Unload Your Valuables for Cash
By Stacey Bradford | Aug 30, 2011
www.bnet.com
Read more: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/family-finance/unload-your-valuables-for-cash/4965/#ixzz1XEyLULH1
In just a few days I’m moving from New York City to the suburbs. While packing up my home, I realized I have a lot of stuff that I don’t need. It was easy to get rid of the clothing and kids’ toys by donating them to the Salvation Army. But I held onto other items, including some old family heirlooms, because I know they must have some value even though I can’t appreciate them. But now I’ve found a hassle-free way to unload them for cash.
Meet Pawngo, an online pawn shop that allows folks to trade their valuables for cash. Customers can either borrow money against an asset (think high-end watch or digital SLR camera) or sell an item outright.
Here’s how the site works: You send the company a picture and detailed description of the item you’d like to pawn and in return you’ll receive a preliminary offer letter for what the company thinks it’s worth. If you like what you read, you then mail your asset to the company (with free shipping and insurance). A certified evaluator then takes a look and makes you a formal offer. If you accept the terms, Pawngo wires cash into your bank account.
The company’s CEO, Todd Hills, told me that most of his customers pawn belongings to meet a short term cash need, such as a major car repair. Then, once that person can repay the loan (the principal plus fees), he gets his item back.
But as I mentioned earlier, I’m more interested in selling off things I’ve found around my home. Hills says his company can accommodate this too, provided the heirlooms, electronics and jewelry are items that ship easily.
One potential downside to selling valuables through Pawngo is that the market for luxury goods and collectibles isn’t very strong right now thanks to the weak economy. So you may not get as much for your Tag Heuer as you think it’s worth, especially after Pawngo takes its cut off the top. (The company says its margins are 20% to 30%.)
The one exception, of course, is anything with gold. As we all know, the price is through the roof right now and is hovering over $1,800 an ounce. This is good news for folks like me who have collected necklaces and earrings over the years and know we’ll never wear some of these pieces again.
Still, I probably won’t make as much off an old necklace I received for my Sweet 16 as I may have once imagined. That’s because most jewelry isn’t pure gold. Fourteen karat, for example, is less than 60% gold. And if an item has been cleaned a lot, its precious metal content may be even slightly lower.
Could you make more money selling your stuff elsewhere? Maybe. And if I was sitting on a very valuable coin or baseball card collection, I would probably get it independently appraised and shop it around. But for the types of trinkets I found around my house, I think Pawngo makes sense, especially since it sounds so easy. And once I unpack my boxes (and the kids go back to school), I think I’ll give it a try.
Would you sell off old family heirlooms for cash?
Stacey Bradford is the author of The Wall Street Journal Financial Guidebook for New Parents.
MY THOUGHTS
I'm not into pawning jewelry. But I don't mind selling jewelry that I don't use anymore. Especially those that doesn't have any memories attached to it. You know what I mean.
Just be careful and go to buyers who have good reputation. Shop around, too, and compare. And don't do this alone. You don't want to be stripped of the cash you just got for your gold.
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
WOULD YOU LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE?
Would You Live the Simple Life?
A couple who owns just 100 things got me thinking about my consumption
Ysolt Usigan ON Aug 19, 2010 at 5:39PM
http://www.ivillage.com/would-you-live-simple-life/5-a-258963
Last week, I read an article in the New York Times about a couple who gave up luxuries -- two cars, wedding china to serve two dozen people, a two-bedroom apartment -- and started to live the ultimate simple life. Inspired by blogs and web sites, Tammy Strobel and Logan Smith streamlined their belongings to a -- gasp! -- 100 items. They donated books, sweaters, shoes, pots and pans, even a TV to charity, and soon enough accomplished their goal. It has been three years and the Portland, OR couple now live in a 400-square-foot studio with a nice-sized kitchen, have traded in their cars for bikes, and are debt-free (they owed about $30,000 when they began to make these changes).
Because of their simple lifestyle choices, Strobel and Logan have money to travel, can contribute to their nieces and nephews' education funds and work fewer hours. Strobel has since realized that one doesn't need to live "bigger" to be happy.
So what's the moral of the story? That you don't need stuff to make you happy?? Hmmm... This got me thinking... Can I ever live the simple life -- as in, own only 100 things? I have 100 pairs of shoes alone! And for that matter, can living "simple" make me happy?
I turned to an expert for clarity. "I do believe happiness is more fundamentally about relationships than stuff," says Wanda Urbanska, simple living expert and author of Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska. "Face it, we all gravitate toward favorite outfits and things, so simplifying for a fashion maven is about zeroing in on those favorite things and letting go of the excess."
My take: I do believe that you are not what you buy, and you certainly are not what you wear. In fact, I'd much rather spend my hard-earned money on an experience (a fun vacation, a delectable meal or a soothing spa treatment). An amazing experience will definitely make me more happy than buying stuff -- stuff that I'll use now and forget about, stuff that I probably didn't need at all, stuff that came out of an impulse purchase.
But, wait a minute... For me, shopping for my fall wardrobe is an experience in itself. The act of buying a crisp new trench coat or a chic yet comfortable pair of boots feels pretty awesome. It's like I'm celebrating my favorite season and getting ready for the experiences to come, which just happens to include wearing that crisp new trench coat and cute pair of boots. There can be a rewarding sense of self when one buys stuff. The idea that I can express myself through what I wear, for instance, helps my self-esteem, too.
Give me life, give me stuff!
I understand the idea of living "simple," but I don't think I'm quite down with living deprived. I guess the moral of the story -- for me, anyways -- is to (simply) spend wisely.
MY THOUGHTS
I agree. Living simply does not mean 'living deprived'. If you cut down on your lifestyle and you feel miserable then you are not living simply. Your pretending to be. Which is alright, I guess. we're bound to feel some discomfort when we make changes. Just remember, the reward comes after. Never before.
A couple who owns just 100 things got me thinking about my consumption
Ysolt Usigan ON Aug 19, 2010 at 5:39PM
http://www.ivillage.com/would-you-live-simple-life/5-a-258963
Last week, I read an article in the New York Times about a couple who gave up luxuries -- two cars, wedding china to serve two dozen people, a two-bedroom apartment -- and started to live the ultimate simple life. Inspired by blogs and web sites, Tammy Strobel and Logan Smith streamlined their belongings to a -- gasp! -- 100 items. They donated books, sweaters, shoes, pots and pans, even a TV to charity, and soon enough accomplished their goal. It has been three years and the Portland, OR couple now live in a 400-square-foot studio with a nice-sized kitchen, have traded in their cars for bikes, and are debt-free (they owed about $30,000 when they began to make these changes).
Because of their simple lifestyle choices, Strobel and Logan have money to travel, can contribute to their nieces and nephews' education funds and work fewer hours. Strobel has since realized that one doesn't need to live "bigger" to be happy.
So what's the moral of the story? That you don't need stuff to make you happy?? Hmmm... This got me thinking... Can I ever live the simple life -- as in, own only 100 things? I have 100 pairs of shoes alone! And for that matter, can living "simple" make me happy?
I turned to an expert for clarity. "I do believe happiness is more fundamentally about relationships than stuff," says Wanda Urbanska, simple living expert and author of Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska. "Face it, we all gravitate toward favorite outfits and things, so simplifying for a fashion maven is about zeroing in on those favorite things and letting go of the excess."
My take: I do believe that you are not what you buy, and you certainly are not what you wear. In fact, I'd much rather spend my hard-earned money on an experience (a fun vacation, a delectable meal or a soothing spa treatment). An amazing experience will definitely make me more happy than buying stuff -- stuff that I'll use now and forget about, stuff that I probably didn't need at all, stuff that came out of an impulse purchase.
But, wait a minute... For me, shopping for my fall wardrobe is an experience in itself. The act of buying a crisp new trench coat or a chic yet comfortable pair of boots feels pretty awesome. It's like I'm celebrating my favorite season and getting ready for the experiences to come, which just happens to include wearing that crisp new trench coat and cute pair of boots. There can be a rewarding sense of self when one buys stuff. The idea that I can express myself through what I wear, for instance, helps my self-esteem, too.
Give me life, give me stuff!
I understand the idea of living "simple," but I don't think I'm quite down with living deprived. I guess the moral of the story -- for me, anyways -- is to (simply) spend wisely.
MY THOUGHTS
I agree. Living simply does not mean 'living deprived'. If you cut down on your lifestyle and you feel miserable then you are not living simply. Your pretending to be. Which is alright, I guess. we're bound to feel some discomfort when we make changes. Just remember, the reward comes after. Never before.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
PRODUCTS THAT EXTEND THE LIFE OF FRESH GROCERIES
Products That Extend the Life of Your Fresh Groceries
http://www.ivillage.com
Don’t let your grocery budget rot away in the fridge -- try these handy food-savers (8 Photos)
Herbs On Demand
Fresh herbs are expensive. Whether you grow your own or buy them in bundles at the market, keep them fresher longer -- in the freezer. With the Fresh Mill, you can freeze fresh herbs and sprinkle them directly onto dishes. The palm-sized device provides all the convenience of dried herbs with a just-picked, fresh flavor.
$18.40 on Amazon
Flavor In, Vampires Out
Keeping garlic in a ventilated container helps it last longer. The Garlic Saver, shaped to look like a real head of garlic, is easily identifiable and keeps the head of garlic together, even if you use just a clove at a time.
$7.99 for 2 at Gourmac
Better Produce Bags
Right now, how many plastic bags in your refrigerator contain wilted produce? Next time, try Debbie Meyer Green Bags, which claim to absorb the natural gas produced by certain varieties of fruits and vegetables that cause rapid deterioration.
$9.95 for 10 large and 10 medium bags at DEBBIE MEYER Green Bags
Air Is The Enemy
The tiny Frisper saves space and claims to keep food fresher five times longer, which means you won’t be emptying the fridge into the garbage. There is economic savings, too: the bags can be resealed up to 10 times, and a one-year warranty protects your minimal investment.
$89.99 for FF-600 Starter Kit at Oliso
Fresher Fridge
Toss a Fridge Ball into the veggie drawer and keep produce fresh up to three weeks longer than without the sphere. The balls claims to use potassium to absorb gasses released by fruit and vegetables that cause spoiling.
$7.95 for 3 Fridge Balls and 3 Fridge Packs at As Seen On TV Guys
Avocado’s Other Half
If you like a little bit of avocado in your sandwiches or on a salad, but can’t eat one all at once, the Avo Saver is for you. It fits snugly around the unused half to keep the flesh from turning brown, making these expensive fruits last longer.
$5.99 at Amazon
Fresh Finds
Using the same gas zapping technology as many of the food savers on the market, the Always Fresh Containers claim to help prolong the life of your favorite fresh foods, and they are microwave and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and storage.
$19.99 for a ten-piece set at Always Fresh Containers
MY THOUGHTS
so, which one are you planning on buying? just make sure you need what you'll be paying for. i mean, why would you get Avo Saver? looks cute, though.
http://www.ivillage.com
Don’t let your grocery budget rot away in the fridge -- try these handy food-savers (8 Photos)
Herbs On Demand
Fresh herbs are expensive. Whether you grow your own or buy them in bundles at the market, keep them fresher longer -- in the freezer. With the Fresh Mill, you can freeze fresh herbs and sprinkle them directly onto dishes. The palm-sized device provides all the convenience of dried herbs with a just-picked, fresh flavor.
$18.40 on Amazon
Flavor In, Vampires Out
Keeping garlic in a ventilated container helps it last longer. The Garlic Saver, shaped to look like a real head of garlic, is easily identifiable and keeps the head of garlic together, even if you use just a clove at a time.
$7.99 for 2 at Gourmac
Better Produce Bags
Right now, how many plastic bags in your refrigerator contain wilted produce? Next time, try Debbie Meyer Green Bags, which claim to absorb the natural gas produced by certain varieties of fruits and vegetables that cause rapid deterioration.
$9.95 for 10 large and 10 medium bags at DEBBIE MEYER Green Bags
Air Is The Enemy
The tiny Frisper saves space and claims to keep food fresher five times longer, which means you won’t be emptying the fridge into the garbage. There is economic savings, too: the bags can be resealed up to 10 times, and a one-year warranty protects your minimal investment.
$89.99 for FF-600 Starter Kit at Oliso
Fresher Fridge
Toss a Fridge Ball into the veggie drawer and keep produce fresh up to three weeks longer than without the sphere. The balls claims to use potassium to absorb gasses released by fruit and vegetables that cause spoiling.
$7.95 for 3 Fridge Balls and 3 Fridge Packs at As Seen On TV Guys
Avocado’s Other Half
If you like a little bit of avocado in your sandwiches or on a salad, but can’t eat one all at once, the Avo Saver is for you. It fits snugly around the unused half to keep the flesh from turning brown, making these expensive fruits last longer.
$5.99 at Amazon
Fresh Finds
Using the same gas zapping technology as many of the food savers on the market, the Always Fresh Containers claim to help prolong the life of your favorite fresh foods, and they are microwave and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and storage.
$19.99 for a ten-piece set at Always Fresh Containers
MY THOUGHTS
so, which one are you planning on buying? just make sure you need what you'll be paying for. i mean, why would you get Avo Saver? looks cute, though.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
SIMPLE , STEADY AND IN MOTION
Stay simple, stay steady, stay in motion
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Selena DeLeon Certified Personal Trainer
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The advent of a new year brings for me a need to clear out old things, simplify life and get clean. As I am clearing out the old junk in my house, it occurs to me that simplicity is the pathway to clarity. The pounds that are stored as excess are nothing but that - excess. We look at our bodies and feel bad about ourselves because we associate the extra pounds with our failures, our weaknesses and defeat. Excess calories that have been stored for future use are stored as fat. The more meaning that we put to things is the more complicated the world becomes.
Simplify To Clarify
If you have stored calories that you need to expend, then the best way to "trash" them is to turn them into energy. Think about your body like your house; converting calories into energy through your choice of movement regularly will decrease the amount in storage, and throw all the unnecessary clutter away forever. But as we all know, your house is never totally clean. You have to constantly clean your house to keep it clean. The minute you stop, it starts to get cluttered and dirty again.
Simplify your diet and get your body clean. You know that if you eat pork sausages you will have to hold on to them for a long time before your body can empty them, and your house will be a mess for that much longer. We have to stay on top of our diet as if it were our house in order to avoid the build-up of calories. Be selective about 'junk' that you put into your house, and honour it as your temple.
Clean Up Your Diet
Every week create a single goal for your diet. This week I am eliminating nuts from my diet. Next week, no chocolate, and so on. Each week you can clean up your diet, one food item at a time. For some people embarking on a new lifestyle can be daunting, and taking baby steps can also work as an approach to a new commitment.
Simpler cooking methods like steaming or grilling with fewer additives are the best ways to a healthy diet. Fresh, simple herbs like rosemary and garlic are great to flavour a meal. Simple foods such as potatoes rank much higher on the energy return scale than rice or bread.
Simplify Digestion
The simpler the food, the less energy your body expends to break it down. Have you ever noticed that after eating a heavy meal you feel tired? It is because your body is using up all of your energy to digest the food. The energy that you save on digesting your food is energy that can be used instead to burn up excess calories. The 'Fit for Life' diet created by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond is still one of my favourite diets to recommend to people who are trying to lose weight. Their method of combining certain foods to simplify digestion makes sense.
Food Is Fuel
Some persons respond better to a set menu, because that simplifies their food choices. Food is fuel; it is scientific. Energy that goes in is either energy spent or energy in the bank. If you take choices away, then you are not subject to emotional pitfalls. You remove bad food from your kitchen and you are no longer a victim of temptation; shorten your supermarket list, save time on preparing foods... in short, simplify.
Clarify Your Exercise
Clean and solid would be two good buzz words to describe how you could interpret your exercise schedule. Make a commitment to exercising on set days and at set times, and stick to it. You may encounter yourself as lethargic or overtired on those days, but if you give yourself permission to quit, it breaks the momentum.
It is a myth that the more you do exercise, the easier it gets. Exercising never gets easier, but your mind and your body do become accustomed to it. Stopping and starting interrupts this cycle, so don't get sucked into the pitfall of letting your excuses get in the way. Putting your body in motion stimulates connections within your body and your mind, and this is happening whether you are running at your fullest potential or at 40 per cent of it, so what is important is that the process continues. Even if you have pain, there is always the minimum that you can do so that your mind is registering that it is being turned on to exercise.
Simplify your ideals towards your performance. A simpler approach to exercise can free you from the pressure of performing. In most workouts it is necessary to perform and challenge, but not every time. A healthy balance to a 'fit lifestyle' can only exist if you know how to give to your body and take from it. Slow down the workout if you are feeling slow one day, make a regular breathing pattern your only goal, and visualise what you want to get out of exercising in that moment.
Getting clear on your relationship with your body can free you from frustration and guilt. The key to this clarity is to simplify a style of living that can sometimes become complicated and messy. Throw away old ideas about your body; those battles have not served you in the past and are now gone. Wherever you feel confronted by your energy or your health, take it down to its core, take a deep breath and know that it is all pure, simple and good.
MY THOUGHTS
there's really nothing new in this article, is there? and it's quite clear what the author is suggesting. it's not about diets. it's about lifestyle - a simple lifesttyle that is committed to being fit for life.
sometimes i don't feel like reading these articles (on weight management)anymore. but if i don't, then i won't be remindedof how important it is. so,i keep on looking for these articles as a way of "nagging" myself. i have so many pounds and inches to lose. and it's not just about vanity.
you might want to check on these sites:
http://www.thedietchannel.com/Fit-for-life-diet.htm
http://www.fitforlife.com/diets.html
http://www.diet.com/g/fit-for-life-diet
http://www.healthreserve.com/dieting/fit_for_life_diet.htm
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Selena DeLeon Certified Personal Trainer
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The advent of a new year brings for me a need to clear out old things, simplify life and get clean. As I am clearing out the old junk in my house, it occurs to me that simplicity is the pathway to clarity. The pounds that are stored as excess are nothing but that - excess. We look at our bodies and feel bad about ourselves because we associate the extra pounds with our failures, our weaknesses and defeat. Excess calories that have been stored for future use are stored as fat. The more meaning that we put to things is the more complicated the world becomes.
Simplify To Clarify
If you have stored calories that you need to expend, then the best way to "trash" them is to turn them into energy. Think about your body like your house; converting calories into energy through your choice of movement regularly will decrease the amount in storage, and throw all the unnecessary clutter away forever. But as we all know, your house is never totally clean. You have to constantly clean your house to keep it clean. The minute you stop, it starts to get cluttered and dirty again.
Simplify your diet and get your body clean. You know that if you eat pork sausages you will have to hold on to them for a long time before your body can empty them, and your house will be a mess for that much longer. We have to stay on top of our diet as if it were our house in order to avoid the build-up of calories. Be selective about 'junk' that you put into your house, and honour it as your temple.
Clean Up Your Diet
Every week create a single goal for your diet. This week I am eliminating nuts from my diet. Next week, no chocolate, and so on. Each week you can clean up your diet, one food item at a time. For some people embarking on a new lifestyle can be daunting, and taking baby steps can also work as an approach to a new commitment.
Simpler cooking methods like steaming or grilling with fewer additives are the best ways to a healthy diet. Fresh, simple herbs like rosemary and garlic are great to flavour a meal. Simple foods such as potatoes rank much higher on the energy return scale than rice or bread.
Simplify Digestion
The simpler the food, the less energy your body expends to break it down. Have you ever noticed that after eating a heavy meal you feel tired? It is because your body is using up all of your energy to digest the food. The energy that you save on digesting your food is energy that can be used instead to burn up excess calories. The 'Fit for Life' diet created by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond is still one of my favourite diets to recommend to people who are trying to lose weight. Their method of combining certain foods to simplify digestion makes sense.
Food Is Fuel
Some persons respond better to a set menu, because that simplifies their food choices. Food is fuel; it is scientific. Energy that goes in is either energy spent or energy in the bank. If you take choices away, then you are not subject to emotional pitfalls. You remove bad food from your kitchen and you are no longer a victim of temptation; shorten your supermarket list, save time on preparing foods... in short, simplify.
Clarify Your Exercise
Clean and solid would be two good buzz words to describe how you could interpret your exercise schedule. Make a commitment to exercising on set days and at set times, and stick to it. You may encounter yourself as lethargic or overtired on those days, but if you give yourself permission to quit, it breaks the momentum.
It is a myth that the more you do exercise, the easier it gets. Exercising never gets easier, but your mind and your body do become accustomed to it. Stopping and starting interrupts this cycle, so don't get sucked into the pitfall of letting your excuses get in the way. Putting your body in motion stimulates connections within your body and your mind, and this is happening whether you are running at your fullest potential or at 40 per cent of it, so what is important is that the process continues. Even if you have pain, there is always the minimum that you can do so that your mind is registering that it is being turned on to exercise.
Simplify your ideals towards your performance. A simpler approach to exercise can free you from the pressure of performing. In most workouts it is necessary to perform and challenge, but not every time. A healthy balance to a 'fit lifestyle' can only exist if you know how to give to your body and take from it. Slow down the workout if you are feeling slow one day, make a regular breathing pattern your only goal, and visualise what you want to get out of exercising in that moment.
Getting clear on your relationship with your body can free you from frustration and guilt. The key to this clarity is to simplify a style of living that can sometimes become complicated and messy. Throw away old ideas about your body; those battles have not served you in the past and are now gone. Wherever you feel confronted by your energy or your health, take it down to its core, take a deep breath and know that it is all pure, simple and good.
MY THOUGHTS
there's really nothing new in this article, is there? and it's quite clear what the author is suggesting. it's not about diets. it's about lifestyle - a simple lifesttyle that is committed to being fit for life.
sometimes i don't feel like reading these articles (on weight management)anymore. but if i don't, then i won't be remindedof how important it is. so,i keep on looking for these articles as a way of "nagging" myself. i have so many pounds and inches to lose. and it's not just about vanity.
you might want to check on these sites:
http://www.thedietchannel.com/Fit-for-life-diet.htm
http://www.fitforlife.com/diets.html
http://www.diet.com/g/fit-for-life-diet
http://www.healthreserve.com/dieting/fit_for_life_diet.htm
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE THRU FRUGALITY
What Is Frugality And
How Can A Thrifty Lifestyle Benefit Us?
http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/frugality.html
Frugality is an old fashioned word, which is gaining new relevance in today’s over consuming society.
The old fashion meaning of the word meant to abstain or go without, but today it means living a simpler less wasteful life within our personal finances.
Personally speaking a frugal simple living has been a way of life for my partner and me for the last ten years, due mainly to the fact that our incomes just wouldn’t cover everything we needed if we wanted to own our own home.
Plus we also wanted to lead a more environmentally friendly lifestyle and the two practices just seemed to go together so well.
By making conscious decisions about how we spent our money and what we were buying we discovered that we were naturally producing less waste i.e. packaging etc.
Frugality does not mean going without
Many of our friends laughed when we started to lead a frugal lifestyle. They were happy to spend their money without thinking about the future and thought that we should stop worrying so much and do the same.
We think they thought that we were not enjoying life as much as them selves and didn’t want to see us go without.
But we weren’t going without and when interest rates started to creep up and our friends started to feel the pinch, they began to see what we were doing made some sense.
Soon they began asking our advice on how to live a more simple lifestyle as well.
So what is a thrifty lifestyle?
Basically it means thinking and planning ahead in all areas of your life where money plays a part. So pretty much everything really, but the main ones are:
* Grocery shopping
* General shopping
* Using gas and electricity
* Telephones
* Holidays
* Gifts
* Special occasions
* Household expenses
By simply sitting down and working out a simple budget for yourself, you can save yourself from those nasty bank statement surprises.
It also means living simpler. For instance, I like a glass of wine, now of course I would like to drink the most expensive wine all the time, but that is just not reasonable. So I shop around for those special deals and discounts and only buy wine within a certain price bracket.
That way I can enjoy great wine and not break the bank. When you apply this principle to everything you buy, you’ll soon find yourself still enjoying a good lifestyle but within your budget.
For me being frugal is something i now do daily without much effort and without really having to think about it too much, it really can become second nature.
De-clutter your life
Have you ever noticed how advertisements on the TV, in magazines and catalogues are always showing us pictures of spacious open plan living with no clutter and everything looking so fresh and light?
This is because this is the image many people have in their minds about how they would like to live, but how many of us actually do live in these wonderfully simple surroundings?
If you are anything like me you will notice just how much more stressful situations are when everything is crowded or in a mess around you. I just can’t get my head together unless I have space to breath.
Being frugal has helped me to create this space and de-clutter my life.
I recently had to help my family move house and boy was it an eye opener for all of us. We really had no idea just how much STUFF they had accumulated over the years and just how much of it was totally useless or hadn’t seem the light of day for years.
We ended up throwing most of it away, what a waste of money and resources. We all kept thinking what they could have done with all that money if they had just thought twice about what they were buying.
My first rule of being frugal has always been to get organised and to de-clutter our home. That way I can value the things I have, I live in a lovely spacious environment and I always know what I need.
Try it yourself, even if it is only one room at first. Sort everything out and think to yourself, do I really need this? I bet you’ll be surprised just how much you end up giving to the charity shop and how you’ll find your new de-cluttered room a relaxing space. You’ll soon be doing the rest of the house.
A little note for those of you who have children:
I bet you’re thinking, “how on earth am I supposed to de-clutter my home with kids around”? I never said it would be easy but it is do-able, the secret is to get the whole family on board with the new plan.
It will be far easier when everyone is pulling in the same direction and everyone will benefit in the long run. Getting the kids to understand why you are living frugally and how budgeting your money is important it will be far easier to achieve as a whole family.
MY THOUGHTS
decluttering is hard to do alone. especially in a house you are sharing with others. but you can always declutter whatever space you have for yourself be it your room, your closet or even your desk.
now, frugal living is something that i am finding to be very challenging but very liberating. give it a chance. frugality won't fail you.
How Can A Thrifty Lifestyle Benefit Us?
http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/frugality.html
Frugality is an old fashioned word, which is gaining new relevance in today’s over consuming society.
The old fashion meaning of the word meant to abstain or go without, but today it means living a simpler less wasteful life within our personal finances.
Personally speaking a frugal simple living has been a way of life for my partner and me for the last ten years, due mainly to the fact that our incomes just wouldn’t cover everything we needed if we wanted to own our own home.
Plus we also wanted to lead a more environmentally friendly lifestyle and the two practices just seemed to go together so well.
By making conscious decisions about how we spent our money and what we were buying we discovered that we were naturally producing less waste i.e. packaging etc.
Frugality does not mean going without
Many of our friends laughed when we started to lead a frugal lifestyle. They were happy to spend their money without thinking about the future and thought that we should stop worrying so much and do the same.
We think they thought that we were not enjoying life as much as them selves and didn’t want to see us go without.
But we weren’t going without and when interest rates started to creep up and our friends started to feel the pinch, they began to see what we were doing made some sense.
Soon they began asking our advice on how to live a more simple lifestyle as well.
So what is a thrifty lifestyle?
Basically it means thinking and planning ahead in all areas of your life where money plays a part. So pretty much everything really, but the main ones are:
* Grocery shopping
* General shopping
* Using gas and electricity
* Telephones
* Holidays
* Gifts
* Special occasions
* Household expenses
By simply sitting down and working out a simple budget for yourself, you can save yourself from those nasty bank statement surprises.
It also means living simpler. For instance, I like a glass of wine, now of course I would like to drink the most expensive wine all the time, but that is just not reasonable. So I shop around for those special deals and discounts and only buy wine within a certain price bracket.
That way I can enjoy great wine and not break the bank. When you apply this principle to everything you buy, you’ll soon find yourself still enjoying a good lifestyle but within your budget.
For me being frugal is something i now do daily without much effort and without really having to think about it too much, it really can become second nature.
De-clutter your life
Have you ever noticed how advertisements on the TV, in magazines and catalogues are always showing us pictures of spacious open plan living with no clutter and everything looking so fresh and light?
This is because this is the image many people have in their minds about how they would like to live, but how many of us actually do live in these wonderfully simple surroundings?
If you are anything like me you will notice just how much more stressful situations are when everything is crowded or in a mess around you. I just can’t get my head together unless I have space to breath.
Being frugal has helped me to create this space and de-clutter my life.
I recently had to help my family move house and boy was it an eye opener for all of us. We really had no idea just how much STUFF they had accumulated over the years and just how much of it was totally useless or hadn’t seem the light of day for years.
We ended up throwing most of it away, what a waste of money and resources. We all kept thinking what they could have done with all that money if they had just thought twice about what they were buying.
My first rule of being frugal has always been to get organised and to de-clutter our home. That way I can value the things I have, I live in a lovely spacious environment and I always know what I need.
Try it yourself, even if it is only one room at first. Sort everything out and think to yourself, do I really need this? I bet you’ll be surprised just how much you end up giving to the charity shop and how you’ll find your new de-cluttered room a relaxing space. You’ll soon be doing the rest of the house.
A little note for those of you who have children:
I bet you’re thinking, “how on earth am I supposed to de-clutter my home with kids around”? I never said it would be easy but it is do-able, the secret is to get the whole family on board with the new plan.
It will be far easier when everyone is pulling in the same direction and everyone will benefit in the long run. Getting the kids to understand why you are living frugally and how budgeting your money is important it will be far easier to achieve as a whole family.
MY THOUGHTS
decluttering is hard to do alone. especially in a house you are sharing with others. but you can always declutter whatever space you have for yourself be it your room, your closet or even your desk.
now, frugal living is something that i am finding to be very challenging but very liberating. give it a chance. frugality won't fail you.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Would You Live the Simple Life?
Would You Live the Simple Life? A couple who owns just 100 things got me thinking about my consumption
Ysolt Usigan ON Aug 19, 2010 at 5:39PM
Last week, I read an article in the New York Times about a couple who gave up luxuries -- two cars, wedding china to serve two dozen people, a two-bedroom apartment -- and started to live the ultimate simple life. Inspired by blogs and web sites, Tammy Strobel and Logan Smith streamlined their belongings to a -- gasp! -- 100 items. They donated books, sweaters, shoes, pots and pans, even a TV to charity, and soon enough accomplished their goal. It has been three years and the Portland, OR couple now live in a 400-square-foot studio with a nice-sized kitchen, have traded in their cars for bikes, and are debt-free (they owed about $30,000 when they began to make these changes).
Because of their simple lifestyle choices, Strobel and Logan have money to travel, can contribute to their nieces and nephews' education funds and work fewer hours. Strobel has since realized that one doesn't need to live "bigger" to be happy.
So what's the moral of the story? That you don't need stuff to make you happy?? Hmmm... This got me thinking... Can I ever live the simple life -- as in, own only 100 things? I have 100 pairs of shoes alone! And for that matter, can living "simple" make me happy?
I turned to an expert for clarity. "I do believe happiness is more fundamentally about relationships than stuff," says Wanda Urbanska, simple living expert and author of Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska. "Face it, we all gravitate toward favorite outfits and things, so simplifying for a fashion maven is about zeroing in on those favorite things and letting go of the excess."
My take: I do believe that you are not what you buy, and you certainly are not what you wear. In fact, I'd much rather spend my hard-earned money on an experience (a fun vacation, a delectable meal or a soothing spa treatment). An amazing experience will definitely make me more happy than buying stuff -- stuff that I'll use now and forget about, stuff that I probably didn't need at all, stuff that came out of an impulse purchase.
But, wait a minute... For me, shopping for my fall wardrobe is an experience in itself. The act of buying a crisp new trench coat or a chic yet comfortable pair of boots feels pretty awesome. It's like I'm celebrating my favorite season and getting ready for the experiences to come, which just happens to include wearing that crisp new trench coat and cute pair of boots. There can be a rewarding sense of self when one buys stuff. The idea that I can express myself through what I wear, for instance, helps my self-esteem, too.
Give me life, give me stuff!
I understand the idea of living "simple," but I don't think I'm quite down with living deprived. I guess the moral of the story -- for me, anyways -- is to (simply) spend wisely.
MY THOUGHTS
i don't think cutting it down to 100 items is doable. well, not immediately. but i do know that cutting down on a lot of things is possible. the things we buy, the things we possess-especially if we don't need them - become a burden eventually.
Ysolt Usigan ON Aug 19, 2010 at 5:39PM
Last week, I read an article in the New York Times about a couple who gave up luxuries -- two cars, wedding china to serve two dozen people, a two-bedroom apartment -- and started to live the ultimate simple life. Inspired by blogs and web sites, Tammy Strobel and Logan Smith streamlined their belongings to a -- gasp! -- 100 items. They donated books, sweaters, shoes, pots and pans, even a TV to charity, and soon enough accomplished their goal. It has been three years and the Portland, OR couple now live in a 400-square-foot studio with a nice-sized kitchen, have traded in their cars for bikes, and are debt-free (they owed about $30,000 when they began to make these changes).
Because of their simple lifestyle choices, Strobel and Logan have money to travel, can contribute to their nieces and nephews' education funds and work fewer hours. Strobel has since realized that one doesn't need to live "bigger" to be happy.
So what's the moral of the story? That you don't need stuff to make you happy?? Hmmm... This got me thinking... Can I ever live the simple life -- as in, own only 100 things? I have 100 pairs of shoes alone! And for that matter, can living "simple" make me happy?
I turned to an expert for clarity. "I do believe happiness is more fundamentally about relationships than stuff," says Wanda Urbanska, simple living expert and author of Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska. "Face it, we all gravitate toward favorite outfits and things, so simplifying for a fashion maven is about zeroing in on those favorite things and letting go of the excess."
My take: I do believe that you are not what you buy, and you certainly are not what you wear. In fact, I'd much rather spend my hard-earned money on an experience (a fun vacation, a delectable meal or a soothing spa treatment). An amazing experience will definitely make me more happy than buying stuff -- stuff that I'll use now and forget about, stuff that I probably didn't need at all, stuff that came out of an impulse purchase.
But, wait a minute... For me, shopping for my fall wardrobe is an experience in itself. The act of buying a crisp new trench coat or a chic yet comfortable pair of boots feels pretty awesome. It's like I'm celebrating my favorite season and getting ready for the experiences to come, which just happens to include wearing that crisp new trench coat and cute pair of boots. There can be a rewarding sense of self when one buys stuff. The idea that I can express myself through what I wear, for instance, helps my self-esteem, too.
Give me life, give me stuff!
I understand the idea of living "simple," but I don't think I'm quite down with living deprived. I guess the moral of the story -- for me, anyways -- is to (simply) spend wisely.
MY THOUGHTS
i don't think cutting it down to 100 items is doable. well, not immediately. but i do know that cutting down on a lot of things is possible. the things we buy, the things we possess-especially if we don't need them - become a burden eventually.
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