Falling off the Wagon

The wagon had a lot of baggage on it

I have a confession- the old Clutterella came back for a while.

It's my Ireland trip. What happened is that I kept thinking of things that I HAD to have before I left. And I bought them. All of them.

First, I thought, my current digital camera is kind of mediocre. I don't want to come back with anything less than fantastic photos. I should get a new camera before I go.

Then I said, my suitcase is a little banged up, and also clashes with my huge collection of Vera Bradley weekend luggage (I live in the South, don't judge). A new suitcase is a must-have for my trip.

And on it went- a new cardigan, a Vera Bradley villager- they retired my pattern, I was afraid it would sell out, it's a Southern girl thing, don't judge- a pair of lightweight hiking boots, some incredibly expensive wool-poly blend socks to go under the boots, a new pair of sneakers to wear on non-hiking boots days. I think that's all but I might have forgotten something.

Here's the thing: I have been trying for almost a year to get away from the belief that more stuff will make my life better. That's what was really behind the shopping. I kept thinking that if I had a cuter evening wardrobe I would get out more; if I bought nicer workout clothes I would go to the gym more; if I bought TONS of healthy groceries I would stop eating junk; if I bought the right floor cleaning appliance I would keep the house cleaner (I still struggle with this one)....and so on.


What I have learned is that if I want to get out more, I need to get out more (and not spend my going-out funds on stuff); if I want to go to the gym more often, I need to put on my shoes and go. The eating junk and messy house issues are not completely resolved, but I have given myself permission to focus on my big goals and let some things go.


On the other hand, there is some stuff that does make your life better. Hiking boots were recommended for the trip because it rains a lot and boots keep your feet dry better than "trainers." I have been really disappointed with the performance of the camera I bought 18 months ago. When I returned from the Bahamas last summer, I was sad to see how dull the ocean and sky looked in the pictures, and I spent a lot of time doctoring them on the computer to match my memory of those beautiful colors. And, right or wrong, I am the kind of person who would feel uncomfortable dragging around a ratty suitcase that clashed with my carry on.

So I guess this comes down to the issue of simplicity, rather than minimalism. I am spending a lot of money to go to Ireland, and I don't want the trip to be disappointing because I had wet feet the whole time, or because my photos don't capture what it really felt like to be there, or because I walked around Dublin in sneakers with poor arch support and a too-small tote bag.


You guys in the peanut gallery have been pretty quiet lately. I know you're out there...I was hoping you could tell me about a time when you went overboard getting ready for a trip, and whether you were ultimately glad or sorry that you did it? Or, just keep lurking, whatever.

See you soon, KISS (keep it simple stupid), and check out the Vera Bradley bags before you judge.

Overstimulated

I can't say exactly when it happened, but at some point this former teenage mallrat has become unable to handle the mall. There are too many people, too many signs, too many folks in kiosks trying to straighten your hair and give you hand lotion samples. I find it completely overwhelming.

Another problem is that when I get to the mall, I understand how my closets got so full of monsters (and by that I mean crap I don't need) in the first place.

First, there is the pervasive message that if you buy a little more, you can save money. For example, buy one get one half off deals mean that you have to buy a second item that you were probably not planning to get, otherwise you miss out on a great deal. Did you ever end up buying a second pair of shoes that you didn't really love, just because you knew you would get them half price? And God forbid that you chose to only buy one anyway, the poor saleslady will give herself a hernia trying to convince you of the folly of your ways. Similarly, there is the "one is $4.50 but you can get three for $10" set up. You definitely spend less on each item, but in the end you spend $10 instead of $4.50. Did you need three tubes of lip gloss? Are you going to use them all, or will you find the extra two in a closet somewhere years later and toss them?


Then there's the mall deal that almost draws out my inner Clutterella every time: the purchase-with-purchase. This is like my kryptonine- there must be some marketing concept to say that if you offer to "let" someone buy something, instead of just plain old selling it to them, they will want it even more. I'm pretty much a big sucker for this kind of thing, and I must not be the only one.

Case in point: today I went to the Bath and Body Works to buy a gift for someone. I can actually resist B&BW gimmicks pretty well because I have really gotten away from wearing anything scented (not a political stance or anything, just a personal preference). I got to the store and the friendly sales clerk immediately began to offer helpful suggestions, then brought me a big bag to carry my items around in, then thought of other things I could get to add to my gift. He and the lady at the register told me about this great deal: if I spent $30, I could purchase this Exclusive Tote Bag with over $75 worth of products for only $20.  My total purchase was $27, but the cashier made sure to let me know that if I only spent $3 more, I could "get" (BUY!) the Exclusive Tote Bag. If I had followed her advice, I would have walked out of the store having spent at least $50 and with a bag of products I really didn't want or need. So helpful!

So if you are wondering why your closets are packed full and you can't seem to accumulate any savings, you can probably blame at least some of the problem on the marketing geniuses at your local shopping mall and the pushy helpful salespeople who make sure you are getting the best deals.

I have told you before that I am not trying to be a minimalist. I do still shop sometimes, and occasionally I find myself at the mall. Luckily, we have been on this awesome get-rid-of-the-closet-monsters journey together. Now that I have taken the time and effort to get rid of so many things I didn't really need, it's much easier to resist buying more stuff that I (still) don't really need. Most of the time anyway.

Thank you for making it all the way through this rant. So long for now, KISS (keep it simple stupid), and don't forget that, no matter what the sales clerk tells you, it is impossible to save money by buying more stuff.

My Weird Addiction

Jane's Melissa's Addiction

I wish I had an interesting addiction. Something they make 12-step programs for, like online poker, or feet. At least you can get some good reality TV out of those.

Sadly, my addiction comes straight out of a sitcom. Not an edgy, award-winning sitcom where the dad turns out to be a serial killer or a polygamist, but one where there is coordinated Ethan Allen furniture and a laugh track.


I, Melissa Clutterella, am addicted to buying floor cleaning devices.

The problem is that I hate mopping, sweeping, scrubbing, and any other "ing" that is required to get the dirt off the floor. What happens is that I am just hanging out, watching TV, when some lady with perfect teeth and pressed khakis comes on and tells me that her device will solve all of the floor hygiene problems in my entire house, and also bring about world peace.

Seriously, I have a problem...

You are probably thinking, "Wow, you must have the cleanest floors ever. Like you could eat off of them and walk around in white socks on them."

Sadly, no. It doesn't matter how many gadgets I buy. The ultimate problem is that I can't purchase the desire to put my fun plans on hold for an hour and clean the floors. So the devices all accumulate in the closets. And the floors stay dirty.

I really haven't come up with a solution to the problem. All I can do is try to keep my floor cleaner buying more or less under control. I just keep hoping that I will one day find the perfect one and then I will never have to buy another vacuum, mop, scrubber, or doohickey again.

On a separate note, my bedroom closet is once again infested with monsters.

Leo prowling for monsters

Those suckers have got to go. Soon. Until then, maybe you can tell me about some of your weird addictions so I don't feel so lame?

So long and KISS (keep it simple stupid).

PS: I almost forgot to tell you about my new favorite blog, Flourish in Progress. This chick might be my Korean-American soul sister who says fuck a lot.

Cash Diet

I'm going on a Cash diet starting this week.

Kafkan from flikr

It's not actually a Johnny Cash diet, but isn't that a cool mural?

What I'm doing is trying to use cash, instead of my debit card, for day-to-day purchases. As you might have guessed from my recent coupon post, I am trying to do a little better with my finances. Don't worry, I don't need a telethon or anything, I just feel like all of the money is getting spent and I'm not sure where it's going. Most financial gurus would say that the solution is to log all of my expenditures into a spreadsheet or something. Do any of you do that? Doesn't sound like simplicity to me, it sounds more like a cute handbag overflowing with receipts and a bunch more piled up on the dining room table, all waiting to be logged into Quicken.

For me, I think the problem stems from two sources: I have a LOT of bills on automatic deduction and I'm not really keeping track of what I spend on my debit card. The solution to the automatic deduction is pretty easy- most of those bills are fixed amounts, so I need to just create a record of what deducts when (and by that I mean write it on a post-it) and keep it around.  The solution to the debit card problem is to use the thing less.

I have done the cash diet before. When I was in nursing school, my spending money was so limited that it was easier to just get whatever was left after bills in cash and use that for extras.  It helped prevent overspending, which meant I was not afraid to check my bank balance. I continued the cash habit for a while after I graduated, and I noticed that I spent less money that way. There is something about getting the cash from the ATM, counting the dollars out of your wallet, and watching the wallet get empty that connects you with the amount you're spending in a way that swiping a debit card does not.

Sadly, I have fallen out of the habit and am back to using my card for almost everything. I was embarrassed to buy a newspaper at the gas station for $1.50 and not have enough cash to pay for it. I also overdrafted my account in June because I lost track of what was deducting and what I spent. The bank moves money from my savings to cover it, but charges me an $8 fee (how many coupons does it take to make that up?) and the money never seems to get moved back to my savings.  Worst of all, I am usually very disciplined about moving a certain amount money to savings right after I get paid, but lately I wait until right before payday and just transfer some of what's left.

If you look online, there are tons of articles about all-cash diets, like this one and this one (guess who learned how to use the link button!). The second article, which has profiles of people living on all cash, has people saying things like, "we don't feel like we're skating on the edge of a cliff," and "[I] would dread going to the mailbox..." Personally, I am hoping to stop getting nervous when I log onto my bank account webpage because I will actually know how much money is there. Worrying about finances is not the key to a simple life!

Unlike the folks in the articles, I am not giving up plastic entirely. I am still planning to use my debit card for gas- it's just too convenient and I am always out of gas when I'm in a hurry to get somewhere. I will also use a credit or debit card for online purchases. My super low tech solution for keeping track of what I have spent is a little slip of paper in my wallet. I balance my checkbook (including pending deduction), write down what's left, and subtract whatever I pull from the ATM or spend on a card.

The most compelling argument for an all-cash diet might be this: some people find that an all cash diet leads to healthier food choices, which can lead to weight loss. Now that I have my CEN, it might be time to set a new goal. But more on that soon...

Until next time, KISS (keep it simple stupid), and try carrying some dollars in your wallet!

Coupons without Chaos

The question I am attempting to answer right now is: "Are coupons a way to help me focus my finances on the things I really want, or just another way to add clutter to my life?"

Don't worry, you won't have to stand behind me in line while I purchase 3 cartloads of garbage bags and canned ravioli for $5.49 plus 37 coupons. I have neither the time, the space, nor the inclination to go overboard. I am just wondering if I can save a few bucks and make some smarter purchases.

Interestingly, Yahoo featured an article just this week about the impracticality of Extreme Couponing (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/household-finances/why-extreme-couponing-wont-work-for-you/article2089689/). The article pretty much highlights some of my reasons for not using coupons that often: they take time and organization, they cause you to buy extras that have to be stored, you can mostly save on unhealthy food, and they tempt you to buy things you don't really want or need. My personal coupon issue is that the target coupon audience seems to be families with children and I am a single girl who lives alone.

Nevertheless, I am going to make a concerted effort to use coupons as much as possible for the next few weeks. I will need to be extra careful to make sure that they help me spend less and not buy more. I also need to make sure that they don't cause any undue chaos in my life or (more likely) across my dining room table.

This week I bought the Sunday paper and flipped through the sale adds. I did find a handful of coupons for things I would be buying anyway, probably enough to offset the $1.50 cost of the newspaper. I also found out what brands were on sale at what stores. For example, I knew I was running low on eye cream. Normally I would buy it at Target, but I saw in the flier that my brand was $2 off at CVS. I needed to pick up a prescription there anyway. I paid for my prescription, got a $1 CVS bonus bucks coupon, and used that coupon toward my eye cream purchase. So I saved $3 with very little effort. Win!

Today I decided to try one of those online coupon sites. I used Coupons.com and found about $2 worth of savings on things I would normally buy. Unfortunately it was very easy to get distracted by adds for surveys promising payments or entries into drawings for gift cards. I spent about 30 minutes taking some ridiculous survey, and will probably have to de-spam my inbox tomorrow after giving my e-mail address to that site. Fail!

I think I am going to keep getting the Sunday paper and limiting my couponing activity to that. I will have to make some specific rules for myself about newspaper disposal- I might as well read the thing but plan to get rid of it by Monday evening to prevent pileup. The coupons themselves were great, but the sale fliers were even better- I used them to plan what purchases will be made at which store to get the best deals.

My other plan is to sign up for a Target visa. I buy a lot of toiletries and household goods there, so I think the 5% savings will be worth it, even if it means keeping track of another card. I notice that with my Macy's card I get lots of special deals and offers, so I am hoping to get the same thing from Target. It will just take a little discipline to not overspend on the card- it will not save me any money if I have to pay interest on a balance.

Anyway, I'm sort of new to this couponing thing. Does anyone else have great tips on saving money without sacrificing simplicity? Please post in the comments- I am sure we would all love to hear!

Until next time KISS (keep it simple stupid) and wish me luck!

Does Anyone Really Need More Stuff?

The  holiday season is where my desire for simplicity goes to war with my traditional belief that more is better when it comes to Christmas. Truly, I love the decorations, the parties, the plans to see family members who are far away, and especially the tasty treats. But there is one place I like to be a little Stoogy: the gifts.

Before you unfriend me on Facebook and un-invite me from your holiday party, hear me out, okay? What I'm saying is, who do you know that really needs more stuff? And, do you ever get through Christmas even remotely on budget? And, when you watch your young relatives opening piles of presents, don't you ever notice that in the end they only really love one or two of the presents?

I am not, by any means, saying that we should stop giving gifts altogether. Actually, Leo Babauta is saying that in this post (http://zenhabits.net/bah/#more-7270).  I very interested in hearing about how he explains this position to his six children. What I do propose is that we take a less is more approach to holiday shopping. Here are some thoughts:

My co-worker is a single mother of five children. She says that each child receives only 2-3 larger gifts at Christmas, rather than a pile of small presents. Her perspective is: "I don't like to pick up toys!" She finds that when she works Christmas this way, the gifts are better quality and the children enjoy the presents more and for longer.

Most of us struggle with where to put more "things." I really try to give gifts that aren't things- magazine subscriptions are some of my favorite gifts. I also like to give restaurant gift cards and fancy foods (Omaha steaks and Harry and David baskets are my favorites).  These are gifts that get used up, instead of hanging around the house collecting dust.

Everyone LOVES gift cards- don't feel bad that they are not personal. They allow the recipient to pick something really that he or she really wants in the perfect size and color.

I really don't mind if people return gifts I give them, and I show this by including a gift receipt whenever possible. Lots of people feel too guilty to get rid of an unwanted gift, so it hangs around until the inconvenience outweighs the guilt. I don't want one of my gifts doing this.

It really is the thought, not the cost, that counts.

Very few of us will give or receive many "perfect" gifts in our lifetime. Good enough is good enough. Just don't forget the gift receipt.

Just some thoughts for holiday shopping sanity. Feel free to post your own tips for preventing "Holidaze." Goodbye for now and KISS (keep it simple stupid).

Just Because Your Mother is Coming...

It's that time of year again. It's getting colder, the holiday shopping is in full swing, your pants are all too tight from the constant treats, and oh, yeah...your mother is coming to visit!

Maybe its not your mother. Maybe its your friends or siblings, perhaps you are hosting a Christmas party, or possibly, your (gasp) in-laws are coming. For me, this is the time of year when I walk around the house with a critical eye and start thinking about buying shiny new stuff to replace the stuff that was perfectly good for the past eleven months.

Case in point: when my parents visit, they sleep in my bed (because my "guest bed" is an aerobed on the floor and my mom's knees don't handle that well). This week I bought a memory foam mattress topper (which is AWESOME!) that I had been planning to buy but specifically thought it would be nice for when my folks arrive. Fine. Next I started thinking that I should buy some new fitted sheets with a thicker pocket to hold the mattress topper better. Then I got to thinking that the guest bed duvet really needs replacing. And so on.  As if my check card really needs more use at this time of year.

When I wrote about having a deadline party, I told you that having house guests really compels me to buckle down and get things done around the house. I do tend to be more productive with a deadline, but  I can easily get carried away with what needs to be done to make the house "presentable." I have been sleeping on the same sheets for months now, and they have been just fine all along. Knowing that visitors are coming does not change anything.

Bottom line is that our mothers love us, ratty sheets and all. Our party guests are much more concerned with the company, food, and beverages than with the price point of our sofas.  I can't give you much advice about in-laws, except to say that your very complex relationship will probably not be affected by whether you purchase new dishes or not.

So this year I am resolving to keep the Monsters in my brain from getting out of hand by not buying anything for the house that I was not already planning to get.

I read a passage by Erma Bombeck a long time ago, in which she reflected at the end of her life on what she would have done differently. She wrote, "I would have eaten popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace." (for the whole passage click here: http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/11882.Erma_Bombeck) When I am looking around my house thinking that my dining room chairs are not that nice and my living room rug needs to be replaced, I try to remember that quote. At the end of the day your stuff doesn't make a nice holiday memory- you do that with yourself and the people you love. Or are related to anyway.

So goodbye for now and don't forget to KISS (keep it simple stupid)!

Buy Less Spend More

I read two very different (library) books this week that essentially had the same message: consume less, but spend more on what you buy.

The first book was How to Have Style by Isaac Mizrahi. I picked it up because I was getting ready to aggressively sort through my wardrobe and I wanted a little guidance on what to keep. The book was great and I highly recommend it, even if you are not decluttering. The message that stuck with me the most was that we should train ourselves to purchase fewer clothes but to choose better quality items to buy. While working through my closet, I reflected on my own shopping habits. I balk at spending $100 for one article of clothing, but I don't hesitate to spend $30-40 each on a handful of items. As a result, I have plenty of clothes that I like, but very few that I love. Ultimately, I spend more on the handfull of okay things than I would have spent on the one wonderful piece. I am probably not alone in this habit, because I know plenty of ladies who have a huge number of clothes, but never seem to have the perfect thing to wear.

My shopping diet is ending, so I have a new strategy: when I shop, I will limit myself to two purchases, and no more than one pair of shoes, item of clothing, or accessory at a time. I can always go back later, but the two item limit will help me focus on finding the one item I love most and leaving the "likes" for another Clutterella.

The second book, French Women Don't Get Fat, by Mirelle Guiliano, was a sort of "eat well for life" diet book. I love these kinds of books because the emphasis is on making small changes you can maintain forever, instead of herding you onto some crazy wagon you are sure to fall off of. The author is a French woman who now lives in New York, and has experienced the eating habits of both cultures. The idea is to eat only the freshest, highest quality food, in moderate quantities. Imagine the pleasure that comes from a really special meal contrasted with the guilt that comes from something greasy that you scarf down while driving! Similarly, not even the most delicious food tastes good when you are too stuffed to really enjoy it. Mme Guiliano also encourages us to eat plenty of seasonal vegetables, make homemade soup a frequent evening meal, and enjoy a glass of wine to enhance the experience. Et voila, the French secret to staying slim is only common sense, ne c'est pas? (And there you have it, all of the French I know in one sentence!).

My first step toward this type of diet was to change my chocolate habits. I bought a bar of high end, high coaco dark chocolate. I found that an ounce, at about 100 calories, is much more satisfying than a fudge popsicle (also around 100 calories). Even better, the dark chocolate has benefits for both the cardiovascular and nervous systems and lacks the high fructose corn syrup and xantham gum found in the popsicle.

I have had a busy couple of weeks- an unexpected major home repair, a sick pet than had to be put down, and a lovely weekend cruise to the Bahamas (where Mme. Guiliano's advice came very much in handy). My decluttering momentum was starting to wane, so I decided to do a quick project: the linen closet.

You will notice that this closet is pretty tiny and not that full, so it was a perfect place for a quick fix.

A bunch of disperate, non-linen items were crowded together with a pile of dust-collecting floastam at the bottom. The basket holds extra light bulbs, the lamp has been there for at least 4 years, and there is a bottle of liquid plumber just waiting to spill and ruin the floor. Lots of pet hair completes the look.

I took everything out of the closet to start. The liquid plummer was moved into the bathroom where it can sit on a tile floor next to the tub, the lamp went to the Hospice Attic thrift store, and the towels were organized into bath, beach, hand and washcloth and separated accordingly. The middle shelf holds light bulbs, paper products, and a basket of extra shampoo and toilerties (only things I really use). The bottom of the closet holds a bulk package of TP and two baskets I hope to find a use for within 3 months- otherwise they will join the lamp at Hospice Attic.

I also found that the Universe rewards Those Who Donate- while taking items to Hospice Attic, I saw a really beautiful, simple leather handbag on a rack. When I went to look closer, I found out it was Prada and priced at $18.99. Now I have my first Prada purse and I didn't have to live on Ramen for two weeks to get it (Mme Guiliano would not approve of that anyway). More on thrift store shopping soon!