Purchase streams
There are three ways to spend money: not at all, all at once and over time.
If there is something you want or need, not spending the money is difficult. I try to do this by using online or free resources. There are an amazing number of places to do this.
For instance, tools: I really need to develop a relationship with the North Portland Tool Library this year so I can borrow some of their more expensive tools if those tools are useful in particular projects.
Then, there is the idea that I should spend a lot of money to buy anything related to some topic. I may have done this before, but it is terribly hard on finances.
Instead, I outline what I want, keep checking on ways to obtain without spending money, and pricing items from various sellers until I find items related at a reasonable price. If my finances and the items come together after all of this, I purchase the item.
The bucket of similar items that are on my list I call a purchase stream.
Marisa identified a new purchase stream for me today: items to help deal with home cleanliness especially with regards to keeping up with our five cats. I will just call it our house cleaning stream.
She got some message from someone who has six cats and who has recommendations.
* high quality automatic litter boxes. (probably need one for each cat) Recommendation: Litter Robot
* robot vacuum that self-empties. (probably need one for each floor) Recommendation: Shark
* air purifiers.
* de-humidifiers.
* candles with a "good throw." Recommendation: Yankee
Another purchase stream I want to get going is a disaster kit. I keep seeing recommendations to build a kit, but the lists vary and I don't get good information about high quality items for the least expensive price. I am pretty sure I had a LJ entry on this list.
If there is something you want or need, not spending the money is difficult. I try to do this by using online or free resources. There are an amazing number of places to do this.
For instance, tools: I really need to develop a relationship with the North Portland Tool Library this year so I can borrow some of their more expensive tools if those tools are useful in particular projects.
Then, there is the idea that I should spend a lot of money to buy anything related to some topic. I may have done this before, but it is terribly hard on finances.
Instead, I outline what I want, keep checking on ways to obtain without spending money, and pricing items from various sellers until I find items related at a reasonable price. If my finances and the items come together after all of this, I purchase the item.
The bucket of similar items that are on my list I call a purchase stream.
Marisa identified a new purchase stream for me today: items to help deal with home cleanliness especially with regards to keeping up with our five cats. I will just call it our house cleaning stream.
She got some message from someone who has six cats and who has recommendations.
* high quality automatic litter boxes. (probably need one for each cat) Recommendation: Litter Robot
* robot vacuum that self-empties. (probably need one for each floor) Recommendation: Shark
* air purifiers.
* de-humidifiers.
* candles with a "good throw." Recommendation: Yankee
Another purchase stream I want to get going is a disaster kit. I keep seeing recommendations to build a kit, but the lists vary and I don't get good information about high quality items for the least expensive price. I am pretty sure I had a LJ entry on this list.