Stop Buying Stuff You Don't Need
by Dayana Yochim
Thursday, December 24, 2009
We may be getting used to tightening our belts. But that doesn't mean we're happy about it, because, let's face it: We love stuff.
More from Fool.com
• Retail Tricks That Make You Overspend
• 5 Ways to Stop Buying Stupid Stuff
• How-to Guide: Spend Smarter
We love shopping for stuff, setting stuff up, displaying stuff, and demonstrating our stuff's superiority (in speed, capacity, color, taste, size, you name it) to the other, lesser stuff out there.
Of course, no discussion of stuff is complete without a tip of the hat to George Carlin's famous monologue about it. (Watch it here. PG-13 rating, FYI.) "The whole meaning of life is trying to find a place for your stuff," he observed. "That's all your house is ... a pile of stuff with a cover on it."
Good point, George. Think about it...
* • Why do most people move? To find a bigger place for their stuff.
* • When someone breaks into your house, they're not interested in your fourth-grade mementos. No. They're after the good stuff.
* • Stuff is so important to us that an entire industry exists simply to keep an eye on it. (Container Store Addicts Anonymous, anyone?)
A lot of people have issues with stuff. However, all stuff is not created equal.
Your two piles of stuff: Most of what we spend our money on can be categorized in one of two ways: 1. Stuff we need. 2. Stuff we want. (A subset of No. 2: Stuff we claim to need -- for which we dream up elaborate justifications for buying to tell our spouses, friends, or bosses -- but as we all know, it's really just stuff we want.)
In the "need" pile are the obvious things like shelter (mortgage or rent), food, good health (medication and medical attention when necessary) and the means to earn a living (transportation, hot water for a shower, and appropriate shoes).
Everything else? Well, you know where to pile all that stuff -- right over there in the mountain of "wants."
Of course, stuff consigned to the "want" pile isn't necessarily bad. It's fine if it brings you joy, you can afford it, it makes your life or someone else's better, is not a choking hazard, and it's stored safely away from open flames.
What makes "wants" problematic is when you pay for them with tomorrow's dollars by putting them on a credit card and not paying them off in full, or when you acquire things simply to temporarily patch over an emotional void that no tangible acquisition can truly fulfill.
What to do when "want" is a four-letter word: If you find that your "wants" are consuming your mind, garage, and attic, there are some things you can do to cut down the pangs of acquisitiveness.
On one of our more popular discussion boards on Fool.com, "Living Below Your Means," members have offered some great tips on getting into the "want less" mind-set:
Avoid situations that make you want more stuff:
* • Put catalogs right in the recycling pile without reading them and unsubscribe ASAP.
* • Ignore the commercials on television. And whatever you do, don't turn on the shopping channels.
* • Don't hang out in shopping areas for recreation.
* • Stop window-shopping online. It's too easy to fill up your cart and click "buy."
Face the reality of acquiring that new [fill in the blank]:
* • Put the price in perspective: How many hours do you have to work to pay for the item?
* • Institute a waiting period. Often the excitement over a new gewgaw wears off after a few days -- or even hours.
* • Pay for it in cash. Studies show that forking over actual currency makes the pain of a purchase much more real than just putting it on plastic.
Realize how much junk you have now, and how much trouble it is:
* • Take a complete inventory of your house contents for insurance purposes. You might be surprised by the bounty of stuff you already have.
* • Do a weekly "27-fling boogie" a la Flylady: Go through the house and find 27 things you don't want to keep anymore)
* • Visualize moving all of your stuff to a new home, or your heirs going through everything after your death.
Appreciate the stuff you already have:
* • Keep warranties.
* • You worked hard to afford it in the first place, so perform basic repair and maintenance.
* • Lend things you don't use frequently to other people.
* • Fill your time with enjoyable -- and free! -- activities, such as spending time with family, playing sports, or pursuing a hobby. That leaves fewer hours in the day to pine for stuff!
Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to the mall we go anyway: Of course, at some point you're going to have to replenish the pantry, replace some lightbulbs, and maybe even buy some stuff to keep the other stuff you have in good working condition.
But before you reach for your wallet, do some pre-shopping prep so you acquire only as much stuff as you really need.
After years of training, Fool.com writer Dayana Yochim is ready to enter the Ironwoman competition and triumph in the Target-shopping challenge, where every item in contestants' shopping carts that's not on their original list results in a score reduction.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
hOW COOL IS THIS !!! FROM THE SUPERIOR EVENING TELEGRAM
Taken from our local paper, January 12,2010
Pair an ideas man with a problem solver. Add in technology that keeps people linked with the push of a button and a growing web of volunteers. Stir in some enthusiasm and a “can do” attitude. Then watch the momentum build.
“Lots of good things are happening in Wascott,” said Sheryl Beglinger, many of them prompted by the new Neighbors Helping Neighbors network. Since its inception in August, the group has winterized approximately 250 houses in the Gordon/Minong/Wascott area, hosted a Christmas day dinner and began developing a Neighborhood Watch Program. And more ideas are brewing.
“We’re learning more and more about the needs of the community,” said Beglinger, who lives in Wascott.
The idea for Neighbors Helping Neighbors started with Beglinger and Dean Nesley, who serve together on the town’s Community Resource Committee. After kicking options around in committee, they formed the group to work on them.
“We’re not a nonprofit, not an organization,” Beglinger said. “We’re just a network of people.” They are linked through e-mail and bursting with ideas.
The first project, lofted by Nesley, was to “Winterize Wascott.” For 20 years, he’s known that putting plastic over windows cuts heating costs. Many Wascott residents live in older homes. With a high concentration of retirees in the area, many are also living on a fixed income.
Beglinger called a company to ask what kind of plastic and tape would work best. The company searched their warehouse and found some they could donate. In September, 570 three-window kits arrived at the Beglinger’s home.
“I could not believe it,” Nesley said. “It mushroomed.”
Ads in the Northwoods Shopper touted the free kits, but the best response came when members of Neighbors Helping Neighbors brought kits to local senior meal sites and food shelves.
“I could hardly get it in the door fast enough,” Nesley said.
One Gordon resident who received the window kits and help installing them called the program “absolutely wonderful.” In total, 568 kits were given away.
Nesley noted that residents should save the plastic they remove this spring so they can put it up again in the fall.
Fresh off the success of “Winterize Wascott,” the network started developing a Neighborhood Watch program. About 30 people showed up for an initial meeting in October.
“We’re a long way from Superior,” said Steve Trainor of Wascott, who is heading up the Neighborhood Watch team, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department budget is tight. “It’s important to get information back and forth. The neighborhood watch could help immensely with that.”
By dividing the town into regions and tapping into local lakes association phone lists, Beglinger said, the program can keep residents connected. People who are out of the area can have folks keep an eye on their home, Trainor said, and neighbors can check in on elderly residents to make sure they are OK. E-mail alerts could provide a heads-up when burglaries have occurred in the area and remind people of the next meeting.
“Everybody’s watching out for everybody else,” Trainor said.
Beglinger said she hoped that the Neighborhood Watch program, once up and running, could be expanded to encompass neighboring communities.
The next project was a Christmas meal. Volunteers cooked enough hams and turkeys, rolls and cookies for 100 hungry people.
“Then the blizzard came,” Beglinger said with a laugh. About two dozen people showed up Christmas Day at the town hall, she said, and “we had a ball.”
Leftovers and funds collected were later dropped off with a local family in need. Next year, Beglinger said, they will also offer rides to the meal.
While reaching out, members of Neighbors Helping Neighbors have deepened their local ties.
“We’ve had a lot of fun,” Beglinger said, and have met a lot of great people. “I now feel like a member of the community of Wascott.”
“You get to know your neighbors a little better,” Nesley said.
And the ideas keep coming. Members of Neighbors Helping Neighbors could provide energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs for Wascott residents. Volunteers could plant flowers around the town hall or set up a playground. Members of the town – which has 900 voting members – could participate in a weight loss competition. The group gives e-mail updates on projects. Volunteers can choose to join in or sit this one out.
The group is riding a tide of enthusiasm and success.
“When people work together, you can get a lot done,” Nesley said. “Any community can do this.”
And everyone is welcome to join the network of volunteers.
“Anyone who wants to get involved can get involved,” Trainor said.
Nesley said he’d like to see more people asking “Hey, what can I do?”
Doing so can keep neighbors warm, protect communities and bring residents together.
“It turns the community into a network of people who care,” Beglinger said.
To join Neighbors Helping Neighbors, call Beglinger at (715) 466-2986 or e-mail Trainor at trainor@centurytel.net.
Pair an ideas man with a problem solver. Add in technology that keeps people linked with the push of a button and a growing web of volunteers. Stir in some enthusiasm and a “can do” attitude. Then watch the momentum build.
“Lots of good things are happening in Wascott,” said Sheryl Beglinger, many of them prompted by the new Neighbors Helping Neighbors network. Since its inception in August, the group has winterized approximately 250 houses in the Gordon/Minong/Wascott area, hosted a Christmas day dinner and began developing a Neighborhood Watch Program. And more ideas are brewing.
“We’re learning more and more about the needs of the community,” said Beglinger, who lives in Wascott.
The idea for Neighbors Helping Neighbors started with Beglinger and Dean Nesley, who serve together on the town’s Community Resource Committee. After kicking options around in committee, they formed the group to work on them.
“We’re not a nonprofit, not an organization,” Beglinger said. “We’re just a network of people.” They are linked through e-mail and bursting with ideas.
The first project, lofted by Nesley, was to “Winterize Wascott.” For 20 years, he’s known that putting plastic over windows cuts heating costs. Many Wascott residents live in older homes. With a high concentration of retirees in the area, many are also living on a fixed income.
Beglinger called a company to ask what kind of plastic and tape would work best. The company searched their warehouse and found some they could donate. In September, 570 three-window kits arrived at the Beglinger’s home.
“I could not believe it,” Nesley said. “It mushroomed.”
Ads in the Northwoods Shopper touted the free kits, but the best response came when members of Neighbors Helping Neighbors brought kits to local senior meal sites and food shelves.
“I could hardly get it in the door fast enough,” Nesley said.
One Gordon resident who received the window kits and help installing them called the program “absolutely wonderful.” In total, 568 kits were given away.
Nesley noted that residents should save the plastic they remove this spring so they can put it up again in the fall.
Fresh off the success of “Winterize Wascott,” the network started developing a Neighborhood Watch program. About 30 people showed up for an initial meeting in October.
“We’re a long way from Superior,” said Steve Trainor of Wascott, who is heading up the Neighborhood Watch team, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department budget is tight. “It’s important to get information back and forth. The neighborhood watch could help immensely with that.”
By dividing the town into regions and tapping into local lakes association phone lists, Beglinger said, the program can keep residents connected. People who are out of the area can have folks keep an eye on their home, Trainor said, and neighbors can check in on elderly residents to make sure they are OK. E-mail alerts could provide a heads-up when burglaries have occurred in the area and remind people of the next meeting.
“Everybody’s watching out for everybody else,” Trainor said.
Beglinger said she hoped that the Neighborhood Watch program, once up and running, could be expanded to encompass neighboring communities.
The next project was a Christmas meal. Volunteers cooked enough hams and turkeys, rolls and cookies for 100 hungry people.
“Then the blizzard came,” Beglinger said with a laugh. About two dozen people showed up Christmas Day at the town hall, she said, and “we had a ball.”
Leftovers and funds collected were later dropped off with a local family in need. Next year, Beglinger said, they will also offer rides to the meal.
While reaching out, members of Neighbors Helping Neighbors have deepened their local ties.
“We’ve had a lot of fun,” Beglinger said, and have met a lot of great people. “I now feel like a member of the community of Wascott.”
“You get to know your neighbors a little better,” Nesley said.
And the ideas keep coming. Members of Neighbors Helping Neighbors could provide energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs for Wascott residents. Volunteers could plant flowers around the town hall or set up a playground. Members of the town – which has 900 voting members – could participate in a weight loss competition. The group gives e-mail updates on projects. Volunteers can choose to join in or sit this one out.
The group is riding a tide of enthusiasm and success.
“When people work together, you can get a lot done,” Nesley said. “Any community can do this.”
And everyone is welcome to join the network of volunteers.
“Anyone who wants to get involved can get involved,” Trainor said.
Nesley said he’d like to see more people asking “Hey, what can I do?”
Doing so can keep neighbors warm, protect communities and bring residents together.
“It turns the community into a network of people who care,” Beglinger said.
To join Neighbors Helping Neighbors, call Beglinger at (715) 466-2986 or e-mail Trainor at trainor@centurytel.net.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Report: Wis. deer hunters shot dramatically fewer buildings
A Department of Natural Resources report says hunters shot 10 buildings. That’s down from 25 in 2008, 19 in 2007 and 15 in 2006.
Sure glad they were painted orange!!!
**********************************************************************************
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A state report says deer hunters shot dramatically fewer buildings during Wisconsin’s November gun hunt.
A Department of Natural Resources report says hunters shot 10 buildings. That’s down from 25 in 2008, 19 in 2007 and 15 in 2006.
The report describes the buildings as homes and barns. It says more rural residential development has put more buildings on the landscape.
Authorities determined the identity of the shooter in five of the incidents. Four of the shootings involved a rifle and another four a shotgun. The weapon in the remaining two incidents was unknown.
Sure glad they were painted orange!!!
**********************************************************************************
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A state report says deer hunters shot dramatically fewer buildings during Wisconsin’s November gun hunt.
A Department of Natural Resources report says hunters shot 10 buildings. That’s down from 25 in 2008, 19 in 2007 and 15 in 2006.
The report describes the buildings as homes and barns. It says more rural residential development has put more buildings on the landscape.
Authorities determined the identity of the shooter in five of the incidents. Four of the shootings involved a rifle and another four a shotgun. The weapon in the remaining two incidents was unknown.
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