Thoughtful & Minimalist Gift Giving

 

In this day and age I find myself making a lot of considerations when it comes to gift giving with the primary one being cost.  Things, stuff, crap, whatever you want to call it, is expensive and becoming even more so.  Another one is that most people in my circle are in similar positions, just like me.  We have all the things, stuff, crap, whatever you want to call it, we need or want and we are all working to downsize and clear the clutter in our own homes.  We are also all on limited incomes.

 

I like to give consumables.  They are easy, appreciated and they don’t hang around forever.  Food gifts are my favorite because I love to cook and create in my kitchen.  It is my number one favorite thing to do above all else.  So anything food related is a good gift option.  I also like to give wine, beer and liquor to my drinking friends.

 

Other consumables are things I know a specific person would like.  I have friends that like paper, not unlike myself, so I will give them a simple decorated notepad or journal I have made.  Add a pen, or not, and it is good to go.  They’ll use it up and they don’t take up a lot of space.  I have friends that love candles.  I have people that enjoy a nice scented soap.  We can all use a bottle of foaming hand soap to wash our hands with.  Things we will use on a daily basis and use up meet the criteria.

 

Gift cards are my other go-to gift item.  I like them because you can personalize it based on who you are giving it to and they fit nicely inside a greeting or Christmas card.  Easy peasy!  Most of the gift cards I give are to grocery stores, gas stations or a favorite restaurant, something useful to enhance their life a little bit.

 

I no longer need to shop for gifts to stockpile, wrap and send to people for their birthdays or at Christmas.  I no longer need to spend a bunch of money or need to have a particular budget set up for gift giving anymore either.  I just keep it modest and simple.  Not surprisingly, the gifts that are appreciated the most are the ones they can eat.

 

This Month's 2025 Grocery Spending – August

 

I began the month of August midway through a two month pantry challenge and fairly well stocked with dairy products, a little slim on the fresh produce, but not too bad.  I still had plenty to work, most of a head of cabbage, a little bit of spinach, a third of an onion, a bag of carrots and a few stalks of celery.  In the summer when it is hot I find a greater need for fresh salad vegetables to have with my meals otherwise I just want to eat ice cream for dinner.

 

On the way home from work I stopped at Winco and picked up a container of the spring greens salad mix, another bag of spinach and a container of grape tomatoes.  I use the spinach for salads as well as in my smoothies so I knew that partial bag I already had would not last very long.  While I was there I decided to also get another carton of milk rather than need to come back within a week to get one.

 

However, a week later I stopped back into Winco again for a package of twenty five tortillas, which happened to be on sale for $2.48, and two onions for 89¢ so I could meal prep some freezer burritos.  As I was going to check out I couldn’t help but notice that prices on several items I typically buy had jumped up in price again just in the last week (sigh).  I managed to get out of there using up some of the change I had in my wallet and headed for home while trying not to feel discourage at this persistent rise in pricing.

 

One thing I have noticed in the past two months is that I wasn’t perusing the weekly grocery store ads on a regular basis because I really didn’t need much and only intended to buy what I needed to make my meals.  No need to hunt for bargains, download digital coupons and offers, or make shopping trip itinerary plans was a nice reprieve.  Although I enjoy it, sometimes it is nice to take a break from all that research and strategizing.  I also find that purchasing and eating only REAL Food makes a huge difference as well in not only the time I spend preparing to go to the grocery store, but how much it positively affects my budget.

 

With that being said, I noticed I was getting low on cheese so toward the end of the month I did go online to see if there were any good deals on cheese and as it turned out Fred Meyer had cheese on sale for $2.99 a pound so I stopped in one day and picked up two of their sixteen ounce blocks to grate, bag and add to the freezer.  I also picked up some fresh fruit because it just sound so yummy.  Even on a pantry challenge you can enjoy some goodies. 😉

 

Running low again on fresh stuff!

After using the milk I had picked up to make two batches of homemade yogurt as well as my smoothies I ran out toward the end of the month.  I was also running low on cream for my coffee as well as fresh greens so back to the stores I went.  I picked up my milk and fresh produce at Fred Meyer and then cream at Cash & Carry.

 

That's better!

Digital coupons saved me a ton on these items!

My biggest shopping focus this month was to restock the linen closet with some household products I was running low on.  After watching for a good sale and loading some digital coupons I was ready.  I only had a few Swiffer dusters left so I wanted to get another box of those.  I was on my last can of Comet cleanser and down to a handful of dishwasher tabs so I also had that on the list.  A large canister of Lysol wipes was also on sale so I decided to get those too.  I have decided to be a little kinder to myself and allow some convenience items so I bought these to use whenever I want to quickly wipe down the toilets.  The only thing left on my restock list was laundry supplies which I wouldn’t need to get until the end of the year so plenty of time to watch for a bargain.

 

This alone will last me well over a year

Well, I only had to wait a week and a bargain presented itself in the form of a buy one get one free sale on liquid laundry detergent and a digital coupon for a large bottle of Shout stain spray so I jumped on it and with that my 2025 Non Food Restock list was all checked off.  Reorganizing and restocking my linen closet was oddly cathartic as I realized I have everything I need to finish out the year and well into the next year.  I think I have enough laundry detergent and dishwasher tabs to last me well past 2026 and I am very comfortable with that.  My total spent this month on these things came in at $40.56.  I’m very comfortable with that too!

 

I did a good sized meal prep

Friends blessed me with home grown tomatoes & lemon cucumbers

Now that I’m done with my pantry challenge and will be going back to regular shopping I will be regularly perusing the ads again and taking advantage of any sales, markdowns and digital offers that I can in order to continue to keep my spending as low as possible and stay within my budget.  I’m pretty happy with how my pantry challenge turned out because I was able to use up a lot of things I already had on hand, do some meal prepping which has netted me quite a few meals still in my freezer and save some money in the process.

 

My total dollars spent on food this month came in at a whopping $45.21.  Going into next month I have $109.57 to rollover and add to my September budget for a grand total of $209.57 to get started.  I’m very excited about that!

 

Under Consumption - Core?

 

Adding the word “core”, meaning style or aesthetics, onto another word is rather trendy these days.  I’ve heard Grandma-Core which embraces a lifestyle reminiscent to our grandparents or the perception of one’s grandparents.  Cottage-Core suggests ways to arrange or decorate your home more like a country or English cottage.  There are various fashion cores, too many to list.  The one that gave me a chuckle was Under Consumption-Core which suggests in light of our current inflation and corporate greed that we embrace purchasing less.  I don’t know that we need to add the word “core” to consuming less, but it is definitely a premise I can get behind.

 

For ages I’ve been preaching about this very thing.  Spend less, save more!  And by save more I don’t mean buy something on sale I literally mean save your money.  In an account!  That earns interest.  Preferable a lot!  Make your money really work for you and earn its right to be spent.  Be intentional about the things that we do and the things that we buy.  Stop buying garbage and seek out quality goods instead, especially when it comes to our food.

 

I am midway through my second month of a pantry challenge and it has occurred to me that my entire life seems to be one big pantry challenge.  I am using the resources I already have on hand first before I go out and buy anything new.  Early in life it was something I had to do.  Now it is something I want to do.  It has become a way of life, a habit if you will.  I don’t want to be wasteful.  I want to be a good steward.  In the process I want to be mindful of my spending and grow my wealth.

 

I’m not sure we need to make a “core” out of everything, but it does my heart good to see the younger set embracing the idea of consuming less while watching their debt and spending habits.  If it helps them to make it trendy, then by all means, so be it.  What are your thoughts?  Are you embracing the Under Consumption Core?

 

A Condo Makes Sense

 

Over the past ten years or so I have looked at tiny homes, park model homes, even mobile homes as well as cabins and smaller homes.  Recently I had to sit down with myself and have a reality check.  I’m not thirty years old anymore (the age I apparently think I am in my head) and I’m not going to get younger anytime soon.  I have to be realistic with my plans, especially if I want to age in my own home.

 

After all of that research and contemplation I’ve come to the conclusion that a condo makes the most sense for me.  I want a small one bedroom, one bathroom (I only want to have to wash one toilet) unit with a nice kitchen that I can cook my meals, do a little home canning and bake in.  I will take care of the inside and allow someone else to take care of the outside.

 

I also had to come to terms with the fact that I’m no landscaper, I wholeheartedly admit I am terrible at it.  And!  I don’t enjoy working in the yard or gardening either.  The last thing I want to do is go outside and plant stuff or pull weeds.  Who have I been kidding?!  It just isn’t my thing.  Give me a little patio or a balcony with a flower pot where I can put a few flowers and a little bistro set where I can sit and have my morning coffee or watch the rain fall and I’d be just fine.  I don’t need a yard or a garden.

 

My BFF has lived in a condo since 2020 (when Covid hit) after living in a house.  He hasn’t regretted that decision one bit.  He lives in a secure building so it allows him to come and go without worrying about his home while he is away.  He never has to worry about a leaky roof or fallen gutter.  He doesn’t have to mow or weed & feed the grass.  He doesn’t have to paint the exterior or make any outside repairs because the HOA fees cover that.

 

He is only responsible for the interior.  As he told me if his water heater fails or an appliance stops working he just goes to Home Depot or Lowes and makes arrangements.  Same thing if the carpet wears out.  The hardest decision he has to make is what replacement item to choose.  He has it delivered and installed and they haul off the old stuff.  Done!  And it isn’t like those types of things happened all the time, in fact they are very infrequent.  It is definitely an easier and more carefree lifestyle.

 

Even though there are monthly HOA fees if I do the math I will actually be saving money in the long run.  A lot of money!  I won’t have to save up for a roof replacement or to have someone come and paint my house.  I won’t have as many expenses either.  Depending on where I live my property taxes, homeowners insurance and utility bills will all be lower.  In many condos the water sewer and trash is included with the HOA fees.  I like that!  I certainly won’t have to spend another $3,000 having my trees trimmed/removed like I did last fall.

 

Have any of you thought about or lived in a condo?  What are your thoughts?

 

Things I Don't Plan To Buy The Rest of 2025

 

One of the nice things about working with my housekeeping checklist, a bonus if you will, is that while I am cleaning I am also able to take inventory of what I have inside of my home.  This allows me to clearly know what I already have on hand and if I see something that is damaged or worn out, or I find something I am running low on, I will add it to my shopping list.  Additionally, it also allows me the opportunity to declutter anything I no longer need, use or want.  After finishing up my housekeeping checklist at the end of June I realized I have a lengthy list of things I don’t need to buy for the remainder of 2025.

 

Toilet Paper 

I am still working off of the 2020 pandemic stash we amassed during that crazy time.  It wasn’t intentional to accumulate that much T.P., but with three people constantly buying it there for a while we acquired quite a stash.  When the girls moved out on their own they didn’t take much of it with them and told me to keep it for my retirement.  Although I’ve been using it the last three years and the stockpile is diminishing I still have quite a bit in the linen closet so I have no need to buy more at this time.

 

Coffee 

Coffee is my favorite beverage.  I look forward to my first cup every morning and it is a big part of my daily routine.  I intentionally stockpiled coffee in advance of my retirement date so I had a good supply.  Last year, when they reported coffee prices were going to rise due to crop failures, I topped up my stockpile replacing all that I had used so far.  Plus, my BFF likes to buy me coffee as gifts so right now I am well stocked and will not need to buy anymore coffee this year.

 

Toiletries 

I am well stocked up on everything I typically use to get ready for my day and at bedtime.  I have plenty of toothbrushes and toothpaste, floss, soaps, shower gels, lotions, creams, shampoo and conditioner.  At the beginning of this year I restocked my flossers and toothpaste when it was on sale and a few months later added a bottle of shampoo and a bottle of hair conditioner.  I am all set for the remainder of the year.

 

Food Storage Containers & Canning Jars 

I have more than enough plastic bags, wraps, foils, waxed paper and plastic freezer containers.  I also have all the canning jars and supplies I will need so these items will not be on my shopping list again this year and more than likely well into 2026.

 

Clothing, Shoes & Purses 

Right now I have everything I need and wear.  I’ve already made the planned purchases of items I wanted to replace so I will not need to buy anything else this year.  I don’t even think I will need any new shoes and I have one really nice purse which is all I need in this stage of my life.  As time goes on I find I really do enjoy having a smaller wardrobe with fewer choices and for now I just want to keep it that way.

 

Office Supplies 

During the past couple of years I have decluttered and donated a lot of the office and all of the school supplies I had in my house.  In the process I have managed to streamline and really hone in on what I actually need and use.  Now I’m in the “use it up” phase of what is left.  Currently my office supplies take up the two drawers of my TV stand.  My goal is to whittle it all down to only use one drawer so I will not be purchasing anything new this year.

 

Craft & Sewing Supplies 

In my mission to declutter my home I have gone through all of my crafting and sewing supplies and donated a ton of stuff keeping only items I felt I would actually use.  I also reorganized and labeled everything so I could easily find what I need when I go to make something.  I am really enjoying how this has worked out for me.  Because I want to give mostly handmade gifts to friends and loved ones I want to use up my supplies to make those gifts as well as any items I may want to have for myself.  I have more than enough supplies inside my home to accomplish this goal so I will not need to buy anything more this year.

 

With all of this in mind I can now concentrate on things I actually need to repurchase.  As I do so I am trying to be realistic about what I need and how much I actually need of it.  It is very tempting, especially when something goes on sale for a really good price, to want to stock up on a bunch of it, but if you are buying more than you need it simply becomes a waste of money.  I’m still trying to find that balance, but I feel like I am finally making some progress.  Making a list like this and understanding why I don’t need more really helps.

 

The other day I was in the store to pick up two specific items I wanted and as I strolled through the aisles I realized just how much I already have and do not need to buy.  I picked up the items I had gone there for and left the store feeling really good about where I’m currently at.

 

This Month's 2025 Grocery Spending – July

 

This month I embarked on a two month pantry challenge to finish up the summer with.  My deep freezer was packed to the gills with some really great meat and seafood I got on markdown or with digital coupon offers for an awesome deal.  After awhile you have have to eat this stuff so a pantry challenge was definitely in order.

Day 1 of my pantry challenge - lots of good stuff!

The veggies in this drawer from last year need to be used up

I began the month with a fairly empty crisper drawer so I wanted to add just a few items I use quite often as well as some milk for making my yogurt and smoothies and a quart of cream for my coffee.  I stopped into Winco one evening on my way home and quickly picked up what I needed for just $16.07.  Other than that, I was pretty well set to get started.

 

Kitchen freezer - veggies on the left, meats on the right

A week and a half later I stopped back into Winco on my way home from work to pick up more salad greens, an onion, a bunch of scallions and two bags of frozen broccoli florets.  I needed the onion, scallions and broccoli for some meal prepping I had planned and more greens for some delicious summer salads.  My goal with this time was to spend less than $15 and this shop came in at $13.33.  I was pretty happy about that.

 

At the end of the month I went to Cash & Carry because they had the best price on a half gallon of cream at $9.59.  I also made the last and final grocery shopping trip into Winco to restock some dairy items I had run low on which included a half gallon of organic milk, a very large tub of organic yogurt, a container of bleu cheese to use in my salads and in some salad dressing I made as well as another bag of spinach for my salads and smoothies.  That shop came in at $16.82, a little more than I was wanting to spend that day, but the yogurt was a good deal and I didn’t have time to make my own so, that was that.

 

The cream, milk and yogurt purchases at the end of the month have set me up very well to head into the next month well stocked and will keep me on track as my pantry challenge continues.  The total spent on non food items came in at $0 and my total spent for food this month was $54.65 leaving me with a rollover amount totaling $54.78 to add to next month’s $100 budgeted amount.  I am quite pleased with that.

 

As grocery prices continue to climb how are you doing with your shopping?  Are you able to stay within budget and get the items you need?  How about stocking up?  Are you able to find good bargains to fill your shelves and freezer?