No more diapers...

Conveniently, this week our three year olds completely abandoned the need for diapers. Not only is that a big milestone, but it's a great feeling not to spend that money each month.

Less clutter, less trash, and less money spent each month! Yay for the twins, way to help me with my challenge!

Goodbye stroller!

Yesterday we sold our lovely lilac Baby Jogger City Series Double Stroller to a friend who is pregnant with her second little one. The girls were no longer using it, and it took up way too much room in the van. So goodbye, Baby Jogger, I'll be happy if I never have to pick up such a heavy stroller again.

Also, two trikes that weren't getting any use were sold on Craigslist. Now, there is more room on our deck and the girls now have scooters which I think they will enjoy more.

It feels good to get rid of things, especially knowing that someone else is putting them to good use!

The rules...

So here is my plan.

I have already committed to my husband not to buy any more clothing or toys for the girls until July 4th, 2010. That will be about four months, which is definitely a stretch for me. Thanks to some great bargains, I've already assembled their spring/summer wardrobe. The exceptions: First, I will have a specified amount to spend at a seasonal used clothing sale that I go to every spring. I'm not skipping that. Also, the girls are going to need new raincoats soon and safety helmets for the scooters, so we have planned for those purchase. Finally, if any unexpected true "needs" arise, we will obviously be able meet them. So if the girls outgrow their shoes mid-season, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Additionally, I thought it would be fun to record anything leaving our home, whether it is sold or given away, just as a reminder not to hang on to the clutter. Also, I will post any organization ideas or tips I come across and detail any such projects that I personally tackle.

If I feel like it, I might throw in some random product reviews of things that my family has grown to love. You know, the kinds of things we hang on to and would purchase again because we have been beyond pleased with the value for the money.

Anyone want to do this challenge along with me? I'd love your companionship....post a comment if you are also trying something similar regarding shopping, organizing or purging your home of non-essentials!

Birth of the Shopaholic PackBunny

I have always enjoyed shopping, but I admit that since becoming a mother, I find shopping for my children so much more fun than any other shopping has ever been, by far. Part of it is that everything looks cuter in miniature, and part of it is that there is less guilt buying for “someone else” even if that someone else is your own 3 year old, who needs another appliquéd hoodie like she needs another curl on her head. And there is also the perfect excuse that they grow so quickly that they are in constant “need” of new clothing, toys, art supplies, books, and educational supplements! If nothing else, there is always the all encompassing, “It’s 75% off, I HAVE to buy it.” That argument always works for me, anyway.

Thus shopping has become more than just a hobby, it has become a skill that I hone daily.

However, I am trying not to be a mindless consumer, who will buy anything she lays eyes upon for her family. Lately, I have been working on being more mindful of what we bring into our home, while thoughtfully reducing the excess we have already. Well, contemplating reducing the excess we have.

So it comes down, in theory, to being mindful of what we are buying, not just for our finances, but for simplicity’s sake. Buying less means less spending, less waste, less buyer’s remorse, and less clutter around the house. Sounds great, right? Well, easier said than done.

Frankly, it’s been an uphill battle, as I tend to be a shopaholic and a pack-bunny.

What’s a pack-bunny, you ask? Well, it is a nicer term for pack-rat, of course. When my husband called me a pack-rat I asked him to kindly use a more affectionate term. That’s when he started to refer to me as a “pack-bunny”. Much nicer sound to it, don’t you think?

So, here is where the rubber meets the road, or where my well-worn shopping cart hits the Target parking lot. I’ve decided to make a change in my shopping habits. I’m usually of the “buy-ahead, buy-in-bulk, stock-up, discuss-later” mindset and really, it’s served me well. However, I’ve really never given the alternative path much thought.

What if I didn’t buy ahead, and only bought as needed? What if I pared down our home to the more essential of our non-essentials and removed the excess? What if I took a break from shopping for non-consumables altogether? Just the thought makes my heart race…..in terror!

Can I even do this? Can I live without my frequent Target runs, “perimeter perusing”, deal-stalking, and cyber shopping?

Come along and see…..