2 of my paintings featured in VAE’s show “Food for Thought”. Block Party tonight as well – d/t Raleigh. Don’t miss it!
http://ow.ly/aHG2h
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So, the pride I feel since the end of my $1 per Day challenge can hardly be described. So many lessons and societal truths were learned that I feel could never be taught in school or otherwise. One must witness being without before truly understanding what it means to have. I also know that I have barely scratched the surface of what interests me most today.
That being said, spending money has become a bit uncomfortable for me. For the last three months, I had promised myself and others I would spend no more than $1 per day except for utilities, ongoing bills and gas for my car. Learning and becoming comfortable with bartering services, trading alternative forms of currency and pooling together resources for food, I saved every dollar that was set aside for this last Challenge. I still had the original ninetyone one dollar bills. That’s $91.00!People asked many questions, often ending with, “What will you do with the money you save?”
Hmmmm, I could donate it all to a worthy organization. I could donate it to a local struggling small business. I could give it to a homeless person. I could leave a huge tip after trying out the new Waffle House….
All my thoughts seemed too easy and too trivial. After all, $91 isn’t much of a donation to a large organization. Besides, much of the donations often go toward paying salaries to those who run the campaigns.
After much thought and careful creative licensing, I came up with the Ninety-One Envelopes. On April 1st, we created 91 envelopes, each complete with explanation and instruction and of course, a dollar tucked inside.The next few months, through June 30, 2012, the envelopes will circulate into the community to be shared and talked about. Dreams will be inspired, open forums will be born and a social experiment will take place.
On or about June 30, 2012, all envelopes will be returned to the original source and great things will continue to develop. Stay tuned…
Yes, my last post was January 16th and I was in a conundrum about my Packers’ loss in the NFL Playoffs. I have since relieved myself of that mild depression and have been on an upswing since.
My fridge and pantry are getting more and more bare but my life is being revitalized in a way I never imagined. I learned to make the best tortillas, wheat crackers, and laundry detergent all from scratch! Last night I threw an improv Mardi Gras party and made candied popcorn using Karo syrup, sugar and some almonds and pecans I had in the freezer. It was awesome!
When I first started this ninety-one day challenge, my goal was to spend no more than a dollar per day for 91 days, allowing each dollar to rollover if not spent. I was a few weeks into it without spending a dollar, and realized I wanted to finish out the month. Then I went a few days longer and then wanted to get halfway through the challenge without spending a dollar. I made it that far and, finally on Feb 20th, I broke down and made a trip to the grocery store. I just had to.
The gift card came in handy and I spent a total of $14 plus some change to get all the ingredients to make laundry detergent. I had about 3 loads of clothes to wash and the media reports about bed bugs was beginning to haunt me. I had a choice: Spend the money left on the card to buy the ingredients for the detergent or buy new sheets and undies and clothes.
I chose the former and am all the more proud.
Until next time….
I’m just not myself today…
Posted: January 16, 2012 in 2012 New Year (January through March), My Life as an Artist, One dollar per DayMy sincere apologies. I am not in a blogging mood, given my recent Packers loss in the NFL playoffs. So instead, I will continue to catch up on laundry, yardwork, taking down xmas decor, etc.
I have just two more weeks in this month. I have already gone two weeks without spending a single cent. I think I’ll push the not spending a cent to the very end (of January, that is). Then it’s back to just $1 per day.
LA
Well the first days are the hardest days, Don’t you worry any more…
Posted: January 9, 2012 in 2011 - Jan1 thru Mar 31Tags: canned soups, laundry detergent, tortilla wraps
Yes, its been a challenge. However, it’s been a total of nine days now and I have not spent a single cent. That is correct, not a penny nor a dime nor a dollar. So, tomorrow I wake up and will put another dollar in my pocket as I head out the door.
How am I able to do this, you ask? Mooching off others, some say and still others say by being creative. I must proudly admit it is more the latter of the two. Let me tell you how:
Warmth: I fully intended to line my windows with a weatherproofing film to try to save energy cost this year. Given that that would cost around $50 for the largest, most important areas, I need to do something different. To the fabric stash I went. I found old fabric shower curtains, window curtains and other fabrics to line the windows instead. Looks fine from outside and funky from inside. How creative 
Everyday items: I have a full tube of toothpaste that should get me through at least 2 months, about 8 rolls of TP, and am running very low on the female hygiene products that are needed about every 28 days. Not sure how, but I’ll make it all work. everything is working out so far. My dishwashing soap is in good shape but it is the laundry detergent that I am low on. A friend gave me just enough for a load or two and I have since found a great resource online for making your own soaps. That will be my next step, I guess.
Food: The pantry is full of canned soups, rice, beans, etc, which will be used sparingly while I focus my efforts on using those fresh veggies and fruits and dairy. I need to choose wisely so to not allow them to wither, rot or otherwise let me know they are not in this for the long run. For instance, I had a bag of shredded broccoli and 2 tortilla wraps that really needed to be used up soon, if not before. So, a little ingenius thought and a monkey wrenched headache later, I came up with this concoction:
Something Something Burritos
Ingredients:
Two Tortilla Wraps
Turkey Burger, Garlic, Onion – saute until brown and cooked through. Place in large bowl.
Oil, shredded broccoli, carrots, celery – saute until slightly brown – add to bowl along with meat.
Stir fry seasoning, spices, shredded cheese – stir into mix.
- spoon mixture into tortillas and wrap in burrito fashion, like this:
Simply place your meat filling like so...
Then, fry in pan until golden brown and voila! Bon Appetite!
- Way yummy!
New Year…New Challenge!
Posted: January 2, 2012 in My Life as an Artist, Ninety-One Days (2), UncategorizedThis time it’s budget oriented! But that will affect many other areas of my life as well. (Pretty guaranteed prediction)
Like many people, I woke this morning, the first day of the new year with a sense of reflection. While I will not dwell on any negative from the last, I can find plenty of room for improvement. Or more appropriately, I realize certain areas of my life need a little revision in one way or another. For instance trimming my budget, and spending more time in my studio would be my biggest goals.
In trying to improve both of these areas of my life, I have come up with a unique Ninety One Days challenge. For the next ninety-one days, through March 31, I will budget only $1 per day toward food, entertainment, and other misc things. Sound impossible?
I think it may be difficult, but not impossible.
Rules: outstanding bills, utilities, mortgage and gas for my vehicle will be paid from my regular income. I will begin this challenge with ninety-one $1 bills. If the dollar is not spent in one day, it can roll over to the next day. Also, any gift cards, certificates or other may be used as money exchange for goods or services and not be counted toward the $1 per day allotment.
Now, before you judge, I did not go shopping and stock the shelves and fridge. Nor do I have a supply of gift cards. In fact, I think I have a couple coffee cards, a few restaurant Groupons and a $50 prepaid Visa, which is good because I think I will need toothpaste before long.
I’ll keep you posted.
