I am not sure why and how, but November had me thinking about a no spend month with fervor. This is something that I have experience with and, enjoy implementing so I decided to do it again, this time, in the month we are most encouraged to drop the big bucks. So what does this mean?
Well it can mean whatever you want it to mean! For me, this means that I will not spend a dime on anything I deem unnecessary. Since I have moved into a new home and sold all of my furniture, necessary furniture items such as bookcases and a couch are of course, exempt from this list. Enjoying tea or a meal out with a friend is exempt. But random purchases from emails titled “BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR” will be discarded or ignored. I will take the month to unsubscribe from all the lists that have acquired permission to sell to me on a constant basis, and of course, supporting local artisans and makers at craft fairs is a must.
I will budget $225-$275 to craft fair spend in December, ensure the basics are covered such as gas (to get this lil’ Gemini to and fro adventure to adventure), acupuncture, and food, and keep life extra chill. As I love to travel, one small getaway trip can be included in the upcoming month with a focus on rest and reset however, my tree is purchased, my fingertips have more skills to pay the bills than ever and can make gifts, and these intense sales pitch emails need to take the backburner as they are stressing me out.
I will set an additional goal to save at least $500 (probably plenty more, but keeping the bar lower feels supportive), and to clear out all of my credit card debt before the new year (if possible).
Leaning into the idea that connections and time with friends means more than stuff, and I will continue to settle into home which is taking exceptionally long to do. This year has been trying, hard, and exhausting and I look forward to welcoming the new one in from my bed.
What are you looking forward to in 2024?
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Written under a Scorpio sun and an Aquarius moon feeling like less is more and rest is imperative to sanity.
Things I love to spend my money on (to support small makers and stick it to capitalism) I am seeking a life of circular economy y’all:
2024 Cloutier Ceramic subscription: learn more here
Case for Making Classes: learn more here
Botanical Alchemy for Smallish Spaces by India Flint: learn more here
ART SPEAKS- Online Artist Talk with Sasha Duerr + Textile Center of Minnesota: learn more here
Classes and books from Studio Sessions in Berkeley. Winter is a great time to learn to sew, or refresh your handmaking skills. Her next maker night is Friday, December 15th from 5-7pm: learn more here
Anything and everything Julia Cost. She has a new book y’a’ll: learn more here
Finding new Substack’s and paying for subscriptions. Here are some of my favourites in no particular order:
Finally~Local craft fairs (I am sure you can find those flyers at a co-op near you).
Winter feels like a time for fostering community, and really leaning into who are your people. Turn away from those who aren’t and only move towards what feels nourishing and supportive.
I will leave you with my new favourite corners of YouTube. You will see this in another post but I decided it is too good not to share right now:
If you made it to the end, have you listened to my podcast yet? It is so golden: listen here
Gemini out! ;p
aww thank you so much for including me in your list of favs! i love adventuring through the links you share, and i love the invitation to pause pre-december and consider the holiday wildness!