Work Giving Back

 Work is doing something pretty cool where the employees take a day off work (as in an exrta PTO day) or can have $ for an experience. 

I signed up for water color classes at Dallas Community College (https://econnect.dcccd.edu/eConnect/eConnect?TYPE=M&PID=CORE-WBMAIN&TOKENIDX=8631844888&WARN=Y) , but i think ill sign up for one of these also: 

• March 20, 2021 Script Lettering and Line Drawing: Spring Equinox

• March 27 Field and Forest Sew-a-long

What do you think? 

Week 1 Jan 7 Low Buy Check In

 I only bought groceries. I am on track!

Successes: 

• Gave away 3 books (to little free library)
• Used up a hair gel bottle
• use a ball of red yarn
• gave away 2 pairs of pajama pants
• ate mostly from the fridge/freezer/pantry
• used up a pumpkin candle
• Found recipes for beer and things i can make with food i already have!

	Total
Books	3
Cosmetic-y	1
Yarn	1
Clothes	2
Candles	1

Low Buy Year 2022

I'm going to try to make 2022 a no/low buy year.

My reason for it is three fold. 

1. Save money so I can "buy" a screened in porch. Porch will be $30k. More on the finances of that in a different post later. I hope to save $2000/month. 
2. Use up the things i have. I've been in this house less than 5 years and i feel i have so much stuff! 
• yarn
• note books
• sketchbooks
• pens and pencils
• canvases
• fabric
• cleaning bottles and sponges
• rags
• vitamins
• tea
• food
• candles
• liquor
• beer
• wine
• books
• other things I'm forgetting right now
3. The plant/reducing what I use and being wise about what I am using

Everyone's rules for no/low buy years are different here are mine:

1. $20/week on groceries until most of the food in freezer and cabinets are eaten. I'll revisit this when most of the food is eaten. 
2. $50/month on yard things in general (soil, compost, seeds, seedlings, plants, house plants, planters, wood to make garden bed, etc.)
3. $50/month for home "repairs" (things that aren't needed, but would be nice... like converting an outlet, or a steam mop, etc.)
4. $50/month on eating out (mostly for work lunches once a week)
5. $100/month on fun things. I will try to keep this to $0, but if i spend something "not allowed" that brings me some joy, that's ok. I need more joy in my life.  
6. Nothing on clothes, or shoes, or "consumables" (things listed above) unless everything is used up in that category. Do no stockpile, buy just 1. 
7. Continue to declutter: give away clothes i don't wear because i don't feel good in them. Throw out make i don't/wont use. Give away things i don't use if in good shape. 
8. Event/vacations already planned do not count (Kelly's wedding, Cancun, Fire Island) 
9. Stuff for Rex doesn't count (food, CBD, etc.)
10. Gift cards are free money to be spent guilt free. 
11. Mortgage, utilities, therapy, doctor visits do not count. I'll use HSA where I can. 

Before i buy something ask (check out: https://zero.giki.earth/) : 

• Do I need it vs want it? 
• Can I get it second hand? Or from the Buy nothing group? 
• Could I borrow it? Or from the Buy nothing group? 
• Do I have something I could improvise / repurpose instead? 
• Is the company ethical (if buying new)

Then write down my answers and don’t do anything for a week. Then check back to make your decision.