More on less is more

Ok, I think I've narrowed down the definition of essential versus nonessential. At least as it applies to what I plan to do for the rest of the year.

From July through December, I will not purchase anything that can potentially clutter up my home. This excludes food and drink because those will be consumed (some things -- wine cabinet, I'm looking at you -- more quickly than others).

So I'm putting a moratorium on buying books and magazines (exceptions: magazines we're already subscribed to or books I need for work purposes ... no really, I do need some of these ... really), home decor items, DVDs (exception: I had already planned to get the first season of Burn Notice ... and I'm on the lookout for War & Remembrance in DVD -- I have it on VHS but want to pare down -- so if I find it I'm getting it ... but only those two ... no really, I mean it), and other gadgets and what-not for the kitchen. Basically I'm talking about staying out of Wal-Mart and Target for six months.

And office supplies. I'm planning to do this with my office too, so I have to stay away from Staples and Office Depot. This will be the ultimate sacrifice, people. But the truth is I have all I need to run an office (exception: copy paper as I run out and daytimer supplies and calendars near the end of the year, but that's it ... no really, I mean it).

I'm also planning a yard sale soon to further declutter. All of this has a dual benefit: streamlining the place and saving money.

Oh ... and I've been saying "I" and "me" but I really mean "we" ... assuming Tony's on board with all this.
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