The Rules

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. 

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. 

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!

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!