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Something I find interesting, is what things some people find necessities while others don’t. Here are things that I do without:
An iron – Yeah, I’ve never owned an iron. I’ve rarely used one. When something has to be ironed, I usually beg someone else to do it for me. My seminary graduation robe? Yep, my mom ironed it for me (thanks, Mom!). In the days when I had a dryer, I would just take my clothes out of the dryer out immediately, and that was good enough for me. Now that I don’t have a dryer, I do need to invest in some wrinkle release.
A washer and dryer – Like I said above, I don’t have a dryer. In fact, I don’t even use a dryer anymore (though I’ll still be drying my sheets and towels that way, but will save them up to do one load a month). Not having a washer in unit is already getting old, but a short walk for laundry is good for me. I don’t mind hanging my things to dry, and enjoy the fact that I’m saving over $0.80 a load (not to mention the “costs” of shooting more coal smoke into the air we breathe). I don’t need these things.
Coffee pot - I don’t drink coffee. I’m glad I never started. I’m going to have friends over in a couple of weeks that might prefer I serve coffee, but I’ll just let them know if they want it, they have to bring the pot and coffee themselves. Actually, I only have one coffee cup, so that could be a problem too…
Coffee table - You may have noticed in my apartment tour that I don’t have a coffee table. Not having one was a conscious decision: I felt like it would clutter up my small living room. I still think that way, though it would be nice to have a place to put the stack of books I’m currently reading while I’m in the middle of reading (I do have a place to put them “away”). Probably should invest in some TV trays as that could solve that problem.
A bed big enough for 2 - I don’t invite others into my bed (at least not before he puts a wedding band on my finger!), so my single bed is enough for me. I wouldn’t mind a bigger bed, I suppose, but it’s definitely not something I need.
Knick knacks – I have two picture frames (both with pictures from my brother’s wedding) besides the ones on the walls, and a vase with some fake flowers in it. Besides that and a few candles (that I use), I don’t have anything that would qualify as “knick knacks.” It’s very freeing.
More than 1 sharp knife – I have one knife that I got when I went to college that I’ve always loved and used exclusively. I looked up where to buy more like it, and that’s when I found out it’s actually a really nice knife, a J. A. Henckels. No wonder I like it! That said, I couldn’t justify buying more, but I will put it on my wish list.
Internet access - This also was a conscious decision on my part. If it was important to me, I could work it into my budget. I even had a generous person in my life offer to pay for my internet, but I politely turned them down. I have nothing against the internet, but it’s a big temptation for me. I can spend way too much time on it watching TV, spending time on Twitter and Facebook, and checking my email. I spend 40 hours a day in front of a computer…I’d rather use my free time to exercise, write, read, and serve others.
Plastic bags – By which I mean what we always called “Walmart bags.” Actually, this is a bit of a lie…there currently is one Walmart bag in my apartment, left over from the move. I’ve been using reusable grocery bags almost exclusively for over a year, and will definitely be keeping this up.
Now for a couple of things I hope to soon do without:
Paper towels - I bought two rolls when I moved in, and promised myself they will be the last. I bought a pack of rags that I can use for situations I would usually use a paper towel. This isn’t an easy transition, but I think it’ a good one.
Traditional cleaning products – I have already made my own kitchen cleaner that works well (equal parts vinegar and water). When the bathroom and toilet cleaners I have are used up, I plan on making my own of those as well. I still have a full container of laundry soap, but when I use that up, I’m actually looking forward to making my own laundry detergent. I haven’t made up my mind if it’s worth making my own dishwasher detergent or not, but I’ll make that decision later, as I still have a huge tub of the stuff that will last me a long time.
I’m not someone obsessed with natural things. How can I be when I still drink Diet Dr Pepper? But I do enjoy saving money and introducing less unnecessary chemicals into my home. It’s a journey, and I’m taking the next steps down the road.
What do you do without that others find a necessity?
1. iphone. We get poor phone reception out here on the farm so there’s no point getting one because everyone else does. Besides, I don’t WANT to have access to the internet wherever I go.
2. Dishwasher
3. Wii/Nintendo/Playstation. They’re just another timewaster I don’t need.
I have to tell you that when Ted and I got married, neither one of us drank coffee (he still doesn’t!). But my mom was astonished that we did not have a coffee maker in our already small kitchen apartment…just in case she wanted coffee when she came over!! Now I have a coffee pot, but it is because *I* drink coffee. ;o)
yeah, that would be “apartment kitchen” :)
Well, how about you…
1. Cell phone…never have wanted as I told my family.
2. My car…I find myself using/going less and less.
3. Salt/fried foods…this has been difficult…much easier now than the first few weeks.
Never want to give up writing my letters/postcards to friends even though I don’t hear back…hint, hint, hint.
I went one day without internet & was in a panic attack all day long :)
Also – as ‘green’ as I try to be – I’m a paper towel slut! :) I cant get enough of paper towels. Cant imagine life without them.
The in house laundry thing is the one item on your list that would probably kill me. I loathe doing laundry as it is, and so when I bought my house 3 years ago, I told my real estate agent that my non-negotiables were an in unit washer/dryer and big closets. I am eternally grateful. I have managed to cut back on something recently, like I have been giving away books from my massive book collection left and right, something I never thought I’d do. It just seems that they take up so much space! I would rather use that space for other things.
Sarah: I was out in the boonies during vacation, and I was surprised at how little 3G I got out there. It was good not to have it all the time, but a bit frustrating, I admit. I couldn’t imagine living somewhere like that…it’s just become so “normal” to me.
Cheryl: We didn’t have a coffee pot growing up. When my grandmother was there, she could make instant in the microwave. I kinda feel bad about not having a coffee pot when I have coffee drinkers over, but I don’t actually have coffee mugs either. I’m not really wanting to spend (even a little) on it!
G. Zoe: I think you’d like a cell phone, but I understand. =)
Rebecca Jo: It’s sad how hard I find it without internet. Not now–I can always go online on my phone–but when I’m somewhere without it altogether. I think it’s good for me, though!
Teacher Girl: I do miss having laundry in-house, but I just think about the money I’m saving, and I can endure. I only have to pay $1.20 a wash, which is actually really cheap!
We have one roll of paper towels. It’s lasted about a year now because we only use it to clean up things that the washing machine can’t handle or that are too toxic to wash out (rare). We have one pack of paper napkins his mom left here three years ago that we still haven’t used up. We have dish towels, rags, and cloth napkins that work just fine.
I also have an unofficial boycott of all Kleenex products based primarily on the fact that they seem to encourage absurd degrees of waste and the husband prefers other tissues when sick anyway.
We do not have a dishwasher and if I had my way, we’d do away with the TV and cable, too.
We did without a lot of baby crap with the twins were born, most of which people told me were TOTALLY NECESSARY FOR LIFE. We never got a wipes warmer (really? my toilet paper isn’t warmed), a bottle sterilizer (uhh ever heard of boiling water in a pan?), a swing (I have arms).
We also don’t have a coffee table. We have a dryer, but I’ve made the switch to line drying so I haven’t used it in weeks. Except once when it was raining and I hadn’t noticed.
We only have one car. My husband bikes to work. We don’t have a Wii/playstation/whatever the hell.
I went without a cell phone for a long time (4 yrs)….I actually just got an iphone 1 year ago. I didnt want to have a reason for people to reach me at all times!! But with a teen now I really do need one.
I dont have a coffee table or one of those Kitchen Aid Mixers…however I really do want one of those mixers….;)
Neliza: I haven’t switched to cloth napkins for every day. Though I could…I probably have enough. I like the idea. Plus, a cloth napkin makes any meal seem fancy!
Amanda: I’m impressed you went without a swing!
Tina: Ha, I’d like one of those mixers too. Probably not pratical in a small apartment, but it can do so much!