An Interesting Dialogue...

As you know, I have been encouraging any readers out there to write me with any feedback/insights/opinions etc.  Well, today I received a very interesting comment posted to the blog that is more than worthy of opening a dialogue...

Cheryle writes:
I must say, good for you Maren, for pursuing this interesting goal! Life is way too short, and I feel it is imperative to do what you must in order to be happy and enjoy every single day on this planet.



Do you ever feel sometimes though... and I mean no disrespect whatsoever by tabling this, it's just something that I have struggled with for years... that society and the world in general is on a progressively downward spiral... and that a single person's positive, well-intended efforts, while totally admirable, are mostly futile? That's the biggest challenge I face, when it comes to me personally dialoguing with myself about 'living with less'. I am a responsible, hard-working adult with no serious accountability to anyone but myself (ie no kids, no husband, no pets, not even a houseplant!). If I want to buy something or travel somewhere, I just do. I have a hard time justifying denying myself the things I like, especially since I am a healthy, educated, tax-paying, contributing member of society. Now, you know how Todd and I live - and it's definitely not to excess. But we certainly do not go without... meaning that we each have the usual material possessions (a house - small, and a vehicle - economical) and we make the most of our vacation days every year. And yes, we also eat ALOT of meat (which we actually buy from a local organic farmer, and overall it is MUCH cheaper, not to mention healthier, than buying from a grocery store). Truthfully, I don't feel bad about my lifestyle.


I'm not saying that I agree with wasting non-renewable resources, and just dumping garbage freely, and not recycling or anything like that... we are humans, with cognitive ability, not animals... But the reason I have a job is so that I can live life to what my version of 'its fullest' is. I am curious to know if you ever feel torn? Because really (and this is merely my opinion - like I said, I've struggled with this for years), unless someone is going to move somewhere and 100% live 'off the grid'... like almost completely disappear... we are all negatively impacting the earth, whether we like it or not.


Your thoughts?

See?  Great insights and questions!  I only hope that I can be half as concise in trying to respond. 

In response to the issue of a single person's actions being mostly futile - to some point I agree... and it can be maddening to work so hard at something, and have others efforts practically reverse your efforts right in front of your eyes!  Let's take recycling for instance.  Every other week, us country dwellers have the privilege (not) of frequenting our local neighbourhood waste transfer station.  Week after week, I bring my carefully sorted and cleaned recycling materials in blue bags only to put them on top of bag after bag filled with recycling that is ALL SCREWED UP (and manky, and stinky, and... well, you get the picture)!  Honestly people!  An extra 5 minutes here and there and you could do it right too!!!  So, yes, when I watch my beautifully sorted bags go right in there with the disgusting ones, I will admit that it does make me a little crazy.  However, the way that I look at it is this: just because those idiots choose to do it that way, doesn't mean that I have to, especially when it is an act that requires virtually no skill, money or effort to do correctly. 

As for the rest of your comments, I think that I need to be more clear about something.  There are three reasons that I started down this road: 1) to save money, 2) to try and reduce my spending to only those products that we actually need and 3) to reduce my environmental impact by doing so.  In other words, #3 is more of a bonus side-effect of committing to #1 and #2.  I also should clarify what sent me over the edge and started all of this as well:  EXCESS.  Now that I am a mother, it has really caused me to try and see the world from Chephren's eyes, and I realize how much impact that I have on what he sees.  I feel that if Chephren sees his mom and dad being happy with what they have and spending their money responsibly and efficiently, then he will come to value these lifestyle practices as well.  When I look around at other children out there, we have started them on the path to excessive greed and consumerism practically from birth.  Now, I am not saying that I want Chephren to 'suffer' or anything, in fact it is quite the opposite.  Like any parent, I want Chephren to have the things that he enjoys and will make him happy, however, I also want him to find more value in people and experiences than in the material world.  So, if I truly want these things for Chephren, I needed to start leading by example, which is really what I am trying to do.  So no, I don't think that my actions will impact a huge number of people, but if they impact my son, than I do consider that a huge benefit.

Now comes the part where I deep-sea dive off of my large and over-bearing pedestal and qualify all of the above statements.  Trent and I aren't undergoing any major life changes here, not really.  We are not living off the grid (at all!) and still use natural gas and electricity to heat/run our home.  I drive a fairly large gas-guzzling vehicle and regularly fill it up and take it in for oil changes and other maintenance.  We are still planning on taking vacations, as we always have and still love to do, but this year (at least) we will just take less of them.  We are also going to be building a house in Nordegg this summer - also a huge expense and not high on the list of things we could do to save the natural environment!  I guess what I am trying to say is this:  NO, I am certainly not perfect, and I could even give you the names of several of my friends who are doing it better than me.  BUT, I do feel that for me, personally at least, the changes that we are making (however small), are improving not only our quality of life, but have given us a sense of purpose and a new-found resolve to meet the challenges that we have set for ourselves.  Frankly, I can also tell you that in one year, when the challenge is 'up', our future lifestyle will probably fall somewhere in the middle between the way we were living before and the way we will be living for the next year.  Even at this early stage, I can begin to see which new behaviours will be here to stay and which ones probably won't make sense for us in the long-term. 
So Cheryle, I would say 'you go girl' when it comes to living your life in the way that you are choosing to do so.  If the choices that you and Todd make are the choices that are making you happy, than you are truly living your life authentically (which is far more than I can say for a very large majority of people in our society).  In fact, the lifestyle that you and Todd lead is one that Trent and I have often envied - who wouldn't want to take the kind of trips that you guys take, and do the kind of rad stuff that you guys do?  I truly admire you for following your dreams and living each day to the fullest.
 
Thank you so much for your comments - and I hope that you don't mind that I highlighted them in this blog entry.  I really do feel like they were a great way to get a dialogue going, and I would even say that this has helped me to clarify some of my own feelings on some of the 'heavier' stuff.
 
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. ~Confucius (Who Me?!)
 
And tomorrow is another day :)
Marebear

Trent finds a lonely leek, and other remarkable transitions...

When I first told Trent that I was going to start this little project, his response was, "I'm not doing that".  I was expecting as much, so I just smiled and said, "Don't worry, I don't expect you to".  Now, two weeks into the project, I would say that he has definitely started to come around.  First of all, I think that he has realized how much money this is really going to save us.  I will be posting the official numbers after the first month is through, but it is looking like we are about to cut our retail/grocery bill in HALF!  He is also enjoying other perks, such as a clean and non-overstuffed fridge.  He actually said tonight while we were making dinner together, "I absolutely love the fridge like this!  I could just look at it all day!"  Given how well things are going, it was no surprise that our dinner tonight was also fabulous.  Trent made us a pasta/hamburger/sausage casserole which helped us use up a lot of odds and ends that were 'crowding' our newly sleeked-out refridgerator.  He was so pumped, even digging through the vegetable drawer trying to find stuff to put in (he found a lonely leek by the way, and it made a delicious addition to the casserole).

Perhaps the best perk of all however, has been a much happier wife to come home to at the end of the day.  I can't put my finger on it, but something inside me is fundamentally changing.  I find that I am more relaxed and easy going, which are two words that I would have never thought could EVER be used to describe myself.  Maybe it is that there is a certain satisfaction in doing something that I know I can be proud of.  Maybe it is the fact that I am no longer worried about so many things that don't MATTER.  Maybe I am just giddy at the thought of saving almost half of our annual family earnings...

Whatever it is, it is good, and worth every sacrifice that we have had to make so far (and yes, giving up Starbucks counts as a sacrifice). 

"Only two things are necessary to keep one's wife happy.  One is to let her think that she is having her own way, the other is to let her have it."  Lyndon B. Johnson

Go hug your spouse right now!
Marebear :)

When in Rome?

Twelve days ago I started this quest
To live with less, I will try my best
So far it has been an interesting ride
My rules have been tricky in which to abide

For instance, recently, I was not at home
And you know what they say, 'When you are in Rome'
Rome I was not, but Calgary instead
Staying in a hotel, not my own bed

While on this trip, my rules they began to unravel
For, how would I eat, drink and travel?
I did my best to follow my rules
Although every Starbucks I passed made me drool

I went there for work, not for fun or for kicks
Some rules I did follow, while others were nixed
I ate out a few times, and although it was free
I still felt like a cheat, how weak could I be?

Now that I'm home, I have gained some insight
On reflection, I managed to do some things right
For one, I did carpool, with my dad, which was great
I also brought my mug and some snacks which we ate

We also went out to a friends for one dinner
Of all of the meals we had, it was the winner
So, although I'm not perfect, I can honestly say
That I have yet to enjoy my favorite latte

As you can probably gather from the above poem, I was in Calgary for the past few days on a business trip - at a poetry workshop in fact!  Although it was a great event for me to attend, it did put me into a difficult situation as far as my challenge goes.  We did eat out at a few 'chain' restaurants, and I did enjoy a regular coffee or two, however, for the most part, I would say that I did abide by the fundamental principle of 'living with less', which is spending as little money as possible (the trip did not cost me a cent of my own money).  I would also say that I did not even take full advantage of this situation and kept my meals/snacks to very modest proportions. 

So, in hindsight, I have decided that I did the best that I could in this situation and I can hold my head high and continue on my path for the next year.  One more thing that I have to add is that I have sure enjoyed the feedback, comments, and messages that I have received from all of my readers, so keep them coming! 

All the best, Marebear :)

"If at first you don't succeed... destroy all evidence that you tried." - Author Unknown
(So, if this blog ever disappears, you know what happened!  Just joking, but I thought it was a cute version of the quote that I was going to put in!)

Time for another poll!

Okay people, I need your help once again. The issue today is gift cards. This past holiday season, I received an abundance of them, and I am wondering what the possibilities could/should be with regards to spending them. The options that I came up with are as follows:

1. Spend them! It wasn't my money to begin with, so what is the problem?
2. Save them until after the 365 days are up, after all, rules are rules.
3. Use them to buy things to give to charity.
4. Use them to buy gifts for my friends/family (by the way dad, you can only vote ONCE for this one! - he knows that there are MEC gift cards in the mix!)

I know that you people will probably come up with more creative options - you sure did on the last poll, but these are the categories that we will be voting on for today. The poll will run until this Friday so get your votes in ASAP! And feel free to forward this link to your friends too - all votes are welcome :)

Waiting with much anticipation...

Marebear :)

Wanting to stop wanting!

So, I did it today. I went into the *nameless* big chain grocery store - you know the one: it not only sells groceries, but every possible other thing that you can think of under the sun. Well not quite everything I guess, and NO, I am not talking about Walmart - those guys are on my 'no' list for sure. Anyway, I went in there today to pick up a few things - mostly canned goods/laundry detergent etc. and I found myself (gasp!) wanting to look at/touch/buy other STUFF! The packages looked so new and shiny and to my horror, everything looked to me like it was an immensely good deal (I almost couldn't afford NOT to buy it - remember?) I found myself running through the aisles like a mad-woman, trying to focus on what I actually came in (and NEEDED) to buy. Don't worry, I escaped victorious (this time), but it has left me wondering exactly what it is about that other 'stuff' that makes me want it so badly.

Is it the shiny, glossy packaging (which when I get home is one of the first things that ticks me right off as most it goes straight into my trash bin)? Is it the bright colours? Is it the big stickers that indicate the price? I just can't put my finger on it. By the way, if there is an advertising psychologist out there reading, could you please provide me with some input about your consumerism (aka witch-doctor) tactics? You can let me know your secrets of the trade anonymously, I swear!

I guess the conclusion that I have come to (for now), is that it is okay to want 'stuff'. Most of us do, so I guess that it is pretty normal in the society that we live in. To that end, I have decided that I will continue to want certain things, but instead of impulsively buying them on the spot, I will put them on my 'list' and try to find them used or previously loved - which is a much nicer term. That way, I will have to work hard to buy the things that I want and if I don't really want them (which is often the case, as I am bewitched by the above-mentioned ad psychologist buggers), then I won't waste my time/effort/money.

The message for today is simple: Don't be left wanting, just delay the gratification... you will be much happier in the long run.

You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need. ~Vernon Howard

I am not quite there Vernon - but I am working on it!

Good luck to those of you who are also trying to escape the witch-doctor's spell :) Marebear

Kijiji Tips and Tricks

You knew it was going to come up eventually. Kijii. Ahhhhhhh, Kijiji. How did we ever survive before the invention of Kijiji (or Craig's list)? So, today, I am going to help you, the buyer, navigate this amazing money-saving, landfill-avoiding, recycling of objects resource.

Now, well my use of this site has admittedly been somewhat limited in the past, my husband is a Kijiji expert. He spends pretty much every spare minute of his life on there. He would rather 'Kijiji' for ANYTHING, than do most other things.... and no, I am not going to give you an example, because it would hurt my ego!

So, my 'guest writer' for the day is the industrious Trent. Here are some of his Kijiji tips:

• Be open-minded: you might find a great deal on something that you weren't expecting. For example, if you have your heart set on a certain brand name, you might miss out on a similar product that is a great deal. He used snowmobiles as an example (barf!), but say you wanted to buy a Yamaha, you shouldn't discount the Bombariers or the Artic Cats either.
• Check back often: new items are posted all day, every day, and the best deals are what sell the fastest. If you don't have time to sit around all day (like Trent) and 'surf' Kijiji', then the site does allow you to set up alerts for specific search terms that you can input.
• Don't hesitate: if you find that you know is a good deal, 'pull the trigger' (him talking, not me), because somebody else is out there looking for the exact same thing.
• See what else the seller is selling: this one is great for moms out there because often another mom is selling a lot of different baby/kid items and you can pick up more than one item up in one trip!
• Change up your search terms: sometimes the seller might have a different idea of what terminology might be used to describe the item. For instance, I am currently looking for manufactured stone for the unfinished fireplace downstairs, therefore I searched under 'rock', 'stone' and 'fireplace', getting different results for each category.

That is all that we could come up with for today, but if we think of others, we'll let you know. Also, if you are new to Kijiji, here is the link: http://www.kijiji.ca/. Just select your desired city and away you go!
Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. -- New England proverb
Marebear :)
P.S. The basement project is well underway and I can't wait to share the results with you in pictures!

Have you ever tried to decorate with zero budget?

So I am finally getting around to decorating/cleaning up the basement for my office and Chephren's playroom. For those of you who have never seen my basement, it is HUGEmungous, and this means that I am going to have to get very creative with things as I can't a) buy anything new and b)BUY ANYTHING NEW!? This will certainly be a bit tough for me.

First off, let me just try to paint you a picture of what I have to work with so far: I have let's see... 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 yup, 9 different paint colours left over from the rest of the renos we have done in the house. Do you think it would look super tacky if I painted each wall down there a different color? Let me be clear, I am not planning on just randomly painting them on or anything. I have a 'plan' for the colour scheme - and it might even look like I intended it to look that way... What do you think? The colors that I have to work with are:

• Bright deep blue
• Turqoisey blue
• Yellow: kind of buttery in colour
• Cranberry
• Sage green
• Beige
• Dark green - kind of army-ish
• Light brown - 'hiking trail'
• 'Cappucino'

I don't know about you but I think it is going to look fah-bu-lous! I will make sure to take some pictures so that you can all see the finished product. After the painting comes the purchasing (or rather scrounging) of furniture - mostly for storage purposes, so it shall be interesting to see what I can come up with on Kijiji and such.

If you have done some 'creative' (read: cheap) renovations in the past and have any great tips to pass along, let me know. I am not above admitting that I could use the HELP!

Anyway, gotta run, a movie (don't worry it's rented), and a wonderful husband (not rented, but also non-returnable) awaits!

Cheerio! Marebear :)