Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Think before you spend

Do you really need this?With the day after Thanksgiving sales in full swing, I wanted to bring up a little something that has been thrust on me lately. That being, I really need to watch what we spend our money on. Since we recently went from being a two income household down to a one income household indefinitely, I have had to change the way I shop. I can't complain. For the last few years I haven't had to pay attention to prices on grocery items. We don't spend much on other things and rarely splurge on big ticket items even though both of us make pretty satisfying salaries.

Now our costs (mostly due to a new mortgage) outweigh my salary. I'd have to trim things down (like cancelling most unnecessary services like cable Internet, cell phones, etc.) but we'd still have a deficit because of Emma's preschool. Fortunately, if we need to we have enough saved to keep us not too bad off until Emma is in public school.

So, what I've become lately, which I haven't been regarding shopping is: mindful. Before I get in line at the store I go through the cart or basket and analyze whether or not I actually need the item or whether it's just a frivolous or unnecessary purchase.

Each new product you buy has its own environmental impact whether that be from a manufacturing standpoint (materials, water, energy, labor) to shipping and distribution. Will that item last and, most importantly, be used a long time or will it be ignored and eventually discarded after the initial excitement has worn off?

As we head into our most consumerist time of the year, I urge you to do the same. Not for money reasons, although that is a great side benefit. But for needless consumption. We feel like we need the newest this and the bestest that. But do we really? Does it really make you feel better? Or do you get a hollow, empty feeling inside?

No matter how cute that Mr. T Sock Monkey is, I doubt the gag gift factor will last very long. And if it doesn't, I pity the fool.

4 comments:

P~ said...

Just thought I'd drop you a line to say Happy Thankgiving, and hope all is well with you. Keeping in mind WHY you make the decisions that you have to make will keep everything in perspective. I'm sure you already know all this, but sometimes it helps me to hear things from someone else. May your husband continue to improve.
P~

Unknown said...

What a great post! I know I have said this in the past, but you have said what is on my mind. I had to laugh when you were writing about sorting through your cart right before you check out. I do this and I always feel like people are looking at me thinking, what is that crazy lady doing? Don't get me wrong, I don't care what they think. I am just glad to know I am not the only pre-checkout line shopping cart analyzer ;) It is amazing how many things I used to buy just because I could.

Hope you had a great thanksgiving! And always sending get well vibes your hubby's way!

Love,
Sam @ Loving Green

Jane said...

You are so right! So many times the best feeling of some knick-knack or gag gift is when you are actually in the store imagining how great it will be. In reality, when you get home the knick knack rarely transforms your decorating and the jokes are short lived.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear I'm not the only one out there double checking my cart for those unnescessary stuff! Actually I make up a list now and cross stuff off as I go. I try to double check the list before I go..but always go thru cart agian before checking out. I think over the time we have done this we have cut out alot of needless buying.