Ok, I've decided not to blog until after I've moved to New Haven. Why? Because every single thing I do from here to there is going to cost money. In some cases, lots of money. And I can't think about it right now, because then I'll think about it all the time, and I'll go crazy.

This is how I'm going to prevent myself from going crazy:

I got my last paycheck last week, and my first stipend for school. Add that up, minus all the costs I know I will have (moving van, first month's rent, utilities, etc.). The total of that is how much I can spend on new apartment things, having fun my last two weeks in Boston, and overall keeping myself sane during the move.

Obviously, my goal is not to use up all the money that I have. But I have a good sense of how much I can spend; I know my limit, and with this and all the bargaining/prioritizing/thriftiness that has now been ingrained in my head since starting this blog, I'll be able to spend money intelligently and almost guilt-free.

So that's that. I don't know what's going to happen to this blog once I start school, but we'll figure it out then. See you on the flip side!

I am spewing cash (or credit, really) like crazy these days.

$250 for furniture.
$100 for kitchenware.
$100 for a laptop bag (is this a good/bad price?).
$100 for books. For one class.
$XXXXX for tuition.
$more for fees to everything: new health insurance, student activities, tuition payment plan, new bank account, etc. etc.

And much more to be bought.

I guess it's all a part of moving, right? And starting anew? Perhaps, but it still hurts!

There's a phrase in the non-profit sector about a "culture of philanthropy:" having employees, board members, and volunteers always thinking about donations and donating themselves. This makes everyone more aware of giving opportunities that are out there.

I try to do the same in my life by adopting a "habit of philanthropy." I'm priviledged to make the amount of money I do and to live the comfortable lifestyle that I have. I give for a variety of reasons, not excluding assuaging my guilt, "giving back" to the community, and having another outlet for my activism.

I've decided to continue my current level of giving (approximately $300/year) when my income ends in a month and I go to school. Why?

Because I can skip two meals out every month.

Because I shouldn't make the excuse that I'm a student to think of only myself.

Because the organizations I give to are as important to me as any of my friends and family, all of whom I'd gladly give money to if they needed it. I don't want to forget them as they continue their struggles for justice in the world, just because I'll be in my own little world for the next two years.

In reality, $300 a year isn't that much. I'll be able to give more after I graduate. But for now, it's a way to remind myself that giving is good and important.

My friend Dave sent me this interesting link on How to Buy Nothing. It's an interesting site, not only for its content, but also because it's a wiki - a lot of people contributed to it, which means a lot of people are thinking about consumption, too!

I like the 7 rule: "if something you want is over 7 dollars, wait 7 days and ask 7 trusted people whether this is a good purchase. Then buy it if you still think it is a good idea. This rule will curtail impulse buying. Note: not everyone will enjoy giving their opinion every time you want to make a purchase."

Take what works for you, and try to challenge yourself to buy nothing! (or at least less!)


(cross-posted on Conscious Consuming)

Today I took the plunge and bought an expensive-for-me thing:

KitchenAid 7-cup food processor: $80

I actually feel good about this purchase. Why? I did a lot of research and slept on it for over a week before I went to buy it. I trust the brand, read good reviews, and know the appliance will (provided I treat it well) be around for many years. Any food processor below this was not rated well and has proven to break on a bunch of people on the Internet.

My dad and others always try to reinforce the lesson of a good investment. I think this is one of them, something that I can be happy about and use for a long time.

Do I "need" a food processor? Depends on who you ask. I probably could live without one, just as I have lived without a microwave for the past two years (and plan on continuing this tradition). But, in the long term, my life will be easier, and in some sense happier, because of it.