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Connections
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| Posted: Nov 08 2008 at 11:40am | IP Logged
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Has anyone tried a "We won't buy anything (except food) for ourselves for X months?"
We recently implemented this in our family and it is wonderful! When we go on field trips and they want something from the gift shop (from a location we have been to many times and will return to again, BTW), I simply remind everyone of the agreement. When I see a HSing recommendation and think about if we should try it, I simply remind MYSELF of the agreement. When I find a review of a great book, I simply put it on hold at the library (we are blessed with a great library system)!
I have a feeling a lot of the things that would have been "must have's" in the past will no longer seem important in a couple of months.
Buying and cooking food is more interesting, too, somehow.
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Blessings,
Tracey
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Nov 08 2008 at 11:55am | IP Logged
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Funny you bring this up! I was going to start a thread about the same thing. I really want to make next year the "year of not buying anything". I have spent a lot of money this fall on "needs". And yet, there is always another "need" that appears.
I want to make the commitment to living more simply and to stop thinking what else I "need" to make life better. If I can limit it to basic clothing, food and personal care items, and basic school supplies, I should be able to both save money and get the clutter under control.
I am not very good at self-denial, either, so I could definitely benefit from working on that virtue.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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LisaR
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| Posted: Nov 08 2008 at 12:01pm | IP Logged
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Advent and Lent are actually great times to do this.
While everyone else (it seems) is on a spending frenzy, you can really think hard and be mindful about needs vs wants.
(we celebrate Epiphany, so hit all of the ridiculously big clearance sales after Christ's Birth Day!!  )
I once made it 40 some days without buying anything but fresh fruits, veggies, and some dairy....
3-4 weeks without going to any store but the farmers market has occured before, too!
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
Thomas 11
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Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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Mary G
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| Posted: Nov 08 2008 at 12:06pm | IP Logged
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Wow -- I don't know if Amazon could handle that! 
Seriously, this sounds like a great Advent thing to do ... focusing us more on making/doing rather than buying. I might just take up the challenge!
Here's a great site, Cindy's Porch has great ideas for this kind of thing.
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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LisaR
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| Posted: Nov 08 2008 at 12:31pm | IP Logged
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Mary G wrote:
Here's a great site, Cindy's Porch has great ideas for this kind of thing. |
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just joined here about a month or so ago. I like her positive, and realistic spirit!! (no reusing ziplock baggies 10 times each! )
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
Thomas 11
Dominic 8
Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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mellyrose
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| Posted: Nov 08 2008 at 1:01pm | IP Logged
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I did something similar for Lent a few years back - I only spent money on Mondays. Bills were sent out on Monday, grocery shopping happened on Mondays, etc.
Spending on other items was limited, but not removed. I couldn't really get DH on board with the idea. He thought it silly.
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Melanie in AZ
Colin (11/00), Nate (05/02), Lydia (04/07)
My Little Patch of Sunshine
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Anne
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| Posted: Nov 08 2008 at 6:58pm | IP Logged
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We have been doing a similar plan in our family for the last 2 months. It is amazing how long you can go between grocery visits. I have actually found it fun to create meals with what is left in the pantry. We have never eaten better... Dried beans and potatoes seem to go a long way when that is all you have to add to your meat. We eat lots of soups and stews with homemade bread. 
I am trying to use the library also instead of purchases. I think amazon stock went down a bit 2 months ago because of this .
We have not purchased any clothes from the "stores" this fall unless it is a flea market or a used clothing store.
Times are tough and with all of these cuts we still struggle. I wonder where we would be if we had not made these changes? 
I like your idea of the whole family in on the plan. Dh and I usually keep money things to ourselves. I think I will try it.
Thanks,
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Anne in TN
WIFE to Brett (91)
MOM to Rebecca(97), Catherine (99), Grace (99), Stephen (00) & 2 Angels in Heaven.
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Nov 08 2008 at 8:33pm | IP Logged
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I like the Monday thing, with one caveat: if I think of something new I need on a Monday, I have to wait until the next Monday to buy it! It is amazing how much just waiting a week or so can tame that urge to press "buy now"!
Thanks for the link to Cindy's Porch. Looks like a lot of good information.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Agreement to cease purchasing for a time
