Breaking the Rules

Hello internet friends (and real friends). I've been really bad. Bad about blogging, bad about buying…Yes, we broke the rules. Intentionally, and well thought out. 

As the weather slowly (way too slowly) warms up, we are finding ourselves outside more and more. The kids have lots of balls, and bikes, but nothing to keep them entertained for very long.

The husband and I thought about it, and decided to break our rule and buy some outdoor toys. So, I present our newest back yard additions:

I highlighted the zip line in purple, so you can see it better. We don't have a huge slope, but enough to make it a fun ride for toddlers.

Can you see the joy on his face?! We got this zip line.

Slack lining is super fun as well. We got this one

Maybe I'll make a post about installing them. It was fairly easy, and I installed them both myself within an hour.

I don't feel too guilty, since the purchase didn't bring any stuff into the house. I also like that it made us think so long and hard about a purchase. I hope you're all having a warmer spring than we are!

**The links in this post are Amazon affiliate links and if you buy either of these cool things I get a fraction of some cents. haha

Ode to Stuff Not Purchased

On the way to electronics for watch battery selection,

I passed through the leisure and children’s sections.

Toddler shirts were adorned with shamrocks and gold,

And I caressed the softest pajama set I ever did hold.

(Seriously… I hugged it for a good minute)

Everything was so cute I couldn’t turn my eye,

Without landing on something I wanted to buy.

I whipped out my phone, and texted my mom,

Who said to move quickly, get out, and be strong!

I survived the trip, but was a little bit sad,

Would just a few items have been so bad?

Later that night, when putting the laundry away,

My feelings turned to pride for the events of the day.

I found myself smiling and became quite pleased,

All the clothes fit nicely in the drawers with great ease!

The anxiety of excess is becoming a memory,

Just like those unpurchased items from Target will be.

Buying the stuff is no longer worth it,
It’s better to not have a house full of … stuff.

Simple Sock Sort

Since it's been fairly easy to not buy things, I figured it was time to turn to some de-cluttering. Every time I get socks, I have to dig through pairs I haven't worn in years. After laundry day, the drawer needs to be stuffed down to close.

I figured socks would be a good project, because there is no emotion in footwear. I first sorted them into types of socks: short, tall, boot, compression, house slippers, etc.

Then I went through each pile and kept my favorites; the rest were left to form a give away pile. I got rid of 15 pairs of socks and about 20 pairs of underwear (some went to the trash because they had lived a good life, but others were in great shape - just styles I no longer wear). 

It's a bit hard to tell, but the two sock drawers are only 2/3 full, so they're less of a hassle to deal with (and all the laundry is done). There are still some socks in the mix that I haven't worn in years, but I get nervous making serious purges. And I may need St. Patrick's Day boot socks one day, right?! March is just around the corner.

Can you think of anything in your day that you just deal with instead of fixing?

Paper Purge

I'm a paper hoarder… I keep receipts and all sorts or paperwork. Our file cabinet has been full for a long time and has slowly been expanding into stacks in the corner of our office. I had hoped that a fast pass through would clear up some space. I was blown away by how much useless stuff I had kept!

Anyone think I need a 2008 copy of my receipt and BlackBerry UPC label? 

How about an empty check register log with 2007-2009 calendars? I also had two full boxes of checks that still had my maiden name and an address at least twelve years old. I wonder how many times I've paid people to move those! See the giant pile I amassed?!

 

Most of the files contained sensitive information, so I had to do some shredding. I emptied the shredder basket 4 times, and had to take a 15 minute pause about half way through when the motor overheated. I filled a full grocery bag with generic recyclable trash and had a pile of emptied folders. 

 

Since I've already given up buying 'things' this year, for the next 40 days I'm adding something healthy instead. I'm going to run/walk/bike 3 miles every week day. The weekends will be reserved for disconnected family time! Curious about the scoop behind my year of not buying? Check out the original post here.

Thank Goodness for Diapers

I'm so very thankful that I'm still able to buy my favorite package to open… our diapers! I'm all done buying diapers for my son, so this box was all girl prints (with the cute new Valentine's Day diapers)!

They've also recently released the cutest sheep-themed overnight diapers… seriously, too cute. I don't get paid to endorse the Honest Company, I'm just a raving fan. If you want to give them a try, click here (gives me a credit if you buy something).

Not buying non-essentials gives me a greater appreciation for the things I do get to buy. I've never been so thankful my kids aren't both potty trained! 

Week 4 and going strong! For the rundown on my year of not buying 'things' see the original post.

First Purchase

Ok, so I had to make my first purchase. It fell in the area of 'not having a replacement' but I am still bummed it happened so early!

Let me explain. Many of you know that I work from home full time. I LIVE on my computer talking to customers to train them. I use an internet phone that's directly on my computer with a headset. 

When I first got my existing headset, it was loose in my USB port, but it kind of worked well enough. I made due for a few months, but I think the weight of the plug made the connection even more loose over time. Customers have complained in my last dozen or so meetings about having a hard time hearing me; I would also lose bits and pieces of what they were saying. So, I Amazoned (verb?) a new headset.

My rules only allow buying something new if we do not have something that can replace it (or function similarly). I attempted to use my iPhone headset, but was told there was an odd echo. I tried not using a headset at all, but they said they could hear my typing and could hear themselves talking back. The only other option I have is to use my personal cell phone, but the minutes I would spend on the phone would go well over our phone plan (and if I let work pay for my cell phone bill, they get to call me on it — not happening). So, a new headset it is… the old one is destined for the donate pile as soon as the new one comes in.

Also, in full disclosure, I've had 2 packages arrive since the beginning of the year. One was a pair of boots I bought back on Dec 12th that were back ordered, and another was a blanket I ordered on the 30th. I've also had packages arrive with food (the kids' favorite cereal bar isn't carried locally anymore). So I still get the tangible experience of receiving and opening packages. 

I'm still in the game though!

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Nothing gets me more excited than a good sale. I'm not a huge online shopper, but you better believe I always search the internet for a coupon code when making a purchase. I also keep an eye out for in store sale emails and almost always end up buying more than I planned to.

In hopes to avoid temptation, and to not upset for what I'm missing, I've been unsubscribing from all of my marketing emails. I figure once the year is over I can resubscribe to any I truly miss…hopefully none. It comes down to who is driving my 'need' - the company telling me about a sale or my own thought that I require something. Out of sight, out of mind!

My husband would tease me; is it really a good sale if you weren't going to buy it to begin with? Touché husband… touché. 

Side note: I wish I had a new pair of Spanx! I have two pairs that are ANCIENT (like from college) and now I have a body that actually needs them! I guess I should to get to the gym and work on some 'natural Spanx' aka abdominal muscles… haha

Avoiding Temptation

It's almost been a whole week, and I'm doing well. Staying busy is the trick, but my previous way to stay busy was to shop! It seems appropriate that my first status post is about the store I visited 4 times a week on average - Target. Target is dangerous. I feel like I must break up with Target this year. It's been a good ride, but it's just too tempting! A trip to the store for toilet paper can end at $200… easily. 

It is certainly a shoppers high to stack a sale with a coupon with Cartwheel with Red Card Debit savings, and then pharmacy rewards. I mean, the WHOLE STORE IS 5% OFF!! That was my rationalization for buying groceries there, but a grocery trip would inevitably end up with non-grocery items in the cart. I kept meaning to price compare their groceries to a 'normal' grocery store, but in the end I never got around to it because it was so doggone convenient to buy cheese and then wander down to get a new workout top and realize I desperately needed another hand towel (riiiiight). 

They print your annual Red Card savings at the bottom of the receipt, and it's equally exciting and depressing. It's not only the money that's been nickel and dimed and couponed away, it's that all that STUFF now lives in our house! We have three colanders, exploding kids' dresser drawers, enough C9 workout gear for a whole team of athletes, etc. 

Since we still need to eat, I'm trying out the new HyVee in town and taking it a step further with meal delivery. I am definitely an impulse shopper, even with grocery shopping. My long term goal is to attempt meal planning, but for now having a basic list of groceries show up on my doorstep is a start.

I went online and browsed through an extensive list of items, filled my cart just over $100 (to avoid the $4.95 fee), and scheduled delivery. The next morning there was a knock at my door and a nice man brought in five grocery bags to my kitchen counter:

One thing I immediately realized is that I didn't have any 'goodies.' I didn't realize how much I must impulse grocery shop… snacks, sales, whatever looks good in the moment. 

Another thing I noticed is I didn't read all of the descriptions online properly and got a lot more eggs than I bargained for… omelets anyone? Everything else was 100% on point, and even came in $4 cheaper than the online order! They offered an option to allow substitutes, but I didn't select it.

If I order before 10am, they offer same day delivery; so until my meal planning is on point, I can still be somewhat indecisive with my dinner ideas. Speaking of dinner ideas; what are your favorite go to dinner ideas? Mine are usually a roast/loin in the crock pot or ground turkey/bison in a skillet meal of some sort!

Things I thought about buying this week: new Turbie Twists (hair towels).

2016 - The Year of No More Stuff

I need to start this whole post with a giant disclaimer that I am fully aware that I’m having first world problems. In the scope of the world, I am extremely fortunate, and my problems stem from a blessing. However, in my own daily life, I’m overwhelmed.

There have been a handful of times over the past year that have made me acutely aware of how much stuff we actually own. The first was moving all of the items out of our unfinished basement to have drywall installed. Our garage, office, and living room are filled with boxes of things we haven’t seen or used in years! The second was after Black Friday, when I went to make room for all the new kids’ clothes that I noticed at least ½ of the clothes they had outgrown had never been worn or still had tags. The kids also have so many toys that they spend only a few minutes with each one.

When my husband and I first moved in together, all of his items fit into the back of a pickup truck… I required a full UHaul. My stuff has always been an anchor…maybe a psychologist could find some connection with all of my moves and my ‘collecting’ habit. After a handful of houses, and relocations, I would be fearful of not fitting into a full 18-wheeler!

I’m constantly buying more storage solutions to wrangle all of the stuff that keeps piling up; it’s a constant battle to tidy up, and instead of owning our things, the things have begun to own us! Instead of the instant gratification and quick fix that ‘stuff’ has offered me for years, it has become a giant weight that stresses me out. There seems to be an analogy to food and overeating in this way, but that’s for another day…

So, in 2016 I got the crazy idea to not buy ‘things’. It’s a bit of a hard concept to grasp, but basically nothing coming into our house that won’t be consumed within the month. So groceries are fine, but clothes are not. Nothing that will sit on a shelf, go into a drawer, hang in a closet, loom on the counter, etc.. I’m not a masochist, and without my ‘Target Endorphins’ I need to be sure to take time for self-care, so pedicures and massages are still on the ok list!

If something breaks/wears out, and we don’t have a replacement, it can be purchased (washing machine for example). But if there is a suitable replacement we already own, no new stuff! The kids are a bit harder, because of how quickly they grow, but we have lots of the next size clothes for both kids. If one day we wake up and their feet have grown two sizes, we will certainly get them new shoes (and get rid of all their smaller ones).

As far as gifts, they must be experiences… so no toys for birthdays, but a fun event or outing instead!

For the first few months, my focus is going to be on staying vigilant and not making purchases. Then comes the purge! I’ve been reading a book about the KonMari method of tidying up, and have faith that without bringing more stuff in, and by living with our stuff, it will hopefully be easier. Some things will be easier (dried out markers and literally 5 large moving boxes of pants), and others will be harder (mementos of a life abroad).

I’m going to try and post weekly updates with my progress and struggles… wish me luck!