The Finish Line?

Almost December!  Can't believe we only have one month left in this journey.  Of course, it will be the most difficult since it is the biggest shopping time of the year.  Still, I am very proud of my family for holding strong for a year's worth without buying.  We've had a few failures - little things, though, like a pair of sunglasses, some craft paintbrushes for a project, etc.  Overall, though, I can't complain.  We have managed to use the money we would have spent on stuff to apply to a $10,000 debt, which will be paid for in January!!!! We have also been able to pay cash for everything!  No credit card usage whatsoever this year.  I consider that an amazing success for our family.  I can't see us ever going back to thoughtless spending again.  When we shop for clothing it will be on Ebay, thrift stores or bottom dollar price in stores - never paying retail again!  We will also be very cautious in purchasing anything else - Can we find a substitute for free?  Can we make a trade with others?  Can we simply make do with what we have?  These questions will need to be answered before dropping anything in a shopping cart.  I will post pictures soon of some of the handmade Christmas items we've been working on.  Santa's elves have a lot of work to do this year!

Shopping Shock

Wow - had no idea a trip to Hobby Lobby would bring out such a strong desire to Buy! Buy! Buy!  Quade and I both had to restrain ourselves when we passed by adorable ornaments, Christmas decorations, lovely little trinkets we don't need but sure wanted and so many lovely fabrics!  We went in for basic depletable craft supplies like paint, paper and adhesive but sure wanted a great deal more.  We got some terrific ideas while we were in there but I felt like a fish being lured in by a juicy worm on a hook

Christmas Crunch

Can't believe Christmas is almost here already!!! Time flies when your a grown up doesn't it?  Quade and I have to get down to business in order to get Christmas gifts made this year.  We have some ideas up our sleeves and will be diligently working on them over the coming weeks.  I will post some as we get them finished. If you are interested in doing any of these things yourselves this year, here are a few ideas: 
1.  Fleece scarves with a simple blanket stitch on edges - anything can be appliqued on these for style. 
2.  Personalized pillows (also using fleece and using felt for designs to make it easy).
3. Snack Packs - using an interesting container fill with snacks and goodies that anyone would love - if you are handy with paper crafts you can design coordinating paper containers and packaging to hold the snacks.
4.  Hand-crafted cards - these can be done with paper and stamps or made from photos you have taken attached to a plain card base.
5.  Look up the site www.instructables.com for other great ideas, as well.

More ideas will be posted along with the way - these are just a few to get you started!

The Funny Side of Cheap

So a friend was at the house the other day and needed to use the facilities.  She came out of the bathroom and asked who Morgan Keegan was. I looked perplexed and thought for a moment.  Then I remembered that Morgan Keegan was a company that my sister-in-law used to work for.  I explained this to my friend who started laughing.  She saw the name on a shaving bag in our bathroom and thought we were so cheap that we were using someone's tossed-aside but personalized shaving bag!  I had to agree that it would be just like us to do something like that.  Too funny and had to share.

Pics from Fall Party

Just a couple of pictures but you will see the paper candy cups, the banner and the homemade scarecrows!  We had a blast with everyone from our Sunday School class. 

Happy Fall Ya'll

Just love this season - warm colors, snuggly clothes, savory scents - and the decorations!  We are having a Fall Porch Party for our Sunday school class soon and I need to do some decorating.  We won't be buying decorations but we have started making some. I have made a centerpiece with twigs and glittered papered leaves that my oldest boy helped with.  We are planning on making dried apple garlands, as well as paper pumpkin decorations.  The food will be the main attraction of this party and that fits in nicely with what we spend money on.  On one of the decorating websites I was looking at I saw the cutest Pumpkin Bean Bag Toss that is easily made of scrap materials so that may be attempted, too, and will give the kids a game to play.  Quade suggested I make scarecrows out of old clothing and stuff them with hay that we purchase for the chickens. We have a lot of projects but hopefully we can get them done.  We are buying pumpkins, as technically they are edible.  So, when we get it all done I will post some pics.

Excess in Excess

I can't believe it is already the middle of September!  I want to talk about EXCESS.  Excess is anything more than what you really need.  Most of us have it.  In looking at the things I use every day I began to evaluate how much excess I now have nine months into our little no-buying experiment. My piles are dwindling.  If you are curious about how much excess you have answer the following questions.
1.  How many containers of lipstick/eyeshadow do you have?
2.  How many bottles of perfume do you have?
3.  Do you have a blender, a juicer, a food processor and a food chopper?
4.  How many cans of furniture polish/cleaners do you have on hand?
5.  Articles of clothing - Do you have more than 3 white shirts/blouses?  More than 6-8 handbags/purses?  More than 20 pair of shoes (any kind)?  What about belts?  And don't get me started on jewelry.

My point is - do you really need all that extra stuff?  Is it just taking up space until you finally realize it's still in the closet or under the cupboard?  And do those extra things that you probably never use or wear ever enter your mind when you are out shopping for more?  We have all bought stuff we don't need and don't use and don't wear - but we don't have to keep doing it.  Couldn't you think of a better use of your money and your space?  Food for thought - eat it up or spit it out.