The Hopeful Homestead

I'm NOT going shopping, how about you???

I was reading over HERE about how Chris' family is going to STOP SHOPPING for a year.  Wow!  What a revolutionary idea!   To only buy things you NEED and not things you only WANT as a way to seriously work on reducing clutter.  (not to mention the budget benes here...)  Now, on a personal level I'm thinking this might be a good project to adopt.  After all, we are downsizing from 2400 to 1150 sq feet here in just a mere 5 days! What if we downsized and didn't buy more?  What if.... I found something I already owned to hold the TV in the new place, instead of running out to buy something else?  Just while packing I've begun to practice "more is less".  Here's a few examples...  We got rid of a king size BR set, complete w/ 2 dressers, 2 nightstands, headboard, mirror, all oversized of course.  I tell you, it gives new meaning to "Rooms To Go."   We also sold the HUGE computer desk that was holding a lot of junk, and threw in a daybed for free!  There are 2 HUGE dishpack boxes of who knows what in the garage w/ 3 kitchen bags full of clothes, toys etc, all of which is on it's way to Goodwill.  And a fridge on the way to the church kitchen...  We have 3 extra carseats that need a home.  Goodwill can't take them, so I'll probably be freecycling them or something. (only have 2 kids in boosters now even...)  WOW!    Honestly, the more I get rid of the more embarassed and ashamed I feel that we had it all in the first place... (and that we FILLED this HUGE house!!) ~sigh~

I'm quite happily cooking anything we want w/ just a Revereware Dutch Oven, a 3 qt saucepan, and one big skillet.  Throw in a 9 X13 and a 2 qt casserole for baking, and I've not run up against anything I can't fix yet.  (OK except mashed potatoes, since I packed my smasher, but I could have used a fork...)  Keep in mind this is "all" I'm using due to the two GIANT boxes of bakeware, cookware, etc that I've already packed.  Perhaps they don't need unpacking at the new digs, eh?  I wondered how I'd really like moving to a house w/ no DW, but now that I have just enough dishes unpacked (instead of a double service for 12 w/ all the extras) It seems easier to wash up after each meal, so to have enough clean for the next, and just not really worry about the DW anyway.   Hmmmm.  Go figure.

 So.  Where exactly am I going w/ all this??  I think I'd like to see if we can come close to this no extra shopping goal for the new year.  I think it will be an extra challenge, as the temptation to fill a new home with "accessories" is hard to resist.  Can I decorate a new house this way?  How much more could we give away/ sell/ donate?  Living with the very "basics" for the last two weeks has actually been really nice.  Easier to clean, relaxing.  Hubby is looking at me like I might finally have slipped over the edge of reason!  (but he also said it wasn't a bad idea)

Hmmm... first step... do I really need 2 blogs when 1 would do?  Nope, see, I began this post on my other (never used) blog, then just moved it here to SIMPLIFY!!!  WOOHOO!  Why have 2, especially when I'm about to lose my screamin' fast internet.

So, as far as the new place goes, I think I'll see what I can do with what I have... after all, I did go "attic shopping" quite successfully in Nov. so imagine what I could do had a TON of our stuff not already been packed!  I'm up for the challenge, to at least shop LESS if I can't get down to NONE.  Care to join in?  Leave me a note if so so we can cheer each other on!  Good Luck!

~Shari~

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05:01, Thursday, January 10, 2008 .. Posted by homesteadinthemaking

The shopping less sounds good to me. As for your superfast internet, when we moved out here to the middle of nowhere, we went with Agristar.net. We have been very pleased with satellite internet.
Blessings,
Trixi

Count me in...

06:09, Thursday, January 10, 2008 .. Posted by leighannwhitten

I think this idea is great!! I'd love to join the "simplify more, shop less" bandwagon. So, what did you find to put the tv on?
Love ya,
Leigh-Ann

Nothing for the TV yet, but I'm brainstorming... sturdy & deep enough for a 27 " tv, yet not more than 34" wide, with a shelf or space under or something for the direct TV box... Sure wish the Armoire would work... stay tuned...

Edited by 3jemsmom on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 06:50

response

06:48, Thursday, January 10, 2008 .. Posted by Wendy

We practice this mostly -the only place I "shop" is Goodwill and Garage sales (but even cut back on garage sales this year). Occasionally I will wander into Target land for good deals on diapers (and I stock up so I don't have to come for a long time) and something I can't find at Goodwill. We stocked up in the fall on food items (bulk cooking) and mostly hit the grocery for milk, carrots, that type of thing. I shopped a little at Christmas -but not very much at all. I will say the last time went to Target I was overwhelmed by the "stuff" that the aisle are filled with! I still manage to have a lot of "stuff" mostly because other people know me and tend to give me their outcast things that are on the way to Goodwill and I tend to keep them! :0) I need to simplify and get rid of some of those things. :0) We moved from a 1300 SQF home to a 2400 and I really liked it. Even though we have extra open empty space around - the kids can run a little in the winter - and not feel so couped up - I'm more content to stay home in the big open airy bright home than when I used to sometimes feel the walls closing in in our other home. But my husband's income has dropped and we may again have to look for a smaller home... and I'll have to drop off the extra hand me downs that won't fit at Goodwill for someone else's treasure... Enjoy!!!

Count Me In

08:12, Thursday, January 10, 2008 .. Posted by Jess

I think that idea is the best Iveheard in weeks. I want to do the same, so count me in. It will be a great way to start a week off and not to metion the begginning of a new year.

Once a year shopping

08:22, Thursday, January 10, 2008 .. Posted by fultoncountymommie

We are getting ready for our frist year of once a year shopping. It is taking a lot of planning. I am always re "tweeking" the list. I calculate what I am growing and what we really need. This goes for food and clothes. Even fabric, thread, presents, everything. We will go to Aldi's, Walmart, Krogers, Farm king, Goodwill, and the Cattle drive.
When we were married we were like everyone else and shopped every 2 weeks but last year we tried 3 months, then 6 months. We will see how thing will work now. The only place I can't go to right now is the Amish store since they will not open till March.

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10:58, Thursday, January 10, 2008 .. Posted by GrandmaRosie

Wow! What a great idea. I am going to try "shopping at home" first. I think I have at least one of everything. If I can only find it. Boy, do I need to organize.