Goodbye Coupons

Dear Everycouponserviceever,

For so long I wished I could quit you. Now I have. Goodbye Groupon, Living Social, Crowd Cut, Daily Deals, etc. You have allowed me to think I was getting a deal, when really it always took me until the last week before expiration to use the deal. This in turn, stressed me out about the procrastination of it all. Sometimes, I even forgot about the deal altogether. In an effort to lose some of the clutter in my inbox and my life, I bid you adieu.

Relieved,
Jennifer

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

This is a motto that I seriously need to incorporate into my lifestyle. I have a strong overbuying tendency - I never want to be caught off-guard without something I need. As soon as I feel the mascara tube getting lighter, I buy a new one. As my perfume wanes, it’s time to stock up. Can’t find any socks because the sock monster ate exactly ½ of each pair? Buy new ones!

The problem with this way of living is:

• I overspend.
• I end up with expired items or things I never get to using because I have too much of it.
• I create more waste that will eventually be stuck in a landfill.
• I overspend.

Something that further troubles me is the creation of deals through sites like Groupon, LivingSocial, Crowd Cut, Daily Deals, etc. I am not really “saving” anything, but who can turn down a deal? I am going to make a commitment to reduce waste and as Gretchen Rubin puts it, “spend out.” So here is my list of stuff to use up before I can procure any more of it. Perhaps by making it public, I can feel a little ridiculous for having all of these certificates in queue, and motivate myself to spend them.

• Dry cleaning certificates (yes, two)
• Certificate to Scusi restaurant
• Certificate for in-home dog training
• 5 sessions at Heat Yoga
• 23 sessions at Core Power Yoga (twenty-three! Gah!)
• Certificate to Spalon Montage
• Certificate to Jordan A Salon
• Certificate for DSW
• Certificate to Knockout Bodies
• Unused monthly sessions at Massage Envy
• Unused gym membership at Lifetime Fitness (in my defense, it’s too beautiful out to be cooped up in a gym)

So my version might not entail hundred-dolla bills.

I think that’s it. Some of them were gifts that I’ve had for over a year. Lucky for me, those gift certificates can’t expire. It’s my goal to spend out and use these things up so I’m not throwing money in a black hole. Then, I’ll try to ignore some of the emails I get and decide that I really do not need to spend $20 on $40 worth at a store I’ve never heard of and might not like.

Are you a certificate hoarder?

Mind Over Clutter

It’s difficult to let go of things. I’m not talking about a broken friendship or relationship or anything of that magnitude. Just things. I’ve been almost conscientious about keeping things that might have use or value one day. But as I’m growing and changing and starting new projects and chapters, it’s time create some space and let go of the old. Carrie-friend commented on my last post, “People add value to your life, things add clutter.”

Things I have issues getting rid of because I will use them one day or because they are sentimental or because I’m a hoarder:

• Grade school schoolwork (Do I really need a spelling test from 5^th grade?) (Yes?) (Pretty please?)
• Office supplies (Well I could use ten million pens at work or at home or…never)
• Plane ticket stubs (I swear I traveled there! See? But how many can I really scrapbook?)
• Clothes (I could wear that one day. I might need it. It was a gift. Rule of thumb: if I haven’t worn it in over a year…it’s time for charity!)
• Jewelry (Those stretchy bead bracelets I made in the 8^th grade?)
• Greeting cards (Yes, I have about half of my high school graduation cards. Yes, some of them only have a signature and no message.)
• Beanie Babies (Still waiting for the value to skyrocket as it did when I was 12…)

I can’t wait for my upcoming massive-cleaning-marathon where I will unfortunately have to let go of some of the aforementioned objects of my skewed affection. That was a mouthful. Anyway, with a clearer space, I hopefully will have a clearer mind and be able to focus on what brings me joy, not stress.

In my pitiful defense, I’m not the only one with this issue! Ashley-friend wrote about it here. And there’s an entire show about it. So there.

William Morris said, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." No, rusted paperclips, you are not useful nor beautiful.


What can’t you let go of? What helps you let go?