Between a month-long spending strike, from-scratch cooking, and lots of frugal home renovations and DIY, you might say John and I are budget-conscious. In a way, we live by the mantra:
We really value our money, but treat ourselves to things like dinners out with friends and a vacation (i.e. - camping trip) every now and then. We also don't have a problem spending money on quality items that will enhance our lives. There are some things, however, that we've never bought and have no intentions to purchase, like:
Use it up, wear it out, make due, or do without.
pajamas
I wear a tank top and shorts to bed. These are items I can wear out in the garden, or while working out (hahaha, that's funny). I think it's silly to buy a special set of pajamas. And, trust me, nothing at all is just as alluring as those pricy nighties. We choose to save our money here.dental floss
We go to the dentist twice a year, and ask for a few extra rolls of dental floss. Our hygienists pass them out like candy on Halloween. I am very diligent about flossing daily (one bad experience in the dental chair made me fanatical about good preventative oral hygiene!), and go through quite a bit in six months.I got my hands on a pack of Young Living Thieves dental floss a while back and really like it. If I ever broke down and paid for dental floss, I would buy this stuff in a heartbeat.
fabric softener sheets
Growing up, my mom never used fabric softener sheets. She was doing a lot of laundry when we were at home, and this was an unnecessary expense. Now that I am on my own, simply stated: I don't want the extra chemicals on my clothing that comes from a dryer sheet. In the winter, we can 'suffer' through a little static electricity. Our wool dryer balls eliminate most of that, though. I also add a few drops of lavender, lemon or Purification essential oil for scent, if I really want it.
We also use white vinegar in the rinse cycle as a fabric softener, after using this homemade laundry soap. After a few weeks of using our unscented version and ditching the fabric softener sheets, we didn't even know we were missing them.
spice blends
Many of the prepackaged spice blends at the store are loaded with MSG or other fillers.
food coloring
Nature colors my food. The end.
Do you have an immersion blender? Tell me about it. What are some other items you don't purchase, either out of principle or frugality?
immersion blender
I am on the line with this item. I have a food processor that I love and use regularly in the summer to help me make short work of all that garden bounty. In the winter we make a lot of soups, and it's really inconvenient to puree a soup in a bulky food processor that hasn't seen the light of day since September. These are the times I really wish I had an immersion blender. I've never purchased one because I convince myself that it's a luxury and I don't really need it.Do you have an immersion blender? Tell me about it. What are some other items you don't purchase, either out of principle or frugality?
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I'm slowly implementing some of these things into our lives as well. You are an inspiration that one can do it.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a link for the wool dryer balls?
I do! Here's where I bought them: https://www.etsy.com/listing/205298082/wool-dryer-balls-tripple-hand-felted-un?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=wool%20dryer%20balls&ref=sr_gallery_2
DeleteI have an immersion blender and I am really happy with it. I literally use it for everything - nut butters, any cake batters, pancakes, smoothies, soups. I don't think of it as an un-necessary luxury, because I am not exaggerating when I say I use it every day. Sometimes multiple times. I, on the other hand, am thinking about investing in a blender when returning from our travels. Haven't decided yet, though.. well because immersion blender is capable of doing almost all the things that a regular blender is, too..
ReplyDeleteI always try to think twice in the supermarkets - do I really-really need it (90% I don't, it's just something super-pretty or cute, so I leave it there).. I also try not to purchase anything unless the previous bottle/jar has been emptied..and I try to go to second-hand stores for clothing, when possible. You can find treasures there:) I am having the most trouble when going to any crafts or yarn stores:D There I sometimes can not control myself and buy something for "a project that I'm going to start right after the previous is finished, because it's the best idea I've ever had!".. The good thing is that yarn doesn't spoil and if I really commit, I am usually able to reduce my stash before purchasing new:)
My birthday is coming up - maybe I'll ask for an immersion blender. It sounds like you use yours all the time!
DeleteLOVE my immersion blender (actually I have two...one is used for soap making), We eat a lot of soup during the winter. I like blending (hiding) some of the veggies so my grandkids (and son-in-law) don't realize they are actually eating them (works every time)
ReplyDeleteEeeek, I might need to get one!
DeleteI don't buy paper towels anymore. We just use regular towels and wash them. Would like to maybe get to the point of not buying napkins too. Just not there yet.
ReplyDeleteI have an immersion blender that I love, but only because a friend gave it to me. Not sure if I would have went and bought one for myself?
ReplyDelete