The Art of Making Do

*Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Or do without.

Growing up in a large family, we were taught the art of making do from a very young age.

Somewhere along the line - I lost the art of making do. Perhaps it was the steady income we gained when Brian joined the Air Force. Maybe it was the keeping up with the Jones' habit we acquired once we had mostly married friends. It's also possible it was the thrill I got from ordering, receiving, and implementing new toys in my daughter's lives.

However I got to that point doesn't really matter. What matters is where I've ended up - in Frugalistaville. (It's a place. Trust me.)

I don't think Brian and I have lived within our means in nearly five years. It was a difficult transition - many sacrifices were made including the opportunity to meet Brian's Grandparents and have them meet their great-granddaughters for the first time. But we've learned a lot about ourselves and what it really means to set and keep a long-term financial goal.

Having gone back to my roots, I'm learning to repair instead of replace. Re-purpose instead of refuse. Revamp instead of reject. .... You get the idea.

So when my beloved Ju Ju Be (which is lonely in it's recently thinned out stash) got munched in the van hatch back - I repeated my new *mantra and refrained from rushing to my laptop and ordering a replacement.

Likewise, I've repaired/revamped/re-purposed the following items this week alone:
2 skirts
1 baby doll stroller
1 play tent
1 mesh laundry bag
4 books

I'd like to challenge my readers to practice the art of making do. So if you're up to it, the next time you get the urge to rush out and replace an item - look around your house and ask yourself - what can I re-purpose today?

Remember!
*Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Or do without.

I think it's safe to say my parents would be proud to see that I've gone back to my roots. :)