Repair & Reuse!

Although the majority of my personal purchases are used, vintage, hand me downs, or refurbished gems... I do buy new from time to time. When I buy new, for myself, I tend to buy high quality, often pricey items. But to be fair, I will wait and buy out of season to get the best sale price. I love a good sale!

I prefer to buy high quality instead of buying lesser quality, which leads to buyer more and more often because the quality of a product is so poor. So I'll take my more expensive, better made shoes and purses that will not have to be replaced and that I can and do use for years. Case in point, I just brought in my Seatbelt bag to my local show repair to have the zipper mended. Seven bucks. Not bad. A quick repair and I'll keep using the purse I have had since 2004! Totally worth it to me. I also brought in a pair of boots to have the soles repaired. $14. It makes me happy. I can utilize my local small business and repair and reuse what I have.

Shoe Repair! A dying art, by for the reusing, repairing bunch, a much revered resource and talent.

I know this probably wouldn't work for everyone, but I find the more I keep this less is more mind set on the forefront the happy I am.

Sunday Strib Worth the Read!

Oh Kara! You made my heart go pitter-patter. One of my favorite journalists covering money, debt, and lifestyle, Kara McGuire had the most awesome article this past Sunday in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. (2/7/10)

The article highlighted how being frugal is not the same as being cheap and that it is in fact a phenomenal way to be green. My thoughts exactly, although not worded quite as well. That's the whole point behind econogreenomics.

Save money, spend less than your earn, and yet maintain high standards and a high quality of life. And yes, it is no surprise to me that this is considered being very European and very green.

I love it. It came to my attention, that these skills do not come as easily to others and it isn't a boring topic. Clearly, not to me, I could go on and on.... So props to Kara and an excellent, well written article. Along with a little help from Chris Farrell. Check out the article yourself, Strib Article

My frugal but quality loving self went into action last week. Rumor had it that there was a sale on Frye boots last Friday. To me it was worth the trip to Edina from St. Paul. (90% off) My co-workers gave me a hard time. Naturally. My rationale was simple, a round trip to Edina, was worth it to get a pair of well made Frye's for a steal - I know how they last and that would be worth the promised $60 or less. I made my lunch house trip only to be disappointed - no Frye'e for me. I did come away with a few boutique scores. But if I had walked out with Frye's, I would have be ecstatic! Next year. Again, totally worth the trouble for a high quality product with the potential for being around a minimum of 5 years.

Tip of the day -

You know the hype.... Change your light bulbs already! Compact florescent bulbs are where it's at. One light bulb can save your family cash and save on wasted electricity. A cheap and easy way to go green and save a couple bucks!

Holy Cats! 2010!

A New Year - A New and Better Blogger!!!!

To my loyal friends who check in from time to time - I am sorry for being a total lame-o! As I started my blog several years ago, I got bored. The compact and living with less and doing more - seemed to come fairly naturally to me. And writing about it, became difficult because I didn't take the time to appreciate what I was doing along with my family.

I have been asked several times, to start up the blog again and talk about the daily victories and baby steps I take to be green. So I will! My task will be to highlight steps that are not too painful, to feel a little greener, save a little moola, and still live a sassy and big life.

The compact went well and I am shocked at how many new people I meet that ask me if I was the one that did the compact. The reactions are mixed from Awe to ahhhh....? I'll take either, it's a great conversation starter. It went better than expected and my kids totally got into it. And the best news is, even though we are officially off the compact rules, the boys still think of themselves as a "compact Family." Yay!

Currently, my family and I live in a duplex. We keep our thermostat as low as we can and still strive to minimize our waste. I cringe every time we need more than 1 garbage bag a week! Which happens more than I would like with a family of 5. We recycle like mad - including saving our plastic bottle caps for recycling at Aveda. * if you didn't know, neither Minneapolis or St. Paul recycles the plastic tops from beverage or other bottles. (Boooo!) Thankfully Aveda takes them in for recycling and turns them into new bottle caps for their product!

My family and I are in the process of house hunting. We are going for the "just right" sized house. Not too big and not too small, but with enough elbow room. This will be a challenge, but I am hopefully we will end up in just the right spot.

One of my family resolutions for 2010 is to not eat "fast food." So far, so good. We have been packing lunches and eating at home. (sit down restaurants and take out from local restaurants is allowed once a week) We have been having fun and to date no major complaints. My hope is that we will save a little money, lessen our contributions to extra waste and packaging, feel a little healthier and hopefully shed a few pounds.

I have also been laying off the Diet Coke, for those who don't know, I was a major addict. It started with Tab and then Diet Coke. I have been pounding away DC's for more than 20 years!!! It's like losing a friend. I have taken up coffee (c'mon I need some caffeine!) and also water, not in plastic bottles, but fuzzy water in cans as well as tap. I am allowing myself one can a day with the hope of getting down to 0!! It's a process.

So there you go, a quick re-cap and an update about what's new on the Freddie front. I hope you continue to follow the blog and check in from time to time.

* Tip for the day

You know this one - but as a gentle reminder, turn off that faucet while you're brushing teeth and washing your face. Get your family in the habit too. You'll save gallons and gallons of water!!

Your friend,

Freddie

Bad Bad Blogger!!!

First... another apology. I am a bad blogger...!

How is my progress...? It is going well. It seems the more time I put into not consuming, the easier it is.

What has worked... Not looking at all parts of the Sunday paper. Seriously. I take out all of the ads of the places I am not going to shop for furniture, cosmetics, diamonds, cars, fleet items... etc. Not giving myself the chance to "want" shiny new items has been the best.

Second, and this seems like a no-brainer.. but not going shopping when I am not shopping new. This means, not going to the fall of America, not going on trips to other malls or tagging along my awesome Mamma Mia when she shops.

My set backs so far have been... buying a few new items during the move. Buying a few new items for the boys and their birthdays. I did buy a new mascara... even though I am sure I could have scrounged around for one. (It was so pretty and I love it) But - I did buy it with a coupon at a local drug store, so at least I stuck to be thrifty. :)

Upcoming conundrums... The new school year!

New school supplies??? I am torn. I think we are OK on two out of three backpacks needed. I am more concerned about paper, pencils, and new markers and glue..????

New school clothes?? Shoes - yes. I am OK with purchasing new shoe for the fellas. New clothes... uh, not so much. Is this wrong? A big help so far, is that the boys don't really seem to give a hoot about what they wear or where their clothes come from...

As for me, I have not given in, no new clothes or shoes for me. I have also gotten a few "new" things for the house, but it has all been broken in.

On another note, I have started a new position about a month ago. It pays less, but it so much more rewarding and flexible. Which will carry over into the school year. yeah. This will eliminate the need for before and after school care. Which I am sure many others can attest to, is a beast! I love getting to work each day and never knowing what the day will bring. It is awesome, I am working with talented folks and meeting incredible people - how lucky am I?

Thanks for checking in - hope you are having a fabulous summer!


Freddie