This week Oprah introduced to many of us, the freegan lifestyle. To my understanding, Freegans are out to make a political statement about how our capitalist society over-consumes and wastes products. They go through restaruant and bakery dumpsters for food, shop at thrift shops and get whatever they can free.
As a newly stay at home mom, I can't get this Freegan lifestyle out of my head. Our family has gone about 3 months with one income with no problems. However, the thought of how hard our family works makes me think about what we are really working for.
I figure that each month we spend about $600 on credit card debt and car and student loans alone. We have 3 TV's, 5 computers, and a garage full of stuff. And I ask why? Why do we have all this stuff? When all I want to do is get closer to God, love and cherish my husband, be a main influence on my children, and leave a legacy of love, stability and opportunity to my children and to their children. (Okay, and maybe I'd like to take a few hip-hop classes, travel a bit, and see Jill Scott perform before I die). But, how do you do this when you're working 50-60 hour work weeks and have nothing more than bills paid and mediocre relationships?
The answer lies in a simpler, more meaningful life. Do I know how to get there? Not really. Not yet. I mean I just watched the show.
Undoubtedly, this freegan lifestyle has me thinking as a stay at home mom, what can I do to spend less? What can I do to have fun, other than shopping? Not that I shop that much, but hey shopping is fun. And how can I be more resourceful? The freakin' freegans got me thinking. That's always good and besides, who knows, dumpster diving sounds kind of exciting. What do you think?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Breaking Addictive and Time Wasting Behaviors
T.V. can be such a habitual and addictive behavior. The first thing I do in the morning is turn on the TV. Hey, I want to know what the weather will be like for the day. But somehow the weather report turns into a traffic report, which turns into Good Morning America, which turns into Teletubbies and Sesame Street for the boys. I don't know how this has happened, but I just spent 3 or 4 hours engaged in true nothingness. Of course, I do have to add that I am a mom and a queen in the arena of multitasking. That however, is besides the point. The point is how am I supposed to be working at home and attaining all my goals if the TV is on.
Bottom line: TV is stressing me out. I have so much that I want to accomplish in a day, but at the end of the day I still see that I have much more to do. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the worst now, because American Idol is on. Really, I'm at the point where I really need to turn it off. I mean A.I. jeopardizes about 6 hours a week of many people's lives.
To think, instead of dreaming about being the people on TV, I could turn off the TV and become the star of my own life. I'm sure many people may read this and have it all figured out. But, most of us don't use our time wisely and wonder why we can't have a certain type of life.
So here is my plan to curb TV Time (Oh yes, this also includes aimlessly playing on the Internet)
#1: Plan TV time. I will choose what shows I'd like to watch during the week and watch only those shows.
#2: Limit TV Time: Duh! Some of you maybe thinking, well isn't that what this is all about. Absolutely! But, I need to think about this. How many hours in a week will I give away to TV? If I watch the morning news, Teletubbies, Sesame Street, Oprah, and American Idol, that is 5 1/2 hours of TV a day or 27 1/2 hours of TV a week. Wow! That's a part time job. Imagine how much money I could make. So I would like to start easy and limit my TV time to 10 hours a week. Now, you may be thinking that is still a lot, but change is not always easy and realistic goals are key to successfully weening yourself off of TV.
#3: Go on a TV Fast: "But you just said, set realistic goals, Mrs. Sibbs." I know what I said, but for those who would like to go cold turkey or for those daring souls, stop watching TV altogether for one week and see what changes take place. Perhaps you'll get a few home projects complete, or finish a book or begin to interact more with the people in your life. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
I know I will definitely be making a change. I'll let you know how it goes.
Bottom line: TV is stressing me out. I have so much that I want to accomplish in a day, but at the end of the day I still see that I have much more to do. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the worst now, because American Idol is on. Really, I'm at the point where I really need to turn it off. I mean A.I. jeopardizes about 6 hours a week of many people's lives.
To think, instead of dreaming about being the people on TV, I could turn off the TV and become the star of my own life. I'm sure many people may read this and have it all figured out. But, most of us don't use our time wisely and wonder why we can't have a certain type of life.
So here is my plan to curb TV Time (Oh yes, this also includes aimlessly playing on the Internet)
#1: Plan TV time. I will choose what shows I'd like to watch during the week and watch only those shows.
#2: Limit TV Time: Duh! Some of you maybe thinking, well isn't that what this is all about. Absolutely! But, I need to think about this. How many hours in a week will I give away to TV? If I watch the morning news, Teletubbies, Sesame Street, Oprah, and American Idol, that is 5 1/2 hours of TV a day or 27 1/2 hours of TV a week. Wow! That's a part time job. Imagine how much money I could make. So I would like to start easy and limit my TV time to 10 hours a week. Now, you may be thinking that is still a lot, but change is not always easy and realistic goals are key to successfully weening yourself off of TV.
#3: Go on a TV Fast: "But you just said, set realistic goals, Mrs. Sibbs." I know what I said, but for those who would like to go cold turkey or for those daring souls, stop watching TV altogether for one week and see what changes take place. Perhaps you'll get a few home projects complete, or finish a book or begin to interact more with the people in your life. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
I know I will definitely be making a change. I'll let you know how it goes.
Friday, February 22, 2008
TVWEB People's Life VS. MyLife
I recently quit my job to be at home with my kids and to re-gain my physical, spiritual, and emotional health. All the while, I have been racking my brain on how to make money at home.
In my search I found many wonderful people on TV or on the internet with blogs and websites and businesses doing what I would like to do. And I just wonder, how do they do it? Where do the find the energy and time? Deep, deep down I secretly say you can't do that Mrs. Sibbs. But deep, deep, deep down I know that I can. I have many clever ideas.
I have a husband, a 2 year old, an 11 month old, and a 65 year old relative that keep me pretty darn busy. However, I know if I committ to doing what I'd like to do, I'll do just fine.
You see I have been journaling on paper where no one could see my blogs. That was not my intention. Just at the time it was easier for me to write it down on paper, because I was waiting for something or just passing the time. But, as soon as I would get home I would turn on the TV or sit down to blog what I have written and I'd end up reading other people's posts. Or going to other people's websites, thinking, Wow! Cool! If only... Woe is me. Blah, Blah, Blah. You get the picture.
Well, no more. I am done living the life of a sideliner.
No more I wish I could...
No more TV (did I just say that?...tune in again for more on my plan to wipe out TV from the household).
No more reading posts, thinking why don't I do that.
Wow! This might get ugly. Change is always ugly. Isn't it??? Hmmm. That's a good question. Anyways, I cant wait to get started and Welcome to Mrs. Sibbs' Blog.
In my search I found many wonderful people on TV or on the internet with blogs and websites and businesses doing what I would like to do. And I just wonder, how do they do it? Where do the find the energy and time? Deep, deep down I secretly say you can't do that Mrs. Sibbs. But deep, deep, deep down I know that I can. I have many clever ideas.
I have a husband, a 2 year old, an 11 month old, and a 65 year old relative that keep me pretty darn busy. However, I know if I committ to doing what I'd like to do, I'll do just fine.
You see I have been journaling on paper where no one could see my blogs. That was not my intention. Just at the time it was easier for me to write it down on paper, because I was waiting for something or just passing the time. But, as soon as I would get home I would turn on the TV or sit down to blog what I have written and I'd end up reading other people's posts. Or going to other people's websites, thinking, Wow! Cool! If only... Woe is me. Blah, Blah, Blah. You get the picture.
Well, no more. I am done living the life of a sideliner.
No more I wish I could...
No more TV (did I just say that?...tune in again for more on my plan to wipe out TV from the household).
No more reading posts, thinking why don't I do that.
Wow! This might get ugly. Change is always ugly. Isn't it??? Hmmm. That's a good question. Anyways, I cant wait to get started and Welcome to Mrs. Sibbs' Blog.
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