Non-Consumer Mish-Mash

by Katy on April 24, 2010 · 20 comments

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

Double Down? I Say Double Trouble!

I have yet to watch Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, the TV show where the British celebrity chef teaches us Yanks how to eat healthfully. Not that I wouldn’t enjoy the program, it’s just that I’m not much of a TV person, and I hate to watch commercials.

Having said that, I did catch a commercial (probably while watching “Lost.”) for the new KFC Double Down Sandwich. This monstrosity of American fatty goodness is constructed from two pieces of fried chicken that cushion two slices of cheese, two pieces of bacon and the “The Colonel’s secret sauce.” With not even a slice of tomato to redeem itself, this sandwich brings 32 grams of fat to the party, (the venerable Big Mac boasts a mere 29 grams!) and may represent the pinnacle of fast food.

I stared in open mouthed horror at this commercial, (which seemed like an SNL joke) and told my husband that “this is exactly what brings people to the United States to try and teach us how to eat!”

I think Jamie Oliver saw the same commercial and decided we needed an intervention. How embarrassing.

Strangers in Paradise

The column that I wrote a few days back about talking to strangers has continued to resonate with me. My job as a labor and delivery nurse requires me to have extremely intimate conversations (and contact) with virtual strangers on every single work day. And you know what? I really like this aspect of my job. (The conversations, not the contact.) By the end of my shift, I feel like I know these women and their families extremely well. Sure, I’ll most likely never see them again, but the eight or twelve hours that I’ve just spent with them is rarely without a number of deep and meaningful conversations.

I’m not really sure how this relates to Non-Consumerism, but I love how I to get to know these women who come from every background you can think of. I have a great job, I really do.

Top Ten Ways You Know You’re a Non-Consumer

  1. Family asks you what you want for your birthday and you can’t think of anything.
  2. The newest, most popular movie hits the theaters, but you’re too busy planning your garden to be bothered with it.
  3. You turn down an offer of free stuff because you realize you have no need for it.
  4. You plan your meals based on what needs to get eaten up first.
  5. You delay errands until you can batch them all together.
  6. Your idea of a hot date with your honey involves the words library, walk and leftovers.
  7. You step out of your way to pick up change, however small the amount may be.
  8. Your idea of garden art involves a clothesline.
  9. You no longer forget to bring your reusable bags into the grocery store.
  10. Your bank account has mysteriously plumped, even though you’re not bringing in any more income than usual.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Feeling Deprived?

by Katy on April 23, 2010 · 23 comments

Any level of a financially responsible life involves at least some degree of deprivation. This may range from not being able to going on round the world jaunts to not eating out as often as you’d like.

For me, it is the restaurant thing that gets to me. I’m not a super big fan of cooking, although I’m resigned to doing it and I’m not actually half bad. But there are certain types of restaurant meals that are simply not reproducible in my kitchen. This, for the most part are foreign styles of cooking like Indian, Japanese, Thai and the like. I do get my restaurant fix fairly frequently from going to lunch with my parents, (thanks Mom, thanks Dad!) but my family of four rarely eats out together. It’s just too expensive.

This doesn’t really make me feel all that deprived, but I do kind of miss it. Choosing exactly what I want to eat, having someone bring it to me and then having someone do the clean it up. It truly is heaven on a stick!

I don’t experience any feelings of deprivation about buying used, doing my own housework, (many people I know have cleaning services) bringing my own lunches to work, going on simple vacations or any other of the frugal activities that round out my life. Pretty much just the restaurant thing.

Are there areas of frugality that are making you feel deprived? Are you mourning those daily lattes or pick-me-up purchases? 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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Is The Non-Consumer Advocate Miserly or Frugal? You Make The Call!

by Katy on April 22, 2010 · 53 comments

My WordPress Dashboard page shows an updated list of internet articles that link to The Non-Consumer Advocate. So when a new article on OnEarth.org titled “I Came, I Saw, I Shopped: Three Approaches to the Joys and Ills of Consumerism” showed up today, I clicked the link to take a look.

What I read took me by surprise:

“Wolk-Stanley often pre-emptively justifies some of her choices with arguments that come off more miserly than solidly environmentalist. “I sold our old washing machine on Craigslist for $20,” she wrote in a recent blog entry. “This may sound hardly worth the effort, but since we bought it around eight years ago for $45, it actually was. Because we had eight year’s washing machine usage for $25. That’s $4.12 per year. Sure, there’s the added cost that this machine was not the most, ahem . . . energy efficient model. But I’ve always washed with cold water, and Oregon is far from drought ridden.”

I get Wolk-Stanley’s point: we can have happy, comfortable lives without spending so much money.  But here at least, she’s not really accounting for the costs in water and electricity of using that machine, so that “$4.12″ a year rings a little hollow.

Money also represents time, energy, and freedom, which one can squander while trying to save a little cash.  When I bought a $1200, Energy-Star-rated refrigerator last year, and had its 20-year-old predecessor carted off for disposal, both my ecological conscience and my bank account felt deep pangs of regret.  But the time spent unloading that hulk on Craigslist would easily have added up to full day of paid-by-the-project work, and would have extended the use-life of an outdated, power-hungry appliance.  It also would have been as fun as, say, hitting my head with a rubber mallet.”

Did the author think I did nothing but sit around the house waiting for the Craigslist buyer to come and take away my old washer? There’s even a bit in the article about how unwanted “critters” are often part and parcel of buying a used appliance. Okay . . . now my used washer was filled with insects and rodentia?

I quickly wrote a reply to the article in the comments section:

Emily,

It may seem like the effort required to sell my old washing machine on craigslist for $20 is more than than it’s worth, but I beg to differ. I didn’t have to haul it away, and it will continue to be a practical and useful appliance for someone who otherwise was not able to afford a washing machine.

I was able to put that $20 towards the money required for my son to go on a class trip to Japan, which I payed for entirely from garage sale, craigslist and other miscellaneous funds.

In an ideal world, all washing machines are high efficiency models, but this not very realistic. Are you criticizing those who cannot afford the best of the best?

My choices to stay frugal are NOT “miserly,” as I am in no way, shape or form denying anything to myself or my family. My frugality allows me to work part time, which means less commuting and more energy for sustainable living activities like cooking from scratch and growing my own food.

We live a rich life without a lot of money. I’m sorry that you see that as miserly.

Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

Oddly, the premise of this article is “Live simply that others may simply live.” Yet there’s an underlying “Time is money” tone as well.

My response may have been a bit defensive, but I felt the need to well . . . defend myself. I guess it was how the author called me “more miserly than solidly environmental.” It is exactly this attitude among some proclaimed environmentalists that turns people off from making sustainable choices.

I could play this game, (My family’s energy usage is half of the average American’s) but I think I’ll just go take the laundry off the backyard line instead.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Happy Earth Day!

by Katy on April 22, 2010 · 6 comments

Today is Earth Day. I could write a long post about sustainable practices and how to work these into an everyday life. Instead, I’ll just suggest that you have a super amazing, terrific great day.

And perhaps, you might consider:

  • Hang a load of laundry.
  • Eat minimally packaged meals.
  • Use your library.
  • Rethink errands that require great lengths to drive.
  • Chat up a neighbor.
  • Contact your local politicians about an issue that’s near and dear to you.
  • Make your unused goods available for others who might need them.
  • Bring your own bags, mugs and handkerchiefs when you’re out and about.
  • Fix instead of replace.
  • Delay purchases, even minor ones. (You’re more able to find a second hand version this way.)
  • Share seldom used items with a neighbor. (Like a lawn mower or a post hole digger.)
  • Enjoy what you already have. This may be a safe place to live, food on the table, a community of friends and family and most importantly, the health and well being of those around you.

Happy Earth Day!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Link-O-Rama Mama

by Katy on April 20, 2010 · 1 comment

It’s time again for Link-O-Rama Mama, where I lazily just link to other people’s well written and thoroughly researched articles.

Trashy College Students Assemble in New Hampshire

Parade Magazine ran article titled “A College Powered by Garbage” in last week’s issue. The University of New Hampshire is powering “up to 85%” of its energy needs, using the methane gas produced when bacteria digests the rotten food found in landfills.

“A dozen or so miles north of the University of New Hampshire (UNH) lies a man-made hill of coffee grounds, banana peels, moldy bread–in short, ordinary household garbage. This growing mound of refuse outside Rochester actually helps to provide power and heat for UNH’s nearly 15,000-student campus in Durham.”

“While methane doesn’t burn any more cleanly than other natural gases, its carbon output is insignificant, since anything it releases was first sucked out of the atmosphere by the coffee plants, banana trees, and other organic matter now rotting in the landfill. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency classifies it as a renewable fuel. “

Using rotten food to power a college campus is great, but having less food in the landfill would be, ahem . . . better.

Appliance Rebates More Popular Than Munchies at a Grateful Dead Concert

Looking to cash in on the government sponsored appliance energy rebates? Well you’d better hustle, because many states are already running out of funds. An article in the April 19th NY Times titled “Appliance Rebates, For the Swift” explained how “Consumers across the country are snapping up government rebates for energy-efficient appliances.” Florida alone ran out of funds after a day and a half after 72,000 claims were filed. 72,000!

This program is huge, with the NY Times explaining that “Nationwide, $300 million in rebate money has been allocated by the federal government to 56 states and territories to encourage residents to buy furnaces, clothes washers, refrigerators and other appliances with the government’s Energy Star label.”

So if you’re considering taking advantage of these government rebates, you’d better get a move on, because it doesn’t sound like there’s enough to go around.

Who Wants to be Woken by the Smell of Alarm Clock Exhaust?

The New York Times ran an article titled “Audit Finds Vulnerability of EnergyStar Program” that exposed how the EnergyStar label is easier to get than an online erotic massage degree comfortable shoe recommendations from an RN.

A congressional audit was easily able to get EnergyStar approval for products ranging from a generator sized gas powered alarm clock to an ” ‘air purifier’ that was essentially an electric space heater with a feather duster pasted on top.”

“In a nine month study, four fictitious companies invented by the accountability office also sought EnergyStar status for some conventional devices like dehumidifiers and heat pump models that existed only on paper. The fake companies submitted data indicating information that the models consumed 20% less energy than even the most efficient ones on the market. Yet those appliances were approved without a challenge or even questions, the report said.”

What does all this mean? Well, it does minimize the trust I have in the EnergyStar label. But since I haven’t bought a new appliance since 2005 when we bought our television, I’m not super affected. But you might be. Do your research.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

P.S. Can you tell that I had fun with the titles on this blog post? I am 42, going on 17. For realz.

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Talking to Strangers, A.K.A. I’ve Finally Become my Mother

by Katy on April 20, 2010 · 32 comments

When I was growing up, I was dead mortified by my mother’s tendency to chat up any and all strangers. Shopkeepers, fellow public transport passengers and pretty much anyone who had the audacity to wait in line with us got the same friendly treatment.

Fast forward thirty-some years and I find that I do the same thing. I hadn’t really given much thought to this proclivity until I read Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project, which lists talking to strangers as one of her paths to happiness. Will talking to strangers help me to become a happy and fulfilled person?

I was midway through reading The Happiness Project when I took my son to Costco as part of our buying prescription glasses adventure. The woman who waited on us had the most elaborate and dazzling manicure. Not only were her fingernails painted with swirly sparkles, but each nail had an imbedded rhinestone. I was having a hard time focusing on the task at hand, (I’m easily distracted) and complimented her spectacular fingernails. This brought about an elaborate story of how she had worked most of her adult life in a bakery, which meant she couldn’t wear acrylic nails. But the addition of carpal tunnel syndrome meant the end of that career and the beginning of work as an optical assistant, which opened up an entire new world of nails as an artistic canvas.

My 14-year-old son was less enthused. I saw in his eyes the same look I used to wear when my mother embarked on long conversations with complete strangers. We had come full circle. However, this was very much a teaching moment, and my son and I did have a somewhat lengthy conversation about how this woman with her fancy fingernails and big poofy hairdo was someone that I normally would not have a chance to talk with. And that five minute conversation back there? It gave me a chance to see life through her eyes for a few minutes.

Was I happier? It’s hard to say, as happiness is hardly a concrete and measurable entity. But I definitely do have a small flutter of pleasure in the recollection of this conversation. And yes, I was a little bit disappointed that this woman was not working the day that my son and I went to go pick up his glasses. I had been looking forward to seeing if she had a new manicure.

Do you talk to strangers, and if so, do you feel like it’s part of the big picture of your happiness? Have you ever made a friend that started out as talking to a stranger? (I can think of a number of my mother’s friendships that started this way.) 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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Cheap Eats — Burritos

by Katy on April 19, 2010 · 9 comments

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

Sometimes I have time to prepare a wonderful, complicated dinner for my family . . . but often I don’t.

Especially during soccer season.

Does this mean I order pizza or get take out?

No way.

I pull together a meal from what I have on hand. And it’s not uncommon to make up a quick batch of burritos.

Take today for example. I didn’t have much food on hand, so I threw a few cups of pinto beans in the crock pot early in the day. By dinner time they were thoroughly cooked. I mashed them with a fork and added in some leftover rice from a few nights ago. Added salsa and salt lent some flavor.

I keep a bag of Quaker Harina Preparada tortilla mix in the freezer at all times. It’s literally a just-add-water endeavor. These tortillas cook up quick as lightning and are to-die-for. So yummy, that we have an official policy that you have to eat a burrito before you can eat a plain tortilla. And that goes for the adults as well.

A little cheese, some lettuce, tomatoes, salsa and sour cream — and you’ve got a complete meal in a pinch.

The ability to make a quick meal out of available ingredients will not only save you money, but will aid to prevent food waste in the home.

Click here to learn more about issues related to food waste.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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A Springtime Photo Essay

by Katy on April 18, 2010 · 12 comments

Today’s weather in Portland, Oregon was almost too good to be true. The type of warmth that soaks into our Oregonian pallor and almost makes up for the months of darkness and precipitation. But why should I explain, when I can just show you?

I always plant this wheelbarrow with lettuce throughout the growing season. I have very little sun, so I sneak in any extra that I can. There is lettuce planted here, (and spinach in the small planter) but it's too early to see them.

My son planted chive seeds in this pot, and they come back every year. Not to mention that the flowers are beautiful.

This summer will be year two of having raspberries, and they look very promising so far. My mouth waters just thinking about them.

My ugly compost bin is the perfect example of how things don't have to be beautiful to be functional.

You can tell my amended soil is from homemade compost. The bits of eggshells and fruit stickers are a dead giveaway!

This gargantuan maple tree in my backyard is reason #1 why I have to sneak bits of sunshine for any gardening of foodstuff. I am still able to have a clothesline underneath it though.

I'm able to hang two loads of laundry at a time on my clothesline. *Lurve* my clothesline. Might actually marry my clothesline.

I have three hanging baskets filled with fuschia plants. I buy the small starts once a year when they go on sale for "Five for $3." They will get as large and impressive as the expensive pre-planted ones, yet are super inexpensive. Plus, I bought all three of my wire baskets at thrift stores!

I am fully aware that the rains will return, so I always have a stash of lovely, lovely books to keep me company.

Gotta run now. Going to walk to the store and buy loss leader Tillamook cheese and lettuce. Can’t wait until I can just be eating from my own garden. Yumm . . . .

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Japanese Host Family Gifts — An Update

by Katy on April 17, 2010 · 11 comments

I wrote a few weeks ago about the challenge of finding gifts (“omiyage”) for my son’s Japanese host family that would neither clutter up their home, nor set me back an arm and a leg. To have these gifts be locally grown or produced was also a goal, as I have no interest is giving gifts that are cheaply produced in another country. I really don’t like items that are produced for the souvenir market, so my foray into the Made in Oregon store was short indeed. Anything heavy or breakable was also out of the question.

A tall order? You betcha!

Here’s what I ended up buying:

  • Handmade tote bag from my neighbor and co-worker Lorraine: $15
  • Two handmade fabric sandwich/snack wraps, also from Lorraine. $8
  • Handmade tea cozy made with vintage linens that read “Friendship warms the heart” and “Love is the heart in blossom” from my mother. Free!
  • Two boxes of Tazo tea, which is a local company. $6.40
  • One package of naturally wild “Premium Smoked Salmon.” $3.50
  • Three bars of Dagoba organic chocolate in the Chai flavor. $4.50
  • One package of roasted Oregon hazelnuts and one of dried blueberries from Bob’s Red Mill. $11.50
  • One Oregon T-shirt with a green heart in the center. $15
  • One handmade Elvis Presley card holder from a local shop $11

The last two items are for the 9th grade host sister, the rest is for sharing. I know I may have gone overboard, but I know from experience what a huge commitment it is to host other people’s children. When I have done it, I end up taking an entire week off from work.

I used a half-off coupon for the blueberries from my Chinook book, (thank you Lindy!) and bought the salmon and chocolate at the Grocery Outlet, using a Chinook Book coupon as well.

In all I spent $74.90, which is a fair chunk of change. But I feel like I chose great gifts that will be both appreciated and enjoyed. This is a situation where being a non-consumer and being cheap definitely do not intersect. But my son will spend a week with this family, and I’m sure they’ll spend much more than $75 on him.

So arigato gozaimasu Japanese family whose name I don’t know. (The information is written in Japanese) Enjoy my son, and take good care of him.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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What’s Your Financial Goal?

by Katy on April 16, 2010 · 23 comments

I spent last evening at the downtown Powell’s bookstore listening to J.D. Roth of Get Rich Slowly talk about his new book Your Money: The Missing Manual. A lovely time was had by all, and a number of interesting topics floated to the surface. But the one that really got my mental gears whirring was:

What is your financial goal?

For the last year, my financial goals have have been:

  • Continued debt reduction.
  • Putting aside the $1500 or so for my son would need for his class trip to Japan.
  • Saving enough money to pay for a web designer and self-hosting for The Non-Consumer Advocate.

I have met all these goals while sticking to my somewhat odd method of using regular paychecks for debt reduction, and any extra money (like the garage sale or maid service money) for the Japan trip and web designer.

So what are my goals now? I’m still working on debt reduction, (%%$###$ money pit of a house!) and I suppose I should start tucking money aside for my younger son’s 8th grade trip to Washington D.C., as well as my older son’s 11th grade summer trip to Sapporo. (That kid is sooo freakin’ lucky!)  And once I get the debt abolished, I suppose I’ll start investing beyond my 401k. Beyond that, I’m not really sure.

What I really want to know, is what is your financial goal? What’s the motivation that keeps you working hard and living in a non-consumer manner? Are you saving for early retirement or living on a single income to stay home with your kids? Trying to be a millionaire by age 30? Please share the carrot at the end of your stick in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

P.S. This book is really good and worth the $21.99. It’s a great resource to have at hand and has tons of great financial information.

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