The Compact (buy nothing new) group that I’m part of, started a challenge last week that I thought I would share with the Non-Consumer community.
The challenge is to try and whittle down one’s set monthly expenses. To bring down how much you life is costing you, without bringing down your quality of life.
The challenge’s author [...]
My friend Diana came over today for a visit. The plan had been to go for a walk, but I had a few errands to run, so she tagged along.
I do feel that the test of true friendship is:
A: Will help you move, even though you sport a hefty collection of vintage dishware.
B: Will listen [...]
Illustration by the ever talented Jessica Wolk-Stanley.
I have a confession to make. I’m not super into figuring out Halloween costumes for my ten and 13-year-old sons. Perhaps this is due to the fact that they seem to change their costume goals faster than you can say alien/grim reaper/wizard/skeleton.
I’ve mostly just let the boys loose in [...]
Want to start living the green life?
Retailers would have you believe green living is all about organically grown hemp sheets and sustainably harvested bamboo living room sets.
Wrong!
The best green purchase you can make is the one not taken.
Every time you purchase a brand new product you make a dent in the environment. Even when you’re making a [...]
Sometimes I have time to prepare a wonderful, complicated dinner for my family . . . but often I don’t.
Especially during soccer season.
Does this mean I order pizza or get take out?
No way.
I pull together a meal from what I have on hand. And it’s not uncommon to make up a quick batch of burritos.
Take [...]
I have never understood people who put time effort, and yes, money into developing a refined palate. Whether this be wine, coffee or even ice cream, It’s the same result:
You’re no long able to enjoy the cheap and easily available pleasures in life.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have a store called “Trader Joe’s.” It’s most [...]
How much do you plan on spending on holiday gifts this year?
$500?
$250?
$801?
How about $100?
According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans plan on spending an average of $801 for their holiday shopping this year. And that number is down from previous years!
$801 is a lot of money. And with the costs of groceries and other [...]
I remember my first trip to a warehouse club. It was 1985, and I was visiting my aunt Judithe in Houston, Texas. She was in love with her local Sam’s Club, and took us there to show it off. I’d never seen a store so enormous. To say it was Texas sized would be an [...]
The following is a reprint of an article I wrote in June for the The Non-Consumer Advocate.
Want to save the earth, but don’t know where to start? Here’s a simple suggestion — stop using plastic shopping bags!
It is estimated that 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are now produced annually for the world market. That comes [...]
I am a geek.
I am in fact a super geek. Not only do I think that everything related to frugality is fascinating. (Have I told you about my homemade laundry detergent? Really, I already did? Can I tell you again?) I have about zero interest in being cool. Clothing, makeup and even popular music hold little [...]
