Beauty

[Jolexi]

Hello everyone!

Just checking in and trying to continue my proactive simplification.

This past week was a bit about spending, but thankfully, it was not for myself. I went out and bought my mom a Ninja blender at BB&B (using my coupons, of course), because her old blender kicked the bucket.

I also purchased a new pair of designer jeans that cost me a whopping $8. I found them at a closeout shop that takes name brand merchandise from other retailers and sells it at deep deep discount prices because their inventory is super small and sizes are limited. And the only reason I did that was because I needed to replace the last surviving pair of DKNY bootcut jeans I had. They were not that old, nor had I used them too often (they were cut funny, kind of tight around the knees to mid thigh in one leg, go figure), but as I was crouching down the material at my knee split ALL the way up to the middle of my thigh. And not at the seam , but at a horrible, irreparable angle. Thankfully, I was at home when this occurred.

All in all, I think I've done pretty well considering all of my other major purchases have been for groceries.

I hope everyone is continuing to keep up the simplifying trend; I realize it gets harder as the months come and go, but by the end of the year, I hope to have kept the peace of mind and comfort that releasing all of the stuff and not spending as much, has afforded me thus.

Continued best to all!

[LeaLeander]

To the person who asked about bills: I don't pay them!

Everything is automated, from utility bills and subscriptions for things like Netflix to car insurance. It all is charged to one credit card, and then the full balance of that credit card is debited from my checking account every month. Other than reviewing the cc statement for errors or hacking, and making sure enough $$ is in my checking account, I no longer think about bills. When I had a mortgage I arranged for that to be debited automatically as well. Same with municipal water bill, everything really.

The only "bills" I pay manually each year are property taxes on home and cottage. I pay them upon receipt so as to not misplace or forget.

I keep a folder in my file drawer for each tax year -- "2015 taxes" etc. -- and just toss receipts for deductible charity contributions, receipts for paid property taxes and anything else applicable to tax filing in there. Same when the W-2s and 1099s start coming in (I do a lot of freelance work). When I sit down to do my taxes I pull out that folder, separate the papers into income and deductions, fill in the blanks on TaxCut software (which I use year to year so it retains my basic info and even the info about companies that send 1099s, W-2s etc.) and that's it. Very primitive filing system but doing my taxes takes less than an hour. Then I stuff the folder back in the drawer.

Have done a good job winnowing out clothing -- everything is in one small closet -- but need to re-purge and address beat-up, out-of-shape loungewear, nightgowns and underwear. I decided this year that I am only going to wear "nice" things around the house instead of tattered, stretched or faded old sweats and tops.

[queendiva]

Cleaned an end table drawer in the family room yesterday. Plan to clean out another one this week. No purging of clothes lately- still really cold here and for the next week. Ugh!

While I still get the urge to shop, I seldom follow through on it. Developing good habits.

An organized (somewhat) pantry is definitely helping to keep my spending in check. Also following the 1/2 rule: only replace an item when it's half full or less. No need to keep a stash. Try to replace with a coupon on sale. Buying many HH staples at the dollar store now instead of the grocery. Savings are worth the trip.

Closing for my mortgage refi will be Fri. Saving $328.00/month. Going toward retirement savings. Not glam, but necessary. Still have not gotten down to the basement. No time last week when DS was home on break from college. Maybe next week...

Next project is my car. Got to clean it inside and out. Really neglected during this long, cold, snowy winter!

[Snicks1]

Had 2 boxes of clothing waiting to go to donations, gave 1 box to a friend today, will drop the other off tomorrow. Scrubbed the downstairs hallway and utility room today, plus washed all the rugs. Also ran some errands earlier this morning. No un-necessary purchases for me again this week. Progress has slowed down, but still working at it.

[jeanlake]

Hope everyone is feeling energized and ready for a weekend of projects. I'm going to do some deep cleaning in prep for our annual family/friends Easter egg hunt in a few weeks.

I went through my handbags last night. Selected 3 bags I haven't carried for a year and gave them to women at work. They loved it. So did I.

I heard reports that the east coast is getting more snow --- take heart -- spring is around the corner.

[AnotherView2]

On 3/2/2015 Alexis124 said:

I have been reading a minimalist blog since last summer....and I've really cut waaay back on "stuff". I like the premise that minimalism does not have to be bare rooms, just keep what you USE or really LOVE. I have gone through every single room in my house, basement, garage, everything. Mind you, this project has been going on for at least 7 months now. I just went through my make up, tossed everything that didn't get regular use. I have always been a person who did a "purge" a few times a year, but this is a real focus on simplicity and usefulness. I saw a person on Facebook say that instead of giving up something for Lent, they were filling a big bag each day for 40 days of items to donate. With that in mind, I've gone back through and found even more I could get rid of. I don't actually have enough left to put together 40 bags but I went with a FULL car today, backseat and truck packed. Library and Goodwill got a haul today! I also have put myself in check on spending....I don't want to waste $ on stuff that will get donated. I ONLY buy what I KNOW I will use. My closet has really been thinned out but what I have, I wear. Simplicity feels good.

You are officially my guru now....LOL! Can you tell us the name of the blog?

[easyspirit]

Gave away 2 necklaces that were too short and 1 pair of earrings that were too heavy. Gone back too using bare minerals foundation- too clear up my skin. Using drug store shampoo & conditioner and splurging only on leave in products.

[DrKelli]

How is everyone's Love It Wear It challenge going? One thing that I have noticed is that I have not yet repeated any shirts. I wear jeans to work, so I wear pretty much 3 pairs of jeans so far. I have "weekend" jeans that I don't wear to work and soon I will transfer that into shorts.

There was an article that I recently read (and I'm sorry--I cannot remember where I read it) about how you have clothes that you only wear at home because they are too worn to wear anywhere else. The premise of the article was that if you wouldn't wear it in public, why would you keep it to wear at home. I understand having those types of clothes if you are painting or cleaning, but I agree that it is one area that you could probably declutter if you thought about it. I definitely have clothes that I only wear on the weekend (like t-shirts with 'sayings' on them) and I have 'painting' clothes that are torn or just plain old. So do you have the home only clothes? Is this an area that you could simplify?

I will be on vacation starting Sunday, so will not be here to start the new thread on April 1. I hope you all have a good Easter or Passover, which ever you celebrate. I'm so happy that the weather is getting warmer. Although I say that tongue in cheek, March and April are our snowiest months here in Colorado. The only difference is that it does melt faster. Unless we get a blizzard, which has happened.

[bellaJ]

Well, I haven't posted in these threads in a while, but I have been thinking about you all and I have been trying to stay on track.

I ended up having to go in and see a Dr. for some medical issues I have been neglecting. I am on some meds now and they seem to help some. However, I am having to adapt to them and they make me a little more tired.

I was thinking things were getting better and then one of my beloved kitties died yesterday.

So, I have not been doing any decluttering, but the good news is that I haven't really been shopping and bringing things into my home either. So, there is a positive there.

I resisted Skinn Cosmetics when they were on. I didn't watch all the shows, just one or two. The longer I go without caving in, the easier it gets.

I am planning a purchase in the near future of Laura Geller Balance and Brighten.

Keep up the good work everyone. Hopefully soon I will feel up to getting back in the swing of things.

[jackthebear]

On 3/16/2015 cerb said:

Another problem area is how many T.V. recordings I have. I automatically record A LOT of programs, and then I feel "obligated" to watch them. My favorites also get recorded to DVDs to keep. Hmm... I'm going to need to work on that. I should be more ruthless about T.V. shows that I no longer enjoy watching. I need to find a healthy balance in this area too.

Has anyone else found that digital photos and digital T.V. recording, both cheap and easy, might not be simplifying their life after all?

I find digital photos to be time consuming AFA labeling etc so I just back them up.

but the DVR is a time saver because we tape the shows we like and between what happened last week and the commercials the actual program is cut down to about 40 minutes.