...that is one of my New Years Resolutions. I know I'm a little slow in posting this but I think it is worthwhile anyway. For quite awhile now I've been challenged by the Deputy Headmistress over at the Common Room to "use what's in your hands". In other words, when at all possible, try to use something you already have rather than run out to buy something new.

I like it when

I want to spruce up my home- because of having a lot of work done here by contractors over a year ago we have A LOT of paint on hand, much of it in various *colors* of white. So it was rewarding to paint our dining room and kitchen recently without much outlay of cash.

or need gifts- I like to sew and quilt and have a stash of fabrics, kits, and books and patterns. So, I'm working from what I already own. It makes one feel so resourceful to actually put a gift together at home without running out to buy.

or read- this one is a bit tougher. Not because I don't have plenty here to read, but I do so love buying more(books and fabric are my 2 stumbling blocks). But I recently took a book challnge(see previous post for update) to read 5 pre-owned-never-read-before books by the end of January. It's been good for me because I can tend to get flighty in my reading and have too many things going at a time. Makes me feel so...disciplined!

or cook a meal. I don't mean that I'm not buying groceries. But I am taking the time to make meals out of what I buy and what I have on hand instead of getting pressed for time doing other things and settling for something quick to pick up and fix. This will not only save money but is much healthier- and more appreciated by my family.

All around the blogosphere I've been reading these amazing ladies' posts about abundant living- not buying more but spending(pun intended) a year celebrating the abundance the Lord has already blessed us with. I talked it over with mrbeaver and he LOVED the idea! . 

Our own special plan with this is not to swear of all extra spending or put ourselves on a tight austerity budget but to purpose to be content with what we have, to practice abundant living by enjoying what the Lord has given us, and whenever possible to "use what's in our hands". I have this little game I play in which I try to see how many days I can go without spending anything. It's even more of a thrill than splurging on yourself because there is no guilt involved- and you feel so proactive, so intentional, so discilplined.