bought second hand + sold second (or third) hand
money is tight this year. we've had some unexpected expenses. at the same time, we are trying to not work quite as many jobs as we have in the past. this is working so far, because we are working with fewer ends. we are focusing on contentedness and seeing the abundance in what we have.
…and i am truly wanting less…and less.
i've had to get creative in order to find money to buy some things lately. in looking around for things to sell this summer, i was actually surprised to find so much. i thought i had gone through things over and over, but i saw things with an even less attached heart and let many things go that i had kept in the past.
julia keeps growing and needs some "new" clothes this autumn. we've gone through her clothes from last year and listed outgrown items on ebay. i am trying to make prudent purchases with the money we make. julia has specific desires when it comes to what she wears. she likes the one-piece-dressing ease of dresses and likes to cozy them up with leggings. the desire for comfort leads to a preference for knit dresses and lightweight sweaters. i place value on finding clothing that treats both people and the environment with respect. i cannot spend too much money, and i value second hand to decrease consumption of resources and waste. and i do like fashion, so i have to like the piece of clothing. :) again, when it comes to clothing, i'm striving for contentedness with the idea of enough. julia is amazing at this, and my resolve benefits from her example. whether at target or the thrift store, when i show her something she responds with, "yeah, it's cute…but i don't need it." i'm so grateful for her spirit, because i still need that reminder sometimes!
i long for my shopping to go as smoothly as bea's (two scheduled days/year of thrift shop shopping for her family of four)…and maybe if julia's desires were jeans and tops, it would. our desires take a little bit more work, but i really hope to meet the challenge of meeting both my values and hers.
i have a plan- a very limited list of things to search for…comfy dresses (knit if possible), leggings, and a sweater. it can be an exciting challenge, because achieving good goals feels good! i like seeing my goals accomplished by recording every sale (on etsy, craigslist, and ebay) and every purchase. i like to be able to track my money on paper, so it doesn't just seem to disappear.
this process can all bring happiness... and it can feel like enough.
in case i haven't been clear, the tip is to want less (always). :) sell what you can in order to make some money for what you need. make a list of exactly what you need and to what values you want those items to adhere. be patient as you set out to meet your goal. :)
this post is one of a series originating here.
love,
jane
…and i am truly wanting less…and less.
i've had to get creative in order to find money to buy some things lately. in looking around for things to sell this summer, i was actually surprised to find so much. i thought i had gone through things over and over, but i saw things with an even less attached heart and let many things go that i had kept in the past.
julia keeps growing and needs some "new" clothes this autumn. we've gone through her clothes from last year and listed outgrown items on ebay. i am trying to make prudent purchases with the money we make. julia has specific desires when it comes to what she wears. she likes the one-piece-dressing ease of dresses and likes to cozy them up with leggings. the desire for comfort leads to a preference for knit dresses and lightweight sweaters. i place value on finding clothing that treats both people and the environment with respect. i cannot spend too much money, and i value second hand to decrease consumption of resources and waste. and i do like fashion, so i have to like the piece of clothing. :) again, when it comes to clothing, i'm striving for contentedness with the idea of enough. julia is amazing at this, and my resolve benefits from her example. whether at target or the thrift store, when i show her something she responds with, "yeah, it's cute…but i don't need it." i'm so grateful for her spirit, because i still need that reminder sometimes!
i long for my shopping to go as smoothly as bea's (two scheduled days/year of thrift shop shopping for her family of four)…and maybe if julia's desires were jeans and tops, it would. our desires take a little bit more work, but i really hope to meet the challenge of meeting both my values and hers.
i have a plan- a very limited list of things to search for…comfy dresses (knit if possible), leggings, and a sweater. it can be an exciting challenge, because achieving good goals feels good! i like seeing my goals accomplished by recording every sale (on etsy, craigslist, and ebay) and every purchase. i like to be able to track my money on paper, so it doesn't just seem to disappear.
this process can all bring happiness... and it can feel like enough.
in case i haven't been clear, the tip is to want less (always). :) sell what you can in order to make some money for what you need. make a list of exactly what you need and to what values you want those items to adhere. be patient as you set out to meet your goal. :)
this post is one of a series originating here.
love,
jane
