Thriftiness
I’m on a mission to get a head start on saving money in 2024 so I kept a list of my successes.
- When our son and the grandgirls came over to lunch Monday, Hubby immediately suggested takeout. I thawed soup and we had that with tuna sandwiches and cut up veggies and apple slices. Everyone was happy and full.
- Planned dinners for the week again and we only grocery shopped for what was needed but of course the total was more than last week as we had used up a lot of things.
- I suggested to a neighbor that we combine our dump hauling needs from our yard renovations to try to save money and she thinks it is a great idea.
- I received 2 plastic kid size bowls from Buy Nothing for future grandbaby use. Now I just need toddler size utensils and sippy cups as I received plastic plates earlier.
- We enjoyed our gifted third of an apple 🥧
Decluttering
- Making the hard decisions to get rid of mementos that I have no place for and that have been in my life forever. So far no regrets as my memories are still there but my house holds less. This week I gave away a wedding gift my parents received in 1945 and a picture I made in grade school that my Dad framed and hung in their last house (such an affirmation by my artistic Dad of my own abilities).
- The person who wanted the pallets picked them up but left the crate sides. That is ok as there are other things that have to be hauled away.
- When I reach for something to use I am asking myself if the items surrounding it are useful to us now or are they just taking up space. Some specialized sewing supplies were given away after I had to dig past them to get what I actually needed for mending.
That is a good practice, to examine things surrounding the items you use regularly and to think about whether those nearby items are useful, too. I know in many cases that would be a resounding NO. We - mostly I - have too many mementos. But I do have somewhat sentimental daughters who might want a few of those keepsakes. When the time comes to downsize into a retirement complex, I think we will have to part with a lot of the stuff.
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