For example: books. Here’s the first page that popped up when I googled “caring for books”: http://aic.stanford.edu/library/online/brochures/books.html. It goes more overboard than I’m really interested in, but I do take some things from the page. 1) Store your books perfectly vertically (or horizontally) because it’s easier on them. This may mean you need book ends. 2) Leave some space behind books on shelves (if possible) for good air circulation, but push them a little way back from the front to protect them from the worst of the dust (and so that you can see evidence of bugs or other problems). 3) Use (acid-free, ideally) paper for bookmarks, not leather which can stain, metal, which can be rough on books, or even little yellow stickies because they leave traces of adhesive behind. (I like to cut up pretty greeting cards that I would otherwise be tossing and leave a stash in various places around my house.)

I once went to a class on book repair, and the answer to almost every problem was white glue! If you can figure out a way to glue tears (use waxed paper to protect neighboring pages), glue pages back into books, glue bindings back onto books, etc., then you may as well do that.

Also, when I’m dragging a book around with me everywhere, like a language learning book, I’ve finally learned to put a cover on it.

Another thing I’ve thought about is keeping books off the bottom shelves in case of flooding (caused by rain or plumbing problems). Of course most things that I store on shelves would be ruined by flooding, so I haven’t worked out what to do about this yet!

Similarly, #5, do it yourself, is difficult when I don’t know how to do anything. One cool thing I’ve learned is that if an appliance breaks, you can often google instructions on how to diagnose the problem, find the parts, and fix the problem. My boyfriend and I have fixed our washer a couple of times this way very cheaply.

It really is amazing just how little we do ourselves. Basically every time you pay for something, you’re paying someone else to do something. I don’t want to do everything myself (I’m too weak to do plumbing and I’m happy to let others construct the computer chips I use), and sometimes others have much better equipment and better efficiency than I do, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. Taking classes, checking out library books, and volunteering to help others are good ways to learn more skills.

#1, don’t go shopping, is hard when I’m trying to find excuses to walk to places. Most things in walking distance from my house are the houses of strangers and stores! I am getting better at admiring things without feeling I need to buying them and at thinking of such trips more as research trips (like J.) than like buying-stuff trips.

And I’m realizing that #6, anticipate your needs, is much huger than I want it to be. Trent says, “This is particularly true when you’re aware that an expense is going to occur – when you see your tires starting to show some wear, that probably means that a tire replacement cost is coming right up.” Actually, once you decide you are the kind of person who always wants to have tires, then you are the kind of person who will have to replace them on a regular basis.

So, everything we have is going to require periodic maintenance and/or replacement for as long as we want to continue having it. It feels quite daunting sometimes! Even if you have no debt, you’re probably still the kind of person who always wants a working refrigerator, and clothing, and now a fast internet connection, etc. Things do change – I’ve given up on electronic PDAs, and I no longer need to maintain/replace a typewriter or record player. But I sure have a lot of stuff I like having!

I’ve talked about something like this with some of the guys at work too (some of whom also read your site), and I think that like you, not only are we ‘hoarding’ books that we don’t consume, but all kinds of other media, such as e-books, music, movies, etc.

The electronic ones seem less tangible, so spending money on them is even easier. I think I may be overspending on books because I’ve been brought up to believe that spending money on information is an ‘investment.’

Also, after years of spending $100+ per textbook at college, a $39.99 price tag can seem like a deal.

Most magazines, IMHO, are just pornography for your hobby.

I like the idea of this chapter – living within your means. I am trying so hard to get the missus to do that.

In any case, when I get home, I can reserve the interesting books at my library online (it helps having a great, big-city library system available), and research the cookwares that grabbed my attention. In the latter case, I usually find someone who can use a cheaper implement to do the same cooking job better.

Think I’ll shy away from the plumbing as it could end up costing me more in the long run.

Before my son throws anything out… he has a go at me and asks if I’m sure I can’t use it for my craft or something else.

I’ve noticed my son’s been heading to the Mall more these days & he has been going through his money very quickly. But of course any suggestions I make are quickly shot down.

My second favorite way to not shop is by helping somone with a task so that they don’t have to buy the help the help to get it done.

My third favorite way to not shop is to listen to internet radio and avoid the downloading offers.

You get my drift?

Consumerism is the entitlement of the current generations. Thanks boomers. :)

“Act your wage America” is a phrase that Dave Ramsey often uses on the radio.

I am going to see Dave live in Portland on Thursday – Yeah!

~Oswegan

#2 Live within your means.

In other words – act your wage.

~Oswegan