Comments on: Second-hand for an entire year http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/04/08/second-hand-for-an-entire-year/ Put the \"personal\" back in personal finance, the \"me\" in money management, the \"I\" in investing. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:58:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Barb http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/04/08/second-hand-for-an-entire-year/#comment-9016 Barb Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:16:44 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/04/08/second-hand-for-an-entire-year/#comment-9016 My mom and Dad just spent the last month eating everything from the cupboard. Like the chili spice packet they got as a housewarming gift and that extra Pampered Chef and Tastefully Simple stuff that looked so good when you bought it, but then just sits. After a month of forcing themselves to eat it, it gave her a fresh perspective of what to buy and fill up the cupboard with in the first place. I'm starting this month trying to do the same thing. Last night was Lipton noodles an tonight we are having wild rice and something. I'm trying to just buy the fresh produce and meats and use up everything else. My mom and Dad just spent the last month eating everything from the cupboard. Like the chili spice packet they got as a housewarming gift and that extra Pampered Chef and Tastefully Simple stuff that looked so good when you bought it, but then just sits. After a month of forcing themselves to eat it, it gave her a fresh perspective of what to buy and fill up the cupboard with in the first place.

I’m starting this month trying to do the same thing. Last night was Lipton noodles an tonight we are having wild rice and something. I’m trying to just buy the fresh produce and meats and use up everything else.

]]> By: Betsy http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/04/08/second-hand-for-an-entire-year/#comment-9007 Betsy Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:16:41 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/04/08/second-hand-for-an-entire-year/#comment-9007 After my divorce I forgot to change my W4, so I am paying a higher-than-expected tax bill (though I invested the money, essentially, so it's all good). I haven't had any credit card debt in a year, so to keep that streak going I have declared April to be my personal "Appreciate What I Have" month. I like that better than "Don't Spend Money" month. So when I am tempted to buy something -- including groceries -- I first look at what I already have. It doesn't mean I'm not spending any money at all, but I sure am not spending very much, either. The attitude has spread to other areas of my life -- when I complain about the weather, I try to turn that into noticing what I have. Today that meant noticing there is very little snow on the ground and warm spring is truly around the corner! It has really made me notice the bounty in my life, not just in material possessions but in people and fun and happiness. Plus, I will pay my tax bill, not be broke, and still have savings. Excellent! After my divorce I forgot to change my W4, so I am paying a higher-than-expected tax bill (though I invested the money, essentially, so it’s all good). I haven’t had any credit card debt in a year, so to keep that streak going I have declared April to be my personal “Appreciate What I Have” month. I like that better than “Don’t Spend Money” month. So when I am tempted to buy something — including groceries — I first look at what I already have. It doesn’t mean I’m not spending any money at all, but I sure am not spending very much, either. The attitude has spread to other areas of my life — when I complain about the weather, I try to turn that into noticing what I have. Today that meant noticing there is very little snow on the ground and warm spring is truly around the corner! It has really made me notice the bounty in my life, not just in material possessions but in people and fun and happiness. Plus, I will pay my tax bill, not be broke, and still have savings. Excellent!

]]> By: shruti http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/04/08/second-hand-for-an-entire-year/#comment-9006 shruti Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:53:36 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/04/08/second-hand-for-an-entire-year/#comment-9006 I've slowly weeded out buying new clothes lately. Not that I am buying used either, just no new clothes. I have an excess of clothes and I said nothing new until I get rid of the something olds...and that is quite a bit. We had a family friend who had that principle and I think it's a great one. This may change as the weather warms up, I have to admit. The nice thing is I can spend it more on things I want like eating out. That is something I should probably cut out, but I am kind of a foodie, so that is my indulgence. I don't go to bars much either, just restaurants! I’ve slowly weeded out buying new clothes lately. Not that I am buying used either, just no new clothes. I have an excess of clothes and I said nothing new until I get rid of the something olds…and that is quite a bit. We had a family friend who had that principle and I think it’s a great one.

This may change as the weather warms up, I have to admit. The nice thing is I can spend it more on things I want like eating out. That is something I should probably cut out, but I am kind of a foodie, so that is my indulgence. I don’t go to bars much either, just restaurants!

]]> By: David http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/04/08/second-hand-for-an-entire-year/#comment-9005 David Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:10:23 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/kablog/2008/04/08/second-hand-for-an-entire-year/#comment-9005 Kara - We still find thriftstores cheaper - from the looks of everyone at Lifetime last night I was probably the only one in a used Reebok shirt ($1.99). Challenge? Paying off mortgage (early)would be a great challenge to embark on. Change? Money - It would be difficult to give up good wine and go downmarket. Kara - We still find thriftstores cheaper - from the looks of everyone at Lifetime last night I was probably the only one in a used Reebok shirt ($1.99).

Challenge? Paying off mortgage (early)would be a great challenge to embark on.

Change? Money - It would be difficult to give up good wine and go downmarket.

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