some nail polish. I've been really down lately and don't have time to do anything so I want to either buy or eat my feelings. I don't really want to be fat, so the buying thing seems to be the way to go.
Really, I need time to go to therapy and REALLY need time to sleep. But buying nail polish seems to give me a few seconds of happy. If I could just keep doing that non-stop....
I'm so sorry! But don't give in! Because you know exactly what happens: you have that second of happiness, and then you have the guilt hangover that leaves you feeling even worse! Can you find time to take a walk in some nice sunshine maybe? Find some other way to give yourself a little peace, even if it is only for a few minutes. Step outside, take some deep breaths, even do a sun salutation and stretch a bit. 5 minutes, I guarantee you will feel at least a teensy bit better.
Let me know if you find any sunshine.... it has been so dreary here.
Post by: lifejoy on May 14, 2018, 01:19:23 PM
I would really like to buy some nail polish. I've been really down lately and don't have time to do anything so I want to either buy or eat my feelings. I don't really want to be fat, so the buying thing seems to be the way to go.
Really, I need time to go to therapy and REALLY need time to sleep. But buying nail polish seems to give me a few seconds of happy. If I could just keep doing that non-stop....
I'm so sorry! But don't give in! Because you know exactly what happens: you have that second of happiness, and then you have the guilt hangover that leaves you feeling even worse! Can you find time to take a walk in some nice sunshine maybe? Find some other way to give yourself a little peace, even if it is only for a few minutes. Step outside, take some deep breaths, even do a sun salutation and stretch a bit. 5 minutes, I guarantee you will feel at least a teensy bit better.
Let me know if you find any sunshine.... it has been so dreary here.
Sending you a hug!
Would playing with your current polishes help? Making an inventory? Doing swatches? Mixing colours? Learning new techniques off YouTube? Calculating how much your current collection cost?
Sometimes listening to a really peppy song helps my day :) I’m currently enjoying french electronic music: Polo & Pan!
What were your original reasons for cutting back on nail polish buying? Buying a new one sounds like very fleeting happiness (I know the feeling well). Decades from now, it will serve you better to have found some extra free ideas on how to get that happiness surge :)
(Easier said than done!)
Anti-Gazingus-Pin-People - how do you stay strong? Let’s share tips and tricks!!! I’ll post mine this afternoon when I have a moment.
Post by: I'm a red panda on May 14, 2018, 01:22:35 PM
Cutting back, mostly because I have over 100 polishes and who really needs that?
Post by: lifejoy on May 14, 2018, 01:34:29 PM
@lifejoy thanks for the great ideas. I've actually been painting my nails every Thursday which is nice. I wish I had time to change the color daily.
Cutting back, mostly because I have over 100 polishes and who really needs that?
I’d say that sounds like a lifetime supply! Could you layer over your current polish? Or is that lame? Lol
I’ve seen cool stuff with a sponge. Myself, I’m painting over my grown-out shellac manicure. It looks good from far away ;)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180514/37fa6e5ad5bf3ba09c648826ac79123d.jpg)
Post by: lifejoy on May 14, 2018, 01:36:42 PM
Just curious - what is it about buying a new polish that feels good? The newness? Perception of filling a void in the collection?
Post by: I'm a red panda on May 14, 2018, 01:44:13 PM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xJSjYReQoMc
Just curious - what is it about buying a new polish that feels good? The newness? Perception of filling a void in the collection?
Buying stuff is fun. And it takes less time than DOING stuff.
I am SO bad at gradients. I have sponges and liquid latex to try it.
I do sometimes layer over what i have- I like stamping, so after a week of wear sometimes instead of painting fresh.
I like the colors on your nails. I've learned that a clean up brush and acetone go a long way towards making a home paint job look better. I also notice the really good swatchers leave a line around their cuticle, where yours "flood" it a bit. I'm not great at doing that though, I tend to flood the cuticle, but sometimes can clean it up alright.
Post by: lifejoy on May 14, 2018, 04:11:22 PM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xJSjYReQoMc
Just curious - what is it about buying a new polish that feels good? The newness? Perception of filling a void in the collection?
Buying stuff is fun. And it takes less time than DOING stuff.
I am SO bad at gradients. I have sponges and liquid latex to try it.
I do sometimes layer over what i have- I like stamping, so after a week of wear sometimes instead of painting fresh.
I like the colors on your nails. I've learned that a clean up brush and acetone go a long way towards making a home paint job look better. I also notice the really good swatchers leave a line around their cuticle, where yours "flood" it a bit. I'm not great at doing that though, I tend to flood the cuticle, but sometimes can clean it up alright.
You’re so right about leaving that line and not flooding!!!! When I was a girl my grandmother taught me that trick and I either forgot or got lazy or both, haha. Thanks for reminding me!
You could host a manicure party and make your girlfriends very pleased to be guinea pigs for you, haha.
I’m trying to make my hands look very pretty so I can focus on that change and appreciate the jewellery I have with my “new” hands modelling the rings lol
Post by: lifejoy on May 14, 2018, 04:15:07 PM
Things that help me resist my GPs:
-talking to friends about my goals
-posting in here
-watching Netflix
-doing chores
-having a shower or a bath
-baking
-planning ways to improve other people’s days (messages or care packages or whatever - thinking about others distracts me from my own “needs”)
-listening to audiobooks or podcasts about saving money
-taking photos or cataloguing the jewellery and clothing I own
-finding new ways to use those items
-selling clothes and jewellery I own - paring down my collection helps me appreciate the remaining stuff even more
-organizing my stuff in a new way
-reading about overcoming addictions
Ok people, share YOUR tips! :)
Post by: chaskavitch on May 15, 2018, 06:46:41 AM
I bought some pajamas and shoes for our toddler, and it seems to have scratched my clothes-buying itch for now. They were reasonably necessary - all he has are footed fleece jammies, which are very summer-inappropriate, and one pair of Keens that he wears ALL THE TIME. Now he has cute new (to us) dino jammies and some red sandals that he loves, and I still haven't bought myself any clothes, yay!
Do I owe you some stars? You only have two (including April).
Maybe? But honestly, probably not, because I've definitely bought chocolate/ice cream for myself at the store more than once. I'm doing really really well not buying clothes, and I'm honestly not even that tempted (other than wanting some ankle boots so I can wear leggings at work), but those dang chocolate covered almonds get me ever time. I'm re-committing, now that I've confessed, lol. Mostly because the sugar cravings are killing me.
ETA: Does anyone have any suggestions for where to reliably find secondhand shoes? I've found shoes occasionally at the ARC or Goodwill, but usually they're cheap Target shoes or something. I'm willing to eventually pay retail or sale price for really good boots, but I'd prefer to look at secondhand first.
Post by: lexde on May 15, 2018, 09:25:59 AM
Post by: RetiredAt63 on May 15, 2018, 09:57:28 AM
Avoidance. Avoidance. Avoidance.
Seriously, no window shopping, no on-line shopping, no looking at catalogues, nothing that will start up the "I WANT" part of my brain. And fibre is tactile, so definitely no touch.
Figure out ways to be successful at avoidance - stop catalogues or put in recycling immediately. Block on-line sites. Avoid places that carry the good stuff.
Enjoy what I already have - inventory. Play with it. Do things with it. I'm learning a new technique tomorrow.
What else in life do I want to do instead of focusing on the gazingus pin? Right now it is late spring/early summer so the gardens are calling - so giving in to gardening instead of yearning for the gazingus pin.
This is what usually works for me, YMMV.
Post by: diapasoun on May 15, 2018, 10:19:06 AM
It's also helpful for me that my gazingus pin is freely available for short periods of time from libraries. If I want to experience a particular new-to-me object, I can, and then I can give it back. A variant on this for someone else might be a swap (clothing swap, shoe swap, snack swap even?).
Post by: chaskavitch on May 15, 2018, 10:34:43 AM
The one thing I want to buy right now, short boots, is because I want to wear my leggings at work, but I work in a lab, so I have to have my feet covered. It's in the rules. Wearing ballet flats with socks tall enough to connect with my leggings looks...odd, we'll say. I have one pair of red velveteen short boots, which I should probably get rid of because I wear them maybe twice a year, and one pair of "cowboy" short boots. They're not incredibly comfortable, but I could wear those more often! I'm glad I'm writing this.
They might get me through, we'll see. It helps that I'm also committed to buying well-made, ethically made clothes/shoes if I can't buy secondhand. It will take me a while to find something that fits the bill AND meets my aesthetic desires.
Post by: I'm a red panda on May 15, 2018, 10:40:29 AM
I actually haven't bought fabric in awhile, but right now I have zero time to sew, so if I want to "enjoy" my hobby, the only way to do it is to shop for fabric.
(You might ask how I have time to shop. Well, I'm sitting up with a baby from 2 am to 4 am almost every night recently. My phone is the only thing I have. It's too late at night to concentrate on a book even if I wanted to use my Kindle app.)
Post by: Dicey on May 15, 2018, 12:39:48 PM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on May 15, 2018, 03:53:27 PM
I lost May already. The kids begged to go to the bookstore to spend their allowances and I got weak. I bought 2 books.
I justified this because
a) It was Mother's Day and this was my tangible present to me (the kids washed the car)
b) I didn't buy one last month
c) We're going through some stressful family things and books are my security blanket.
d) The bookstore actually made an effort to stock "African American romance" and shelve it with "regular" romance and I decided it was time to put my money where my mouth is and try one.
I put the third book back on the shelf and will buy it next month. That decision actually made the mild guilt go away. I was still purposeful, just not within star-earning guidelines.
I did throw away the Yankee Candle coupons.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on May 15, 2018, 05:58:28 PM
(You might ask how I have time to shop. Well, I'm sitting up with a baby from 2 am to 4 am almost every night recently. My phone is the only thing I have. It's too late at night to concentrate on a book even if I wanted to use my Kindle app.)
I remember those days. No smart phones, no temptation. Can you avoid the phone while you are up with baby? Seriously, the more you avoid, the easier it gets to avoid.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on May 15, 2018, 06:04:25 PM
Enjoying what I already have is a super helpful thing for me, and in particular approaching it as respect for a physical object -- easy to do with books, but I think it's possible for many objects. This is an object that cost resources and time, that represents the labor of authors and editors and production, and mindlessly acquiring it to leave it sitting unused and unappreciated feels so, so disrespectful to me. (Not a judgment on anyone else here -- just my approach to physical objects, which has helped a lot over the years.)
It's also helpful for me that my gazingus pin is freely available for short periods of time from libraries. If I want to experience a particular new-to-me object, I can, and then I can give it back. A variant on this for someone else might be a swap (clothing swap, shoe swap, snack swap even?).
If it were not for a good library at hand, my major gazingus pin would be books. I've hardly bought a book in years, but the 50 books a year challenge is not for me, I can do 50 books in half that time. I'm decluttering now to get my house ready for sale, and as I sort books (keep or donate) I am looking at just how much money I spent over the years. Ouch.
Enjoying what I already have is part of my avoidance of buying more - when I look at my stash, I can see it will take a few years to use most of it. It isn't meant to just sit there, it is meant to be enjoyed. So appreciating and enjoying what we already have, whether it is books, nail polish, jewellery, yarn, fleece, whatever, is part of learning to incorporate our gazingus pins in our lives in a meaningful way.
Post by: I'm a red panda on May 15, 2018, 06:13:12 PM
I worry I'd fall asleep on her... I don't know how people did this without phones!
(You might ask how I have time to shop. Well, I'm sitting up with a baby from 2 am to 4 am almost every night recently. My phone is the only thing I have. It's too late at night to concentrate on a book even if I wanted to use my Kindle app.)
I remember those days. No smart phones, no temptation. Can you avoid the phone while you are up with baby? Seriously, the more you avoid, the easier it gets to avoid.
I haven't bought any so far...
Post by: RetiredAt63 on May 16, 2018, 06:07:51 AM
I worry I'd fall asleep on her... I don't know how people did this without phones!
(You might ask how I have time to shop. Well, I'm sitting up with a baby from 2 am to 4 am almost every night recently. My phone is the only thing I have. It's too late at night to concentrate on a book even if I wanted to use my Kindle app.)
I remember those days. No smart phones, no temptation. Can you avoid the phone while you are up with baby? Seriously, the more you avoid, the easier it gets to avoid.
I haven't bought any so far...
Well if she was sick we were both wide awake. Middle of the night nursing we often both fell asleep. Big easy chair, she was well supported, when I woke up we had not moved. Plus even if we didn't fall asleep I was sleepy enough it was easy to get back to sleep once she was back in bed.
Post by: I'm a red panda on May 16, 2018, 07:23:18 AM
I worry I'd fall asleep on her... I don't know how people did this without phones!
(You might ask how I have time to shop. Well, I'm sitting up with a baby from 2 am to 4 am almost every night recently. My phone is the only thing I have. It's too late at night to concentrate on a book even if I wanted to use my Kindle app.)
I remember those days. No smart phones, no temptation. Can you avoid the phone while you are up with baby? Seriously, the more you avoid, the easier it gets to avoid.
I haven't bought any so far...
Well if she was sick we were both wide awake. Middle of the night nursing we often both fell asleep. Big easy chair, she was well supported, when I woke up we had not moved. Plus even if we didn't fall asleep I was sleepy enough it was easy to get back to sleep once she was back in bed.
I had the fear of God put in me about falling asleep with her on a couch or padded chair. So I only sit up with her in a rocker. Now I just worry if I fall asleep she'd rolling off the pillow and fall. I won't use my phone in MY bed because I have really bad insomnia and don't want to make it worse.
Collecting is just easier than doing.
Post by: Rosy on May 16, 2018, 01:14:31 PM
Chanting:) - silently in my head of course, “I am re-directing my money and it works - I see real $$$ lounging about where I want to see them stacking up - higher and higher”.
(You know that tune, that goes ... higher and higher:)
@lifejoy - wow, I'm impressed you returned a ring:) One step at a time!
1. You asked about insurance - you know the old saying, "If you can't afford to replace it you should insure it?"
At present, my most valuable pieces and one gemstone collection are in a safe deposit box and yes, I have photos, descriptions and invoices, including a chip of my inventory in my emergency folder in case we need to evacuate due to a hurricane.
The plan is to decide on some changes incl. insurance by March 2019.
2. Let me reiterate, I am dead serious about this challenge, my jewelry buying and gemstone collecting days are over for a variety of reasons. It's just that my lizard brain - look shiny - want!!! hasn't quite got the message yet.
It's downright painful to resist and it doesn't make me happy to say NO - but there is such a thing as discipline and common sense and knowing when enough is enough.
My lizard brain will, eventually, get the message - especially if I promise it the occasional earring down the line if it behaves now so I can reach my other goals in the meantime.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on May 17, 2018, 06:33:05 AM
I had the fear of God put in me about falling asleep with her on a couch or padded chair. So I only sit up with her in a rocker. Now I just worry if I fall asleep she'd rolling off the pillow and fall. I won't use my phone in MY bed because I have really bad insomnia and don't want to make it worse.
I know we are going OT but, why the worry about falling asleep on a couch or padded chair? Especially the padded chair. As I said, we were in an easy chair (padded, big fat arms) and could both fall asleep and we were so well supported (me by the chair, her by me and the pillow) that we never shifted. And it was so nice to get that sleep! Have the guidelines changed? Rockers are great for an unhappy baby, the rocking soothes them, but for middle-of-the-night nursing?
Post by: I'm a red panda on May 17, 2018, 06:49:35 AM
I had the fear of God put in me about falling asleep with her on a couch or padded chair. So I only sit up with her in a rocker. Now I just worry if I fall asleep she'd rolling off the pillow and fall. I won't use my phone in MY bed because I have really bad insomnia and don't want to make it worse.
I know we are going OT but, why the worry about falling asleep on a couch or padded chair? Especially the padded chair. As I said, we were in an easy chair (padded, big fat arms) and could both fall asleep and we were so well supported (me by the chair, her by me and the pillow) that we never shifted. And it was so nice to get that sleep! Have the guidelines changed? Rockers are great for an unhappy baby, the rocking soothes them, but for middle-of-the-night nursing?
I was told that a couch or cushy chair is one of the most dangerous places for a baby to sleep with parents because of the risk of suffocation.
If you do cosleep the recommendation is that it should only be on a firm bed, low to the floor, with no blankets or pillows.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/10/20/peds.2016-2938
I'll admit, I'm probably even more paranoid about SIDS and infant death because of the loss support groups I am in I know many many women whose otherwise healthy babies have died in their first year of life. Many after the "it's safe now" mark of 4-6 months.
Even at 13 months we don't let her use a blanket overnight, just at naps. (And I still nurse her in the rocking chair at night.)
Post by: Rosy on May 18, 2018, 02:16:45 PM
@lifejoy , babyjoy will one day treasure the jewelry that you got for your very first Mother's Day - in honor of her! The necklace and earrings I got for my first Mother's Day will go to my daughter one day. And if they don't appreciate them, well, fie on them.
I lost May already. The kids begged to go to the bookstore to spend their allowances and I got weak. I bought 2 books.
I justified this because
a) It was Mother's Day and this was my tangible present to me (the kids washed the car)
b) I didn't buy one last month
c) We're going through some stressful family things and books are my security blanket.
d) The bookstore actually made an effort to stock "African American romance" and shelve it with "regular" romance and I decided it was time to put my money where my mouth is and try one.
I put the third book back on the shelf and will buy it next month. That decision actually made the mild guilt go away. I was still purposeful, just not within star-earning guidelines.
I did throw away the Yankee Candle coupons.
@formerlydivorcedmom
You cracked me up:) LOL at all the great excuses, ahem, I mean perfectly good reasons:) - just teasing ya, but I was wondering how much of an impact overall this challenge has had on your book buying so far - two books versus five or ten in any given month? How many total for this year compared to last year?
... and I love the "still purposeful, just not within star-earning guidelines" explanation. It has merit, but I can't apply it, because it's a slippery slope for me.
I think overall this challenge is proving a success for most of us - maybe not a total win, but hey, baby steps!
I'm more of an all or nothing personality and so I don't intend to enter the "still purposeful, just not star-earning guidelines" territory yet, even though I slipped once, I plan to stick with "no purchases at all" for a while longer.
I'm hoping to make it through May, June to mid July, because I am giving myself carte blanche while on vacation through September, which may mean anything from no purchases to several. Jewelry and gemstones being what they are, I always consider my purchases well and I boosted my budget to include a jewelry purchase if that is what I want to do - depends entirely on what I come across, if anything.
Once I return in late Sep, I'll re-evaluate where I stand. Not really keen on allowing myself a piece of jewelry over the holidays either. To the contrary, I hope to be stronger and not feel deprived, but rather victorious and righteous in my refusal to give into temptation.
The whole idea is for me to stop collecting and accumulating and that is exactly what I intend to do.
Naturally, I may need to allow myself a book, a Macchiato and a piece of Key Lime pie to detract myself from all things shiny:)
We all have our price:)
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on May 18, 2018, 08:37:27 PM
I am an expert at justifying books and cake (it's way better than Key Lime pie, just saying).
I do not have a great grasp on how much I spent on books last year, because I hid most of the purchases in the grocery budget (bad me!), but I know I decluttered a couple hundred earlier this year. Generally, I bought at least 1 book a week,
In 4.5 months this year I've only bought 6 or 7 books for myself (and that includes an accidental cookbook purchase), and I've cut book spending for the children by about 50% (replaced by weekly library runs + their newly discovered willingness to spend their own money if mom doesn't offer). Yet I've still managed to read 78 books.
I would have to be dead to have a year with zero book purchases, and even that first year postmortem there will probably be a few Amazon preorders get filled. So this level of mindfulness is unusual for me, and I'm really pleased with how well this challenge is working - for me and for everyone else. By the end of the year I hope we will all have found a sustainable balance.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on May 19, 2018, 03:02:08 PM
As a "reality check", I just went in & added up all of our current gift card values. They are over $1K in total. Although, about $250 was a gift from work. But, that's still quite a bit of money to keep in our current budget & not spend.
Post by: Rosy on May 20, 2018, 11:06:19 AM
@Rosy , your budget will probably be much happier if you just indulge in books and not shiny pretty things. And when you finish reading them, you can let me borrow them ;)
I am an expert at justifying books and cake (it's way better than Key Lime pie, just saying).
I do not have a great grasp on how much I spent on books last year, because I hid most of the purchases in the grocery budget (bad me!), but I know I decluttered a couple hundred earlier this year. Generally, I bought at least 1 book a week,sometimesoften more if it was a bad a week/my favorite author had a new book/random author I'd never heard of had a new book/ooooo that book cover features a pretty dress. And that doesn't count the Half-Priced Books runs....because if it's used and half-off it obviously doesn't count. So....maybe 100 books purchased last year? Not counting the ones I bought the children.
In 4.5 months this year I've only bought 6 or 7 books for myself (and that includes an accidental cookbook purchase), and I've cut book spending for the children by about 50% (replaced by weekly library runs + their newly discovered willingness to spend their own money if mom doesn't offer). Yet I've still managed to read 78 books.
I would have to be dead to have a year with zero book purchases, and even that first year postmortem there will probably be a few Amazon preorders get filled. So this level of mindfulness is unusual for me, and I'm really pleased with how well this challenge is working - for me and for everyone else. By the end of the year I hope we will all have found a sustainable balance.
Congrats formerlydivorcedmom - that is truly an excellent result so far!:) only six or seven books, yay - super encouraging too!
True, a book addiction would be cheaper for me to bankroll than a jewelry gemstone addiction, but I already slayed that dragon:). I'm with you on the, "I would have to be dead", not to hang out at the bookstore or buy a book on occasion.
I read roughly 65 books so far this year - about 80% library, 10% used purchases, 10% new. Lately, I've re-discovered the joys of reading time travel books and I am catching up with my educational/money/ society/politics/economics/science reading.
Wish there was a book club for that, just to exchange views because I'm beginning to feel caught in the trap of only following one viewpoint ... never a good thing.
Ah, sustainable balance - that's my problem and I haven't solved it to my satisfaction yet. I'm wondering if there is such a thing as mindful addiction?:) JK Since this is my second attempt at slaying the jewelry collection beast I'm wary of the "sustainability" and I'm hoping that the longer I "keep the lid" on, the stronger I will be in 2019 - so I can end it all.
I find it greatly disturbing that I am struggling at all to curb this unwelcome jewelry addiction - somehow I did not realize when a harmless collection (that I've indulged in without ever going overboard my entire life) slipped into addiction mode. In retrospect, I do know when and why it crossed over into alarming levels, but unfortunately, that knowledge does not translate into successfully quitting cold turkey - tried that, stopped for several months then slowly allowed some purchases - and in no time at all, I was out of control - again.
@MaybeBabyMustache - saving twenty bucks on the gift card purchase would be a winner in my book and given that it was a planned purchase I think you did well.
Looking from the outside in - it doesn't sound like a slippery slope to me - but you know your own temptation levels best. Reign it in if it is the safer approach - the point is to win longterm and develop new habits.
Good going and good luck!
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on May 20, 2018, 12:12:28 PM
Post by: Rosy on May 21, 2018, 06:34:34 AM
@Rosy - today was a deal that fits within my parameters of acceptable. I travel all the time for work, and am able to expense Uber trips to/from the airport. My local grocery store had an offer where buying an Uber gift card earned a grocery store gift card. For fronting $300 of work trips (have a trip coming up on Saturday which will use about 1/2 of the Uber money), I earned $60 in grocery store gift cards. Free grocery money! My parameters around gift card purchases - I must have a plan to use/spend the gift card, and it must be an already budgeted/ planned expense. And, I now force myself to immediately log the spending. For example, if I buy a Subway gift card because it came with a freebie, I must the Subway spend on "dining out", even if it's not spent yet. I find that's the most helpful way to ensure I really want the deal/have the budget for it.
Yes, that makes total sense to me and I am impressed. It's almost like a little side gig that you are very good at - just imagine, you are actually not even working for that money, all you are doing is staying alert to deals that will benefit your budget.
I can see how this can quickly spin out of control if you do not set and abide by your own criteria.
Tricky business:) - keeping track and logging your spending is brilliant - it forces your attention towards the spending not just the good deal.
TEN MORE DAYS until our next gold star - hang in there - we can do this!
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 11:15:59 AM
Strategies?
Avoidance. Avoidance. Avoidance.
I need to get better at this! It sounds so obvious but it's hard to break habits. Especially when gazingus pins are a source of comfort. Even just looking at them can feel good.
I'm reading "Soulful Simplicity" and it's kind fo helping. I just finished the chapter about how sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, in order to have the life you want. YEP.
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 11:17:07 AM
Avoidance is definitely helping for my clothes buying, but I need to get better at meal planning so I don't go to the grocery store so often and see treats everywhere.
The one thing I want to buy right now, short boots, is because I want to wear my leggings at work, but I work in a lab, so I have to have my feet covered. It's in the rules. Wearing ballet flats with socks tall enough to connect with my leggings looks...odd, we'll say. I have one pair of red velveteen short boots, which I should probably get rid of because I wear them maybe twice a year, and one pair of "cowboy" short boots. They're not incredibly comfortable, but I could wear those more often! I'm glad I'm writing this.
They might get me through, we'll see. It helps that I'm also committed to buying well-made, ethically made clothes/shoes if I can't buy secondhand. It will take me a while to find something that fits the bill AND meets my aesthetic desires.
What I'm hearing from you is that you own two pairs of short boots, and they're not the exact kind you'd like to be rocking... but with some creativity you might be able to use and enjoy them! Do it! Way to think it out :)
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 11:18:14 AM
I think it is easy for me to avoid my gazingus pins when I have time. When I have time I do other things than shop. When time is the limited resource, and it is coupled with depression (but time limits my ability to get to therapy)- then I struggle.
I actually haven't bought fabric in awhile, but right now I have zero time to sew, so if I want to "enjoy" my hobby, the only way to do it is to shop for fabric.
(You might ask how I have time to shop. Well, I'm sitting up with a baby from 2 am to 4 am almost every night recently. My phone is the only thing I have. It's too late at night to concentrate on a book even if I wanted to use my Kindle app.)
What about an audiobook with (wireless?) headphones? Keep your mind stimulated? And like, a really easy to follow book? Or music?
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 11:21:41 AM
Hey @lifejoy, there you are! I've not seen much from you lately and was wondering how you are. I now see I just wasn't looking in the right place. Whew! I'm glad you're still around! I hope you and babyjoy are doing well and that there is more sleep for both of you these days.
Hi, Dicey! *Waves hello*! This is pretty much the only corner of MMM that I can manage to keep up with these days. A few factors:
- busy!!!! Babyjoy is 10 months old almost! And crawling like a fiend! Making food for her and me and DH and trying to sort of clean and then also stimulate her mind by taking her places (SOMETIMES) and then sometimes I nap when she naps... the days just fly by.
- spending too much money - sometimes I don't feel like I belong in the MMM world anymore because we are hemorrhaging money.
- tough times: I wish I had a job to go back to, I wish I knew where we were going to live (we have the city figured out, but we're renting a furnished home and I MISS MY STUFF and DH and I are so far apart from each other in terms of what kind of house we'd like to live in / buy).
So yeah. I'm all over the place! Nice to "see" you though.
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 11:22:55 AM
@lifejoy , babyjoy will one day treasure the jewelry that you got for your very first Mother's Day - in honor of her! The necklace and earrings I got for my first Mother's Day will go to my daughter one day. And if they don't appreciate them, well, fie on them.
I lost May already. The kids begged to go to the bookstore to spend their allowances and I got weak. I bought 2 books.
I justified this because
a) It was Mother's Day and this was my tangible present to me (the kids washed the car)
b) I didn't buy one last month
c) We're going through some stressful family things and books are my security blanket.
d) The bookstore actually made an effort to stock "African American romance" and shelve it with "regular" romance and I decided it was time to put my money where my mouth is and try one.
I put the third book back on the shelf and will buy it next month. That decision actually made the mild guilt go away. I was still purposeful, just not within star-earning guidelines.
I did throw away the Yankee Candle coupons.
Putting the third book back, and doing so consciously - that's really rad :)
Sorry about the stressful family stuff. I can relate to the comfort of a gazingus pin during a time of stress. Is it possible that gazingus pins aren't always bad??? I don't know. Maybe it's all in how they're purchased.
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 11:24:23 AM
I worry I'd fall asleep on her... I don't know how people did this without phones!
(You might ask how I have time to shop. Well, I'm sitting up with a baby from 2 am to 4 am almost every night recently. My phone is the only thing I have. It's too late at night to concentrate on a book even if I wanted to use my Kindle app.)
I remember those days. No smart phones, no temptation. Can you avoid the phone while you are up with baby? Seriously, the more you avoid, the easier it gets to avoid.
I haven't bought any so far...
Well if she was sick we were both wide awake. Middle of the night nursing we often both fell asleep. Big easy chair, she was well supported, when I woke up we had not moved. Plus even if we didn't fall asleep I was sleepy enough it was easy to get back to sleep once she was back in bed.
I had the fear of God put in me about falling asleep with her on a couch or padded chair. So I only sit up with her in a rocker. Now I just worry if I fall asleep she'd rolling off the pillow and fall. I won't use my phone in MY bed because I have really bad insomnia and don't want to make it worse.
Collecting is just easier than doing.
So true. And it's a nod to aspirational buying. I know how it goes!
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 11:27:00 AM
The one strategy that works the best for me is:
Chanting:) - silently in my head of course, “I am re-directing my money and it works - I see real $$$ lounging about where I want to see them stacking up - higher and higher”.
(You know that tune, that goes ... higher and higher:)
@lifejoy - wow, I'm impressed you returned a ring:) One step at a time!
1. You asked about insurance - you know the old saying, "If you can't afford to replace it you should insure it?"
At present, my most valuable pieces and one gemstone collection are in a safe deposit box and yes, I have photos, descriptions and invoices, including a chip of my inventory in my emergency folder in case we need to evacuate due to a hurricane.
The plan is to decide on some changes incl. insurance by March 2019.
2. Let me reiterate, I am dead serious about this challenge, my jewelry buying and gemstone collecting days are over for a variety of reasons. It's just that my lizard brain - look shiny - want!!! hasn't quite got the message yet.
It's downright painful to resist and it doesn't make me happy to say NO - but there is such a thing as discipline and common sense and knowing when enough is enough.
My lizard brain will, eventually, get the message - especially if I promise it the occasional earring down the line if it behaves now so I can reach my other goals in the meantime.
We can dooooo it!!!!!
How often do you wear your bling that lives in the safety deposit box?
I'm loosening up my gazingus pin rules and allowing myself jewellery-related purchases. Such as: appraisals, re-sizing, repairs, etc. It will (presumably) help me appreciate what I have instead of adding to the hoard.
For me, it doesn't really help to think about diverting the money elsewhere because a) it's my fun money, so it's not like I'm diverting it to retirement savings and b) there isn't really anything else I would rather buy. HILARIOUS but true!
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 11:29:46 AM
@lifejoy , babyjoy will one day treasure the jewelry that you got for your very first Mother's Day - in honor of her! The necklace and earrings I got for my first Mother's Day will go to my daughter one day. And if they don't appreciate them, well, fie on them.
I lost May already. The kids begged to go to the bookstore to spend their allowances and I got weak. I bought 2 books.
I justified this because
a) It was Mother's Day and this was my tangible present to me (the kids washed the car)
b) I didn't buy one last month
c) We're going through some stressful family things and books are my security blanket.
d) The bookstore actually made an effort to stock "African American romance" and shelve it with "regular" romance and I decided it was time to put my money where my mouth is and try one.
I put the third book back on the shelf and will buy it next month. That decision actually made the mild guilt go away. I was still purposeful, just not within star-earning guidelines.
I did throw away the Yankee Candle coupons.
@formerlydivorcedmom
You cracked me up:) LOL at all the great excuses, ahem, I mean perfectly good reasons:) - just teasing ya, but I was wondering how much of an impact overall this challenge has had on your book buying so far - two books versus five or ten in any given month? How many total for this year compared to last year?
... and I love the "still purposeful, just not within star-earning guidelines" explanation. It has merit, but I can't apply it, because it's a slippery slope for me.
I think overall this challenge is proving a success for most of us - maybe not a total win, but hey, baby steps!
I'm more of an all or nothing personality and so I don't intend to enter the "still purposeful, just not star-earning guidelines" territory yet, even though I slipped once, I plan to stick with "no purchases at all" for a while longer.
I'm hoping to make it through May, June to mid July, because I am giving myself carte blanche while on vacation through September, which may mean anything from no purchases to several. Jewelry and gemstones being what they are, I always consider my purchases well and I boosted my budget to include a jewelry purchase if that is what I want to do - depends entirely on what I come across, if anything.
Once I return in late Sep, I'll re-evaluate where I stand. Not really keen on allowing myself a piece of jewelry over the holidays either. To the contrary, I hope to be stronger and not feel deprived, but rather victorious and righteous in my refusal to give into temptation.
The whole idea is for me to stop collecting and accumulating and that is exactly what I intend to do.
Naturally, I may need to allow myself a book, a Macchiato and a piece of Key Lime pie to detract myself from all things shiny:)
We all have our price:)
Good observations, Rosy. I, too, am an all-or-nothing person (usually) so it's a major win for me to stay in this challenge despite my earlier slip-ups! May has been a messy month for me but I'm feeling good about June, July, August, September, and October. November will be tricky as it's my birthday and I REALLY want to get myself a piece of bling for my 30th. I mean, c'mon! 30 years! I guess I could wait for my 40th... we'll see.
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 11:31:30 AM
@Rosy , your budget will probably be much happier if you just indulge in books and not shiny pretty things. And when you finish reading them, you can let me borrow them ;)
I am an expert at justifying books and cake (it's way better than Key Lime pie, just saying).
I do not have a great grasp on how much I spent on books last year, because I hid most of the purchases in the grocery budget (bad me!), but I know I decluttered a couple hundred earlier this year. Generally, I bought at least 1 book a week,sometimesoften more if it was a bad a week/my favorite author had a new book/random author I'd never heard of had a new book/ooooo that book cover features a pretty dress. And that doesn't count the Half-Priced Books runs....because if it's used and half-off it obviously doesn't count. So....maybe 100 books purchased last year? Not counting the ones I bought the children.
In 4.5 months this year I've only bought 6 or 7 books for myself (and that includes an accidental cookbook purchase), and I've cut book spending for the children by about 50% (replaced by weekly library runs + their newly discovered willingness to spend their own money if mom doesn't offer). Yet I've still managed to read 78 books.
I would have to be dead to have a year with zero book purchases, and even that first year postmortem there will probably be a few Amazon preorders get filled. So this level of mindfulness is unusual for me, and I'm really pleased with how well this challenge is working - for me and for everyone else. By the end of the year I hope we will all have found a sustainable balance.
In some ways, controlled spending can be harder than a total cold turkey approach! To not slip down the slippery slope is TOUGH. Sounds like you've been doing really well :) and moving in the right direction!
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 11:40:47 AM
I don't think I confessed this, but I did buy a gift card in May. I bought a Starbucks coffee gift card that we will use for a road trip. I bought it because it came with a $25 Sephora gift card. Which, I sold, because I don't shop there. So, fail, but I was tempted to then buy something at Sephora, so I avoided that & at least made $20+ on the gift card. So, there's that. But, I could have waited until closer to the road trip & added the money at that time. However, it would have "cost" $20 more then. . . I can't decide if it was a good purchase or not, but it's clearly a slippery slope for me & I'm seeing the justification & realizing that again, I should stick to my plan of only buying gift cards for immediate use.
As a "reality check", I just went in & added up all of our current gift card values. They are over $1K in total. Although, about $250 was a gift from work. But, that's still quite a bit of money to keep in our current budget & not spend.
I would be afraid of losing the GCs! And also I've at least once in my life had a GC to a store that then went out of business and I never used it. What a waste!
Sounds like you did a good reality check :)
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 11:47:31 AM
GAH. I'm so STRESSED and just kind of dissatisfied! I'm a SAHM who wants to be at work but doesn't have a job and doesn't want to pay strangers to look after baby, and my parents are too far away to babysit on the regular... I'm stressed about house hunting, and I just feel like I have nothing going on. I used to work as a jeweller so shopping for jeweller feels like doing something and relates to my professional aspirations. Anyways I'm going to try and channel this energy into repairs and maintenance of my current collection, as a major goal of mine is to not add to the stash of bling, but to appreciate what I have.
On clothing, I've been doing GREAT. I have a weird and limited variety of socks and underwear, my bras are getting to be too big as my boobs are shrinking (10months postpartum). My nursing tops are also hilariously too big and look bad. I'm dealing with that by sometimes just wearing a regular top and then taking the whole thing off when I have to feed baby. I have a clothing swap to go to on June 2 so I'm staying strong. My daily outfits suck but it feels good to not be mindlessly acquiring more clothes. I even tried on some old work outfits that now fit and it felt awesome and they looked great. I had previously thought I would have to buy a whole new work wardrobe in 2019 but it turns out I'm going to have sufficient options! Hooray! Wish me luck that this clothing swap has some great new finds for me :)
Y'all are doing great, thanks for constantly inspiring me! <3
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on May 23, 2018, 01:11:34 PM
I was a miserable SAHM. I started working part-time from home when baby was 6 months old, and when she turned 9 months old I put her in day care and went back to work 30 hours a week. It saved my sanity. I was very very very very fortunate that I found a day care with wonderful people that was run well. My daughter (and then son) absolutely loved it there.
If you're truly committed to the SAHM life, are you making time to get out of the house and do stuff? And also to take time for you so that you aren't just "mommy" 24/7?
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on May 23, 2018, 01:20:36 PM
I don't think I confessed this, but I did buy a gift card in May. I bought a Starbucks coffee gift card that we will use for a road trip. I bought it because it came with a $25 Sephora gift card. Which, I sold, because I don't shop there. So, fail, but I was tempted to then buy something at Sephora, so I avoided that & at least made $20+ on the gift card. So, there's that. But, I could have waited until closer to the road trip & added the money at that time. However, it would have "cost" $20 more then. . . I can't decide if it was a good purchase or not, but it's clearly a slippery slope for me & I'm seeing the justification & realizing that again, I should stick to my plan of only buying gift cards for immediate use.
As a "reality check", I just went in & added up all of our current gift card values. They are over $1K in total. Although, about $250 was a gift from work. But, that's still quite a bit of money to keep in our current budget & not spend.
I would be afraid of losing the GCs! And also I've at least once in my life had a GC to a store that then went out of business and I never used it. What a waste!
Sounds like you did a good reality check :)
I keep any gift cards we use on a regular basis in my purse. Things like a spa gift card, I put aside & wait until I'm actually going. And, for Starbucks & the like, you can automatically upload the value straight to the app, so there's no actual gift card to lose. I don't buy gift cards to small/local places, for the reason you just described - too risky!
Post by: lifejoy on May 23, 2018, 04:46:28 PM
Good on you for still nursing, lifejoy! I wasn't able to do it past about 12 weeks.
I was a miserable SAHM. I started working part-time from home when baby was 6 months old, and when she turned 9 months old I put her in day care and went back to work 30 hours a week. It saved my sanity. I was very very very very fortunate that I found a day care with wonderful people that was run well. My daughter (and then son) absolutely loved it there.
If you're truly committed to the SAHM life, are you making time to get out of the house and do stuff? And also to take time for you so that you aren't just "mommy" 24/7?
Good to hear I'm not alone in nearly going mental as a SAHM with a baby! I love her to bits but I'm a total people person - the isolation can be hard. I get out and I do things but I miss work. And because we moved I don't have a job to go back to, so the uncertainty can be really hard at times. Maybe I could find some work I can do from home. That's not a bad idea! Now that we know we're staying in this city, I'm going to start researching daycares. One step at a time!
Post by: Rosy on May 24, 2018, 10:09:50 AM
Having a baby is life changing enough, but moving and still having your things in storage is unsettling, not to mention missing social interaction and work.
30th b-day - by all means, pull all the plugs - it will never come again. You have to celebrate every occasion in life, it is a milestone birthday and hell no, I wouldn't even entertain the thought of no jewelry for this birthday:)
I'm of the firm opinion that we do ourselves a huge disservice by not honoring every milestone, achievement, holiday or other feast-worthy events in our lives.
I once knew a young man about to turn 18 and his mom, his only immediate family, was not planning to honor the occasion. Difficult home situation. He was a bright young man with a promising future, a friend of my son's - so I decided to throw him a party.
He was killed 6 months later - run over on his bicycle on his way to work, the garbage truck driver never saw him.
It made me glad I gave him some joy when I could.
When my son was born we were military, my mom 5000 miles away and his 1000 miles away, way before internet and cell phones and facebook:) The week after he was born my husband was sent to maneuvers for two months. I felt so lonely and isolated and ill-prepared to take care of an infant all by myself.
I was happy to stay home with him for the first year of his life, I think if you can manage that, it is a wonderful gift. I was ready to go back to work too.
Finding a reliable babysitter proved incredibly difficult, by then we were stationed in Germany and DH was always on maneuvers.
Went thru 5 sitters before finding the perfect situation, we had just moved again and the landlord's mother agreed to take him along with her daughters baby - until I found someone reliable:). He stayed with her for three years, she loved him like her own.
He loved her almost more than me - one day when he was four, I yelled at him and he was upset with me - he left the apartment without me noticing immediately (three stories up) walked all the way across the field behind the building up to the road.
My heart stood still for a second - I caught up with him just in time.
He tried to shake off my hand and told me in no uncertain terms he was leaving to go to grandma's.
Rejected by your own - hurts. He said she was much nicer to him than I was, so he was going to live with her.
Sorry, if I derailed this thread too much - baby talk will do that:)
Post by: lifejoy on May 24, 2018, 04:07:01 PM
I will do *something* for my 30th. We shall see. Ready to be strong in June, for starters!
Post by: Poundwise on May 24, 2018, 08:06:19 PM
Quote
Good to hear I'm not alone in nearly going mental as a SAHM with a baby! I love her to bits but I'm a total people person - the isolation can be hard
My best solution to the isolation is to go outside. First, go for a walk with baby each and every day... you'll meet the dog walkers and the other parents with strollers. Then, once baby is old enough to start going stir crazy with you, you're off to the race! Take her to the playground, take her to gyms, meet other moms and set up a playgroup or babysitting swap if none exists already (I bet you would be very good at that, you've been so good at hosting our gazingus pin group!) Later on, there are other parents to meet through classes, schools, and sports.
Most of the friends I speak to on a daily basis were made through my kids... I'm much more social than I used to be on account of them!
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on May 25, 2018, 10:39:40 AM
My best solution to the isolation is to go outside. First, go for a walk with baby each and every day... you'll meet the dog walkers and the other parents with strollers. Then, once baby is old enough to start going stir crazy with you, you're off to the race! Take her to the playground, take her to gyms, meet other moms and set up a playgroup or babysitting swap if none exists already (I bet you would be very good at that, you've been so good at hosting our gazingus pin group!) Later on, there are other parents to meet through classes, schools, and sports.
Most of the friends I speak to on a daily basis were made through my kids... I'm much more social than I used to be on account of them!
Like Poundwise, my friends, for the most part, are moms I met after the kids were in school and/or former neighbors with kids close to their ages. Plus a few wives of my husband's friends and the occasional work colleague who became a true friend. If I had it to do over again, I would spend money to join mommy groups - our area has Strollercycles and other programs like that. Back then I was too introverted to make the first move to speak to people. Eventually, I decided I was too lonely not to, so one day when we were walking the neighborhood I saw another mom with a daughter the age of mine, introduced myself, and said "I think we ought to be friends." She was even more introverted than I was and was happy to be adopted.
It's a LOT of work to build a social circle in a new area with a baby. I spent a lot of money on my gazingus pins when I was home alone and bored. (see, I did tie it back to the topic!)
Post by: chaskavitch on May 27, 2018, 07:21:09 AM
Avoidance is definitely helping for my clothes buying, but I need to get better at meal planning so I don't go to the grocery store so often and see treats everywhere.
The one thing I want to buy right now, short boots, is because I want to wear my leggings at work, but I work in a lab, so I have to have my feet covered. It's in the rules. Wearing ballet flats with socks tall enough to connect with my leggings looks...odd, we'll say. I have one pair of red velveteen short boots, which I should probably get rid of because I wear them maybe twice a year, and one pair of "cowboy" short boots. They're not incredibly comfortable, but I could wear those more often! I'm glad I'm writing this.
They might get me through, we'll see. It helps that I'm also committed to buying well-made, ethically made clothes/shoes if I can't buy secondhand. It will take me a while to find something that fits the bill AND meets my aesthetic desires.
What I'm hearing from you is that you own two pairs of short boots, and they're not the exact kind you'd like to be rocking... but with some creativity you might be able to use and enjoy them! Do it! Way to think it out :)
That's exactly what I'm saying :) The only issue I ran into last week was that it's hard to bike in my faux-cowboy boots, and they didn't fit into my normal biking bag. Solution - wear an actual backpack next time!
Post by: lifejoy on May 29, 2018, 09:30:37 AM
Anyways almost June :)
Looking forward to giving out stars!!! You guys rock!
Still proud that I returned a $2k ring. Kept a $300 ring because returning it wasn’t going to be easy. Cancelled a $1000 gem purchase. I’m getting back on track.
Might give myself an April star because the $2k ring was bought then and I returned it, sooooo... yeah.
Post by: Cassie on May 29, 2018, 10:08:57 PM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on May 30, 2018, 07:46:50 AM
I guess that's why it is so much easier to get rid of things during the second or third or fourth round of purging - because less may also lead to less. Because the fewer items you have, the easier it is to determine if it truly has value to you.
An on another note, I made the very happy discovery yesterday that my library has started a paperback book exchange. I can bring in books I don't want anymore and trade them for other paperbacks. For free. This is going to be a huge help to me in keeping my book buying down. New-to-me books that can live in my house without increasing the size of my library or costing me money.
Post by: lifejoy on May 30, 2018, 12:36:21 PM
I like the "more leads to more" way of putting this. I'm sorting decades worth of family pictures right now, and I've noticed that the more pictures there are of a certain event (like Christmas 1982), the more of them I tend to keep. Not because they are great pictures, but because someone took the time to take So.Very.Many pictures so obviously they have value...but they don't. The more I have to sort through, the more I tend to keep because it's too draining to make so many decisions in a thoughtful way.
I guess that's why it is so much easier to get rid of things during the second or third or fourth round of purging - because less may also lead to less. Because the fewer items you have, the easier it is to determine if it truly has value to you.
An on another note, I made the very happy discovery yesterday that my library has started a paperback book exchange. I can bring in books I don't want anymore and trade them for other paperbacks. For free. This is going to be a huge help to me in keeping my book buying down. New-to-me books that can live in my house without increasing the size of my library or costing me money.
Wow so cool about the book exchange!
And yes - less leads to less. And also concentrates the appreciation for and of each item.
Post by: lifejoy on May 31, 2018, 12:10:36 AM
Avoidance is definitely helping for my clothes buying, but I need to get better at meal planning so I don't go to the grocery store so often and see treats everywhere.
The one thing I want to buy right now, short boots, is because I want to wear my leggings at work, but I work in a lab, so I have to have my feet covered. It's in the rules. Wearing ballet flats with socks tall enough to connect with my leggings looks...odd, we'll say. I have one pair of red velveteen short boots, which I should probably get rid of because I wear them maybe twice a year, and one pair of "cowboy" short boots. They're not incredibly comfortable, but I could wear those more often! I'm glad I'm writing this.
They might get me through, we'll see. It helps that I'm also committed to buying well-made, ethically made clothes/shoes if I can't buy secondhand. It will take me a while to find something that fits the bill AND meets my aesthetic desires.
What I'm hearing from you is that you own two pairs of short boots, and they're not the exact kind you'd like to be rocking... but with some creativity you might be able to use and enjoy them! Do it! Way to think it out :)
That's exactly what I'm saying :) The only issue I ran into last week was that it's hard to bike in my faux-cowboy boots, and they didn't fit into my normal biking bag. Solution - wear an actual backpack next time!
“I truly believe that doing more with your person style starts with loving (and reinventing) what you already have and buying less. - “Classic Style” by Kate Schelter
You’re doing it! :D
Post by: lifejoy on May 31, 2018, 12:11:11 AM
I think what got me over my jewelry problem especially rings was the realization that after awhile I would be tired of it and not wear it. Then I would tend to wear my favorites again. So now when I have a urge I cannot overcome I either buy reasonable diamonique or just costume jewelry under 100.
Perhaps something like that will be my ultimate end goal.
Post by: mspym on May 31, 2018, 12:49:18 AM
More leads to the feeling of A Collection which then has the illusion of completion but also further splintering of categories to create new holes that suddenly need filling. I am thinking of purging my bags because I have been using the same one or two bags for the last 6 months. It is probably time to get rid of all the bags I bought thinking this would be the One True Bag that would meet all my needs and obviously turned out not to be, because I'm not using it NOW. [old gazingus pins, man]
Post by: lifejoy on May 31, 2018, 06:59:53 AM
My goodness yes - "more leads to more"!
More leads to the feeling of A Collection which then has the illusion of completion but also further splintering of categories to create new holes that suddenly need filling. I am thinking of purging my bags because I have been using the same one or two bags for the last 6 months. It is probably time to get rid of all the bags I bought thinking this would be the One True Bag that would meet all my needs and obviously turned out not to be, because I'm not using it NOW. [old gazingus pins, man]
Oh yes. Your description of a collection is exactly my issue with jewelry. Less so with clothing because I’ve learned that I’ll never ever feel satisfied or “done” when it comes to clothes.
Post by: zeli2033 on May 31, 2018, 09:43:54 AM
Post by: I'm a red panda on May 31, 2018, 09:49:22 AM
Post by: diapasoun on May 31, 2018, 09:55:34 AM
Overall, it feels really good to not have my library growing so much, and to even have a few books leaving!
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on May 31, 2018, 12:04:44 PM
I'm happy that June is almost here so I can start again.
Post by: Rosy on May 31, 2018, 01:15:44 PM
I think what got me over my jewelry problem especially rings was the realization that after awhile I would be tired of it and not wear it. Then I would tend to wear my favorites again. So now when I have a urge I cannot overcome I either buy reasonable diamonique or just costume jewelry under 100.
Perhaps something like that will be my ultimate end goal.
The problem I have with that is that I'm not into costume jewelry or Diamonique, mostly because it turns black or green on me or the plating rubs off.
Picked up the cutest earrings on sale - black earlobes, ugh!
Over time I found that I spent on average ~$400 in a year for cheap jewelry, 80% of which had already turned black or the plating peeled off or I lost/broke one of the earrings.
Inevitably - I do spend around $50 every year around the holidays at Dillard's costume jewelry counter, but even their stuff turns black on me or rubs off. So I am not totally immune, but I do sigh when I see another piece turned black and money thrown out the window.
I have a friend who claims to be allergic to silver so hubby will buy her gold instead:) - not a bad idea, n'est pas?:)
Post by: lifejoy on May 31, 2018, 01:28:48 PM
Haha ok maybe not LITERALLY...
Post by: Serendip on May 31, 2018, 01:54:49 PM
My SO had a book launch and I wanted to pick up a copy for my parents as well as support the local bookstore who set up a table.
The book isn't for me, but it surprised me that I totally forgot I wasn't supposed to be buying anything!
Post by: middo on June 01, 2018, 02:24:33 AM
Post by: RetiredAt63 on June 01, 2018, 05:56:00 AM
Costume jewellery earrings are out for me, my earlobes swell. And then I can't wear any earrings (holes are blocked by the swelling). I'm not tempted to buy more because the ones I see in the stores are not as nice/interesting as the ones I already have.
Post by: Rosy on June 01, 2018, 11:01:02 AM
I accidently bought a book last week (seriously) :)
My SO had a book launch and I wanted to pick up a copy for my parents as well as support the local bookstore who set up a table.
The book isn't for me, but it surprised me that I totally forgot I wasn't supposed to be buying anything!
Too funny Serendip:) - mindless spending override - temporarily disengaged, happens to me all the time:)
Post by: Poundwise on June 01, 2018, 11:40:18 AM
I get a star for May - temptations resisted. And there were temptations. ;-(
Great job!! and great job to you too, middo!
As for me-- no star! I fell early in the month, and yesterday while buying some lovely and much-needed summer skirts for myself, I also bought a "mystery gift" which will probably be... yarn.
Post by: Rosy on June 01, 2018, 01:26:42 PM
This will sound weird, but I had a breakthrough, I'm done. Not quite sure how to explain it and not sure whether I should drop out of the challenge or continue.
The breakthrough.
I realized that the constant painful examination as to why I'm having such a hard time with this gemstone/jewelry collection/obsession - irrational overspending which makes no sense, has helped me discover the why that I'd rather not expose to the sunlight.
Admitting - means dealing with and I've struggled with that for a couple of months already.
You touched on many things in these past months.
Ultimately for me, the dark side is money and status and the inability to make peace with what is.
It doesn't matter that I love gemstones or that I've loved jewelry since I was four and had my ears pierced for my first gold earrings.
The question is/was why did this turn into an obsession after over fifty years of only occasionally acquiring a piece here and there?
This obsession started during a time of depression, which came with the immune disorder which forced me into early semi-retirement.
There is also a component of failing to come to terms with some bitter truths in my life.
My family was wealthy and lost it all, the proverbial poor relations. The ups and downs in my own life were extreme and led to extreme consequences.
So what is one to do when one is out of time and energy to fix things? Well, fix your perspective for one thing and that is where MMM, in general, has been beyond helpful, it opened my eyes in a way that has worked wonders in many areas of my life.
But this craving for jewelry/gemstones would not go away no matter what, it was detrimental to my financial health and interfered with my goals and still I continued with my obsession. I hated myself for being so weak.
In any case, there has been a shift, something clicked and I feel free - relief.
This messy ball of life experiences is resolved to the point, that meh, I'm good.
Time to move forward.
Oh and no star, because I pulled my "potentially allowed pre-planned gemstone purchase" list and bought several pieces at auction. The list has been dramatically reduced to three items and I'm in no hurry to buy anything else anytime soon - maybe I'll just throw my list away.
I will not include a gemstone/jewelry budget in my upcoming trip either - no need.
Obsession over, no burning desires - rational thought has returned.
I am so done - I know it in my bones - thank you everyone, and especially you lifejoy for your thoughts and comments and support.
This has been a long journey, about five years and it was never about the jewelry.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on June 01, 2018, 07:18:01 PM
I am so done - I know it in my bones - thank you everyone, and especially you lifejoy for your thoughts and comments and support.
This has been a long journey, about five years and it was never about the jewelry.
That is so insightful, and I am glad you have reached this place.
I would bet that for most of us on this thread, it was never about the gazingus pin.
Post by: mspym on June 01, 2018, 11:43:04 PM
Post by: diapasoun on June 02, 2018, 03:38:20 AM
I am so done - I know it in my bones - thank you everyone, and especially you lifejoy for your thoughts and comments and support.
This has been a long journey, about five years and it was never about the jewelry.
That is so insightful, and I am glad you have reached this place.
I would bet that for most of us on this thread, it was never about the gazingus pin.
Agreed. Gazingus pins are so rarely about the gazingus pin.
Congrats on this breakthrough, Rosy.
Post by: Serendip on June 02, 2018, 04:12:37 PM
Post by: lifejoy on June 03, 2018, 05:28:55 PM
@Rosy - thank you so much for being so real and so vulnerable with us. It sounds like you’ve gotten a lot out of this challenge! I’d encourage you to hang around if you want to :)!
Given the similarities of our obsessions/passions I really appreciate all of your introspection. I’m still trying to figure out exactly what my goals are. If I’m a collector, what’s the point? And when does it end? And if I’m not... honestly, I struggle with the idea of “fun money” unspent. Should I find something else to spend on, the elicits more happiness? (Like spending on others, or charity etc). Or maybe I should just chill and stop spending any of it?
So many questions. I’m glad you’re finding some answers, @Rosy.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on June 03, 2018, 06:14:31 PM
. honestly, I struggle with the idea of “fun money” unspent.
Random thoughts about your fun money. Is it too much? Is it too little for what you might really want and it is worth while to save it up? Or spend it on other things? What things bring you joy that you are not spending your fun money on?
Post by: lifejoy on June 03, 2018, 08:28:18 PM
. honestly, I struggle with the idea of “fun money” unspent.
Random thoughts about your fun money. Is it too much? Is it too little for what you might really want and it is worth while to save it up? Or spend it on other things? What things bring you joy that you are not spending your fun money on?
I love things that are free: library books, parks, talking to friends, tea parties at home. I used to like buying clothes but now with this challenge, I’m finding I don’t miss that at all. I like baking but that comes out of grocery budget. I like buying bling! I honestly don’t NEED anything.
Hmm. Maybe my fun money IS too much. But DH gets the same amount because he likes to buy his lunch. Hmm. You’re giving me something to think about! But yeah, in general, jewellery is the main thing I like to spend my fun money on. I get $250/month for eating out, shopping, and anything that only benefits me and no one else in our family.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: chaskavitch on June 04, 2018, 06:25:48 AM
. honestly, I struggle with the idea of “fun money” unspent.
Random thoughts about your fun money. Is it too much? Is it too little for what you might really want and it is worth while to save it up? Or spend it on other things? What things bring you joy that you are not spending your fun money on?
I love things that are free: library books, parks, talking to friends, tea parties at home. I used to like buying clothes but now with this challenge, I’m finding I don’t miss that at all. I like baking but that comes out of grocery budget. I like buying bling! I honestly don’t NEED anything.
Hmm. Maybe my fun money IS too much. But DH gets the same amount because he likes to buy his lunch. Hmm. You’re giving me something to think about! But yeah, in general, jewellery is the main thing I like to spend my fun money on. I get $250/month for eating out, shopping, and anything that only benefits me and no one else in our family.
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I love free things too! That's kind of how I'm feeling about my fun money as well, though. DH spends all his fun money, his lunch money, his alcohol money, and then some, and I'm over here spending maybe half of my fun money because now I don't go to Target or Goodwill anymore.
I have gotten a surprising number of free clothes this year, between a clothes swap and my SIL having a bunch of clothes that "aren't her style anymore" I got to pick through. I need to go through my closet tonight and get rid of a few more things to balance it out.
Post by: Laura33 on June 04, 2018, 07:26:34 AM
@lifejoy -- spending just because you have money? That seems counterproductive, doesn't it? Almost quintessentially non-Mustachian? Why not try extra savings or extra charity, rather than extra "things" that you don't need, and see if that makes you happy? FWIW, I am in a similar place with my DH -- we both get fun money every month, because he likes to buy lots of crap, and I needed to not harp all over him about every unnecessary dime. So I just save mine. And now I have over $50K invested, just from that -- no, I am not making that up. And I guarantee that that little pot of money satisfies me more than any tchotchke I could have bought with it. I use it for big splurgy things that I would feel guilty charging to the regular budget, like a week in England one-on-one with my mom. But mostly it just sits there and smiles at me. ;-) Would having a nice 'stache of your very own be more satisfying long-term than a stream of little pieces of jewelry that you don't wear?
I get a May star! And I feel like I should already be awarded a star for June. We were in NYC this weekend (niece's HS grad trip), and we went through this market, and there was this shop with All The Teas, just all laid out in baskets. Boy, my brain went screaming through looking for some excuse to buy -- well, I'm almost completely out of regular black tea, wait, maybe they have the white peach I can't find anymore, oooh, look, silver needle, there's some great looking jasmine! But I walked away.* I did salve my brain by buying a glass of fresh-brewed iced tea from there, but I figure that was ok because I had just said to my SIL that I *really* needed to find a glass of tea to stave off a caffeine headache.
*Ok, I did give myself permission to buy the white peach, because I can't find it anywhere, but they didn't have it either.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on June 04, 2018, 08:26:47 AM
@Rosy , please stick around and chat with us. You're the first to have truly "won" the challenge by identifying and confronting your secret voice. We could use your continued wisdom!
I hit my own personal epiphany this weekend with candles. We threw a big party this weekend, which necessitated two very long days of spring cleaning (there would have been a third decluttering day, but the children mutinied). In the last nine months, I've given away probably 25% of all of our stuff....yet we still have SO MUCH. As we worked to find homes for the random stuff, I realized...I don't want my candles anymore. Candles are aspirational for me. I want to have the perfectly decorated house with the tasteful tchotchkes and perfect candles (that always burn evenly) set out. I want people to come into my house and ooo and aaah over how pretty it is and how I'm able to keep on top of all of it.
HA! I will never ever ever live in a magazine-worthy house. That is not who we are. We are people who schedule parties in part because it gives us a deadline to clean the house. We are people whose idea of a totally awesome party is cramming 50 people into the house to play board games and eat finger food and chase friends' toddlers around. In that kind of party, the breakables and candles, etc have to be put away so that toddlers can't reach them and so they aren't in the way of the games.
We got a lot of compliments for the fact that our home was sparkling clean and pretty empty. So my goal for this week is to pack up all of the candles and drive them to Goodwill to get them out of the house. I can keep the 3 that are half-melted and maybe 2 more as backups. And after that, NO MORE buying pretty/sweet-smelling candles just to have. I can only buy one to replace another that is burned down, and only if I actually plan to light it. I doubt I'll "need" to buy another for a few years.
Woohoo for working out [some of my] issues :)
Post by: Laura33 on June 04, 2018, 08:44:46 AM
We are people who schedule parties in part because it gives us a deadline to clean the house. We are people whose idea of a totally awesome party is cramming 50 people into the house to play board games and eat finger food and chase friends' toddlers around.
You are my kind of people. Please invite me, and I will bring both delicious food (I am a good cook!) and a teenage babysitter. :-)
Post by: Tris Prior on June 04, 2018, 08:54:21 AM
Post by: RetiredAt63 on June 04, 2018, 09:02:21 AM
I hit my own personal epiphany this weekend with candles.
Oh, candles. And the perfectly decorated house. Never will be me. First there was the cat and dog hair all over. Plus the books. And the knitting. And the plants. And in late winter/early spring there are all the seedlings for the garden. And the whatever.
I do have several nice scented candles in glass jars. Not for every day, though, they are for a special occasion. The special occasion is a power failure, I would rather light a nice candle that is safe in its own jar than the emergency candles that smell disgusting and are not safely ensconced in a jar or holder. And yes we do have the occasional power failure and yes I do use them for that. I know exactly where they are and the matches are with them.
Post by: Rosy on June 04, 2018, 11:27:44 AM
“...and it was never about the jewellery.”
@Rosy - thank you so much for being so real and so vulnerable with us. It sounds like you’ve gotten a lot out of this challenge! I’d encourage you to hang around if you want to :)!
Given the similarities of our obsessions/passions I really appreciate all of your introspection. I’m still trying to figure out exactly what my goals are. If I’m a collector, what’s the point? And when does it end? And if I’m not... honestly, I struggle with the idea of “fun money” unspent. Should I find something else to spend on, the elicits more happiness? (Like spending on others, or charity etc). Or maybe I should just chill and stop spending any of it?
So many questions. I’m glad you’re finding some answers, @Rosy.
@lifejoy - thank you for always finding the right words - yes to all of it:). Besides, I'd like to hang around just to see how everyone is doing and in particular where you will be emotionally at the end of this year.
Quote
If I’m a collector, what’s the point? And when does it end? And if I’m not...
I've asked myself the same questions:) - we may be sisters in spirit:) I never wanted to become a collector in the sense that the word implies. I had limits and perimeters and criteria from the beginning which I changed along the way as I learned more.
The difference in obsessive collecting is that you ignore both common sense and financial reality, because you've lost your inner equilibrium and you hope by aquiring X it will make up for whatever is truly bothering you.
Jewelry is a luxury - it isn't essential - it isn't necessary for survival and when you think about it @lifejoy - "If even for a milli-second your purchase would impact babyjoy, I bet you would instantly drop that ring or close that screen".
Purchases are in the here and now - but first comes financial security, the college fund, NW goals... It takes time to reach the end game and if you keep weakening your position along the way - it will take a lot longer or worse yet, potentially leave you vulnerable financially.
We are on MMM, because we do still have goals to reach or we need a bit of motivation and commiseration, a better plan or just plain get our sh$t together.
Tackling issues like a gazingus pin is a huge bonus.
Back to your point about collecting and what it means or where it ends. It ends when you say, "I used to collect":)
This isn't an exercise in willpower, but rather an honest assessment of what brought us to this point in our lives, so we can make a course correction. Lifejoy, in your case it may be nothing more than the baby blues or a resentment to do with the effects of all the life-changing upheaval you currently have to deal with. ("nothing more than" is easy for me to say, but incredibly tough to deal with, I get that)
I have no doubt that in the end you've got this - you've already done a lot to put on the brakes, kudos! - soon you'll come to a complete stop:)
It doesn't mean you'll never buy another piece of bling, it just means that you will be lightyears ahead of all the people who buy mindlessly. For now, just hang in there, you will gain clarity when you allow yourself to face the truth.
Post by: lifejoy on June 04, 2018, 12:25:49 PM
Haha well I can’t use babyjoy as an excuse for the collecting (it was a part of my life long before she was) or for stopping (I see the collection as good for her- to inherit, or to pawn if times are tough).
Harder to sell candles or books or jeans or dinners out, once consumed!
Btw fun fact: I used to collect candles LOL! My closet was full of them. Talk about literally burning up your money...
I’m reading a good (library) book. It applies. I’ll give out stars very soon! Just got a bit busy with life but should have a moment today or tomorrow.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180604/6acc95cef357424b1152ad2e3156a3e3.jpg)
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on June 04, 2018, 12:58:10 PM
We are people who schedule parties in part because it gives us a deadline to clean the house. We are people whose idea of a totally awesome party is cramming 50 people into the house to play board games and eat finger food and chase friends' toddlers around.
You are my kind of people. Please invite me, and I will bring both delicious food (I am a good cook!) and a teenage babysitter. :-)
Come down to Texas and we'll throw a party for you :) I paid my daughter and her best friend to wrangle the under-6 crowd, but they can always use some help.
Post by: lifejoy on June 04, 2018, 01:16:50 PM
@Laura33 , great work resisting when confronted with your own personal temptation heaven!
@Rosy , please stick around and chat with us. You're the first to have truly "won" the challenge by identifying and confronting your secret voice. We could use your continued wisdom!
I hit my own personal epiphany this weekend with candles. We threw a big party this weekend, which necessitated two very long days of spring cleaning (there would have been a third decluttering day, but the children mutinied). In the last nine months, I've given away probably 25% of all of our stuff....yet we still have SO MUCH. As we worked to find homes for the random stuff, I realized...I don't want my candles anymore. Candles are aspirational for me. I want to have the perfectly decorated house with the tasteful tchotchkes and perfect candles (that always burn evenly) set out. I want people to come into my house and ooo and aaah over how pretty it is and how I'm able to keep on top of all of it.
HA! I will never ever ever live in a magazine-worthy house. That is not who we are. We are people who schedule parties in part because it gives us a deadline to clean the house. We are people whose idea of a totally awesome party is cramming 50 people into the house to play board games and eat finger food and chase friends' toddlers around. In that kind of party, the breakables and candles, etc have to be put away so that toddlers can't reach them and so they aren't in the way of the games.
We got a lot of compliments for the fact that our home was sparkling clean and pretty empty. So my goal for this week is to pack up all of the candles and drive them to Goodwill to get them out of the house. I can keep the 3 that are half-melted and maybe 2 more as backups. And after that, NO MORE buying pretty/sweet-smelling candles just to have. I can only buy one to replace another that is burned down, and only if I actually plan to light it. I doubt I'll "need" to buy another for a few years.
Woohoo for working out [some of my] issues :)
I love all of this.
“We can be shiny and admired, or real and loved.” - Courtney carver
I think your house sounds very real and full of warmth! No need for candles, indeed.
Thanks for sharing all of these observations!!!
You guys are helping me think. Do I want to give my daughter heirlooms, or space? Bling, or tidiness (lack of hoarding)? Money tied up in jewellery, or money tied up in stocks? Heh.
Hmmmmmmmmmm
Lots to think about.
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Post by: lifejoy on June 04, 2018, 01:17:55 PM
@Rosy -- congrats on the breakthrough!
@lifejoy -- spending just because you have money? That seems counterproductive, doesn't it? Almost quintessentially non-Mustachian? Why not try extra savings or extra charity, rather than extra "things" that you don't need, and see if that makes you happy? FWIW, I am in a similar place with my DH -- we both get fun money every month, because he likes to buy lots of crap, and I needed to not harp all over him about every unnecessary dime. So I just save mine. And now I have over $50K invested, just from that -- no, I am not making that up. And I guarantee that that little pot of money satisfies me more than any tchotchke I could have bought with it. I use it for big splurgy things that I would feel guilty charging to the regular budget, like a week in England one-on-one with my mom. But mostly it just sits there and smiles at me. ;-) Would having a nice 'stache of your very own be more satisfying long-term than a stream of little pieces of jewelry that you don't wear?
I get a May star! And I feel like I should already be awarded a star for June. We were in NYC this weekend (niece's HS grad trip), and we went through this market, and there was this shop with All The Teas, just all laid out in baskets. Boy, my brain went screaming through looking for some excuse to buy -- well, I'm almost completely out of regular black tea, wait, maybe they have the white peach I can't find anymore, oooh, look, silver needle, there's some great looking jasmine! But I walked away.* I did salve my brain by buying a glass of fresh-brewed iced tea from there, but I figure that was ok because I had just said to my SIL that I *really* needed to find a glass of tea to stave off a caffeine headache.
*Ok, I did give myself permission to buy the white peach, because I can't find it anywhere, but they didn't have it either.
That is REALLY neat that you’ve saved up so much fun money! May I ask how much you get each month? I get $250.
I have never even dreamed of saving up that much fun money! Interesting to consider.
Post by: Laura33 on June 04, 2018, 04:55:59 PM
That is REALLY neat that you’ve saved up so much fun money! May I ask how much you get each month? I get $250.
I have never even dreamed of saving up that much fun money! Interesting to consider.
$200 each. Basically, it is automatically deposited in my savings, and when that builds up to $5K (or more if[when] I'm lazy), I transfer it to investments. That way I have a chunk on hand for any big things I might want (like that trip with my mom, which was maybe $2500), but still get the long-term investment.
But we've also been doing this for 22 years. :-)
Post by: lifejoy on June 04, 2018, 05:00:47 PM
That is REALLY neat that you’ve saved up so much fun money! May I ask how much you get each month? I get $250.
I have never even dreamed of saving up that much fun money! Interesting to consider.
$200 each. Basically, it is automatically deposited in my savings, and when that builds up to $5K (or more if[when] I'm lazy), I transfer it to investments. That way I have a chunk on hand for any big things I might want (like that trip with my mom, which was maybe $2500), but still get the long-term investment.
But we've also been doing this for 22 years. :-)
Still!!! I’m very impressed!!! I have about $1000 saved... can hardly imagine it being more! Very cool.
Post by: lifejoy on June 04, 2018, 05:52:36 PM
Post by: mspym on June 04, 2018, 07:36:41 PM
No major realisations about my pins other than it's easier for me to buy supplies than it is to schedule and actually do the creative work. I admire my partner for taking the time to pursue the hobbies that matter to him, I think there is a mild resentment on my part that I don't feel free to do something similar because of the neverending Task List but you know, that's on me for not prioritising sewing over other things. I *am* ruthless about weightlifting and reading - I will push things out of the way to do these.
I wonder if some of it is that I feel that I *ought* to sew more than I actually want to sew, particularly given my sewing table is right in the middle of the house, there is nowhere else in the house it fits, and either I have to move kids out of the way OR opt for sewing over hanging out with Ofpym childfree. So yeah, prioritisation. And now I realised I have bought a second lot of pdf comics from humble bundle when I haven't even read the first lot yet. So that's me substituting purchasing for making time to do the stuff that's already in train.
Post by: lifejoy on June 04, 2018, 07:42:29 PM
ooo @lifejoy what book is that? It looks really interesting.
No major realisations about my pins other than it's easier for me to buy supplies than it is to schedule and actually do the creative work. I admire my partner for taking the time to pursue the hobbies that matter to him, I think there is a mild resentment on my part that I don't feel free to do something similar because of the neverending Task List but you know, that's on me for not prioritising sewing over other things. I *am* ruthless about weightlifting and reading - I will push things out of the way to do these.
I wonder if some of it is that I feel that I *ought* to sew more than I actually want to sew, particularly given my sewing table is right in the middle of the house, there is nowhere else in the house it fits, and either I have to move kids out of the way OR opt for sewing over hanging out with Ofpym childfree. So yeah, prioritisation. And now I realised I have bought a second lot of pdf comics from humble bundle when I haven't even read the first lot yet. So that's me substituting purchasing for making time to do the stuff that's already in train.
Interesting. I read somewhere: “The things you want to be doing, you are already doing.” Always makes me think.
The book is Classic Style by Kate Schelter. Not at all what I expected, but really nice and feeds my minimalist soul.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180605/985461f20a1fb5e91bd1c3f16429d103.jpg)
Post by: lifejoy on June 04, 2018, 07:52:22 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180531/295a4ad7be1feb8d01a33618ac7cfdb8.jpg)“I truly believe that doing more with your personal style starts with loving (and reinventing) what you already have and buying less. - “Classic Style” by Kate Schelter
Cool line to read!
Post by: lifejoy on June 04, 2018, 08:27:35 PM
Also good: https://theoldmoneybook.com/2018/05/29/the-security-blanket/
Post by: mspym on June 04, 2018, 09:17:06 PM
Post by: lifejoy on June 04, 2018, 11:17:42 PM
Thanks! It sounds right up my alley. In return, may I recommend Orchids on Your Budget by Margaret Hillis as a worthwhile read? its a classic from 1937 that got a reprint recently but is old school PEP + some solid advice on how to plan ahead for purchases and be less swayed by impulse. It's very bracing.
Sounds perfect! Thanks!!
Post by: Little Aussie Battler on June 05, 2018, 03:09:45 AM
I will continue to look at them (particularly vintage chronographs), but will avoid buying any. If I'm being honest with myself, I often get just as much enjoyment from researching a purchase as I do from the item itself once purchased.
Post by: Laura33 on June 05, 2018, 07:48:09 AM
I have about $1000 saved... can hardly imagine it being more! Very cool.
To channel Yoda: And that is why you fail. :-)
Seriously: try imagining it. How good would it feel to wake up one day and see $10K in your bank account? Think about that for a minute. Ten grand, in your account. Your account.
Jewelry is very shiny-purty; I am not a jewelry person, but put even me in a jewelry shop and the rational part of my mind just turns off and I start mentally salivating at all of the pretty-pretty-pretty-and-wouldn't-that-look-wonderful.* So I can't imagine how much I'd buy if I actually were a jewelry person.
For me, that immediate temptation is counterbalanced by more important emotional needs: my compulsion never to be poor again. So for the vast majority of my life, the vision of security and comfort from having a big chunk o'cash in the bank was very intuitive and powerful -- so much so that it more than offset the temptation of immediate short-term goodies.** But it sounds like you literally have no sense of how good it feels to have a big fat chunk o'cash in the bank with your name on it. That is frankly much healthier psychologically; I bet you feel far more secure in your daily life. But it does mean that there is nothing to counterbalance the emotional pull of the jewelry.
So think about it. Set yourself a goal of doubling that @1K and see how it feels. Then go for $5K, see how that feels. You may be able to train yourself to override your impulse to buy the jewelry simply by having a different, more tangible goal for that cash.
*In fact, I gave in to temptation in April when DH encouraged me to go into a particular shop and I got totally sucked in by a ridiculous string of black pearls. If there is one thing I love, it is black pearls -- well, after sapphires. But I'm counting it as an early anniversary present. :-)
**And btw, I was dead-bang right about how awesome it would feel to have the confidence that I will never be poor again.
Post by: lifejoy on June 05, 2018, 09:03:38 AM
I have about $1000 saved... can hardly imagine it being more! Very cool.
To channel Yoda: And that is why you fail. :-)
Seriously: try imagining it. How good would it feel to wake up one day and see $10K in your bank account? Think about that for a minute. Ten grand, in your account. Your account.
Jewelry is very shiny-purty; I am not a jewelry person, but put even me in a jewelry shop and the rational part of my mind just turns off and I start mentally salivating at all of the pretty-pretty-pretty-and-wouldn't-that-look-wonderful.* So I can't imagine how much I'd buy if I actually were a jewelry person.
For me, that immediate temptation is counterbalanced by more important emotional needs: my compulsion never to be poor again. So for the vast majority of my life, the vision of security and comfort from having a big chunk o'cash in the bank was very intuitive and powerful -- so much so that it more than offset the temptation of immediate short-term goodies.** But it sounds like you literally have no sense of how good it feels to have a big fat chunk o'cash in the bank with your name on it. That is frankly much healthier psychologically; I bet you feel far more secure in your daily life. But it does mean that there is nothing to counterbalance the emotional pull of the jewelry.
So think about it. Set yourself a goal of doubling that @1K and see how it feels. Then go for $5K, see how that feels. You may be able to train yourself to override your impulse to buy the jewelry simply by having a different, more tangible goal for that cash.
*In fact, I gave in to temptation in April when DH encouraged me to go into a particular shop and I got totally sucked in by a ridiculous string of black pearls. If there is one thing I love, it is black pearls -- well, after sapphires. But I'm counting it as an early anniversary present. :-)
**And btw, I was dead-bang right about how awesome it would feel to have the confidence that I will never be poor again.
I think my situation and experiences are different, but I get the spirit of what you’re saying!
Part of why I can’t/don’t imagine a big savings of fun money is a) don’t see the point (I have major savings in my rrsp in my name) and also because it’s hard for me to imagine needing that money for anything other than fun. My basic needs are taken care of.
You make some good points though! More good stuff for me to think about.
Post by: diapasoun on June 05, 2018, 09:47:59 AM
Part of why I can’t/don’t imagine a big savings of fun money is a) don’t see the point (I have major savings in my rrsp in my name) and also because it’s hard for me to imagine needing that money for anything other than fun. My basic needs are taken care of.
I'm not Canadian and not super up on Canadian tax law, and I don't know your particular financial situation outside of what you've mentioned on this thread -- but aren't there penalties for early withdrawals from RRSPs? You might want to look into having a good emergency fund built up if you don't already have one, if only as a way to avoid needless penalties. You'd want to do the math on the tax and growth implications and know your own risk tolerance, but it's very much possible you would want liquid cash for things other than fun, especially with babyjoy in the mix.
Post by: lifejoy on June 05, 2018, 10:07:35 AM
Post by: Laura33 on June 06, 2018, 07:29:00 AM
I am very pleased to report that as of this morning, I have cleared out my "extra" shelf of tea, and that all of the stuff that was there now fits in comfortably on my allotted shelf. I am down to one oolong, one pot's worth of the last flavored green that I don't like much, a few 1- and 3-packs of the special tea balls, the white peach I love, a yellow tea that is ok but that I can do without once it's gone, and then the boxes of green bags and black decaf bags. The black decaf is going to be a problem -- it's largely for guests and DH, but I bought like three boxes over time not realizing I already had some, and I just almost never drink bags of decaf. But that aside, I would guess that I am within a few weeks to a month of being completely done.
*Generally, I do a pot of caffeinated tea in the morning, and then re-use the tea leaves several times for decaf. But sometimes I don't get sufficient uses out of the decaf in one day, but I still need to brew another pot of caffeinated the next day, so I use tea bags for that. That's where I am today: needed a quick pot this AM, already have three filters full of decaf leaves requiring finishing, and am leaving town for two days after lunch, so didn't want to create still more decaf leaves that won't get used while I'm gone.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on June 06, 2018, 07:55:39 AM
Post by: Poundwise on June 06, 2018, 08:27:01 AM
In your honor, Laura33, instead of buying new tea I'm going to investigate the yerba mate kit that my brother in law gave me a couple of years ago. It has been occupying the top shelf of my tea cabinet, untouched, since then.
On the crafts front, yesterday I bought a touch-up kit for the scratches on my car, and also a set of bake-on enamel paints so I can repaint the completely faded lines on my Pyrex measuring cups. I'm not sure whether these count. For the measuring cups, I could have simply bought new cups, or kept writing in the lines using a Sharpie. But I thought it would look nicer and be more fun to have the enamels, for about the same cost as a new set of cups.
Maybe I should make an addendum for these repair type purchases... if I don't use them within the month and they just add to the clutter, they count as a gazingus pin. But if I actually use them, then they are not counted and I get to boast about them in the "saved money" thread etc.
Post by: diapasoun on June 06, 2018, 10:27:14 AM
It's funny. I'm enjoying the decluttering thread, but there's nothing that makes me want to minimize, declutter, and get to the heart of what's going on with me and My Stuff like this thread. Seeing so many of us wrestle with our pins is eye-opening in a very particular way.
Post by: Inkedup on June 07, 2018, 07:56:29 PM
But not June.
Since I drank down all the coffee in my pantry last month, I made my first purchase of beans in over half a year. Very exciting. However, the siren song of tea proved to be too strong and I caved in on a 10g sample. It's a small quantity, but a purchase is a purchase.
So I'm checking in early to forego the June star.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on June 07, 2018, 08:58:43 PM
Post by: Rosy on June 08, 2018, 02:03:08 PM
I'm a little late finding this topic, but I've given up buying watches for 2018.
I will continue to look at them (particularly vintage chronographs), but will avoid buying any. If I'm being honest with myself, I often get just as much enjoyment from researching a purchase as I do from the item itself once purchased.
Welcome on board! So you are a hunter-gatherer extraordinaire:)
I've had the "perfect" watch on my list for a while. My old Gucci has too small a face for me to read comfortably at a glance anymore, so I've been wearing an Aldi watch for ten bucks.
Post by: Rosy on June 08, 2018, 04:05:00 PM
I have about $1000 saved... can hardly imagine it being more! Very cool.
To channel Yoda: And that is why you fail. :-)
Seriously: try imagining it. How good would it feel to wake up one day and see $10K in your bank account? Think about that for a minute. Ten grand, in your account. Your account. Yeah - but all I can think of is how now I have no money to spend at all:)
Jewelry is very shiny-purty; I am not a jewelry person, but put even me in a jewelry shop and the rational part of my mind just turns off and I start mentally salivating at all of the pretty-pretty-pretty-and-wouldn't-that-look-wonderful.* So I can't imagine how much I'd buy if I actually were a jewelry person.
For me, that immediate temptation is counterbalanced by more important emotional needs: my compulsion never to be poor again. So for the vast majority of my life, the vision of security and comfort from having a big chunk o'cash in the bank was very intuitive and powerful -- so much so that it more than offset the temptation of immediate short-term goodies.** But it sounds like you literally have no sense of how good it feels to have a big fat chunk o'cash in the bank with your name on it. That is frankly much healthier psychologically; I bet you feel far more secure in your daily life. But it does mean that there is nothing to counterbalance the emotional pull of the jewelry.
This is how I feel about my stash goals - but I need to know I have some fun money, even a tiny amount will do, and still meet my goals. To me that is success! Otherwise, it is all an endless struggle with no relief ever and that is a recipe for trouble:).
So think about it. Set yourself a goal of doubling that @1K and see how it feels. Then go for $5K, see how that feels. You may be able to train yourself to override your impulse to buy the jewelry simply by having a different, more tangible goal for that cash. No - all I hear you say is set another savings goal - I already have several of those - don't take my fun money away from me.
*In fact, I gave in to temptation in April when DH encouraged me to go into a particular shop and I got totally sucked in by a ridiculous string of black pearls. If there is one thing I love, it is black pearls -- well, after sapphires. But I'm counting it as an early anniversary present. :-)
**And btw, I was dead-bang right about how awesome it would feel to have the confidence that I will never be poor again. Security is an illusion - I've lost everything before - twice. Three times if you count the house burnt down without insurance when I was three years old.
I think my situation and experiences are different, but I get the spirit of what you’re saying! - Yes, different life experiences change your outlook!
Part of why I can’t/don’t imagine a big savings of fun money is a) don’t see the point (I have major savings in my rrsp in my name) and also because it’s hard for me to imagine needing that money for anything other than fun. My basic needs are taken care of.
You make some good points though! More good stuff for me to think about.
@Laura33
It is interesting to hear you talk about not spending fun money and save it instead. That to me is a total contradiction - in fact, I feel part furious at the thought and part lost.
Furious - because you are taking something away from me and lost - because what will I spend it on now?
This is just another can of worms for me - thank you very much - ugh:)
It doesn't feel right - fun money - is a dedicated bucket for "spending", not saving. Oh, this is so twisted - I'll gladly pour a portion of my fun money into whatever savings goal I am pursuing at the time and I do occasionally, but it occurs to me it would add insult to injury to not indulge at all.
If I can't indulge, then what is the point (of living was my thought just now - but surely that goes too far)? Then again - now that jewelry/gemstone collecting is off the table I don't really have any wants.
I don't need anything - I don't want to encourage any new vices.
Well, maybe I could just turn it into my travel fund - that is an indulgence, right? and I'll need to start a new one anyway when I return from my trip to Europe.
Oh, I forgot my all important $50K goal by Dec 2019. How could I forget about that?
Well, because savings and fun money are separated by a barbed wire fence and the strip dividing them is full of explosives - in my mind anyway - the two shall never meet:).
There is still the gold necklace that I really want for my B-day next year - I could set aside half of it for the necklace and alternate sending the other half to my travel fund or savings ea mo.
OK then - I will go back to my old motto of "I am re-directing my money", because good things will happen if I do that.
Sheesh, all this agony over $250 mo:)
Hmm, I guess I prefer to have a plan - whether it is fun money - which must be spent or savings which may be enhanced by unused/temporarily allocated fun money.
But most of all I don't want to lose the label fun money - because once it is saved instead, it is lost to me as unallocated fun money.
LOL - if anyone is actually reading this - is your head spinning yet:)
Post by: mspym on June 08, 2018, 05:04:55 PM
It sounds like for Laura saving *is* fun and being able to splurge without concern from the savings is part of the fun. If this doesn't work for you - because then it becomes part of the Untouchable Savings - then it doesn't work for you. There needs to be joy along the way and if this option doesn't bring you joy then it just means it's not for you. Like durian or oysters.
Post by: Laura33 on June 08, 2018, 07:27:18 PM
But what I was responding to in Lifejoy’s post - and I see it some in yours as well - is the sense that the fun money must be spent - even when there is no particular “thing” that you want from it. And that seems bass-ackwards to me, where the joy comes from the fact of spending money, rather than using that money as a tool to get you something in particular that you value (be that a thing, or an experience, or fewer days of paid employment, or whatever). I mean, you guys have both talked about your jewelry fixations, but you both also sound like that jewelry isn’t really bringing you the happiness you used to get from it (and, Rosy, you have even suggested that it seems to be interfering with your larger savings goals). And yet you keep throwing money at it, almost automatically, because money is to be spent, and you can’t think of anything better to spend it on right now. And Rosy, now that you have kicked that habit, you seem to be running around trying to come up with other ideas that you can throw that money at, right? To me, that sounds a lot like it is really the act of spending that is driving you; the stuff you acquire is almost beside the point. And that is, in the end, self-defeating, and I think exactly the kind of thing that we are in this challenge to get away from.
Look, despite what my kids would tell you, I am not the death of all things fun and frivolous. I have absolutely no problems whatsoever spending money on frivolities - yes, it took a lot of time to learn than spending anything is ok, but I have seriously gone over to the dark side (really, you should see my car - it is unjustifiable under any possible circumstances). So I am not talking about living a constrained, deprived life - just about making sure you have the big priorities covered before the frivolity, and then spending the play money on things that bring you lasting happiness, vs. chasing the fast/cheap thrill of buying something because you can. If you want to give yourself fun money for a particular thing that you value - and if you need to keep it completely separate for your own accountability - that’s totally fine. But why rush to spend it every month if you don’t have a particular “thing” right now that is drawing you? Just let it sit there and build up (a/k/a “save” it 😉) in your separate fun money account so you will be in a position to buy an even bigger and better “thing” when you come across it later.
Post by: lifejoy on June 08, 2018, 07:42:37 PM
Also: debeers is launching Lightbox in the fall and will be selling manmade diamonds for $800/carat. This blows my little mind. Right now, (mined) diamonds are about $6-10,000 per carat. Ha! Moissanite (a recent simulant) was about $1000/carat and is taking a dive. Am I telling you this to tempt you? No. I’m telling you because... I dunno. It’s just proving to me how crazy this gazigus pin is. How subjective. And transient. And unstable. I’m just blown away and feeling glad that I haven’t poured a ton of money (in my mind) into diamonds or Moissanite.
My thought process went like this:
“Thank goodness I didn’t buy a mined diamond for $10,000!!!”
And then, “Ok, so I’ll buy a 1ct manmade diamond in the fall when they launch, for $800.”
And then, “Oh crap, that’s just as pointless, isn’t it? Darn.”
More leads to more.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: lifejoy on June 08, 2018, 07:57:20 PM
If I’m being totally honest, June hasn’t been a successful month for me, so having these realizations is very helpful.
And back to Laura, and her hitting the nail on the head. I love the treasure hunting. The act of buying more than the actual acquiring. Interesting. I’ve kind of known this for a while but tried to ignore it. Or allow it. But what’s the point?
I think I’m going to allow my passion for jewellery, but aim to control/stop the buying. I’ve been practicing jewellery photography, I can do that. I can take care of the collection I have. And I can sell the pieces I don’t enjoy. It’s a decent plan!
Post by: Rosy on June 09, 2018, 04:53:01 PM
Rosy, I am you. Hahaha! I loved your post because I was just nodding along, yep yep yep! And Laura, I am not you, but I looooove the viewpoint you’re presenting because it gives me lots to think about.
Also: debeers is launching Lightbox in the fall and will be selling manmade diamonds for $800/carat. This blows my little mind. Right now, (mined) diamonds are about $6-10,000 per carat. Ha! Moissanite (a recent simulant) was about $1000/carat and is taking a dive. Am I telling you this to tempt you? No. I’m telling you because... I dunno. It’s just proving to me how crazy this gazigus pin is. How subjective. And transient. And unstable. I’m just blown away and feeling glad that I haven’t poured a ton of money (in my mind) into diamonds or Moissanite.
My thought process went like this:
“Thank goodness I didn’t buy a mined diamond for $10,000!!!”
And then, “Ok, so I’ll buy a 1ct manmade diamond in the fall when they launch, for $800.”
And then, “Oh crap, that’s just as pointless, isn’t it? Darn.”
More leads to more.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Two of us? The world isn't ready for that:)
@lifejoy I think you are still stuck like glue on the jewelry - you know the gooey stringy kind, that sticks to your fingers and anything else it isn't supposed to. Don't give up and don't give in - you can do this! If not this month - then next month:)
In both your comments you keep repeating the same credo - going round and round. Something isn't clicking for you, yet. So maybe moving on to the subject of what to do with fun money is only muddying the water for you.
I'm clearly not quite there yet either - I'm still wrestling with/foaming at the mouth/rejecting what Laura said about fun money, it's like a burr under my skin right now. I'll come to terms with it eventually.
It helps that for now, I don't have to do anything, so maybe by default, the money will accumulate in my account while I'm gone on vacation.
One step at a time.
This stuff takes time to mull over and digest. I'll reply to Laura when I sorted things out in my head.
I wish I had a magic wand to make it click for you, but all I can offer is hang in there - it doesn't matter how many times you fall, it's the getting up and staying up that counts.
I heard you say loud and clear that already you were not doing so well in June - so just do better in the second half, right?:)
Remember I've tried once before to rid myself of this unwelcome addiction - if it wasn't for you and everyone's thoughtful responses - even if I didn't always like them, I wouldn't have made it this time around either.
So, if you inspired me to see the light I'm pretty damn sure you will find your own way too:)! - I/we will carry the lantern for you:)
It is a bit strange to see your post lifejoy because I've somehow managed to turn on a dime (which is how I deal with things when I'm done) and you are now speaking to me from another universe that I once inhabited and have no desire to ever visit again.
I don't mean to offend or sound arrogant, it's just that mentally I've already moved light years away - but it sure was a long time in coming:).
Post by: Rosy on June 09, 2018, 05:11:03 PM
I see where you are coming from, Rosy. I have walls between spending and savings money and I need to have the permission to spend some of the money I earn on whatever my little heart desires, because otherwise my brain will ratchet up the restrictions on me.
It sounds like for Laura saving *is* fun and being able to splurge without concern from the savings is part of the fun. If this doesn't work for you - because then it becomes part of the Untouchable Savings - then it doesn't work for you. There needs to be joy along the way and if this option doesn't bring you joy then it just means it's not for you. Like durian or oysters.
Yes, I picked up on that too - for Laura saving is joy and satisfaction. I'm mulling it over, I knew this would be a can of worms for me.
Post by: Rosy on June 11, 2018, 11:05:59 AM
@Rosy: very deep! And yes, there is a different background: we started the fun money because DH liked fancier stuff, and I was routinely frustrated seeing things like $120 Oakleys come home when the drugstore had perfectly good ones for $10. As mspym said, I would have preferred to save the money; for me, budgeting was a game, where you set the targets, and then you tried to come in under them every month. So separate fun money allowances allowed him to buy his stupid stuff and me to save more than we officially budgeted for, making both of us happy.
But what I was responding to in Lifejoy’s post - and I see it some in yours as well - is the sense that the fun money must be spent - even when there is no particular “thing” that you want from it. And that seems bass-ackwards to me, where the joy comes from the fact of spending money, rather than using that money as a tool to get you something in particular that you value (be that a thing, or an experience, or fewer days of paid employment, or whatever). I mean, you guys have both talked about your jewelry fixations, but you both also sound like that jewelry isn’t really bringing you the happiness you used to get from it (and, Rosy, you have even suggested that it seems to be interfering with your larger savings goals). And yet you keep throwing money at it, almost automatically, because money is to be spent, and you can’t think of anything better to spend it on right now. And Rosy, now that you have kicked that habit, you seem to be running around trying to come up with other ideas that you can throw that money at, right? To me, that sounds a lot like it is really the act of spending that is driving you; the stuff you acquire is almost beside the point. And that is, in the end, self-defeating, and I think exactly the kind of thing that we are in this challenge to get away from.
Look, despite what my kids would tell you, I am not the death of all things fun and frivolous. I have absolutely no problems whatsoever spending money on frivolities - yes, it took a lot of time to learn than spending anything is ok, but I have seriously gone over to the dark side (really, you should see my car - it is unjustifiable under any possible circumstances). So I am not talking about living a constrained, deprived life - just about making sure you have the big priorities covered before the frivolity, and then spending the play money on things that bring you lasting happiness, vs. chasing the fast/cheap thrill of buying something because you can. If you want to give yourself fun money for a particular thing that you value - and if you need to keep it completely separate for your own accountability - that’s totally fine. But why rush to spend it every month if you don’t have a particular “thing” right now that is drawing you? Just let it sit there and build up (a/k/a “save” it 😉) in your separate fun money account so you will be in a position to buy an even bigger and better “thing” when you come across it later.
@Laura33 - extrapolating - recalculating - wirrrr - fizzz - exploding-imploding, foundation shaken:) This is a fundamental difference in approach.
Rejection remains my first response, but anytime you categorically reject something it means you are not willing to examine much less re-examine the issue. It is easy to say this will not work for me, but maybe it would - if I were to give it a chance.
This July is the end of an extreme budget that I imposed upon myself for an entire year. It's been hell, riddled with anxiety and of course, sh$t kept happening incl. a meltdown in April.
I'm still in shock that I pulled this off, successfully. Within that year, I bought two cars, left my remaining $10K CD intact, saved $10K towards my stash goal and saved another $10K for my bucket list trip in July.
So, yeah, my first reaction is I really need that fun money and I want to spend it on something - anything, I want to throw it up into the air and be showered in it:)
Seriously, in my case, this $250 for fun money for all intents and purposes didn't really exist during July 2017 to July 2018. Basically, I rotated some slush fund money, but sometimes even that was reduced to $100 and one time only $20 - yup, it got that tight. I could have asked Mr. R. to transfer $1-2K into my account, but I didn't, mostly because I was afraid that would cause me to spend even more money on my jewelry obsession (which is paid off monthly at 0% interest - a sly way of hiding it from myself, because it became a credit card budget item).
The jewelry will be paid off on auto-pay by the time I return from my trip in late Sep, it will be the first time that I actually will have "fun money" available to spend - if I want.
I've decided to let the "fun money" sit - no new allocations except, I will use some of it to slowly fill all the slush funds that I've depleted over the last 12 months. I might drop some into my one remaining savings goal or look into investing it (next year) - it will give me an incentive to learn more about finance and money.
By then it will be December and I'll have a good start for 2019.
Thinking about the financial implications of my gazingus pin - it certainly was destructive behavior, self-sabotage if you will. It caused me a great deal of unnecessary anxiety, although it stopped short of actually affecting my savings goals.
The $ impact was not that great, approx $600 this year - nothing compared to what I've spent in the past.
Post by: Rosy on June 11, 2018, 11:07:58 AM
Quote
And Rosy, now that you have kicked that habit, you seem to be running around trying to come up with other ideas that you can throw that money at, right? To me, that sounds a lot like it is really the act of spending that is driving you; the stuff you acquire is almost beside the point. And that is, in the end, self-defeating, and I think exactly the kind of thing that we are in this challenge to get away from.
This is actually another exercise in frugality in disguise - just because you have money doesn't mean you have to spend it or allocate it. That's exactly how Mr. R. operates, it makes me nervous just seeing he has money piling up in his account. He just sees it as "being there" for when he needs/wants it.
He wouldn't even know what to do with a "fun money" budget - when I brought it up, he said, "what would I spend it on? I have/buy what I want already" - which is very little. I bet you can relate to that:)
I see money and want to immediately do something with it - it took me years to convince him to at least put the larger amount in a better interest bank and move $4K in a 2% holiday account. (He's just indulging me, it isn't enough to motivate him)
He's just not interested in wrangling every last dime and doesn't want to be bothered with more than one account. He's pragmatic, which helps alleviate some of my money fears and dispel them enough for me to see clearly. So there is that.
He doesn't mind the ebb and flow in his account - he is secure in the knowledge his next paycheck will hit and he always has enough to meet his expenses.
I never do - I never feel secure when I look at money whether it is $10 or $10K it can be lost overnight, so spending or allocating gives me satisfaction. Spending means I benefitted from it and no one can ever take that away from me again - allocating for a goal means I at least tried to protect myself from what the future may bring and if it works, I may just benefit in the future.
I get all that - but I am not so sure I can walk the walk. I'll revisit in January and see how I feel about it all then - thanks Laura for hammering the point home. It isn't exactly a game changer, long ago, believe it or not, I operated that way.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on June 13, 2018, 07:28:27 AM
For whatever reason, this was a big epiphany for me around 35. I don't exactly know what changed, but I do know I stopped wanting/needing the fun money in the same way.
Post by: Rosy on June 13, 2018, 11:47:29 AM
Reading "The Psychology of Money" reminded me of all the different paths we-the gazingus pin challenged, have taken in our lives. http://www.collaborativefund.com/blog/the-psychology-of-money/
I particularly liked point #14
14. A tendency to be influenced by the actions of other people who are playing a different financial game than you are.
Quote
Few things matter more with money than understanding your own time horizon and not being persuaded by the actions and behaviors of people playing different games.
This goes beyond investing. How you save, how you spend, what your business strategy is, how you think about money, when you retire, and how you think about risk may all be influenced by the actions and behaviors of people who are playing different games than you are.
Personal finance is deeply personal, and one of the hardest parts is learning from others while realizing that their goals and actions might be miles removed from what’s relevant to your own life.
Post by: Laura33 on June 13, 2018, 05:58:32 PM
He wouldn't even know what to do with a "fun money" budget - when I brought it up, he said, "what would I spend it on? I have/buy what I want already" - which is very little. I bet you can relate to that:)
No! Not at all! I want All The Toys!!! Really. It's just that for decades, my fear of being poor outweighed my greed. I needed a big 'stache to feel safe -- but as the 'stache got bigger, I still didn't feel safe, and so the more I felt like I needed to save so that I could finally, one day, be safe. DH is a spendthrift, and part of what I found secretly appealing was that he basically elbowed me into buying things that I really wanted but would never have gotten for myself.
The thing is, it all came from a very bad place. It wasn't that I thought Things don't count; to the contrary, I thought Things were very important -- I was just not worthy of those Things. It took a bunch of stuff happening to help me learn a better balance, and to learn that I was totally worthy -- it was all those Things that were not worthy of me. My stepdad dying a few years ago; hitting 50 and realizing that I never had to work again if I didn't want; going through a couple of bouts of depression; etc. Really probably the latter -- there's nothing like a good depression to strip away all the bullshit, because it makes you realize exactly how meaningless almost everything you have been fretting about is. It was when I was struggling with all of this a couple of years ago that I found my way to this board and started to really work on getting my behavior and my self-talk in alignment with the things that actually make me happy. I'm still not there -- I still get a thrill at the idea of someone giving me an expensive present, for example, as if that could possibly measure how much they value me. But I now have spent enough money on meaningless crap that I do have the life experience to understand that that kind of happiness is fleeting at best.
In any event, huge congrats on meeting your goals! And I have to admit, I think if I'd been on a huge financial diet for the past year, I'd be blowing money just to blow money too. :-)
Post by: Rosy on June 15, 2018, 11:42:02 AM
Quote
there's nothing like a good depression to strip away all the bullshit, because it makes you realize exactly how meaningless almost everything you have been fretting about is.So it is - so it is:)
Post by: Roadrunner53 on June 15, 2018, 11:54:56 AM
The Hub and I just gave a friend some money towards buying a puppy. She lost her last dog to old age late last year and is now ready for another dog. She has been depressed for mostly money reasons so this will bring her some joy. It is fun to give money to people sometimes! I have no kids so can't enjoy giving them money.
Post by: mspym on June 15, 2018, 04:48:10 PM
My gazingus pin seems to have fallen away along with my sewing. I managed to find and buy my new life uniform after multiple years of being frustrated and ending up making it myself. Now I have 7 instances of the same shirt and 3 instances of the same pants etc etc and the need is gone. It turns out sewing was a solution to a problem, now I have no problem and no need to buy the various components needed to provide a solution. I still have a big pile of fabric, and THREE halfmade projects that I want to work through but I just don't even think about going into craft stores anymore. Woosh, it's gone.
Post by: Rosy on June 16, 2018, 03:30:12 PM
Btw I like the term "new life uniform" - I can relate to that:)
I'd love to see Ms. Laura 33 graduate:)
Post by: RetiredAt63 on June 16, 2018, 05:27:47 PM
Jewellery is not a gazingus pin for me, but I do like it. Earrings, mostly. I was looking at earrings at Costco and saw lots of gold hoops. I have some just as nice that I hardly ever wear. The difference is, theirs sparkled and mine don't. Time to get them all cleaned, I think.
Still going strong on my no-fibre purchases life. Avoid, avoid, avoid temptation, and appreciate what I have.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on June 19, 2018, 07:36:09 AM
Yesterday my husband handed me a new book that he'd picked out for me. In five years of marriage, he's never bought me a book before.
My 12-year-old later made a big deal out of the fact that "now you have a new book, Mama!"
I'm a little ashamed to admit my first thought was "This better not count for the challenge! I'm on track this month." I managed to not say that out loud and just give him a kiss in thanks.
Post by: I'm a red panda on June 19, 2018, 07:45:02 AM
Post by: lifejoy on June 20, 2018, 10:15:08 PM
I'm farmsitting! And taking care of a baby. Busy days!
And also... guilty! For buying jewellery. And not giving out stars (yet). BUT I've lasted nearly 6 months of buying NO CLOTHING which is pretty amazing. Had a great clothing swap recently so I think I can make it the whole year.
I'm so sorry I haven't given out stars! I still believe in you!! <3
Post by: mspym on June 20, 2018, 11:02:01 PM
I am so impressed with your No Clothes resolve, while I also realise that I am only rocking this challenge because I failed so spectacularly at the No Clothing challenge.
Post by: Sanne on June 21, 2018, 06:40:38 AM
The thing is though, that although I do think I should be doing something about my spending on items don't really need, I actually can't think of my gazingus pin. I can't pin (..) it down.. I don't know if I just don't have a gazingus pin or if I just have many but don't buy a lot. It differs?
I like buying clothing but I'm doing the no clothing buying for a year thing so that's not it anymore. I DO feel that I spend more, probably because of no clothing shopping, on other things. Could be a notebook, some new pens, earrings, necklace, scented candle, tea (no books, dvd's, cd's because I don't want to HAVE them, I want to read/watch/listen them and that's fine on my ereader, from the library, netflix ..). I do use some of these and don't buy more if I already feel I have enough. I won't buy more scented candles than I use, so I don't have a stash. I do use tea a lot and like to have more flavours to choose from and do have more than I need but not too extravagant. I already limit my other buys like earrings and stuff like that because I only want to have things I use a lot.
BUT it is somewhere in between luxury and clutter. I don't need it.
In conclusion, I don't think I have one specific gazingus pin but I have a list of items that are combined my gazingus pin?? Or something like that. It shifts all the time and when I say to myself I will not buy tea it will shift to something else.
Any thoughts?
Post by: Rosy on June 21, 2018, 07:06:54 AM
I think my family is actually worried about me and the tiny trickle of incoming books.
Yesterday my husband handed me a new book that he'd picked out for me. In five years of marriage, he's never bought me a book before.
My 12-year-old later made a big deal out of the fact that "now you have a new book, Mama!"
I'm a little ashamed to admit my first thought was "This better not count for the challenge! I'm on track this month." I managed to not say that out loud and just give him a kiss in thanks.
That is so awesome - aww they care so much about you:)
Sounds like you are getting awfully close to graduating as well. Good job!
Post by: Rosy on June 21, 2018, 08:33:56 AM
I've been reading some of this thread because I think the concept is interesting and I think I should be doing something about me buying things I don't need.
The thing is though, that although I do think I should be doing something about my spending on items don't really need, I actually can't think of my gazingus pin. I can't pin (..) it down.. I don't know if I just don't have a gazingus pin or if I just have many but don't buy a lot. It differs?
I like buying clothing but I'm doing the no clothing buying for a year thing so that's not it anymore. I DO feel that I spend more, probably because of no clothing shopping, on other things. Could be a notebook, some new pens, earrings, necklace, scented candle, tea (no books, dvd's, cd's because I don't want to HAVE them, I want to read/watch/listen them and that's fine on my ereader, from the library, netflix ..). I do use some of these and don't buy more if I already feel I have enough. I won't buy more scented candles than I use, so I don't have a stash. I do use tea a lot and like to have more flavours to choose from and do have more than I need but not too extravagant. I already limit my other buys like earrings and stuff like that because I only want to have things I use a lot.
BUT it is somewhere in between luxury and clutter. I don't need it.
In conclusion, I don't think I have one specific gazingus pin but I have a list of items that are combined my gazingus pin?? Or something like that. It shifts all the time and when I say to myself I will not buy tea it will shift to something else.
Any thoughts?
@Sanne - welcome in. It is clear you have given this some thought.
Well, we discussed this several times in this thread already and the consensus seems to be - just like you said - most of us shift to spending on something else. At least in the beginning of this exercise, although the true gazingus pin spending keeps popping back up.
The thing is once you recognize your own spending pattern (look at the last six months) you can decide whether it is mindless acquisition/spending and do I want/need to rein it in.
The repeating pattern may not be a gazingus pin, but just a pattern of overspending in general. That could be because you are not being realistic and set your budget artificially low or because you are playing mindgames with yourself.
Maybe you deny yourself something that is important to you, because you think you should not indulge for whatever reason.
I've found not honoring yourself and not living according to your core values creates havoc in your budget. Sometimes we spend mindlessly on a lot of things, because the thing we really want is out of reach or we don't want to acknowledge that "it" is what we really want.
Sanne, you are already dealing with the other challenge thread - no clothes buying for a year. That is no small feat, as long as it is truly a challenge to you and you don't come up with endless clever little excuses called "exceptions".
It sounds to me that perhaps you are fidgeting a little, possibly due to the no clothes buying challenge - you may have a nagging feeling that you could/should/want/need to do better with your discretionary spending in general.
That is a different thing.
Just some food for thought:)
Post by: diapasoun on June 21, 2018, 09:42:50 AM
If you've read bits of this thread, you might have seen that my gazingus pin is books. I genuinely delight in reading, but the possession of books is also a sort of security blanket for me in a lot of ways, and I absolutely have the aspirational "I'll have time to read that!" issue. I've been working through those two issues (the security blanket and the aspirational bits) as part of this thread. As always, it's easy until it's hard; I've definitely held a book in my hands, and felt that frisson of desire, and then had to tuck it back onto the shelf. I feel like I learn something new about myself every time I do that, though, and about what it is that I value and desire.
Even if you don't know what your gazingus pin really "is" -- if you're feeling unhappy about your spending, there's space for you to sink in and think about this type of spending and ask yourself what it gives you, to learn about yourself and what you really want.
Post by: chaskavitch on June 24, 2018, 07:52:53 AM
It's super cute, though...
Post by: mspym on June 24, 2018, 02:56:04 PM
Post by: chaskavitch on June 24, 2018, 03:07:53 PM
Currently I have suits that are either too tight or too big, and I feel like if I try hard enough I should be able to fit in the small ones, which is definitely not the way things work.
Post by: mspym on June 24, 2018, 04:14:09 PM
(I thought for years I would slim down so my bikini would fit and it was such a relief when I just bought one in the right size and I didn't need to fear popping out anymore
Post by: chaskavitch on June 24, 2018, 04:18:54 PM
Yeah nah, you need togs that FIT. If a blessing from an internet stranger helps settle you, you have mine.
(I thought for years I would slim down so my bikini would fit and it was such a relief when I just bought one in the right size and I didn't need to fear popping out anymore
Thank you for internet stranger approval :) It does make me feel a little bit better.
Post by: HappierAtHome on June 24, 2018, 06:11:01 PM
Post by: Laura33 on June 25, 2018, 07:21:13 AM
I'd love to see Ms. Laura 33 graduate:)
Awww, thanks Rosy! I have realized it probably won't be until the fall, though, because I have been and will be away so much, so I'm just not making much progress!
I did buy my first new box of black tea bags, and I must admit, I resented it, because I had to demote a different tin to a second layer, instead of having them all lined up in one row across my shelf. :-) I know it was allowed, but I am liking the feeling of victory from having them all in one row instead of piled 2-3 deep! I also visited my dad's and was very tempted by the lovely tea shop there, but I avoided the temptation. I think the good news is that it is just becoming more of a habit now; I feel tempted, sure, but I no longer feel quite the same weakness in the knees and unthinking diversion into the shop. So in a way, I feel like I have already "graduated," even though I am still working through the stash, because I seem to have kicked the "mindless" part that was what was really bugging me.
Post by: Sanne on June 29, 2018, 11:06:28 AM
I've been reading some of this thread because I think the concept is interesting and I think I should be doing something about me buying things I don't need.
The thing is though, that although I do think I should be doing something about my spending on items don't really need, I actually can't think of my gazingus pin. I can't pin (..) it down.. I don't know if I just don't have a gazingus pin or if I just have many but don't buy a lot. It differs?
I like buying clothing but I'm doing the no clothing buying for a year thing so that's not it anymore. I DO feel that I spend more, probably because of no clothing shopping, on other things. Could be a notebook, some new pens, earrings, necklace, scented candle, tea (no books, dvd's, cd's because I don't want to HAVE them, I want to read/watch/listen them and that's fine on my ereader, from the library, netflix ..). I do use some of these and don't buy more if I already feel I have enough. I won't buy more scented candles than I use, so I don't have a stash. I do use tea a lot and like to have more flavours to choose from and do have more than I need but not too extravagant. I already limit my other buys like earrings and stuff like that because I only want to have things I use a lot.
BUT it is somewhere in between luxury and clutter. I don't need it.
In conclusion, I don't think I have one specific gazingus pin but I have a list of items that are combined my gazingus pin?? Or something like that. It shifts all the time and when I say to myself I will not buy tea it will shift to something else.
Any thoughts?
@Sanne - welcome in. It is clear you have given this some thought.
Well, we discussed this several times in this thread already and the consensus seems to be - just like you said - most of us shift to spending on something else. At least in the beginning of this exercise, although the true gazingus pin spending keeps popping back up.
The thing is once you recognize your own spending pattern (look at the last six months) you can decide whether it is mindless acquisition/spending and do I want/need to rein it in.
The repeating pattern may not be a gazingus pin, but just a pattern of overspending in general. That could be because you are not being realistic and set your budget artificially low or because you are playing mindgames with yourself.
Maybe you deny yourself something that is important to you, because you think you should not indulge for whatever reason.
I've found not honoring yourself and not living according to your core values creates havoc in your budget. Sometimes we spend mindlessly on a lot of things, because the thing we really want is out of reach or we don't want to acknowledge that "it" is what we really want.
Sanne, you are already dealing with the other challenge thread - no clothes buying for a year. That is no small feat, as long as it is truly a challenge to you and you don't come up with endless clever little excuses called "exceptions".
It sounds to me that perhaps you are fidgeting a little, possibly due to the no clothes buying challenge - you may have a nagging feeling that you could/should/want/need to do better with your discretionary spending in general.
That is a different thing.
Just some food for thought:)
Ah, thank you much for your great reply! Also thanks for replying even though you already discussed this already. It's really good to get feedback/some brainstorming.
Yes, it's definitely the shifting. I think I never really had one gazingus pin, I'm not really a collector ór maybe it was clothes and it definitely used to be necklaces/earrings when I was younger. I really like to only have things that I really use and truly love now so that changed a lot. But it is something I had to go through I guess. I was overcompensating for not having much when I was little and then earning my own money and spending spending spending.. Not really on expensive things though but it all added up.
I think, looking back at the last 6 months, that it's not that bad actually. Yes I do spend money on things I don't REALLY need but it's not a problem. And it's never on something I don't actually love and use.
I think I'm being to hard on myself and like you said, I'm already dealing with the no clothes buying and that really is a challenge for me and I'm doing no exceptions. I think this should be the focus this year.
I think I already have a really minimalistic mindset for other things.
Welcome, Sanne! I think Rosy summed up a bunch of my thoughts about this. :)
If you've read bits of this thread, you might have seen that my gazingus pin is books. I genuinely delight in reading, but the possession of books is also a sort of security blanket for me in a lot of ways, and I absolutely have the aspirational "I'll have time to read that!" issue. I've been working through those two issues (the security blanket and the aspirational bits) as part of this thread. As always, it's easy until it's hard; I've definitely held a book in my hands, and felt that frisson of desire, and then had to tuck it back onto the shelf. I feel like I learn something new about myself every time I do that, though, and about what it is that I value and desire.
Even if you don't know what your gazingus pin really "is" -- if you're feeling unhappy about your spending, there's space for you to sink in and think about this type of spending and ask yourself what it gives you, to learn about yourself and what you really want.
Thanks for the reply as well! I really love to read about the fact you see the possession of books as a security blanket. This got me thinking if I have something I buy that's my security blanket and I think it is clothes. I like to have new things (new to me, I enjoy thrifting/second hand) to let people see who I am. I don't think I have this with other things. Good way of thinking about it. And I'm already working on the clothing thing.
Post by: Rosy on July 01, 2018, 07:42:40 PM
How did everyone do in June? Is it getting easier or are you still full-on tempted?
How do you feel about this challenge six months in? Any new revelations - shifts in thinking or behaviour?
We made it to the halfway point - congrats everyone!:)
Post by: diapasoun on July 01, 2018, 09:01:58 PM
I don't know if it's easier or about the same. I do spend less time looking at books now, but also getting more out of the library....
Post by: Serendip on July 01, 2018, 09:05:32 PM
Calling @lifejoy Time for gold stars:)
How did everyone do in June? Is it getting easier or are you still full-on tempted?
How do you feel about this challenge six months in? Any new revelations - shifts in thinking or behaviour?
We made it to the halfway point - congrats everyone!:)
I am still going strong @Rosy but have found myself recently tempted by courses, courses, courses.
It is interesting to observe and I am very glad I set myself the challenge to abstain from art &/or self-improvement types of workshops for the year . I have such strong draws to them but it's very liberating to have space in my calendar and more money in my bank account. Plus I don't need them, I just enjoy them. Plenty of time in the future if the desire remains :)
Post by: mspym on July 01, 2018, 11:39:57 PM
Post by: Rosy on July 02, 2018, 06:40:34 AM
I wandered around an op shop with two patterns in my hand for 30 minutes yesterday before putting them down again because I had heaps of patterns already that I was much more excited about. It hadn't even occurred to me that if I had bought them, I would have FAILED June, so that was a sneaky attack fended off purely by chance.
Congrats mspym - well done!
Yes - I think that is the part of our gazingus pin addiction that is the most insidious - this automatic - unthinking impulse to buy, before you even realize what you just did.
If it is a big purchase it is like cold water in your face - waking up from a fog.
If you catch yourself before you buy, I think it helps tremendously to re-program you - a little at a time. That is where success and the end goal, mindfulness or abstinence lies.
It was an eye opener to me how many times I had that auto response and how close I came to buy and how it affected me physically in the beginning - the first two months were awful.
Post by: Rosy on July 02, 2018, 06:50:22 AM
Calling @lifejoy Time for gold stars:)
How did everyone do in June? Is it getting easier or are you still full-on tempted?
How do you feel about this challenge six months in? Any new revelations - shifts in thinking or behaviour?
We made it to the halfway point - congrats everyone!:)
I am still going strong @Rosy but have found myself recently tempted by courses, courses, courses.
It is interesting to observe and I am very glad I set myself the challenge to abstain from art &/or self-improvement types of workshops for the year . I have such strong draws to them but it's very liberating to have space in my calendar and more money in my bank account. Plus I don't need them, I just enjoy them. Plenty of time in the future if the desire remains :)
Excellent observations, Serendip.
I am impressed that you can abstain from courses. That is a weakness of mine too, I'm obsessed with the idea to always improve my mind and skills. Hence I have six that I haven't worked on since acquiring them last year. But I will - eventually, meanwhile I feel good I have these six waiting for me (I guess it is the hunter-gatherer in me that wants to accumulate for later).
Thankfully, I feel no draw to add to them while I haven't finished the courses waiting for my attention or maybe it is because I shifted to reading financial books which have been taken up a lot of my time.
Post by: I'm a red panda on July 02, 2018, 06:58:40 AM
I was all set to buy some nail polish this morning because I've just been in a lousy mood; but then I got a $3,000 surgery bill- so I paid that instead.
Post by: Laura33 on July 02, 2018, 09:23:47 AM
Almost caught myself going into a new tea store yesterday, but stopped in time (the fact that I was in my 4th hour in the mall with DD certainly helped, because all I wanted to do was get the hell out of Dodge by that point).
Looking forward to my star!!!
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on July 02, 2018, 01:04:31 PM
Made it through June. Bought a book club book because the library copies were going to be unavailable until after the meeting and my friend had a non loanable Kindle copy.
I don't know if it's easier or about the same. I do spend less time looking at books now, but also getting more out of the library....
I spend a lot more time at the library too. I think that's a good thing, though - the challenge wasn't to stop reading, just to stop the mindless spending!
I get a gold star for June! I only purchased one book that was on my list from the beginning of the year.
I'm very excited that we are halfway done now.
Post by: Serendip on July 02, 2018, 10:58:06 PM
Calling @lifejoy Time for gold stars:)
How did everyone do in June? Is it getting easier or are you still full-on tempted?
How do you feel about this challenge six months in? Any new revelations - shifts in thinking or behaviour?
We made it to the halfway point - congrats everyone!:)
I am still going strong @Rosy but have found myself recently tempted by courses, courses, courses.
It is interesting to observe and I am very glad I set myself the challenge to abstain from art &/or self-improvement types of workshops for the year . I have such strong draws to them but it's very liberating to have space in my calendar and more money in my bank account. Plus I don't need them, I just enjoy them. Plenty of time in the future if the desire remains :)
Excellent observations, Serendip.
I am impressed that you can abstain from courses. That is a weakness of mine too, I'm obsessed with the idea to always improve my mind and skills. Hence I have six that I haven't worked on since acquiring them last year. But I will - eventually, meanwhile I feel good I have these six waiting for me (I guess it is the hunter-gatherer in me that wants to accumulate for later).
Thankfully, I feel no draw to add to them while I haven't finished the courses waiting for my attention or maybe it is because I shifted to reading financial books which have been taken up a lot of my time.
I understand @Rosy , love the courses..but I wanted a break. I feel the desire to constantly learn and improve is also a crutch for me..rather than acting on the things I already know! :)
But speaking of books--any recommendations from the financial ones you've read this year??
Post by: mspym on July 02, 2018, 11:01:00 PM
Midway report: I am attaching a current photo of my tea cabinet to show my progress (if I could figure out how to link to the post with the original photo I'd do so, but I hope this pic is self-evident). The two blue tins are the remaining ones to be worked through and not replaced; they each have only a few more pots' worth in them. The smaller flower tin and the two bags next to it are the flower teas that I have to force myself to drink; I've decided I will keep one of them around, because it feels special when I drink it, but the others still have to go. Oh, and there's a second box of decaf hidden behind the Lipton's on the left, because I bought without realizing I still had and don't drink decaf black often; OTOH, I am out of my decaf green, so there will be one more added back in. (And the tea on the shelf above is still MIL's Earl Grey, as she has not been here to drink it).
Almost caught myself going into a new tea store yesterday, but stopped in time (the fact that I was in my 4th hour in the mall with DD certainly helped, because all I wanted to do was get the hell out of Dodge by that point).
Looking forward to my star!!!
Hey Laura- that looks *great* - you can see all your teas, it is not nearly as packed as the starting picture. That's fantastic progress.
Post by: middo on July 02, 2018, 11:02:05 PM
Calling @lifejoy Time for gold stars:)
How did everyone do in June? Is it getting easier or are you still full-on tempted?
How do you feel about this challenge six months in? Any new revelations - shifts in thinking or behaviour?
We made it to the halfway point - congrats everyone!:)
I'm going well. Only the one tool purchase this year so far, back in April. I'm finding it easier to improvise, or just think through a situation without going straight to the hardware store and spending.
5 stars for me!
Post by: chaskavitch on July 03, 2018, 06:09:30 AM
I bought my husband some new tee shirts (his are literally falling apart and wearing through) from Pact - has anyone ever heard of them? They're supposed to be certified organic cotton, fair trade, certified to global organic textile standards, etc, and they make mostly "basic" items for a semi-reasonable price: tee shirts/long sleeved tees for men and women, tank tops, leggings, underwear, some dresses, with a minimum of elastane (spandex), but I'm kind of worried they're TOO inexpensive to be as good as they market themselves as being.
Also I need to unsubscribe from their emails, because they keep sending me information about sales, and I'm always like "omg, that's like 40% off!!!" before I catch myself.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on July 03, 2018, 09:40:46 AM
Post by: lifejoy on July 03, 2018, 10:31:21 AM
Calling @lifejoy Time for gold stars:)
How did everyone do in June? Is it getting easier or are you still full-on tempted?
How do you feel about this challenge six months in? Any new revelations - shifts in thinking or behaviour?
We made it to the halfway point - congrats everyone!:)
I am still going strong @Rosy but have found myself recently tempted by courses, courses, courses.
It is interesting to observe and I am very glad I set myself the challenge to abstain from art &/or self-improvement types of workshops for the year . I have such strong draws to them but it's very liberating to have space in my calendar and more money in my bank account. Plus I don't need them, I just enjoy them. Plenty of time in the future if the desire remains :)
Would online free courses be of interest to you? MOOCs through Coursera and EdX?
Post by: lifejoy on July 03, 2018, 10:40:08 AM
Myself, I've managed to not buy clothes. Which I think is FREAKING AWESOME! But I fell off the wagon, hard, with jewellery. I love the stuff! I'm trying to decide if I want to keep jewellery as a gazingus-pin-challenge-item for the second half of the year.
As always, if I missed giving you a star, I'm so sorry, and please let me know and I'll change it. Thanks <3
Post by: Well Respected Man on July 07, 2018, 06:08:03 AM
Whoever it was that was in the mall for 4 hours, you're a brave person.
Post by: zeli2033 on July 07, 2018, 11:20:10 AM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on July 09, 2018, 10:09:41 AM
Post by: diapasoun on July 23, 2018, 11:16:17 AM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on July 23, 2018, 12:32:15 PM
Alas, I have lost July. A college friend wrote a book on a topic I'm generally interested in last year, and I've been lazy about actually getting the book and reading it. I saw him this past weekend at another friend's wedding, and thought, "you know, I really need to go get Adam's book." So, went and bought the book. No July star, but it was a decently targeted purchase and I feel okay about taking the hit, as opposed to very disappointed in myself.
I think that's a really reasonable reason to lose July.
I have also lost July. I bought a book this weekend, despite having already bought one on July 2nd.
I think next year my goal will be buying 2 books a month, not 1. That seems more sustainable to me, and still less than I used to buy.
Post by: diapasoun on July 23, 2018, 12:45:42 PM
Post by: I'm a red panda on July 23, 2018, 01:38:43 PM
6/7 so far is decent.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on July 23, 2018, 03:04:13 PM
I lost a July star. I bought some nail polish. But I am really happy with my purchase. So I'm OK with it.
6/7 so far is decent.
You are ahead of me!
What color did you get?
Post by: zeli2033 on July 24, 2018, 10:22:28 AM
Post by: I'm a red panda on July 24, 2018, 10:39:42 AM
I lost a July star. I bought some nail polish. But I am really happy with my purchase. So I'm OK with it.
6/7 so far is decent.
You are ahead of me!
What color did you get?
That makes it sound like I only got one...
I bought from ILNP.com and got: Deep End (blue jelly with red shimmer shift), Rush Hour (amazing holographic berry jelly), Someday (bright green jelly with silver holo sparkle), Lights Out (deep burgundy jelly with shift to green and gold shimmer), Misbehaving (pink jelly with sparkly silver holo glitter), Surfboard (gorgeous turqouise jelly with holo glitter), and Interstellar (teal jelly, with navy/purple shift and holo glitter).
Surfboard, Interstellar, and Someday are real standouts!
I had a 25% off code, which is the only time I buy from them- with free shipping, a pretty reasonable $7.15 a polish.
*for non-nail polish people "holo" means sparkle that reflects a rainbow rather than plain single color glitter. And jelly is a type of polish that is more sheer and layers for a really cool look, as opposed to 'creme' polishes generally sold in drug stores.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on July 24, 2018, 02:54:52 PM
Post by: diapasoun on July 24, 2018, 03:31:57 PM
In case anyone would like to see how different things can look when you're not spending money on your gazingus pin:
January--June 2017, $656.92 on books
January--June 2018, $116.31 on books
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on July 24, 2018, 03:58:06 PM
In case anyone would like to see how different things can look when you're not spending money on your gazingus pin:
January--June 2017, $656.92 on books
January--June 2018, $116.31 on books
I like this idea!
2017 as of late July = $459.17 on books (including books for the kids; not including book purchases I hid in the "grocery" category)
2018 YTD = $90 on books (including books for the kids; I bought them gift cards to the bookstore for Christmas, so they are spending "their" money now )
Post by: mspym on July 24, 2018, 06:40:12 PM
I lost a July star. I bought some nail polish. But I am really happy with my purchase. So I'm OK with it.
6/7 so far is decent.
You are ahead of me!
What color did you get?
That makes it sound like I only got one...
I bought from ILNP.com and got: Deep End (blue jelly with red shimmer shift), Rush Hour (amazing holographic berry jelly), Someday (bright green jelly with silver holo sparkle), Lights Out (deep burgundy jelly with shift to green and gold shimmer), Misbehaving (pink jelly with sparkly silver holo glitter), Surfboard (gorgeous turqouise jelly with holo glitter), and Interstellar (teal jelly, with navy/purple shift and holo glitter).
Surfboard, Interstellar, and Someday are real standouts!
I had a 25% off code, which is the only time I buy from them- with free shipping, a pretty reasonable $7.15 a polish.
*for non-nail polish people "holo" means sparkle that reflects a rainbow rather than plain single color glitter. And jelly is a type of polish that is more sheer and layers for a really cool look, as opposed to 'creme' polishes generally sold in drug stores.
Not to encourage a gazingus pin but those are flipping gorgeous. Since I am a person with chronically weak flaky nails*, I have *not* kept up with nail polish tech, so do these require gel setting or any other technology to work? and 2) the holo colours - does this involve any sort of hard glitter/sparkle objects that will shred my nails when I try to remove the colour?
Because I am Hearts For Eyes re Interstellar, Lights Out and Harbour Island but there is no point in buying awesome nail polish if it will just peel off in 1 big sheet or result in ripped nails when I remove it.
*I have tried everything including the nail strengthener used by guitarists. I miss you Once Removed original formula, if I had known you would be discontinued I would have bought you in bulk
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on July 24, 2018, 06:58:25 PM
We have a total of $915 in gift cards currently, broken out as follows:
-Safeway - $9.53
-Lowes - $300 (we have A LOT of home stuff going on right now)
-A local spa - $210 (this was a gift from work for $500 from two years ago, and I still have some leftover :-))
-A local restaurant/salad bar that is a kid favorite when I travel - $70
-A visa gift card for $50. I find these a PITA to use, as you have to know the exact balance? How does everyone else use these?
-Gap - $75. Perfect example of one I shouldn't have bought. Don't have a need for it, hope I don't succumb to some sort of impulse purchase to "just get rid of the gift card"
-Target - $39. Had a $100 reward from a hotel stay from work
-Starbucks - $134. Recently earned $60 in Starbucks gift cards through another promo. I save Starbucks for travel. When it's work travel, I get reimbursed. When it's personal travel, I do count it as our travel budget. I'm doing a relay in August, and typically buy breakfast at least one day for six people.
-Subway - $2. Used the rest on our road trip
-Local bowling alley - $25. These are kind of a hassle to use, as you can only use one per trip. We received these for free for booking a birthday party. No out of pocket cost. But, using them will be pricey, so may just toss them.
Post by: diapasoun on July 25, 2018, 10:56:59 AM
How do you think your gift card status differs now from when you started the year?
Post by: I'm a red panda on July 25, 2018, 11:38:33 AM
I lost a July star. I bought some nail polish. But I am really happy with my purchase. So I'm OK with it.
6/7 so far is decent.
You are ahead of me!
What color did you get?
That makes it sound like I only got one...
I bought from ILNP.com and got: Deep End (blue jelly with red shimmer shift), Rush Hour (amazing holographic berry jelly), Someday (bright green jelly with silver holo sparkle), Lights Out (deep burgundy jelly with shift to green and gold shimmer), Misbehaving (pink jelly with sparkly silver holo glitter), Surfboard (gorgeous turqouise jelly with holo glitter), and Interstellar (teal jelly, with navy/purple shift and holo glitter).
Surfboard, Interstellar, and Someday are real standouts!
I had a 25% off code, which is the only time I buy from them- with free shipping, a pretty reasonable $7.15 a polish.
*for non-nail polish people "holo" means sparkle that reflects a rainbow rather than plain single color glitter. And jelly is a type of polish that is more sheer and layers for a really cool look, as opposed to 'creme' polishes generally sold in drug stores.
Not to encourage a gazingus pin but those are flipping gorgeous. Since I am a person with chronically weak flaky nails*, I have *not* kept up with nail polish tech, so do these require gel setting or any other technology to work? and 2) the holo colours - does this involve any sort of hard glitter/sparkle objects that will shred my nails when I try to remove the colour?
Because I am Hearts For Eyes re Interstellar, Lights Out and Harbour Island but there is no point in buying awesome nail polish if it will just peel off in 1 big sheet or result in ripped nails when I remove it.
*I have tried everything including the nail strengthener used by guitarists. I miss you Once Removed original formula, if I had known you would be discontinued I would have bought you in bulk
These are not gel polishes, so they just dry normally.
The holo removes with regular polish remover, no chunky glitter.
Polish can actually strengthen flaky nails, as long as you don't use remover very often (that's what dries them out; the remover) because it protects them as a barrier layer. Depending on how oily your nails are, something like UNT peel off base coat can eliminate the need to use nail polish remover. It's helped me a lot, but I have one oily nail that the nail polish just pops off on its own after a day or so...the rest of the nails stay in place for a week. But it is AMAZING if you need to wear chunky glitter for an event.
I use jojoba oil daily as a cuticle oil. I have a little pen that I refill so it's cheaper that way. Your nails might be fight that. Have you seen a dermatologist to make sure there isn't an underlying deficiency?
There is a facebook group for ILNP- you're in the UK right? Do you want me to find out if there is a retailer there to avoid international shipping?
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on July 25, 2018, 04:26:21 PM
My mom gives me a Visa gift card every year for Christmas. I have NO IDEA how to keep track of the balances except by putting a sticker on the card and writing the new balance in. Ugh.
How do you think your gift card status differs now from when you started the year?
I'm thinking of just buying something for more than $50 & using it all at once. Or, maybe a gift card for Amazon at the grocery store, and then immediately applying it to my Amazon account. I started off the year with $1276, so down a bit.
Post by: mspym on July 25, 2018, 05:29:24 PM
BUT good to know about the ILNP, my Nail Polish friend also rec'd their metallics and told me to wave goodbye to my bank balance.
I'm in Oz so I'll check out the local suppliers.
/end NP digressions
I get a star for this month! My bag gazingus pin reared up again so I've been having to play whack-a-mole but since I DIDN'T buy any this month, stars for *meeeeeeeeee*
Post by: RetiredAt63 on July 28, 2018, 07:35:14 AM
Post by: middo on July 28, 2018, 08:53:52 PM
Post by: lifejoy on July 31, 2018, 08:44:05 AM
But we should be doing this for the intrinsic rewards, right? ;)
Anyways. I’ve been staying strong with no clothes buying. 7 months! Woot! I feel like my brain has rewired. I don’t shop for clothes anymore! I don’t have the urge to, either! It’s really neat. It’s also helped me to appreciate the clothes I already own. Now, I did attend a clothing swap and I also found a huge box of clothes I packed away pre-pregnancy. That has certainly helped. But I’ve stopped thinking about NEW clothes. They’re not on my radar anymore. I did, however, buy some new socks and underwear. I decided they’re not clothes and the need was real! I got tired of wearing stuff that has holes or was too big.
Jewellery. Now this is a process for me. I have a few problems in this area: the “good deal”, the love of variety, and a touch of an addiction. I’ve been letting myself buy whatever jewellery I want and it has made the addiction more apparent. And I’ve been asking myself, How much is enough? Do I want ten more? Can I enjoy what I have if I keep buying more? I also plan on opening an Etsy store to sell my good deals that I never wear. I consider this a good project, a positive thing for me to practice and learn about. Cheaper than an MBA!
Anyways I’m not going cold turkey on jewellery just yet, but I’m working up to it and doing clothing first is a good practice for me. I feel like I could probably add one healthy habit per year, and ten years from now I’d be a very awesome person ;)
You guys have been doing great! Keep updating and inspiring me! It’s very motivating to hear about your progress.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on August 01, 2018, 04:51:09 AM
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on August 02, 2018, 01:36:08 PM
Jewellery. Now this is a process for me. I have a few problems in this area: the “good deal”, the love of variety, and a touch of an addiction. I’ve been letting myself buy whatever jewellery I want and it has made the addiction more apparent. And I’ve been asking myself, How much is enough? Do I want ten more? Can I enjoy what I have if I keep buying more? I also plan on opening an Etsy store to sell my good deals that I never wear. I consider this a good project, a positive thing for me to practice and learn about. Cheaper than an MBA!
Sounds like you are asking the right questions of yourself.
The Etsy store sounds like a great idea. Do you think you'll be able to recoup what you spent on the jewelry?
Is there a possibility that you will end up buying MORE using the store as an excuse?
Post by: lifejoy on August 03, 2018, 09:31:16 PM
Jewellery. Now this is a process for me. I have a few problems in this area: the “good deal”, the love of variety, and a touch of an addiction. I’ve been letting myself buy whatever jewellery I want and it has made the addiction more apparent. And I’ve been asking myself, How much is enough? Do I want ten more? Can I enjoy what I have if I keep buying more? I also plan on opening an Etsy store to sell my good deals that I never wear. I consider this a good project, a positive thing for me to practice and learn about. Cheaper than an MBA!
Sounds like you are asking the right questions of yourself.
The Etsy store sounds like a great idea. Do you think you'll be able to recoup what you spent on the jewelry?
Is there a possibility that you will end up buying MORE using the store as an excuse?
I'm very confident I can sell for more than what I paid.
I'm not as confident that I'm willing to part with these items ;)
Initially it was an excuse to buy more, but then I had some of the above questions/realizations. I'm attempting to re-start my jewellery ban. I can do it, I just have to want to. :/
Post by: Laura33 on August 12, 2018, 10:22:22 AM
Also reporting in advance my forfeit of an August star. We are going to SF, and DH has told me I must go tea-shopping in Chinatown. I’ve never been and likely won’t be there again any time soon, so I plan to do that. Again, no guilt whatsoever, but I can’t in good conscience claim a star.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on August 12, 2018, 10:25:59 AM
We have a total of $915 in gift cards currently, broken out as follows:
-Safeway - $9.53
-Lowes - $300 (we have A LOT of home stuff going on right now)
-A local spa - $210 (this was a gift from work for $500 from two years ago, and I still have some leftover :-))
-A local restaurant/salad bar that is a kid favorite when I travel - $70
-Starbucks -
-Subway - $2. Used the rest on our road trip
-Local bowling alley - $25. These are kind of a hassle to use, as you can only use one per trip. We received these for free for booking a birthday party. No out of pocket cost. But, using them will be pricey, so may just toss them.
Post by: Laura33 on August 21, 2018, 10:48:00 AM
The funny thing is, I don't feel bad about it -- I planned it, I took advantage of being somewhere I may never be again, and I am now looking forward to drinking them all. I think the gazingus pin I was focused on was the emotional side -- the "ooh, look" impulse buy, the huge pile of stuff I didn't like but never drank, the not wanting to drink up the "good" stuff, etc. And I kinda feel like I've already "won" that challenge.
But it's really the next couple of months that will tell -- if I continue to methodically drink and enjoy, then I'm good; but if I start relegating this new stuff to the "eh, not so good after all" pile, or reverting to picking stuff up just because I see it, then I have a lot more work to do.
Post by: diapasoun on August 21, 2018, 02:48:20 PM
Post by: SquashingDebt on August 21, 2018, 04:03:54 PM
Post by: middo on August 21, 2018, 10:21:20 PM
I feel that I have improved my purchasing thought processes for tools, and they are no longer a gazingus pin for me.
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on August 22, 2018, 09:04:13 AM
My mom gave me money for my birthday. I spent about 25% of it on books the other day, to fill out a series that I had started reading. I did not actually order the 10 books waiting in my cart at Amazon - I managed to quell the impulse to hit the final button the day I went a little nuts and filled the cart. I will buy several of those this month, for various reasons that make sense to me, but I'm waiting a few more days to make sure I only purchase the ones I have a valid-to-me reason to buy (that isn't "because BOOKS").
To me, that sounds like a win :)
While on the way to the bookstore I passed the Yankee candle store. I allowed myself to look in the window at the beautiful candles and think about the sale that was going on...and then I walked away.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on August 22, 2018, 01:54:40 PM
I have had to buy some tools. A ladder, a wheel barrow, two shovels, some painting equipment. All necessary, and all against what I set out to do. But, I haven't bought anything that was a) not essential and b) that I could borrow.
I feel that I have improved my purchasing thought processes for tools, and they are no longer a gazingus pin for me.
Tools are tools. I just bought a new garden spade and a new garden fork - because I broke the ones I had. Years of use, they owed me nothing. I shopped carefully for them.
Tools - I am thinking about buying storage bobbins for yarn, there are lots of good reasons why. But I am researching them, not just buying the first ones I see online. Same for wool combs, I am starting to process fibres that could be combed, but buying a pair is not urgent. If I see a pair I like at a good price . . . .
I am actually enjoying spinning down the stash, the urge to buy more fibre is waning. I intend to still avoid temptation. ;-)
I'm off to play - oops, ply.
Post by: mspym on August 22, 2018, 05:47:18 PM
Post by: Poundwise on August 23, 2018, 09:00:15 PM
I don't believe I've purchased any crafts in August, but I'm still digging myself out from lax financial habits and a lot of clutter than accumulated this year. Returned from vacation and realized that I need to spend some time cracking the whip in all directions... I gained more weight, I don't know how much money I've spent this summer (usually I have a good idea), and my house is full of junk. Ugh.
RetiredAt63, it's wonderful that you are working through your fiber stash! I need to recognize that I just don't have the time to actually do the crafts that I used to do. Or maybe I need to figure out a way to make the time.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on August 24, 2018, 06:38:20 AM
I had a complete breakdown in July and got all sorts of random clutter at the craft store. I did have a good purpose to enter the store (making goodie bags for birthday parties for parentless teens in shelters) but ended up getting and spending way more than necessary. For instance I didn't need all the Fourth of July candles, fabric, and other kitsch. :~(
I don't believe I've purchased any crafts in August, but I'm still digging myself out from lax financial habits and a lot of clutter than accumulated this year. Returned from vacation and realized that I need to spend some time cracking the whip in all directions... I gained more weight, I don't know how much money I've spent this summer (usually I have a good idea), and my house is full of junk. Ugh.
RetiredAt63, it's wonderful that you are working through your fiber stash! I need to recognize that I just don't have the time to actually do the crafts that I used to do. Or maybe I need to figure out a way to make the time.
Oh, the temptation of all the goodies when you are in the store. My willpower isn't that great either, I have avoided any group activities where vendors are a major part of the event. I can be strong if the squooshy stuff is there in small quantities, but I am not sure I could resist major wool fumes. ;-)
Even in retirement I am super busy, the stash is going down veeerrrryyyy slowly. I figure it is good for a few years. ;-)
I know a lot more about the different fibres (and the differences between different sheep breeds when it comes to their fleeces) now than I did when I bought some of the stash. I may well get to the point where I acknowledge that there is nothing in the stash that I want to spin, ever. Then it will get donated. Definitely not there yet!
Post by: RetiredAt63 on August 29, 2018, 07:07:41 AM
I may have to become a hermit. ;-)
Post by: Cassie on August 29, 2018, 10:20:37 AM
Post by: lifejoy on August 29, 2018, 10:55:41 AM
8 months and no clothing purchases (except 1 bridesmaid dress). It's really killing the clothes-shopping habit.
Post by: diapasoun on August 29, 2018, 11:00:10 AM
Post by: Serendip on August 29, 2018, 11:10:08 AM
I had a moment of regret this morning that I didn't sign up for a workshop led by a very creative artist and now it's sold out.
But a few moments later, I remembered why I am doing this. There will always be more things, more opportunities, there is so much and I can't do it all (as much as I try).
Life has been more simple, beautiful and peaceful without shopping and without extra activities filling spare time.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on August 29, 2018, 06:40:49 PM
Yes, good job everyone!
I had a moment of regret this morning that I didn't sign up for a workshop led by a very creative artist and now it's sold out.
But a few moments later, I remembered why I am doing this. There will always be more things, more opportunities, there is so much and I can't do it all (as much as I try).
Life has been more simple, beautiful and peaceful without shopping and without extra activities filling spare time.
The beauty of "no".
Post by: Tris Prior on August 30, 2018, 09:52:24 AM
No tea, though. That's easy because it is summer. I still have some from last winter/spring. When it gets cold out, I'm going to struggle. Especially since I've decided to stop keeping booze in the house so that it is less easy to drink it (calories, not addiction issues).
I realized in writing this that my tea and socks/tights addictions are both in response to it being cold out, thus neither is an issue in summer. They are coping mechanisms for shitty weather. I need to find new coping mechanisms for shitty weather but I've no idea what those would be, as I've banned booze, sugar and wheat from the house and I can't drink coffee after noon or else I don't sleep. I guess I could get decaf, but any type of coffee makes me pee constantly for hours so that's not a good choice for night regardless.
Post by: diapasoun on August 30, 2018, 12:40:49 PM
Also: under-the-desk space heaters in the office (if possible) or a butt-warming pad in your chair. Big fat blankets at home to curl up in. A steamer or hot chocolate made with only milk/cocoa powder plus a non-sugary flavoring like cinnamon. Big floppy hats. Knit handwarmers. Huge scarves.
Post by: Tris Prior on August 30, 2018, 02:13:25 PM
The parts of my body that get the coldest are hands and face - and I can't tolerate a scarf wrapped around my face, I feel like I am suffocating.
Post by: diapasoun on August 30, 2018, 02:49:40 PM
Ah, sorry, wasn't clear. My gazingus pins aren't for physical comfort, really, though that is a side effect, and they're not things I find enjoyable in the heat. It's more that they are mood-lifters when I'm bloody miserable that it's snowing out and I can't go outside without pain. It's retail therapy because I'm depressed and angry about the weather. It's thinking, "it hurts to be outside but hey, at least I have these awesome thigh-high socks with skulls all over them!" Ideally I would live somewhere sunny and warm year-round as I am just not made for this climate, but I haven't been able to make that happen.
The parts of my body that get the coldest are hands and face - and I can't tolerate a scarf wrapped around my face, I feel like I am suffocating.
I feel you on that. I think I may just tie physical comfort very highly to mood-lifting -- I grew up in the northeast and winter made me so miserable, but a big fat scarf made me warmer and therefore soooo much happier, so I closely equate comfort + mood in the winter. I do know the joys of a brightly colored peacoat versus a black one, though (such a big difference, to feel like a robin instead of being another person in the same dreary black-grey palate).
What other mood lifters do you have when it's so cold and crappy? I imagine kitten snuggles will get you a long way in the upcoming months, but are there other lifters that will work outside of retail therapy? Stuff like painting your toenails, breaking into some of your wonderful preserved summer produce?
Post by: Tris Prior on August 31, 2018, 08:04:56 AM
I feel you on that. I think I may just tie physical comfort very highly to mood-lifting -- I grew up in the northeast and winter made me so miserable, but a big fat scarf made me warmer and therefore soooo much happier, so I closely equate comfort + mood in the winter. I do know the joys of a brightly colored peacoat versus a black one, though (such a big difference, to feel like a robin instead of being another person in the same dreary black-grey palate).
Ha, yeah, that doesn't work for me. I never really get warm no matter how many layers I am in, and how high quality my winter gear is. I am always, always cold if the temp's under 70. And I'm always in black - though I do have a really pretty purple and blue plushy scarf that I love. (Free with a Bloomingdale's gift card that my ex-husband passed to me because he wasn't going to use it. It was $75! Huh, I just realized that I got divorced in 2004 so the scarf is older than that!)
What other mood lifters do you have when it's so cold and crappy? I imagine kitten snuggles will get you a long way in the upcoming months, but are there other lifters that will work outside of retail therapy? Stuff like painting your toenails, breaking into some of your wonderful preserved summer produce?
Mostly stuff I can't have because dieting. Food, booze, baking, hot chocolate. I have to really limit my consumption of my canned produce because I'm supposed to be off sugar, and all jam and preserved fruit has sweetener in it. I've been using more honey and coconut sugar in my jams, to at least get off refined sugar, and use low-sweetener recipes whenever I can find them - but to your body, that's still sugar. So I limit myself to tiny portions. The tomatoes don't have any sugar in them, though! And those are wonderful in the middle of winter. My tomato crop this year has been small. I did a batch of salsa and soon can probably do a small batch of crushed tomatoes. That might be it, though? Depending on when frost hits? :(
I need to check with my landlord, but supposedly the issue where us taking a bath = water pouring into the downstairs apartment through the ceiling has been fixed. So hot baths might be on the table again this winter!
I was just wondering this morning, looking at my totally grody toenails, how I'm going to give myself pedicures with two kittens in the house who are very very in love with my feet..... ;) Agree that the kittens will be good stress relief/mood lifters. I'm totally exhausted right now but seeing those little kitties running around with such joy and abandon makes me very happy. <3
Speaking of gazingus pins, I probably need to add one. Halloween decorations. This is a problem for me, mostly because my tastes are such that I keep Halloween decorations around all year long. Every year I say I'm going to put savings aside for October so I can spend without guilt. Every year it doesn't happen and I go hog wild. I'd say I am not allowed to buy ANY this year, but I don't think I can hold to that. Maybe I can set a budget?
Post by: zeli2033 on August 31, 2018, 10:53:22 AM
Post by: RetiredAt63 on September 01, 2018, 05:10:25 PM
Post by: Tris Prior on September 01, 2018, 05:44:15 PM
Post by: diapasoun on September 01, 2018, 07:35:11 PM
September has already had a purchase for book club. Luckily, I found a 99 cent copy.
Post by: I'm a red panda on September 03, 2018, 06:33:53 AM
Post by: chaskavitch on September 04, 2018, 07:15:10 AM
I'm hoping that I can borrow a few maternity leggings from a friend once I need them, and I still have two pairs of maternity jeans from my last pregnancy. Hopefully that'll be enough to get me through March :) I'm only at 12 weeks, but I've managed to lose 3 lbs since I found out I was pregnant solely because none of my normal snacks sound appetizing AT ALL. Putting off moving into maternity clothes for a bit means I'll be able to wear all of my normal shirts for even longer, thank God. Most of my maternity shirts are...less than flattering, let's say.
Post by: Harper on September 05, 2018, 06:09:56 PM
Quote
☆Harper - workout videos and no more than one workout video subscription site
But....I have spent a total of $10 on 10 DVDs. This is huge for me. I let my one video subscription go in May but will probably re-join once it gets cooler.
Hope y'all have been doing well too. Lots of pages to catch up on!
Post by: lifejoy on September 05, 2018, 07:14:39 PM
Ah, sorry, wasn't clear. My gazingus pins aren't for physical comfort, really, though that is a side effect, and they're not things I find enjoyable in the heat. It's more that they are mood-lifters when I'm bloody miserable that it's snowing out and I can't go outside without pain. It's retail therapy because I'm depressed and angry about the weather. It's thinking, "it hurts to be outside but hey, at least I have these awesome thigh-high socks with skulls all over them!" Ideally I would live somewhere sunny and warm year-round as I am just not made for this climate, but I haven't been able to make that happen.
The parts of my body that get the coldest are hands and face - and I can't tolerate a scarf wrapped around my face, I feel like I am suffocating.
Hot water with lemon? And maybe fancy up the hot baths? With Epsom salts and good music? Or a book?
Post by: lifejoy on September 05, 2018, 07:25:07 PM
So either: new motherhood, or trying to not buy any jewellery at all, or the fact that all of my willpower is diverted to clothing and I have none left for jewellery, or a combo of all of the above...
Who knows. Next year I may attempt a new personal challenge. I’m thinking: zero online shopping. This would cut out 90% of my shopping!
I think of you all often :) Keep up the good work!
Post by: RetiredAt63 on September 16, 2018, 05:26:26 PM
I bought a loom. Second hand. Sad story, weaver died, wife is moving to assisted living, house is being sold, all the craft things have to go. That isn't the fail.
With it came masses and masses of yarn for weaving, free (well, part of the sale). Since I have very few weaving supplies, this was good. I did not take any of the offered knitting yarn. So my yarn stash increased, but for the new loom, not for knitting. I am calling it neutral, not a win, not a fail.
Post by: diapasoun on September 17, 2018, 09:54:13 AM
Well I already failed September. Not sure if this is another fail.
I bought a loom. Second hand. Sad story, weaver died, wife is moving to assisted living, house is being sold, all the craft things have to go. That isn't the fail.
With it came masses and masses of yarn for weaving, free (well, part of the sale). Since I have very few weaving supplies, this was good. I did not take any of the offered knitting yarn. So my yarn stash increased, but for the new loom, not for knitting. I am calling it neutral, not a win, not a fail.
The crafter in me wants to know a LOT more about your loom. ;)
The Mustachian + gazingus-pin-susceptible parts of me sympathize -- getting a loom for a reasonable price is a real deal, but also takes a lot of space + materials for successful use.
Post by: middo on September 17, 2018, 10:33:01 PM
I must say, going to the hardware and buying tools was a lot easier, as I was more focussed on what I needed to do the job, rather than how I was in the past, when I would upgrade the tool to the biggest and best and buy other things at the same time.
Post by: RetiredAt63 on September 18, 2018, 07:15:26 AM
Well I already failed September. Not sure if this is another fail.
I bought a loom. Second hand. Sad story, weaver died, wife is moving to assisted living, house is being sold, all the craft things have to go. That isn't the fail.
With it came masses and masses of yarn for weaving, free (well, part of the sale). Since I have very few weaving supplies, this was good. I did not take any of the offered knitting yarn. So my yarn stash increased, but for the new loom, not for knitting. I am calling it neutral, not a win, not a fail.
The crafter in me wants to know a LOT more about your loom. ;)
The Mustachian + gazingus-pin-susceptible parts of me sympathize -- getting a loom for a reasonable price is a real deal, but also takes a lot of space + materials for successful use.
There is my journal for weaving adventures. I got a Leclerc Artisat, not sure when it was made, but the raddle has a price sticker (I think $16.50?) and they are over $50 now. So old, but in great shape, owner was an engineer and, I gather, very meticulous.
Detective time - all those cones of yarn - are they wool, cotton, something else? Good thing I have a stainless steel sink for burn tests.
Post by: wenchsenior on September 18, 2018, 08:42:20 AM
I confess myself astonished at all the emotions I felt as I read it...foremost being anxiety. I am not sure what triggered the anxiety exactly, but I find the psychology around money super-interesting and I often think I should figure out how to ditch my current boring job and train to be a 'money psychologist/counselor' though I'm not actually sure that would be any different than being regular psychologist/counselor LOL.
The question is, why does this thread cause me to feel anxiety and occasionally horror to read? My first response was, "oh yeah, I have dealt with some GPs over the years" followed by "wait...why TF would anyone EVER spend any/that much money/energy/time on [fill in the blank]?" followed by "no wonder people can't save" followed by "shit I wonder if my OWN GPs are still there but invisible?" followed by "I wonder if my current trend toward minimalism is causing me to react more than I would have 15 years ago?"
A few hours of reflection have me thinking I was triggered partly b/c I feel like I went through about 20 years of habitual consumerism from late high school to around my early 30s (including Gazingus Pin categories that roved around depending on my stage of life). And then I gradually shifted to much more mindful spending, and in the past few years even further toward being interested in minimalism. And, much like the horror with which I now regard my youthful and college eating habits, I also feel irritated when remembering all the stupid spending I did in my youth.
However, while my GPs are usually* not an issue anymore, my aspirations toward 1) minimalism of stuff; and 2) substituting actions/experiences for buying/accumulating stuff have not gone as well. And my irritation and anxiety about that must be triggered by reading this thread, which reminds me of how I behaved 20 years ago and also reminds me how little progress I've made getting rid of things that I own.
Ugh.
*"Usually" meaning that of the categories of things in my lifetime that qualified as GPs, most are now nearly inoperable or my spending on them is well in line with my values and/or is done on a 'need it' basis, though I suppose it wouldn't hurt to review them (again).
Post by: zeli2033 on September 18, 2018, 09:33:21 AM
I confess myself astonished at all the emotions I felt as I read it...foremost being anxiety. I am not sure what triggered the anxiety exactly, but I find the psychology around money super-interesting and I often think I should figure out how to ditch my current boring job and train to be a 'money psychologist/counselor' though I'm not actually sure that would be any different than being regular psychologist/counselor LOL.
YES. I think about this all the time, especially as I'm getting more invested (haha) in how our household spends our money and more importantly, why our priorities are what they are and whether or not our priorities are inline with our values today. Being a financial counselor would be fascinating and if it doesn't exist, it should. I could Google it but I don't want my hopes to be dashed so I'll choose to believe it's a real thing and mentally plan my career transition anyway.
However, while my GPs are usually* not an issue anymore, my aspirations toward 1) minimalism of stuff; and 2) substituting actions/experiences for buying/accumulating stuff have not gone as well. And my irritation and anxiety about that must be triggered by reading this thread, which reminds me of how I behaved 20 years ago and also reminds me how little progress I've made getting rid of things that I own.
This resonates so much. I have been dealing with similar feelings around other traits (physical Gazingus Pin manifestation?), specifically certain behaviors in those that are close to me. The ones that I'm most bothered by are the ones that I'm struggling with myself. So I hate that the way I actually "fix the problem" (the irritating behavior in DH, for example) is to work on accepting said-behavior in myself or working on addressing/minimizing the behavior I'm doing.
I don't know why but it seems to come as a surprise to me every time that my...triggers or irritations with gazingus-like behavior in other people is always about looking internally and dealing with my own stuff.
Argh. Personal growth is hard and never-ending.
Post by: wenchsenior on September 18, 2018, 12:36:45 PM
GP category: Clothing/Jewelry
Peak intensity (scale 1 [buy to replace or for change in lifestyle/climate] to 5 [regular impulsive buying]): 4
Age when peak occurred: ~15-25 years
Current intensity: 2
History and behavioral patterns:
Like many teen girls pre-Internet, I developed the habit of recreational clothes shopping as soon as I got access to 1) a decent mall (junior year HS) and 2) my first job. I fell into the usual cliches of buying for 'imaginary me', buying things that didn't quite fit/wrong color/weren't my style, etc. I never spent more than I could technically afford, but by my mid-20s I realized I never even wore half of what I bought and was wasting a lot of money. By age 30 I had developed a simple personal style and had lost all impulse to hang out in malls or randomly shop online unless I actually NEEDED something, but I was still susceptible to impulse purchases once I actually committed to GOING shopping for a needed item.
By age 40 I had settled into a lifestyle where I rarely required any clothes nicer than jeans/yoga pants, t-shirts, etc., and so I am rarely triggered to spend. Nowadays, I mostly just replace, athletic shoes/boots, socks/underwear, and swimsuits (which I burn through at a fearsome rate). I have some old paste jewelry, but don't really wear jewelry anymore. And I've NEVER had the 'female shoe gene' thing. I have always hated shoe shopping so much that I'm going on year 7 of 'needing to replace some basic casual-low-heeled shoes'. Apparently I can get along without them after all.
This was definitely a GP for me for about a decade, but naturally withered as my style matured and lifestyle settled. It has probably helped that I haven't changed locations/climates, or jobs all that time, nor has my weight ever fluctuated much since college. My spending has been very steady/relatively low for more than 10 years.
Conclusions: Sheer regular exposure to new clothes seems to be my main trigger, and I don't regularly expose myself to that trigger so the impulse to buy has withered as well.
Post by: wenchsenior on September 18, 2018, 01:04:51 PM
GP category: Random hobbies/crafts/etc
Peak intensity (scale 1 [buy to replace or for change in lifestyle/climate] to 5 [regular impulsive buying]): 4
Age when peak occurred: all, flares about every 5 years
Current intensity: 1
History and behavioral patterns:
I am not sure this would qualify. The bursts of impulsive buying are so short, and there are long gaps between...would this be a GP? Or just a series of hobbies that I tried and didn't stick with?
My pattern seems to be getting bored with my routine and deciding I should start a new hobby, only to realize after a short burst of spending $ on it that I am not actually DOING the hobby that much, or at least not enough to warrant further spending.
Examples would be candlemaking, watercoloring, board games, jigsaw puzzles, workout dvds/online vids.
Of these, I DO actually do jigsaw puzzles every winter, but once I accumulated about 10 of them, I no longer have much urge to buy more and have given myself permission to buy a new one only if I give one away. That’s worked fine.
Workout dvds still FEEL like a true GP, psychologically speaking, although I haven’t bought any for several years. I do work out, but not usually with the dvds; however, I constantly aspire to work out more AND to learn some dancing skills along the way. And since I have about 20 dvds, most of them dance related, I get frustrated with myself that I don’t actually use them more, and that I mostly swim instead.
So even though I actually only impulse-purchased workout dvds for about 1 year during my early 40s, there is still strong psychological ‘baggage’ associated with those purchases that make it feel like I should consider it a GP and stay wary of falling into the impulse purchase pattern, even though I haven’t had a strong desire to purchase any workout dvds any time recently.
Conclusions: One of my personality traits that seems to lead to GP style purchases is ‘aspirational’ buying. In other words, buying for the person I aspire to be, rather than the person I actually am.
Post by: Rosy on September 19, 2018, 10:56:40 AM
I was thrilled to find several cool copies of Egyptian jewelry. I can't wait to work parts of these pieces into the Egyptian necklace that I have been working on for an entire year - I kept re-doing the design - ugh:) Both, the Louvre in Paris and the Egyptian Museum in Munich had the perfect "gold" pieces for my project - happiness reigns:).
2. So pleased to see how well everyone is doing - it is indeed a process that requires serious navel gazing and a little pain to shine a bright light into the darkest corners - those truths we prefer to ignore:)
So much of this gazingus pin passion is based on old realities or on current emotions we haven't given a voice to or simply cannot accept, yet.
3. Wenchsenior makes a good point, different phases in our lives trigger different behaviours.
...........
Conclusions: One of my personality traits that seems to lead to GP style purchases is ‘aspirational’ buying. In other words, buying for the person I aspire to be, rather than the person I actually am.
@wenchsenior
Yup - there is an aspirational aspect to my own jewelry buying tendencies for sure. However, it isn't as simple as all that:), of course.
As your life changes - your perceptions and desires change as well. Although I conquered the jewelry gazingus pin, I am now considerably more aware of how I really spend my money and why - it is a different level of awareness. One that allows me to acknowledge my true spending patterns.
A new level of awareness that is kind to me and allows me to be good to myself, yet reigns in the impulse spending without yelling in my head or making me feel bad when things are not perfect.
Interesting, how we strive to hide our excesses and poor choices even from ourselves - in other words, we need to be truthful and on occasion ready to accept and face bitter realities.
One of my own conclusions is certainly that a) it is good to know - I am not alone in this. It made me feel better about myself and inspired me to hang in there when temptation was overwhelming.
I hated the idea of reigning in anything - the bitterness in my case came from the realization that I/we have X amount of money and it is not just prudent but imperative for our future to manage it well.
It is eye opening how much better our financial lives become once we become pragmatic instead of operating strictly on an emotional level.
I am not entirely sure that if I had more monies at my disposal that I would have even entertained the idea to stop spending money on jewelry - I might simply have upgraded and increased the monies spent on individual jewelry purchases.
At first, I ranted and raved - a lot - then came insights and acceptance and better decisions, bit by bit. It is like everything else if you really want it - you stick with it and you make it happen - one day at a time.
I simply lived in denial for a while - we all know how to justify the silliest purchases to ourselves and call them "our values" and tell ourselves that we deserve it all.
What we all deserve is a good life, but with that comes the need for discipline and responsibility and those two do not really jive with a mindless gazingus pin addiction.
I happen to like being in control - so once I discovered that this gazingus pin was out of control I was completely unhappy with myself and my actions. Continuous unchecked indulgences are simply not a good thing, even financially irresponsible me can see that. I was determined to be back in control.
b) in the end it is all about balance, truthfulness (no lying to ourselves) and the importance of being kind to ourselves. We do deserve to live well - I agree with the saying: Living well is the best revenge.
Living well means different things to different people, but the happiness lies in the possibility of execution - to find a way to live the good life as you perceive it.
c) Examining our reasons, actions and addictions is not punishment or castigation/deprivation - no, it is utter relief to see clearly where you are and why you did what you did in the past or might have carried into your current life without any sort of examination of whether you are still on the right track.
Now I smile when I look in the jewelry window - I can just enjoy the beauty and style and all the fun designs online. There will always be new and cool things - it never really ends, but I have different priorities now and I am redirecting my money - so perhaps ...
ugh - can that be true??? - saving money has become my new gazingus pin:)
Quote
In other words, buying for the person I aspire to be, rather than the person I actually am.
Well, I think on occasion this can be a positive as well - i.e. - I purchased some leather hot pants when I was nine months pregnant in the size I wanted to return to:)
Took me almost three months to get into them - for the younger crowd - these are super short-shorts:)
Or purchasing a business suit for the job I aspired to...sometimes such a purchase can help us visualize and support our aspirations.
On the other hand, letting go of the acroutements of past lives or persisting in living a lifestyle we can no longer afford is financial suicide.
Dang - so sorry - I did not mean to go on and on. Anyway, if I were to guess I'd say I'm still firmly in the quarter of "I've conquered my jewelry gazingus pin" and I am duly impressed with how everyone keeps expressing their thoughts and feelings so eloquently - I recognize myself in so many of you.
Wenchsenior - no reason for panic and anxiety - we are just here to work it all out for ourselves - one day - one purchase - one reason at a time and yes, we are being uncomfortably honest in some of our assessments.
I think we all gasp at the things others spend money on or are surprised how truly tight some people are with their money. Not to mention the odd reasoning or preferences we all have. I still can't get over the fact that anyone finds it hard to spend money, even worse, feels no joy over buying something beautiful - even for themselves. That's shocking to me.
Like everything else here on MMM you gain a lot of new insights and new tools for your own life. This is one of those threads you take a lot away from if you do the work.
Change itself can be difficult, but overcoming an overwhelming desire to buy something that you know damn well you can't afford or already have too much of is not an easy feat - that's why it is called a challenge.
I don't think there is one reason or one cause. Sometimes we cave thoughtlessly, that is much easier to overcome - you recognize an automatic buy response and find a way to stop it, eventually:)
I even think that some people in this challenge are way too hard on themselves (in my unqualified opinion) others can't stop looking for excuses, but everyone is making progress.
There will be no jewelry buying by me in October, because I know I can do this for 30 days (one can do anything for 30 days if you see it as temporary) - but I plan to buy nothing at all for the rest of the year either. I want to remind myself to stay mindful and stay away from any sort of mindless purchases.
I am happy to continue the challenge with no purchases until Dec 31, 2018. Instead, I plan to complete several of my jewelry projects.
On vacation, I bought four books, too much perfume and pretties for the house - so there - I should be good for at least six months:).
I even bought myself two pairs of pricey shoes/boots.
The boots and shoes were an extravagant purchase, but it felt so good to walk into the store and say I want those boots in the window, they are just my style. I hate buying "serviceable footwear", you know, the one shoe that supposedly goes with everything. I love my new classic style boot in Ferrari red with a bit of a heel. The shoes are a crazy new colorful style with a great walking sole.
Like Laura33 mentioned about her vacation tea purchase - I don't regret it at all. Boots like that are hard to find in my area and I am pleased with the quality too.
I have learned, that just because it is in the budget is no reason to buy - practicing abstinence on occasion is a very good thing and makes one feel so "holier than thou":)
Such foolishness - clearly, I'll never be un-emotional about money. Nevertheless, as long as I can manage to stick to my savings goal - it's currently looking better then I hoped for, yeah, despite vacation - I'll call it a success if I finish this challenge with three more months of no jewelry purchases.
@lifejoy - good going on the clothes. BTW, I read one of the books you recommended.
Good luck - hang in there everyone - we got this - only 103 more days to go!
Yes, of course I read up on everyone too:)
Post by: diapasoun on September 19, 2018, 11:21:18 AM
Post by: Laura33 on September 19, 2018, 07:29:25 PM
I think my giant pile o'tea had been bugging me because it was largely "meh" stuff that had piled up + "special" stuff that I didn't drink because I didn't want to run out of. Now I have cleared out the meh stuff and broken the wall that kept me from enjoying the special stuff, and in some strange way it feels like that emotional power it had over me is gone -- even though I never realized it was there in the first place. If that makes any sense at all. It was like I was hemmed in by thinking "I am so wasteful not drinking that meh tea" and "oh, that's good stuff, I can't have that, it's just Tuesday, and there is nothing worthy of it," and I didn't even realize I was thinking all those things until I had to make myself drink the stuff. And once I realized those thoughts, I was able to call bullshit on them and just enjoy my damn tea.
I also think I am truly enjoying my plenty because I had so many months of semi-deprivation -- not that it was actually a hardship or anything :-), just that I could not have whatever I wanted the second I wanted it, so I re-set my hedonic treadmill a bit. So my new plan, as of now, is to basically do what I just did by accident: periodic splurges, followed by periods in which I focus on using up what I splurged on. I feel like that makes me happier.
*I still get a twinge, which feels almost like a reflex; but as soon as I remember my deliciousness at home, I go, "oh, yeah, right," and walk away without a second thought. I have bought more tea bags, because I completely ran out, but those were never the gazingus pin.
Post by: mspym on September 19, 2018, 07:31:26 PM
Post by: Rosy on September 20, 2018, 11:54:29 AM
...... I didn't even realize I was thinking all those things until I had to make myself drink the stuff. And once I realized those thoughts, I was able to call bullshit on them and just enjoy my damn tea.
..... So my new plan, as of now, is to basically do what I just did by accident: periodic splurges, followed by periods in which I focus on using up what I splurged on. I feel like that makes me happier.
The tea saga continues:) ..... and the revelations just keep coming:)
It works just like that with my jewelry buying - periodic splurges, wait - I quit, didn't I?
Saw all the jewelry channels in the TV guide are having some sort of bonanza. I did not click and look, although I was tempted. I'm just telling myself I can do 102 more days until the end of the year 2018.
Post by: Roadrunner53 on September 21, 2018, 06:18:27 AM
Wow, I just realized that it's been a month since my massive Chinatown tea splurge, and I am happy to report continuing satisfaction with my new choices and almost zero urge to buy more tea.* My biggest regret at this point is that I am getting so many brewings out of the tea that I have to use boring tea bags (instead of the good stuff) like 2 days out of 3 so I get my caffeine hit!
I think my giant pile o'tea had been bugging me because it was largely "meh" stuff that had piled up + "special" stuff that I didn't drink because I didn't want to run out of. Now I have cleared out the meh stuff and broken the wall that kept me from enjoying the special stuff, and in some strange way it feels like that emotional power it had over me is gone -- even though I never realized it was there in the first place. If that makes any sense at all. It was like I was hemmed in by thinking "I am so wasteful not drinking that meh tea" and "oh, that's good stuff, I can't have that, it's just Tuesday, and there is nothing worthy of it," and I didn't even realize I was thinking all those things until I had to make myself drink the stuff. And once I realized those thoughts, I was able to call bullshit on them and just enjoy my damn tea.
I also think I am truly enjoying my plenty because I had so many months of semi-deprivation -- not that it was actually a hardship or anything :-), just that I could not have whatever I wanted the second I wanted it, so I re-set my hedonic treadmill a bit. So my new plan, as of now, is to basically do what I just did by accident: periodic splurges, followed by periods in which I focus on using up what I splurged on. I feel like that makes me happier.
*I still get a twinge, which feels almost like a reflex; but as soon as I remember my deliciousness at home, I go, "oh, yeah, right," and walk away without a second thought. I have bought more tea bags, because I completely ran out, but those were never the gazingus pin.
Laura33, can you enlighten me on your special teas? I was a late bloomer to coffee and still only drink one strong French roasted coffee in the morning. I was brought up on Lipton tea but not a big tea drinker either. I do when I feel sick or my sinuses are stuffed up and it really helps. I bought some ginger tea, however it has sugar in it and normally I use Splenda so even though it is delicious, I cringe to drink it due to the sugar. Once in a while I indulge. I am always looking for a new low cal beverage that is tasty. I especially love a spicy hot ginger. What are you drinking and what makes it so tasty to you? The spiciness, the sweetness, the aroma? Thanks!
Post by: Serendip on September 21, 2018, 09:13:23 AM
I just caught up on some of the recent reflections and it was quite inspiring.
@Rosy & @wenchsenior --there were so many interesting take-aways in your exchange. And I do think a financial counsellor would be a fascinating career...my bookkeeper and I have talked about how being an accountant can be an intimate position--in a way similar to being a house-cleaner (but, of course with a different power balance).
I guess, instead of observing someone's mess/way of living/compulsive-ness and cleaning up what they can, the accountant has to face the often difficult realities of someone's financial choices and help them take responsibility as well.
But at least it's not their problem if someone has landed themselves in a difficult position, just often emotionally challenging since people are distraught..
(She also did reflect that her job is a WHOLE lot easier when people are already working on their relationship with money and being somewhat responsible!)
I haven't signed up for a single art workshop this year and NO BOOks either (okay, there were two e-books at one point but I'm not concerned about those), and my partner published a book so I bought one for my parents :) These were not part of my gazingus-pin challenge.
Stars for the year! Wuhoo!
I do think taking a complete break from shopping this year has helped reset my relationship to consumption and spending.
Post by: Laura33 on September 21, 2018, 01:36:19 PM
The teas that I tend to be attracted to are Chinese, and they are usually green- or white-tea based. I like particular aromas/flavors that are noticeable but light enough they don't overwhelm the tea. My go-tos are jasmine and peach (both of which can be done with either green or white, and even black) -- but the peach has to be fresh peach, not that heavy/sweet/cinnamony/fall spice kind of peach. I also enjoy just a pure, high-quality, high-altitude green tea -- the one I got is almost as bright and light colored as early spring leaves, and it avoids the bitter or weedy flavor you get in some of the other greens. My new favorite, which I had never had before, is a very light oolong tea with ginseng in it -- the ginseng creates a round, almost sweet taste, but also has like almost a slightly numbing/buzzy/coating feel in the mouth (really don't know how to describe it, as you can tell). Oh, and the guilty pleasure is a coconut red tea (red tea is what the Chinese call what we call black tea) -- it tastes round and full and rich and almost sweet, even with no sugar added. The guy was totally laughing at me (because I asked to try it right after he had given us samples of that super-high-quality green tea), but I bought it anyway. :-)
The other key is using the right temperature water, and the right steeping time. Even the best teas get bitter if you use water that is too hot or steep for too long. I actually splurged a few years ago and got one of those electric kettles that you can set for all the different temperatures for the specific kind of tea.
Really, the reason the trip was so good was because I got to sit there in the shop for an hour and try all of these various teas, so I knew that I loved all of the ones that I bought. That's really the only way to figure out your own tastes. I think I built up my giant stash of old teas because I kept trying things from different stores and not liking them, and then I'd end up with all of the leftovers. So this cost me a lot more all at once, but it probably saved money over the long term. Or at least that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. ;-)
Post by: Roadrunner53 on September 22, 2018, 05:00:06 AM
Post by: zeli2033 on October 01, 2018, 11:46:17 AM
How’d everyone else do?
Post by: diapasoun on October 01, 2018, 11:57:22 AM
Post by: SquashingDebt on October 02, 2018, 09:11:36 AM
Post by: MustacheAnxiety on October 03, 2018, 08:02:02 AM
Joining for the last 90 days. My Gazingus pin is good deals: "free" with rebate items at Menards, name brand cloths at 90% off retail, 180 ct Puffs tissues for 91 cents, family size Doritos for $1, last years Christmas wrapping paper for 90% off, running shoes for $20, big box with 50 metal pens for $5, new 12" triply all-clad pan for $40, cat hammock for $5 ...
What was once a virtue has become a vice. After downsizing the house and a very modest attempt at dejunking, we are still left with a 1000 sf of our basement that is basically clutter. Some of it should be sold or donated, but much of it could be handled by working through our 5+ year supply of various good deals.
E-baying my old prized finds seems too daunting, but not buying more should save time. So for the rest of the year I can only buy:
Perishable food (expiration within 3 months)
Christmas/birthday gifts for nieces, nephews, parents, and cat
Gas
oil filter
tools for projects to be completed within 30 days (after trying to borrow them)
Post by: chaskavitch on October 03, 2018, 08:11:08 AM
I bought zero clothes in September, so star for me! I did get some free ones from my SIL, who was downsizing to move. I like her style, but thinking about it now, the volume of her discarded clothes that I've dug through in the last year or so is probably more than half as large as my whole wardrobe. I wonder if that will change now that she's out of grad school and has a real job, and won't have her mom to go shopping with and buy her clothes. She's overall a fairly thoughtful person with her money, but I think she doesn't fully realize how much her mom spends on her.
My Gazingus pin is good deals: "free" with rebate items at Menards, name brand cloths at 90% off retail, 180 ct Puffs tissues for 91 cents, family size Doritos for $1, last years Christmas wrapping paper for 90% off, running shoes for $20, big box with 50 metal pens for $5, new 12" triply all-clad pan for $40, cat hammock for $5 ...
What was once a virtue has become a vice.
Good luck! It's hard to turn down good deals, especially when they're things that you might possibly conceive of using someday :)
Post by: Rosy on October 03, 2018, 06:54:34 PM
Quote
What was once a virtue has become a vice.
MustacheAnxiety (love that name:) - Wow an entire basement full to sort through, that is daunting.
Bargain hunting is fun but quickly becomes addictive and like you said it will take over your house if you let it. Kudos for recognizing and dealing with it!
There is a fine line between hoarding and stocking up on a good deal for groceries or household items. It took several discussions with Mr. R. to convince him that really, all I wanted was to buy three months worth of supplies - since we have space and it is not going back on sale for another three months, saving us a fair amount of money.
Targeted shopping - some of our favorites only go on sale every 7 to 10 weeks - worth it to wait for BOGO and be ready with a few coupons on top of that.
I'm not a hoarder, but I admit I become anxious when I used up X and don't have a replacement in the pantry. I always have back-up, and I'm good about checking our hurricane supplies. I seriously think that Mr. R. would be fine with having nothing but tomorrow nights dinner in the cupboard.
Post by: Tris Prior on October 04, 2018, 08:16:16 AM
I did buy some pumpkin spice tea at Trader Joe's the other day - in my defense, I was down to 2 teabags total in the house (2 bags, not 2 boxes!) and I'm sick with a cold.
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on October 04, 2018, 09:14:58 AM
My goal for 2018 (and beyond) is to only buy gift cards that I have a reasonably immediate use for. I've done "okay" with this in 2018, but have had a couple of fails.
Welcome & good luck!
Post by: MustacheAnxiety on October 05, 2018, 07:50:40 AM
Post by: MustacheAnxiety on November 02, 2018, 10:01:31 AM
Post by: I'm a red panda on November 02, 2018, 10:14:18 AM
No craft supplies either, as I've had zero time to use them.
Post by: diapasoun on November 02, 2018, 12:47:50 PM
It's good to feel like something I love is no longer a source of concern for me -- I'm actually even getting better about getting rid of books. Yessssss!
Post by: RetiredAt63 on November 02, 2018, 06:30:44 PM
Post by: horsepoor on November 02, 2018, 06:55:36 PM
I'll give this a shot; all of mine are horse-related. So I will not buy any:
Horse blankets (barring massive destruction of a winter blanket that doesn't have a spare)
Saddle pads
Riding breeches or boots
I've been MIA for several months and couldn't remeber what I'd even put here. So essentially for the year, fail/fail/fail.
Horse blankets - I've actually been pretty good, but got a new horse, needing a different size. That was not a planned event (traded horses, so no net gain in mouths to feed)
Saddle pads - I bought four matching in basic black and have been using them all year. Also sold or repurposed about 7 pads, so actually a net decrease. I've been fighting an urge to get some "matchy" horse outfits with different color pads, but have not given in.
Boots - botched that earlier in the year when I finally found my coveted dressage boots on the markdowns page of a certain purveyor of fine Dutch riding boots. To hear it told, these will last me a decade or more.
Breeches - see saddle pads. I bought a few more pair in all the same style, and sold off some others, so about a net zero there. Fighting the urge to buy the 2-3 other colors that are now available in my chosen style.
I am off to repent by listing some things for sale on Facebook.
Post by: chaskavitch on November 04, 2018, 08:07:58 AM
Post by: Rosy on November 04, 2018, 10:59:15 AM
No books bought in October. Or September (can't remember if I checked in then, either!) So far I've only bought the one book this year that was not a purchase for book club, so I'm considering that a Very Good Go of it.
It's good to feel like something I love is no longer a source of concern for me -- I'm actually even getting better about getting rid of books. Yessssss!
Success @diapasoun - impressive!
I'll give this a shot; all of mine are horse-related. So I will not buy any:
Horse blankets (barring massive destruction of a winter blanket that doesn't have a spare)
Saddle pads
Riding breeches or boots
I've been MIA for several months and couldn't remeber what I'd even put here. So essentially for the year, fail/fail/fail.
Horse blankets - I've actually been pretty good, but got a new horse, needing a different size. That was not a planned event (traded horses, so no net gain in mouths to feed)
Saddle pads - I bought four matching in basic black and have been using them all year. Also sold or repurposed about 7 pads, so actually a net decrease. I've been fighting an urge to get some "matchy" horse outfits with different color pads, but have not given in.
Boots - botched that earlier in the year when I finally found my coveted dressage boots on the markdowns page of a certain purveyor of fine Dutch riding boots. To hear it told, these will last me a decade or more.
Breeches - see saddle pads. I bought a few more pair in all the same style, and sold off some others, so about a net zero there. Fighting the urge to buy the 2-3 other colors that are now available in my chosen style.
I am off to repent by listing some things for sale on Facebook.
ROFL - "off to repent by listing some things for sale":) Btw, you are not a fail for the year yet - there's November and December to "repent" I mean "to get a running start on 2019 and make it your year of success - MMMrs don't give up that easy.
Update:
Jewelry? what jewelry?:)
Hell, I just wore a necklace for the first time, that I had to peel the price tag off from - purchased over a year ago.
I still find it hard to believe I actually kicked the habit - it is a great feeling.
However, lest I sound too self-satisfied - I started buying books at Amazon to the tune of $25 in October. Not listed as my gazingus pin, since I've actually never done that before.
I joined something online called bookbub. They offer one free book every day and lots of reduced book prices as well. Well, I found a few sci-fi and time travel romance series that I liked, got the first book for free and then ordered the others. Dang.
Going to have to pay attention - lest this turn into a new gazingus pin.
Not anything I'm too concerned about at present, but looking at my cc bill was a reminder to keep my book-loving tendencies in check.
Post by: mspym on November 04, 2018, 04:12:08 PM
And now that I have had a good year off the sewing obligation, have actually started getting the urge to sew again. Will be using one of my nice tops as a pattern for some more summer shirts that don't take ridiculous amounts of sewing. Getting a little excited about using up some of the backlog actually.
Post by: zeli2033 on November 05, 2018, 10:57:31 AM
Kinda amazing that it doesn’t really phase me anymore...
Post by: Tris Prior on November 07, 2018, 08:56:06 AM
I have not bought any more fun socks or tights but now that the weather's turned I REALLY REALLY want to. I am white knuckling it and gritting my teeth and staying the hell off of sockdreams.com. Actually, what'll probably really help is getting through my backlog of laundry. Once all my legwear is washed and I can't get my drawer closed again, that'll probably remind me that I really do not need more.
Post by: diapasoun on November 07, 2018, 10:37:44 AM
I know for me that the things made me uncomfortable about the books gazingus pin included:
[ul]
- Not enough space on my shelves for the books I had
- Buying more books when I hadn't read the ones I already had
- Not feeling thoughtful enough about my purchases
So for me, feeling comfortable about my book collection involves having enough space for the books to be properly housed, reading the books I already have, and adding books in purposeful, thoughtful ways.
Post by: Tris Prior on November 07, 2018, 10:55:19 AM
I think what bothered me about the tea, when I decided it was a gazingus pin, is that I had multiple varieties that were similar, and some that I bought when I didn't actually need more, because they sounded good, but turned out to be meh. I hate forcing myself to finish off food and drink that I don't really like. And at the time I had a pile of tea that I didn't like - meanwhile I was dieting, and trying to convince myself that hot tea was my evening treat!
So I guess other things I can do is not buy more tea that's similar to what I have (like right now I have lemon ginger, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon apple. I might want to add a mint to that), and to only buy stuff that I've bought before or am reasonably sure I will like. Nothing weird. I'm looking at you, "sugar cookie" herbal tea that was disgusting!
Post by: mspym on November 07, 2018, 03:31:39 PM
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on November 07, 2018, 09:06:00 PM
Post by: Poundwise on November 16, 2018, 09:50:24 AM
Post by: wenchsenior on November 16, 2018, 10:23:19 AM
So, no more of that. I doubt I will use 50+ cards in my lifetime as it is...
Also, I need to watch myself on the cookbooks (I don't really cook that much) and apparently on puzzles, which hasn't been active in a while. With the advent of holiday season, puzzle companies have been sending me advert emails and I've been severely tempted to open them. But I haven't.
Post by: mspym on November 16, 2018, 04:32:51 PM
Post by: wenchsenior on November 16, 2018, 04:47:45 PM
@wenchsenior unsubscribe! unsubscribe! remove the temptation before it can strike!
If I can make it through Xmas, I'm good for at least a year. But, yeah...
Post by: Rosy on November 17, 2018, 03:25:18 PM
It is for an antique smokey quartz pendant my grandma wore a lot that I always loved. My mom had a ring made in white gold to match maybe forty years ago and I "yeah, happy dance" finally found a pair of matching earrings online.
Set in 925 silver rhodium plated. Promo day plus I scored a 30% discount, total price an unbelievable $71.
I'm so thrilled.
Only took me about ten years to find a match, I was seriously considering having earrings made. With luck, it will arrive before Thanksgiving so I can wear it for dinner.
I'm still interested in Jewelry but I'm back to my normal self - I may look, but the addiction and the compulsion to buy is gone.
Post by: mspym on November 17, 2018, 04:46:50 PM
Post by: Rosy on November 29, 2018, 02:25:40 PM
Good job everybody!
I just caught up on some of the recent reflections and it was quite inspiring.
@Rosy & @wenchsenior --there were so many interesting take-aways in your exchange.
SNIP
I haven't signed up for a single art workshop this year and NO BOOks either (okay, there were two e-books at one point but I'm not concerned about those), and my partner published a book so I bought one for my parents :) These were not part of my gazingus-pin challenge.
Stars for the year! Wuhoo!
I do think taking a complete break from shopping this year has helped reset my relationship to consumption and spending.
Super impressive @Serendip - congrats!
I must admit this gazingus pin challenge was an eye-opener and rocked my world, even changed my perspective.
All in all, this has been my best year here on MMM, my biggest challenge(s) and my biggest win(s).
I do hope 2019 will be a good year for all of us - meeting and exceeding our goals, one challenge at a time. JDI!:)
Post by: zeli2033 on November 30, 2018, 07:30:49 AM
Time flies when you're not buying any gazingus pins (well...to be fair, time didn't always feel like it was flying. At the beginning, it felt like a slog staring down 12 months of not buying books. But over the last several months, I feel I can say I've kicked the habit and am much happier for having done so)
Post by: RetiredAt63 on November 30, 2018, 07:40:32 AM
Post by: Poundwise on November 30, 2018, 08:21:51 AM
Post by: diapasoun on November 30, 2018, 10:30:13 AM
And the concept that I actually had two hobbies (craft buying vs crafting) was very enlightening!
This is an excellent insight. <3
I'm very glad for this thread -- it's gotten me to a better relationship with my books, has gotten me at the library more (including volunteering now), and has made me generally more mindful of my purchases and whether or not they're worth it.
Post by: MustacheAnxiety on December 03, 2018, 01:13:45 PM
Hi @Serendip I would like to do a buy nothing year but worry about inventing too many exceptions. Do you have a good list of what you can buy? We need a reset of our relationship with consumption.
Good job on conquering so many gazingus pins this year everyone!
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on December 04, 2018, 07:05:21 PM
Post by: lifejoy on December 09, 2018, 09:37:31 AM
I’ve had some majorly close calls but have still managed to not buy any clothes this year! Woohoo! (Except for one bridesmaids dress).
I even borrowed a Halloween costume :)
Jewelry has been a shit show but I think choosing two major GPs to focus on was too ambitious. Next year I will be banning jewelry. Intense!
Rosy- what was the book I recommended that you read? I’m curious. I just finished “To Buy or Not To Buy” and it was pretty excellent. Also Gail Vaz-Oxlade’s book, “Money Smart Kids” was very helpful. And the spark joy podcast. Anyways Gail’s book made me think a lot about the differences between controlled spending and an outright ban. I think a ban can be a good reset, but ultimately we need a plan to be able to integrate controlled spending on the things we love. January has me a bit nervous! Scared to open the floodgates. But I really could use a new pair of jeans and a T-shirt that fits.
My gauntlet for 2019 will be to do ZERO personal online shopping. This will help me resist jewellery, and it will also help me not buy clothes that look great and for awful. It will also help me support local business and to get out of the amazon one click shopping habit. Yep! I’ll make a new thread but I’d love to see some of you in it :)
Post by: lifejoy on December 09, 2018, 09:38:51 AM
Post by: lifejoy on December 09, 2018, 09:40:32 AM
“If everything is special, then nothing is special.” - the minimalists
“If you buy every good deal you find, you’ll never have money” - Gail Vaz-Oxlade
Post by: Serendip on December 09, 2018, 11:05:59 AM
“If you buy every good deal you find, you’ll never have money” - Gail Vaz-Oxlade
I love Gail!
Post by: Serendip on December 09, 2018, 11:17:24 AM
Hi @Serendip I would like to do a buy nothing year but worry about inventing too many exceptions. Do you have a good list of what you can buy? We need a reset of our relationship with consumption.
Good job on conquering so many gazingus pins this year everyone!
We kept it fairly simple for our challenge @MustacheAnxiety
My SO read a NY Times article (about Ann Patchett's No Shopping Year) in mid-December and we decided to start Jan 1st so didn't overthink it too much.
For us, it was more a challenge to easy consumerism rather than about spending money (although my savings rate went through the roof!)
We decided that we could buy food, hygiene products, and experiences (doing 'things'/tickets to events, etc), also if either of us needed something specifically related to work that would be allowed. I did buy 2 extra pairs of underwear before we started, and am looking forward to replacing a few pairs of socks soon. Some clothes are definitely overworn and I can tell which clothes I'll likely never wear since I haven't reached for them this entire year even though my wardrobe is now quite tiny.
I mended and patched and darned things as well.
It's been an amazing experience and now we need to decide now what our next challenge will be. We have spoken about being intentional with our purchases..supporting local when possible (asking my bookstore to bring in a book over ordering from Amazon), choosing ethically produced/sourced products over the cheapest (but then having less..having only what we need)..this really excites me. It appeals to my desire for my actions to be in alignment with my values and it also appeals to my secret-minimalist (who currently lives in a bit of a maximalist way)
I also chose to stay away from art workshops for the year and that was a big decision since I tend to take quite intensive courses and spend between $500-2000 on these experiences..they do inspire me and add to my art practice but they also can be a financial strain for someone who doesn't have a high income.
Also it was quite a revelation to to realize how many decisions I didn't have to make, regrets I didn't have to have or browsing I didn't need to do when shopping wasn't an option. Highly liberating! Let me know how creating your own list goes, I love hearing about others experiences with this challenge :)
Post by: mspym on December 09, 2018, 04:01:36 PM
Post by: MustacheAnxiety on December 10, 2018, 08:29:43 AM
Thanks for the insight on your year of not buying @Serendip.
I want to do something achievable in 2019 to reduce (or at least not expand) the clutter while not having a spouse fully on board. Since major vices have been tools and grocery related a year of no personal purchases won't do much.
So I was thinking of starting a habit of 2 same size or larger items out for each 1 in.
Post by: Poundwise on December 10, 2018, 12:06:17 PM
I just don't have the time I used to have for elaborate cooking and craft projects, and at any rate I have enough supplies in storage that I should use them up first.
@diapasoun , the insight about having a separate shopping hobby wasn't mine, it came up early on in this thread. But it is so true. It seems that when I see a craft supply, I get such a lovely idea about what I am going to do that my hand reaches out and I buy it! But that is quite different from actually planning and doing the craft.
Post by: mspym on December 10, 2018, 05:31:11 PM
Post by: Rosy on December 12, 2018, 12:34:10 PM
Other than my one remaining savings goal and continuing to be vigilant about my budget and expenses I have no challenges planned for 2019.
I do have a number of goals for 2019 but that is for another thread. Thanks everyone, I really enjoyed exchanging views and insights with you!
... and no, I don't even want jewelry for Christmas - haven't even watched the jewelry shows or looked online.
Post by: diapasoun on December 12, 2018, 02:49:57 PM
Post by: zeli2033 on December 13, 2018, 08:54:57 AM
Need to start thinking about plans for 2019!
Post by: I'm a red panda on December 13, 2018, 09:49:18 AM
Post by: zee dot on December 26, 2018, 01:49:46 PM
I had to cave and buy two sports bras, two pairs of jeans and some running shoes since those items gave out mid-year.
Now that I think about it I also bought a new hat to support a team my uncle is involved in coaching to wear at the games.
But overall it was a HUGE change from previous years and I'm really proud of myself.
There were times when I saw a coupon or link online and had items in my cart before I even remembered my goal. But I deleted the items each time.
It was this thread that inspired it so thank you to all of you who posted and put it on my radar in the first place.
Post by: SquashingDebt on December 26, 2018, 09:28:32 PM
Now that I have the fountain pen to play with, I want to continue my no-fun-pen-buying challenge into 2019, resolving to not buy any new ones until I've worked through my entire stash.
Post by: Laura33 on January 01, 2019, 01:58:25 PM
So, really, what I regret is the attempted Amazon replacement -- that's what added more teas I don't like too much back to my cabinet.
The nice thing about this challenge, though, is that it completely cured me of the desire to just sort of pick up a whole bunch of different/new teas whenever I pass by a tea shop -- really, the failed Amazon shop itself taught me the futility of blindly buying untried stuff. I now have a few teas that I adore -- even more than the white peach tea I also love -- and so I am going to just stick with replacing those as they run out, and buying any new stuff only if/when I try something and completely fall in love with it to that same level. (Also, the SF tea shop now has a new website, so I can order replacements directly from there and don't have to worry about running out any more or trying inferior replacements.) Meanwhile, I will make myself drink the inferior stuff once a week or so so it gets used up and stops taking up valuable space in my tea cabinet. ;-)
Post by: Roadrunner53 on January 02, 2019, 04:05:31 AM
Checking in: I finished the year with one more tea purchase in November, and my tea cabinet is stuffed again. So part of me feels bad. But the other part feels ok with it: I bought the tea because I unexpectedly found myself in San Francisco again, and so I trekked to the same tea store I had visited in August and bought a pound of each of the two teas I have been drinking all the time from that earlier trip. I had run out of them both, and did an Amazon shop to try to find replacements, but the replacements weren't nearly the same. So when I went out there, I decided to stock up on the stuff I loved instead of waste more money on teas that end up being meh.
So, really, what I regret is the attempted Amazon replacement -- that's what added more teas I don't like too much back to my cabinet.
The nice thing about this challenge, though, is that it completely cured me of the desire to just sort of pick up a whole bunch of different/new teas whenever I pass by a tea shop -- really, the failed Amazon shop itself taught me the futility of blindly buying untried stuff. I now have a few teas that I adore -- even more than the white peach tea I also love -- and so I am going to just stick with replacing those as they run out, and buying any new stuff only if/when I try something and completely fall in love with it to that same level. (Also, the SF tea shop now has a new website, so I can order replacements directly from there and don't have to worry about running out any more or trying inferior replacements.) Meanwhile, I will make myself drink the inferior stuff once a week or so so it gets used up and stops taking up valuable space in my tea cabinet. ;-)
Hello Laura33, don't drink tea you don't like! Life is too short. Here are some recommendations on what to do with tea you don't like: https://www.thekitchn.com/the-quickest-way-to-use-up-flavored-teas-you-dont-like-164721
Post by: HappierAtHome on January 02, 2019, 04:07:26 AM
Post by: wenchsenior on January 02, 2019, 08:44:47 AM
Checking in: I finished the year with one more tea purchase in November, and my tea cabinet is stuffed again. So part of me feels bad. But the other part feels ok with it: I bought the tea because I unexpectedly found myself in San Francisco again, and so I trekked to the same tea store I had visited in August and bought a pound of each of the two teas I have been drinking all the time from that earlier trip. I had run out of them both, and did an Amazon shop to try to find replacements, but the replacements weren't nearly the same. So when I went out there, I decided to stock up on the stuff I loved instead of waste more money on teas that end up being meh.
So, really, what I regret is the attempted Amazon replacement -- that's what added more teas I don't like too much back to my cabinet.
The nice thing about this challenge, though, is that it completely cured me of the desire to just sort of pick up a whole bunch of different/new teas whenever I pass by a tea shop -- really, the failed Amazon shop itself taught me the futility of blindly buying untried stuff. I now have a few teas that I adore -- even more than the white peach tea I also love -- and so I am going to just stick with replacing those as they run out, and buying any new stuff only if/when I try something and completely fall in love with it to that same level. (Also, the SF tea shop now has a new website, so I can order replacements directly from there and don't have to worry about running out any more or trying inferior replacements.) Meanwhile, I will make myself drink the inferior stuff once a week or so so it gets used up and stops taking up valuable space in my tea cabinet. ;-)
Hello Laura33, don't drink tea you don't like! Life is too short. Here are some recommendations on what to do with tea you don't like: https://www.thekitchn.com/the-quickest-way-to-use-up-flavored-teas-you-dont-like-164721
Co-incidentally, I have just been faced with a similar problem of many 'just-found-out-that-I-shouldn't-be-drinking-this' teas in my cupboard (for the reason that I just got an unexpected diagnosis of yet ANOTHER weird and unusual health condition that will require life-long monitoring and management...story of my friggin' life). I'll probably still drink some of them, but Roadrunner's link made me think of other possibilities. Thanks!
Given that I only started monitoring a couple of my own GPs a few months ago (puzzles, random greeting cards bought while traveling, books to add to the 200 or so unread that I already have), I am happy to report that looking back on 2018, I bought 0 puzzles, 0 greeting cards (despite 3 trips!), and only 3 or 4 (I think?...I can specifically remember purchasing 2, but I assume given my habits there were a couple others that I forgot about) books (but only 1 after I discovered this thread).
I don't know if I can actually do 0 book purchases in 2019, but I'm thinking of aiming for 5 books out/1 book purchased rule for myself.
Post by: Laura33 on January 02, 2019, 09:41:02 AM
Post by: RetiredAt63 on January 02, 2019, 12:05:14 PM
*Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy, expression not original to me
Post by: mspym on January 02, 2019, 12:42:25 PM
Post by: Harper on January 03, 2019, 04:59:49 AM
Post by: MaybeBabyMustache on January 30, 2019, 06:03:24 PM
Post by: Poundwise on January 30, 2019, 06:35:24 PM