New Frugality and Becoming Clutter-Free (Repost)

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." William Morris

Morris is one of my personal heroes, and I have this quote hanging in my home office, brought directly from Kelmscott, the William Morris home in the Cotswolds.

This quote alone has been making me think deeply about the many, many things in my house right now... and how some of them need to go to a new home. My second donation of the month--donated to the thrift store for a fund for breast cancer survivors--is growing and growing. Thus far, my 6.5 digital crockpot, my old canister vacuum cleaner, kitchen bakeware (including cookie sheets, pieplates, and a springform pan), 3 rolls of Contac paper, 4 pairs of shoes, purses, clothes, sheets and pillowcases, and a lovely beige throw are in the mix. In addition, I am getting 7 items out of my house and out of my life, back where they belong (7 in 7).

This entire exercise has made me realize that I own three of everything... "Just in case." The funny thing is that my taste makes me buy the same things, but I either forget I have two already or simply think I need three, all evidence to the contrary.

The energy that has come out of getting things out of my life has been tremendous and surprising. As I have said, the incoming new possibilities are also exciting. I am determined to spend the next several months paring down, donating and selling and throwing out. My goal is to create breathing space in my life and to get myself unstuck, in a variety of ways.

This has also been helped by commiting to the Express Lane Checkout Challenge: wearing only 15 items from my closet, not including outerwear, shoes, accessories, and lingerie. Week Two and going strong.

To get specific about my New Frugality, I also hope to generate some monies from selling clothes, books and media. That's Part II of the plan, which can't be initiated until I feel more energy and self-generated movement beyond simply bundling up and dumping off stuff.

Unfortunately, I can't say my spending habits have been exemplary during this month. I will have run through the saved money in my primary savings account by Friday, sadly. Next month I hope to have some left over to move into the secondary, long-term savings account. We'll see. I did make some changes already, paying myself first, by scheduling a transfer of last month's saved grocery monies, etc., into my long-term account as soon as the paycheck comes in (see counter at right); this puts my long-term saved at nearly half my goal.

Beyond that, November means:

• creating a budget for weekly grocery buying, including planning to take advantage of gas discounts from a favorite grocery chain;
• commiting to emptying out the pantry of beans, rice, canned vegetables
• commiting to emptying out the freezer of broth, soups, frozen vegetables
• limiting my eating out/drinking out events to Sunday breakfast, Tuesday dinner, and a weekly drinks with friends

It also means starting to pay down my two remaining credit cards in a serious way, putting me on a schedule to be debt-free of one card by April 2011, and of the other by May 2012. Given that I also plan to stay in Big D over the summer, writing and researching while teaching two courses... I might even get ahead of that schedule. Specifically, by the time I teach at Oxford again, I will be debt-free with savings.

3.2.16: In the spirit of clutter-free and recycling, I am recycling some of my most popular posts from the early years of this blog. Yes, I still have and believe in the Morris quote, I am still recycling items out of my house (this week: clothes, kitchen items, makeup brushes, magazines, books, and health & beauty items given to my students!). While I will never be a minimalist--lightbulb!--I am determined to have 25% less "stuff" in my closets, on my bookshelves, and in the huge plastic tubs that store... things. How about you? Any great stories about decluttering or recycling out there? 

9 in 9, Friday

Regular 9 in 9:

1. Get car's bumper repaired
2. Sell books, etc. to local shop
3. Deliver printers to Salvation Army (no, I never...)
4. Visit Tax Man and get 2011 taxes in (early?)
5. Put dress on eBay
6. Sign up with Habitat for Humanity
7. Contact new retirement fund for re-diversification of funds
8. Contact old retirement fund for information
9. Clean apartment top to bottom in one day

Creative 9 in 9:

1. finish 2nd manuscript and edit; submit to editor
2. catch up with playwriting binge, for a total of 18 submissions--7
3. write 5 pages/day on current play
4. read 5 new books-1,2,3
5. blog every day--1,2,3,4,5,6,7
6. exercise 20 minutes daily
7. edit 20 pages of 1st ms. for editor--1,2,3,4
8. create two creative assignments for students
9. create/design syllabus for new fall course

Yesterday and today have been "days of achievement": the house got cleaned, the book review got completed, pages got edited, and I had a lovely dinner with a friend. And I worked with both my old and my new retirement funds, where the outcome was that I actually have more money saved than I thought I had. That's always good news. More writing, editing, and grading ahead.

9 in 9, Wednesday

Regular 9 in 9:

1. Get car's bumper repaired
2. Sell books, etc. to local shop
3. Deliver printers to Salvation Army (no, I never...)
4. Visit Tax Man and get 2011 taxes in (early?)
5. Put dress on eBay
6. Sign up with Habitat for Humanity
7. Contact new retirement fund for re-diversification of funds
8. Contact old retirement fund for information
9. Clean apartment top to bottom in one day

Creative 9 in 9:

1. finish 2nd manuscript and edit; submit to editor
2. catch up with playwriting binge, for a total of 18 submissions--7
3. write 5 pages/day on current play
4. read 5 new books-1,2,3,4,5
5. blog every day--1,2,3,4,5
6. exercise 20 minutes daily
7. edit 20 pages of 1st ms. for editor--1,2,3,4
8. create two creative assignments for students
9. create/design syllabus for new fall course

Yesterday was a sllloooowwwww day. I got phone calls made and completed some important business that had been hanging over me for a couple of weeks. And lived the saying, "When one door closes..."

Here's the good news: I have another great opportunity to make connections and build bridges across campus and within other departments. Lemons... lemondade.

9 in 9, Monday

Regular "9 in 9":

1. Get car's bumper repaired
2. Sell books, etc. to local shop
3. Deliver printers to Salvation Army (no, I never...)
4. Visit Tax Man and get 2011 taxes in (early?)
5. Put dress on eBay
6. Sign up with Habitat for Humanity
7. Contact new retirement fund for re-diversification of funds
8. Contact old retirement fund for information
9. Clean apartment top to bottom in one day

Creative "9 in 9":

1. finish 2nd manuscript and edit; submit to editor
2. catch up with playwriting binge, for a total of 18 submissions--7
3. write 5 pages/day on current play
4. read 5 new books-1, 2, 3
5. blog every day--1, 2, 3, 4
6. exercise 20 minutes daily
7. edit 20 pages of 1st ms. for editor--1, 2
8. create two creative assignments for students
9. create/design syllabus for new fall course

Today was a big one: cleaned the kitchen thoroughly, changed the air conditioning filters, cleaned the three overhead fans, washed the sofa cover, took out all trash/recycling and washed trash cans thoroughly. I also made a green spray cleaner and ordered replacement health & beauty stuff.

Friday notes & 9 in 9 projects

Yesterday's "No Spend Thursday" was a success, mostly because I was home all day. That doesn't guarantee no spending, of course, thanks to the 'net. I avoided temptation by doing my email and blogging early, then keeping busy with other tasks all day:

• laundry: washing all small rugs
• sweeping and washing the kitchen floor
• shredding and taking out all trash, including recyclables
• cooking a meal completely from my pantry: Sausage and Garbanzo Stew
• going thru my closet for clothes that need maintenance or dry cleaning (at the end of the season)
• planning my next three cooking menus from the pantry and grocery store
• cleaning and fixing the bird feeder
• napping (yes, it was necessary!)

Our Spring Break begins today, so in honor of 10 days of no classes, I am addressing two lists of "to do" tasks I've been putting off for this very occasion.

Instead of a "7 in 7" I'm instituting a "9 in 9" list, meaning 1 task per day for the next 9 days, until classes resume.

1. Get car's bumper repaired
2. Sell books, etc. to local shop
3. Deliver printers to Salvation Army (no, I never...)
4. Visit Tax Man and get 2011 taxes in (early?)
5. Put dress on eBay
6. Sign up with Habitat for Humanity
7. Contact new retirement fund for re-diversification of funds
8. Contact old retirement fund for information
9. Clean apartment top to bottom in one day

Some of these tasks will take an hour, some a whole day. No matter. Several of them center on financial resources because by the end of March I want to be done thinking about monetary tasks on a large scale.

Because I have recently re-discovered that not including creative projects is, for me, the equivalent of going without meals, here are 9 creative tasks I hope to work toward, if not accomplish:

1. finish 2nd manuscript and edit; submit to editor
2. catch up with playwriting binge, for a total of 18 submissions
3. write 5 pages/day on current play
4. read 5 new books
5. blog every day
6. exercise 20 minutes daily
7. edit 20 pages of 1st ms. for editor
8. create two creative assignments for students
9. create/design syllabus for new fall course

Again, some of these will take only a couple of hours over one day, but some will require time everyday.

The goal is to return to classes and the last 7 weeks of the semester with these things behind me, my batteries recharged, and my attitude adjusted for the long haul of the final push.

"7 in 7," Day 4

So far I am a leetle behind... the last two weeks have been so busy! And more to come on the countdown to Savannah, next week.

But here I am:

1. return two pairs of shoes ordered online to the intown outlet
2. return Amazon items via mail
3. return Talbot's cardigan to store and order correct size
4. donate/drop off two printers plus materials to the Salvation Army
5. contact Buffalo Exchange about their autumn donations
6. list two items on eBay for sale
7. meet with The Tax Man and complete my 2010 taxes for refund

 Today is going to be a light day--no dropping off, in other words.

New "7 in 7" Challenge

This week, I am challenging myself to a new "7 in 7" challenge, all concerning tasks I have been putting off.

They are, in no particular order:

1. return two pairs of shoes ordered online to the intown outlet 
2. return Amazon items via mail
3. return Talbot's cardigan to store and order correct size
4. donate/drop off two printers plus materials to the Salvation Army
5. contact Buffalo Exchange about their autumn donation "needs"
6. complete donations, business & medical expenses for 2010 tax forms
7. meet with The Tax Man and complete my 2010 taxes for refund

By next Friday, these should all be done...

Oh, and going through my closet last weekend, I found not four but six items to donate, including a two-piece suit I haven't worn in at least two decades. It was lurking deep in the back.

Does that mean I can buy two new wardrobe pieces?????

7 in 7, Day Four

Yesterday was productive, mostly because it is still cool here in Dallas. I think that might be over for good, however, since it is 9 am and 81 degrees.

1. photograph and drop off a Goodwill shipment
2. visit a consignment store with the best of my "giveaways"
3. post 7 items on Craigslist with photos
4. re-vamp my Amazon store
5. get my new printer/fax/copier/scanner up and running
6. hang 7 pictures or message boards in the new apartment
7. hang the birdfeeder, repot three plants, hang windchimes on back patio

Today I have no idea which task I'll work on!

7 in 7, Day Three

That's right, didn't note Days 1-3 before... but here we go.

1. photograph and drop off a Goodwill shipment
2. visit a consignment store with the best of my "giveaways"
3. post 7 items on Craigslist with photos
4. re-vamp my Amazon store
5. get my new printer/fax/copier/scanner up and running
6. hang 7 pictures or boards in the new apartment
7. hang the birdfeeder, repot three plants, hang windchimes on back patio

 So far, so good.

7 in 7, Part 2

My personal 7 in 7 challenge last year was very successful. Time for another one. Now that I've completed my big project last night (opera panel), I'll be starting tomorrow, Saturday, and going  thru the following Friday, I'm challenging myself to complete seven tasks in seven days.

1. photograph and drop off a Goodwill shipment
2. visit a consignment store with the best of my "giveaways"
3. post 7 items on Craigslist with photos
4. re-vamp my Amazon store
5. get my new printer/fax/copier/scanner up and running
6. hang 7 pictures or boards in the new apartment 
7. hang the birdfeeder, repot three plants, hang windchimes on back patio

7 in 7.

7 in7 -- purging and saving

Yesterday I completed #6. I have to go on and sign some papers, but yes, the refund from '08 will be in my hands soon. And then in the credit card company's hands...

1. a week's meals from pantry and freezer only
2. box of student plays #2 to office
3. penultimate pile of magazines to dumpster
4. CD rack purged for Goodwill
5. DVD rack purged for Goodwill
6. tax man: talk to him about 2008 -- try #2
7. consignment store -- try #3

Happiness is mine!

7 in 7 -- purging and saving

 So far, so good.

1. a week's meals from pantry and freezer only
2. box of student plays #2 to office
3. penultimate pile of magazines to dumpster
4. CD rack purged for Goodwill
5. DVD rack purged for Goodwill
6. tax man: talk to him about 2008 -- try #2
7. consignment store -- try #3

 

7 in 7, purging and saving

Day Two.

1. a week's meals from pantry and freezer only
2. box of student plays #2 to office
3. penultimate pile of magazines to dumpster
4. CD rack purged for Goodwill
5. DVD rack purged for Goodwill
6. tax man: talk to him about 2008 -- try #2
7. consignment store -- try #3

As I said yesterday, I cooked five-bean soup. I ate the last of the potato-leek soup last night, so will start on this today. That potato-leek-bacon soup was delicious--and very thick and filling. The homemade pumpkin bread went very well with it. 

 

I also have an acorn squash that needs cooking. I'm going to make a filling with wild rice, walnuts, and cranberries, and then the squash will give me at least 2 side-dishes with the soup. Again, all bought before Sunday and from pantry or freezer.

 

I have one final pile of magazines to dump. I've been resisting since Jack likes to sit on it and look out the front window. Here in the Metroplex we have long windows that are no more than 18" above the floor. But I've found a solution for the magazine pile, or two, really, so that we can try and see which one Jack likes best. The point is to get the magazines out of the house.

 

I've been resisting doing this because they are the magazines I like, and I am certain they hold articles I "need." But I never look at them and never look to see where those "needed" articles are. So... dump. Everything is on-line anyway, and I get articles form this magazine in my emailbox. Which is why I don't buy the print edition any more. Hasta la vista, baby! 

7 in 7, purging and saving

New group for the coming week.

1. a week's meals from pantry and freezer only
2. box of student plays #2 to office
3. penultimate pile of magazines to dumpster
4. CD rack purged for Goodwill
5. DVD rack purged for Goodwill
6. tax man: talk to him about 2008 -- try #2
7. consignment store -- try #3

This one, I've gotten started with a five-bean soup, all from pantry. Cooked it yesterday.

$7 in 7, hangovers

Yesterday's work: saved $136.75 this year by not renewing.

1. Synch up grocery cards for coupon savings
2. Call credit card #1 & #2 to get rates improved
3. Go to bank and ask how debit card can save/earn me more
4. Call My Tax Man and discuss missing refund for 2008
5. End AT&T land line
6. Cancel GoDaddy renewal of website, etc.
7. Take clothes to consignment shop (#2!)

 Go, me!

$7 in 7 -- week

This past week I did accomplish 4 out of 7 tasks:

1. Synch up grocery cards for coupon savings
2. Call credit card #1 & #2 to get rates improved
3. Go to bank and ask how debit card can save/earn me more
4. Call My Tax Man and discuss missing refund for 2008
5. End AT&T land line
6. Cancel GoDaddy renewal of website, etc.
7. Take clothes to consignment shop (#2!)

I'm not even going to knock myself out for not getting all 7 taken care of, considering the high drama of Monday through Wednesday! I did figure out the following:

 

First: I have good rates on the credit cards and if I keep paying so regularly, in January I might get better ones, even on the two I've paid off completely.

 

Second, in a few clicks I have 5 Christmas presents paid for, sent to me at home, and suddenyl I am aware that I am earning "points" every time I use the cards (including debit cards) and will use that extra savings more consciously.

 

Third, I have to learn to live without the land line, using only the cell. But less AT&T in my life: good thing!

 

 

 

Finally, doing these tasks and the ones last week (7 in 7 series #1) gave me back a sense of control over certain things in my life, as well as an awareness of how much time I need to spend thinking about stuff outside my job ("High Drama" HQ) for general satisfaction. So, good lessons.

This coming week: no 7 in 7, just taking care of leftover tasks. That's enough.

$7 in 7

 Today is another cancellation, this one for the website I mostly ignore.

1. Synch up grocery cards for coupon savings
2. Call credit card #1 & #2 to get rates improved
3. Go to bank and ask how debit card can save/earn me more
4. Call My Tax Man and discuss missing refund for 2008
5. End AT&T land line
6. Cancel GoDaddy renewal of website, etc.
7. Take clothes to consignment shop (#2!)

Yesterday, didn't get to #4, unfortunately. That will have to go on to next week, as I am afraid #7 will, too. Didn't get that one done last week, either. nstead, I am moving on to the bonus number: caulking my own bathtub and letting my landlord know that I am taking cash off my December rent because I did it... when he didn't... and didn't even come look at it... or worry about it... so.

$7 in 7

 Day 5. Yesterday was a hard one.

1. Synch up grocery cards for coupon savings
2. Call credit card #1 & #2 to get rates improved
3. Go to bank and ask how debit card can save/earn me more
4. Call My Tax Man and discuss missing refund for 2008
5. End AT&T land line
6. Cancel GoDaddy renewal of website, etc.
7. Take clothes to consignment shop (#2!)

I cancelled my AT&T landline--almost. I kept the 911 service, which is approximately $15/month, but reduces my overall bill by more than 50% of the nearly $100/month total. I also kept the internet service, but got a 12-month "deal of a lifetime" that lowers the bill another 20%--before fees and taxes, of course. This will reduce my monthly bill by about 60% in total, once it all kicks in. Because there are terms of the deal (of course!) I won't see the total savings until the New Year but I'll also get a rebate at that time for all of the transfer cost. I also got a $25 credit "just because."

In annual terms, this means saving about $720 over the next 12 months for at-home internet and 911 service. Sweet! And I do have a cell and an office phone (which I barely use), so that will cover everything. And the Magic Jack, which is paid for for the next 12 months. Then if I put that 60% savings in my long-term savings account or--better yet!--paying off credit cards... ah, I feel good now!

Then I went to my bank and asked about rewards, etc. Well, I was signed up for everything but did not know I had 10K "reward" points -- that's $100 in free Christmas gift card money, just right for my nephews' presents, plus. Well done! 

In other words, I've got 5/9 Christmas presents done this week, for free or rather with dollars I have already spent once. Yes, I know gift cards seem impersonal, but in the world of minimalism, when you're dealing with people who have everything they want or people who are choosy about what they want... this is gooooooooooood!

$7 in 7

Today was better, and I am still catching up!

1. Synch up grocery cards for coupon savings
2. Call credit card #1 & #2 to get rates improved
3. Go to bank and ask how debit card can save/earn me more
4. Call My Tax Man and discuss missing refund for 2008
5. End AT&T land line
6. Cancel GoDaddy renewal of website, etc.
7. Take clothes to consignment shop (#2!)

Got to work on #2. Here's what I was told by my credit card companies.

#1 company: "We are making no adjustments on APRs at this time." When I asked, it was not about my card but about EVERYONE! (stressed!)

#2 company: "Call back after the holidays"  Aha!

#3 company: "No lower rate right now. You're at our lowest rates." News to me! Good news!

#4 company: "Competitive rates at this time." I think, again holidays....

Conclusion: call back in January! There was good news, however: I found out that on 3 cards I had The lowest possible rates "at this time"--for cardholders in general (or at least that was what I was told!). This very good news, in my opinion, because rates are high. I also discovered that on 2 cards I had "membership points" that had racked up ovr time... a lot of them. So I transferred points to one of my frequent flyer programs and I "bought" 3 gift cards that I will use for Christmas presents. Since I had already earned the points and the mailing was free--Bonus!

Details about #1: Synch'd up one grocery card--no problem. Second one--I cannot get it online and the store's 877 number dumps me into a waiting pattern where no one comes on the phone to talk to me. Going to keep trying: the card works in the store, but not to load coupons onto it. I do get gas discounts wiht it, however, so what I basically use it for is okay; I just can't add to the card's value right now.

Grocery savings this week: $8.90 saved, $60.98 spent. This included Halloween candy (re-purposed into student rewards for in-class discussion), flowers, and a potted aloe vera plant totaling $13.65. Not buying these would just about have left me at my new weekly budget of $45/week for groceries... how quickly the extras add up! Although I do think flowers are a necessity, to be honest. I find I am happier with them in the house weekly.

With the first of the month, I also transferred money into both savings accounts, long-term (where the coupon/payback/etc. spending goes) and short-term. Paid credit cards and rent. Started the November Goodwill boxes, and re-enrolled in My U's benefits program. Assessed my pantry and thought about how to use the cans, beans, and rice there. Whew! Big accomplishment for me.

$7 in 7

Oops. Didn't do so well yesterday. Life (Big L-ife) crashed into mine. Picking up and moving on today.

1. Synch up grocery cards for coupon savings
2. Call credit card #1 & #2 to get rates improved
3. Go to bank and ask how debit card can save/earn me more
4. Call My Tax Man and discuss refund for 2008
5. End AT&T land line
6. Cancel GoDaddy renewal of website, etc.
7. Take clothes to consignment shop (#2!)

No disaster, mind you, just ran out of time to do what I planned because Big Event pushed its pushy way in. More of that today, but... we'll see.