Changing the Present

I just wanted to let you all know of a fantastic organisation I just Stumbled-Upon.

I mentioned Kiva.org a few weeks back - where you could loan money to third-world entrepreneurs. Today’s organisation is a charity also - but they focus on ‘changing the present’ - as in changing what we give people as presents.

From the website: “Our gifts are a great alternative to that bath set or novelty sweater you were planning to wrap up this holiday season — just choose “Create A Card” from the shopping cart to send a personalized greeting card announcing each gift you donate in a friend’s name”.

I have seen similar organisations before - this one is great because they actually represent a whole lot of different charities and organisations. If you have a gift you need to give someone - please have a look today. Mum - I think I know where you’re birthday present is coming from this year!

(P.S. to mum - In fact - go check it out, and tell me which one you want me to donate to on your behalf Yes everyone - my mother does read this blog… she really should come out and say hello in the comments some time (hint.. hint…)

Winter warmers - secondhand style

A few weeks ago, we had a cold snap. This was when I discovered that my current blankets weren’t up to the challenge of winter - especially with only the cat to keep me warm! So, I decided a new blanket and some flannel sheets was in order.

I happened to be up at the shops, so I had a look in K-Mart - thinking I might find some reasonably-priced stuff in there. However, a decent blanket was $60! And a set of two flannel sheets was $40! I walked out in a huff, refusing to pay such ridiculous prices for such basic items.

I was sure that I could find what I was after at an op-shop (a charity second-hand store for you non-Aussies). So, I took the main road to work, (which I hate, because even at 1pm, the traffic is horrendous!), as I knew there was a spot where three op-shops stood almost next to each other.

Alas, in the first I was thwarted in my mission… but when I got to the second shop - success! I bought a big, heavy blanket, plus a single queen flannel sheet (they only had one, but I figured one was better than none!)… and all for under $30. I told the woman that I didn’t need a bag, at which she replied dubiously “are you sure, dear?” as I stood there just peeking over the top of the jumble in my arms. I said I was, and I marched happily off to my car.

I am currently sitting here snug under said blanket and sheet, the cat tucked in at my side, and the satisfaction that I not only saved a lot of money - but that I have re-used something, and given my money to help those in need.

Better than spending $100 at K-Mart, that’s for sure.

Paper receipts - why?

I recounted my amusing shopping experience yesterday, but when I was up there another thought crossed my mind. Now, I know a lot of people keep their receipts to track their spending, and I tend to take mine when I do a big grocery shop - but when I buy something little, (such as yesterday, when I needed to buy a new collar for Gob and a little spray bottle for watering my mushrooms), I either tell the cashier that I don’t want the receipt, or end up throwing it away.

As I watched yet another piece of paper being thrown away by a cashier yesterday, it occurred to  me - why don’t we have a choice in whether we get a receipt printed or not? Honestly, most shops scan everything through a computer for their records, so shouldn’t I be able to say “no thanks, save the paper”?

I use an EFTPOS machine at work, but as I’m charging for a service, rather than a product, there is nothing to scan, and I write out a receipt by hand for our records, as well as printing the EFTPOS receipt. It prints automatically, and as far as I know there is nothing I can do to stop it. Perhaps someone could include this option in the next generation of EFTPOS machines?

Or maybe it’s already there and I don’t know about it. Either way, I think it’s a darned good idea.

No, I’m not a crazy cat lady!!

Today I drove up to the local shopping centre, as my housemate needed my car to get his new elliptical trainer home. While I was there, I remembered that I had run out of milk and wet cat food for Gob. I also didn’t have any bags on me. ‘No problem’, thought I - ‘I’ll just get a tin or two to tide him over’.

But when I got to Woolies, they were having a sale - 20c off each tin! So, of course, I bought six of them - and my three litre bottle of milk.

The first strange looks I got were inside the shop - I didn’t have a basket, so I was just balancing the six cans in one arm while carrying the milk in the other hand. The second look was from the checkout girl when I said “Oh, I don’t need a bag thanks!” (how could I face you all in light of my No Bags Challenge if I took one?). So, once she had scanned them, I took a moment to precariously balance my cans once again (luckily there was no-one waiting in the queue behind me!) and off I went.

Every person who walked past me in the shopping centre did the same thing - their eyes flicked to my arms, then to my face. By the time I got outside, I had a grin - they had all looked at me as if I was crazy! And given the fact I was carrying the cat food and milk - well.

I had my suspicions confirmed when I reached the car, and Cam (housemate 1) said “you look like a crazy cat lady!! Why didn’t you just get a bag?” And of course, I had to update him on my Challenge and that I couldn’t let myself or anyone else down.

So, I have stuck to the challenge so far - no bags taken from any shops! And I’ve gotten a bit of amusement into the bargain. Let’s see how the rest of the month goes.

Debt? Who has it?

Now, I have to say, I’m flabbergasted by our modern culture of “buy before you can afford it!!” I have never bought anything that I didn’t have the money for. Yes, I have a credit card, but it currently has, and has had, a $500 limit for the last ten years. I only got it because I wanted to buy something online, and that is pretty much all I use it for these days, too.

I was brought up to work hard and save for the things I wanted. When I needed a new car last year because my 1986 Ford Telstar finally died, I used a few thousand dollars of savings to buy a 1997 Ford Fiesta. The thought of getting a car loan terrified the heck out of me. Why would I want to get a loan to buy a new car that would lose tons of value as soon as I bought it - not to mention that I would end up paying craploads more for it than the ’sale’ price, once you calculated interest.

I have one debt in my life - my HECS. For those of you not in Aus, that is the interest-free loan the government gave me to pay for my university education. It gets automatically deducted out of my tax, and will be paid off one day - I don’t really consider this ‘real’ debt, and either way, it was a most important investment.

I know that I’m approaching the time when I’ll have to get a mortgage - the thought of which really terrifies me. But, unless I want to be stuck renting forever, it’s the only way Nick and I will be able to get our own home. And so, it is good debt.

Going into 20% credit card debt to buy a phone/clothes/shoes/furniture/entertainment is bad debt. If you can’t afford these things, you don’t need them. This advice is from a girl who slept on a 2-inch thick foam mattress on the floor for three years because I had it, and didn’t really need a bed.

Make do, save your money, and you’ll be much better off for it.

I have to give thanks to Rhonda-Jean over at Down to Earth for the inspiration behind this post. Check out her post Tightening your Belt.