Not Too Proud To Accept Your Castoffs

Many people feel too embarrassed or superior to give hand-me-downs to people they know. Either they give directly to charity shops or worse throw the stuff in bins so that no one can benefit from them.

Others feel too embarrassed or superior to accept hand-me-downs. They prefer to purchase everything new. Would never dream of accepting a castoffs or heaven forbid, step into a second hand shop.

Well not me... And my credit card is not maxed out, actually it's usually a $1 in positive credit. I use it sparingly and pay off any purchases within 2 days of using my card. I don't give it much of a workout because I don't buy much "new" stuff.

So when you give me your castoffs, hand-me-downs, outgrown stuff, unwanted items, used things - I LOVE IT! I can sort and take what I want, give to to others, put some on Freecycle or give to my local op shop. Not only are you making me happy with your used gifts but you are helping me save money towards my mortgage and you are helping the environment by giving the stuff another chance. Once I'm done with your stuff it will be passed on, repurposed, recycled or composted depending on it's use and state.

Our friend Nathalie and her gorgeous daughter gave us this lot of out grown books and CDs. We didn't say "No thanks" or feel embarrassed. We were thrilled to receive such a cool stash.

English Books and CD.

French Books and 8 CDs of Stories.

We sorted Dolly's book shelves to make room and have now prepared a bag of 10 outgrown books to give to a baby in the block of flats next to ours. We are not too proud to give and they are not to proud to accept and so the cycle continues.

We are not poor and could buy stuff, however we have decided to use our money wisely and want to look after our planet. How about you? Are you too proud to accept other peoples unwanted stuff?

On The Mend and We Did Lots

Today was like a new me. So much better. Still a little trembly but nothing compared to last night. This is a long post of all the lovely things we did today.

Once Dolly arrived home this morning we headed to a FREE Christmas Family Fun Day. Dolly crafted at 2 of the tables from many on offer, sang christmas songs and met Santa. She didn't want to rock climb, go on the jumping castle or have her face painted which was unusual, but she may have been jittery from last nights fright. (The Rambling Expat has photos so I will add these tomorrow).

We then headed to the dreadful Spotlight where I spent money on new stuff which will help me use old stuff. I purchased pinking shears for sewing and mod podge for my earrings, magnets and other projects. I also purchased plastic storage boxes for our beads and other treasures. These I ahhhed and ummed about, for ages - however I purchased them as we currently use a million different bowls, tins and jars. I just want it in one easy area for Dolly's items and another for me in the aim to reduce chaos and clutter.

Dolly's Storage Box.

1 large box for Dolly and 2 small ones for myself. I now regret not getting the same one as Dolly as her compartments can be extended while mine can't. We started to fill them and I was able to empty 3 containers to relocate our goodies. Nearly all items are sourced from hand me downs (Dolly has a huge pile of 70's plastic beads in her box), op shop beads and broken jewellery, bottle tops and soft drink tabs from neighbours, buttons from old clothes and the list goes on. The only new item in Dolly's box is some pink wire and the only new item in mine is some of the earring hooks. Even my new in packet items were sourced from neighbours leaving town and op shops.

Started to fill her up with all of Dolly's treasures to craft.

My Box is half the size of Dolly's.

Sweetest Op Shopped Creatures. Dolly's Butterfly 10 cents, My Ceramic Owl .50 cents. 

After our quick shop we spent the afternoon at home on the couch sewing little rose petal sachets from chopped up old clothing, fabric scraps and a vintage sheet. I purchased the rose petals in a organic health shop a few weeks ago. I wanted lavender but the price was too high so opted for the much cheaper rose petals. They are used for cooking and teas, but crafting is an option too. I mixed 5 drops of geranium oil to intensify the aromas. This is what we made for someone special to Dolly (not saying in case she reads our blog).

60's, 70's, 2000 and 2010's Fabric. Pinking Shears Tested :-)

Pretty Pressie Ready to Give. Cost $3.20 - Time 2 hours with Dolly.

One Extra For Another Gift.

Our funky party animal neighbour Jacinta turned 50 last week. She likes to live loud, wears bright op shopped clothes and isn't scared of creative types. So we also made one rose petal sachet, added a earring stand and a pair of earrings for her. Dolly was so proud giving these home made gifts. Costs: Rose Petal Sachet .80 cents, earring stand $1.50, earrings .60 cents = Total $2.90, pretty cool on the pocket and not too hard on our time as it's so much fun making these items.

Jacinta's Pretty Gift Cost $2.90

And that was our day. As you see I'm on the mend. We kept our meals very simple. Lunch was tinned tuna sandwiches and fruit. Dinner was rice and fish fingers bringing out the kid in the 3 of us. Tomorrow will be a new day and lots of veggies for dinner.

Oh - And I decluttered by Offering on Freecycle, lovely Nadia picked up a milk crate of clothing, hand bags and other bits and bobs to rummage through. I also gave away to another Freecycler a long warm vintage camel hair and wool coat from my Melbourne days. I've been here in the tropics 7 years so it was time for it to go.

Did you enjoy your day today?

I'm Cheap On Friday Night.

Hello everyone hope your all well and not too stressed over the festive season. Once again my Aussie readers don't forget my wonderful GIVEAWAY that is ending on Tuesday - $200 Coles Myer Voucher up for grabs sponsored by Air Wick and Soup.

Most of my colleagues are under the weather with this terrible cold we have all shared with each other. I spent the day sniffing, blowing and coughing at work. Very classy.... I now spread if to my family so both The Rambling Expat and Dolly have been feeling miserable. On our arrival home this afternoon we were all exhausted. So I decided we would go into the bedroom as soon as we arrived, watch a movie in bed on the laptop and eat fruit and popcorn for dinner. No fuss, super slack but very relaxing :-)

Thanks Bev - Great Movie.

The Rambling Expat fell asleep instantly. As for Dolly and I, we enjoyed the movie Nanny McPhee, a colleague at work gave me. After the movie, Dolly still had a little energy to use up so I pulled out these wonderful stamps in a box I was given by a Freecycler this week!!! Dolly had a wonderful time stamping and then colouring in her work while I caught up with some of my blog reading. And don't worry I'm planning on decluttering a bag full this weekend.

Fantastic Vintage and Modern Stamps and Ink Pads - Thank you Louise!

So I just wanted to say how we had lovely new items to entertain us and yet we didn't have to spend a cent. Friends, family, colleagues and Freecycle are wonderful sources for items you may need or simply want. And don't forget to give to others too. It's good Karma.

Happy weekend :-) In Frugal Solidarity.

Buttons and Books

I was posting give-away Guppie Fish and Brazilian Spinach Cuttings on Freecycle. As we needed a few more variety of coloured buttons for Dolly's crafting and new year gift projects, I also posted a request for buttons.

A lady came by to pick up Guppies and Spinach and dropped off these lovely buttons for us.

Beautiful Lolly and Jewel Like Buttons.

They're a great collection of just what we were looking for. Dolly spent a good hour playing, sorting and admiring them. It was a win win all round. I love days like these. Someone also gave us a bottle of champers in exchange for Guppies, I tried to say no but she refused to take it back, so I'll just have to enjoy it :-)

Freecycle is a wonderful way to obtain stuff in a cashless manner that cares for the environment. I've had 8 people come by my home in the past 24 hours to collect guppies and spinach and it's interesting to note they were all women. Is it women who count the pennies and take the opportunities for fabulous frugalness more then men? Or are fish and gardening a gendered domain full of women?

As for my rule of: Whatever new stuff comes into our home the equivalent size - plus some, must leave our home... I followed through by selling a book (bigger then the whole lot of buttons) on Fishpond and posting it. I'm doing well so far with my rule. Lets hope it's not another one of my crazy rules I break off.

Sold a Book - made back the money I had spent to purchase it.

Did you find anything you wanted recently for free and with a good environmental outcome?

My Saturday Op Shop Finds

Hi I'm back after a very busy 2 weeks. I've spent money on a little junk food, a big purchase (new mobile iphone G3) and some local art for Dolly. I haven't fully restrained myself but I've been good-ish. I had a little splurge at the op shops and purchased $9.50 of goodies.

I'm easing back into blogging by showing you what I purchased second hand today at my two local op shops.

A Lovely Babushka (4 Nesting Dolls) for Dolly's collection: $3.00

3 Home styling magazines for me .50 cents each: $1.50 - Out of date, but magazines I enjoy when I need a bit of mindless relaxation.

A candle stand (?) which we will revamp as a bangles stand: $2.00

A large Marta Mikey Lead Free candle (80hrs burning time) for a Birthday gift: $4.00 - I've no idea how much these cost new - hope I got a bargain. It's looks nice and smells nice, it's my poor photo quality that makes the candle look worn out.

And because I've made a New Decluttering rule for myself; these university readings will leave my home on Monday.

My new rule is: Whatever new stuff comes into our home the equivalent size - plus some must leave our home. So I listed my old Community Development university readings on Freecycle and a lady studying Community Development is coming on Monday to pick them up, which I'm thrilled about as I think she will enjoy them and find them useful. Since we have been cleaning most nights for 30/40 minutes I'm becoming a little more house proud and ready to rid of more and more stuff.

Do you make any rules for yourself about how you manage your stuff or declutter?

Guppies and Nappies

2 years ago someone gave me about 10 guppies to place in a pot plant that has a plant in plenty of water. It's like a little pond with happy fish that keep the mozzies down. However the fish have been too happy and have bred beyond capacity of the pot.

I was having a dilemma.. What to do.. No one I knew wanted any and I certainly did not want to kill them. But then I had the idea to place an OFFER ad on my local Freecycle and in the past week I have been able to give away about 60 Guppies. Yay!

A Glass of Guppies

Whilst browsing the Freecycle Offers and Wanted ad's I saw a woman with 2 small children was looking for some cloth nappies. I was happy to declutter 5 cloth nappies in her direction. I've been hoarding the nappies as they are a great size and useful for lots of different chores and projects. However 30 nappies is a bit much and they are here, and there and everywhere in my home.

Cloth Nappies to Go.

I placed a Wanted ad for large Bricks for a small upraised garden bed I want to build. I've had no success with my request. However I noticed a building being demolished in the city - so I might try and get the courage to ask the builders for 20 bricks... We'll see... as I feel a bit shy :-(

Do you Freecycle?

If you don't yet, look up a Freecycle organisation in your community or region or another similar organisations. It keeps stuff out of landfill and will allow you you to save money in the process.