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Rule of Thumb #1

December 2nd, 2008 at 08:30 am

Over the years, I have practiced what I call my Rules of Thumb (ROT). These are self-imposed "rules" I use to make my life easier or better. For example, ROT #1 helps me keep our small home clutter-free, especially after the massive purging of the

Text is Great Downsize of '06. and Link is http://financiallyfree2bme.savingadvice.com/2008/05/28/downsizing_39466/
Great Downsize of '06. Following this ROT makes me think twice before acquiring more "stuff" I can do without (read: clutter, junk, dust collectors, gewgaws, useless objects...). I will share other ROTs later, but here is #1:

ROT #1: For any article of clothing or household item I purchase I must select a similar one I already own to give away.

How does this ROT help me? Well, to start with, I have an abundance of nice clothes, most of which are left over from my working days. And, because I take care of my belongings, these can last a very long time. They still fit and I wear them according to the seasons (sweaters, coats, jackets, shoes, blouses).

But sometimes I spot a good bargain and I begin to think I like it better than something I already have, or maybe some favorite piece actually gets worn out, or a household item gets broken. And, then there's the weight-gain situation. If I gain just a few pounds, some of my favorites don't look so good anymore. So, I might want to buy something new.

But, my ROT requires me to select a similar item (two is even better) to donate, give away, or throw away, depending on the circumstance. This insures I still have room in my closet to actually walk-in, and helps me keep impulse buying in check. It's not always easy to apply this ROT, so sometimes I have to work at it.

My "internal conversation" might go something like this:

Me: Ohhh, look at that cute little fleece jacket...and it's 50% off. I love the color!

Frugal alter ego: Yes, very nice. So, what jacket will you give away?

Me: Hmmm, I want to keep my down jacket, it was expensive and I wear it in the snow. My microfiber jacket is warm and water-repellant... gotta keep that one. I love my red fleece jacket that DS gave me... and the black fleece has zip-pockets I use for my keys when I go walking, so I don't want to give away that one... and...

Frugal alter ego: Well then, you really don't need ANOTHER cute little jacket, after all, do you?!

Anyway, you get the idea.

Posted in Saving Money, Live and Learn | 2 Comments »

2 Responses to “Rule of Thumb #1”

  1. Sylvia B Says:
    December 2nd, 2008 at 03:30 pm 1228231802
    1228231802

    I've been on a major purging binge since retiring just over a month ago. Your plan for recycling clothes that you purchase is something I do as well. I also use the backward hangar analysis approach. What's that? hang all your clothes in the closet with the hangers facing towards you - backwards to the way we usually hang things which is putting the hanger in from front to back. When you wear something return it by hanging it up the usual way. At the end of the season you'll see which clothes you actually wear and which you're storing; give the clothes you're storing away to somebody who might actually wear them. Amazing what percentage of clothes I've got that I don't actually wear. As I track my thinking at my feminist women retiring blog (www.forthefirstime.ca) I'm aware of how much thought I'm giving to leaving rampant consumerism behind these days.

  2. Koppur Says:
    December 2nd, 2008 at 08:00 pm 1228248017
    1228248017

    Hi there. Just to let you know to tell your daughter, the laptop is a Compaq Presario, and it was at Best Buy. They are on sale until the end of the week. *smile*

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