Saving Money and Expanding our Community in Difficult Times
Recently, as part of my family’s effort to tighten up our home finances, we have begun the transition from bookstore to library. And the benefits have been incredibly rewarding! Santa Monica — where I live — has a new, beautiful library. We made a family trip to the new building, got library cards and spent the afternoon looking at the endless books there. Tara, my elder daughter, was so excited to see the variety of books from fiction to biographies to fantasy. They each got two lovely books to read (which they read that same night) and are ready to go back as soon as possible. In addition, we are setting aside books and dvds to donate and share with others in our community.
I marvel that if it weren’t for the uncertainty of the recession, I would have pushed off this incredible opportunity to teach my girls that a love for books is separate from the need to accumulate them. Not only are we supporting our local library, we are also encouraging our children to live more a more sustainable lifestyle — that is, taking advantage of what is already there instead of always buying everything brand-new.
Though the constant outpouring of negative news on foreclosures, bankruptcies and unemployment is nearly impossible to avoid, I have been reading with great interest the silver lining that has been emerging from this difficult economic period. Of families spending more time with their kids in nature or playing ball, rather than just seeing a movie. Or the rise in volunteers for non-profit organizations and charity events. An increase in public transportation. People everywhere learning in big and small ways that you really do not need to buy so many things to live a happy, fulfilled life.
This recession is an opportunity for us to curve our consumerism, and also to think more as a community. Readers, please share your intents on how you hope to decrease your spending while increasing your sense of community. Imagining a more caring, active and sustainable neighborhood within our own cities and towns is the first crucial step in repairing our country and the world at large. Mallika Chopra blogs regularly at Intent.com
14 Comments
Beautiful blog and I really like the comments around the silver linings. So true.
Thanks for sharing
Casey
I found that Denver has a great website publishing all of the free events in the city and surrounding area. I was shocked when I googled, free events in Colorado, how many great events came up! This has been a great chance to reinvest in my community and discover all that it has to offer. I am embarressed to admit that I never knew that all of these events were here! I have heard that many major cities have websites listing all of their free events too.
I think the natural curb in consumerism is also an opportunity to go more inward, to reconnect/connect with Self, and to connect with others in a deeper way than perhaps before. Consumerism can keep us “out there” and disconnected both from ourselves, our loved ones, our planet, and from things that really matter to us. If this “spiritual revitalization” comes out of the challenging times, then that is a true silver lining, or maybe even a gold lining.
Michalene
My husband and I recently moved to Mumbai, India. We have started something which I call the ‘Give-Away Bag.’ When we decide that we are not using or do not have a real need for a certain item, be it an article of clothing, extra food, toiletries, etc., we put it in the Give-Away Bag and I take it out to the car. When I run errands and I see someone who appears to need on of the items in the bag, I give it to them. We feel good knowing that items we did not cherish might bring joy, warmth, or nourishment to someone less fortunate.
My 80 year old Mom taught me from childhood: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without”…she went through the Great Depression and I have learned a tremendous amount from her! Yes, times are hard – I lost my job in January – but I’m taking this downturn as a challenge to become ever more present, grateful and content. Thanks for sharing….there is so much wisdom to be found and shared during these trials. ***Serentity*** may we all have it!
I love this! What a great way to look at this whole thing… :)
while a lot of people are having to make cutbacks and tighten up the budget, my family has been living without all the frills for as long as we’ve been a family.
My kids know the library inside and out since we never had the money to just go buy a book that we wanted. The books that do line our shelves have mostly come from thrift stores. You would be surprised at all the titles I have on my shelves and most cost .90 cents, or $1.99 for hardback.
Most of our clothes come from thift stores. New ones only come if I shop on the off season for next year. For example right now all winter clothes are marked way down and I have taken advantage of this by buying a size larger than my boys are wearing now for next school year. I’ve already gotten most of next years school shopping done, including winter coats. I found Columbia winter coats at Kohls marked down from $100.00 to $20.00. I bought 2 for next winter. Done.
I am glad that more people are finding ways to live within their means. I have felt like a loser many times for not being able to shower my kids with all the things their friends and other family members have. But more and more I’m finding that what appeared dazzling on the outside was all just a cover for a mountain of debt on the inside. We don’t have much money, but we don’t have much debt either and for that I’m thankful.
I think curbing our consumerism will heal more than our pocket books. It is a great idea in all aspects of life. So many adults and children have been taught that all things in life are disposable. From a new cell phone each year to a new pair of jeans. In our small basicmissions community we are having clothes swapping parties before we donate what no one wants or can fit into to charity. Ten to twelve women and men bring in thier gently used clothes and we swap out. Also we are learning that all these phones, plastic bottles and detergent holders must go somehwere so we are going to costo and sams saving old small containers and buying one huge batch of laundry soap or shampoo and splitting it. We also have a community garden. The libray is the best place for the up to the moment books and videos and they are cheap to rent or free. Patience is something we must cultivate if you book isn’t in just think had fabulous it will be when it is.. Savor the good things.. Thanks for the article. Loved it. When I listened to my beautidful birthday gift from Debbie, Goony and Leenda last year the Last Lecture by randy Pausch I learned so much about winning the parent lottery and not giving yourself or your children everything.. share and work together. Also one last idea if you like books on tape join a book club and you get two credits a month I split the cost with a friend and she and I get a book we like and a copy to share. We are able to copy the book as often as we like so we can share it I think if you limit the copies to and have them come back to you it is nice and gives you acess to mp3 media for a fraction of the cost. Callie
This is a great article! I have decided to grow a patio garden (YAY). As long as you have a natural source of sunlight you can grow something (herbs, fruit, veggies, etc). I intend to cut back on my grocery bill by picking my veggies fresh from outside my front door! And it’s a completely controlled environment, so I know they will be super organic and yummy too!
I challenge everyone to think outside of the box, and get creative about your spending/saving!
Public libraries are absolute gems! I’ve visited them for years: Before kids, during kids, and now in my empty nest. There is so much to learn from the books and CDs there, and you don’t spend a dime … unless, of course, you return items after their due date. I love the photo! I fondly remember those cards!
My three-year old daughter and I spend hours at the library and it’s not one of the better ones. I save by giving what I don’t need to others. Karma brings it all back to me (smile)!
Gardening is becoming increasingly popular due to the recession. Starting a community garden is a great way to get cheap organic food while connecting with the community!
I came upon this site http://veggietrader.com/
which alows people to trade, sell or buy homegrown vegetables.
Or for another fun cheap hobby check out http://guerrillagardening.org/
people garden illegally in public spaces at night to beutifully and greenify neighborhoods.
Gardening is becoming increasingly popular due to the recession. Starting a community garden is a great way to get cheap organic food while connecting with the community!
I came upon this site http://veggietrader.com/
which alows people to trade, sell or buy homegrown vegetables.
Or for another fun cheap hobby check out http://guerrillagardening.org/
people garden illegally in public spaces at night to beutify and greenify neighborhoods.
I understand this recession is hugely challenging for many families and many people have found themselves without work or even a home- but with that said, I believe it is doing a lot of good for a lot of our society- forcing us to assess what we really need and how little we actually do need to be happy.
March 26, 2009