I'm back and I've started stalking my favorite blogs again. Don't worry.....if I start stalking you in person then you'll know you're in trouble.
In revisiting some of my favourite blogs, I've discovered a few common threads of wisdom. Firstly the resolution to live more frugally and secondly to learn a new skill or get better at one you already have.
I am on a VERY tight budget. I have to live within my means. I have savings but I'll need those to help set up my own place this summer. I've decided that instead of focusing on not spending and feeling hard done by because I can't afford to get something or just don't have the money for the purchase, I'll focus on what I do have.
This year I took two trips and both times I came back with some seriously gorgeous stash enhancement. The last one was in August and I vowed that I wouldn't buy any more yarn/wool for two years. In December I told someone that I still hadn't bought a single skein, his reply was "that's because you don't have any money". When I told a knitting friend about this conversation her reply was "ok so what have you bought?" I think that it will be the muggle who will keep me on track.
I've bought two sets of DPNs. Since Sept 2nd that is all I've bought. That's it! Yes I know some of you are shocked and at least one of you has fainted. Not to worry though I am consoling myself with some stash diving. Feeling hard done by and having the urge to cast on a new project with something GORGEOUS from the stash, I started a lacy cardi from a wool/cashmere blend. One word comes to mind when I work on this project.....heavenly!!! On further inspection of the stash I have this yarn in two more colours, both with enough to make cardis. That is just the tip of the iceberg of what I have in my stash. I really have no reason to feel deprived, but I think that I'll continue to go cold turkey and refrain from visiting my LYS for the next few months.
Other than curtailing yarn purchases....what else is there? Answer: The Seven Things Project!
My motives are not so much about wanting less, living frugally, needing less or even trying to be environmental as they are more about not being able to buy anything and not wanting to pack up as much when I move. Getting rid of seven things a week won't be hard for someone who can't afford to buy anything. It will mean that I have to examine all my stuff and decide if I really need to continue having it in my life.
Did I tell you that for almost two months DH and I have been sharing an apartment? He lives there one week while I'm at the house and then we trade. I'm at the apartment this week so there is only so much that I can do about culling my un-wanteds, un-neededs and things cluttering my life. I'll see what I can do and let you know what happens.
Here's the goal: get rid of seven (or more) things each week. I'll try for a weekly update and hopefully it will be on Mondays....but you know me.....that may not happen (for example today is Tuesday). Regardless the stuff has to go.
Until next time
Yours in Yarn,
The Fibreholic
3 comments:
Bless your dear heart! Knitting form the stash is absolutely the solution to a number of problems. And may I also suggest that you knit for charity as well? People have lost everything in the floods. They will have to work like a dog to clear out the shells of their homes, just to find that even the shell isn't worth saving. It helps to realize that no matter how hard you have it, you still have it better than someone else.
*hugs*
Living the the apartment has got to help with the decluttering - you begin to realise how much you don't need.
Knit those pretties!
Glad to see you back, and I'm sorry to hear about the sucky parts.
I have heard of this 7 things project, but as I tend to be a "keeper" the idea of it gives me cold chills. However I have noticed the last few months that i have a couple of piles of things that truly have no where that they are supposed to be. I've seen enough episodes of Hoarders that this is also a little disturbing.
I'm also going on a yarn diet this year, so maybe we can be long distance support teams for each other!
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