When Life Hands You Cookies, Make Mulch!

by Katy on May 7, 2009 · 12 comments

 

Before

Before

My day started innocently enough. The boys were rousted out of bed, fed, nagged, brushed and hustled off to school. I drank my morning tea and then drove over to my mother’s house to provide my signature airport shuttle service. (I can’t complain as I did receive a shoebox full of homemade chocolate chip cookies as payment.)

I was just rolling back into my neighborhood when I spied an arborist’s truck at a neighbor’s house. Sure enough, it had a wood-chipper attached at the rear.

Bingo.

The South side of my house consists of hard packed clay that gets all muddy and slippery when it rains. (And as I live in Oregon, this is an all too frequent occurrence.) I’ve been wanting to lay down mulch for years, but somehow have never got around to it. I know that arborists will often dump their mulch for free, and had even called a few companies in the past, but never had any luck.

Today was my day.

I parked the car and walked back to the neighbor’s house and asked the worker if there was any way he could dump a yard or so of mulch at my house. He looked dubious at first, but did come around quickly when he saw I was only a half-block away. 

And indeed he drove his truck over and raked out a yard or so of beautiful cedar wood chips into a pile in front of the house.

Cookies were distributed, and all appeared satisfied with the transaction.

I would estimate that it took twenty wheelbarrows loads to transport the mulch to the side yard, but since the it was very lightweight this was not a difficult task. I listened to an audio book from the library and the time flew by.

I am so happy with the results, and am looking forward to not becoming a muddy mess every time I take out the compost or simply wish to enter my beautiful back yard.

I love not only that the mulch was free, (and smells unbelievably terrific) but that it’s from a tree a half block away. Also, had I been a full-time worker, I wouldn’t have been home to take advantage of this opportunity. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to take my mother to the airport, and there would have been no thank you cookies.

And for that, I’m happy to live frugally, simply and frankly, in a home with a no longer slippery South side yard.

Do you practice frugal gardening? Please share your ideas in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

 

After

After

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Happy First Birthday to The Non-Consumer Advocate!

by Katy on May 6, 2009 · 32 comments

Katy Wolk-Stanley

I launched The Non-Consumer Advocate on May 2, 2008 as a way of sharing what I thought was a unique take on frugality and simple living. 

I had been contacted by a producer from The Oprah Winfrey show to come on and talk about The Compact. (Buy nothing new.) They had recently aired an episode about Freeganism, from which they received a huge response. They wanted to do an episode about The Compact, as they felt it was much more accessible option for average Americans.

The producer conducted a number of lengthy interviews with me, and would call mid-day to ask questions like, “Do you recycle?” and “Can you send me some more interior shots of your house?”

They ended up changing the episode at the last minute, (it ended up being about families who were living wasteful lives) but at that point I had already spent a couple of weeks having numerous imaginary conversations with Ms. Winfrey. (And yes, this did make me feel a completely insane!)

I was suddenly left with a bizarrely clean house, (c’mon admit it, you’d go into hyper-cleaning mode for the Oprah crew too!) and a void in my life. I had been ready, willing and able to wax poetic about frugality and the  joys of only buying used. I even had answers to possible criticisms. Yet I suddenly had no one to share with.

So I started a little blog called The Non-Consumer Advocate. 

Writing the blog has been a wildly satisfying endeavor, as the numbers have steadily grown throughout the year. I’ve turned down an offer to be on the reality TV show Wife Swap, (uh . . . no thanks!) and enjoyed some fun publicity both locally and nationally. 

I feel the best part of writing the blog is the feedback I get from readers. From the woman who accused me of “capitalistic brainwashing,” (sorry folks, but this was hands down my favorite comment ever!) to the thousands of informative and helpful comments that arrive on my virtual doorstep. Many readers have written in expressing that they feel like I’m a friend, and I’m not embarrassed to say that the feeling is mutual. 

I have readers on every continent except Antarctica, (Perhaps there aren’t so many available consumer opportunities?) and am constantly amazed with the mixture of people who come to share an idea or two.

I may never get that chance to fly to Chicago and sit across from Oprah Winfrey, but that’s okay. I think I’ve got it pretty good as-is. 

Thank you to the thousands of people who come daily to The Non-Consumer Advocate. I love you!

Are you enjoying The Non-Consumer Advocate? Then forward it to a friend!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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Everything I Needed To Learn In Life, I Learned From “Star Trek”

by Katy on May 5, 2009 · 10 comments

 

In the name of Star Trek hype, the following is a reprint of a previously published blog. Enjoy. 

I am a geek.

I am in fact a super geek. Not only do I think that everything related to frugality is fascinating. (Have I told you about my homemade laundry detergent? Really, I already did? Can I tell you again?) I have about zero interest in being cool. Clothing, makeup and even popular music hold little interest for me. (This has been frustrating to my friends, who think I could be so pretty if I “just wore a little bit of makeup.”)

My lack of the cool gene is actually quite freeing.

Because I’m free to pursue interests others wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole. For example:

Star Trek.

I have rediscovered the different Star Trek series’ through the library, (The Next Generation, Voyager, Deep Space Nine and Enterprise) and have felt great watching these shows with my sons. I came to realize that the ethics I’m trying to impart to my kids are perfectly mirrored within the various series.

Higher Education: All the officers worked hard to go to Star Fleet Academy. It was hard work, but worth all the studying.

Conflict Resolution: The crews of the various ships are constantly trying to find diplomatic resolution to conflicts. 

Non-Consumerism: Future Earth has done away with money. The one species obsessed with profit, (the Ferengi) are seen as greedy and unattractive.

Tolerance: The main mission of the Federation is to, “Seek out new life and new civilization.” Accepting and embracing each another’s differences is the whole point of the show.

Intellectual Curiosity: The characters are always striving to learn new things.

Environmental Responsibility: The various starship crews are always very aware of environmental concerns. Whether that’s prevention, or helping a planet to reverse damage.

So go ahead and call me a geek, you can even go so far as to call me a Trekkie. Just don’t call me a money grubbing Ferengi. That would simply be going too far.

Live long and prosper.

Please confess your geeked-out Star Trek 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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May-June Simple Living Network Newsletter

by Katy on May 5, 2009 · 0 comments

Hidely-ho Non-Consumer-ino’s,

The May-June issue of The Simple Living Network newsletter is out. Click here to read all the great articles. (Especially the one by a certain Ms. Wolk-Stanley.)

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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How to Help a Friend Celebrate a Birthday Without Going Broke? — A Reader Question

by Katy on May 4, 2009 · 18 comments

Wine

You guys did so great answering Jeanine’s question the other day that I thought I would put you to work again. I received this question from my college friend Georgina who lives in Southern California:

Here is a question for your website, or maybe it has been addressed.

I have some friends that love to eat and drink $$. When a birthday rolls around, it is customary to take that person out to dinner. $$. None of these friends of mine have much money, but feel deserving of a good meal and a couple of cocktails on their special day. So we take her out. A nice restaurant is expected. (You know where this is going.)

Last night was Anne’s birthday. Patsy made reservations at a seafood restaurant. $$! I was conservative and ordered a salad and a cup of soup. (15.00 total). I had one cocktail, just for fun. (10.00). Everyone else had a couple of cocktails and expensive seafood dishes. Plus, they brought their kids, who ordered off the adult menu. (I refused to bring my kids. It’s not their thing and I said I didn’t want to pay for them! I don’t even bring my husband. They are all single moms.)

The bill came and everyone’s cut was figured. Mine was 60.00. More than twice my meal. I don’t want to be stingy. I love my friends, I need my friends, I want to help them celebrate a special day. Is the only way out of this to decline going? 

This is an issue many of us have encountered. How to treat a pal without going broke? We all want to be part of celebrating a friend’s big day, but sans the staggering bill.

I suggested hosting everyone at her house. Have people bring the wine and prepare a lovely inexpensive meal. This is something I do for family members, and they’re always happy to be treated to a home cooked meal. This has been as fancy as salmon and as humble as chili prepared with pressure cooked beans.

What do you suggest for Georgina? How can she be part of celebrating her friends’ birthday without feeling taken advantage of?

Please put 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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Another Great Column From Get Rich Slowly!

by Katy on May 4, 2009 · 1 comment

thriftcaptain

J.D. Roth, over at Get Rich Slowly has written a piece about The New Age of Thrift that includes a mini-interview with me.

My favorite part is the Thrift Captain illustration next to my part. Although my regular readers already know I prefer the name “Captain Thrift.”

Does that come with a cape?

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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How Much Do I Save By Living Frugally?

by Katy on May 4, 2009 · 15 comments

saks-rodchenko-shopping-bags

I  was recently interviewed by a reporter and was asked how much money I save per year by living frugally? This one stumped me as I had never tried to quantify the savings I earn by making across the board frugal choices.

At first I thought it would be $10,000 per year, but as I gave it more thought I realized the number was more like $15,000 – $20,000.

The numbers, (which I pulled out of the air and estimated on the low end) broke down as such:

  • $300 per month for food — $3600
  • Clothing — $500
  • Vacations — $3000
  • Gifts — $500
  • Furnishings — $300
  • Gardening — $200
  • Entertaining — $500
  • Entertainment — $1000
  • Energy Conservation — $200
  • Buying used vs. new  — $4000
  • Minimal Driving — $500
  • Home haircuts/ free beauty school for me — $300
  • Not eating out — $1000
  • Using the library — $250
  • Bringing own lunches to work/ school — $1000

Additional savings:

  • Public schools — $10,000 per child
  • No day care — $12,000

I’m basing this amount, ($16,750 before the additional savings) on normal middle class spending, as compared to people I know and have talked to.

These numbers would be significantly higher if I actually compared myself to someone who was truly living a conspicuously consumptive life. (Especially if that person sent their kids to private school, employed a nanny, and drove a BMW.) 

How much do you think you save by living frugally? Less than me or more? Or do you think I got it all wrong? Please share your responses 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 Survive on $7.50 an Hour? A Reader Question

by Katy on May 2, 2009 · 25 comments

00_minimum_wage

I received this question from Jeanine in response to a posted link to a getrichslowly.org interview.

 

Every self help book on personal finance, spending, thriftiness blog, etc always touts spend less than you make. I 100% agree with that.

I would skip backwards blindfolded for someone to tell me HOW to spend less when you make $7.50 an hour, not on any government assistance and don’t qualify for Pell Grants to further your education. Sure you could take out a loan, but isn’t the whole purpose of this is to not make debt?

I have one general question: How can you save or invest what you don’t make?

Can someone start me off from being a junior in high school…and lead me from there. Because, in theory…at that age there should be no debt. It’s too late for me, but not for my daughters. I’ll take all the help I can get.

My granny once said she lived her life on the salary she made when she first started working. I saw with my own eyes that she did just that, but I honestly can’t see how that is possible these days., especially if you start off behind the curve.

 

I have survived and done well on $7.50 an hour, but it was in New York City in 1988 and before I had kids.  

How did I live well on a small income? I shared housing, brought my own lunches to work, didn’t shop recreationally and found inexpensive entertainment. Sound dour? Not at all! I hung out with friends and took advantage of all the free and almost free entertainment that is New York City. Most important though? I didn’t have a credit card, so when funds were low I simply stopped spending money.

I am lucky that I was later able to go to college without incurring a crushing amount of debt. (The University of New Mexico, where I got my nursing degree was $775 per semester.)  

What advice do you have for Jeanine? Are you surviving on $7.50 per hour? Please share your ideas and insights in the comments section below.

If you’re looking for more information about how countless Americans struggle to survive on minimum wage, check out Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

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My Food Waste — Blue Food Style!

by Katy on May 1, 2009 · 8 comments

 

Food wasteFood Waste

 

 

 

 

Kristen, over at the frugal girl hosts a weekly Food Waste Friday. She asks fellow bloggers to write about their own food waste, and rewards this with a week long spot on her blogroll. This will be my first week participating.

I have pretty much eliminated food waste from my home, but there’s still a thing here or there that keeps me from getting too cocky. This brings me to:

The tub of mysterious blue frosting!

I always make my kids’ birthday cakes from scratch. They’re never going to show up in a magazine, but I have yet to hear a complaint.

But here’s the crux — I have no memory of making a blue cake. I think I made a fake pizza cake, constructed from a huge round chocolate chip cookie for my older son’s October birthday, (the frosting would have been red) which means this is possibly from May 2008!

Eeeuw! 

And the grossest part was it showed no sign of mold. Thank you frightening preservatives!

And I refuse to eat mysterious blue unhealthy food in the name of preventing food waste!

Food I did not waste this week:

Leftover whipped cream from pumpkin pie last Saturday. I scraped it into a cup of coffee, as I am willing to make any sacrifice necessary in the name of food waste.

Leftover refried beans which got tucked into tacos last night. The shells were slightly stale, so I put them in the oven for a few minutes, which perked them right up.

Hamburger buns pulled from the freezer became bread crumbs to coat some $1 per pound chicken thighs.

Half an orange got cut into wedges because the other half was moldy. It would have been easy to chuck the whole thing into the compost, but instead only half went uneaten.

Need inspiration to cut down on your family’s food waste? Then make sure to check out Jonathan Bloom’s wastedfood.com.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

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

P.S. Extra points for anyone who gets the Bridget Jones reference.

 

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Why Buying Used Saves Both Money and Stress

by Katy on April 30, 2009 · 15 comments

sigg2

My ten-year-old son has many great qualities. He’s a gifted artist, funny, a loyal friend and let’s face it — he’s just plain cute. But he’s also the five-star general of the space cadets. I send him into the bathroom to brush his teeth and he washes his hands; I lay clothes for the day in his lap and he goes to the dresser and complains that there’s nothing to wear.

And yes, he loses things left, right and center.

I’ve lost track of how many jackets and coats he’s gone through this year alone, and we need to have three lunch boxes in order to pack him a daily school lunch.

This is another reason why being part of The Compact, (only buy used) is good money management. A perfect example is his school water bottle, which is a metal Sigg-style affair which I picked up at a rummage sale for 25 cents. It was the perfect kid-size and I didn’t have to worry about any plastic related toxins going into my son. But it stopped coming home last week. 

“Honey, where’s your orange water bottle?”

“Huh?”

“You know, the metal one? The one we wrote your name on? The one you take to school every day?”

“What, huh? I dunno.”

A deep rummaging through the school lost-and-found confirmed the never-gonna-see-it-again status of the bottle. 

But it’s far from a catastrophe. Sure, my son needs to take some responsibility for his belongings, but that will happen in time. I was famous for leaving my coat at the school playground when I was his age, but I did grow out of that particular trait. (My parents would go a local rummage sale every year and stock up on coats in my size.)

Because I’m spending such small amounts, I don’t have to freak out about the money spent or the replacement cost. And you know what? I already have a 99 cent Goodwill look-alike ready to take its place.

This reasoning expands into other areas as well. Shirt stained beyond redemption? That’s okay, it was 50 cents. Another coat gone AWOL? At least it was from a free pile. These losses can be a major source of financial hardship when spending $15 for shirts and $50 for coats. For me? Not so much.

Not only does The Compact help distance me from a consumer mindset, save me money and simplify my life; it also keeps me from freaking out every time my son loses yet another thing.

Thank you.

Are you a member of The Compact or simply a fan of the gently used? 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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