10 ways I curb spending

 
I've been thinking a lot about things and stuff and possessions lately. For the first time in my life, I feel as though I have enough. It's not that I've finally accumulated everything I need. It's just that my mind-set has changed. I may not have all I want, but I definitely have all I need.

Here are ten ways I've stopped purchasing things I don't need:

1.  Define Want vs. Need -  I have a roof over my head, running water, food to eat, a car to drive, clothes to wear, and a stove to keep me warm in winter. Those are really the only things I need to survive. Of course, I have much more than that, but I don't need any more than those basics. Do I need another dress or kitchen gadget? Nope. Stopping to think about what I need versus what I want puts a different perspective on things for me.

2. Avoid Stores and Malls - This one is somewhat easy for me considering I have to drive 45 minutes to get to a store, but at the same time, it's almost more tempting to go into stores on my weekly trips to town because it's something different to do. It's really a simple concept though - don't go into a store unless you absolutely need something. It's not a form of entertainment (or at least not a very productive one!)

3. Unsubscribe from Retail Emails - Since there are not many stores where I live, I subscribed to emails from many of my favorite clothing stores. I would get emails about sales, coupons to use online, and be notified of new arrivals. Many times I clicked on the photos in the email and ended up on their website looking at possible items to purchase. By unsubscribing, I am no longer tempted to shop online. In fact, most times I wouldn't even think about a certain store until I saw an email from them (well played, marketing people, well played...). If I'm not thinking about it, I probably definitely don't need to buy it. As a bonus, it saves me time because I'm not having to delete so many emails from my inbox every day!  If you absolutely must receive coupons from a store, create a junk only email address and only look at it when you already have an item in mind to purchase, such as a gift for someone or something that would add value to your life.

4. Watch less TV - This is probably a good tip for many reasons, but the less advertising you're exposed to, the less likely you'll want to purchase something you don't need. Plus, you can spend that extra time being productive! I'm not completely giving up TV, but I am cutting way back.

5. Take Inventory - I didn't realize how many clothes I own until I went through and actually counted. I was shocked. And maybe a little appalled. Do I really own that many skirts? Do I need three colanders in the kitchen? Why do we have so many bathroom towels? I can't think of anything I might need to purchase any time soon. If I need it, it's probably already in my house.

6. Make It - Use that extra time you're not spending in front of the TV or deleting two-billion retail emails every day to create what you want. My living room walls are bare and I plan on making some art to hang. It will be a fun project, cost less than purchasing art, and I'll feel proud every time I walk into the room. Assuming it turns out the way I want it to. :)  An artist, I am not.

7. Repair/Refashion/Upcycle It - Rather than getting rid of clothes that I no longer like or don't fit correctly, I plan on altering them or giving them a face-lift. I'm no expert sewer, so if I can do this, anyone can.  Or, take your item to a professional and have them repair/alter whatever it is. It's usually less expensive than buying something new. I also have a few home decor plans that will incorporate items I already own with slight tweaks. There are endless tutorials online for everything from woodworking to sewing to painting, etc.

8. Buy Quality - When you do purchase items, buy the highest quality item you can afford. It will last longer and perform better and you'll only have to buy the item once instead of constantly replacing cheaper versions that fall apart or break too soon.

9. Create a Want List - Despite having everything I need, there are still things I want. For example, I saved up all summer for a pair of cross country skis. To me, this purchase was justified because: I didn't already have a pair of skis. I will have them for years and years. They will be a form of entertainment each winter. Skiing will be great exercise. I had wanted them for a couple years, which means they're not an impulse purchase. I'm not completely depriving myself of everything in life, just becoming more aware of what I buy.

10. Shop with a list - I'm a list-maker. I make lists for everything. Grocery shopping, tasks to accomplish, the hardware store, etc. When I shop with a list, I stick to it. If I see something in a store that I want and it's not on my list, I write it down for next time. That way I don't forget about it and if I still want it and feel it will fit into my life, I'll purchase it next trip. Most times, I don't even want the item when I see it again. Impulse buys are evil!

So those are some of the ways I've learned to think about what I'm buying rather than purchasing things that I don't need or items that don't bring any added value to my life.

Secret to perfect hashbrowns

I love breakfast foods. Morning, mid-day, or night. I do not discriminate. I usually eat "breakfast for dinner" at least once a week. 

Hash browns are one of my favorite side dishes. They have a tendency to get gummy if you're starting with raw potatoes.  There's a secret to getting your potatoes crispy. I'm going to let you in on that secret. It changed my world when I discovered it. 

**After you grate your raw, peeled potatoes, squeeze as much liquid as you can from them.**

That's it. That's my big secret.  How you choose to squeeze the liquid out is up to you. In the past I used gadgets or towels, but then I got lazy. Now, I use my hands. 

I pick up a handful of shredded potatoes and squeeze them over the sink. You might be surprised at how much liquid comes out. Then, I plop them into a hot skillet with some bacon grease. You can use butter or oil, too. 

You can also start with potatoes that were baked or par-boiled. Let them cool completely before peeling and grating. This is a great way to use up already cooked potatoes from dinner the night before. No need to squeeze with pre-cooked spuds. 

These are better than buying frozen potatoes at the store that have added ingredients. Cheaper, too, even when using organic potatoes. 

The Dirty Life - book review

"The Dirty Life" by Kristin Kimball is a great read. Kristin was a writer in New York who fell in love with a farmer and gave up city life for a very ambitious farm dream. The writing was honest and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. This will be one of those books that I read again and again over the years. 

I most often read non-fiction and I love memoirs that involve food (not surprising if you know me at all). This one did not disappoint!

How do your eggs rate?

Last year I was great about buying eggs from a local farm. They were expensive, but I knew that I was getting eggs from a smaller, local farm that treats the chickens well. They truly are free-range. 

Then, the eggs started to taste... fishy. Not 'fishy' as in suspicious. Literally, like fish. I gagged trying to eat them. I tried another dozen from the same place a couple weeks later and got the same fishy taste. I read that it's sometimes too much flax in a chicken's diet or certain things they may be eating if they're free-range. I just couldn't eat them. 

So, I started buying eggs at my regular supermarket that were labeled free-range and organic. I had also seen the same brand in our smaller, organic market and figured they had done their research on the brand. At $5.48 per dozen, I was hoping they were above factory farms. 

Unfortunately, the two brands I have been buying did not score well on the Organic Egg Scorecard from The Cornucopia Institute. Both only received a one out of five rating! That's horrible! 

Click HERE to see if your organic eggs are on the list. If you don't see your brand listed, check the back of the egg carton to see the name of the farm that supplies the eggs for the brand. 

This is a wake-up call for me, not only for eggs, but for how important it is to know where everything I consume originates. I'm back to local eggs (no longer fishy tasting) and hopefully will have chickens of my own this spring! 

Chim-chimney, Chim-chimney!

It went from summer (85 degrees and sun) to fall (50s/60s and rain) overnight here. I normally love fall with its crisp, cool days, but I prefer a more gradual transition. It doesn't look like it'll be warming up any time soon, so this is truly the beginning of cold weather for us.

Today was chimney cleaning day. It's like going to the dentist for me. I dread it for weeks, until I'm actually doing it. Then I realize it's not so painful and it's over before I know it. I know it's something that has to be done before we can use our wood stove. That is our main source of heat and I don't know how we'd survive without it. After a cold, damp day last week, I knew that the chimney cleaning  had to be done soon, before it gets even colder.

We purchased a new stove during the summer and I'm anxious to try this new guy out! Compared to our old stove that needed to be refueled just about every hour, this stove burns for up to 24 hours on a low setting! What??!!  I can't wait to wake up in the morning to a warm house this winter!

It's still a little too warm to justify starting a fire for me. I'd rather save our wood for when it's really cold. At least that is one chore I can cross off the list and when it does get even colder, which it inevitably will, we will be ready to go!

Seed Starting

Starting seeds doesn't have to be expensive. Get creative with used containers you have around your house. 

My husband went on a hummus eating spree last year and saved his containers for me. Any plastic containers should work. I punched holes in the bottoms with a nail and hammer and the hubby did a few with his electric drill. The drill was faster and more efficient, but either method works.

I'm using the container lids underneath the pots to collect any water that drains out. 

I have about 14 of these scattered around my house right now.

It's easy to write what is planted on the container with a permanent marker. 

I've also been saving egg cartons for a few months. Simply fill with seed starting mix and put a seed in each space. 

Again, I wrote right on the egg carton what is planted in each. This one has 6 Amish Paste tomatoes and 6 St. Pierre tomatoes. 

The egg cartons are small spaces, so they will probably need to be replanted before being put outside. This is my first year trying this method, so it will be an experiment. 

It's all about repurposing and upcycling items you have around the house. 

A garden and a library

If you have a garden and a library, 

you have everything you need.

Marcus Tullius Cicero

The sun finally appeared today and the dogs and I got outside to soak up some much needed Vitamin D.  It was almost strange to see a blue sky. This winter hasn't been too harsh, but has been very gray. I don't remember it being this way when I was a kid, but I suppose I didn't think about it so much back then.  

I received an Amazon gift-card for Christmas, but was having a difficult time deciding what to use it on. There are so many things I could use from Amazon. Narrowing it down was difficult, but today I finally decided on a worthy purchase. 

I've been sharing my husband's Kindle off and on for a few years, mostly not using it. While I still adore paper books, our house is so tiny that there is really no room for extra items that aren't used daily. I'm excited to have my own Kindle that I don't have to share with anyone!  

Now I'm just waiting on spring for my garden, and I will have everything I need!