Three Big Garbage Bags

Three Big Garbage Bags donated to the local op-shop today.

It felt good!!

I really don't know how I end up with all this stuff I don't need. I did mention I went on "Holiday Mode" for a bit over Christmas. Plus I guess I do have a Newborn Baby!

I gotta do a better job of not letting them come into the house in the first place.

Some things in them bags were:

1. toys my daughter (3) no longer plays with
2. some books: I'm slowing editing my bookshelf
3. my son's school shoes: still some life left in them!
4. bags (plastic bags, paper bags, present bags): the shop re-uses these

Practising Minimalist Self-Control at the local op-shop

I was very proud of myself today as I found but did not buy the red Alice McCall dress at the local op-shop.

Well, only a little bit proud, as I spent $19 a couple of days ago buying bits and pieces. Some needed, some not so needed.

Items:
gumboots for M $4.00
Maternity top for me $5.00
camping tea pot $3.00
melamine tray $2.00
silk scarf 50c
newborn top, New (Made in France) $4.00
sunglasses for E 50c

My excuse is that, had I been alone, the total tally would have come down by three.

However, that is still quite a few items. I always try and do a net-zero or net-negative so that the number of items I donate is greater than the number of items I bring home after an op-shop visit. I'm not sure if this is actually working to minimise Stuff in my home.

Op-shops are my weakness. I detest shopping centres but I love op-shops.

Step Away from the Op-Shop!!!

I've had a Bad Month

I've had a bad month.

Firstly, I went to IKEA...!

Then I went to the local op-shop. Every week.

Then I went to a garage sale.

I didn't need anything in particular, but it's very strange how you "find" things to buy when you are not thinking/concentrating/focussing!!!!

I went to IKEA to exchange some dining chairs. Instead I came home $120 poorer and bought:

1. Christmas decorations x 3
2. Wrapping paper
3. Three foldable chairs
4. Bed linen for M
5. Plastic storage containers x 3

I've been visiting the local op-shop very regularly and this is my downfall. I need to stop going! Or just go to donate.

1. 93 dice (!)
2. A black and cream lace Cooper St top
3. Maternity dress
4. A white Scandinavian metal camping kettle
5. 4 tier stainless steel Indian lunch box
6. Boardies for M
7. Salt & pepper set in the shape of a cracked egg

I shouldn't beat myself up too much...it is November.

And I've done ok for the year till now. But I need to concentrate and re-focus. And work on minimising Stuff in my life. I need to be prepared for Christmas...oh, the onslaught of Stuff!

HELP!!

7 Reasons to Buy Second-Hand

1. Secondhand Goods are less expensive

2. Secondhand Goods don't require new resources to make

3. Secondhand Goods are better made

4. Secondhand Goods don't generate pollution

5. Secondhand Goods don't come with plastic packaging

6. Secondhand Goods - You are stopping it from going to landfill

7. Secondhand Goods - You are supporting a charity and/or the local economy

Read more here: Peak Oil Hausfrau

Of course, there are times you cannot buy second-hand with safety and hygiene issues, e.g. underwear, swimmers, car seats, helmets.

And sometimes, you don't have Time to look for something secondhand. Buying from garage sales, vintage shops, op-shops and ebay takes time. So for convenience, we need to go the Shops.

But most things I reckon I can get second-hand. And there are some gems I have discovered at vinnies, flea markets and garage sales.

I have bought:

Sass & Bide jeans
Lee jeans
Country Road pure wool black cardigan
Milkshake skirt
Easiyo yoghurt maker
Vintage Smurf hankerchiefs
Silk scarf
1920s vintage vase
Books
Vintage wooden Babar puzzles
Photo frames
1950s melamine trays
Glassware
Vintage Weet Box tin
Airplane cutlery

This is my most recent purchase...I know, this is a Minimalist blog, and I shouldn't be adding things to my collection...but how could I resist?

Even a Minimalist couldn't resist ;)

Give Away Box

I have a box in my bedroom that is ready to go to Vinnies*. It's the Permanent Give Away Box. There's a nice Vinnies up the road, with nice old friendly ladies volunteering there. The box gets filled up with things that I no longer need.

Once it gets full, I put it on the pram and go for a walk up the road and donate the box.

It's a bit messy having a box out permanently, but I find if it's not in there, it's all too easy to put whatever I no longer need back in storage.

One downside is that the kids sometimes rummage through it and suddenly decide something is their new favourite toy. So I usually try and disguise it with an old item of clothing on top. Or put a lid on the box. Or get it out the door quick - during their sleep time.

It's good to not think too much about it! I try to follow my guts. I haven't used it, I don't really like it...in it goes. Don't think about how much it cost, who gave it to you, how the kids used to play with it etc. Because more often than not, I'm not going to miss it. In fact, I don't think I can even remember what was in last week's box.

*St Vincent de Paul's: a charity store. I think Americans call them Goodwill stores. There's a few others in Sydney like Anglicare and Salvos (Salvation Army), usually run by a church, selling secondhand goods to help the disadvantaged. They always welcome donations - clothes, books, toys, kitchen stuff - but not big white goods.