Thursday, May 6, 2010

Cleanup Week

I am not sure about the rest of the world, but here we have an event called Cleanup Week.  This is the week where people place stuff on the boulevard to be disposed of for free.  Appliances, mattresses, furniture, clothes, and everything else ends up on the boulevard.  Many people like to take stuff that is still in good shape.

As you may guess, I am one of those people.  In the past, I have gotten yarned clothes hangers, flower pots, dying plants (now revived), and other small items.  This year, in one day walking home from work, I got a wooden folding clothes dryer (to hang clothes on), a rain poncho still in its packaging, wood glue, carabiner clips, a nearly new soldering iron, solder, a repairable collapsible lawn chair, and a todo/list-making whiteboard.  I was going to use a little chair I found in good shape but really had no place to use it.  We have too much clutter as it is, so I must not bring home unusable items.  I left it on our boulevard in a way that would be easy for someone else to take.  The next day, I also got some empty CD cases.

Some people are not friendly to the idea of people using their tossed items.  They will cut off cords on appliances, smash up the items, etc.  I find this approach wasteful.  So much ends up in the landfill as it is.  If it is still usable, why not let others use it?  That is one thing I have learned to enjoy about being frugal, it is efficient and environment-friendly as well.

I'm so excited to have a laundry hanger now.  I have seen them in stores for $20 or so.  This one is a little worn, but perfectly functional.  It will save me additional money but me using a dryer less.  I will use less electricity (i.e. coal) and my clothes will last longer.

I apologize for my absence, but I have been terribly busy.  Other frugal activities as of late include walking/biking as transportation, free coffee with my gas station mug, and cabbage roll casserole.  I will have to post that recipe up as it is frugal and uses whole foods.  We have turned off our furnace for the winter but it has gotten chilly here.  So I wear sweaters and drink coffee and tea to keep warm.    I have also been entertaining myself with at-home movies, my used copy of Little Women, biking, and visiting friends.  I have spent some money eating out but for small purchases.  However, I must hunker down and save more money.  I have goals for this summer.  Things must be attended to.

Oh, on a side note, being in a positive mood is probably one of the most frugal things I can do.  I don't comfort eat, am grateful for what I have, and enjoy the simple things in life.  I stay healthier and am more productive.

Well, that is all for now.  <3