Being Resourceful

Resourceful: adj.

Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.

Able to use the means at one's disposal to meet situations effectively.

Ingenious, inventive, creative, no matter what word you use to describe it there are times when you just have to think outside the box! When we moved from one boat to another we didn't have the convenience of taking our belongings by car from one marina to another. We sold our boat in Central America and moved to Eastern US by plane. With the cost of baggage these days we felt it unnecessary to pay for things twice. Books, art supplies, tools, cruising charts and games can be heavy and really add weight to your 50 pound limit. We figured we could probably just buy those things again, in good time.

Fast forward 3 months( my how time flies) and my how we are accumulating things left and right! Some friends donated a ton of paint brushes to Gia and me. We were so thankful that they also donated a huge coffee tin, bread ties and a sprouting tupperware (for growing sprouts)! When we put our needs "out there" (into the cosmic universe by prayer or meditation) I knew that the universe would provide for us.

Since we are on a budget, as many people are, I took matters into my own hands when the new year came around. I felt we really needed a calendar, what with all of Gia's school functions, my work schedule and our now various bills to pay. (ick) But instead of going out and spending almost $15 on a wall calendar I decided to be resourceful! Using one of our old shopping bags I created 4 months worth of calendars using the front and back sides of a brown paper bag.

If you have a collection of things around the house or boat, think about new ways to use them! We now save all our bread ties and use them in the school garden to help hold up those delicious tomatoes and green pepper stalks. We use binder clips and rubber bands to close cereal and chip bags. Part of what makes cruising fun is the ability to leave "land life" behind and sometimes that means there is not a Target or a Wal*Mart nearby. Learning to do without can have tons of benefits, just one of the many is being resourceful!

In what ways have you become more resourceful? We'd love to hear your comments!