My project 333

I've decided to join the Project 333 group created by Courtney Carver. 
I long hesitated before joining it... and I 've been contemplating the idea for a year now...  Seriously....

First let me tell you what Project 333 is about... then I'll explain (for those who do not know me) why I hesitated for so long... for people who know me, it will be self explanatory!  :)

Project 333 is an experiment with living with less...  The purpose is to clean up your wardrobe and see how you can do more with less...  using only the clothes that reflect your lifestyle, who you are... clothes that are in good condition and fit you well...
Technically, you select 33 items (including accessories and jewelry and outdoor wear) but excluding sporting goods, lounge wear and underwear...  and you wear those over and over for 3 months.  The rest is packed away - not accessible...  you can keep it, but you can also choose to give it away right away...

I long hesitated because I had a wardrobe full of clothes for years....  some fit me well.. other not...  some were in good condition and other not...  some were worn only once or twice and I even had some with price tags on them...   Years ago I started cleaning up my wardrobe but only to use it as an excuse to buy more clothes that were more trendy or fashionable...  Over the years I gave tons of clothes...  and bought more... always a little less then I gave but still...  I have to confess:  I was a shopaholic!!!

Since my last move, I have a tiny bedroom with a small closet and one one 5 drawers chest... so I really had to declutter my wardrobe...  but I was still too far from 33 to join the project in August.  Over the last few weeks of so, I took a close look at my wardrobe... tried most items and really separated what I could wear over the next 3 months....  I came up with 40 items...  but I excluded jewelry, accessories and outerwear because where I live we have bizarre winters that require many items... and in the last week, I have either gave, got rid (a dress was not in good condition anymore) or put away (for milder temperature) more items so now I actually have only 33 items to wear between November 1st and January 31st. 

Here's my list:

2 black pants - one straight, one flare
2 velvet pants - one skinny, one wide legs
1 grey corduroy - jean cut
1 red Cotton skinny pants
2 jeans - one skinny, one straight leg
1 black skirt
1 black/electric blue/white skirt
*1 burgundy pencil skirt
1 tunic
1 black dress with mustard flowy sleeves
2 sleeveless top (grey, mustard)
3 fancy t-shirts (beige, red, grey/navy/mustard)
1 electric blue short sleeve blouse
4 long sleeve t-shirt (2 beige, 1 black, 1 gray)
1 black  long sleeve fancy top
1 green long sleeve fancy top
1 white blouse
1 pink and purple blouse
3 jackets (corduroy- beige, brown, black)
2 cardigans (grey, mustard)
1 electric blue turtleneck

* means that this skirt doesn't really fit my lifestyle anymore since pencil skirt are not very practical on public transit and for waking a lot but I still decided to keep it for now...  I may eventually replace it...

So here they are my 33 items... I will see what happens... but honestly, this is more then enough to get me until the end of January!!!  And the color coordination will be quite simple to do as most items are in black, grey, mustard and electric blue...  and tghere is the odd red or green that fits with any of my bottom....

One rule I got on a TV show I watch (in French) is that for every bottom, you should have 3 tops and that aside from neutrals, you should have only 3 different colors - that will allow for mix and match more easily!!!  I am using tis as well as What not to wear rules in order to find clothes that fit me well and are versatile!   This is saving me a lot of money and trouble to get dress in the morning!!!

What do you think of project 333?  would you try it?  maybe your version of it???

Almost a month with no car

Almost a month ago (on October 3rd) my car died.... and we decided to give it a try to go without a car! We gave it a fair try....  essentially we did not change doing stuff we like to do... but we stopped going places because we were bored and had a car to drive us there...

In that month we have been on a car in 5 occasions only... 2 were to go for my son's judo class which is too far to reach by bus that early Saturday morning... one was when a friend picked me up at work to go for lunch... one was for my son and husband to go play paintball with my brother and then all of us having dinner at his girlfriend's place...  and lastly, my mom drove us back from her place once.  I do not think we have been exagerating... 

We still go downtown like we like too over the week end... obviously still grocery shop...  not starving yet! We met friends... actually I realize that we only really do what we really care for! The rest of the time we spend at home... in the quietness of our small apartment!

I have save countless of $ because of that... I even managed to open a saving account and really start adressing this last tiny debt I have that is now driving me insane! I have been much less stress when I get back home from work - I can actually enjoy my evening with my son and husband! We are eating better because I cook more...  and use the food that is already in my home...  so I waste less food!  I shop a lot less at the mall because getting there from my place is a pain in the ass...  I have more time to express my creative self in coming up with new ways to combine my clothes, finish decorating my kitchen (I will eventually put a picture once I am completely done), knit... sew (I wanna make cushions out of left over material)....  all those things I like and did not have time to do because we were out and about!  I also enjoy tasking my early morning walk to the grocery store on the week end... good start to a day!!!!

A while ago (in January 2012) I read a book about called Living the savvy life and I try applying Melissa's principles... I did manage to apply most of them...  but some I could not figure out.. for example, using the food I have... shopping less...  saving money in an savings account... going car less has help me master the few ideas I could not get around... Now I will take this book again and reread it... see if there is more I could apply! 

All in all, it was a GREAT decision....  and we are quite happy about it! 

How about you?  Have you even been "imposed" a change that actually turned out to be a wonderful thing?

Challenge of living with less... continue

Well... as I announced in my last post, I was gona try and do the Reverse 100 thing challenge ... so this week end I have been working on that!  and my huhsband too...  we really did put our place upside down to find 100 things...  we looked everywhere...  honestly!! But I am still short of 45 items..  I can only find 55... I think this has to do with the fact that I have been decluttering for years now... and I am getting to that comfortable zone where I really love and use and need what is left...  I could find 45 more items.. and then go shopping to relace them.. but that would defeat the purpose!  Plus I no longer like to shop...

So here's my list of items...  that I will give away...

Brown boots
Stipe navy pants - they are too big - I lost weight...
Stipe navy jacket
Beige pants - they are too short - I did not grow... just hemmed too short....and cannot be fixed!
Navy sweater - navy is just not my color!!!
Zip up kangourou vest - never wear
Green pants - to skinny - I am not a teenager anymore...
2 knives - no longer cut....  but I have been postponing getting rid of them
2 old cell phones - to recycle
wide legs jeans - too big - note to self: do not buy online!
wide legs velvet orange pant - too big - not planning on getting the weight again
2 car brushes for snow - no longer have a car!
car shovel - you get the idea!
grey cami
tea bad box - use loose leaf tea
over shoulder bad - no longer use
kids purse
2 yoga belts - no longer need them for my yoga practice
belt - my husband no longer uses it
strap form a bag I no longer have
sleeve for a hot drink paper cup - I have my own tumblers now
pair of mountain boots - my husband no longer uses them
pair of slippers
2 pairs of flip flops
2 necklaces - trying to keep only meaningful jewlery - not cheap bulk made stuff
6 pairs of earing - same reason
pendant
watch - I do not wear watches... stresse me out!
shooter glass - left over from a set - n o longer has a use... I do not drink alcohol anymore!
screwdrive - we have enough
6 pair of underwears - uncomfortable
earphone - no use
pillow - one too many!
2 pillowcases
2 pair of never used shoe lace - but no shoes to go along!
winter jacket
set of replacement jean button - my husband thought we might use them - but never did in years!

so that is it!!!  unfortunately I did not get to take a picture before they were brought out of my place (I am really bad at taking pictures...

With this last clean up, I can officially say that I am done decluttering.... I will now only have to maintain the place... but with my rules of not buying unless I really need something or to replace something I have used up it should be easy...

Obviously, this last decluttering experience has help me going to another project in my closet...  but this will be in my next post...

What about you?  have you tried the Reverse 100 thing challenge?
How did it go?

Challenge of living with less

The reverse 100 thing challenge is a challenge that was just initiated by a virtual friend of mine...  she came up with this idea in reaction to the 100 thing challenge by Dave Bruno.  You can read about their adventure using the previous link...  but I like to say that I wish to embark upon that Reverse 100 thing challenge. 

For having read David's book... I know I could not do that... not now and maybe not ever...  but that doesn't matter...  you have to live minimalism to your own comfort zone... if not it becomes a punishment and I do not believe we are here to be deprived or punished!  Nor do I believe that we are here to be over consuming stuff!!!  There's gotta be an in-between! Living with ONLY 100 things is way to minimalism for me... but I am happy for him...

I have been decluttering for roughly 5 years now... and I am getting close to my comfortable minimum...  All in all, I have (including any items that "sits" on the floor - chairs, bed,...) 25 pieces of furniture...  that includes 7 regular chairs, 1 rocking chair and 1 Ikea comfy chair, a couch, a one  place chair that can turn into a bed, 2 beds, 2 working desk, 2 drawers sets, 2 night table, 1 coffee table, a wall unit, a TV unit, a table, a electric fire place and a food cabinet... My kitchen cabinet, really not many of them, are well aerated... our closet still have much room.... My book, CD, DVD collection is at a minimum.... but I still wish to try and do this reverse 100 thing challenge Courtney is putting me up to!

There are still some area of my kitchen I may be able to look into... maybe a few more CDs...who needs CD anymore?  I have an iPhone!  a few more clothing items...  getting to my Project 406 (which I will blog about next week) I had to get rid of yet more clothes... and definitely a few jewelry... I am getting to a point where I like to wear jewelry that is meaningful to me.. stepping away from commercial jewelry...  I prefer jewelry that comes form a loved one, or that has a spiritual value or is fair trade... so I should eliminate most of my cheap bulk made stuff...

So this week end, and for the few weeks to come, I will be looking for 100 items to donate... Once I have them all, I will be listing them on this blog...  I have until the end of the year to get this done!

Who else wants to come on board with this reverse 100 thing challenge?

On going carless...definitely

Hello!

first I would like to say that I am sorry I have been out for so long...  I really missed writing this blog... but I was concentrating on my book... which is almost done by now!  Just a few more minor revisions and I submit it! I will then be able to go back on writing more often here... which I really truly enjoy! 

There are tons of things I would like to write about now... having been out for so long!  I would like to let you know about my jobless summer in my new area, my new stimulating contract with a long commute, my son adaptation to high school, my adaptation to  project 333 , fall (which is one of my favourite season) and much more... but first and foremost, I want to talk to you about our decision to go car less!!!

On October 3rd, when I got to work my car broke down....  seriously!  It made a funny sound when I stopped it and it would not ignite again... not even try...  not a single light coming on when I put the key in...  I had to get it towed to the garage across the street...  I know!  not too far but there was no way I would push it and it would refuse to do anything!!! Even the towing guy said it would be faster for him and cheaper for me to push it across the street... but also said he might be tired after and the day was just starting (and probably like the easy $)!  Now the garage called me sometimes after lunch... and had bad news... they were no longer even able to push the car if it was on neutral...   so it was probably engine...  jammed!
We were looking at a minimum 3000$... if lucky...  probably more!  Now technically this car (according to book value, when working, is worth 3000$).  We had to make a decision!!!

Now before you start asking question... this is a 5 years old car... 130000km... no more guarantee of course!!!  And before you assume otherwise, I did EACH and EVERY single maintenance on that car... replacing things when they needed to, changing oil, filters and what not... I even just had a break job done!!!  I LOVED that car....  it was the first car I really chose in all my life...

So when I got home my husband and I had a good long discussion...  assessing what we should do!

Now keep in mind that at the time of making the decision, this was the underlying goal we had in mind:  trying to be debt free and going to a simpler less expensive way of life as well as having money put away for an emergency fund (trying to get 6 months of expenses) - this would enable us to do what we truly love.  We have been working at it for a few years now... one thing at a time... but we were so far... it can't happen overnight! We are almost there...  We live in a small apartment my husband my son and I (800 sq.ft.).  No outside storage or locker...  closet not even packed, almost no storage furniture...  we are getting really close with that goal possession wise...  Living expenses, going from 2 cars to one, from a house to an apartment, cooking more, eating out less, thinking before buying stuff.. has been decrease by roughly 40%...  We have a small remaining debt on our credit card mostly due to me not having a job for 3 months and having to replace bikes (2 of them) that were stolen and going away for a week end with all 3 kids or ours... and a Starbucks addiction (which is quite expensive when you are out of a job - auto refills are nice bu you just don't realize it as much!) not much thus... will be taken care off shortly...

So here what we concluded:

Keeping the car:  Puts us further away from being debt free or having the emergency funds we want, most likely looking at further repair, maintenance, etc...  One thing to take care of... one more thing away from the freedom we aspire too... Faster to get to some places...  More convenient for week end away ( maybe 2 per year), more convenient for family vacation (1 week per year).
So in the next year, 3000$ repair minimum, 600$ in maintenance, 400$ insurance, 4500$ gas for a total of : 8500$ at a minimum we do not put toward our debt and or emergency fund. Basically for convenience on week end away and family vacation (roughly 15 days).

Letting go of the car:  More freedom... getting exactly where we want to be on our goal of not owning a car eventually, commute by bus ( 2340$ bus pass for whole year for all 3 of us), using Communauto (about 1200$ per year maximum), walk more, bike more, be in better shape, enjoy being outside more, save money because malls  and stores won't be as easily accessible, save the trouble of parking the car on the street during our wonderful Montreal winter... no more parking ticket... or stress because of traffic...  able to read while commuting to work (already 2 novels in 2 weeks), no more leg pain because of driving manual in traffic... maybe less freedom to go some places... but no more garage appointment to fit in my schedule...

All in all, financially, in the next year we are saving almost 5000$ (this is assuming there would be no further repairs, tires to change... and no need to buy a new car that would come with lovely car payments!) - Good financial decision.  Stress wise:  Great decision... I am much more relax when I get home... and quite frankly I save $$$ on Starbucks...  on shopping and on groceries... and probably on week ends away too...  I think twice before going out to buy a specific item... Do I really need it?  Is there a way around it? I will also think twice before organizing a week end away... There is so much to do here in Montreal... but living here made me blind to it!  Now that I have to think outside of the box, I see all those things!

So we decided we would give it a try... a good try... I know it may take time for us to adjust...  but we will give it a fair chance... and if it really does not work (which I sincerely doubt - the first 2 weeks have been quite easy and we are not even member of Communauto yet)) I am sure someone at a dealer will be very happy to sell us a car!!! 

What do you guys think?  Would you consider going car less?  Or maybe just down one car?