It's tempting to hang on to items to use for a special occasion. This week, Janine and Shannon discuss the benefits using what you have rather than buying new (perhaps more perfect) stuff.

Discussion topics include:

The thing that sparked this episode:

• Shannon’s decision to use up her abundant supply of gift soaps rather than buying new 

• The value of using things instead of saving “for good.”

• Repurposing household items rather than buying new—even if it’s not perfect

• Ending the cycle of “more stuff, more stuff”

• Shannon’s proposal to put her great grandmother’s china in the dishwasher so that she’ll actually use it

• How things can go bad when you don’t use them, which defeats the purpose of saving them

• Cultivating and managing usable collections, like dishtowels

• Shannon’s determination to use what she has this year and let it be good enough