Non-Consumer Mish-Mash — Kanye West, Star Trek Dogs & Lisa Simpson

by Katy on July 24, 2013 · 12 comments

It’s time again Non-Consumer Mish-Mash, where I write a little bit about this and a little bit about that.

Mackelmore vs. Kanye West

Kanye West:

Kanye West T-shirt

“Mackelmore and Ryan” lyrics from Thrift Shop:

“I hit the party and they stop in that motherfudger.
They be like, “Oh, that Gucci – that’s hella tight.”
I’m like, “Yo – that’s fifty dollars for a T-shirt.”
Limited edition, let’s do some simple addition,
Fifty dollars for a T-shirt – that’s just some ignorant bidtz (shucks.)
I call that getting swindled and pimped (shucks)
I call that getting tricked by a business.
That shirt’s hella dough,
And having the same one as six other people in this club is a hella don’t.
Peep game, come take a look through my telescope,
Tryna get girls from a brand? Man you hella won’t
Man you hella won’t.”

Guess which one I prefer.

Star Trek Saves The Day!

I decided to pair two vintage doggies on my curbside console table, but I quickly realized that the smaller dog was sitting too low and needed a boost. And in the spirit of  make it do make it so, I grabbed a couple of books from a nearby shelf to save the day.

Wait, who saved the day?

Star Trek, that’s who!

Don’t forget that everything I needed to learn in life, I learned from Star Trek.

Star Trek dog

Lisa Simpson Figures it All Out:

(I know the script is tiny on the cartoon, but click the photo twice to enlarge it.)

Have a great summer day, we’re chillin’ out here in sunny Portland, Oregon and planning on hitting up the neighborhood Indian food buffet for a late lunch. Because teenage boys + late lunch + all you can eat = won’t have to feed them dinner.

Winner, winner, Indian dinner! 😀

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Goal of The Week — Closet Chaos

by Katy on July 23, 2013 · 22 comments

It’s Monday Tuesday, which means it’s time for Goal of The Week! A new weekly segment where Non-Consumer Advocate readers set and then reach small attainable goals.

“Not a soccer goal, but a personal goal. A single do-able, not overwhelming goal. A concrete goal. A reachable goal. A realistic goal.”

So no huge vague goals like “organize the house” or “lose weight.” A single attainable goal.

Last week’s goal was to complete the guest cottage information books that I started a year-and-a-half ago! Unfortunately, I chose a week to do this when my mother was mostly out of town, and had zero interest in working with me on this project.

Oops.

Fortunately, it makes no difference if this project takes an extra week or two, so it’s not really a big deal.

I set a new goal for this week, which is to organize and declutter the closet in our spare bedroom. Although this closet is far from disaster, it’s kind of fallen into a state of disorder that bugs me every time I pull open the curtain. Unlike last week’s goal, this one has an actual deadline, as my older sister and her kids are arriving for a three-week visit this Sunday, and I want them to be able to store their luggage out of the way.

Plus, it’s important that my sister sees how superior I am to her. 😉

Closet Chaos

And here’s what’s lurking off to the sides:

Closet detail

I will need to remove most everything and decide what stays and what goes. Also, I suspect that I’ll need to pick up a few organizing bins from my local Goodwill. (Thrift shops are a great source for organizational supplies!)

I’m excited to get started on this project, as organizing stuff always feels very self indulgent. Weird, but true.

Are you participating in The Non-Consumer Advocate’s Goal of The Week project? Please share your goals in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Debt Free

by Katy on July 22, 2013 · 54 comments

Although I strive for a debt free existence, life has a funny way of jumping in with a plan of her own. (Yes, in this analogy, life is a woman. A powerful, yet scrappy woman. We’ll call her “Katy.”)

“You say you want to be debt free, but how about I set you up with a mandatory $5000 sewer line and send your husband back to school for a mid-life bonus college degree? And while we’re at it, how about a brand new mini-van?”

But as of July 19, 2013, with the exception of our mortgage, my family is now debt free. No car payments, no consumer debt, no student loan, no nothing.

I switched from 8 to 12-hour work shifts to make this happen, turbo-charging my paychecks and giving us the financial wiggle room to pay down our debt at an accelerated rate. I kept a close eye on our checking account and transferred extra money towards debt whenever possible. I noticed that we tended to be lax about spending when our checking account appeared fat and juicy, so I kept the amount low. Even if that meant our finances appeared frightening.

“Yes, there’s only $114 in the bank, but that’s because we just transferred another $900 towards debt, and payday is tomorrow anyway.” (My husband and I each get paid every other Friday, which means that every Friday is payday!)

I continued to put money aside for our older son’s college fund. Earmarking any oddly earned income towards this goal. And since I blog, clean rental cottages for my mother and resell Goodwill finds, it’s amazing how fast this adds up. My husband and I also continued to contribute towards our retirement funds.

Now what?

College fund, college fund, college fund.

I know this should have been happening when the boys were babies, (compounded interest and all) but that simply wasn’t possible. Our fixer upper house, my husband’s photo studio and our minimal income kept us living paycheck-to-paycheck. The idea of a college fund was laughable.

So if you see us out and about, and wonder about our giddy grins, you now know why.

Has debt kept you from working towards your long term financial goals? Please share your stories in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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How To Be a Cheapskate at Target!

by Katy on July 18, 2013 · 23 comments

Today I made my bi-annual foray into Target for the sole reason to price their curtain rods. I had just bought two of those Ikea wire curtain assembly thingies, and was reeling from sticker shock. (I later decided to return one of them.)

And out of the corner of my eye I spied what I thought was the word “Cheapskate.” 

“Yay, something for me!” screamed my chemical addled brain. (My excuse is that the store seriously stank from plastic off gassing.)

Sadly, the word I had spied was “Chesapeake,” NOT “Cheapskate.”

What? No!!!!!!!

Cheapskate

So no, there was nothing for me. Except a penny on the ground, which I ceremoniously scooped up and dropped into my purse.

And that, my fellow Non-Consumers is how to shop at Target!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Nesting With a Thrift Shop Frame — A Before & After

by Katy on July 18, 2013 · 11 comments

I get occasional flak for the apparent frequency of my thrift shopping.

“How can you call yourself a Non-Consumer if you’re constantly shopping?”

But there is a method to my madness. I’m constantly keeping an eye out for certain objects. This may be for gift giving, (such as this adorable miniaturized LL Bean tote bag from last week) or simply items I need or want. And then of course, I occasionally come across underpriced items that I turn for a profit. (This last practice completely subsidizes all my thrifting.)

I’ve been keeping an eye out for a 24″ square frame since last May, when I unearthed a matted but unframed collotype art photograph in my father’s attic. This photo was taken in 1992 by my brawny macho husband Dale, whose first college degree was a Bachelor in Fine Arts in photography. Sadly, the white mat was smudged and dirty looking, and the photo itself was coated in dust.

Needless to say, I rescued it.

I really wanted to get it properly framed, but that didn’t mean I had plans to spend $200 on a custom frame.

So I kept an eye out.

And when I spied what looked to be a 24″ square frame at the Goodwill Outlet for the low, low price of $3, I knew to snap it up. Sure, the frame itself was gunmetal grey, but a small amount of black spray paint fixed that issue.

frames before

Unfortunately, the frame turned out to be 23″ X 22-1/2″, but that’s nothing that couldn’t be fixed. (We own a mat cutter which has come in surprisingly handy over the years.) I was able to remove all the mat smudges using a non-grit white eraser, and I cleaned the photo itself with a feather duster. A few coats of black spray paint and blammo, my poor husband’s photograph was finally and properly framed!

Nest Photo

The photograph is currently hanging at the top of our staircase, so we can see it every time we walk up to our bedrooms. I have always loved this photograph, how the nest has a etherial luminescence. And I love how my manly husband has this secret fine art background that no one would ever guess.

Staircase photo

And I saved the numbered floral print and mat for my next garage sale. My plan is to get $3 for it. 😉

Have you discovered the wonder that are thrift shop frames? Please share your stories in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Goal of The Week — Guest Cottage Books

by Katy on July 16, 2013 · 25 comments

It’s Monday Tuesday, which means it’s time for Goal of The Week! A new weekly segment where Non-Consumer Advocate readers set and then reach small attainable goals.

“Not a soccer goal, but a personal goal. A single do-able, not overwhelming goal. A concrete goal. A reachable goal. A realistic goal.”

So no huge vague goals like “organize the house” or “lose weight.” A single attainable goal.

Last week’s goal was to repaint and install a new curbside find porch light.

Remember this dirty specimen?

Porch Light - before

I went ahead and refurbished the light fixture, which was simply to remove and wash the glass panels, and then paint the metal components with spray primer and oil rubbed bronze spray paint.

I did have to buy two small screws at the hardware store to attach the top and bottom pieces, which set me back 66¢, as well as a can of $3.99 spray paint. (Although I still have at least half the can of spray paint leftover!)

Check out how fantastic the fixture now looks:

Porch light after

I really like how the seeded glass looks after her spit shine. Not bad for $4.65, huh?

This week’s Goal of The Week is to finish up the guest cottage instruction notebooks that were supposed to be my mother’s 2011 Christmas present. (Yes, 2011. That is not a typo!) These notebooks will include all the information her tenants need for their short stays in her delightful guest cottages. Hopefully, this will cut down on all the misunderstandings about when garbage day is, how to figure out the shower, how to work the cable TV, etc., etc.

The books are actually mostly finished, but for some reason they got put aside and entered the dreaded category of “things I feel crappy about and therefor must ignore.” But no more, as I have given myself until next Monday to get them completed and into their respective cottages.

Guest cottage books

Are you participating in The Non-Consumer Advocate’s Goal of The Week project? Please share your goals in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Twitter.
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Goodwill, Badwill, Questionable-will — Graphic Childbirth Edition

by Katy on July 14, 2013 · 12 comments

It’s time again for Goodwill, Badwill, Questionable-will, where I share some of the perfectly wonderful and perfectly dreadful things that can be found while thrifting.

Today’s edition is special because:

  1. It’s from The Goodwill Outlet, where most items are bought by the pound.
  2. My camera is broken, so the photos are kind of crappy. (My phone is very much not current technology. Not sure, but the camera might actually feature a hand crank.)

Ya’ll know that I’ve got an unhealthy obsession with chairs, so my first stop was to Lounger Land, the almost-final resting place for stained and outdated recliners.

But do you see what I see?

Lounger Land

That’s right, it’s groovy modern-style armchair which would look great in a hip mid-century-style home. I looked for a name, but didn’t come up with anything. Some lucky Portland hipster will fork over the $20 and bring this bad boy home.

Stylish Chair

I played with my Sasha Doll longer than I care to admit. (Okay, it was eighth grade. I played with my doll until eight grade! Happy now?!) Because of this, I am a complete and utter sucker for miniaturized versions of everyday items. And when I do come across tasty tiny items, I always gift them to my sister, who also played with her Sasha doll into adolescence. (Actually I give them to my young niece, with strict instructions that it has to be shared with mommy.)

And how cute is this miniature Land’s End tote bag?!

Tiny Tote

The last item is about the weirdest item I’ve ever come across at Goodwill. Why? Because it’s a scroll of detailed childbirth photos on thermal paper! There is much crowning, and graphic goodness.

Scroll O' Childbirth

Here’s an example from one of the photos. I used my crazy-good Photoshop skills to blur the vaginal area, (you’re welcome) but I left the face of father untouched. Because when you come across a strip of Goodwill photos that feature famed serial killer Ted Bundy about to become a father, you have to share it with the world!

Crowning

“Hey, does anyone know where I put that strip of photos?”

Ted Bundy

Shudder.

I did buy a two-foot square framed and matted print that I’ll use to frame one of my husband’s photographs from college, as well as a pretty green Columbia Sportswear fleece jacket to replace my one which is both pilled and stained, and of course the tiny tote bag.

Total price? $6.18.

Man, do I love Goodwill!

Have you been thrifting and coming across odd items? Please share your stories in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Blog Silence and Japanese Exchange Students

by Katy on July 13, 2013 · 11 comments

Sorry about the recent blog silence. I worked 12-hour shifts on Wednesday and Thursday, and then picked up two Japanese exchange students on Friday. They speak pretty much no English, and because of a soccer tournament and my older son’s lifeguarding work schedule, there’s been a lot of time with just me and them. (Just so you know, all Japanese students take years of English classes, so it’s super odd how little English these kids speak.)

Just me and two extremely shy non-English speaking 16-year-old boys.

Thank God for whoever invented video games.

And today, there is someone else transporting my son to and from his soccer games, and my older son has the day off from work. So I will take everyone to the mall, (Their request) and walk my Non-Consumer self over to Goodwill. (My salvation.)

I might self destruct if I spent any significant amount of time at the mall.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Ask Yourself This One Question

by Katy on July 9, 2013 · 36 comments

Before each and every non-essential purchase, ask yourself this one question:

Does this purchase support my long term goals?

Does yet another night of takeout dinner equate forty fewer dollars in your son’s college account? Or forty more dollars of debt? Or forty more dollars farther away from early retirement?

It’s okay to eat scrambled eggs for dinner if that decision moves you closer to your long term financial goals.

Ask yourself this question. Get in the habit.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Five Frugal Things

by Katy on July 9, 2013 · 32 comments

A Week in Winter

  1. I took my sons downtown for much begged-for hair cuts. The woman who cuts their hair used to be in the neighborhood, but she sadly relocated her business. Parking downtown is both irritatingly A) difficult and B) expensive, so we drove halfway and then walked over the bridge and then over to the barbershop.
  2. I donned my “Katy The Cleaning Lady” cap last night and cleaned one of my mother’s guest cottages between tenants. (Anyone out there remember those ads? They were most unwelcome to me throughout my already mortifying middle-school years.) As always, I brought home the still-usable food. Sadly, it was only a half-gallon of organic milk. But you know I snagged it anyway.
  3. I hung two loads of laundry on the clothesline yesterday.
  4. I am listening to a library audiobook, (Maeve Binchy’s A Week in Winter”) and also reading a reading a library book, (Janet Evanovich’s “Something or Other, a Number.”)
  5. I brought very dull leftovers to work on both Friday and Saturday. They filled me up, and somehow I survived. Plus it saved me from spending money while at work, (an oxymoron if there ever was one) and from having to spend my precious 30 minute break walking to and from the cafeteria.

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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