J to J report # 3 - & 'Stuff'

The last two weeks have been about the same. 2/7 and 1/7 No Spend Days. YTD total 5/26 or about 20% (does that make it sound better or not?). I can say though, that everything purchased was on the Nice list (fist pump).

When I set myself this challenge, and thought about the 'rules', the Naughty and Nice lists, I thought I was being quite thorough, but as I travel the path new questions keep cropping up.

Such as: How do I treat those occasions when I don't spend money, but my husband does? I don't mean when he buys something purely for himself, like a coffee on the way to work, but when he spends money on things that the family needs, like going to get the bread and the milk? If he didn't do it, I probably would (though I might delay it by an extra day & make do ;) ). Or when I didn't feel up to cooking & asked him to sort dinner (the plan was sausages & veges) and he decided to order take-away? I would really appreciate some ideas on this.

I suppose that there are two main aims of this challenge, perhaps three, and I may have mentioned them before: to save some money; to reduce our consumption and environmental footprint; and to reduce our focus on 'Stuff' as a source of happiness and fulfilment, to instil the knowledge that these come from what we do, not what we have. I highly recommend that you visit "The Story of Stuff" (after you've finished reading this of course), and start with the title video, which may have been one of the catalysts, a number of years ago, for me to think more deeply about these issues and start trying to change.

True happiness & fulfilment come from what you do, not what you have.

Part of this, for me, is also about paring back the physical clutter in my life, clearing the house of things that are unnecessary, things that no longer have any use, that just take up space and energy. Now, please don't take this to mean any item that has no practical application, I might be an Engineer by training, but this doesn't mean that I don't appreciate the importance of beauty in our lives, and that some things are valuable purely because they provide that.

However, often the 'purely ornamental' things which we keep in our lives, the pictures on our walls for example, actually provide more than just beauty to our homes. As I sit here in my bedroom and look at the pictures on the wall I am transported back to Venice, to a trip with my mother when we met a local artist whose work seemed so much more evocative of the place than any others we had seen but which, as a student, I didn't feel I could afford, and of searching for, but not finding, him in the rain the next day because I realised that his art really was worth it to me. Then of receiving a parcel from my mother months later, after she had found a dealer who sold his work in Melbourne. Of returning to Venice a number of years later with my husband, and looking for the artist again, this time finding his wife and mother instead as they manned his stall, and purchasing two more pieces to remember our trip by.

Behind me hangs a wall quilt, would have served a practical purpose in mediaeval Europe, but not here and now. But this one was made by my mother and has photographs from our wedding on the front, and messages handwritten by our guests and overseas relatives on the back.

Some things might not serve any 'practical' purpose, but do serve the dual purposes of being beautiful and reminding us of people, places and events that made us happy and fulfilled, perhaps even helping us get through those times which aren't quite so wonderful.

Then there are other things, still lovely, and still with some meaning, that still could be classed as clutter. Most of the things in my life that fall into this category have arrived in my life as gifts, and they stay in my life because they are gifts from people who I esteem highly, but they are things maybe that don't quite 'fit' my life. Actually most of these are items that are both lovely and have a practical purpose, just not to me, and therein lies the rub. What do I do? How do I stop them cluttering my home/life without feeling that I am somehow sending the message that the person who gave me the gift is also clutter, when that is not the case at all. The photographs and memories of times we have spent together mean far more to me than gifts for my birthday or Christmas. Maybe if I printed a few out and added them to our photo wall? Or moved the albums to a place where I might pick them up more often?Do you think I could then find more appreciative homes for the beautiful, but unused, gifts?

Talk to you soon,

Ravs.

J to J report #2

This is a lot harder than I expected. Especially the No Spend days. I finally achieved one on Saturday, away on a games club retreat (that is board games, where you actually sit down with real people & have a conversation while playing a game, and possibly exercise your brain at the same time). But spent money again the next day when we had dinner out before driving home.

It seems the kids being on holiday and us travelling around etc makes it harder, it will be interesting to see how different it is when the kids start back at school and then later when I start back at Uni.

No Spend Days / Spend Days: last week 1:6 (absolutely lousy!); YTD 2:12 (the same).

Staying in the nice list is a lot easier, most of the spending has been on food, often only one thing per day, and the odd activity. But last night I fell off the wagon, without even thinking, and purchased a video download. I enjoyed it tremendously, and intend to watch it again in the next couple of days, but all the same……it happened so easily.

I had to go to the shops today for a couple of items, including new bathers (mine have finally given up after a number of years), but this meant I had to walk through lots of racks of sale items. Do you talk to yourself? In your head or under your breath? "You don't need it, you don't need it. Yes it looks nice/interesting, but you don't need it". At least I was conscious of the temptation this time. It helped that I had a specific purpose, and a very short deadline. Similarly when I arrived home the mail had arrived, including a catalog. I took the plastic cover off and put it straight into the recycling bin. In both cases I was able to avoid browsing - This maybe the key to avoiding unnecessary spends for me. How about you, any tips?

So - one lapse in the J to J challenge, I guess that is a pass. What do you think?

I need to add Bus Fare to the Nice list - transport costs being unavoidable for getting to Uni next semester. And postage - I'm not going to stop writing letters to friends. Is that fair?

I'm also not going to count paying bills such as utilities or rates (or bus fares to Uni) as Spend Days. This is because I have set most bills up to pay automatically so I don't even know when they happen, and they are also unavoidable. Catching the bus is more environmentally friendly (and more convenient) than driving the car, but as the cost is per journey for the bus, and chunked for the car I could rig my stats by using the car and not the bus. I don't want to punish myself (in terms of the challenge) for doing the right thing environmentally! Does that make sense?

BTW the video was "Much Ado About Nothing" with David Tennant and Catherine Tate.

J to J Report #1

Hmmm. This is going to take some practise.

Just back from 4 days away with the boys. Staying with friends, so no accommodation costs, but…….

• Petrol - OK unavoidable.
• Coffee enroute - unavoidable if I wanted to stay awake at the wheel.
• Food enroute - could have packed a picnic (the boys would have kicked up a fuss, especially as I was getting coffee).
• Dinner out - polite & pleasant way of thanking our hosts for their hospitality, otherwise I would have gone shopping so I could cook dinner for them anyway, so this one is justified.
• Ice-cream at a local berry farm The Bramble Patch (with fresh berries blended through on the spot) - our hosts suggestion, showing us around their region.  But did I really need to buy the three jars of chutney, two pots of fruit paste and one jar of jam as well? I know they had zero food miles and were supporting a local cottage industry but maybe just two items would have sufficed?
• Fruit at a renowned local fruit shop on the way home - good, we needed the supplies, the region specialises in apples, stone fruit and wine, the fruit was great value for money, very low food miles and supporting local businesses.
• Apple pie and ice-cream at Sutton's - probably not necessary, even if highly recommended by our friends. And then there is the box of different apple juices (I mean a box of 9 bottles)…OK they are pure fruit, no added sugar, no preservatives and delicious, but still. I won't be buying ordinary supermarket juice for a while though so maybe….OK. And we will be going back - it really is THAT good.
• Swim at Warwick pool followed by an icy-pole each for the boys - it's been in the high 30's for 4 days, and it is their school holidays.
• Earplugs - replacement swimming ones because otherwise I can potentially be partially deaf with that swishing noise in my ears for a number of days.
• Pies and coffee enroute home - necessary for everyone's blood sugar levels, and driver's concentration.

No Spend vs Spend Rating: Miserable - spent on 100% of days

Non-shopping Rating: Medium to good - I think that I am going to have to class the chutney's etc as a slight cheat, I didn't need more than two jars of chutney (already on the shopping list at home because we have run out). Food indulgences are obviously something I am going to have to watch.

Still - we did have a lovely time - and that is important too. The motivation for the trip was to take L9 & J6 on their first overnight hike, with our friends whose eldest (10yo) has been on one before, but for whose youngest (6yo) it was also a first. Very proud of all four kids.

Four intrepid adventurers

Meanwhile…..hubby (who I have not insisted be part of this challenge) has been shopping while I was away. I think it fits on the nice list though - as he did a big clear out of his wardrobe, and only bought four quality replacement items, with planned future activities in mind. I get all his worn out t-shirts to repurpose too.

NY Resolution - 'J to J Shopping Challenge'

Do you make New Year Resolutions? I don't usually, though at this time of year I do tend to stop and think about what is important to me.

Just before the New Year I discovered this blog: Frugal in Tasmania and her decision to try to go 365 days without shopping got me thinking. Now it isn't 365 days completely without shopping, just not shopping for un-needed items - you know, 'stuff' - food, drink, essential clothing etc are all OK.

Now I am guilty of buying stuff I want but don't need, just like the next person, often spur of the moment, but I also get quite stressed by 'clutter' and am forever trying to clear the house of things grown out of or no longer (or never) needed in order to clear my mind. How much better not to acquire it in the first place! I also actually rather dislike shopping (aside from op-shopping), the crowds and decisions are a cause of stress.

Too much STUFF! Though, aside from the alcohol (believe it or not), most of this gets fairly regular use. Still wish it were tidier though.

So I think I might take a cue from Frugal in Tasmania and give this not shopping a try, though I am only going to aim for 6 months. I'm calling it the 'J to J shopping challenge'. Along with this I intend to continue to declutter.

So - what is on the 'Naughty List' and what is on the 'Nice List'? It seems important to have some idea (and write it down) at the start - so I can't cheat.

Nice

Food & drink - including coffee with friends, eating out & occasional take-away.

School clothes.

Replacements for worn out clothes, shoes and other regularly used items (if they can't be repaired).

Items necessary for repairs.

School and University books & supplies.

Photo books (I do one each year for the kids).

Children's birthday presents.

Basic toiletry items.

Cleaning supplies (consumables).

Vegetable seedlings & other plants for the garden.

Medicine & first-aid items.

Naughty

Ornaments / Decorations.

Jewelry.

Make-up (exception - replacement of used up items).

Gadgets.

Books (except as required for school or uni).

Clothes (except replacements).

Fabric (yes, this is going to be hard, but I do really have plenty to be going on with).

Tools, including Garden tools (unless absolutely needed for an already planned project, or a repair, and where I can't borrow it from Dad).

Household goods.

Camping equipment.

Games.

Sporting equipment.

Tupperware (even if it is from the op-shop).

Cake at the coffee shop.

Bicycle gear (except for repair & maintenance & to enable us to achieve our plan of independent cycle touring).

Can you think of anything else that I should add? Suggestions welcome.

I will also take another piece of inspiration from 'Frugal' and aim for more days where I don't spend any money than days on which I do. This should have the effect of making me more efficient in my shopping habits, which will in turn reduce the stress of having to go to the shops, the chance of being tempted to make unnecessary purchases, and give me more time for other things.

Intended (and hoped for) outcomes: Less 'stuff' cluttering up our home and our lives; lower stress levels; an increased consciousness about consumerism and needs vs wants; more money saved; less time spent exposed to commercial settings.

I'll try to keep a running record of how I am going here - just like Frugal (though I don't know that my writing style is as interesting to read) - starting with the first two days.

NY day - no spend (not too hard).

Today (2/1/14) - pre-planned spending mainly on items to take my boys for their first overnight hike: extra tent pegs; water bladders; micro fibre towels; water purification tabs; camping cutlery & crockery (this is actually a birthday present); plus iron on patches to repair a couple of pairs of jeans. And a coffee. Thankfully all of these items are on the 'Nice List' as they are replacements for irreparable items needed for an activity that the family participates in regularly, or to enable other items to be repaired.  I also have to go and get petrol, vegetables and medicine on the way home.

Now, I've made the commitment in writing, anyone want to join me for moral support? Or just add the odd helpful tip or comment as I go along?

Here's to 2014!

Ravs

So long - and big changes.

I can't believe it is over a year since I posted on this blog!
I completed my Permaculture Design Course at Northey Street City Farm - fabulous! But progress on implementing the plan in my garden has been slow. Firstly because it is just sooooo hot and humid here in the summer, and then because I began another course.
This one is a really big deal - I'm changing careers!
Saw the writing on the wall for my role of 16 years in the form that I love. When the Royal Children's Hospital (Brisbane) closes and moves to the Qld Children's Hospital it will no longer be possible to provide the same type and level of services that we have done in the past (as they haven't allowed for it in the plan - but we won't go into that), and I recognised that the job would change into something that I would not find particularly rewarding or stimulating.  So I have begun studying for a career I have long considered - Secondary Teaching! I am specialising in Physics.
This of course was a lot of work on top of paid employment & parenthood - so no coming back to the blog!

Soon after beginning the Grad Dip, Voluntary Redundancies were offered and, given the climate, prospects for the future, and my already determined plan, this was too good to refuse. It means I can complete my studies faster too! (As an aside, my workmates gave me a voucher to spend at Edible Landscapes - a volunteer run, organic nursery at Northey Street, as a going away present. Aren't they wonderful & clever?)
Not 'working' hasn't seemed to mean that I am making great progress on the garden though. Silly me took on Presidency of the P&C the day I found out I'd been made redundant. Thought I would have time after all (and no-one else put up their hand).
However - maybe, just maybe, I might be able to post a little more often. And over at my other blog RavsCreations - where I will write about some of the Refashions (like the one at right) that I have been doing lately in preparation for a demonstration at our upcoming Quilt and Textiles Show (August 31st, Milton State School for those of you in Brisbane).
I hope you'll hang in their with me.
Ravs.

After a while....

I thought I would give you an update on a couple of things.

Sourdough: A friend asked if I could bring some of the first batch along when I visited her - but I didn't think it would be great after 5 days (and in the end there wasn't any left), so I made my second batch a couple of days earlier than planned.
The first batch was made primarily with Coles brand wholemeal flour.  The second with Biodynamic Wholemeal Wheat Flour by Red Gum Milling.  This second flour was much finer, without all the obvious pieces of bran.  I also tried to handle the dough less between the first & second proof - to retain more of the air as I felt the first batch was a bit dense for my liking (SMD described it as tasting & feeling like a German Rye Bread - fine if that is what you want).  The other change is that the second proof took place overnight in the fridge, so I could bake the bread fresh in the morning.
This is the result:

I forgot to slice the tops - so they are very plain looking.

They turned out a lighter colour inside, and slightly less dense.

I have planted out the seedlings that I showed you in "Inactive - not quite" into the second vegetable garden.  And labelled them using plastic labels cut from a 2 litre milk bottle.  I found that the icy-pole sticks quickly grew mould and became unreadable, hopefully these will work better.

Seedlings newly planted - still in their toilet roll or egg carton homes.

As you can see I set up the automatic watering system at the same time, it's on the same circuit as the other bed, but has small sprays instead of drip lines.  The net cover is essential - when I had it open to work on the watering system Elsa (the Isa Brown) was in digging up the seedlings straight away!

The potatoes in the chicken feed bags are going well.

I have already added some lucerne hay to the bags, and straight after this picture was taken I rolled the sides up a bit and added plenty of soil, filling up the gaps as much as I could, then gave them a good water.

And lastly - the first vege bed is going OK - with its beetroot, carrots & bok choy.

Sourdough

My favourite sort of bread is sourdough - it just seems to have so much more flavour, texture & body and today I made my first loaves!

I've been meaning to try making a sourdough starter for a while, but you know how it is, I just didn't find one of those round to-its.

Fortunately J5 and I went to stay with some dear friends in Stanthorpe last weekend and, prior to leaving, I was given the generous gift of some of their sourdough starter, which originated in a bakery in Tasmania!

So, on Friday morning before leaving for work I fed it with 100g of wholemeal flour and 100ml of lukewarm water.  Then I fed it again when I got home.  An hour later I removed 200g and put it in a clean glass jar and into the fridge to keep for next time.  This morning this is what the remainder looked like:

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble.....

1kg wholemeal flour, 600ml lukewarm water and plenty of therapeutic kneading later......

Ready for the first proof.

After a few hours, and a 6yo McDonald's party (which thankfully J5 sent me away from), we had fun punching the dough down and shaping it ready for the second proof - after which it looked like this:

In to bake, closely following instructions, including putting a tray of boiling water in the oven for the first few minutes to form a nice crust.  I enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine and ABC Classic FM while reading my latest Michael Pollen book "The botany of desire" and keeping an eye on the oven temperature (you have to gradually decrease it from 240degC to 180degC over 45 minutes).  The loaves were removed from the oven just as SMD & L8 walked up the stairs after watching our Senior team defeat Mitchelton 5-3, Go ACE!

Of course we all had to try a piece warm from the oven.  Not bad for a first attempt I think.

PS Talking of Michael Pollan, if you live in Sydney he is going to be giving a talk at the Opera House on the 10th July 2012.