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Project Use Up Everything

After returning today from Hurricane Irma (the house and we are fine), and a trip to Target, I decided to implement a project I've been thinking of for a little while.  Project Use Up Everything.  While I hope the effect will be to save cash, declutter, not waste, and keep from unnecessary trips out of the house, the largest goal is to use my maker skills and mental energy in a positive and fun way. An additional goal is to chronicle a shift from an operational mode in years past of moderate insecurity as to place and future stability toward a present stance in which I have basic security and stability of place.  I have a lot of raw resources saved up here and pigeonholed elsewhere (car, storage unit) in the form of pantry, stores, and clutter. I like challenging myself.  I'll be chronicling my thoughts and work for this. Here are the rules for the project:

1.  Do not spend money or make trips for things you can make yourself or already have in stores.  (This means stores will have to be organized so I can find things. And I will have to delay gratification for impulse purchases.)

2. Specifically, there is a need to use up the food stores that have been sitting for some time of rice, beans, tea, canned goods.  A few fresh vegetables and fruit and meat purchases are allowed once all the frozen and canned goods in these categories have been used.   (Once the stores are used, they will be replenished in small quantities to keep adequate emergency storage on hand. I anticipate that will not be before the end of this year.)

3. The other major categories of materials to be used up include:
        1. Excess clothing and linens=cloth.
         2.  Paper goods and journals.
         3. Art supplies (paint/inks/pencils/pens/thread)
         4. Recyclables and "trash" resources:  cans, cardboard, bottles
         5. Renewable botanical materials: leaves, branches, and spanish moss. (Note I don't store these, but they are always outside in various quantities to use.  I will post about this section in more detail later. )
         6. Underused/unused furniture and storage items in the house.

Wish me luck, and best happy day to you there:)

AT





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