Compacting Mommas Winter Thread - Page 3

[phroggies]

My family members often use cloth ribbons and so we end up with a family-wide wrapping recycling program. Ditto for gift bags.

There was a cute article in Body and Soul about wrapping paper substitutes. That said, I'd recommend browsing at the newstand or the library because I swear, that magazine should be renamed Body and Shop these days.

[bendmom]

Is that the Martha Stewart magazine? I really love Natural Home and Garden but it only comes out every two months. I also get Real Simple, but I swear they are all the same issue in different colors!

[phroggies]

Originally Posted by bendmom

Is that the Martha Stewart magazine? I really love Natural Home and Garden but it only comes out every two months. I also get Real Simple, but I swear they are all the same issue in different colors!

Yeah, that's the one. It has much in common with Real Simple--great visuals, but mostly lots of really chic things that make me want them. Every once in a while you get some good tips, though.

ETA: The issue I speak of also had a wee blurb about compacting, but in the context I found it more ironic than informative.

[weliveintheforest]

My MIL uses pretty fabric to wrap presents in, then she keeps the fabric to use again, either for gifts or for her sewing projects.

[bendmom]

She keeps the fabric she wrapped someone else's gift with? Do they get offended? I would be, but I sew, so we would have to fight over it!

[rsps]

Originally Posted by bendmom

She keeps the fabric she wrapped someone else's gift with? Do they get offended? I would be, but I sew, so we would have to fight over it!

We have freinds that use fabric for wrapping, and much of it has been passed back and forth among us for many years. Generally people take the fabric there presents were wrapped in and reuse it at another occasion.

[Ravin]

I'm just going to use wrapping paper left over from last year. Utilizing what I already have, rather than buying something else.

[snowbunny]

I haven't been around for a while--so busy!

Compacting is going really well for us. I thought that it would be a big change for us, but I realize it's not much of a change at all. We're just buying less often, and looking for used first. I think I'm really getting the hang of it.

Christmas is proving to be somewhat of an issue as everyone around us--including unexpected people--are giving us gifts. I feel a bit guilty knowing that I'm just giving people Homemade Soupmix in Jars and Marmalade. It's silly, but i guess it's the remnants of the buy-buy-buy mentality.

As for wrapping paper, we're using cloth remnants (a pretty red gingham that I have way too much of) and grocery sacks with red and green grossgrain ribbon leftover from the craft drawer.

Truth be told, Christmas really hasn't cost us much at all. No purchased gifts, no wrapping paper.

What's everyone doing about Holiday Cards? Last year we ordered some from winkflash.com--with a Christmas picture of DS on the front. I'd like to do the same this year except that we're compacting. Then I try to rationalize it: it's a service not a thing, but that's not really true.

Anyway ... just popping into say "hi."

[chasmyn]

Originally Posted by snowbunny

What's everyone doing about Holiday Cards? Last year we ordered some from winkflash.com--with a Christmas picture of DS on the front. I'd like to do the same this year except that we're compacting. Then I try to rationalize it: it's a service not a thing, but that's not really true.

Anyway ... just popping into say "hi."

I had a bunch I bought last year after the holidays on sale for next to nothing, plus some Hannukah cards I found at he thrift store. We had photos printed of us and included them and our holiday letter in with the cards.

[Ravin]

I'm so bad at mailing out cards most years anyway that no one really expects one from me.

[bendmom]

My company services building contractors, rental agencies, residential clients, etc. so I do buy Christmas cards for them. It is a business expense though and comes out of my bus. account. We never send out Christmas cards to friends and family though. Cards and stamps are getting spendy and we correspond regularly with anyone we would send one to anyway.

[khkelsey]

Originally Posted by snowbunny

I haven't been around for a while--so busy!

What's everyone doing about Holiday Cards? Last year we ordered some from winkflash.com--with a Christmas picture of DS on the front. I'd like to do the same this year except that we're compacting. Then I try to rationalize it: it's a service not a thing, but that's not really true.

I sent e-cards. I took a picture of my boys with my digital camera. Once it was on the computer, I put a christmas border around it. Then I uploaded it into my photos on imagestation.com and clicked on their e-card option. (Their accounts are free ) I may have to print out a couple of cards to mail to people without internet access, but not many. You can see the picture of my two cuties on my blog.

[Berber]

I've been so inspired by you all that I am de-cluttering my life as well. I have been seriously considering making some life style changes and I can't even wait until the new year to make it my resolution. I've started and have already filled 3 garbage bags of clothes! Can't wait to keep going. thanks for the inspiration all!

[AngelBee]

:

[bendmom]

nak

So I have a shop at Etsy, and have always used the money I make from it to purchase more supplies, keeping it all out of the house accounts. I'm honestly kinda burned out on all the crafting, and am taking a hiatus. My question is, what do I do with the money in Paypal? It is linked to my business account by accident, so I can't transfer funds. I have a visa card for it, which makes me wnat to just go out and buy all the rediculous things I wouldn't usually spend money on. Technicly I'm not compacting over the holidays, but the thought of just spending to spend is not a good one. All Christmas gifts come out of a cash Christmas fund, and are already bought anyway. I don't really need anything, but I don't want to just donate it because I'm one of those people who are afraid that something will happen and I will really need the money. Any suggestions?

Forgot to add: THe amount usually isn't much, like $20 - $60 at a time. The most I have in is about $300.

[Tradd]

Originally Posted by bendmom

nak
My question is, what do I do with the money in Paypal? It is linked to my business account by accident, so I can't transfer funds. I have a visa card for it, which makes me wnat to just go out and buy all the rediculous things I wouldn't usually spend money on. Technicly I'm not compacting over the holidays, but the thought of just spending to spend is not a good one. All Christmas gifts come out of a cash Christmas fund, and are already bought anyway. I don't really need anything, but I don't want to just donate it because I'm one of those people who are afraid that something will happen and I will really need the money. Any suggestions?

Forgot to add: THe amount usually isn't much, like $20 - $60 at a time. The most I have in is about $300.

I assume you mean you have the debit card for your Paypal account. Why don't use that debit card to purchase things you NEED - like groceries & gas?

[bendmom]

I know, I probably should. It's just that it money not included in the family budget, and we have enough money to cover those things. I'm just going to let it sit for a rainy day, maybe a camping trip to the coast.

[gwen's mom]

Couple of questions for the Compacting pros

I am new to the official title of compacting but I have been compacting on some levels my entire life. While I know that there are no official compacting rules I do have a couple of questions...

What about books that are unavailable at the library? I am assuming Amazon used is OK?

What about used CDs/DVDs? (I am thinking from a pawn shop/Hastings/Blockbuster?)

How about refurbished items? (such as mixers, food processors, etc.)

I know none of the items I am questioning are "necessities" however they are of great importance to my DH and if I am going to get him on board I have to find some room to compromise.

Thanks.

[chasmyn]

Originally Posted by gwen's mom

I am new to the official title of compacting but I have been compacting on some levels my entire life. While I know that there are no official compacting rules I do have a couple of questions...

What about books that are unavailable at the library? I am assuming Amazon used is OK?

What about used CDs/DVDs? (I am thinking from a pawn shop/Hastings/Blockbuster?)

How about refurbished items? (such as mixers, food processors, etc.)

I know none of the items I am questioning are "necessities" however they are of great importance to my DH and if I am going to get him on board I have to find some room to compromise.

Thanks.

If you have used bookstores in your area it would minimize the footprint even more (no gas/transport for shipping) but Amazon used or abebooks.com or half.com are okay - people do use them.

Used CDs/DVDs, yes, you've got it

I believe refurbished is okay. You can also check craigslist.com for such items used.

[Emilie]

Subbing.