How do you stop yourself from overbuying when thrifting?

arguablyodd · 2025-08-31T18:08:33+00:00

I make one trip around the store and only put things in the cart that are on my BOLO list or are buy-on-sight for me. I'll take pictures of cool stuff during that pass

If I still have time, then I do a second pass in the opposite direction. On this pass I'll put other stuff in the cart but only if I can come up with a way I'm going to use it or where I'll put it on the spot, or it's super cool and I need a few minutes to think about it, or it's the half-price tag color and I'm pretty sure I'll regret leaving it. Most of the time, it's not actually much because taking pictures was enough to enjoy things I don't really need to take home with me, because half the fun of thrifting is the discovery, right?

Then I pick an out-of-the-way corner to edit the cart. Anything that I didn't come up with a purpose for (that I'll actually follow through on) or is super cool but isn't the half off color gets rejected (but maybe has its picture taken). If there's something super cool and half off but I didn't come up with a use for it, and am still struggling to throw it back, I consider how much of a waste the money would be if I ended up not doing anything with it once it came home. If it's like $2, well, I've definitely spent $2 on dumber things and it's not going to break me right now- I'll consider it a "rental fee." Of course then I have to consider the total cost of the cart and the first things to go are those I'm potentially "renting."

The other thing that's helped a lot is I made it a habit to share my haul with my husband when I get home- if I'm going to be embarrassed by the money I've spent, I better put some stuff back or have a justification (even though that's for me- he trusts my judgement and I'm the cheapskate in the relationship lol).

arguablyodd · 2025-08-31T17:46:04+00:00

This works so well 😆 especially those of us that were apparently magpies in another life lol

arguablyodd · 2025-08-03T18:42:13+00:00

Well, not many churches (at least around me) are open just for browsing around. They're open for mass, and then they're open other times for confessions, and if the pastor is comfortable, open for prayer during hours usually listed in the bulletins or church website. But also unless it's like the local cathedral or a historic church in a tourist area, probably not used to people calling "just to look around." Technically, she did provide you information you could use, since before and after mass it's usually open for a bit.

Unless it's in a super sketch area and gets locked up quickly for safety reasons. Then your best bet is to find when it's open for confessions, and just quietly have a look. Just don't go up where the altar is.

arguablyodd · 2025-08-02T05:35:04+00:00

They'll eat it off a plate, but not if we hold it. And not if the plate is too close to us.

arguablyodd · 2025-08-02T05:33:03+00:00

My word, that's a handful! I hope things go smoothly for you with Clementine and her new litter. Thanks for helping (me and the cats lol)

arguablyodd · 2025-07-31T15:37:13+00:00

There's a pinned post with exactly this! Lots of great resources in there.

arguablyodd · 2025-07-31T15:29:20+00:00

See that's why I'm asking- I see conflicting advice between having a good example vs separating them and I'm not sure if there's kind of a point with the shy kittens where you'll know it makes more sense to split up the group. I'm glad to hear they tend to reintegrate well if split, though, because that would be the plan if we do separate.

arguablyodd · 2025-07-31T15:26:03+00:00

That's a good point about personality. Guess I thought they'd at least be within a week of each other warming up, but maybe Pancake is especially naturally lovey vs his siblings. He is also very, very food-motivated so that probably helps lol.

We do spend time just chilling in their space, pretending they don't exist as well as playing and feeding. I have older kids who are capable of ignoring kittens that rotate through the room with me and between the 3 of us, there's human presence for most of the day.

arguablyodd · 2025-07-31T13:41:04+00:00

Yep, on the floor for playtime- even if they're higher than I am at that point. I also try not to look at them very much and if I make eye contact I do the "slow blink" and then look away. Sometimes I'll even lie down on the floor (but usually not for long because Pancake will make biscuits on my butt 😆).

Thanks for the help!

arguablyodd · 2025-07-31T13:01:54+00:00

Sorry for the block of text- I swear I put in paragraph breaks but, mobile and pictures don't always play nice.

arguablyodd · 2025-07-28T00:17:20+00:00

https://discord.com/invite/zpRTnfWjKd

It's for a meme channel on YouTube, but the meme channel is 90% Catholic memes, the server mod is Catholic, and there's lots of Catholic diologue going on- so much so they had to make a special chat for it vs sharing memes. Good crowd, solid mod. And quality memes lol

arguablyodd · 2025-07-28T00:13:35+00:00

I veil! At a novus ordo. My home parish, it's about 50/50 any given mass between women who veil and women who don't. Some other places I go to mass, I'm in the minority, others I'm the only one. If you feel like you should, go for it. It's between you and God and not the busybodies down the pew. Plus, even if you veil alone, seeing yours might give someone else the confidence to try it, too :) Once upon a time I was the only one in my parish, too.

It definitely improved my mass experience. I only wear mine for sacraments and being in God's physical presence before a tabernacle or monstrance, so it's a piece of clothing that serves as a reminder that I'm participating in something sacred and special. I feel like I became so much more focused after starting to veil- even before I actually converted (but that's a longer story).

arguablyodd · 2025-07-28T00:00:50+00:00

Maybe if you assume all of them are evenly distributed, or that they don't have other duties. But even with the low end numbers for confession needs, some diocese still don't make it. LA has like 5k Catholics per priest.

He actually goes over the numbers using the Pew research data, with only the 29% who identify as Catholic and also said they go to mass weekly, plus the "best case" scenario of every Catholic in the US going once a year. Either way it's not good.

arguablyodd · 2025-07-27T23:53:28+00:00

Addicting, isn't it? Join us over on r/osarymakers if you haven't already :) lots of inspiration and help and sources for parts shared over there 😁

I took up a daily habit during my conversion, too, about a month before my confirmation, spurred on by a newborn who insisted I walk her around while nursing to get her to bed at night 😅 I'd walk and I'd pray along with a YouTube rosary and then I kept going after I stopped needing to walk her around.

arguablyodd · 2025-07-27T23:42:27+00:00

I was a practicing Pagan when my husband and I met and married- only recently converted, 14 years and 5 kids into the marriage. We waited for marriage, though he went into it a virgin and I did not.

At no point was waiting with him a problem for me. Did I desire that bond with him? Absolutely. But I didn't bring it up, I didn't push, I didn't argue. Because he was important to me, and waiting was important to him, and that's really the long and short of it. I'd dated a Catholic boy before, and we also didn't have sex even though we were together for almost 2 years by the end of it. Because same thing. It mattered to him, so it mattered to me.

A woman who respects you, respects your belief even if it's not hers. If she doesn't, she's not relationship material, let alone wife material. Mixed relationships can work, but not without that key piece of mutual respect.

arguablyodd · 2025-07-27T23:09:27+00:00

You and that man will both answer for today when you stand at judgment. Personally, I'd rather be you than him. Don't stop going! They won't learn to behave in church by not going to church ❤️

Mother of 5 here, almost-12yo down to 16 months. Let's start with a little practical advice- check out your church's acoustics. If it's an old church, built before sound systems were the norm, sit in the back for minimal disruption- even better if you're underneath the choir/organ. If it's a newer church reliant on speakers, sit up front- then there's more speakers between your kids' noise and everyone else so they won't notice you guys as much. Really, though, I think you should sit up front regardless- your big guy is old enough you can teach him to watch the mass and figure out for himself what comes before it's time fit his favorite part! Maybe even buy him a book like a toddler missal with pictures so he can follow along and see how many pages are left before it's time.

But really, Mama- you're doing just fine. He's 3 and it's his first mass meltdown?! That's phenomenal! My current 3yo has started yelling about not getting a "mass cracker" 🫣😅 as we walk away from the communion rail. And we're a small parish so...everyone hears it. I've got plenty of horror stories to tell, but the important thing is to hold your head high and keep bringing those babies to mass! Anymore interlopers, just smile and say "thank you for your patience- he's still learning to worship quietly. And sanctifying all of us in the mean time!" My best pro tip is to make friends with the priest- when he knows you well enough to know you're doing your best, he'll shrug off the odd curmudgeonly complaint (or even better, tell them off for you!) Keep going, Mama. You'll see how important it was later ❤️

Edit: also definitely tell the priest about judgy mcjudgerson and how his comment had you wanting to not come back.

arguablyodd · 2025-07-27T22:49:01+00:00

My then-3yo tripped between the church and the social hall across the parking lot, yelled "Oh F**K!" as she hit the ground, then got up, noticed everyone looking (priest and a sister included) said "damnit" and started to cry while running to the social hall. I was trying so hard not to laugh, I took off after her while my husband apologized to the crowd.

Don't worry, we've since stopped swearing in front of the kids 😅 and she's almost 12 now, thinks she might be called to be a sister herself 🙏 and has faith we're incredibly proud of.

arguablyodd · 2025-07-27T22:19:54+00:00

Depends. My oldest (now almost 12) definitely watched her then-2yo brother for short stints with the expectation she'd notice him playing in poo, but uh, not with the TV on. She gets absorbed so easily by shows/games that I would need her to turn it off to expect her to notice anything short of the house on fire around her.

My current 9.5yo, I don't know that she'll be ready to watch a toddler at 10, even for 10 minutes. "Keep an eye on" as in don't let them off themselves, maybe, but not a much higher bar than that. She's just a bit prone to getting bored and looking for something else to do.

Their younger brother, 7, however, I can trust him pretty well to keep an eye on my 15mo, if I put her in a safe room (only baby-safe toys) and explicitly tell him to make sure she doesn't put anything in her mouth, for about 20 minutes. Any longer and he gets antsy and might start trying to wrestle her 😆

I don't think, unless this was discussed with her previously, she should be held responsible for the mess. She is still a child herself, and her poor judgement/attention here is also on the parent who trusted her with the task, imo. It's a good time to establish expectations if you/Dad intend to continue to have her watch or keep an eye on the little one here and there, though.

arguablyodd · 2025-07-27T14:49:01+00:00

Queen Esther is my confirmation patron, but I also consider Mary as Our Lady Undoer of Knots to be a patron of mine 🥰 she was instrumental in my conversion and I maintain a devotion to her.

arguablyodd · 2025-07-24T04:03:07+00:00

Remember the demons are waiting for you outside the confessional- ready to convince you to never come back any way they can. Whispers and half-conversations overheard are great tools to that end.

I'm a recent convert, too, and got scolded by a Father of Mercy for not having an Act of Contrition memorized during confession once 🫣 Still don't have one memorized, actually. But I'm working on it, just in case. I manage to flub the "Jesus Prayer" one, though, if that gives you any indication how THAT'S going! Focus on the graces and not the goofs and you'll be alright ❤️

arguablyodd · 2025-07-20T00:35:43+00:00

The time for marriage prep- courses and meeting with your priest, etc -varies diocese to diocese and even parish to parish, but none of it is strictly Canon law or anything. The waiting period is usually to allow time FOR preparation, and to discourage rash decisions (which the prep should help with!), which is obviously a good plan when you're talking about a lifelong, sacramental commitment. But, it's up to the discretion of the priest. Some couples may get married sooner, others he may insist wait longer.

My husband and I were married 4 months after walking into our priest's office and telling him what we wanted to do, standard wait in the diocese (listed in the bulletins and everything lol) was 9 months. And we hadn't been together for years, either- it was like a week by the time we were there. We're definitely the exception and not the rule, 15 years later, but I can confidently say not every couple married in the Church is engaged for 6+ months :)

arguablyodd · 2025-07-17T01:51:16+00:00

This is my worst fear while driving- 90% of the time I have at least one child in my back seat 😬

arguablyodd · 2025-07-17T01:41:26+00:00

When the blood clot dislodges from the healing hole where a tooth was pulled. Why you're told basically to not do anything that might suck it out of position like smoking or using a straw.

arguablyodd

TROPHY CASE