DAYS ON THE ROAD

A New Year

Out with the old and in with the (almost) new

With the start of the new year, we all look to resolutions to make ourselves better, usually at great cost and ultimate failure!

There are few among us that have not started a new year with a gym membership, or a fancy diet plan that involves more supplements than actual foods, only to fall back to our old ways before the end of January. There is absolutely nothing wrong with improving your health and well-being, but there are ways of doing it that don’t cause you to spend a fortune for the next 12 months without a “get-out-of-jail” clause.

Here are some ideas that may appeal and not break the bank, whilst also being environmentally responsible and even improving the lives of others.

Clothes swapping parties

No, this is not as risqué as it sounds! Get a group of friends together and ask them to go through their wardrobes and to bring everything that they don’t wear, don’t want or no longer fit into. You can put all the clothes out and people can choose items that would like to wear.

Granted there will be items that nobody wants (including the previous owner) these items can be donated to homeless shelter or those less fortunate. If there is someone with phenomenal sewing skills, they may be able to re-purpose clothes into new outfits, or a quilt or picnic blanket. You save money and get rid of unwanted items. Shoes, belts, bags and other accessories can also be swapped.

Gardens

At the moment we have had a lot of rain (especially in Gauteng), but there will be a time that this is not the case. South Africa has cyclical weather and we will again go through droughts. If you have succulents in your garden, take cuttings and pop them into pots to propagate.

Gradually, you will be able to populate your garden with drought resistant and hardy plants, saving you a lot of time and money on gardening and water. Share cuttings between friends and family to grow each other’s gardens. Even out on a hike where succulents grow wild, taking a small cutting won't harm the plant and they can be transplanted in your garden.

Cultivating

Not everyone has the space for a veggie garden, but there are vertical gardens that can be leaned up on a wall on a balcony or pots that you can grow herbs and veggies in, even with limited space.

Try starting a small veggie patch or invest in a vertical garden. It doesn’t take a huge amount of time and the rewards are great. You get to spend time in the open, and you get to eat what you’ve grown. This can be a lot of fun for children and since many veggies are so simple to grow it just makes sense.

Strawberries can be grown in pots or special planters or just in the garden, and who doesn’t like strawberries?

Markets

Try doing some, or even all, of your grocery shopping at farmers markets. The produce is often less expensive, organically grown and it’s a lot more fun than going to a shopping mall or chain store.

As most of the produce is fresh, you will be less tempted to buy chocolates and crisps and it may inspire you to live and eat a bit healthier. Many markets allow dogs, so it can really be an outing for the whole family and the hounds.

Many of the vendors do this to earn additional income and supporting small business is a worthwhile cause.

Car Boot Sales

These have become more popular over the years and there are some that are a regular weekly occurrence. Whilst you will be charged a fee to sell there, you can usually make the money back from your sales.

This is an ideal way to get rid of unwanted items from your home or unwanted clothing. There is everything and the kitchen sink available at car boot sales. Granted some items are unsaleable, but there are real bargains to be had and there are always people selling homemade biscuits and sweets which is just delicious.

Whether you go as a seller or to browse, you may be able to find a little something that you just love. There are often people selling on behalf of charities, so by going you are supporting those in need too.

Donating

Donating unwanted goods to a charity, like the SPCA or a second-hand shop that sells on behalf of a charity, is a way to declutter your space and raise fund for a good cause. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as the saying goes - this does not mean dumping broken and really soiled items on someone else’s doorstep. Donate things that have some value and items that would be useful.

Repurposing

If you have old clothes or linen that are stained or damaged beyond repair, these can still be re-purposed. Many people cut old clothes into rags for use in the house or the garage. These can be used to mop up spills in the kitchen or oil spills in the garage or they can even be used as a painting tool for an irregular “washed” effect on walls or furniture.

Another purpose for old clothes is cut or tear them into strips and tie them together to form a ball of material that can be knitted or woven together to make cloth rugs. These are great for use as mats when it's raining, as dog bedding or even outdoor blankets. They are easily washable and because they cost nothing to make, you won't mind them getting dirty or if your kids spill paint or drinks on them or even if the dog has a good chew!

Plastic containers

If you are like most people and your plastic containers mysteriously lose their lids, here are a few ideas that you can employ for the containers that remain:

and kitchen as a “space tidy” – this allows you to put all the bottles in a container rather than random bottles getting bumped over and making mess in your cabinets. � Use them as outdoor food containers when your kids play outside, they are largely unbreakable and weatherproof. � These are useful as mixing bowls when using highly coloured additives like turmeric or food colouring. � They can be used as water bowls for dogs when you’re hiking. � Use a container for eggs if you buy the large trays that just take up half your shelf in a fridge or cupboard. � Drill a few holes on the bottom, or use a soldering iron, and make them into planters, they are ideal for seedlings.

Declutter your home at the start of the year. Take away that which takes up space and which you never or very seldom use. Having less clutter makes organisation easier. Also, take the opportunity to change things up in your living space - move furniture, tidy cupboards and shelves and re-purpose, sell or donate things that you no longer want or need. Try to buy less in 2023 and give more.

Start recycling. There are many schools that have recycling stations and earn funds for the school through this initiative. Drop off unwanted paper at your local school.

Alternatively, there may be a recycling initiative in your area where you can leave you old paper, glass, tin or plastic. They often provide bags for this purpose and you will make the world a little better. There are many informal collectors that would be happy to take recycling in as this is how they earn a living. Just keep the recyclable items in a separate bag and put it out with your refuse, they will happily take it.

Giving back can take many forms and it won’t necessarily put you out of your comfort zone. If you can volunteer at or collect for a charity, do that. If this is too far out of your comfort zone, support local businesses and independent stores and markets - you will still get your shopping done or be able to enjoy your coffee, and it will go toward supporting your local economy.

Make 2023 a year to grow as a person and make the world a better place! We have come through a tough couple of years and many are still trying to sort their lives out after the pandemic. Make it a goal to help yourself but help others too, give back where you can and be the difference you want to see in the world. �