This entire process of paring down materialism while building up social capital and substantive worth has to have an element of fun built in. My goal is not to wind up one of those quiet old men with seemingly little possessions who gets written up in the "interesting news" section of the local paper because he died and left a few million dollars ( Read more... )

I decided last night that I was going to walk to work this morning. I've done it before. Summer before last, I probably walked to work more than I drove. It was glorious. I felt healthier, I ate better, and my pants fit ( Read more... )

Trying to transition into a saver from a natural born spender is no easy task. I've taken steps to force myself into a position where I'm saving money (Yay! Online banking and automatic money transfers!), but I'm still not in a position where I can start paying off my debt in an expeditious manner ( Read more... )

I've accumulated a lot of clothes over the years. I'll never publicly say that I worry about being stylish or trendy, but my closet tells another story, a story most true fashionistas would laugh at. Or cry. My past attempts at staying current are now piled up on my bed, ready to be bagged and carted off to Goodwill tomorrow.

( In which I list all the stuff I'm getting rid of... )

I've taken the initial steps to break out ye old trombone and join my local community band. I can still play a b-flat scale, so I figure I'm good to go.

I spent my day cleaning out a closet. It's amazing how easy some things are once you just start doing them. It's like thinking about cleaning out the fridge, you hate the thought, but once you start, you realize tossing things into a garbage bag really isn't that difficult.

( My room smells funny... )

So I've never been one of those people who makes a list of goals and sets out to achieve them. My life is usually governed by my gut. I'm the type who picks a direction and just off and goes - not entirely spur of the moment, but more intuitive than weighed and measured.

( Cut for stranger on a train life gushing-ness... )