ERICA BENDER
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The Rules

1/1/2020

1 Comment

 
One thing I've learned through past challenges (and life, generally) is the importance of setting boundaries. Without boundaries, I can easily find myself looking for loopholes - little escape doors through which I can shirk my original intention while still being able to rationalize/justify my actions. If I want to avoid the search for loopholes and the temptation to fall into them, I need to set some rules! 

So here they are - the rules that will guide my purchasing choices in 2020. 
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What's Allowed...
  • Food/beverages (includes groceries, dining out, getting coffee, and beer/wine/cocktails)
  • Gas for my car
  • Essential toiletries (The things I use every day: shampoo, soap, lotion, sunscreen; can only buy when I run out of what I already have)
  • Essential cosmetics (The things I use every day: foundation, mascara, eyeliner, and blush; only when I run out)
  • Cleaning supplies (only when I run out)
  • Gifts for others (make by hand or buy secondhand as much as possible)
  • Soil for existing houseplants
  • Anything a nurse/doctor would recognize as "medical supplies" (e.g. medication, bandages, etc.)

What's NOT Allowed...
  • Clothing
  • Shoes and socks
  • Accessories (includes any jewelry, scarves, hair accessories, watches, etc.)
  • Non-essential toiletries (e.g. random things I think look cool/interesting but don't need for daily life, such as fragrant lotions, hair products not for daily use, perfume, etc.)
  • Non-essential cosmetics (e.g. nail polish, eye shadow, lipstick, etc.)
  • Books, magazines, reading materials 
  • Office supplies (including notebooks, pens, etc.)
  • Household items (candles, decor, furniture, etc.)
  • House plants (including cut flowers) or new planting pots/supplies
  • Entertainment items (games, puzzles, DVDs, etc.)
  • Exercise equipment 

What's *Conditionally* Allowed (and why)...

This year, there will be a pretty major change in my domestic life as my roommate of 6 years moves out (and on to a new, exciting chapter). When that happens, she'll be taking some of her things with her and I'll be moving to the other room in my apartment. In anticipation of this change, I am going to allow myself to buy a few domestic items. 
  • 1 piece of large artwork for living room
  • 1 butcher block knife set for kitchen
  • 1 lamp for bedroom (only if necessary for sufficient reading light)
  • 1 bookcase for bedroom
  • 2 small storage pieces for closet
  • Paint/repair supplies as needed for walls and re-furbishing existing furniture

Other Rules...
  • I can accept gifts from others, but will encourage them to spend their money on experiences we can share rather than spending it on an item to give me (e.g. a nice dinner or outdoor adventure rather than, say, a sweater). 
  • I can replace broken or worn out essential items if ALL of the following conditions are met: 
    • ​It is, in fact, essential (meaning: it is crucial to my day-to-day functioning as an adult human), 
    • I do not have an equivalent item that can stand in/do for now,
    • And the existing item cannot be repaired/refurbished.

When in Doubt, Use the Chart!

For this year, I will define need as something I require for my day-to-day life. Something that could be useful, or could be helpful, or seems good to have is not a need. If I'm not sure about whether something is necessary enough to purchase, I will resort to the following decision flowchart. 
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As much as possible, if I MUST buy something, I will have to do my homework to see if I can get the item secondhand or sustainably/ethically sourced.

And There They Are...

The rules for my 2020 challenge. Stay tuned for what happens when I actually try to live by these rules! It's one thing to write them out and think about them in the abstract - it will be something else to actually put them into practice!
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Got a Question? Or an Idea for a Rule?

Let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts and ponder through things with you! Your questions/ideas only help me clarify things I haven't yet considered, so please share them. 

Okay, here goes nothin!
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1 Comment
Melissann
1/2/2020 04:38:44 am

I think this sounds like a great plan for a new year, much of which is a sound blueprint for so many of us who spend too much, have too much, and--for me at least--simply aren't accumulating savings and/or retirement funds as a result. The only thing that would absolutely not work for me is books being on the excluded list. I think getting from the library when possible makes sense, but I spend a lot of time reading and most of that is stored on my kindle (not adding more "stuff" because my bookshelves are full). I have and love kindle unlimited and could definitely work harder to find books there versus also buying when what I want isn't included.

Anyway, that was a long tangent, but I want most to say is that this seems like a worthy challenge, I support you, and I look forward to hearing about your journey along the way this year. Have you considered pre-planned regularly timed posts, for example planning ahead for a post on the first every month? Honestly something like that would help me in terms of accountability. I look forward to hearing more soon and wish you good luck!!!

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