Buying gifts for family and children is always mindful and borne from love. Never to be explained or rationalized
I haven’t bought a book in years and years. My taxes pay for the library. Why wouldn’t I use it? And in my state – and probably most of them – I can use any library around the state with my local library card.
The books I want to read from the library end up being on long wait lists so I forget. Like the one for the next book club reading, I am number 75 with 15 copies. Who knows when I would get it. I end up buying them.
I used to live somewhere where the library was amazing and very well funded. I used it a ton. Now I live somewhere where the system is not well funded and not great. I never go now. It’s a shame.
I love my library. I typically don’t have to wait long even for new bestsellers because you can choose to be put on a waitlist drawing from over a dozen area libraries and they deliver it to mine to pick up.
Although I do save by using the library, I cut them a nice check every year as well.
I love my library. I usually have around ten books and movies on hold at any given time. My purchasing has dropped dramatically since ebooks came along.
The mindful part has been very useful. I’ve been cleaning out the kitchen and it’s time for new skillets. I walked through Ross today and found exactly what I’d been thinking of getting, at a good price. I also resisted the other things that looked interesting.
I have been very good at controlling spending for several months now, including through the holiday season. Although I did overspend on good food and drink for my holiday dinners. Probably could have served hot dogs if I was diligent.
But, I am traveling somewhere freezing cold (for me) later this year and I’ve decided I need to get out and shop for all the good coats which are probably on sale right now. There’s normally no coats to be found later in our area. Coats are not something I’m comfortable buying over the Internet because, of course, I need the one that’s flattering and makes me look 10 lbs lighter! I know that’s impossible because I’m probably going to have to settle for a puffer coat for warmth.
Getting out to a mall is like pulling teeth for me
@coralbrook, one way I have found that allows me to have warmth without so much bulk is using the Omni-Heat technology coats, it reflects the heat back to you. I really like it more and so does picky D—we have matching jackets. Columbus makes it and is currently running a sale with 50% off some of their clothing. Free shipping if you join their free online membership list.
@coralbrook - I have warm coats I could lend you but I suspect they would be far too big. Does that count as looking 10 pounds lighter? How about a nice fur?
@HImom, even though this is the spending freeze thread, I just spent 10 minutes looking for a Columbia omni-heat technology jacket. I no longer have a ski jacket and this really is a need. I really struggle with finding something short enough that it’s not in my way when I ski but that is warm enough. As a Californian, I’m unaccustomed to the cold and really need a warm jacket. If you happen to know where I can check out one of the Columbia jackets with this technology, I’d love to see it.
@coralbrook, good luck finding the right coat at a good price.
Will I get pelted by PETA activists in Europe if I’m wearing a fur coat? I need something long and stylish for the trip.
I used to like going to the mall as I could find good clearance deals there… not anymore. I mostly go to Nordstrom to eat at the café when Mr. is out of town…
This is the jacket both D and I got for the holidays. We both got it in black. It kept D TOASTY warm in the dessert at Joshua Tree this winter when she was doing a movie shoot a few weeks ago.
I haven’t yet tried wearing it in cold but will use it in SF in a short while. I get cold easily so like WARM jackets.
I’ve also had their Whirlibird jacket before this one. It has a liner that can be zipped in or out. Without the liner, it’s a windbreaker and the liner can be worn separately.
Both are very nice jackets that are more feminine and WARM! They’re currently on sale as well.
Don’t do fur - not only for the possible negative reaction from PETA people - it is simply way too physically heavy for travel. Find something light like the columbia jackets that does a good job of keeping you warm.
The North Face and Patagonia both started their winter sales today. If you have a store nearby, I know my North Face store had a good selection.
I have North Face down jackets which I am never cold in.
Why are we talking about what sites have sales if this is the “freeze your spending” thread?
Regarding libraries – If the book I want at my local library isn’t available, or if the “hold” list is very long, I’ll go to the library in the town next door, or to the one two towns away. I can usually find the book I want that way.
I just don’t want to own a book that I’m only going to read once.
I am a big supporters of libraries. I read 100 books a year, so I very rarely buy them. My town library is part of a big consortium and I typically request books from their online system. I try to game the system, putting in requests for the newest title before they are released but have already been entered into the system (getting me a good place in the queue). All of my book groups shy away from titles that are difficult to get because they are too new. I am also patient and will simply wait it out when the holds list is very long. The book isn’t going away and there are many more to read while I wait!
My husband is a big buyer of used books. Finding great stuff on WWII or NYC history in used book stores (we live near NYC so this includes the Strand). Most of these books are browsing books (big, with lots of pictures), so he gets his money’s worth from looking at them many times over years. When he tires of one, we donate it to the library (they will sell them).
On the other hand, my daughter belongs to a book group that will read newer stuff and works on a tight deadline. So, her books are usually bought on Amazon (new paperback editions.) Those get donated back to the library when she is done (another way of supporting them). If the title is new enough, they may even put it in their collection.
I too have a library card for my county and the next for better selection. In addition to books, I download magazines for travel. Save the expense on subscriptions. I like reading magazines on my iPad! We also have a used book center that I frequent in the summer for magazines to take to the beach - and not have to bring back - they are .10 cents each -I can afford that! 
The Patagonia or Marmot lightweight down jackets - I mean really lightweight are excellent for traveling, packing, and keeping relatively warm as long as you are not in extremely cold climates. Very good for 30 degrees on up.
Well, I think I fell off the wagon. Or maybe not? Hmmmmm. Remember that AHA 12% lotion for the body that I’ve been wanting to try since last year? Well, I bought it online for $20. My legs look so crepey and it would be nice to start using now before short season, since it takes at least 3 months I would imagine. Angie from Hot and Flashy did a before and after 6 months and there was visible improvement in the knee wrinkles. So, was that mindful spending? Yes…it’s something I’ve thought about for 6 months. However…I didn’t have to have it. So, either way…I came to confess my purchase.
Listen, not making excuses for you or in support of your spending BUT - in the course of a month many of us make probably several “mindless” purchases - sometimes more than one in a trip to a store (you know how that Target or Home Goods cart can easily fill with cute “this and that” that you don’t really need!).
So, if you bought one thing - that’s still probably much less than mindless spending than usual, right?