I won't spell out my monthly income for you but, suffice it to say, I'm a preschool teacher. I'm also fairly visual (in addition to auditory and tactile) so I enjoy having pretty spaces. As it's now Winter, this is especially important to me in consideration of my SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Well, a month or two ago, I was feeling overwhelmed by the amount I'd been spending on moving expenses. I talked myself through it, spoke with my spiritual director, and also had a meeting with myself to form a game plan for future spending. I outlined for myself a better way of keeping track of my finances and who, at the end of the day, I want to financially support.
I'm now feeling so much better, which is absolutely wonderful, and I thought that I would write this post to share why that is. Here are the 3 things that made January amazing for me:
I'm now feeling so much better, which is absolutely wonderful, and I thought that I would write this post to share why that is. Here are the 3 things that made January amazing for me:
1. Thrift Stores
I grew up on Thrift store clothing. Then college and the first few years of life as a young professional happened and I forgot all about it. I've just recently got back into it; happily, in my area, there are many and I now frequent them during my work breaks whether I buy anything or not.
Recently, I spent a Sunday afternoon at three different thrift stores and, yes, I did purchase things at each location but the most expensive (by a longshot) thing I bought was a $25 oil painting. I also recently added two pretty sweaters to my wardrobe for a grand total of $10.20. One I was looking for, the other I just loved and my inability to resist proved to work in my favor: it was my first time at that particular thrift store and I was informed that I had hit the "lucky number" - I'd had no idea that there was a $10 minimum for use of a card and I didn't have any cash on me!
It does take some effort and energy and it can be hit or miss, but I've always enjoyed my thrift store finds so much more than my other clothing and this, for me, is probably because money stresses me out so much and wearing thrift store clothing just reminds me, happily, that I spent $5 or a total of $30 for 6 articles of clothing.
Recently, I spent a Sunday afternoon at three different thrift stores and, yes, I did purchase things at each location but the most expensive (by a longshot) thing I bought was a $25 oil painting. I also recently added two pretty sweaters to my wardrobe for a grand total of $10.20. One I was looking for, the other I just loved and my inability to resist proved to work in my favor: it was my first time at that particular thrift store and I was informed that I had hit the "lucky number" - I'd had no idea that there was a $10 minimum for use of a card and I didn't have any cash on me!
It does take some effort and energy and it can be hit or miss, but I've always enjoyed my thrift store finds so much more than my other clothing and this, for me, is probably because money stresses me out so much and wearing thrift store clothing just reminds me, happily, that I spent $5 or a total of $30 for 6 articles of clothing.
2. Buy Nothing
Have you heard of these groups on Facebook? They're amazing. The point is to buy nothing; post pictures of the things you are intending to give away and someone will likely comment to claim within a day or two. One must ask permission to PM/DM (private message/direct message) you for your address for pick up and it's your choice whether you want to leave the object or article out on your front porch (no introductions necessary) or actually meet the person upon their arrival (I've done it both ways).
The process also works in reverse, of course. People post their own pictures and those interested comment away on them. Hopefully, you will obtain lots of great things -- for free!
I have given away things that I hadn't been able to just donate to a thrift store for sentimental reasons and I've obtained several pretty articles of clothing, a pretty chip/salsa pottery dish, and replaced my dishes -- all for free! It's just the best and I've also enjoyed getting to know our neighborhood's surrounding streets a bit better in the process.
If interested, just search for "Buy Nothing [insert your city or town]" and you'll probably have to answer a few administrative questions. They're closed groups, which make them safer for membership and community building. I learned of them through my mom and my sister, which was a really great referral and, furthermore, I really believe that this is another aspect of one of my favorite things to say and observe: "This is social media done right!".
The process also works in reverse, of course. People post their own pictures and those interested comment away on them. Hopefully, you will obtain lots of great things -- for free!
I have given away things that I hadn't been able to just donate to a thrift store for sentimental reasons and I've obtained several pretty articles of clothing, a pretty chip/salsa pottery dish, and replaced my dishes -- all for free! It's just the best and I've also enjoyed getting to know our neighborhood's surrounding streets a bit better in the process.
If interested, just search for "Buy Nothing [insert your city or town]" and you'll probably have to answer a few administrative questions. They're closed groups, which make them safer for membership and community building. I learned of them through my mom and my sister, which was a really great referral and, furthermore, I really believe that this is another aspect of one of my favorite things to say and observe: "This is social media done right!".
3. Be a Member of a Grocery Store
I most consistently shop at the same two locations of Safeway, so I became a member and punch in my phone number every time at checkout. It's fantastic to get discounts for most everything I buy!
Then, 98% of the time, I fill my car with gasoline at the Safeway station across the parking lot from the store (conveniently, right down the street from work in the same direction as my commute). I punch in my phone number there, too, and consistently get up to $0.40 off per gallon.
The other thing that I would like to mention about Thrifting and Buy Nothing-ing, is that groceries are now the most expensive items on my "To Buy" list. When I realized that recently, it added a happy skip to my step.
Feel free to leave questions or comments on this post below. I'll respond to them in a timely fashion especially because these are 3 things that I'm currently very excited about and have served to alleviate a lot of anxiety and some depression for me in recent weeks.
