Ooooops, I almost bought a car

I didn’t mean to go car shopping. Really, I didn’t. I fully recognize that purchasing a VEHICLE in the midst of a six month consumer-free experiment would be cheating just a bit. In all fairness, I didn’t list a car as a No-No in my first post, but I think it was implied.

It was a rainy Friday and my children were both out of school. We went to visit BiBi and DonDon (my parents) for the day and I decided to accompany my dad while he ran a few errands. And that’s when I saw it…a new Minivan on the Mazda lot priced below invoice, in need of an owner. I wheeled in to take a look, and two hours later was haggling over prices and getting my VW checked out for a trade in. To make a long story a bit shorter, I didn’t buy the van. But now I’m hooked. I spent half of my morning scouting out car deals on Craig’s List, eBay and the local AutoTrader.

I’ve mentioned before that we want a van for a number of reasons (mainly, automatic opening doors!). Just this past week the car door fell shut, slamming my 2 year old in the head and knocking him to the ground. That horrible event alone made a van seem like a necessary exception to the no-shopping rules. My fantasy vehicle–a hybrid van with 3rd row seating and automatic opening doors–does not exist. But if I can find a used van with doors that won’t maim my children, low mileage and a fair price, I’ll probably be buying. Tune in to see if we put off the purchase until January 9th…

Overheard…

at my daughter’s gymnastics class today (for children ages 5-7, mind you): “Hey coach, I got an iPod Nano and $160 for my birthday.”

Oh my.

Halloween without shopping…spooky, indeed!

I love Halloween. Always have, always will. I love that it’s fall. I love that there is candy. I love that there are decorations. And I even love costumes. I’m not a big fan of dressing up as an adult, but I do love dressing up my little goblins. I even get a little crafty around Halloween (most likely inspired by my cheapness and obsessive compulsiveness — the thought of shelling out $39.99 for a poorly-made polyester costume and wig that will shed all over my house fills me with dread) and enjoy making costumes for my kids.

So far this Halloween season, I’ve managed to stick to our no-buying pledge pretty well. I’ve purchased no candy (I’ve been known to put away an entire bag of Harvest Blend candy corn in one sitting–so this is no small accomplishment!), no decorations (this is very upsetting to our five year old–she envisioned an entire graveyard scene in our woodsy front yard), and no costume-making stuff. Our daughter decided she just had to be Cleopatra (thank you very much, Halloween Express!) and the-amazing-grandma-BiBi committed herself to making the costume. This task, of course, required purchasing several yards of gold and purple fabric and cording, but it’s still cute and homemade and way better than the catalog version (who knew you could make an ancient Egyptian dress out of a pillow case?). Our son has decided to go as a fan (an entire blog post is required to explain his obsession with and undying love for all fans–I’ll save that for another day). I just put the finishing touches on his cardboard and aluminum foil get-up, complete with a cord for the tail. Pretty darn cute if I do say so myself.

Other than a pumpkin purchase, we’ve almost survived this holiday without buying a thing! What does Halloween inspire you to buy, make or eat?

True Confessions

Okay, so this morning, I had to return something to Wal-Mart. And while there, I did a teeny, tiny bit of shopping. I decided that my old black workout pants that were holding on by a thread just had to be replaced. I’ve probably walked 5000 miles in those faithful pants, and they even saw me through my pregnancy with our son. But at this point, they were one downward facing dog away from total disintegration, so I replaced them. I’ve never seen the inside of a dressing room at Wal-Mart prior to today–but I figured if I was going to buy something, I’d better be darn sure it fit and that I liked it. So I walked away with two new pairs of workout pants (why buy just one once you’ve broken the seal?), and a cute impulse buy workout tank top (it was on sale for $5…who could resist?), and it felt pretty good. Well, and while I’m being honest…I also bought new underwear. But hey, even the members of the Compact allow for that, and they’re pretty hard core!

Go ahead, throw stones if you must…but I’m not feeling too bad about this little shopping excursion. I purchased something that I truly needed and hey, it might even encourage me to keep dragging my ass to the gym!

Simple is as Simple Does

I’ve been thinking about the word “simple” a lot lately–and trying to figure out what it really means to me. I’m preparing a talk to give to a group at church about our consumer-free project and my sister loaned me several books about the Quaker faith to help me prepare. The books are full of simple, plain living wisdom from Quakers throughout the ages. My November issue of Real Simple magazine just came yesterday, also full of “simple” ways to improve your life, enjoy your holidays, find new uses for the stuff you own (Carter thinks this is the most ridiculous magazine–why do you need an ad filled publication to tell you how to simplify life? I can’t help it…I love that mag). And I’m a part of an organizing Yahoo! group called “Simple and Sustainable”, where the emails have been flying between different professionals discussing how they promote simple living with their clients.

There was a time when I thought a simple life would mean having lots of time to myself to do whatever I want. With two young children and a business, I can’t even dream about that definition of simplicity anymore. Simple could also mean living with very little, but I’m realizing that even without adding to all that we have, we still have plenty, and we kind of like our stuff! I’m just not a build-you-own-solar-oven, live-off-the-grid kind of gal. Simple could also mean doing very little–not getting involved in school activities or boards or volunteer organizations. There are days that I long for that kind of simplicity, but I just can’t control myself. When someone asks for a volunteer, my hand shoots up before I even realize. And I like to stay busy.

So I’m still struggling to figure out what a simple life would look like for the Kersh family. What is your definition of simple living? And more importantly, are you living it?

Organizational Fantasy

Here’s a little ditty from my latest organizing newsletter, NeatFreak News:

I’m going to let you in on one of my organizational fantasies. I dream of having a mudroom in my home complete with built-in cubbies for each member of my family to hang coats, backpacks, purses, briefcases, hats, lunchboxes, and sports equipment. My fantasy also includes a spot for muddy shoes and wall mounted paper storage for each family member to deposit their notices and artwork from school, to-be-signed papers, the mail, and all other items deemed important enough to escape the recycling bin.

However, my reality is that I have a faux leather bin from Target for backpacks and purses, an oversized table that acts as catchall for paper, keys, phones, mail, library books, gum rappers, etc., and a line of dirty shoes sitting next to my front door. Even an organizer doesn’t always have the perfect system!

If you’re like me, your entryway may need a mini-maker. If you’re living out my fantasy, then just keep that to yourself! Here are a few quick tips for taming the stuff that comes in with us from the outside world so your foyer can return to the inviting, clutter-free entryway it was always meant to be.

1. Introduce the members of your household to your coat closet, and encourage them to use it. Even young children can hang their coats on hooks at eye level, or you can purchase a closet rod extender so they can independently put away their things.
2. Use a cloth or plastic shoe bag and attach it to the inside of your coat closet door to store hats, gloves, mittens and chapstick in winter, or sunscreen, goggles, sunhats and sunglasses in the summer.
3. Have an “Inbox” for each member of your family. Routinely (as in everyday) empty backpacks, purses and briefcases, ditch what you don’t need, copy dates into your calendar and phone numbers into your phone list, and sort paper into each person’s inbox for matters that need to be taken care of later.
4. Keep stuff off the floor. Install attractive, sturdy hooks for hanging backpacks and purses. Use baskets or a shoe rack to store shoes and encourage everyone to remove their shoes upon entering your home (your carpet will thank you!).
5. Create an “out” bin or bag that you can grab and take with you to the car containing items such as library books and videos to return, dry cleaning to be dropped off, or purchases or borrowed items to return.

Unless we win the lottery, I’ll be living without my mudroom for a long time. But a few quick, inexpensive organizational items and a little “maintenance” effort (aka nagging!) can go a long way!

So there…my fantasies unveiled for all to read. Do you have an organizational fantasy?

Plethora

Thanks to my friend Yvonne for informing me about Florida filmmaker Victoria Jorgensen’s documentary, Plethora. I haven’t seen it yet (it’s not exactly NetFlix material), but based on the review I read, the film provides further evidence that we Americans love our stuff, and we’re in no hurry to part with it.

Victoria was first inspired to make this film when she started noticing the vast number of PODS (Portable On Demand Storage) units popping up in her Tampa, FL neighborhood. She then decided to interview individuals who rent self-storage space which led to a documentary film about Americans, our addiction to consumer culture and how we store all of that great stuff we love to accumulate.

Let’s face it, we all have issues with “stuff.” Some buy and keep stuff because they really do think they’ll use it “one day.” Others keep things because someone special made it for them or gave it to them, or it came from a dearly departed great-great-great grandmother. And still others buy and keep things because they love the thrill of the hunt–finding just the right addition to a collection or that great bargain at the outlet mall gives them a rush. Jorgensen explores how all of this stuff becomes an extension of ourselves and how consumption can ultimately mascarade as personal fulfillment.

And then she addresses the big question–once we have it all, where do we keep it? Enter PODS and self-storage units and attics filled to the brim and garages we can’t park in and the need/desire for bigger and bigger homes. A disturbing statistic from the film shows just how far we’re willing to go to keep our stuff:

“The annual revenue of the self-storage industry is greater than that of the motion picture and TV industries combined. Jorgensen notes there are now 49 cubic feet of rental storage space for every man, woman and child in the United States.”

WOW…we could house the homeless in that amount of space and still have room for a few dozen Precious Moments collections. I’d love to tell you to run out and see this film, but I have no idea where you would find it. You can purchase it for $125, but then, aren’t you just accumulating more stuff? For now, read the review, pass it on, and take a day off from shopping.

Sign me up for a Naked Lady Party!

My cooler than cool sister pointed this out and it has me written all over it…recycling/re-purposing, no money changing hands, getting rid of stuff you don’t wear, hanging out with your girlfriends, cocktails. Naked. Lady. Party. Well-dressed friends in Chapel Hill and surrounding areas, be on the lookout for your invitation.

Fumbling our way into month four

We’re entering our fourth month of consumer free living so, once again, I’m checking in to see how we’re doing:

Q: Have we saved money?
A: Still doing okay in this department. We had a few extra fun activities this month (but they involved no environmental impact other than gas) and several birthday gifts we had to purchase (movie passes are my new gift for all ages and occassions). I’d say we’re about $500 below our average for the month–not too shabby (well, we might be looking shabby, but our bank account is looking pretty good).

Q: Will we create less garbage?
A: I’m still obsessing over little scraps of paper, and it’s paying off. Yet I’m appalled at the amount of paper waste we continue to create. Even if I’m recycling it, am I really just passing on the responsibility to someone else? I recently read that the United States sends quite a bit of recycling overseas. What the hell are the Chinese going to do with it? Do we really think they’re models of environmental responsibility?

Q: Will the kids learn from this experiment?
A: My 5 year old now gets it–don’t ask mom for stuff, ask grandma. But I have heard her share a few nuggets of wisdom with her brother about want vs. need, and she still hasn’t spent her allowance money.

Q: Will we cheat?
A: Well, I did buy flowers for the pots on our deck (despite shameful looks and comments from Carter). And I must fess up that I attended the Whimsical Women Art Show in Chapel Hill yesterday, and all of that whimsy went to my head. I purchased a few super cool things from my super cool artist/sister, Paige (Lulugroove). In addition to her dolls, Paige is now making re-purposed clothes out of vintage items — she calls it good fashion for the Earth. And most items were gifts (well, except for the apron that I just couldn’t pass up because she printed the quote “Woman’s Rule of Thumb: If it has tires or testicles, it’s going to give you trouble” on the pocket. Apparently I have a weakness for humorous kitchen attire.

Other than these exceptions, we’ve been true to our pledge and hope to keep it up. We’ve had our highs (saving money; old, not-seen-in-awhile clothes are new again; more quality time with kids) and our lows (lip pencil fiasco; feelings of depression and deprivation; minor marital scraps). Keep sending the no-shopping vibes our way–we’re only half way there!

Supermom

Despite all of my whining of late (as if I’ve given up practically everything that is tasty or fun in life), I had a great week with my kids. I think in my effort not to spend/buy/consume/shop, I had gotten a little lazy as a mom. I definitely had some making up to do.

Monday, I took my daughter to the Morehead Planetarium to see a Magic Treehouse Movie. We avoided the goody-filled gift shop and instead shared a hot chocolate on Franklin Street. Tuesday was gymnastics and family dinner night before Carter left on a business trip. Wednesday the kids enjoyed an evening with grandpa Don Don that included a walk, roller skating, and a lot of time on the swingset. Thursday we spent the entire afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese (definitely not MY first choice for a fun afternoon–but my kids are in love with that place). Friday we had a birthday party to attend at Pump It Up (huge, jumping castle and giant slide fun house) in Raleigh, and this morning, I took the kids to see an Operetta for children at Duke Gardens (thanks for the invitation, Anton).

Most of these events cost $10 or less, and didn’t involve purchasing a single toy/gadget/keep-you-quiet-while-mommy-shops item. Other than the goody bag from the birthday party, nothing was purchased or brought into our house other than food, gas and activities this week. We’re almost 3 months in to consumer-free living and so far, so good!