“Your Money or Your Life” A Book Giveaway

by Katy on July 7, 2010 · 62 comments

Although I am a rampant devotee of library books, there are a few that I need to own. To keep on my bedside table and refer to on a regular basis, jot notes in and then carry around in my bag without worrying that I’ll muss it up. “Your Money or Your Life” by Joe Dominguez and Vicky Robin is one of those books. This book is not about how to get rich or clip coupons. It’s one of those fantastic books that take a broad look at how money, personal energy and life all combine together. I ♥ it!

I haven’t actually done a front to back read of this book in a few years, but I am going to reread it this week, so I can share my favorite bits with you.

The winner of this giveaway will receive one genuine used library copy of “Your Money or Your Life” for your very own self. (I bought it at The Title Wave bookstore using the voucher I received as a thank you for volunteering at the library!)

To enter to win, write something in the comments section about your own relationship with money. One entry per person, U.S. residents only. I will randomly choose a winner midnight of Saturday, July 10th Pacific time zone.

Good luck!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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June Food Stamp Challenge, A Wrap Up

by Katy on July 6, 2010 · 22 comments

I tallied up the final numbers for the June Food Stamp Challenge, and my family of four spent $402.75. The average amount an Oregon food stamp recipient gets is $101 per person per month. This means we were $1.25 under budget for the month. I had really hoped to blow this month out of the water, but it was harder than I expected it to be. A lot harder!

Reasons for the difficulty varied from my getting sick, to my husband not exactly being on board with the challenge. He was very concerned that the quality and quantity of our food would suffer, which is actually how someone whose food budget was in danger would feel.

I felt that I had something to prove. I could easily have shopped for and prepared really cheap meals, but I wanted to prove that not every meal needed a lentil base. That we could eat the way we normally do, (too much chicken) yet keep a tight eye on the budget.

Angela, over at My Year Without Spending wrote that she participated in the Food Stamp Challenge, but did so without mentioning it to her husband. He did notice that she seemed to be baking a lot more than usual. (He does the dishes.) I suppose I could have kept my husband and kids in the dark, but my husband also participates in the food shopping, so that would have been near to impossible.

I had been curious whether I would lose any weight during the month, so I duly stood on one of the medical scales at work at the beginning and end of the month. And guess what? I weighed exactly the same on June 1st as I did on June 30th. I think the constant thinking about food actually caused me to eat more than I normally would, so I guess I should thank my lucky stars that I didn’t gain any weight. Dang, I was really kind of hoping for some magical, no effort weight loss.

One thing that I hadn’t anticipated was what a pain in the tuchus it was to have to be constantly be thinking about buying cheap food. Making frugal choices is something that I normally enjoy. I love figuring out inexpensive ways to live my rich life, but this stopped being fun about halfway through the month.

I know that I came at this challenge from a place of privilege, as almost one in four Oregonians is currently receiving food stamps. I do not consider myself to be at a point where I no longer have to worry about money, but I can spend however much I want to on food.

So how much did I save?

I normally spend around $450 per month on food, which I don’t track down to the penny. I know that there’s money spent that slips past me, (we use American Express when shopping at Costco, and I never remember to check this when figuring out food expenditures.) so the amount is probably more like $500, which includes eating out. Although I shop carefully, I never hold back from buying the food I want to buy for my family.

I will be making a $100 donation to The Oregon Food Bank, which is approximately how much I saved by participating in the June Food Stamp Challenge.

Did you follow along with the Food Stamp Challenge? If so, was the month different than you expected and did you make a donation to your local food bank? Please share your stories in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

P.S. My blog numbers took a dive towards the end of the month, as did my subscribers. So I’ll take a giant leap of logic and guess that you too were getting sick of the June Food Stamp Challenge.

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Non-Consumer Mish-Mash

by Katy on July 6, 2010 · 14 comments

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

The New vs. Old Debate

There is a very interesting debate going on over at Get Rich Slowly about items never to buy used. Sparked by a Wise Bread article that seems more writer’s opinion than anything else, it’s getting a lot of feedback from GRS readers.

I highly recommend taking a look, as people’s “ick factors” vary so widely. Definitely good food for thought.

Throwing Money at a Good Cause

I am the first to admit that I can get a little tight fisted when it comes to money. I am so used to finding free or almost free options for this, that and everything, that it can be hard to actually spend out. (A Gretchen Rubin term, from her fantastic book,  The Happiness Project.)

Both my kids started out in a Japanese language immersion program in kindergarten. My 14 year old just finished eighth grade in the program, but my 12 year old left it mid-third grade. There was a lot going on at the time that I won’t bore you with, and we’ve been mostly happy about the decision.

The 12 year old took a two month Japanese elective at the beginning of the school year, and has been pining to rejoin the program ever since. I had assumed that this was an impossibility, but the school’s principal recently brought it up as an option.

Long story short, we are now paying for twice a week tutoring through the summer, with no guarantee that my son can learn enough to catch up with his old cohorts. But this is money well spent. My son is super jazzed to be learning Japanese again, and I feel that this is what our money is supposed to be available for. Not frittered away on first run movies, brand new clothing and expensive gift giving.

My son may not be able to rejoin the program, (three-and-a-half years is a lot to miss!) but he’ll be so much further along than if he’d done nothing. And it most definitely won’t happen if we don’t throw some money at the problem.

Hunt, Gather, Scavenge

I don’t know if the rest of the country is doing this, but Portland is in love with the “Free Pile.” A pile of stuff, sometimes boxed, but often not of unwanted goods that people put in front of their houses with a hastily scrawled  “Free” sign. It’s gotten to the point that it’s hard to go anywhere without looking through at least a pile or two.

Just yesterday, I had walked to Fred Meyer to pick up a gallon of milk and some dinner fixin’s. I tend to take different routes to and fro in order to increase my chances of finding something cool along the way. (Yeah. . .  I know, I’m kind of weird.) And sure enough, the route home walked me right past a pile of stuff on a parking strip that mostly looked to be mostly junk.

I quickly found two matching Crate and Barrel brand snowmen mugs that were in perfect condition. I brought them home, scrubbed them down and stashed them in my secret gift area. I can now officially say that I’ve got a head start on the boys’ Christmas stockings. Free stuff and the feeling of being on top of the details of life. How awesome is that?

I most definitely would not have found them if I hadn’t varied my walking route. So I guess that being weird pays off.

In case you think bringing home other people’s unwanted stuff is filling my house with crap, here’s a partial list of some of the items I’ve lugged home over the past year or so:

  • Still shrink wrapped 5″ X 7″ canvas, when my son immediately turned into a cool artistic piece.
  • A small black patio table, whose graceful curve perfectly matches my new rock wall.
  • A pair of Keen Mary-Janes that had some bright yellow paint on the soles. I scrubbed the paint off, and sold them for $5 at a garage sale.
  • A black Columbia Sportswear fleece jacket that fit my son perfectly. When he later lost that jacket, (the fate of most outer ware for this particular child.) it wasn’t as upsetting as if I had bought it.
  • A variety of different terra cotta flower pots.
  • A variety of different plants.
  • A small painted wooden step stool that looks adorable in my front yard, holding a couple different pottted plants.
  • A plastic lawn chair, that sits in my sons’ tree house.
  • A great floor lamp, (complete with shade) that I later learned was from Pottery Barn.
  • A cute mid-century bedside table that’s currently on my to-paint list, but is currently in daily use in my spare bedroom.

I could go on and on, but I’ve got to get out of my pajamas at some point today.

Have you been lugging home other people’s unwanted stuff? Or have been putting you own stuff out for others? 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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Simple Living? Nah, Just Lazy Living

by Katy on July 5, 2010 · 8 comments

I like to think of myself as a follower of the simple living movement. This is despite the evidence of my large house, two cars, zillions of possessions; and responsibilities and social activities that few would define as “simple.”

I tell myself that my proclivity to eschew consumerism, walk my errands, use the library and take pleasure in simple activities buys me a golden ticket into the simple living community.

In was dropping off a check at the credit union the other day, (and yes, I walked) when the teller asked me what my 4th of July plans were going to be. I explained that my family would probably go to my mother’s house for a barbeque, and then walk the two blocks over to watch the Oaks Park fireworks. She then told me about a fantastic fireworks display in Washington, going so far as to give me direction to this far flung locale.

Um. . .  no thanks, that kind of smacks of effort. I will pick the less pain-in-the-tuchus option 90% of the time. I’ll go to the Oregon coast instead of Hawaii’s, I’ll assemble a meal out of what’s in the fridge instead of buying fancy new ingredients and I’ll choose a fireworks display that involves ten minutes of transit instead of an hour.

I have since decided that I am a card carrying member of the simple living movement. Because simple living gives me an excuse to shun an overly complicated life. I just happen to do so in big ol’ house. Simple living is not just for single people who live in small spaces.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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When it Comes to Garage Sales, Resistance is Futile

by Katy on July 3, 2010 · 6 comments

Today is one of the the first non-rainy Saturdays of the year, and Portlanders apparently spent the long rainy months getting ready for garage sales. Because there seemed to be temptation on each and every street corner.

Must. Not. Fill. House. Up. With Crap.

Have. Spent. Much. Of. Last. Year. Clearing. Crap. From. House.

Deep breath in, deep breath out.

Or. . . maybe, just maybe go to the garage sales that are within walking distance of my house. Good Plan.

So the kids and I hit up a grand total of five garage sales within a six block radius of the house, and bought:

  • Antique ironstone platter, 50¢.
  • Pillsbury Dough Boy figure, free. (I tried to talk my son out of this piece of junk, but was unsuccessful.)
  • Pair of striped stretchy gloves in perfect condition, free.
  • Small 5″ X 7″ stretched canvas, still in shrink wrap, free.
  • New in box sock monkey night light for my mother’s birthday, $1. (Shh . . . don’t tell her!)
  • Pretty metal and glass hummingbird feeder, $2. (I’ve been keeping an eye out for one.)
  • Small ethnic painted bird, $1. (My son bought this with his own money.)

I am fully aware that none of the stuff that I bought was a “need,” but I never claimed to be a minimalist. What can I say? I am completely without control during garage sale season. And if my flimsy excuses fail, I can always blame the sock monkey!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Patience

by Katy on July 2, 2010 · 1 comment

The following is a reprint of a previously published post. Enjoy!

Patience

I drove up to Seattle last weekend to hang out with my sister over a delicious three day weekend. It’s a three hour drive each way, and not a particularly interesting one. (Unless of course, you’re a dull-freeway-enthusiast.) But I had some good CD’s to sing along with, and my ten-year-old son for company.

My son set himself up in the backseat with a down throw, a small pillow and some art supplies. He informed me that it didn’t matter how long the car ride was, because he was, “patient.”

Patient.

Okay . . . this is certainly situation dependent with this child, but I’ll take him at his word.

This got me thinking about what patience is, and how it’s an undervalued trait. Thegotta have it now mentality rarely leads a person to make good choices. This is true in so many aspects of life, and it’s certainly true in personal finance.

If one takes the time to really think through a purchase, it becomes less pressing, and can often be avoided altogether.

But when something is needed RIGHT NOW, that’s when the budget flies out the window and money gets wasted.

Good questions to ask yourself when making a purchase are:

  • Is this something I really need to own?
  • Do I already own something that will do the trick?
  • Can I borrow this from family/friend/neighbor?
  • What happens if I don’t buy this?
  • Is there a downside to putting off this purchase?

By employing your patient side, it’s easier to practice conscious frugality. I’m participating in The Frugalista’s No-Buy-Month, so I’m having to be patient about any purchases I would normally be making.

And you know what? My son was very patient, and there was not one utterance of “Are we there yet?”

Do you find that patience helps you with your frugality? 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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Handsome and Handy!

by Katy on July 1, 2010 · 11 comments

I bought my oven maybe eight years ago, and I went for the cheap, cheap cheapest gas model with sealed burners that the store offered. Quality it ain’t. If I lean on it, it moves like it’s on wheels, which it isn’t.

However . . . it’s functional. It bakes, it heats and I depend on it. Daily.

But it’s been finicky lately. It takes awhile to heat up and then fills the kitchen with gas fumes while it thinks about whether or not to turn on. I think Stephen King may have written a book about it.

Today, it totally gave up on life. Would not turn on, despite my rather persuasive and pitiful pleas.

But guess what? Today was one of those rare days where my husband and I were both off from work, and he did a quick Google search, figured out the problem, (the ignitor) drove to the DIY appliance store and fixed the ornery sucker. For $63.

Because if the women don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

Well, that’s what I told him. I don’t want him to get a swelled head. But I did serve him some lovely homemade pizza tonight, baked in our fully functional oven.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day 30

by Katy on June 30, 2010 · 11 comments

Today was day 30, the very last day of the June Food Stamp Challenge. (Never have I been happier that June was composed of 30, not 31 days. Why did this not occur to me in February?!)

Sadly, I did not get a chance to explore all the issues that I had hoped to get to, and I’ve got all sorts of flimsy excuses at hand. But frankly, choosing food based on price rather than what I wanted to cook and eat was a bummer. Not to mention that my husband and kids were super touchy about the whole challenge, so I was overly careful to not have our meals appear cheap. This meant very few bean based meals, (which I actually like) and felt somewhat untrue to the spirit of the project.

I will sit down tomorrow and figure out what got spent during the last few days of the Food Stamp Challenge, and calculate how much my donation to The Oregon Food Bank will be.

I am lucky. I get to have food insecurity be a fun little challenge, knowing that in reality my bank account can cover any food that my family wants. And when I’m tired from driving home from Seattle, (not to mention sick) I can pick up the phone and place an order for delicious Thai food. Not everyone gets to do this. Almost 20% of Oregonians are currently receiving food stamp benefits. Many of whom receive less than the $101 per person per month.

I am tired right now, as I worked today and then helped my mother to clean one of her rental cotttages. But it’s okay, because I have a glass of wine, a bowl full of strawberries, (a gift) and the knowledge that I will no longer be worrying about how to buy enough food for my family.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day 29

by Katy on June 29, 2010 · 8 comments

Today is day 29 of the June Food Stamp Challenge and today I scored some awesome free food! Did I go foraging in the dumpster behind the 7-11 or try out my five finger discount? No way! I helped my mother clean out one of her rental cottages, and I think the tenants must have known that The Non-Consumer Advocate moonlights as a cleaning lady, because the cupboards, freezer and fridge were chock full of goodies, mostly organic.

I had my 12-year-old son with me and he was more than happy to gobble up the vegetarian “chicken” nuggets and a big ol’ bowl of Barbara’s Peanut Butter cereal with 2% milk! Poor guy was in heaven.

Altogether, I brought home:

  • One enormous apple
  • A half bag of dried fruits and nuts
  • A full container of local salsa
  • Part of a gallon of whole milk
  • Part of a gallon of 2% milk
  • Most of a container of organic half and half
  • Two packets of instant oatmeal
  • Two packets of cocoa
  • A bag of organic fruit chips
  • Most of a jar of organic blueberry jam
  • Most of a jar of organic peanut butter
  • Two slices of bread (will use for bread crumbs)
  • Most of a container of whipped butter
  • Most of a box of Annie’s “Bunny Love” cereal (Different from Hugh Hefner’s Bunny Love 😉 )

Why am I sharing this? Not because I think you have this exact same free food opportunity, but because it is my complete lack of squeamishness that allowed me to take advantage of all this still usable food. We served the salsa with our burrito dinner tonight, and I even shared the source of my riches with our dinner guest. (My husband was slightly aghast that I would spill the beans, but I’m not so shy.)

I work today and tomorrow, which greatly cuts down on my food shopping opportunities, although it greatly increases my husband’s. Even if he goes to town at Trader Joe’s, (which is his signature move) we’ll still come in under the $404.

Hip, hip, hooray! Now please pass the partially full gallon of milk, because my milk is partially full not partially empty.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day 27/28

by Katy on June 28, 2010 · 5 comments

Today is day 27/28 of the June Food Stamp Challenge and the month is thisclose to being over.

I just updated my Money Spent So Far page and my family has spent $83.84 under our allotted amount, which a huge freakin’ relief! (I was super worried that we had gone over our $440, which would be humiliating.) I hadn’t updated the numbers since going to Seattle last weekend. Since then we’ve purchased Subway sandwiches, Vietnamese sandwiches, and Thai takeout. Twice! I think it’s kind of funny that the one month that is dedicated to low cost eating is the month where we’ve eaten restaurant food more than ever. Yes, I can blame last week’s nasty virus, (still coughing) but the blame can also be placed on a feeling of deprivation.

I didn’t want my family to feel like wife/mommy’s silly challenge was affecting their access to food.

My husband was already dragged into the challenge kicking and screaming, and my kids are currently in a very food-centric place in their lives. They are very touchy about idea that The Non-Consumer Advocate means that they might have fewer snacks to choose from. If anything, the mindfulness of writing about frugality has panned out for better snacks.

I will be helping my mother clean out one of her rental cottages today, which means I am getting taken out to lunch. I have zero qualms about this, as it’s our tradition and our relationship is very two-way.

Have you saved money by being part of the Food Stamp Challenge? Has it been different than you thought it would? 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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