A few weeks back, Kristine over at Dancing in a Field of Tansy started the “Not Buying It” Challenge as a way of challenging herself to do more with less. I’ve decided to jump on board, because I could use the challenge as well – I’m a little late to the party but excited about seeing how this challenge inspires me. Note: I deleted her education category because it seemed that was focused to her homeschooling efforts. I don’t homeschool (obviously, I’m kidless), so I don’t need that one and any personal education will go into the self-improvement category.
Clothing:1) Mended a denim skirt that I most wear when doing chores – it’s getting rather threadbare but its oh so comfy 2)Being more conscious about wearing my apron so as to not stain my clothing
Food: 1) We’ve been living off the pantry goods for the most part so I feel good here
Household: 1) I did buy 2 gallons of white vinegar this week for $3.80 and that will be for most all my cleaning needs so it saves us in other ways
Utilities: 1) We’ve been very good about turning off power strips at night and any time during the day when we’re not at home or inside 2) Line drying clothes now that weather permits means less clothes dryer electricity use
Gifts:I haven’t had any gifts recently beyond sending birthday cards and those cards were purchased several months back for 10 cents a piece at the thrift store (I keep a stash on hand)… to those folks who read this blog and received birthday cards, sorry for making the price so public (but the love included is priceless, right?)
Exercise / Self-Improvement: 1) Borrowed a few library books for knowledge sake. 2) Dug potato trenches and yard clean-up for exercise
Homestead:1) Started spreading free hay from Craigslist on the garden 2) Jeff and a friend will be finishing the last piece of missing fencing from our yard with materials from our stash and leftover pieces from a neighbor’s fence.
Weaknesses: 1) I bought a latte and I blame it on a work-related stressful day, its no excuse really.
Purging: 1) I do have a box that I’ve been tossing stuff into. I store it in the garage for now, we’ll either donate it or have a yard sale later this summer.
*** PS: If you’re participating in the Doing Not Thinking Challenge, please be sure to let me know what your goals are so I can link to you and your goals on the new page I created.
April 24, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Ooo, sounds like a good challenge. I am working on the DNTC so will lurk on this challenge. Cannot be a lurker now – my presence has been announced! =)
April 24, 2009 at 4:12 pm
thanks for the card!
it was a great lift to a blue day.
i too need to be more mindful of the apron usage…i have gotten out of the habit and need to get back into it. thanks for the reminder!!
April 24, 2009 at 6:47 pm
This is a really awesome challenge. I should be doing it because it is very relevant to my interests. But I can’t join the challenges. Seriously, within a couple of weeks, I start to feel stifled by the demands and almost compulsively start doing the opposite of what I’m supposed to.
It works better for me to just say, “Yeah. That’s a good idea. I should be more mindful of what I buy.” And casually incorporate it into my habits. I’ve seen this challeng around and wondered what it’s about. Thanks for explaining.
April 25, 2009 at 8:32 am
I’m in on the Doing Not Thinking. My goal is to be able to run/job a mile without stopping for breath, just amble along. I posted it on my blog. I’ll update every Tuesday. So far, so good.
Your post got me thinking that while I’m doing much better in this rental at housekeeping, I’ve fallen down on the homemaking part. Need to work on that this weekend. As far as the Not Buying It challenge, well, I kinda go back and forth on it. I did take my lunch to work 3 days this week, a milestone for me.
April 28, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I am up for the Not Buying It challenge. Is is ok to join this one?
April 29, 2009 at 9:02 am
Kristine started the challenge, but I’m sure she’d love to have you join in…