Finally Debt Free
Ten years ago today, I graduated from college. This is significant because today I also paid off my student loans, making me totally and completely debt free!
This is about how I feel:
A Long Way from Zero Waste
As I’ve simplified my life in many areas (by getting rid of 800 things, crawling out of debt, and living a voluntarily simple life), I’ve started thinking about trash. Garbage, plastic, glass, food scraps, paper, and so much more.
The complexity of my trash situation hit me as I was cleaning out and organizing my kitchen cabinets for the Reverse 100 Thing Challenge. Under the sink, I have my regular trash. In two other cupboards, I have recyclable soda bottles and cans and another bag of recyclable plastic and glass. Another cupboard holds only a paper grocery bag with paper and cardboard in it and then there’s the plastic bag full of plastic bags. There’s another small bin for garbage in the bathroom.
As I was trying to organize and minimize this mess, I wondered how much trash I actually create.
Reverse 100 Thing Challenge: How I Decluttered 800 Things
For the past 15 months, I’ve gotten rid of 800 items in my home. It all started with Dave Bruno’s 100 Thing Challenge and then Courtney Carver’s Reverse 100 Thing Challenge. I thought I’d never be able to part with so many of my possessions that I’d achieve Bruno’s goal of owning only 100 things. Even Carver’s goal of just getting rid of 100 things seemed slightly impossible.
But in one year (2012), I easily decluttered 500 items, while only bringing 100 new items into my home. And I just got rid of 300 more items in these first three months of 2013. Keep reading →
Credit Card Debt $0
Ironically, two months before I planned to pay off my credit card debt, my number was stolen and used to make $200+ in purchases at two Target stores in Colorado. It’s been years since I’ve shopped at a Target and I’ve never even been to Colorado, so it’s odd to think of my credit card living a life of shopping thrills without me. I’ve put the expenses into dispute with my credit card company and, with any luck, I won’t have to pay them.
In the meantime, I’ve paid off my credit card debt!
Facebook and FourSquare for Downtown Programs
On February 1st, I had the pleasure of presenting at a Vermont Downtown Networking Meeting. Present were a dozen or more downtown programs, such as Montpelier Alive, Revitalizing Waterbury, and the Barre Partnership, along with their staff, volunteers, and board members.
I spoke about the value of social media for Vermont’s downtowns, as a way to engage citizens, neighbors from surrounding communities and tourists. Specifically, I covered Facebook events, Facebook advertising, FourSquare, and I touched on editorial calendar planning a bit at the end.
Reverse 100 Thing Challenge: 400 Things Decluttered
Last year, I was intrigued by Dave Bruno’s 100 Thing Challenge, but could not imagine reducing all of my possessions down to just 100 items. The challenge seems more appropriate for digital nomads, travelers and, well, people who don’t have any art, books or photos. Nonetheless, it intrigued me, so I decided to do the opposite and see if I could give away 100 things.
Water Fast: Day 3 of 3
This last day of my water fast was a tough one. From morning on, I was really fatigued and lightheaded. Around noon, I decided to eat a light lunch and break the fast.
I went about 60 hours on this fast and, despite the relatively short time, learned a few things from it.