Waste not---Want not!

**Shell** · 01-07-2005, 07:09 PM

I've been reading a few threads about people cutting down on some of their weak spending areas. Let's see, there's body lotion, clothes, baskets, books oh yes, perhaps even fat quarters. In an effort, to spend less this year I've been trying to remember the motto waste not---want not.

There are a few different ways I have been trying to do this.

1. Cleaned up some cupboards to REMIND myself of all the bottles, lotions, books, clothes that I already have and should be using.

2. I've been mending my clothes so that I use them rather then buy something new.

3. Staying out of the store. The snow storm has helped that last couple of days.

4. Reminding myself how lucky I am to have what I have. "Happy is the man that is satisfied with what he has."

5. Reminding myself that buying things don't truly make you happy.

6. Trying to use up what I already have in the fridge and cupboard.

7. Spending less on gifts. You can be thoughtful without being broke.

What do you do to motivate your self to spend less?

**homesteadmamma** · 01-07-2005, 07:42 PM

Shell I have a motto that my great granny always use to say to me.

Eat it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or go without

I do the following:

~stay out of stores especially quilting stores.

~I visit the library more often when I get an urge to purchase a book. Most new books that I really want to read eventually come to the library or I can get it on inter-library loan

~we use up what we have

~often we do go without because in actuality its only a want and not a need

**thrifty gal** · 01-07-2005, 08:02 PM

homesteadmamm, your grandma's mottos is my motto as well. It's a great thing to always keep in mind.

**lpfusch** · 01-07-2005, 08:25 PM

Hello,
Great motto!

Lately I have been "Shopping at home". I have a few minutes to my self, I do not want to clean something else, fix something else, call someone else, or any of that.... I get the urge to go out... SHOPING YES!!!!!..... NOOOOOOOO! the budget is way tooo tight for that.... OK What would I buy if I went shopping?. Well My cupboards are full, My Closets are full, My groceries are done, Christmas is over, What would I shop for? Ok I really would like new lamps for the living room. ... What dont I like about my lamps? Well they dont match each other or the room. Sooooooo,,,, I have a can of shiny Black paint and I have some really nice wrapping paper I got on markdown after Christmas that is not christmasy but really would match in the living room..... OK shopping at home. I take the lamps down in the basement and SPRAY away... Both are now black and shiny. Now I take the shades.... Decopage the shades with the paper and now they match. They match the living room and sorta kinda match each other.

Shooing at home works just fine for me.

Honeydoya

P.S. Total savings I would estimate at 25.00 per lamp and savings to my budget and sanity at balancing time...... PRICELESS!!

**Shell** · 01-07-2005, 09:40 PM

Yes, I always try to use that motto too CJ!

**AmyMCGS** · 01-07-2005, 10:46 PM

I'm staying at home more, too. The temptation is too great for me right now when I'm in stores-- we can finally put the house together, and now I have a huge list of things I'd like to have (another lamp, a picture to fill in the blank space on the family room wall.... that sort of thing). So, I've been having DH take my car to work more often-- the carseat is in my car, and if he takes it, DD and I have to stay home.

And, since I'm home more, I'm finding ways to fill in those "needs"-- I got a lamp through Freecycle, and won a small quilted wall hanging very cheap on eBay. Well, ok, eBay was still $$ spent, but only $8, as opposed to what I would have spent at the mall. So, making myself stay home more often is definitely saving me money!

**Makat2u** · 01-08-2005, 12:12 AM

I do all my shopping online from clothes, house items to groceries & I'm actually spending more $$ the few months because I need clothes, shoes, & the picture tube in my tv is going out

plus I have family I haven't seen in years coming to visit & not to mention my girls graduating. To top it off my rent is going up in March but I can handle it, they only took a portion of my yearly raise.

**gkp1031** · 01-08-2005, 06:32 AM

I'm staying out of the malls which is my biggest temptation. I have plenty of clothes to wear, lotion to use, etc. I'm making do with what I have

**Jeanna** · 01-08-2005, 09:20 AM

I am trying to stay at home. It seemed that I was endlessly running to Walmart for something and coming home having spent $$$. I am also trying to read some of the books I already have and use the crafting/sewing supplies I have. I could sew for a year and probably not need a thing from the store.

**Michele Annette** · 01-08-2005, 11:21 AM

I stay out of all stores including the quilt shop, unless I am purchasing fabric spicifically for a quilt.

I stockpile so I don't need to stop at the grocery store as often.

I stay busy with free activities...walking, doing exercise indoors, sew from my stash, play games, read, puzzles, crochet from my stash, etc..

When I really get that terrible feeling of "I just need to buy something", I go to the library...It works every time! I get as many books as I want, even if I don't end up reading them all, it feels good to leave with something tangable! It really does work for me!

**guest2** · 01-08-2005, 04:48 PM

Working at the library has saved me so much money!!!! I get to see all the wonderful new books, videos, dvd, books on tape and cd that are coming in. A great number of them are now making it home with me and I've been busier than ever reading. Most of the books and dvd are ones that I have considered purchasing in the past but now I just borrow them for a week or so. Much cheaper!
I've also been mending clothing, going shopping in my closet (I have many items in there that I have either worn once or have not had a chance to wear at all yet), and goign through my accesories trying to put together a new look.

**daddys3chicks** · 01-08-2005, 05:01 PM

Well besides trying to stay out of Walmart I keep trying to remind myself of what my Mom always said "Watch the dimes and the dollars will take care of themselves."

**pip** · 01-09-2005, 12:47 AM

So true. I could go to Target for something and end up buying even more things than I thought of before I left for the store. This could repeat itself the next day and the next. It's amazing how much you can make do with, without going to the store.
And, I love that expression about being thoughtful without being broke. That really is a profound thought!

**babetteq** · 01-09-2005, 01:21 AM

I like that motto too. On the fridge it goes!!!

You guys have great ideas.

We don't have malls or stores here. either we order online, or we get people to send stuff up, or there is always Sears. It has really made a difference to the nickle and diming that happens in the city where everytime you walk out the door you 'lose' 20$.

I try to remind myself what we have---and that is more than we need. We have enough food ot feed an army for 6 months. I have everything I need for my crafting, we have internet.... in fact we have more than most of the world. The only reason I would buy something right now is because either I 'want' it (and funny, if I don't look at the flyers in my mail I don't desire what they sell) or because I'm feeling 'poor' and buying something might assuage that. But if I'm feeling that way I just remember where I've come from and how lucky and blessed I am now.

Babs

**Shell** · 01-09-2005, 10:56 AM

Hmsclmom I think it is very important to go shopping in your own closet. Learn to be creative. Put a blouse with a skirt you never tried. I love to mix and match! It stretches what you already have. I wear a lot of black so that helps me too.