buy less

I’ve already limited my purchase and consumption of these two items to once a week – Friday mornings. It’s already saved me some serious cash and I’ve dropped a pound or two as well. Good stuff.

A simple life is a beautiful life.

i have done very well lately by spending my money primarily on gas and food, the only necessary things. i can count the number of times i spent money on things other than that, including a thrift store dress for halloween, and a few movie tickets, on one hand. it’s about having experiences instead of junk, and using what i already own instead of collecting anything else that will just be clutter.

But there are so many wondrous things to buy. So many beautiful clothes! Tools, gadgets, gizmos, toys, food, etc.

is the question. This is definitely not a SMART goal.

The key seems to be to eliminate impulse buying altogether. I can’t deny the sheer pleasure jolt of acquisition, but I also think there’s often as much enjoyment to be gained through extended contemplation of a potential new thing.

What would it mean for a purchase to absorb the same amount of psychic energy as a philanthropic gift? (Gosh knows there’s also a fair amount of impulse philanthropy out there.)

I love shopping! I buy mostly second hand but even so I think I’m buying too much stuff that I don’t need!

I want to give more love to the things I have already. If I have to buy stuff, I want it to be second hand and gorgeous. I want to make more things and be more self-sufficient.

Spring is coming and today was a beautiful day for gardening. I decided it was time to plant some vegetables…the only problem is that every time I’ve tried to start a garden my dogs find a way to dig it up.

My solution was to plant things in large pots as opposed to planting them directly in the ground. Thankfully, we had one large pot that wasn’t being used and I found a large bucket to use as a planter instead of buying a new pot. We had some potting soil lying around so all I needed to buy for my little vegetable garden was the plants! Yay! I ended up choosing eggplant and bell peppers so in a few months I’ll have fresh veggies from my garden!

i think i learned a thing or two. i only bought something from sephora that one time. i have been diligent about going to the cheaper gas stations, and i did not buy a single magazine. not bad.

I am trying, really. I have not bought anything from sephora, except for eye cream on my birthday because i freaked out about getting older. i have been using up my shampoo—even though it sucks!! and i have steered clear of the holiday sales. i filled up my tank at the really cheap gas station and i brought my lunch to work.