blue artichoke

Blue Grilled Cheese posed a thinker in the comments section. How do gifts fit into to the Not Buying It project? If I moan and lament my self-imposed inability to purchase something, such as hair dye, to such a degree that someone is moved to buy it for me, is that acceptable under the rules? Technically, I’m not buying anything, and it would give me opportunity to work on my persuasive skills, but it still feels like cheating. I'd feel like every time I mentioned something I wanted to buy, but didn't, I'd be posting a wish list. My over-active conscience and whatever is leftover from my Randian days won't allow it. The point isn’t to save money, but to reduce my shopping acquisitions to necessities. Hair dye isn’t a necessity. Besides, I’m embracing the grey.

This also makes me reconsider what is a necessity. Brie isn’t a necessity, yet I bought some last week (have you had a baguette with butter and Brie and slices of mango? Ohmygosh, it’s my second-favorite sandwich, after a BLT). If I were to go down this route fully, we’d eat only rice, beans, meat, fruit and vegetables (and some would argue that meat isn’t necessary. I disagree). No diet soft drinks, and no pie. I’m not ready to become a true ascetic, but perhaps I need to be more discerning even within the “allowed” categories.

Something else I did not buy: a paper cutter.

Getting to Know All About You: What's your favorite sandwich?