Ready to go to the thrift store or a garage sale? Put on your creative thinking cap first.
Sometimes second hand shopping is a lost cause when you can't find what you want or think you want. Those times, just a change of viewpoint can make things look altogether different.
Cast in point: Some time back I went looking for a new vase. I needed one for the table. Nothing fancy but nothing ugly, either. I looked and looked and didn't find a thing, so I gave up. (When I say I gave up, it doesn't mean I went to a retail store and paid full price for it; it means that I quit looking and did without for awhile.)
A few weeks later I was browsing a garage sale table with nothing in particular on my mind when a copper teakettle caught my eye. I suddenly envisioned it filled with fresh daisies - and voila! my new vase was in front of my eyes for a mere twenty five cents.
Looking at things creatively sometimes means seeing them for what they are and not for what they seem to be. The teakettle seemed to be a container to heat water on the stove. It really was just a container, period. A container that could be used for anything that would fit.
On the same wavelength: Sheets are big pieces of material. What do you need? A tablecloth? Curtains? Material for a new dress or shirt? There it is.
A coffee cup can hold celery or carrot sticks at dinner, or it can hold flowers or a small houseplant. It can hold pens and pencils, short knitting needles and crochet hooks or any number of things.
A pretty book that you don't even want to read becomes a door stop or a booster seat for a child.
It doesn't have to be what it looks like it is. It can be just what it really is... a container, a solid rectangle, a sheet of material.
Creatively... do you shop like that?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Odds'n'ends
My mood is sort of rambling today, so that's the way I'll post. :)
I like this thread in the Dollar Stretcher forums:
2010 Challenge -100 New Ways to Save Money I've been keeping an eye on it for a few months now and it's still going. I've even found a few new ways to save from it.
It's been rainy here for almost a week now and cool - too cool to do much serious gardening, although I set out cabbage plants and have mustard, lettuce, radishes and peas growing out there. It's been close to frosting the last couple of nights with more cold nights promised, so it will be awhile before the peppers and tomatoes are safe. So much for an early spring.
It's all right, though... I've been nibbling chives, eating lambsquarter and dandelion greens still. The dandelions are starting to bloom, so I picked a handful of buds yesterday to have with lunch. Boiled briefly and salted lightly, they're really good. If you try them, be sure to cut off all the green parts because they're bitter. Wild food can provide very good nutrition while cutting your grocery costs, so why not try them?
If you wait to salt fresh cooked vegetables until they're on your plate, save the cooking water to use on your houseplants or outdoor garden. There are lots of minerals and trace elements that plants need in the water. Dandelions are some of the best for this purpose because they have long, strong roots that bring nutrients up from deep in the earth that other plants can't get to.
And my frugal exercise tip: Buy a pair of walking shoes. You'll feel guilty for not wearing them... and what are they for, if not walking? So take a walk, smile and breathe the fresh air (even if it is a bit cool, as it is here). It will do wonders for your disposition and your health.
Rambling on...
I like this thread in the Dollar Stretcher forums:
2010 Challenge -100 New Ways to Save Money I've been keeping an eye on it for a few months now and it's still going. I've even found a few new ways to save from it.
It's been rainy here for almost a week now and cool - too cool to do much serious gardening, although I set out cabbage plants and have mustard, lettuce, radishes and peas growing out there. It's been close to frosting the last couple of nights with more cold nights promised, so it will be awhile before the peppers and tomatoes are safe. So much for an early spring.
It's all right, though... I've been nibbling chives, eating lambsquarter and dandelion greens still. The dandelions are starting to bloom, so I picked a handful of buds yesterday to have with lunch. Boiled briefly and salted lightly, they're really good. If you try them, be sure to cut off all the green parts because they're bitter. Wild food can provide very good nutrition while cutting your grocery costs, so why not try them?
If you wait to salt fresh cooked vegetables until they're on your plate, save the cooking water to use on your houseplants or outdoor garden. There are lots of minerals and trace elements that plants need in the water. Dandelions are some of the best for this purpose because they have long, strong roots that bring nutrients up from deep in the earth that other plants can't get to.
And my frugal exercise tip: Buy a pair of walking shoes. You'll feel guilty for not wearing them... and what are they for, if not walking? So take a walk, smile and breathe the fresh air (even if it is a bit cool, as it is here). It will do wonders for your disposition and your health.
Rambling on...
Monday, April 19, 2010
Turnoff Week is April 19-25
Turn it off! Unplug it! Join the crowd... well, the movement, anyway. April 19 through the 25 is Turnoff Week, targeting computers and TVs. Here's a link to a post on the forum at Center for Screen Time Awareness which will explain what I'm talking about.
Are you addicted? I never thought that I was until I took a few days off earlier this year and found myself slipping back in to check up on things on the internet. Since I work on the computer, it wouldn't work to turn it off completely, but I am going to try to turn it off when I'm not working. No TV doesn't bother me, so no brownie points there.
Join me? At least for a day or two? Then let me know... are you addicted?
Are you addicted? I never thought that I was until I took a few days off earlier this year and found myself slipping back in to check up on things on the internet. Since I work on the computer, it wouldn't work to turn it off completely, but I am going to try to turn it off when I'm not working. No TV doesn't bother me, so no brownie points there.
Join me? At least for a day or two? Then let me know... are you addicted?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
What do do with leftover Easter candy
Still got a few chocolate Easter eggs around, or a fluffy marshmallow chick? Don't toss them or give them away, use them for other things.
Those cute little peeps are sugar covered marshmallows, so you can use them wherever you'd use marshmallows. Hot chocolate comes to mind! Use them in any recipe that calls for marshmallows.
Chocolate is chocolate, no matter how it's formed. Chop up a chocolate bunny and make chocolate chip cookies, or use a peeler and cut curls from it to top a cake or other dessert. Melt and dip strawberries or other fruit in it. Whatever comes to mind... just don't buy chocolate for awhile.
Malted eggs? Stick them in the blender and use as malt for... what else? Malted milk. Or any recipe that calls for malt.
We got some peanut butter filled eggs this year, so I sliced them with a hot knife and "iced" some plain cookies with them.
Get creative and use up the Easter candy... or not. It will keep for a long time. You don't have to refrigerate or freeze it - not even the chocolate, as long as you can keep the temperature below around 75 degrees. Above that, it will melt and make a mess, but it still won't spoil, so put it in a bowl or other container if your kitchen gets hotter than that.
Those cute little peeps are sugar covered marshmallows, so you can use them wherever you'd use marshmallows. Hot chocolate comes to mind! Use them in any recipe that calls for marshmallows.
Chocolate is chocolate, no matter how it's formed. Chop up a chocolate bunny and make chocolate chip cookies, or use a peeler and cut curls from it to top a cake or other dessert. Melt and dip strawberries or other fruit in it. Whatever comes to mind... just don't buy chocolate for awhile.
Malted eggs? Stick them in the blender and use as malt for... what else? Malted milk. Or any recipe that calls for malt.
We got some peanut butter filled eggs this year, so I sliced them with a hot knife and "iced" some plain cookies with them.
Get creative and use up the Easter candy... or not. It will keep for a long time. You don't have to refrigerate or freeze it - not even the chocolate, as long as you can keep the temperature below around 75 degrees. Above that, it will melt and make a mess, but it still won't spoil, so put it in a bowl or other container if your kitchen gets hotter than that.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Did you ever set up a scavenger hunt?
Frugally, I mean... as in, not spending much money. That's a question on the Dollar Stretcher forums.
I've never set one up and have only participated in one scavenger hunt in my life, so I have no advice. (That's not really a first, no matter what it seems like!) ;)
Anyway, check out the question if you have a moment and if you have any ideas, they sure would be appreciated.
I've never set one up and have only participated in one scavenger hunt in my life, so I have no advice. (That's not really a first, no matter what it seems like!) ;)
Anyway, check out the question if you have a moment and if you have any ideas, they sure would be appreciated.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Speak Up!
When was the last time you got a special price for your internet or phone service? Or when did you get a discount on dinner out? It was probably the last time you spoke up and asked for it.
In this world of competition bordering on cut throat tactics, consumers often have the edge - if we just take it. Businesses want your business, so if you tell them you're looking for a great deal, they will often deal with you.
If you see a "hooker" ad (one that promises a low fee for a limited time, but requires a contract of three to four times that), and you're already a customer, call the company and ask if they would give you the same courtesy. Why not? They can't say anything but "no," and they might very well say yes. They want to keep you as a customer, even if it means cutting your price temporarily.
If you see an ad from a competitor promising a good deal, call up your company and tell them you're considering switching. (You ARE considering it, but you don't have to actually switch.)
If you're having a hard time paying the bill, tell them so. Tell them that you'd like to remain a customer but simply can't afford it. They will usually work a deal with you.
In this world of competition bordering on cut throat tactics, consumers often have the edge - if we just take it. Businesses want your business, so if you tell them you're looking for a great deal, they will often deal with you.
If you see a "hooker" ad (one that promises a low fee for a limited time, but requires a contract of three to four times that), and you're already a customer, call the company and ask if they would give you the same courtesy. Why not? They can't say anything but "no," and they might very well say yes. They want to keep you as a customer, even if it means cutting your price temporarily.
If you see an ad from a competitor promising a good deal, call up your company and tell them you're considering switching. (You ARE considering it, but you don't have to actually switch.)
If you're having a hard time paying the bill, tell them so. Tell them that you'd like to remain a customer but simply can't afford it. They will usually work a deal with you.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
New traditions
Tonight, March 27, 2010, is "turn off the lights" night. For one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 your local time, turn off the lights. Sit in the dark or use candles, kerosene lamps or solar lighting and think about how much electricity the world is saving... and how much money you're saving.
More about this in the post I made last year:
Electric Traditions
Join us?
More about this in the post I made last year:
Electric Traditions
Join us?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tiny Houses
Wow. Some headlines leave me underwhelmed, if you know what I mean. How about this one:
Average Size Of Single Family Homes In The U.S. Down To 2,343 Square Foot.
Oh, my. That's less than a thousand square foot per person - average. I am sincere.
Did you know that the average home in 1950 was 1100 to 1200 square feet AND the average household population was 3.37 and in 2003, the last year I could quickly find stats for, it was 2.37. I'm pretty sure the size of homes increased since then. Fewer people, bigger house.
What does that mean?
Maybe that we're more spoiled, spend more money, care less about the environment, need more privacy... or all of the above. It could be.
Enter: The tiny house. The small home. The little dwelling.
The history of a small home is long, as long as you'd like it. (Think "cave-man.") Castles and churches notwithstanding, most personal homes in the more distant past were quite small compared to today's buildings. Even large families lived in small dwellings. Today's 3,000, 4,000 and up square foot buildings are aptly called monsters for good reason. I don't mean to step on any toes, but I don't get it.
When I looked up "small house," I found references to homes under 2500 square feet. That's not so small, really. So I looked further and found references to homes under 1500 square feet. Getting closer... but it's still not so uncommon.
On down the list: Under 1,000 square feet. As a matter of fact, wow. Under 600 square feet.
You could use one of these small homes as a guest room, a home for an aging parent, a detached office (good tax break), or a special room for a hobby or craft.
Or you could live in one.
They're usually between the size of a pickup camper and a small mobile home, with a lot of built in comfort and convenience. They're cheap to buy and cheaper (and a lot of fun!) to design and build yourself, as this Tiny House Design blog shows.
Mortgages are a lot lower for this type of house. Maybe... just maybe, if everyone hadn't thought they deserved the biggest, fanciest house they could borrow money for, the housing bubble might not have burst quite so forcefully. Who knows?
All I know now is that if I were in the market for a house, I'd definitely be looking for a tiny one.
Average Size Of Single Family Homes In The U.S. Down To 2,343 Square Foot.
Oh, my. That's less than a thousand square foot per person - average. I am sincere.
Did you know that the average home in 1950 was 1100 to 1200 square feet AND the average household population was 3.37 and in 2003, the last year I could quickly find stats for, it was 2.37. I'm pretty sure the size of homes increased since then. Fewer people, bigger house.
What does that mean?
Maybe that we're more spoiled, spend more money, care less about the environment, need more privacy... or all of the above. It could be.
Enter: The tiny house. The small home. The little dwelling.
The history of a small home is long, as long as you'd like it. (Think "cave-man.") Castles and churches notwithstanding, most personal homes in the more distant past were quite small compared to today's buildings. Even large families lived in small dwellings. Today's 3,000, 4,000 and up square foot buildings are aptly called monsters for good reason. I don't mean to step on any toes, but I don't get it.
When I looked up "small house," I found references to homes under 2500 square feet. That's not so small, really. So I looked further and found references to homes under 1500 square feet. Getting closer... but it's still not so uncommon.
On down the list: Under 1,000 square feet. As a matter of fact, wow. Under 600 square feet.
You could use one of these small homes as a guest room, a home for an aging parent, a detached office (good tax break), or a special room for a hobby or craft.
Or you could live in one.
They're usually between the size of a pickup camper and a small mobile home, with a lot of built in comfort and convenience. They're cheap to buy and cheaper (and a lot of fun!) to design and build yourself, as this Tiny House Design blog shows.
Mortgages are a lot lower for this type of house. Maybe... just maybe, if everyone hadn't thought they deserved the biggest, fanciest house they could borrow money for, the housing bubble might not have burst quite so forcefully. Who knows?
All I know now is that if I were in the market for a house, I'd definitely be looking for a tiny one.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
An irrational puzzle
Read Gary Foreman's blog entry titled "A Puzzle", and then you tell me...
I think "rational" is in the eye of the beholder. I sometimes spend more money than I need to, or really want to, but I can rationalize it away. For instance, I need to get my eyes checked and will need new glasses. I know there is an optometrist that only takes walk-ins, so I could go and maybe get right in, but maybe have to wait awhile. She's cheap but she's good and I could save money by going there.
What do I do? I go to an optometrist where I can set an appointment and be guaranteed to have that specific time. It costs almost 25% more. I can rationalize that by saying that I would probably waste time sitting in the cheaper optometrist's office, but in reality my time is not worth that much, especially if I'm not doing anything, anyway. I could read a book while I wait at the other optometrist's, or make lists or daydream or whatever... but no, I gotta pay through the nose, rush in, rush out and go home and read a book.
Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?
I think "rational" is in the eye of the beholder. I sometimes spend more money than I need to, or really want to, but I can rationalize it away. For instance, I need to get my eyes checked and will need new glasses. I know there is an optometrist that only takes walk-ins, so I could go and maybe get right in, but maybe have to wait awhile. She's cheap but she's good and I could save money by going there.
What do I do? I go to an optometrist where I can set an appointment and be guaranteed to have that specific time. It costs almost 25% more. I can rationalize that by saying that I would probably waste time sitting in the cheaper optometrist's office, but in reality my time is not worth that much, especially if I'm not doing anything, anyway. I could read a book while I wait at the other optometrist's, or make lists or daydream or whatever... but no, I gotta pay through the nose, rush in, rush out and go home and read a book.
Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?
What do you do to save money?
So... I was asked, "What do you do to save money?"
Oh, my. Let me count the ways... no, I don't think I can. There are so many ways to save money that I don't think anyone could list them. Books and books have been written about them, web sites are filled with ideas, and now even "mainstream" media is touting their own advice, as generic and ho-hum as it might seem to those of us who have been doing this for awhile.
Where would you start to tell someone how you save money? I haven't figured it out yet, except to say something like, "Don't waste anything. Don't use more than you need. Turn it off, turn it down, turn it into something else."
Ideas, anyone?
Oh, my. Let me count the ways... no, I don't think I can. There are so many ways to save money that I don't think anyone could list them. Books and books have been written about them, web sites are filled with ideas, and now even "mainstream" media is touting their own advice, as generic and ho-hum as it might seem to those of us who have been doing this for awhile.
Where would you start to tell someone how you save money? I haven't figured it out yet, except to say something like, "Don't waste anything. Don't use more than you need. Turn it off, turn it down, turn it into something else."
Ideas, anyone?
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