Minimalist Shopping / / Slow Haul
One in, One out.
If I buy something I need to get rid of the thing I am ultimately replacing. If it’s not a direct replacement, I need to find something to get rid of (because there is always something!) Something that has broken, already reached it’s value point with me, is on it’s last legs, or I know someone who could benefit more from that particular item.
This month I actually made most of my purchases I’ll make in 2018. I’m not buying brand new clothes this year (if I need something it will be from thrift or cheap consignment, depending on item), I’ve stopped buying books and switched to Kindle Unlimited, and I’m covered for stationary/kitchen/electronics. So my goal this year is to make under 20 “real” purchases. That’s less than an item a month.
However - that being said there were a couple things I needed:
Thermos - not for drinks, but for food. I had been struggling to find things to bring for lunch, as I rarely have access to a microwave since I’m on the go with children. SO, now I can heat up whatever leftovers I have or meal prep in the morning, and pop it in a thermos. I used it all this week, and it stays hot SO long! Helps me to make healthier choices and buy less food out, as well as stop wasting groceries. I bought 2, in case one day I want something hot (lunch/rice/soup) but also want something cold (chopped fruit/yogurt, smoothie).
Wallet and card holder - two issues : my wallet was NOT bringing joy to my life (it was not appealing to me aesthetically, but was free so I was using it) , was not practical and I constantly left it at home not wanting to lug it around (it was a beast.) and I kept losing things, taking cards out, trying to juggle my bus pass/id/visa and my phone, and always dropping things/forgetting them in random pockets….
Two solutions to this - I bought a wristlet that can accompany the card holder - which holds just a couple cards and a spot for change, which I’ll actually hold my bus pass in it’s holder/protector in. The wristlet also has an outside compartment that holds cards, and one divider inside (phone  = card holder, two spots, perfect!)
It’s small. It’s minimal. If I just need a purse out, I can take this! If I’m using a different purse and don’t need my other loyalty cards, just my basic cards (visa/debit/ID/bus pass) I can take the card holder out and bring it with me.
As well, to cut down on card space and bulk, I will be looking into which card apps are the best. I think Apple Wallet is compatible, or I’ve heard good things about StoCard - so I will post about that when that happens :)
Travel Bottles - I was at chapters (buying the wallet) and I found this awesome travel bottle set on sale! I’m travelling alot over the next month and really didn’t want to buy travel sized products (they’re so overpriced) pack my big ones (save money on luggage at the border) and didn’t have any travel containers (my last one broke). The set is appealing, comes with cute labels, and it’s own bag. And It was super cheap, but better than what the dollar store had in store. Bonus? BPA free, friends!
So - those are my only purchases for this month. Things I absolutely needed, under 100 dollars, and will last hopefully a long time.
February I’m not anticipating really buying anything product wise - there will be a bit more money spent out on food/coffee as I’m travelling, and I’ll be attending a conference and touring a new place - so there may be small purchases - but sticking to my minimalism rules.
This leaves spending and haul space for the Spring when I *hopefully* have lost some weight and need to exchange some of my clothes for new ones, and finally can invest in some good rainboots (cause all it does is rain here).
The question is - Blundstones or Hunters? I rarely buy higher quality attire unless it’s consignment based, but allllll my friends say I need better footwear. :p
Kudos if you read to the end! Thanks for being apart of my minimalism journey!
