#worklesseatmorebananas - 7 ways to save money in a consumer-centric society

                                              Jill Stella - Musician, Holistic Health Specialist and Online Entrepreneur.   

                                              Jill Stella - Musician, Holistic Health Specialist and Online Entrepreneur. 

 

 

Tea, flowers and good reads. 

Tea, flowers and good reads. 

1. The Public Library Exists. 

I get that the library is in our periphery vision...though somehow and at some point, it seems as if the majority of us forgot to use it. This limitless free resource of study, of almost any book or topic fathomable, is definitely worth a friendly reminder. ;)

 

Photo taken at a Starseyeview Super Swap. 

Photo taken at a Starseyeview Super Swap. 

2. Open Source Education Exists. 

Right now, all I want in life is to continue to learn new things, and apply this knowledge to my interests, creativity and career. Sometimes I need to remind myself that I have already acquired the relevant skills to build on my career, and that I just need to maintain an action orientated mindset, to flourish. 

Educational institutions can be a great way to motivate and surround an individual with like minded people, but sometimes I wonder if more schooling can be a form of procrastination.

Ever thought that maybe you already have what it takes to get started on your business, and that you just have to get out there, practice in a real world setting and actually do it?

Websites like Coursera allow you to take courses from accredited Universities and Colleges for free, online! Heck, even Harvard University is jumping in on the game and giving away free syllabus content on their website. 

Learn for the sake of learning, and implement the things you learn in "real time," rather than waiting for a piece of paper that premisses you to move forward.  

 

3. Take Spending Money on Clothing Out of the Equation. 

Click to watch Jill's Youtube video #worklesseatmorebananas

Click to watch Jill's Youtube video #worklesseatmorebananas

I have two words for you - “clothing swaps!” Look one up in your area, host one with your pals, and get in on the action! I cannot begin to tell you the liberation and fun that comes from the sustainability of it all. Free new clothes from a friendly face, the collaborative play and spirit of style fusion and evolution, letting go of attachment, and seeing who vibes with your items? Don't even get me started!

At the end of the event, the massive pile of unwanted meaningless threads of consumerism (soon to be donated) always feels like abstract art - and it definitely serves as a reminder to keep it real.

Get rolling with this, there is nothing to lose. Worst case scenario... you borrow your shirt back.  

 

4. Buy Ripe Fruit to Freeze!

Take advantage of those $1 bins of discounted bruised, marked or ripe fruit, in its prime state of sweetness and digestive, nutritive assimilation. Support your local fruit shop "ecosystem" and stir up hilarity and chuckles from friendly folk on the street; seeing you walk out with a cardboard box full of 12 bunches of bananas - all ready to be peeled, lined in your freezer, and in your next smoothie.

 

Free ripe plums that Jill picked (with permission) off of a stranger's tree, in the city of Toronto. 

Free ripe plums that Jill picked (with permission) off of a stranger's tree, in the city of Toronto. 

5. Be Involved in Energy Exchanges. Borrow Things.

Want to take yoga, but can't afford it? Why not sign up for an energy exchange and clean their yoga studio in exchange for their services and community. Need a couple tools to build a shelf? Why not ask a friend or neighbour that lives close by, or rent it at a hardware store (cause they do that).

We don't need to own everything we use. After all, we pay too much rent for our homes to be a storage place for things we use once or twice.  


6.  Let Companies Know If You Weren't Satisfied With Their Product or Service, With an Intention For a Solution.

The possibility of getting your money back, or something in your flavour is likely. Taking the time to let companies know of your constructive collaborative criticism can be a worth while habit to get into, especially if they are a brand that you respect and follow. Either they may give you props for the tips, or who knows...maybe they are looking to hire or collaborate with someone with such great ideas.


7. Ask For Extra Tomatoes on Your Falafel.

Ask for a cheaper phone plan from your network provider. Ask if someone can sweeten the deal for you. Ask for extra tomatoes on your falafel. 

The worst thing that could happen is they say "no".... and when did “no” become so scary?

Posted on November 5, 2015 .

The top 5 reasons why you should be a "Jill of all Trades"

Photo by Aidan Finlayson  

Photo by Aidan Finlayson

 

 

Like most teenagers, when I was in high school I was deeply confused by the notion of choosing a single career path to follow. My passion resided in the arts, and my efforts revolved around my school schedule - filled with Music, Drama, Visual Art, Photography and Com-Tech. Though my happiness was fuelled by expressive artistic creation, I still felt somewhat guilty that I wasn't enrolled in what seemed like "smart" courses. I was experiencing a degree of disillusioned societal pressure, and thought that in order to "succeed" I would need to abandon the majority of my interests, and pursue the perfection of just one.

It was my rebellious nature that ultimately rejected these fear based thought patterns, and I still remember the joyful day when I rushed home and pronounced, "Mom, I am going to school for music - I want to be a beautiful person!" 

Photo by Jill Stella  

Photo by Jill Stella

 

 

After graduating from music school, (the hardest and most gratifying accomplishment of my life) I can now say that I intentionally revert back to nurturing all of my high school rooted interests. I am committed to being an active student and adventurer in this scientific, artistic and expressive playground we call life. 

After recently discovering the podcasts and writings of world renowned author, athlete and educator Tim Ferriss, my path to entrepreneurialism feels immeasurably empowered.

Below is a summary of the key points from Tim's "Top 5 Reasons to be a Jack of all Trades" podcast. I wanted to share this with you, as it spoke deeply to where I am at and where I want to go.

 

1. The statement "jack of all trades, master of none" is an artificial pairing.

  • In Tim's podcast he claims that being a jack of all (or many) trades, or what he calls "generalist," is making a come back.

  • He argues that specialists tend to over estimate the amount of time it takes to master a skill, and often confuse "mastering" a skill set with "perfecting." 

  • Generalists seem to recognize the 80/20 principle when it comes to learning a skill. 

  • Tim exemplifies that when learning a language, 20% of the languages vocabulary will enable you to communicate and comprehend at least 80% of the time, and 20% of the moves in a sport account for 80% of the scoring.

 

2. In a world of dogmatic specialists, the generalist often ends up running the show.

  • Tim states that it is often (not always) that the big picture generalists predict, innovate and rise to power the fastest.
  • At the highest levels in a business, one needs certain "soft skills" or "connective tissue" to be able to communicate and be a proper leader.

  • It is the CEO's like Steve Jobs - who have a broad range of skills, that see the interconnectivity of everything.

 

3. Boredom is failure. 

  • Happiness is the opposite of boredom.

  • Tim argues that depression and "emotional bankruptcy" is the direct result of a lack of stimulation.

  • When one has their emotional identity invested in one skill set, they are likely to fall into depressive states of the mind, where as the generalist seems to have more stimulating pursuits to fall back on.

 

4. Diversity of intellectual playgrounds breeds confidence, not fear.

  • Tim argues that diversity in intellectual playgrounds breeds empathy with the broadest range of human condition, and appreciation with the broadest range of human accomplishments.

  • "Defensive smugness" is often related to those who pursue incremental gain out of obligation instead of enjoyment.

 

5. It's more fun!

  • Lastly Tim states that the Jack of all (or many) trades maximizes his or her number of peak experiences in life.

  • He or she learns "the pursuit of excellence" unrelated to material gain, all while finding the things that he or she is uniquely suited to dominate.

  • The curious generalist often consistently measures improvements in quantum leaps, rather than seemingly stagnant incremental steps.

 

a handful of hobbies, Countless career choices, and a palette of passions. Invest in every one of them, and in their own time. Celebrate your unsubscription to the seemingly set architecture of society. Live an unconventional life.
- Jill STella

 

Thank you for reading this blog post and I leave you with this message from Walk off the Earth. 

Buddha Teas Review

Ingredients:                                                                                                                                  Ingredients:  

                                                                                                                                   

Rose                                                                                                                                              Ashwaganhda Root

Nutmeg                                                                                                                                        Dandelion Root

Lavender                                                                                                                                      Hibiscus Flower

                                                                                                                                                       Raspberry Leaf

                                                                                                                                                       Cloves

 

You know you are instantly won over by a

tea company when...

 

 

- the tea is certified organic

(though that should not necessary a deal breaker, if you know and trust where and what farm the tea, herbs and spices are coming from)

 

-  the box is super sleek and has the nostalgic feel of a soft textured book

 

- the tea bags are bleach free

 

- you get a brand new tea fortune with every tea you steep

 

- they have a Chakra series, and infuse their herbs with stones and crystals

 

 

 

Herbalism and Chakras

 

 

I love the idea of using herbalism in conjunction with the resonating

centres of our bodies. We know that everything is vibrating, including

our bodies and every organ within. Plants, stones, living foods,

colours, water and even the computer that I am typing on, (governed by 

an embedded Quartz crystal to keep time) has vibration. 

It makes sense to me that drinking vibrant herbs - like the

purple lavender in the Crown Chakra blend, would resonate at a

high, top heavy frequency, just as Ultra Violet light vibrates at the

highest frequency in a rainbow. It is also no coincidence that Buddha

Teas used deep rooted dandelion and ruby red hibiscus to stimulate

the lowest energy centre in the body.

 

I enjoyed meditating on these blends this month, and I want to

thank Buddha Teas for reaching out to me on Instagram

These two interesting and distinct herbal infusions were fun to play

with.

 

 

Join me on a flavour adventure in the video below, where I try these two teas!

We have the ability, privilege and responsibility to be an art curator For our own bodies and minds.
We do this by celebrating and blessing what we put in it, whether it be food, knowledge, intention or good tea.
- Jill STella
Posted on March 13, 2015 .