I ran across an interesting quote today. Before I go on, I’ll share it with you.

"Our waste problem is not the fault only of producers. It is the fault of an economy that is wasteful from top to bottom – a symbiosis of an unlimited greed at the top and a lazy, passive, and self-indulgent consumptiveness at the bottom – and all of us are involved in it,” Wendell Berry.

The brunt of Berry’s argument comes when he says our waste is connected to the economy — to how we use and use and use without thought to conservation, moderation, or luxury. I think we can stretch the logic of his statement to say that our waste directly relates to our spending habits. For instance, a person who uses the green linen grocery bags instead of opting for the plastic sacks at checkout would be more money conscious. If consumption leads to waste and the majority of waste comes as a result of convenience, laziness, and general apathy then we might need to reconsider our perception on use.

The natives of this country did hunt for their food, not travel to grocery stores to buy plastic covered meat with food coloring to accentuate it’s freshness. The act of slaughtering an animal meant preserving a family through use of that animal’s resources. Today we often times forget the process behind the foods and supplies we consume. We see only price labels, packaging, and product. The resources we use come down to buying bits and making them fit holes, not finding the whole and making it fit the individual needs.

American society does waste more per capita than any country in the world. Coincidentally we’re also a country of consumers rather than savers. Our economy thrives on this spending, but we also lose site of usefulness and needs when we simply buy and buy and buy. As individuals we can attempt to stymie excess spending by reining in the unnecessary purchases and making smarter shopping decisions on the whole.

The best place to start for smart shopping would be where we meet our life needs: food, shelter, and clothing. We need these essentials, so how do we go about getting them without creating too much waste in the process, both for our wallets and the world around us. In the next few posts, we’re going to take a look at how we can transform our approach to spending on necessities and forfeit waste in the process.

There’s two sides of this question — are you an avid buyer at garage sales, looking for the best deals on things you need, or do you host your own garage sale, making some extra money selling off the things you don’t need? As an excited first-time, garage sale attendee, I consulted my parents (long-time, early morning garage sale junkies) on their experiences.

The recent surge of warm weather should lead to garage sales, as people begin to migrate outdoors. While the bulk of sales come in the Summer months, many great deals can be found in the Spring and Fall. I asked them if they look anywhere in particular for garage sale listings — the daily newspaper, of course. It’s still a great way to find garage sales. If you don’t subscribe to your local newspaper, you can likely find the listings online. Visit the classified sections to filter through the ones you want to visit.

Garage sale veterans likely have a few tips, so I asked my parents for theirs.

• Always go as early as possible. If the sale starts at 8 and you really want the trampoline, then get there at 7:55.
• Prices, especially late in the sale day, are subject to negotiation. Always low-ball, and don’t be afraid to start walking to the car.
• If it’s an electronic or appliance, ask if they’ve tested it lately, and even ask if you can plug in whatever you’re looking to buy. You should always ensure what you’re shelling out money for actually works!

In my house, we’ve found things to sell on eBay, and some through Craigslist too. Our goal was to clear out our spare bedroom of all its junk to make way for the little bambino coming in June. We’re more than halfway cleared away the excess, but might consider hosting a garage sale. It would be a great way to make a little extra cash, in order to really have the spare bedroom cleaned out, but it would take organization and time.

Some things to consider when hosting a garage sale:

1. How to price all your items, including markings (price label) and negotiations.
2. If you have help, be sure they are aware of your negotiation leeway, like 20% discounts without your approval, but anything over that they must consult you first.
3. The larger your inventory, the more you have to keep an eye on. Kids, teenagers, and some adults, may try to take off with your goods. It’s like you’re opening a store in your driveway; just be sure to treat it as such.
4. Have fun!

Those who attend garage sales might have some tips for us. If you do, drop us a comment. We’re psyched out the sale season and hope to find some things for our baby at discounted prices. What about you? What will/do you shop for at garage sales?

The other day I was walking with my wife through our local mall. The crowd was thin, unlike Christmas time when we frequently have to sidestep children, walk around throngs of people at kiosks, and generally wait for lines to clear in order to checkout. We were on a mission for maternity clothes. We window-shopped, until we found the right buy. We stepped out of the way and managed to leave the mall with the one purchase we intended.

In the past, a trek to the mall would have meant hours spent browsing various shops, coupled with a latte, popcorn, or some other unnecessary treat. Now that we have a financial goal — a course set for ourselves — we tend to think less of what to buy and more about what not to buy.

Necessities like food, clothing, shelter will take center-stage. In our budget, we allot for monthly expenses related to clothes. Since my wife is pregnant, it makes sense that she’ll need to purchase maternity wear. We don’t have to buy the most expensive, but we do need something to get by.

So this begs the question. How often do we stand in the way of saving money? Do we reach for a coupon, forget to stow away money each week in a savings account, or otherwise hinder our saving goals? I’ve recognized a few ways I step in the way, and block my attempts to stick with a budget.

1. Always buying new. It’s a habit, really. I can’t seem to separate myself from the idea that quality comes with new. I’ve had to reform this belief and realize that many used goods can be just as valuable as their new counterpart. A classic example would be a used piece of furniture.
2. Not looking for deals. Let’s face it. We’re all busy people. Looking for a coupon might only take a few minutes, but I don’t have it to spare, right? The advent of the internet quelled this belief. I now step online for a minute and Google the product/service. Most of the time I find a deal, coupon, or better product at a better price.
3. Putting off Saving Money. I still fall into this category, although it’s become easier since my wife has our first child coming. I need to save money on every paycheck. It becomes hard when bills pile-up and it’d be easier to just pay off the credit card companies. Even 5% of income, until debt has been paid off, can go a long way towards annual savings.
4. Believing More Money will Come Along Soon. I suffer from this delusion. It’s a passive thought process that a.) I’ll start earning more money with a promotion or b.) a big break will occur that unloads a truckload of wealth into my lap. These lottery fantasies have to go. If I want to succeed with a financial plan, I need to have a perspective of now. I can’t rely on money I don’t have.

If I can eliminate these four roadblocks, then I can stay on a frugal path. The goals I set for myself may need work and the results may seem like a long way off, but with the right perspective they can and will become a reality.