goddess of thrift

This Sunday is Stock-Up on Candy Day!!!

In our household, we often look forward to the day after a candy-sale holiday (like Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween or Christmas) because candy gets marked down to half-price (or less) at the store.  This time of year, I'll stock up on marked-down Halloween candy for stocking stuffers at Christmas, and chocolate to chop up for cookies or melt for holiday baking.

Now, I hear those protests concerning candy freshness when purchased in early November for December use.  Really?  Can you honestly tell me you checked the freshness date on that Hershey bar you just stuffed in your mouth while your three-year-old wasn't looking?  I didn't think so!  My experience has been that candy displayed for holiday sale has often been in the store for less time than that sold in traditional packaging.  I have never had a problem with the quality of this sale-purchased candy if it was used within a month or two of purchase.

So, when Halloween is over, I have several options for purchases.  If I find individual pieces in traditional wrappers, but a "seasonal" bag, I'll purchase them for Christmas stockings.  The chocolate which is seasonally wrapped, however, can still be used for baking.  But how do I determine if it's really a good price?

This is where I typically employ my "rule-of-thumb" shopping strategy:  I calculate a price at which I can often find the item on sale, and refuse to pay more than that price for that item.  For example, a 12-oz package of semi-sweet chocolate chips is regularly priced $1.49 at my local Aldi Store (which is the equivalent of $1.99/pound.)  If this is my rule-of-thumb, then anything less than that price is a good deal, and anything more than that, I leave behind at the store.  I find that rule-of-thumb shopping works equally well whether I am purchasing a pound of chocolate, a loaf of bread or a pair of socks, and it makes the decision-making process while shopping quick and easy.  (My real rule-of-thumb price for chocolate, by the way, is $.10/ounce, or $1.60/pound.)

To store chocolate for seasonal baking, I'll often place it in my freezer.  (This not only keeps it fresh, but at my house, frozen chocolate is slightly less likely to be discovered and eaten.)  While the chocolate will assume a "whitish" coating when frozen, it looses that appearance when baked or melted, and is still fine to use if stored for 6 months or less.

In our current economy, there tends to be more competition for marked-down merchandise than when people have a greater quantity of discretionary income.  In our household, however, we find that we have more discretionary income on a regular basis when we purchase items on sale, to get more for our money, regardless of the economic climate.  By doing that, we end up having more money for things that matter.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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Thrift, Gandhi and the Acquisition of Stuff

Back when my husband and I were dating (and "Harvest Gold" was a predominant decorating color) he lived in a one-bedroom, second-floor apartment.  He had one gold-carpeted room in which he stretched and exercised that held a desk, a mirror, a large (gold) floor-pillow and a few stacks of papers.  His gold-carpeted bedroom contained his twin bed (covered in a brown Mexican wool blanket), oak night table and little or nothing else.  His kitchen was equally sparse.  My apartment was furnished with considerably more "stuff", so when we merged our households and factored in wedding gifts, we were well on our way to the Great American Accumulation. 

My husband had a photograph, which he admired, of Mahatma Gandhi's possessions at the time of his death.  In it, if I recall correctly, were a bowl, a book and a pair of sandals.  If my husband suggested that we get rid of something (especially something of mine), I would suggest that he had a "Gandhi Complex".  Several households later, it became obvious to everyone that my husband's (and Gandhi's) aesthetic did not prevail.  Anyone who has helped us move would readily agree.

I have always enjoyed the visual "feeding" which comes from having interesting objects to view and appreciate; I'm a sucker for books and magazines loaded with color photos or illustrations.  In the past few years, however, my preference for "muchness and manyness" in my life has taken a turn.

I am now beginning to understand the greater cost of stuff, beyond the initial purchase price.  Every item I acquire becomes something to store, maintain, dust, repair or shuffle (if it is in close proximity to other such items.)  Not only does my stuff cost me money when I acquire it, but it also costs me time.  As I grow older, time is a commodity I'm less willing than ever to spend on dusting and maintenance.  As I not-so-jokingly referred to my 40's as my "Age of Acquisition", I am now seriously referring to my 50's as my "Age of Editing".  While I still love visual variety and complexity, I am becoming far more selective about what I bring into my home.

I have also learned a more subtle, but no less real, fact about ownership.  On a spiritual level, anything I cannot part with owns me.  If I truly believe that people are more important than things, then I need--and want--to be willing to part with anything that someone else might need more than I do.  This doesn't mean that I have to give everything away . . . but it does mean that I have to hold everything loosely, being willing to see ownership as a temporary thing.  As I can enjoy a library book which I then return, so I can enjoy my stuff.

The thrift lesson here is that there are multiple costs to consider when acquiring an item, beyond just the sticker price.  It really comes down to our attitudes and our choices, which only we can make.  While my long-suffering husband will probably never accuse me of having a "Gandhi Complex", I think he would agree that my attitude toward stuff has changed.  I doubt, however, that he will ever see me choose a decorating theme which is "Harvest Gold".  There are some things about which a girl just can't compromise.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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Thrift and Re-Use

     In the early years of our marriage, we rented the first floor apartment of a three-family house.  We lived in a college community, along with many of our friends, some of whom lived about a block away.  Their house was across the street from that of a retired couple who had depression-era memories, and, as a result, saved virtually everything.  My friend vowed that she actually saw a box in her neighbor's attic labeled:  "string too short to save".

     At the risk of being perceived as a total wacko (I know, it's probably too late for me to worry about that) there are some things I save to re-use, and by doing so, also save money.  I realize that we're taking about pennies and nickles here, however, I believe that those small savings can make a big difference over time.  And, typically, these strategies of re-use are environmentally friendly as well, by reducing what is eventually thrown away as trash.  Thus, below is a partial list of things I sometimes save to re-use:

Butter wrappers--  Because I do a fair amount of baking, these go into a container in the fridge for greasing muffin pans or cookie sheets before they're thrown away.  I don't save hundreds of them, however . . . I rarely have more than 10 or 12 at one time.  If I get more than that, I toss them.

Zip-style plastic bags--  I will wash and re-use bags which have stored dry ingredients, or non-messy foods other than meats.  I don't bother washing the sandwich bags . . . only the heavier quart or gallon storage or freezer bags.  I don't accumulate a big pile of these either . . . just a few.  I dry them inside-out on my dish drainer.

Barely-soiled paper towels--  This may sound crazy, but I keep these in a cupboard by the woodstove to clean the ashes off of the stove's glass door before I toss them.  Obviously, I don't keep anything which would attract bugs or furry creatures.  (I'm not interested in providing nesting material!)

Toilet-tissue rolls--  These also go in the cupboard by the woodstove, to use for fire starters.  Ditto with all non-colored junk mail or discarded office paper.

Seed catalogs--  If I save a variety of seed for a friend, I will sometimes clip the photo of the flower or fruit to put with the seed for identification, along with any growing information in the catalog.  I also find the photos great for drawing studies for my art students, or to use when making paper beads.  When I'm done, they go into the recycling bin.

Old phone books--  The outdated white pages are good to place under paper shapes when applying glue.  These books are also heavy enough to work well for pressing flowers and leaves (between paper towels).

Plastic Peanut butter jars--  After soaking the labels off of these, they work well for same-sized storage for beads, buttons, confetti, shells, pompoms, sequins and all of the various craft "stuff" in my studio.

     This is not an exhaustive list of everything I have ever saved and re-used, but it is a representative sampling.  Let me, loudly and clearly, enter a disclaimer here:  I do not like clutter, therefore I do not advocate saving unlimited quantities of stuff just in case it may someday have value to someone.  I only keep what I think I am likely to actually use in the near future, and I'm not afraid to throw any of it away at any given time.  My goal here is to save money and the environment . . . it is not to gain an entry in the Guinness Book for the largest accumulation of re-usable stuff.  I'll save that endeavor for the real wackos.  (Okay, maybe I'm in denial just a little bit.)

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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Thrift, From My Dog's Perspective

     Our dog is a 40-pound Lab mix, or, as I have come to say, "her mother was a Black Lab, and her father was Ambitious."  She serves as watchdog and companion, and taking her on regular walks assures that I also get reasonable exercise.  But, you're probably wondering:  "What is it like, being the pet dog of the goddess of thrift?"  (Imagine you just heard that question in your own voice . . . it makes pretending easier.)

     Zoe, our dog, eats nutritionally complete, store-brand dry dog food, which looks suspiciously like Purina, although admittedly, I've never done a taste comparison myself.  She is a healthy weight for her frame.  We keep her food available to her throughout the day, and she eats when she's hungry.  She also gets two "cookies", Aldi-brand dog biscuits, when she comes in from outside.  She has never complained about not getting gourmet dog food, or upscale treats, because she doesn't know they exist.  She seems perfectly content with her food, and doesn't seem to have a problem with our thrifty approach to feeding her.  We are certain she receives as much love and attention as most pure-bred, upscale dogs . . . although I've never carried her anywhere in a handbag.

     I realize that comparing the consumption of people to that of dogs falls short rather quickly.  You and I are aware that there are many, many options available to us, and we would soon grow weary of eating the same food meal after meal, day after day, (although there are many people in the world who do exactly that, when they have food at all.)  And, if Zoe were given a choice between a multitude of dog food selections, she might not choose her store brand food.  Once again, I've never conducted this test.

     What we have in common with Zoe, however, is that we don't want what we don't know exists, at least when it comes to material consumption.  While we realize that there are countless options available for spending our hard-earned cash, we also have at least some control  over the extent to which we view, hear or are immersed in marketing messages.  We can turn off the television, or at least mute the commercials.  We can be selective about what magazines we read and what web sites we visit.  If we have personal weaknesses for electronic gadgets or new clothing, we can avoid the tech store or the high-end outlet mall.  The more we expose ourselves to urges or opportunities to purchase, the more the things we now have will taste like the same old, dry dog food.  And, as long as we heed these messages, we will never feel like what we already have is enough.

     Of course,  I'm not advocating that we reduce our consumption to the level my dog experiences.  Each of us gets to decide where, when and how we spend our money.  There is a difference between never again purchasing anything, and finding a level of spending which meets our needs without becoming excessive.  But, I have to admit, I often wish I had a life a little more like my dog's.  To delight in running in the sunshine or the rain, to appreciate having food to eat and clean water to drink, and to love nothing more than hanging out with family seem like signs of a pretty good life.  I think maybe spending more time outdoors appreciating the beauty around me, and less time at the mall, is at least a step in the right direction.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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Thrift and What it Costs to Be a Zombie

     It was a late October day when he walked into the waiting area, where my husband and I were trying on eyeglass frames.  His navy blue shirt, matching pants and grease-stained hands indicated that he was either a mechanic, or worked at a "quick-lube" type of establishment.  Although I don't remember what it was, his name was embroidered in red on a white patch above his left shirt pocket.  He was there to get some contact lenses, he told the woman behind the desk.

     My husband and I watched, speechless, as we realized that the contacts for which he was fitted weren't for vision correction . . . they were his Halloween costume.  His eyes watered and turned bright red as they tried to adjust to the presence of the white contacts he was trying.  Looking in the mirror, he was satisfied with the un-human effect of the lenses, and he kept them in as he pulled out his credit card, paid $100.00 plus tax for the lenses, and left the store.

     If he was like the majority of Americans who use credit, he did not pay the card balance off in full when his November bill came.  So, in addition to the purchase price, he also paid interest.  It is likely that, by the time his initial bill came in the mail, he was done with the lenses, and probably never wore them thereafter.

     I have to admit, the contacts he purchased were quite effective in transforming him into a zombie.  I have no idea whether or not he purchased additional items to complete his "costume".  But I was aware, once again, of the principle of cost-per-use in action.

     Under normal conditions, a pair of contact lenses or eyeglasses used for vision correction costs as much or more than Mr. Zombie's lenses.  However, if you consider the total hours they are worn, and the purpose they accomplish, most probably cost much less than $1.00 per use.  And while you may shop for value on frames, you don't want to forgo quality on lenses for the sake of a better price.  The need for quality justifies the cost of the lenses, for, as my mother told me, "you only get one pair of eyes." 

     The principle here is that the purpose of the item determines the quality (and therefore, cost) required.  While I personally would advocate spending as little as possible on a single-use costume, it is worth it to pay more to get quality vision correction.  The same would be true of a tool which would be used frequently, like a hammer or a paintbrush.  In my opinion, it is not worth it to save money on painting tools if it means picking stray bristles out of wet paint with my fingers. 

     I realize that my values aren't the same as everyone else's.  You may have a burning desire to arrive at a party as a Zombie.  (My dad would say:  "To each his own.")  I would just encourage you to consider the cost of the transformation relative to the number of uses and the level of quality required.  When you spend with those criteria in mind, you will find that you have more money left for "things that matter."  (Am I implying that Zombie costumes don't "matter"?  . . .Ummmm. . .I'll let you decide that.)

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

Becoming a Grocery Store god or goddess

     Yesterday, I went grocery shopping, and I thought it might be instructive to share my shopping trip with you, my fellow gods- and goddesses-in-training.  So, let's relive my grocery outing together.  For me, thrifty grocery shopping is as much about what I don't  do as the things I do.

     Typically, I keep a list of things we might be running low on in the pantry, or want to watch for on sale.  Monday or Tuesday morning, I retrieve my bundle of grocery ads from my driveway, and with whatever list I have started, I peruse the ads while eating breakfast.  After doing that, I also check the manufacturer's coupons which come with my ads.  While there may be four or five stores where I occasionally shop, I usually only hit two or three in my 3-times-a-month outing.

     This wasn't a particularly stellar ad week for the things I normally purchase, so I would have skipped going this week, but I had other errands to run in the area.  My first grocery stop was Meijer.  Because I knew there were no staple items on sale which I wanted or needed to purchase, I headed to the marked-down produce rack.  There, I found bing (sweet) cherries -- organic -- for $.45/pound, and bought almost 10 pounds.  There was a package of celery with 2 bad stalks for $.14, and a bag of 3 green bell peppers for $.46.  (Mine aren't ready in the garden yet.)  I then cruised by the meat and dairy departments to check for markdowns, went through the checkout line, and walked out of the store 12 minutes after entering, having spent $4.97.

     Three minutes later I was at Kroger.  There I bought almost 5 pounds of reasonable-condition, marked down bananas for $.29/pound, and a 3-pint container of their house Chocolate Marshmallow ice cream for $.99.  I also picked up 6 on-sale Crest toothpastes and 2 deodorants from my toiletries budget.  I again looked at the marked-down meats and dairy items, but didn't purchase any.  11 minutes after entering I was leaving, having spent $2.37 on bananas and ice cream and $7.23 on toiletries.

     After running my other short errands, I returned home.  I washed the cherries, which contained 1-3 bad fruits per pound.  About 5 pounds went into the fridge for fresh eating, and the rest I froze, whole, in pint containers.  I discarded the bad celery stalks and refrigerated the rest, and washed and diced the peppers, which went onto a cookie sheet and into the freezer.  I'll scoop them into a container when frozen . . . that way they won't stick together.

     Of course, some shopping trips take longer because I purchase much more.  But what I don't do might  be as important to note as what I do:

--  I don't decide in advance what fresh produce I want, unless I see it for a good sale price in the ad, or must  have it for a recipe.  I see no point in paying $1.49/pound for fresh peaches when I can buy cherries for $.45/pound.  So I allow what is available on sale in a given category -- fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses -- to determine what I buy.  (This assumes the sale items are things we eat.  I don't typically buy bologna or hot dogs, no matter how good the deal, because we don't particularly like them.  It's only a bargain if you actually use it.)  This method also creates variety in our meals.

--  I don't go up and down every aisle of every store, but I do  typically shop at more than one store per trip.  Because I have read the ads, I only enter the aisles which contain items I plan to purchase. 

--  I don't use many manufacturer's coupons.  I normally find the items are still often more expensive than store brands and loss-leader items.  I used one coupon (doubled) for Speed Stick antiperspirant at Kroger, getting two for $.38/each (before tax) to donate to a food pantry.

--  I don't impulse shop, buying what "looks good".  If I'm hungry, I'll buy a cup of yogurt and eat it in the car. 

--  I don't wrestle with other customers for marked-down bargains.  I typically try not to take all of one item if there are other shoppers nearby. My approach is that there is enough for everyone, and if they want it badly, I assume they may need  it badly.

     The quantity and types of items I purchase vary, of course, with each shopping trip, but yesterday's trip is representative of my approach.  By hitting several stores, I find the best prices at each.  By avoiding all of the aisles, I don't waste time.  And by utilizing my freezer, I always have food to enjoy in the future.  This winter, when we eat frozen cherries, allowing them to slowly melt in our mouths, I'll think fondly of my sweet mother-in-law, who, when she was alive, enjoyed sharing her frozen cherries with us in December.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

Thrift and Perseverance

     The pretty, 30-ish woman in our group had her arms crossed and was scowling.  "This stinks!" she exclaimed.  "I don't want to have to do this stuff.  It's not any fun at all."  The rest of the group nodded in agreement . . . we were discussing, in our personal finance class, the previous week's lesson on budgeting.

     This woman understood well the concepts of allotting dollar amounts for each category, curtailing the use of credit, and setting goals.  It wasn't the process she was struggling with -- that was straightforward -- it was having to delay gratification.

     "Yeah, but won't it be cool if, by doing this stuff now, you can save the money to send your kids to college?"  I asked.  Her face softened, and she shrugged, and said "I know.  Yeah, I guess that would be cool."  The realization that she was working toward a goal didn't eliminate her frustration completely, but it did  help her to put it into context.

     The problem with using thrift strategies, or any other financial discipline, is that they sometimes require short-term persistence or, the "s-word" in our culture:  sacrifice, to yield long-term gain.  In a culture which is spoon-fed immediate gratification through the media, persevering to reach a goal isn't always "fun", and doesn't have the shine of "new, now, you-owe-it-to-yourself" which we regularly encounter. 

     I was reminded of this a few weeks ago while complaining about how long it was taking to remodel my kitchen.  A kind friend said, gently, "But think of how rewarding all your hard work will be when it's finally done."  Hating to admit it, I had to acknowledge that she was right.  Sometimes the greatest feeling of accomplishment comes with the realization of a goal which we have persevered  to meet.  (Any graduation ceremony is a great reminder of the rewards which come with perseverance.)

     Now, you may notice that my 30-ish friend and I have something in common:  that is, we both sometimes whine when things feel difficult . . . when we're doing something that isn't "fun".  I, for one, am still learning not to whine, and am more successful some days than others.  But it is also important to note that the desire to quit is not the same thing as the decision to quit.  Perseverance, for my friend and I, means that we are both still working  toward a goal.

     If changing the way you use your finances -- and employing thrift strategies to do so -- enables you to reach your goal, then the end will indeed justify the means. You will have freed up funds for things that really matter . . . and your reward will be that much sweeter because you will have persevered.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

    

July Bargains

     There are good deals available in all months of the year, and July is no exception.  While you're out shopping, check out the following:

--School supplies.  These are usually cheaper in July than at any other time of the year.  If you have school-aged children and can get their supply lists early, you can pick up supplies gradually at loss-leader sales for some of the best bargains.  Be sure to get enough for the entire year; prices are considerably higher in January!  If you don't have school-aged kids, you can still find great deals on items to donate to under-served schools and their students.  The other day I purchased 24-count packs of Crayola crayons,2-count packs of Elmer's glue sticks and 4-ounce bottles of Elmer's School Glue for $.15 per item at Wal-Mart!  The better price you find, the more students you can help!

--Garden supplies.  July and August are months when garden tools, ornaments and seeds frequently go on sale to make room for the influx of fall and winter merchandise that will be in stores soon.  While some stores send seeds back to the distributor for re-packaging, often smaller stores will sell their remaining seeds on clearance.  Stored in a cool, dry place, they're usually still good the following season.

--Picnic supplies.  All those cute plastic coordinating dishes, bowls and cups that are in stores will be marked down and sold.  Buying discounted, multi-use items, (especially if the plastics are recyclable) is environmentally better than using single-use paper, plastic or styrofoam disposables.  A very wise friend of mine purchases one of an item and runs it through her dishwasher.  If it passes the dishwasher test, she returns to purchase a stack of plates, bowls and tumblers which can be washed and reused over and over again.

--Pool supplies and outdoor toys, baseball equipment, and other seasonal recreational equipment.  All of these items are frequently discounted at the end of the season.

--Lightweight/summer clothing, footwear and swimwear.  If you've ever tried to find a bathing suit in September, you know that they are usually long gone by then, so July is a good time to pick up another suit if you typically need one after the summer season. 

     This is by no means an exhaustive list . . . just a few ideas to get you thinking ahead about what you might buy now that you will need later. Obviously, you don't want to stock up on a bunch of stuff you don't need, just because the price is good, but a basic principle of thrift is to purchase whatever you need for the best price possible.  Building your awareness of seasonal price fluctuations can help you get the best prices on the things you need to buy . . . leaving you more money for things that matter.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

Thrift and Whining

     Four years ago, when we took occupancy of our foreclosure-fixer-upper-farmhouse, we were met with a strangely similar reaction when our friends walked into the kitchen.  "Oh, wow!" was typically all they would say . . . not "Oh, wow!" as in: "Oh, wow, what a great kitchen!" but "Oh, wow!" as in "Oh, wow, what a major rat hole!"  But, we thought the kitchen, including the farmer-built cabinets, had "charm". 

    Four long years later, we are remodeling our kitchen, and have been working to restore the farmer-made kitchen cupboards.  By "restore" I mean "essentially rebuild from the inside-out".  My husband has blocked mouse holes with steel wool and spray foam, cut wood panels to re-line the back walls of the cupboards (which were just plain nasty), and used enough caulk on the insides of the cabinets to seal them tightly from intruding critters.  Now it's my  turn to remove ages-old, grungy contact paper from the shelves, and coat the cupboards inside with primer and paint.

     Forty minutes ago, I was doing just that:  having wiped the interiors with "liquid sandpaper" I was brushing them with stain-blocking primer.  My neck was crooked at an awkward angle, and, frankly, I wasn't having fun.  I commented (okay, whined) that we probably would have been better off building new cabinets from scratch -- the old ones seemed to have lost their "charm" -- and told my husband I was taking a break to walk our dog.

     While I was walking, however, several things occurred to me.  For one, we had a choice  in repairing the cupboards rather than replacing them.  Although part of our reasoning in repairing them was to save money, we could have purchased new cabinets if we chose; we simply wanted to use the money for other things.  My second realization hit me harder:  the reason I was painting the interiors of cupboards which would store food, dishes and cookware was because I have all of these things to store.  If I was like at least twenty percent of the world's people who often don't have  food, I certainly wouldn't need cupboards.  My third realization came when I returned from my walk and spoke to my husband, and he reminded me that the origin of the word "cupboard" is a literal one.  In earlier days, the "cup-board" was a board with nails or pegs on which each family member hung his or her cup.  They didn't need more storage, because they also had far, far less than I do to store.

     So, now it's time for me to take my own advice!  First, take responsibility for your choices!  I have no real reason to whine if I'm doing what I have chosen  to do.  Secondly, don't insult the poor of the world by whining when you make financial choices out of your abundance.  Gratitude for what I have is once again the key to contentment.  Finally, realize that often our frustration results from the complexity of our lives and the abundance of our stuff.  I'm not advocating getting rid of all of your (or my) dishes and cookware, but if I want to simplify my life, I really have to look at the quantity of my possessions.

     I'm heading back to the kitchen now to finish priming the insides of the cabinets.  I'm hoping that, now that I've had some time to consider my choices and my blessings, I'll be able to see the "charm" in the cupboards once again.  Somehow, I'm confident that my husband is hoping the same thing.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

    

Thrift and Spots on the Carpet

     Four years ago when we took occupancy of our "fixer-upper" farmhouse, the floors in three rooms were covered in dirty, brown carpet.  Did I say "dirty"?  The carpet was filthy, and apparently the previous owners' pets had done their "business" indoors -- on the carpet -- on numerous occasions.  The carpet and padding had to go, and, wishing he owned a haz-mat suit for the occasion, my long-suffering husband undertook the task of carrying the nasty carpet and padding out to the dumpster.

     The wood floors beneath the old carpet were sound, but not in good enough condition to refinish, so we made the decision to purchase new carpet.  We shopped, comparison-priced and negotiated, and then paid for a decent-quality berber carpet, with padding and installation, for the same three rooms.  Knowing that we would later install a wood stove in the living room, we chose a mottled gray . . . the color of wood ash.  As it turns out, it's also the color of dust, which works well with my level of cleaning.

     Because we have a dog with a "delicate" stomach, and humans who sometimes drop the pizza sauce-side-down, I picked up an aerosol can of carpet spot cleaner after the carpet was installed.  Having depleted that can, I looked at the store a few days ago for a replacement.  Sticker shock!!!  The cleaner had doubled in price to $4.00/can for the cheapest cleaner, and my internal thrift alarm went off.  There had to be a less expensive alternative!  Thus, I started looking for home-made solutions.

     It turns out that there are many very smart people who have gone before me and figured out what works best on various spots.  For most stains, clean up solids, if any, and then blot the spot with a paper towel to remove as much liquid as possible. 

For an all-purpose spot cleaner, combine in a 1-quart spray bottle:

--1 T  dish soap/laundry soap (avoid ones containing lanolin or bleach -- for 'ultra' concentrates, use less)

--1 T  white vinegar

--1 quart water

Spray solution on spot.  Wait 3 -- 5 minutes; lightly rub with a clean rag.  Blot until dry. 

For ink:  sprinkle on cream of tartar, then a few drops lemon juice.  Blot until spot is removed.

For blood:  if fresh, clean with cold water on a rag.  If stain persists, try a small amount of club soda or hydrogen peroxide.

For greasy/oily stains:  sprinkle with baking soda or corn starch; rub in.  Leave overnight. Vacuum.

For red wine or coffee:  clean with a rag dampened with white vinegar or club soda.

     As with any formula, test whatever you use for colorfastness on an inconspicuous place on the carpet.  What amazes me most about the all-purpose cleaner is not only that it works as well as the spray can, but that I can make a quart of the solution for five cents!  This means that, even counting the purchase of a $1.00 spray bottle at the dollar store, I could make sixty quarts of homemade cleaner for the cost of one quart of store-bought spray.  Put another way, I could make $4.00 of homemade cleaner, or buy an equivalent amount of store brand for $240.00! 

     A lesson for the future for all of us:  before we run to the store to purchase a solution to a problem, it often doesn't hurt to research other alternatives.  Not only might we save money on product, but we save time we would spend shopping for it, and can end up keeping lots of single-use containers out of the recycle bin -- or landfill -- as well.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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Thrifty Summer Cooking and Energy Saving Tips

     We typically run our air conditioner when the outdoor temperature hits 90 degrees or above, but rather than setting the programmable thermostat and letting the a/c cycle on and off around the clock, we wait until the indoor temperature gets warm -- typically in the early afternoon -- and then run it for 2 -- 3 hours during the hottest part of the day.  If the temperature gets too warm several hours later, we turn the a/c back on for a few hours.  By keeping south-facing window shades closed, we are able to run the central air much less frequently than if we kept it on the "automatic" setting. Typically, the overnight temperature is low enough that we can open the windows and don't need to run the a/c overnight (unless, of course, a wandering skunk has chosen to make its presence known nearby . . . we do live in the country!) 

     It always bothers me, though, to do a lot of cooking when the air conditioner is running.  I don't like to create more heat, and then require more cooling.  There are several approaches we take to avoid heating up the kitchen on the hottest of days:

--Cook outside.  Many people do this on the grill, but if you have an electrical outlet on a porch, deck or patio, you can easily use a crock-pot, toaster oven or hot plate outdoors.  Make sure your appliance won't be somewhere where it can get wet from a pool or sprinkler (or unexpected rain shower), keep small children away for safety, and cook on a heat-proof surface.  Our ancestors did this when they used their summer kitchens, to avoid building a fire inside the house in the heat of the summer.  We're pretty sure that the outbuilding on our property which we now use for a garden shed was once a summer kitchen.

--Cook during the cool time of day.  The time I don't want to be preparing a hot meal is at 4:00 in the afternoon when the outdoor temperature is 97 degrees!  An evening meal can be prepared early in the day, and simply warmed in the microwave just before serving.

--Use energy-saving appliances, like the crock-pot, toaster oven and bread machine, if you have them.  If I run out of the beans I had cooked on my wood stove during the winter and frozen in 2-cup containers, I will cook 1 -- 2 pounds of dry beans in my crock pot for 4 to 5 hours on the high setting.  (Beans don't need pre-soaking when cooked on the "high" setting.)  Even if you don't have a place to cook outside, these small appliances will generate much less heat indoors than a conventional oven.  A toaster oven will also cook recipes more quickly, and at a lower temperature, than a conventional oven.  (Refer to the following "fruit crisp" recipe as an example.)

--Batch cook.  Make a double batch of pasta, and use half for a meal with sauce, and the rest for a pasta salad.  It takes longer to boil a larger pan of water . . . but not twice as long. 

--Cook rice in double batches also, following the rice cooking tip on my February 6, 2009 blog post.  Even if you don't have a place to cook it outside, you can always let the "wrapped" rice finish cooking outdoors.

--Eat more main-dish salads in the summer.  We find it pleasant to eat something cool on a particularly hot day.

--Eat smaller, more frequent meals.  Consider having your main meal earlier in the day -- brunch or lunch -- instead of eating a large, heavy meal in the evening.  While snacking on junk food isn't good for your health or your waistline, having a nutritious snack between meals helps maintain steady blood-sugar levels, helping you maintain energy.  If you snack on low-fat yogurt, peanut butter crackers, or an ounce or two of cheese with fruit, you may find it less necessary to eat a big lunch or dinner which requires more cooking.

--Build a solar oven.  This is a great project to do with kids!  A solar oven can be as simple as two nested cardboard boxes with styrofoam packing in between.  The inner box is lined with foil, and both boxes are covered with a sheet of glass and placed outdoors, facing south.  Find more specific directions by googling "solar oven".  While I wouldn't recommend cooking meat in one until you are sure you can do so safely, baked potatoes are a great food to try in a solar oven.

     In addition to cooking, one appliance which generates a lot of heat is a clothes dryer.  A clothesline or collapsible drying rack can enable you to utilize the sun and wind for drying without heating the house.  At least consider hanging larger items outdoors in the summer.  I typically like to machine dry socks, underwear and towels together, and line dry the rest when the weather permits.  If you live in a neighborhood which doesn't permit outdoor clotheslines, you may find that hanging a line in the garage will allow you to use the outdoor temperature to dry clothes.  And now, you have even more motivation to clean out the garage this summer!

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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How to Save More -- or Less -- on a Recipe

     Many recipes are billed as "inexpensive" or "money-saving", but there can be a big difference in price for your finished meal depending on how you shop for ingredients.  One of my thrift workshop 'mantras' is:  "Acquired tastes are expensive tastes."  The more you insist on specific brands when purchasing food, the higher your grocery bill, and cost per meal, will be.  Let's look at a sample recipe:  the pasta salad I posted on June 14th.

     For the sake of discussion, let's assume you only purchase national brands.  No store brands for you!  You are convinced that national brands taste better.  To make the pasta salad, you would purchase a 1# package of Creamette Rotini for $1.41, an 8-oz. package of Trans Ocean Imitation Crab for $2.99, an 8-oz package of sugar snap peas for $2.50, a 2# bag of carrots for $1.34, and a 16-oz. bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing for $3.50.  With 1/4# of peas and 10 carrots left over, you would spend $9.27 to make your salad:  6 to 8 servings at $1.16 to $1.55 per serving.

     Okay, maybe the sticker shock made you reconsider store brands.  You return to the market and pay $1.29 for Kroger Brand Rotini, $2.49 for Kroger Imitation Crab, the same $2.50 for your peas and $1.34 for the carrots, and $1.24 for Kroger Garlic Ranch salad dressing.  Now you're down to paying $6.39 for your salad, or $.80 to $1.07 per serving.  And actually, you've discovered that store brands taste pretty good!

     But is that as good as you can do?  What if you purchased ingredients on sale for your pantry and freezer?  What if you maybe even grew some vegetables in your garden?  When I made the salad less than a week ago, I had spent $.67 for Meijer Rotini, $1.19 for Meijer Imitation Crab, $1.00 for a 2# bag of carrots on sale, $.88 for Kroger Garlic Ranch dressing, and the sugar snap peas were from my garden.   (I saved the seeds from last year's crop.)  My salad total was $2.83, or $.35 - $.47 for 6 to 8 servings:  30% of the National Brand cost, and 44% of the Store Brand cost.  Multiply the savings by hundreds of meals per year, and they are significant.

     In fairness, none of the National or Store Brand prices were sale prices.  But how many people decide what they will make before they purchase ingredients, and then pay the prevailing price?  So, for future cost savings, consider these ideas:  1)  Stock your pantry (and freezer) with items purchased on sale.  If you read the ads before shopping, you can get the best prices without spending an enormous amount of time.  I typically shop 3 times a month, and hit 2 or 3 stores each trip.  Refer to the post from June 10th on Building a Pantry, if needed.  2) Limit your loyalty to National Brands.  Do a taste comparison with store brands, many of which are packaged by national companies.  If you must buy National brands, at least buy them on sale!  3)  Plan your menu based on what's on sale and what you already have.  If you have cooked chicken, or zucchini is much cheaper, by all means, use those recipe variations.  4)  Consider growing your own.  Even a small garden can yield big savings when you grow vegetables which are pricey at the store.  Gourmet lettuce blends, sugar snap or snow peas, herbs, tomatoes and garlic are some good examples of foods which are fairly easy to grow, and yield a lot of food in a fairly small area.

     By planning and shopping wisely, you can make any recipe more affordable.  If you add a small garden and use a few creative variations, you will be amazed at how much you trim from your grocery bill, while continuing to serve foods that are delicious as well as thrifty.

--Susan Rodebush  ©  2009

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The Night We Burned the Hedge

     Our first house was a white cape cod in an older city neighborhood on a 1/5 acre lot.  Previous owners had planted a hedge across the front property line, which, as new homeowners, we had dutifully trimmed all summer.  The second summer we lived there, however, we discovered that the harsh winter temperatures had killed the hedge to the ground.  New, green shoots were emerging from the roots, but we had 75 feet of dead brush to remove to make room for the new growth.

     With pruning saw and trimmers in hand, we began cutting . . . and cutting . . . and cutting some more.  Before  long, there was a small mountain of dead brush in the front yard which would have to go somewhere.  The trash service said they would charge $40.00 to haul it all away, and we weren't crazy about putting all of that brush in the landfill.  After some brainstorming, we called the fire department to learn what the local ordinances allowed in the way of open fires, and were told that a small, open fire was permissible for cooking food.

     Back by the garden, in a bare spot, we carried stones from elsewhere on the property to create a fire circle.  We got out marshmallows, hot dogs, and chairs to sit by the fire . . . and started burning the hedge.

     Before long one neighbor, and then another, and then two more made their way to our backyard.  What started as a practical solution to dispose of the brush ended up as a party.  The kids roasted hot dogs and made s'mores, one of the families ordered some pizzas, and at least half a dozen people pitched in, helping to carry armfuls of brush from the front yard to the fire.  There were clusters of people sitting or standing in the yard talking, or just relaxing and watching the fire burn.

     By the end of the evening, the hedge was gone . . . and, even better, we had gotten to know our neighbors.  That was the first of many evenings we built fires inside that circle of stones, and usually, when we did, someone from the neighborhood would stop by to visit.  Before long, two of our nearest neighbors had fire circles in their backyards as well.

     The night we burned the hedge, we found an inexpensive solution for removing the dead brush from our yard.  The real gift that night, however, was the realization that a simple fire brought us together as neighbors, and sparked many evenings of conversation and laughter . . . and all for the price of a match . . . and a couple of hot dogs.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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Thrift and Rediscovering "Special"

     Typically, the roads were gentle hills with the occasional sharper curve, and outside the windows of the blue, Ford Falcon station wagon we would see corn and barns and red-winged blackbirds.  It wasn't unusual, particularly in the summer, for our family to pile into the car on a Sunday afternoon and go for a 'ride in the country'.  Sometimes, one of my parents would sing a song like "I See the Moon" or "Red River Valley", and most times, my sister and I would be fighting motion sickness in the backseat.  Part of what made Sunday rides anticipated, though, was the possibility -- if we were well-behaved -- of stopping afterward at Baskin-Robbins for a single-dip ice cream cone.  We didn't go for rides every Sunday, and we didn't stop for ice cream every time we went for a ride.  But sometimes, we got to stop, and make our own selection of flavor, (I remember trying "Bubblegum" -- it was pink) and savor the cold sweetness of that special treat.

     As a kid, "special" was something which, by definition, didn't happen very often.  It was a reward for merit or good behavior, or an event, like attending the circus, which might occur just once during childhood.  We were a middle-class family, but my parents were children of the Depression, and treats were exactly that -- they were special -- they were uncommon.

     Somehow my generation, and the rest of our culture, seems to have lost the concept of special.  Now, we live with a "whatever we want, whenever we want it" mentality . . . so much so, that it's not unusual to hear people complain about luxuries which would be unheard of in other countries.  "That sushi wasn't as good as the sushi we had Tuesday". . . "I'm tired of having pizza -- can we get something else?" . . . "These shoes are okay, but I really wish I had gotten the other ones" . . . "Yes, it's a nice car, but it doesn't have a moon roof."  The more we have, the less what we have seems to satisfy us, and the more it seems to take for us to experience something as "special."

     So, what if we went back in time?  What if, instead of buying a new pair of shoes every paycheck, we bought a new pair once or twice a year?  What if we ate at a restaurant once a month (or less) instead of four or more times a week?  What if we delayed gratification long enough for things to become special again?  What if, instead of spending more and more money for less and less enjoyment, we waited long enough to do or acquire something that we could appreciate it in a new way?

     Most of us in this country are blessed with abundance, to the extent that we have taken for granted how often we can enjoy almost endless options of food, clothing, entertainment, and stuff.  But by continuing to acquire so much so frequently, we not only spend on ourselves money which could help others, but we lessen the value of each item or experience to ourselves, because it becomes lost in the blur of continual acquisition.

     So, let's restore "special" as a word which has real meaning in our vocabularies.  By spending less on ourselves, and spending less frequently, we will discover we have plenty for ourselves already, plenty to share with others, and we may even be able to revisit that rare, almost forgotten time, where the simple, occasional treats can become special once again.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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Thrift and Setting Limits

     There are those weeks -- all of us have them occasionally -- when the "to-do list" seems insurmountable.  (I typically experience this at tax time!)  The daily routine becomes a tightly choreographed series of maneuvers with little room for error.  One unexpected delay can suddenly push everything else past deadline.  There may be some people who flourish with that type of schedule . . . who thrive on cramming each day as full as possible . . . but I suspect that most of us feel somewhat overwhelmed in the midst of that kind of week, and relieved when the checklist of tasks is complete.

     What causes these frantic times of juggling commitments?  Sometimes the needs of others take precedence over other duties, and we re-work our schedules to meet them.  We drive grandma to her doctor's appointment, or return DVDs to the video store for a neighbor whose kids are sick.  Other times we run into a busy season . . . a temporary phase when the demands of work, school, illness and holiday shopping all need to be met simultaneously.  But often, we find that we're chronically busy because we're afraid, or unwilling, to say "no". . . to ourselves or to others.

     This inability to set and accept limits applies not only to our time, but also to spending, acquisition, and 'expansion'.  We spend to have more time-saving devices, yet later realize that they often require time to be used, maintained, stored, and eventually 'off-loaded'.  If we don't regularly edit our "stuff", we spend more money to rent storage space to capture and hold our excess.  If no amount of improvement ever satisfies us, our homes, wardrobes, gardens, automobiles and hobbies continue to expand to fill -- and spill beyond -- all available time and space.

     While it may seem restrictive to set limits for ourselves, it can actually be freeing.  With five acres of property, my husband and I could be tempted to create another garden bed (or ten), mow a larger area of "lawn" (I use this term loosely, because in our world, "lawn" is anything relatively green and uniformly short enough to walk on) or expand one of the existing structures.  Yet every expansion requires additional expenditures of time, money and energy to create it and maintain it.  At some point, we have to ask ourselves, when are we done?

     Setting reasonable limits for the expenditures of our energy, money and time isn't always easy.  It's hard not to be tempted by the "new" and the "different".  But every time we consider adding anything to our lives, whether it is a time commitment, an acquisition or an upgrade, we need to first remember that everything has a cost.  Setting reasonable limits on the costs we are willing to pay to acquire, expand, maintain and people-please can release us from the frenzy we experience when we're over-committed and over-spent.  We can have time, money and energy left for things that really matter.  And the greatest thing we save may be our sanity.  I could certainly use more of that.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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Thrift and the Problem with "Easy"

     Even the most mathematically challenged among us remember working with correlates in math class:  if X = 20, then 20 = X.  In math, which is, (at least in my world,) quantifiable and precise, this makes sense.  In English classes, we learned a similar lesson:  if big is synonymous with large, the two words mean the same thing.  They are effectively interchangeable.

     These early school lessons have not been lost on those in the world of marketing, who realize that certain product qualities will compel us to purchase.  One of the correlates they have used very effectively to sell us products is to equate good with easy.  A range of products from microwave meals to robotic vacuums to auto-release air fresheners has been sold because they promise convenience. . .they will make meal preparation, or house cleaning, or dispelling unwanted odors easy.  We can relax, or have time for the things we would rather do, if we simply purchase these products.

     Now, convenience is not inherently bad, and neither are products which simplify certain tasks.  My great grandmother used a washboard and wringer to do laundry, and I really don't want to return to that method.  But the problem with our love of convenience --   our affection for "easy" -- is that in school we also learned about antonyms:  good is the antonym of bad, and easy is the antonym of difficult.  Therefore, it's not much of a leap to conclude that, if easy is good, difficult is bad.  If it's going to be hard, I really don't want to do it.

     Sadly, our culture is full of examples where people have cut and run because things got difficult.  There has been left behind a trail of broken relationships, unkept promises, unfulfilled dreams and financial failures as a result.  And yet, some of the most fulfilling life experiences are products of the commitment to do something difficult:  parenting is extremely good, but not necessarily easy.  Staying on a diet, sticking with an exercise program, or creating and living on a budget can all be difficult at times. . .but also very good.  The decision to change our spending habits isn't always easy, but when we choose the thrifty approach so we can spend more of our money on things that truly matter to us, the result can be very, very good. 

     There is nothing inherently wrong with something being easy . . . but we can never allow 'easy' to be the primary criterion for making a decision.  Instead, we need to choose what is good.  If good, in that instance, also turns out to be easy . . . we can consider that a bonus.  If good turns out, at times, to be difficult, we can persevere, because we know that, ultimately, what is good is worth the effort.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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Thrift and "Everybody Wins" -- Your "Personal Shopping Network"

     In a past personal finance class, our small group was discussing networking, bartering and negotiating.  We were trying to encourage them to look at other options first before running to the store to purchase a brand-new solution to every problem.

     "Okay. . ." Rick said, in a challenging tone of voice, ". . .let's see if this really works.  I need a freezer."  As if on cue, the man sitting next to Rick spoke up: "I have a freezer I'm not using."  In a considerably softer tone, Rick asked, "How much do you want for it?"  "Oh, no. . ." the owner of the freezer replied, ". . .I don't want your money.  What do you have that we can barter?"  It turned out that Rick did HVAC installation and repair for a living, and the freezer owner hadn't had his furnace tuned up in a while.  Rick got his freezer, its former owner got his heating and air conditioning systems checked and serviced, and got rid of something that was just in his way.  Everyone was happy. . .a true "everybody wins" situation.

     We have been led to believe, by those who spend thousands of dollars to convince us, that the only real solution when we need something is to go out and buy it new.  Sometimes, when all of the factors are considered, a new purchase does make the most sense.  But often, if we would just take the time and ask, we would find that a less expensive, win/win solution is available to us.

     There are a few points to consider when trying this approach.  First,  you have to ask.  A solution is not likely to come to you if no one knows what you need.  Put the word out that you are looking for something, and see what response you get.  Next, this approach may take a little more time than going out and paying full price.  Give your network time to work before deciding that a solution isn't out there.  Thirdly, using a network means having relationships.  This approach works best in community, whether it's in a church, workplace or neighborhood.  In my childhood, our neighbors did this for one another naturally. . .but we also knew our neighbors well.  Looking for "everybody wins" solutions within your community will encourage others there to do the same.   Lastly, be willing to provide solutions as well as receive them.  Be aware of resources you have, whether they are time, talents or possessions, which you would be able to pass on to others.  You will find that the more you engage in meeting the needs of others, the more your needs will be provided for as well.

     A few weeks ago, we experienced this yet again.  We heat our home with a woodstove and, of course, try not to pay for the wood we burn.  My husband was driving down a road near our house, and noticed that a property there had quite a few fallen trees.  He pulled into the drive, introduced himself to the owner, and asked him if he would be using the wood.  The trees had come down in a storm several months ago, and the owner, who is retired, doesn't need them.  He plans to burn the brush, but really wants the trees cleared from his property.  (His wife, by the way, wants them removed more than he does!) This man and his wife are thrilled to have my husband's help clearing their property of the unwanted wood. . .and my husband and I are thrilled to have found a nearby source for free firewood.  No money is involved in the exchange. . .and everybody wins.

-- Susan Rodebush © 2009

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Thrift and Financial Success

     There is an attitude I frequently encounter when I talk to people about thrift.  It is a perception that using thrift strategies to save money is "for people who are broke, who are struggling financially.  I make a good income. . .we live a comfortable life. . .I don't really need to do this stuff."  The thinking seems to be that using money-saving tools is beneath certain people, although I don't know if they would acknowledge that out loud.  Clipping coupons, shopping at discount stores, purchasing secondhand clothing -- those are activities for 'losers', for the financially down-and-out.

     The interesting thing about this perception is that it doesn't align with reality.  Why?  Because people have confused the difference between external symbols of affluence and actual wealth.  They have believed the marketing which tells them that if they purchase certain brands, shop at more exclusive stores, and don't engage in "cheap" activities they will be perceived as financially successful.  The message, then, is that if I look wealthy, and I act wealthy, people will believe that I am wealthy.  In actuality, studies of people who are genuinely wealthy, from a net-worth standpoint, indicate that they engage in much different behavior.

     Dr. Thomas Stanley has studied millionaires for more than twenty years, and the description he gives of millionaire behavior is very different from the "look rich" perception promoted in the media.  Dr. Stanley has determined that, when examining first-generation millionaires (those who earned rather than inherited their wealth) 84% of their households shop with a grocery list, 65% use discount coupons for groceries, and 57% buy goods in bulk at warehouse stores. (The Millionaire Mind, p. 299.)

     Why would people with so much money be so price conscious?  Because they have realized early on that the less money they spend on consumable items, and things which depreciate in value, the more they have to invest in real assets -- purchases which grow in value over time.  They recognize that clothing, electronic gadgets, new cars and gourmet groceries don't increase in value once they bring them home from the store.  Thus, they will buy reliable used cars and secondhand clothing as they are building wealth.

     Robert Kiyosaki, a writer on wealth-building, agrees with Dr. Stanley's observations.  He states:  ". . .rich people buy luxuries last, while the poor and middle class tend to buy luxuries first.  The poor and middle class often buy luxury items such as big houses, diamonds, furs, jewelry or boats because they want to look rich.  They look rich, but in reality they just get deeper in debt on credit.  The. . .long-term rich built their asset column first.  Then, the income generated from the asset column bought their luxuries.  The poor and middle class buy luxuries with their own sweat, blood and children's inheritance."  (Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, p. 91.)

     So am I saying that every thrift strategy applies to every person?  Of course not.  The point is simply that most status items are consumables, and most wealthy people bother to use the thrift strategies which will free up more money for assets and investments.  If being thrifty works for the wealthy, then maybe it's not a bad idea for the rest of us.

     There is one area of spending which may seem like consumption spending, but is not, and that is charitable giving.  When we spend money to meet the needs of another, we are investing in a person who is eternal -- and in a cause greater than our own financial status.  It is asset investment in the greatest sense, because we are pouring our resources into something lasting, something which is bigger than ourselves.  Not only does thrift allow us to build wealth, but it frees up our finances to enable us to give. . .to use our money for things that matter.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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Now is a Great Time to. . .

     The day (or so) after Valentine's Day is a great time to purchase marked-down Valentine candy.  Not only can you pick up some sweets to snack on, often the discounted chocolate is cheaper-per-ounce than chocolate chips, and can be coarsely chopped to use in cookies or baking.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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More Expressions of Love from the Truly Thrifty

     Okay, Valentine's Day is at the end of this week, and you want to let someone know he or she is special to you.  Use your creativity, rather than cash, to express your affection.  Some ideas to consider:

--Use Scrabble tiles to write "I love you" (or your message of choice) on the bathroom counter or breakfast table.  Or. . .

--Use your digital camera or camera phone to send or e-mail Scrabble tile messages to your loved one at school or work.

--Get up a little earlier to prepare breakfast in bed (this is fun for your children as well as your spouse.)  Use the large, heart-shaped cookie cutter you purchased at deep discount after last Valentine's Day and cut toast into heart shapes. (If you didn't buy one yet, find one on clearance this year and meanwhile, cut heart shapes freehand.)  Spread toast with strawberry or raspberry jam to serve.  (The giant heart cutter also works well for french toast.)

--If your partner or child arrives home before you do, call and leave a Valentine message on the answering machine for him or her to discover upon arriving home.  Or send one, or a series of text messages by cell phone . . . but be sure they won't be embarrassing if accidentally seen by someone else!

--Perform a routine task around the house which is usually the responsibility of your loved one.  Leave a note letting them know you did the task for them "because you love them."

--Tie a large, red ribbon around your loved one's pillow, and underneath the ribbon tuck a note where you list  reasons you love them.  Try to build them up by thinking of talents and character qualities to affirm in them.

--Consider baking valentine cookies to take to a homeless shelter (check with the staff there first) or have your children make handmade cards to distribute in a nursing home.  Think about someone you know who might not be feeling loved, and let them know they are not alone. You will gain as much from the experience as they will.

--Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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Thrift and the Best Valentines

     Almost 26 years ago, my new husband and I sat down and talked about things which were important to both of us. . .and things which weren't.  One topic we readily agreed upon was that we didn't see the need to purchase expensive gifts to celebrate holidays which were created by (and for) florists, candy makers and greeting card companies.  At the top of that list was "Sweetest Day" (apparently positioned in the fall in response to lagging 3rd-quarter sales.)  Not too far behind that was Valentine's Day.

     Now, before you think that our marriage totally lacks romance, or that we don't believe in celebrations, let me assert that we see romance as a healthy aspect of a good marriage.  However, the merchandisers who promote the idea that a celebration of romance requires the purchase of dozens of long-stemmed roses, or a diamond which costs "at least one month's salary" have an agenda which has nothing to do with our relational happiness.  It is certainly not wrong to buy roses or diamonds, assuming you can truly afford to do so.  But the idea that love can be quantified by the cost of the gift has been aggressively promoted so that we will spend more.  In an economy driven largely by consumption, if we can be convinced that we need to lay out large sums of cash (or make large credit purchases) to convince one another of our undying affection, those dealers in candy, flowers, cards and jewelry will continue to experience hefty profits.

     No, I am not anti-capitalism, and I have no problem with ethical profits.  Nor do I have a problem with purchasing gifts - tokens of our affection - for those we love.  I do have a problem, however, with the idea that love can be measured in dollars spent, especially in relationships where other expressions of love seem to be absent.  It is the idea that we can purchase a solution to every problem, or simply fill relational needs with stuff, which troubles me.

     Two weeks ago, during one of our bitter January cold spells, the daytime high temperature on a particular Thursday was six degrees.  On his one-hour lunch break, my husband made the fifteen-mile drive home from work to refill our woodstove so that the house wouldn't be too cold when I came in from my teaching job.  Before he left, he placed a simple post-it-note which said "I love you" on the bathroom mirror.  Eating his lunch in transit, he arrived at his workplace just in time to clock back in and return to work.  Although he often brings me gifts, he doesn't need to spend chunks of money to convince me that he loves me.  His ongoing acts of kindness and thoughtfulness let me know that clearly.

     So, this Valentine's Day, if you choose to purchase a card or gift for someone you love, that's fine.  But before spending money on stuff, consider ways you can express your love through action.  Not only is it more thrifty than an extravagant gift, but giving of your time, energy and talent to serve your loved one can be just as meaningful as, or even more meaningful than, any token you can purchase.

-- Susan Rodebush  © 2009

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

Thrift and Perception

     "Spin" is a word frequently used to describe the discussion of political activity (or, in some cases, inactivity.)  When we think of political spin, we are aware that the person or legislation under discussion is being framed by the speaker's views.  A favorable view produces a favorable evaluation, and, of course, the opposite is also true.  We can all identify political spin because we have heard so much of it, especially in the past year.

     We typically associate "spin" with the media, and rightly so, for that is where much of it originates.  Yet, each of us engages in our own form of spin on a wide variety of topics, when we assess and evaluate people, concepts and objects based upon our personal preferences.  "Thrift" is such a concept.  If you ask twenty people what they think about thrift, you will hear a wide range of responses.  Just a few years ago, the attitude I often encountered was that thrift was only a viable strategy for those people who didn't make enough money to spend like "normal" people did.  In other words, only those who were financially "strapped" needed to be thrifty.  Thrift has often been associated with poverty or financial struggle, and in our present economic downturn, that attitude persists.  It is currently much more acceptable to talk about thrift when a large number of people are unemployed or otherwise financially pinched.  The perception seems to be, however, that the need for thrift is a temporary thing, to see us through a difficult time until we can return to consumption-as-usual.

     In order to make the need for thrift more acceptable, spin is once again in high gear.  A woman who "shops" her closet to create new outfit combinations, rather than spending at the mall, becomes a "recessionista".  When the Olsen twins and their counterparts buy clothing at secondhand stores, their purchases are referred to as "vintage".  Those in higher income brackets who still shop in upscale stores are practicing "wealth-stealth" by asking store clerks to place purchases in plain bags, or ship them directly to their homes, to avoid being heckled on the street for displaying expensive logos.  For the time being, thrift is trendy.

     When we base our actions on fashion, current trends and the perceptions of others, we continually have to monitor the spin to determine which actions are socially acceptable at a given time.  If we base our decisions and actions on our values, however, they don't really need to keep changing.  Thrift becomes a strategy we employ to keep our spending consistent with our values.  If we value quality and durability, thrift might mean we save and purchase a better made, more expensive tool once, than to buy multiple inexpensive ones at that Giant-Purveyor-of-all-Things-Made-in-China.  If it is important to us to care for the environment, thrift compels us to make purchases with less packaging or the ability to biodegrade.  If we value caring for others, thrift enables us to avoid excessive consumption for ourselves in order to have more resources to help someone else.

     Preferences can, and do, change, and that can be a good thing, particularly if we are discussing polyester double-knit leisure suits.  Values, however, endure.  They determine and reflect our motivations for whatever action (or inaction) we engage in throughout the course of our lives.  When we stop to identify for ourselves what it is that we truly value, we can use that information to guide our purchasing decisions, making those choices which are consistent with what is ultimately most important to us.

-- Susan Rodebush © 2009

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

Thrift and Something from Nothing

     It was spring of 2005, and my husband and I had just taken possession of our old farmhouse in the country.  We were working frantically to meet the 30-day deadline we had been given to qualify for homeowners' insurance.  Among the list of repairs we had to make to insure our property - and thus, qualify for financing - was to "make the barn safe".

     The old post-and-beam wooden barn was packed to the gills with several generations worth of "stuff".  After taking 5 pickup truck loads of metal to the scrap yard for recycling, and filling half of a large dumpster with the remainder, we tried to determine what the mystifying term "safe" meant to our insurance agent, who would give us no more specific directives.  We finally decided that if it looked safe, it was safe, and set out to repair it as much as we could in that short time period.

     A number of the old boards were warped and had to be removed.  After that was done, we had planned to go to the home center store to purchase treated lumber to replace them.  Having made a pile of discarded barn board, we realized that not only would the purchase of new lumber be expensive, it's use would detract from the aesthetics of the old barn.  Thus, the scrounging began.

     There was a fair quantity of old wood in the barn, and we used virtually all of it for repairs.  After cobbling the openings shut with reused wood, there remained one 3-foot gap where no usable piece had been found.  By this time, however, we were working by our truck headlights - the inspection was the very next morning - and the building materials store was closed.

     All that was left was the stack of warped boards we had already removed.  So, not expecting to find a suitable board, we started tossing the warped wood into our truck.  At that point we realized that one long board, curled at both ends, contained in the center a section straight enough - and just long enough - to make the repair.  My husband cut off both curled ends of the board, and we triumphantly screwed the remaining piece in place.

     You and I won't always have a stockpile of usable material to resolve whatever problem or need we have at hand.  But we have been conditioned, in our consumption-driven culture, to run out and purchase a solution whenever a need presents itself.  I am NOT advocating clumsy, jerry-rigged solutions, but often it doesn't even occur to us to first look at what we might already have on hand.

     My sister and brother-in-law do this.  They live in a lovely home in an upscale neighborhood, and could afford to purchase whatever gadget or material they might need to perform a task.  But rather than driving to the nearest store for a special hanging rack for their laundry room, they simply hook clothes hangers on top of the doorjamb when hanging up clothing fresh from the dryer.  No expense, no installation project, and nothing extra to maintain or replace.

     We won't always find a suitable solution to every problem with what we have on hand.  But by first taking inventory of our options before we run out to spend cash, we'll often find something which does the job.  If not, we can spend money for a solution knowing that we are purchasing something we actually need.  If we do find we can utilize something we already have on hand, we can use our money for things which are more important to us - as my husband and I were able to do with our barn repairs.

     We drove home that night in 2005 with a new perspective on purchasing materials to repair our property, which has served us well ever since.  And, to our enormous relief, the next morning, the barn passed inspection.

--  Susan Rodebush  © 2009

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Start Your Holiday Shopping NOW!

     I know, I know. . .it's January and you're still trying to remove the plastic wrap from those DVD's you got for Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukah.  The last thing on your mind is to go back out there and start shopping.  But one of the essential keys to a good financial strategy is planning ahead, and if you can anticipate at least some of your gift-giving needs, you can find some great bargains.

     Of course,  not all items can be purchased in advance.  You'll need to wait to buy gifts of food (with the exception, or course, of fruitcake, which has a half-life rather than a shelf-life.)  But if you can begin with a general list of the people you gave gifts to this past holiday season, including items given and dollar amounts when possible, you can project much of what you might need for the upcoming season.

     If you usually give gifts to teachers or service persons, there is a vast selection of discounted holiday decorations, ornaments and candles available after December.  Toys frequently get marked down after the holidays, and while you may not be able to procure the latest trendy toy for the upcoming year, classic toys and board games can be found at bargain prices.  Since many stores conduct inventory in late winter, it's often worth their while to reduce stock and pass the savings on to you.  And every season has items which go on clearance, such as garden accessories and wind chimes in September.    

     A word of caution about buying ahead:  a gift is only a great purchase if it's something someone actually wants.  If you see a hugh pile of ugly place mats, the fact that they're 90% off makes them no less ugly.  Often there's a good reason certain items are marked at deep discount.  If you tend to be a sucker for a great price on a not-so-great item, getting the input of a trusted shopping partner may help you in your purchasing decisions.

     One of the best things about starting now is that there is no sense of time pressure or urgency.  You simply shop now (and throughout the year) with an awareness of sale items which would make good Christmas (or birthday, or anniversary) gifts.  You may also save time and avoid stress, as stores are much less crazy in January than they are in December.  Of course, any gift wrapping supplies you would normally use can also be purchased early.

     January is also a great time to procure Sterlite or Rubbermaid plastic storage bins in which to keep future gifts hidden and dust-free.  If you have a designated spot for them, next year's gifts are much less likely to get lost or forgotten in the back of a closet, or in that 'special' hiding place which is so secret, even you won't remember where it is next December.

     If you often make gifts, now is also a good time to plan and begin time-consuming projects.  Purchasing materials when they are on sale helps to keep costs down, enabling you to spend more time than money for your handmade creations.  Since you may not see all of your gift recipients regularly, making notes or starting projects now helps you to determine the appropriateness of future gifts for people you see infrequently.

     And if your problem with shopping now is that you overspent in December, it's okay.  You don't have to have all of next year's gifts this month.  But if you can shift some money each month to the "gifts" category of your budget, you'll feel much less of a purchasing pinch when next December arrives, and shopping will be much less stressful.  You may even find the extra time to bake your own fruitcake.  Or maybe not.

--Susan Rodebush  ©2009

All materials in this blog are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.