I have willingly parted with television, a land line, home internet access, closet space, a dream kitchen (yes, I did have it!), a yard, a car, and a shower built to fit two people comfortably. I can certainly do without meat, manicures, frequent haircuts, weekly trips to Sephora, pretty much everything at Anthropologie (though it's so, so hard ...), restaurant dining, expensive chocolates, additions to my shoe collection, vacations, and a thermostat set at a comfortable 69 degrees. But please, please, in the name of all that is holy, don't ever ask me to part with the following (and I'm only talking about the inanimate here):
- books.
- coffee.
- pens and paper--the right kind of pens, inviting paper.
- my iPhone, which is my connection to the world (see no internet, no tv, no land line).
- netflix.
- my Cole Haan coat that never fails to get compliments and make me feel like a million damn dollars, and which I plan to have until I die.
- growing things, in pretty pots.
Honestly, in the world of Things, there aren't many I can't do without. So why, and here's the purpose to my listmaking, why oh why am I so strapped for cash? How does one economize a lifestyle that would make Emily Dickinson look extravagant? Perhaps I need to spend a week spending NOTHING. Well, except for essentials for the care of my young'un, like milk and mac & cheese, and SEPTA tokens. I'm going to give it a try ... starting Monday. Wish me luck!
Posts
i don't see beer on your list
ReplyDeleteI couldn't quite decide ... can I do without it? Really? Or really not? Believe me, I'm in a state of deep ambivalence about beer.
ReplyDeleteyou are believed... good luck with that.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your simple list and love the idea of writing one for myself to go along with the challenge of not spending for one week. I have done the later before but only during times where I've spent most of my time working.
ReplyDelete