Downsizing to a Minimalist

We're out of the house and back into an apartment. Not a big deal for us. Some repairs were made to the house but there was so much wrong with it. It needed more work than we were told, plumbing, structure, etc. Just goes to show you even if you think the repair job is good you could run into more than you can handle.

One of the things we're going to have to fix is the amount of stuff we have! From the 15k sqft house to a 700sqft apartment things certainly do NOT  fit. So how to make it fit? First we downsized out entertainment center from a 2 piece to a small 1 piece that fits just the tv and game system. The desk has gone from a corner desk to a single top desk. And no more dining room. That last part is the only sad thing about it all.

But what did we do with all the stuff? We sold most of it! Between Craigslist and a yard sale we got rid of many things we didn't need and made a small profit. The rest of it went to charity. Since we don't have room I didn't want to keep it all here; we didn't see the point in renting a storage unit for things we don't need. So, out it went!

Here's to a less cluttered home!

Stay green,
Yasha

New Kitchen courtesy of Resale

I've just gotten home after a full day family fun. My only disappointment today was the realization that I was 100 tiles shy of refinishing the bathroom.

Today we visited Re-Store. Re-Store is a resale store featuring items needed to remodel an repair homes. Everything is donated or rescued from the dumpsters at job sites. This wonderful store is run laby Habitat for Humanity and everything you purchase goes to funding new homes for people that need them!

After spending 2 hours sorting through 8x8in tiles I finally realized I would be 100 tiles short of the 260 I need. *sigh* Oh well, I can try again later.

Stay green, Yasha

Christmas presents for Grandparents

While at the Goodwill today (browsing for more frames) I noticed some very nice photo albums. Hmm, Grandparents like pictures of the grandkids right? Just how expensive are these albums? 50 CENTS!?

Score!

Now how to fill them? I know Walgreens has deals on 4x6 photos from time to time. Usually, 10 cents each. I think I could swing that. It looks like the grandparents will be getting more pictures of the grandkids this year. Won't that make them so happy?

Recycling clothes... and saving money

So the easiest way to save money, at least that I've found, is to sell things you don't use. I guess that isn't really saving money but making money off of things you don't use. But money is money lets not quibble over how it gets into our pockets.

Every time my baby outgrows something I take it to a resale shop. Most of the shops offer store credit for items brought in and I use the credit to buy new clothes. I've seen a lot of outfits that still have tags on them. I've even located a few resale or consignment shops around town that take adult and teen clothes. Saving money and recycling how much better can it get?

For all of the clothes I can't sell at shops I sell in yard sales. This is a slightly trickier since I don't have a yard or driveway. I have found, however, if you ask a friend they will let you borrow theirs. If you don't know anyone that has a driveway sometimes you can locate community yard sales. For a small fee you get a spot to display your stuff. These are similar to a flea market but usually much cheaper.

Shopping at yard sales are a good way to recycle as well. When I was pregnant a coworker went to neighborhood yard sales and bought me a whole maternity wardrobe! Many of the items were brand names and quite stylish. It's not always a score but if you shop the nicer neighborhoods it's very easy to find great clothes usually in decent condition.

One last place I like to shop is Goodwill. Now I know they don't really have many nice clothes but when I go to donate items I can't get rid of at shops and sales I do peruse the racks. Do I buy a lot there? No. But time to time I find a cute shirt in great condition or a pair of pants from my favorite store.

So how is any of this recycling? If it doesn't go straight to a landfill and someone else is reusing it wouldn't that be recycled?

Stay green,
Yasha

What recycling really means

So I'm sitting here eating my cheddar bunnies and thinking of what recycling really means.

Recycling is not just the act of taking stuff to the recycling centers or putting it out in your curbside bin. It's more than that. Recycling is taking items to consignment shops, resale shops, goodwill, and yard sales. It's throwing that banana peel on a compost pile instead of in the trash. It's using cloth, hybrid, or green diapers.

You know that old t-shirt with all the holes in it? Well if you can't wear it anymore use it to wash or dry your car, dust your house, or wash windows, counters, etc! It's amazing what you can do with things when you put your mind to it.

The side of my cheddar bunnies box recommends using it for a bookmark, arts and crafts projects, and coloring paper. Go figure, my box of bunnies has a life outside of holding cute little edible rabbits.

I know that flylady would pull her hair out at my collection of boxes towards the end of the week and yes I know it's unsightly. However, as I find more ways to recycle I find myself getting rid of more clutter around my apartment. I guess recycling is a lot different from how my mom taught me it should be.

Stay green,
Yasha