The Non-Consumer Advocate

Today I Am . . .

by Katy on February 17, 2014 · 26 comments

Today I am . . .

Putting my sore feet up after a weekend of work. I love being a nurse, but there’s a reason why nurses are obsessed with finding comfortable shoes. Ouch.
Annoyed that my house falls into a revolting state whenever I work a couple of days in a row.
Wishing I could have been awake during last night’s wind storm, as it was wild and exciting and it would’ve been fun to be part of the action.
Taking the kids to see The Lego Movie, as we have three free passes that my husband earned from participating in a study at work.
Happy that my kids are healthy, intellectually curious and wickedly funny.
Debating whether to make muffins, eggs and bacon or both.
Starting to get excited about flying out to Washington D.C. and New York City next month. And wondering if any readers would be interested in a meet up.

Now your turn. What are you doing today?

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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I Choose To Not Inhabit a Throwaway World

by Katy on February 14, 2014 · 57 comments

We live in a throwaway world. It doesn’t help that it’s often cheaper to replace an item than it is to repair it, and the artisans who formerly had those specific skill to repair household items are a dying breed. And for most people, the temporary thrill of a shiny new thing wins over the excitement of a cleverly repaired item.

No one ever compliments you on a invisible repair like they would on its brand new counterpart.

“Wow, awesome shoes that I’ve already seen hundreds of times! Are they recently repaired?”

Yeah . . . that doesn’t happen.

I choose not to inhabit a throw away world. I repair and mend, even when the repair only saves me a couple of bucks. I also try not to bring unrepairable stuff into my home. (Plastic, particle board furniture and cheap electronics come to mind.)

The above picture is the wool lining of my beloved Keen boots. I bought them on clearance in 2008 for $37.50 and have worn them approximately seventy–bajillion times since then. I recently shelled out $30 to have a cobbler replace the zipper, and yesterday I took a needle and thread to the wool lining to restitch a seam.

Good as new? No, they don’t look new, but that’s okay with me. They’re in good repair, incredibly comfortable and dare I say it? Pretty cool looking.

The instinct to replace rather than repair is a recent phenomenon. Whether it was the umbrella repairman or a handy wife who turned a collar, the mindset to repair is missing for many Americans. Our resourceful grandparents would not have have filled their trash cans with easily repairable items.

It’s expensive, it creates a culture of wastefulness and I choose not to live that way.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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Like Celebrity Deaths, Unexpected Expenses Come in Groups of Three

by Katy on February 13, 2014 · 29 comments

Although most of our household expenses are set and ordered, there’s always those dreaded sudden unexpected, and frankly unwelcome expenses. Some might say they’re consistent enough to be, well . . . expected.

And like celebrity deaths, they seem to come in threes. (Pete Seeger, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Shirley Temple come to mind.)

It seems like every time I blink my eyes, there’s another big ass expense vying for my attention and checkbook.

My husband is being presented with a national award, which will be given in Washington D.C. His employer is covering the cost of the airfare, lodging and meals for the two of us, which is awesome! However, the ceremony coincides with spring break, and the cost of spring break plane tickets is ridiculously expensive. We ended up having to spend more than a $1100 for airfare alone to include the two boys. Of course we did it, but it pains me. Considerably. (We are extending the four day trip into a nine day trip by adding a week in New York City with my sister and her family, so that’s something.)
Portland just finished a unseasonal cold snap that brought the fun of the polar vortex to the lil’ ol’ Pacific Northwest. It was fun to look at snow instead of never ending rain for a few days, but the pipes going from our basement laundry to our kitchen sink froze and then broke. Luckily, my husband is handy, so he was able to do the job himself. (Even if he did have to use a personal day from work to make it happen.) Unluckily, the supplies alone for this rather major plumbing job came to around $300! Last fall, my husband bought four $60 tickets to a now sold-out Pixies concert, which we decided to sell for face value. He’s selling two to one of his co-workers and I’m selling the other two to an old work buddy and we’ll almost break even. Bummer.
My eighteen-year-old son is finishing up his last year of high school, and currently taking two A.P. classes, as he did his junior year. Annoyingly, he didn’t turn in his testing paperwork on time last year, which means he’ll be taking four different A.P. tests. And at $90 apiece, that adds up pretty quickly. Luckily, I have money set aside for college expenses which will cover this $340 expense. (Some might not include this as “unexpected expense,” but I do as I expected him to split this into two different years.)

I should have a distinct bank account set aside for these unexpected “emergency” expenses, but they have always gotten eaten up in the past when I’ve done this. And my drastically decreased work hours have eaten away at our cushion.

How do you handle life’s little (and big) unexpected expenditures? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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Non-Consumer Photo Essay — Snowy Edition

by Katy on February 10, 2014 · 9 comments

Portland is going into our fifth day of snow, and we’re all starting to get a little batty. And before you cold weather veterans start to make fun of us, know that our snow got covered with a nice slick layer of freeing rain. Netflix has been getting a major workout.

As have our ovens:

Luckily, my enormous maple tree only lost a few small branches.

Everything on the porch received a fair amount of snow. Especially considering how covered it is.

I love how adorable our local Little Library looked on day two of the snow.

Of course my disco ball planter had to horn in on the action. She’s such a drama queen!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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Five Frugal Things — Temporary Checks, The Pantry Principal & Creating Frugality For Others

by Katy on February 9, 2014 · 16 comments

I ran out of paper checks, so I had my credit union print out a dozen temporary checks, which should last me until the fall. I hardly ever write checks, so this frugal hack works perfectly to save me the $35 it costs to order a new box of checks.
Portland has been inundated with a rare snow and ice storm since Thursday. I unearthed our snow gear and found that it contained a pair of bib overalls that were waaay too small for my youngest child. I put a for-free post on our street’s Facebook group, and a neighbor I’d never met before came and picked them up for her daughter. Sometimes a focus on frugality means creating frugality for others.
My method of using the pantry principal for cooking rather than buying for specific meals has meant that we’ve been able to prepare multiple meals without succumbing to a winter storm grocery panic. (A friend of mine posted a photo on her Facebook page showing the completely emptied bread display at her Safeway store.) If we run out of bread, I can always bake my own or simply not eat bread for a day or two.
I’m currently listing to a library audiobook of Marian Keye’s The Mystery of Mercy Close. Keyes is one of my favorite authors, and the Irish accent of the narrator makes it a luxurious treat. (Of course, I’m using my aged CD Walkman.)
While at art class, my younger son got acrylic paint all over the leg of his nice blue jeans. He came home with the announcement that he needed to be taken shopping for new jeans. I gave the jeans a scrub and a soak, and now they’re as good as new. Nice try, kid.

Now your turn. What frugal activities have you been up to?

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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Day FIVE of Giveaway Week — Non-Consumer Book Bundle!

by Katy on February 7, 2014 · 289 comments

Today is DAY FIVE of Giveaway Week, and I am giving away a non-consumer book bundle to one lucky winner!

The three paperback books included in this giveaway are:

You Can Buy Happiness: How One Woman radically Simplified Her Life and How You Can Too, by my friend Tammy Strobel. Tiny house, few possessions, big contentment.

Better Off: Flipping The Switch on Technology, by Eric Brende. Lives with radical Amish, finds joy in hard work and true happiness in a simple life.

Walden on Wheels: On The Open Road From Debt to Freedom, by Ken Ilgunas. Student loan debt, hard work and secretly living in a van to afford grad school.

These three books all have a person makes a radical life change theme, yet are very different from one another. Great reads looking for a new home.

How to Enter: Write your name in the comments section. That’s it!

U.S. Residents only, enter one time only. I will randomly choose a winner Sunday, February 9th at 9 P.M.

Click HERE to enter Monday’s giveaway for TurboTax.
Click HERE to enter Tuesday’s giveaway for Happier at Home.
Click HERE to enter Wednesday’s giveaway for Upitees “I See London, I See France” underwear.
Click HERE to enter Thursday’s giveaway for two $50 vouchers to Castle Ink.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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Day FOUR of Giveaway Week — Two $50 Vouchers for Recycled Cartridge Printer Ink!

by Katy on February 6, 2014 · 144 comments

Today is DAY FOUR of The Non-Consumer Advocate’s GIVEAWAY WEEK, and I have two $50 vouchers to give away from Castle Ink.

Castle Ink is a family owned and operated Green Certified company that sells recycled ink and toner cartridges, as well as ink refill kits. This may not seem like the sexiest giveaway, but I love it, as I’m a very practical woman, and I just love getting a bargain on something that would normally empty my wallet. (Do me a solid and tell me I’m not the only one who feels this way.)

I was mailed a set of ink cartridges to use and review, and they’ve been a dream. Normally my husband refills our ink cartridges himself, which is kind of a finicky, pain in the tuchus job. So when these pre-filled, yet recycled cartridges arrived, the poor guy was in heaven. (What can I say? He’s a cheap date!) We mostly just print documents, but occasionally do print color, and we’ve both been very happy with the quality of our printed documents.

In case you’re worried that Castle Ink’s recycled ink cartridges would be lesser quality than their brand new counterparts, they back up all their products:

“Our new compatible and remanufactured ink cartridges are identical to the manufacturer’s cartridges but cost up to 75% less. Most importantly we 100% guarantee that you will be completely satisfied with the quality and performance of our products.”

Cheaper than brand new, less packaging waste and they’re a family owned company? So yes, win-win-win!

How to Enter: Write your name in the comments section. That’s all!

U.S. Residents only, enter one time only. I will randomly choose a winner Sunday, February 9th at 9 P.M. The two winners will each receive a $50 voucher to Castle Inks.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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Day Three of Giveaway Week — I See London, I See France, I See Upcycled Underpants!

by Katy on February 5, 2014 · 275 comments

Today is DAY THREE of The Non-Consumer Advocate’s GIVEAWAY WEEK, and I have a very special treat for you, which is the opportunity to win a set of La Vie En Orange’s I See London, I See France Upitees underwear!

A $45 value!

La Vie en Orange is Kori Jock’s one-woman company specializing in creating underwear from thrifted T-shirts. (And let me be the first to say I’m super happy she’s not creating T-shirts from thrifted underwear! 😉 ) All kidding aside, I have a pair of these underwear, and they’re fantastic! (Here’s her Etsy store.)

Here’s the information about the underwear:

I see London, I see France, I see super cute underpants! Take these on a European vacation, or just to work to save up for that epic adventure. And hey, maybe you’ll grab a latte on your way (if you close your eyes, it’s almost a Parisian cafe…)?

Wedgies are practically impossible in their fuller boy-cut

A fully-lined front panel ensures you’ll be wearing these on European jaunts for years to come

Eco-friendlier materials: 100% cotton thrifted tshirt (though the shades of gray and turquoise might vary a bit, I promise they will be wonderful), unbleached elastic, water-based screen print inks

Hot Booty Guarantee: Undies don’t fit on the first try? Let me know and we’ll do alterations or make an exchange. Anything to make these your new favorites!

Check out the Fit page to make sure these are your perfect size

Your 2 pairs of undies, hand cut, hand screen printed and handmade to your specifications will be on their way to you within 10-14 days.

How to Enter: Write your name in the comments section. That’s all!

U.S. Residents only, enter one time only. I will randomly choose a winner Sunday, February 9th at 9 P.M.

Click HERE to enter Monday’s giveaway of Turbotax.
Click HERE to enter Tuesday’s giveaway of Happier at Home.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

{ 275 comments }

Day Two of Giveaway Week — Happier at Home!

by Katy on February 4, 2014 · 281 comments

Today is DAY TWO of The Non-Consumer Advocate’s GIVEAWAY WEEK!

Today I have three, count ’em three paperback copies of Gretchen Rubin’s Happier at Home: Kiss More, Jump More, Abandon Self-Control, and My Other Experiments in Everyday Life.

Rubin wrote this book as a companion to her wildly successful The Happiness Project, and it’s just as enlightening as its predecessor.

“As she conducted the year-long project that became The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin realized that her home, in all its aspects, was the most crucial element influencing her happiness.

So, starting in September (the new January), Gretchen dedicated a school year—from September through May—to concentrate on the factors that matter for home, such as possessions, marriage, time, parenthood, body, neighborhood. How can she control the cubicle in her pocket? How might she highlight her family’s most treasured possessions? How, for so long, had she overlooked the importance of the sense of smell? And it really was time to replace that dud toaster.

As in The Happiness Project, each month has a theme and finds Gretchen experimenting with several concrete, manageable resolutions meant to boost her happiness. With her signature blend of memoir, research, and experimentation, Gretchen’s passion for her subject jumps off the page, and reading just a few chapters of this book will inspire readers to find more happiness in their own lives.”

I first read this book in 2012 while on a non-stop flight from Oregon to New York for my Today Show appearance, and was happy to find myself thoroughly engrossed. (Flying is so boring!) I was lucky enough to meet up with Gretchen for dinner, where we discussed the book, our lives and blogging in general. She is a very astute individual, both as a writer and in person.

I thoroughly recommend Happier at Home for anyone who is looking to become more in control of their own happiness.

How to Enter: Write your name and one small thing that makes you happy in the comments section.

U.S. Residents only, enter one time only. I will randomly choose three winners Sunday, February 9th at 9 P.M.

Click HERE to enter Monday’s giveaway for a copy of TurboTax.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

Disclosure: I was given one review copy of Happier at Home as part of this giveaway.

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Day One of Giveaway Week — TurboTax!

by Katy on February 3, 2014 · 229 comments

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Leslie and Amy!

Today is DAY ONE of The Non-Consumer Advocate’s GIVEAWAY WEEK!

Why am I doing a giveaway week? Because I like to give stuff away! This week I will be the Oprah-Freaking-Winfrey of bloggers! (Seriously people, this week will feature giveaways for fantastic books, recycled printer ink. upcycled underwear and maybe even a video of me jumping up and down on my vintage couch, declaring my love for ~~Katie Holmes~~ my husband.)

Today’s giveaway is for two, count ’em two copies of TurboTax. The most respected online tax service. My husband and I have been using TurboTax for at least five years and we’ve been nothing but completely happy with the experience. This was despite my husband’s extreme initial trepidation. We have multiple income streams, blogging expenses, large numbers of charitable contributions and Turbotax handles it all with ease.

Today’s giveaway is for One Deluxe version and one Premium version of TurboTax.

What’s the difference?

Two winners will each receive a code which will allow them to figure out and file their federal taxes for free. U.S. Residents only, enter one time only. I will randomly choose two winners Sunday, February 9th at 9 P.M.

How to Enter: Write your name in the comments section. That’s it!

Good luck, and make sure to check back tomorrow for another giveaway!

~~Oprah Winfrey~~ Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

Disclosure: I was given one Deluxe version of Turbotax for review as part of this giveaway.

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Today I Am . . .

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I Choose To Not Inhabit a Throwaway World

No one ever compliments you on a invisible repair like they would on its brand new counterpart.