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So... as some of you know I am quite the paradox. I am a conservative. I am a libertarian. I am a single mom. I am for capital punishment. I am pro-choice. I think that the gov should do more to fund programs that decrease our dependency on oil and make solar power a more viable option for more Americans. Americans should be allowed and encouraged to own guns once they reach the age of 18. If someone who has lost their right to own a gun is caught with one, they should be punished severely. Jails and prisons should be self sufficient. Can't turn a profit? Guess the inmates won't eat.

So... I am a bit of a tree hugging right winger who belongs to the NRA. Be that as it may, I was on the Yahoo Treehugger site and saw this article:
Buy Nothing Day 2008 Rings a Bit Hollow

and this one:

Join The Compact in 2008

I had heard about The Compact a while back and thought they were a little crazy. I am a capitalist and my training in Economics screams against what these people are doing.

But I was having a talk with my kid today, and I think that I am going to try to consume less this year. We were talking about Christmas and presents and how insane it all gets. We are going to try to be less insane this holiday season and try to carry that same thinking into the New Year. We're going to try to borrow CD's that we like, buy clothes from charitable organizations so we can do some good with our dollars while consuming less, shop more at the farmer's market and maybe even grow some of our own produce, and maybe we can make a difference. Even if it is a tiny one. What about you?
It's the end of the world as we know it. It's the end of the world as we know it. It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.
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We have always been "thrifty", some might say cheap. Big Grin

Raising four children on one income was tough (our personal choice) and we learned to cut corners everywhere we could.

As my name tells you, I am a readaholic. It is truly an addiction, albeit a legal one. Wink Books are Christmas and birthday gifts and if I owned stock in the local libraries and got a percentage for use, I'd be rich today!! I learned long ago I couldn't "afford my habit" and the libraries are great. In some cities you can even check out pictures to hang on your wall. Now isn't that a neat idea - get bored with your living room, run to the library and get a fresh look for a couple of weeks without spending a dime.

I believe that all of us will have to learn to cut back, even if in little ways, in the days ahead.
I was raised thrifty and have always lived thrifty. Thrift stores and yard sales are old friends.
My Mom and aunts use to get together and swap curtains, furniture, makeup and clothes...especially kid's clothes. With 38 first cousins there was always plenty of hand-me-downs when we were little. My Mom and aunts would also split the cost of magazine subscriptions and bulk items.

I can't afford to buy too much stuff. When i do give in and buy something i make sure i keep the receipt because once i get it home i sometimes rethink the purchase.
My weak spot is buying for my son since he can't ask for things.
I also keep receipts on those purchases in case he doesn't show an interest in what i've bought.
I'm not into gardening, but i have thought about offering my yard to someone that would like to have a garden, but doesn't have room for one....and that would give me less yard to mow Big Grin
And, like readaholic, i'm a library addict. When i do break down and buy from the used book store i donate the books back to the store once i finish them.
I buy too much. I don't NEED it all. I want it all. I have a hard time going at least one day without purchasing something. I wish I could. I wanted to go this entire weekend without spending a dime. I bought 4 Christmas presents last night and 3 other items I saw that I just wanted to buy for the house. Then today I bought atleast 4 things we did not NEED and I did not stick to my grocery list when I went grocery shopping. Which, by the way, we had plenty of food in our freezer and cabinets to probably last at least 2 weeks. Then I got a dog. I had to then take the new dog to the pet store where I then bought it new things. I spoil my husband, my kids, my dogs, and I buy things for my home A LOT. I would really like to get a handle on this spending as well. I know we can't take it with us but I hate when I look back over the past few days and see what all I have "wasted" our money on. I am going to earnestly try very hard to STOP spending so much money!
I have been remodeling my house...cleaning out every room..and piling everything that I don't need/want anymore in one room. That room is now so full that there is barely a path to get through it. (But it is actually 30 yrs worth of accumulation) So, at one time or another, I guess I bought to much "stuff". Time for a yard sale!!
quote:
Originally posted by raine:
I buy too much. I don't NEED it all. I want it all. I have a hard time going at least one day without purchasing something. I wish I could. I wanted to go this entire weekend without spending a dime. I bought 4 Christmas presents last night and 3 other items I saw that I just wanted to buy for the house. Then today I bought atleast 4 things we did not NEED and I did not stick to my grocery list when I went grocery shopping. Which, by the way, we had plenty of food in our freezer and cabinets to probably last at least 2 weeks. Then I got a dog. I had to then take the new dog to the pet store where I then bought it new things. I spoil my husband, my kids, my dogs, and I buy things for my home A LOT. I would really like to get a handle on this spending as well. I know we can't take it with us but I hate when I look back over the past few days and see what all I have "wasted" our money on. I am going to earnestly try very hard to STOP spending so much money!


It's an addiction..you're a shopaholic...you should go to SA to get therapy...LOL Wink

I am a recovered SA; one day when I decided to change was when I decided I wanted to pay off my house. I started putting the money that I normally would spend on 'junk' that I didn't need toward my house payment..any extra paid goes straight toward the principle...soon the balance was coming down..and in just a short time it was paid off...then I was addicted to getting out of debt...when I was finally debt-free...I started saving the money that I would have paid toward my house, etc and it really began to add up. That is an even better feeling than the rush you get from shopping. Big Grin
Now that I have more money to shop...the habit is broken. Wink
quote:
Originally posted by raine:
I buy too much. I don't NEED it all. I want it all. I have a hard time going at least one day without purchasing something. I wish I could. I wanted to go this entire weekend without spending a dime. I bought 4 Christmas presents last night and 3 other items I saw that I just wanted to buy for the house. Then today I bought atleast 4 things we did not NEED and I did not stick to my grocery list when I went grocery shopping. Which, by the way, we had plenty of food in our freezer and cabinets to probably last at least 2 weeks. Then I got a dog. I had to then take the new dog to the pet store where I then bought it new things. I spoil my husband, my kids, my dogs, and I buy things for my home A LOT. I would really like to get a handle on this spending as well. I know we can't take it with us but I hate when I look back over the past few days and see what all I have "wasted" our money on. I am going to earnestly try very hard to STOP spending so much money!


At least we have jobs now (unlike shopping sprees of the past! Wink)

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