- A kettle {ours is broken}
- A toaster {never had one}
- The services of someone to fix the dishwasher we inherited from the pervious owner {it doesn’t work}
- A plug for our sink {I’m currently using a mason jar lid, it works some of the time! lol}
- A plug for our bathtub {I’m currently using some odd circular thing which I have no clue what it was originally intended for}
- The services of someone to fix the major dint in our car
- Scrapbooking materials so I can chronicle our lives and have something really happy to look at as needed
- Photo frames to hang around our home
- Frames to hang some of the prints I have for our home
- Some seeds to plant veggies indoors and outdoors
- Kitchen scales {most of my British recipes are by weight and I find guessing isn’t cutting it!}
- Candles {my cheap therapy for an evening when everyone is asleep, but we are out!}
- Sesame seeds for baking
- A rice cooker for our new love of simple meals like rice and lentils
Had we not embarked on the Month of Nothing, I probably would have titled this post “At Some Point I Need To Purchase”, which would have been quite wrong. Would it be more convenient to have a toaster rather than use the broil feature on the oven? Yes, but it isn’t a need, it is a luxury. And slowly I’m sure we’ll add some or most of these things to our home, but it doesn’t need to happen today, this week, this month or even this year. This month of nothing has helped me learn to delay gratification. Something, while I’ve made huge strides with over the last few years, can still be much much improved.
What are you delaying purchasing?
FT, I may be able to help with the seeds! I recently participated in a seed exchange and now have WAY too many seeds for my small garden. I’d be more than happy to share. I also have quite a collection of crafting stuff, left over from projects I did with my own children. They are now in college so my craft supplies aren’t used any more, and I would be happy to share. I don’t have scrapbooking supplies but there are lots and lots of fabric crafting supplies.
If I can share any of this with you and your lovely family, please email me at j e n j o b s t at g m a i l dot c o m.
I’ve had a similar experience this month. I’d like to get a few things for my apartment-for-the-year (the big item being a used couch), but my new budget for the month has put some of these wants in perspective, esp. as many of them would not be kept/needed after this year.
Just a suggestion: get a toaster thru Freecycle, along with your other “Wants” as an electric broiler must be using far more energy than a toaster would. You can also make toast in a cast iron skillet on the stove top.
HTH
I always wanted to get a toaster, but never was quite willing to do so, and now my diet does not include bread, so I guess I’m safe from that temptation…..My rice cooker I love! It can cook so much more than just rice. This is what I use for my bathtub
5" SINK THINGS FLAT BATHTUB SINK DRAIN STOPPER
You could probably track down a cheap one at a hardware store. They work for sinks too. But what sort of drainer do you have for the sink? Usually that can be manipulated to work as a plug.
Tea lights work for me, for candles. I bought a bag at IKEA quite a while ago and it’s still going strong. (Of course I like real candles too and also use them.)
You are learning a lot from your month of nothing! It’s really a month of something, of discovery of abundance!
First things first when you start to spend money again – get the plugs–they are cheap and will make a huge difference in your life — I know
I’ve been looking to de-stash my scrapbooking supplies and the first thought that popped into my mind when i read this is “OMG! I need to send this to her!!”. I would rather gift it to someone who’d use it then sell or hold on to the items. Would you be willing to accept a box of goodies from a stranger?
I agree about the sink plugs – they are inexpensive and save your sanity : )
A toaster would probably be an economical purchase as it would use less electricity than the oven broiler. It would be a bonus in the summer because it would not add to the heat in the house as turning on the oven does!
You should be able to find picture frames second hand. If you don’t like their looks, you have an instant craft project in the making…
a toaster oven uses alot less electricity than the oven, could be used to toast bread and cook lots of other things too! The drawback is how much counter space they take up! Love the blog, keep up the great work mama!
i have frames,scrapbooking stuff,candles.i would love to send them to you.i think you are so great in everything that you are doing.and i would be happy to give your family these things that i have that i am not and have not used.let me know .
Hehe. I need, as in want a new jug too, because the present one no longer turns off. No worries though because it means that whoever put it on really wants the hot water. I didn’t have a toaster for years and years and that was fine so long as you keep an eye on the stove/broiler. You will really appreciate it when you get one. Plugs would be an absolute essential in Australia though as we cannot afford to use much water. All the best. Would love to send you some scrapbooking papers, etc from the long neglected drawer if you cared to share your address. Cherrie
Two days ago a photo of my toaster accompanied my blog post. I waited 34 years for this toaster. Talk about delayed gratification!
I would be very happy to help you with the kitchen scales. I’ve read your blog since discovering it looking for Colin Firth! He was a couple of years above me at school although I didn’t know him personally. Love to you and your babies from a small corner of the UK xx
I think you are doing an amazing job with your challenge and the way you are raising your children. I am always inspired when I read your blog and I think you are an amazing woman.
I am a keen scrap booker and have plenty to share so if you would like some I am happy to post it to you. You can email me at feebegood@hotmail.com.
I loved this post. Really really loved it, it made me think a lot about needs vs wants. And, like everyone else, I’d happily send you some scrapbooking bits {for the kids if not yourself!} if you want to share a mailing address (po box?) xx
We also have LOTS of seeds that I’d be happy to send to you – what kind of vegetables are you interested in growing? If you email me I can let you know what we have! Bake xoxo
I so love this blog and all it entails. It is strength, gentleness, kindness and meekness. And so much more. It is so full of love. As I read this post I was wishing I hadn’t gotten rid of most of my craft supplies from when my children were children. Then I read the comments by your readers. They, like you, are inspiring in their loving kindness. Yes, you lead a simple life, but you are truly loved and blessed. Thank you, to all of you, for starting my day on such a wonderful note!
You’re doing so well with this month of buying nothing, it’s very inspiring! Keep up it up and keep us updated. I WAS delaying buying winter boots and new winter coat, but now glad I did before this chill set in in our area!
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have to chime in to, I love this blog and have been following you since just about your beginning. You never fail to inspire me to be better. Thanks so much! I plan on doing my own month of nothing of sorts come Febuary, I may do a week of no spending every month instead of the whole month at once. we are trying some lofty goals this year in order to make our lives better and more self sufficient.
May have some seeds I could post. We are hoping to move this year & what with work, home & studying, I realistically won’t have time for a veg patch
I have scrapbooking supplies that need a new home.
I’m a little late joining the conversation, but it looks like you may be able to cross off a few things from your list. I needed a stopper for my tub, the local hardware store sold me a flat rubber stopper for under $1.50 which works great.
let me know if you have my email address ,if not i will send it to you.i clicked on the contact me page thinking i could email it to you but i couldnt. im so excited to send you a box of goodies.thanks for letting me.
I can add to the inundation of offers of scrapbooking/craft materials and will happily send you some if you would like them. Think of it as helping me to declutter
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Yes me too. Late to arrive but can also offer some bits and pieces for you and the children to use for your scrapbooking. I would love to help and you can let me know at stayingawake47@yahoo.com
You will be helping me to focus on giving. xx
I am late to the posting too but I would love to send you some of my extra scrap booking materials and candles. I love your blog and it is great to hear about your children and the progress they are making.
Anything you need from here in the UK i am happy to send you – let me know what is hard or too expensive out with you. Would love to send you some good things x
I was thinking about a way around you surely not wanting to give out your home address. I called a UPS store in Canada and they have a service where anyone can ship a package to the store, and then with photo ID and a small fee, you can pick it up! I would love to get my box of clothes for your daughter shipped, so please let me know if this alleviates any problems
This website may help
http://www.convert-me.com/en/convert/cooking/
I just used it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
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I would really love to send some crafting supplies, etc. I so love your blog and read it everyday. you are an inspiration with your thoughtful way of living.