Ask The Readers — What to do When Someone Abuses Your Trust

by Katy on August 14, 2012 · 34 comments

I recently received an e-mail from Sharon, a Non-Consumer Advocate reader who needs some help with a delicate situation. She’s hoping you might steer her in a direction of how to best deal with her issue. (By the way I’ve changed a few details, to protect her anonymity.)

Here’s her question:

We know some people that are in hard times like us, and to help them out we lent them an expensive useful item. Unfortunately part of it was nearly broken and there were some dents.  However, my question is this: in lending, loaning and/or renting our items to share, where do we draw the line? I do not ever want to let anyone use our things again.

This a hard one. I too make my belongings available to friends and family as needed, and so far I haven’t had anyone abuse the privilege.

My mother has a phrase she uses when she’s broaching difficult subjects, which is to say to the person, “I have an issue I need your help with,” and she then asks the guilty party what she should do. This technique puts the person in the role of problem solver rather than a place of defense. It also lets the person know that you take the situation seriously.

I would also suggest that she goes into any conversation with an idea of what she wants, whether it’s monetary compensation or just an apology. But she would also need to go into that conversation knowing that neither might happen.

How about you, have you dealt with a similar situation or have any advice for Sharon? Please share your thoughts and ideas 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 — Seasonal Eating, Soy Sauce Packets and Medieval Torture

by Katy on August 13, 2012 · 19 comments

I recently realized that seasonal eating and eating whatever’s on sale this week is pretty much the same thing. Asparagus in the Spring, basil in the summer, and cherries whenever they’re $1.48 a pound.

Yum.

I reorganized my kitchen cupboards and am on a kick to eat up what we already have. Which is why I tasked my husband to use up all those little soy sauce packets when he made teriyaki chicken tonight.

Now, onto all those tiny packets of wasabi and ginger.

I walk past this newly painted mural at least three to four times per week and always get quite the ouchy feeling when I glance up. Because although it’s been a few years since my sons were in the backpack, I am 100% sure that the straps do not go directly across the nipples.

That would have to be defined as a design flaw.

Ouchie.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Table + Pretty Fabric = Delicious

by Katy on August 13, 2012 · 20 comments

It started with the offer of a leftover table from my step-father’s law office kitchen. Not a fantastic table, but it had good bones. Unfortunately the top was covered with checkered Contact paper, but it did have a glass topper, which gave me an idea. I could cover the top with some cute Ikea-by-way-of-Goodwill fabric that I picked up for $1.99 a few months ago.

Easy, cheap and with the chance of being super cute by the end? Sign me up!

Here’s what the table looked like before:

And here’s a closeup of the fabric:

The first step was to wipe down the painted surfaces of the table with a vinegar-and-water solution, which is what I use for degreasing and general clean-age. (I did not photograph this step, as is it was far from a Kodak moment.)

I then placed the glass topper on the fabric and cut enough extra to fold over the edges of the table.

See what a perfectionist I am? Totally straight cuts, especially on the bottom.

I then ironed the fabric so it would look nice and crisp. I considered starching the fabric, but decided against it as the material is already almost canvas-like in its thickness.

I then flipped the table upside down and used my trusty staple gun to attach the fabric. I started by putting a single staple on each side to hold the fabric in place. (At which point I looked at the top to ensure that the pattern was even and somewhat logical.) I then stretched the fabric tight and worked in a 12-6-3-9 pattern, (like a clock) until it was well attached. The corners were a bit tricky, but then again so I am.

Unfortunately, there were a few spots where the cross pieces made it impossible to staple the fabric, so I simply  trimmed the edges, and Mod-Podged the fabric into place.

Now completed, the million dollar question was where to put the table. My first thought was to put it between the two armchairs in our spare bedroom/TV room. (There’s currently no table available for cups, bowls and such, which means that everything gets set on the floor.) I immediately saw how the table was too long for this spot and looked kind of goofy.

My second choice was to put the table on our front porch next to the front door, which looked much better.

See? Pretty!

And because the blue and orange colors don’t correspond with anything on the porch, I added a few Bauer items from our living room shelves. I doubt these accessories will live outside forever, but for now, they’re a cute addition.

The best part was that I was able to transform a so-so table into a delicious treat in under 45 minutes for the low, low cost of $1.99.

I do love me a cheap and easy project!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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How to Stop Wasting Food

by Katy on August 12, 2012 · 23 comments

This article is from a guest post that ran on Wasted Food awhile back. However, the information is timeless. Enjoy!

With food prices so high, there’s simply no excuse for food waste in the home. Regular readers of The Non-Consumer Advocate already know that the food waste issue is near and dear to my heart. Two years ago, I issued a Waste No Food Challenge and have been working ever since to get my family down to a zero food waste existence. I have learned much in my quest to eradicate food waste, and here’s what’s working for my family so far:

Be realistic: It’s all fine and admirable to fill your grocery cart with tofu and bok choy, but if that’s not how your family actually eats, then it’s just a recipe for wastage.

Serve smaller portions: This is especially important with children, but can be a issue with adults as well. It’s perfectly okay to have seconds, so make those servings appropriate to each individual.

Stop cooking such huge amounts: Face facts, you’re not an army cook. When cooking meals, estimate the amount of leftovers that’ll be produced and use your head. Leftover chicken soup is good once or twice, but after that it’s not always so tempting.

Buy smaller amounts: Many foods are less per pound if you buy a larger amount. However, unless you have a family of eight, this can be a certain road to food waste. It’s okay to buy the actual amount of food you need. I make pizza from scratch and buy the toppings from the pizza joint up the street. Not only is it cheaper, but I’m able to buy exactly the amount needed.

Only freeze the food you’ll want to eat again: Many people stash uneaten food in the freezer, only to be forgotten until that revolting smell of freezer burn has taken over. Which brings me to:

Eat the food in your freezer: When your freezer gets overly full of food, it becomes difficult to know the contents until it’s too late. Go on a spelunking tour of your freezer and start eating what you can. (The thriftiest meal comes from food you’ve already bought and prepared.)

Think about leftovers: When making a meal, think ahead to what the leftovers will be and how they’ll get eaten up. This may as simple as putting meal size portions into containers for work lunches, or even simply incorporating ingredients into another meal. For example, I roasted a chicken two nights ago. I used the extra chicken in some enchiladas last night, and then ate those leftovers for lunch today. If there’s more than you can eat, freeze the leftovers or share with friends and neighbors. (This is a delicious tradition to start, as you potentially end up on the receiving end of the deal!)

Plan Your Meals: For many people, this means scheduling the week’s menu ahead of time. I don’t do this personally, as I loosely follow the pantry principle, (I keep a stocked pantry that can be tranformed into multiple meals.) I usually plan my family’s meals a day ahead, which fits my personality better.

Store your food properly: If your flour gets buggy or your tortillas get crusty, then you have a problem. Stash dry goods in the freezer for 24 hours when first purchased to avoid moths and such, and use tight fitting lids for foods in the refrigerator. I’m a rabid fan of Pyrex dishes with snap-on lids. The glass means I can actually see the contents, and the lid keeps the food fresh. For me, monkey see food, monkey eat food. (Seriously, “out of sight out of mind” is my middle name.)

Institute a leftovers night: Often, there’s not enough of certain leftovers to create an entire meal, but they can be certainly be warmed up and set out buffet style.

Teach yourself to create new meals from leftovers: I’ve written about tucking bits and pieces into a pasta salad, but soups and burritos also lend themselves to leftover magic.

What are your methods to avoid food waste? Please share your ideas in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Food Bank Giveaway Ends Today at 5 P.M.!

by Katy on August 11, 2012 · 0 comments

Update: This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Mary, whose Buffalo area food bank will be receiving 400 donated meals!

Just a quick reminder that the 400 Meals to be Donated to Your Local Food Bank giveaway ends today at 5 P.M. Oregon time.

This is the best giveaway I’ve ever hosted, so make sure you’ve entered!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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The Challenge of Decluttering

by Katy on August 10, 2012 · 35 comments

I started decluttering my house in 2007-ish, and only now is the house to a happy equilibrium. Why did this process take so long? Because I approached this gargantuan task piece by tiny piece; decluttering a drawer here, and a horizontal surface there. Mind you, it’s far from perfect. I have secretly stashed bins of Legos and Brio train tracks hidden in my back room; but for the most part the extraneous crap is gone. Sure, the basement still resembles a construction demolition site, but that job I’ve lovingly gifted to my husband. (Thank you, dear.)

Luckily, I know I’m not alone in the bizarrely difficult task of decluttering.

This comment recently came in from Candy on The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook Group:

“I have a confession. I have too much clutter! I have just hung up and tagged over 100 items for a community consignment sale. And it seems like I haven’t even made a dent. It’s all things my youngest son (4) and only daughter (1) have grown out of, and maternity clothes I hope to never need again. And all the related baby equipment, you know how that goes. I have to say, at least it’s a start!”

This comment garnered many comments from group members, the favorite of which was

“Decluttering is like eating a whale. Seems impossible, but you just have to keep taking bites.”

To which I responded:

“Whale, the other white meat!”

Wait a minute, that was totally off-topic. Sorry about that.

My guiding mindset for what gets to live in my home is from William Morris.“Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” I love this quote because it allows for interpretation. You may think my cherub ashtray is a piece of junk, but I think it’s hilarious and find beauty in its tacky grandeur.

I totally understand how a person can easily get frustrated with the monumental task of decluttering a home. Because it takes a burdensome amount of work before progress becomes apparent.

You know, like eating a whale.

Do you have any advice or words of inspiration for Candy? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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?

by Katy on August 9, 2012 · 9 comments

I don’t want to completely spill the beans, but I have a special treat for ya’ll coming up. And it’s going to be good.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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How to Garden Like Donna Summer

by Katy on August 8, 2012 · 18 comments

Remember my Goodwill disco-ball planter?

It took me awhile, but I finally planted it up. And because a disco-ball planter requires a dramatic plant, I chose a big bright $2.99 plant from Fred Meyer that should stand up to the bling-y competition.

Summer has finally hit the Wolk-Stanley backyard, Donna Summer that is.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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I Did More Before Breakfast Than Others Might Do All Day

by Katy on August 7, 2012 · 14 comments

I don’t mean to brag, but I have the teenage-like ability to sleep until noon, especially during the summer when I don’t have to coordinate getting my teenagers to school on time. However, I’m also a fan of waking early and as the army advertisement from the 1980’s put it, “Do more before breakfast than the rest of you do all day.”

Today is one of those days.

My older son is working to get his lifeguarding job back, (he’s been in Japan all summer, and is only now recovered from the jet lag) and he needed to be at the pool across town at 7:00 A.M. today. Not my favorite task, but I’ll do all I can to support his employment prospects. However, because I was up so early, I was able to:

  • Get first dibs from a rather wonderful free pile that included a big ol’ stack of frames, as well as four very nice cloth napkins. (I will spray paint the frames using black paint I already own!) The photo may be crappy, but the score is not.
  • Run into my friend Dave, who was walking to work. He and his wife Heather just welcomed twin boys into their family, and I’ve been meaning to get over to their house to see them since they came home from the hospital. Sure, he didn’t have the babies with him, but it was still great to see him.
  • Stop at the credit union, where I deposited a stack of checks that had somehow accumulated in my wallet. This included my younger son’s hard earned paycheck, so it would be bad to procrastinate this errand.
  • Dash into Walgreen’s to pick up a free 8 X 10″ print, which I will frame in one of my new frames! This was an expired internet deal that I used to print a cool London Olympics graphic that caught my eye. I already have an awesome vintage Union Jack metal tray on the wall in my kitchen, so it will now have a friend.
  • Be up and about when a neighbor knocked on the door asking if she could come into my backyard to retrieve her naughty indoor cat.
  • Start a load of laundry, which included my spanking new napkins.

It’s now 8:25 A.M., and I think I might be ready for breakfast. But I expect that my entire day will resemble the morning, as I have a national TV camera crew coming to do a story on us in two days. These filming sessions are always a catalyst to finish projects and clean the house like Martha Stewart on crack.

Oy to the vey.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Found Change Challenge — An Update

by Katy on August 6, 2012 · 29 comments

You may (or may not) remember that I am putting aside all found money for the entirety of 2012. And let me tell ya, it’s been the easiest challenge to keep up with. I find money, I drop it in a jar and enjoy watching it accumulate. My goal had been to find $65, which is the cost of staying at our friend’s beach cabin for a night.

Here, see for yourself:

Or, if you’re the type who wants to see it all spread out, I also have this angle:

Pretty, right?

So how much money have I found this year?

$20.83!

I’m not exactly on track to hit my $65 goal, but you never know if there’s a twenty-dollar bill just floating around the Trader Joe’s parking lot just waiting for me.

Picking money up may not seem like an impressive financial plan, but I am a firm believer that financial responsibility is built on paying attention to those daily small expenditures. Plus, once you’ve spent a dollar on beautiful artwork, it makes it kind of hard to waste those precious pennies.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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