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MY "DUH" MOMENT

2/11/2015

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"Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers."
William Wordsworth


This thought hit me recently. Not unlike Oprah's Ah Ha Moment this was, however, my "Duh Moment". When I leave home I spend $$$...the market, gas station, drug store, post office, doctor's office and that's not counting when I leave home actually planning to spend money, when I go out to a restaurant, movie, concert or for some intentional shopping.

Wait for it.....I have a plan....let's never leave our houses again! Nah...of course, that's not practical. What is practical though is to look at our spending from a different perspective. There is the necessary spending...food, gas, health care, clothing (in moderation)...you get the picture. And there is the optional spending...the things that are fun but not actually necessities. Like the latte' you stop for on the way to work or the umpteenth black turtle neck you just had to have (speaking to myself here).

Never leaving the house doesn't solve the problem of shopping online or tuning in to the shopping channel. You're on your own there but just remember...perspective...is it necessary or is it not? Stay away from the Unnecessaries.  (the computer thinks this is not a word...if it wasn't before....it is now!)

Now I want to introduce us to some options we have when we really want to get out of the house but don't want to spend $$$.

-visit the library
-visit a friend
-visit a family member
-go to free concerts and art exhibits
-take a walk or hike
-go to the park
***walk to the park with a friend or family member and read a book you got at the library, they may be having a free concert

Good Luck!!

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THRIFTY IS AS THRIFTY DOES

4/1/2012

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"Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship."
Benjamin Franklin

Just a reminder to all of us, myself included to be aware of the many small ways we can make a difference in our environment and our wallets.

Magazines: Over the years my magazine consumption has come round to this....I receive the New Yorker from a friend as a Christmas gift...I pass it on to my mother...My mother subscribes to Time...She passes it to me...My son receives Newsweek and Sports Illustrated as gifts...He passes them to me. I have people in my home for appointments so on the coffee table are copies of The New Yorker, Time, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated and I haven't spend any $$$. In the past when I am done with the magazines I have given them to a medical clinic for low income folks. I got out of the habit. Reminder to self: Start that up again. It's much nicer for the patients to read relatively current magazines rather than a June 2007 copy of Field and Stream or a dilapidated Family Circle that's missing most of its pages.

Beverages: If you prefer bottled water over tap water get a water filter pitcher. It will pay for itself in no time. Squeeze a bit of lemon or lime into your water to make it more "special". Drink water instead of soda or wine. Brew your own coffee and tea instead of buying the fancy stuff.

Walk Don't Drive: Whenever possible walk your errands. It's so much better for your health and the environment. If you do have to drive plan your errands so you drive the fewest number of miles.

Baby Food: After all baby food is just a bland blended version of the food the rest of us eat. Take a bit out before seasoning and blend it for baby.

Music: I love music but have never been a buyer of music and dare I reveal this....I don't own an IPOD! Shocking I know. What I do enjoy is Pandora Radio. When cooking, cleaning or entertaining hook up your computer to speakers and Pandora will choose a playlist for you based on your favorites.

Most of these suggestions are ideas we're all familiar with. This is merely a gentle reminder to remain vigilant in regard to Mother Earth and our budgets.


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