#go get yourself a library card and support your local library!!!!!!!!!!

[narutosfrogwallet]

every time i check a book out from the library im like wow. i cannot believe im allowed to do this. theyre letting me take this book for FREE? it never gets old i love this shit

[linguisticsho]

Anti capitalist + anti consumerist + anti work master list

*originally started writing this as a reference for myself. may add more later

No buying/no spending options

Libby (books, audiobooks, magazines). you can use multiple library cards. harris county and queens allows you to sign up for a card with just your number.

Hoopla (music)

Kanopy (movies, tv, docs)

Anna's Archive (books, academic papers)

Tubi (movies, TV, docs)

Your local libraries

Bartering. they got facebook groups for this. if you still use that.

Low buy/low spending options

Bookbub

Dollar stores

Thrift stores

Only buy when you need/run out of it. you don't really need another damn notebook (note to self)

lowkey thinking about buying that $25 tablet from five below

Going analog

Book Outlet

Thrift Books

Thrift stores

Blank cd's and an external drive

Food

Learn. To. Cook. get a rice cooker from family dollar. some rice, sausage, chicken, ramen, eggs, frozen mixed veggies,et c etc. get some spices. you can just throw this in for 15-20 min and have a meal. do some experimenting while you at it. start looking at those big back recipes from tik tok while it's still around.

eat less shit. less fast food. less processed snacks.

TooGoodtoGo. pay about $5 to get some surprise bags from different restaurants.

Companies to boycott (if you are able to)

Amazon. you know why.

Walmart. gets tax subsidies for employees on welfare. they aint never giving them a payraise, despite their profits. anti dei

McDonald’s.

Trader Joe's. anti union.

Companies to support instead

Local.

Black owned/BIPOC. buy essentials.

...or make your own shit. read some books, watch some videos to teach you to make skin care, set up raspberry pi, whatever you wanna learn

Making money (for anticapitalist, antiwork, anticonsumerist, autistic, young, wild, free)

Writing on Medium. something i've been doing a little of.

Micro investing. invest $5 here and there to make a little money.

All in on specific niches. see where it takes you.

Qapital. an app where you can save money without having to think about it. this has helped me in a pinch.

Prolific. good way to make a little money. pays thru paypal tho.

anything you're capable of doing

Skills that could actually matter

Herbalism. make natural remedies for chronic issues.

Gardening. grow your own food and kush. (if possible)

Reading. a skill often taken for granted. read all that you can. do annotations. actually do media literacy and ask yourself why you like or don't like a movie, TV show, anime etc etc.

Archiving. with the tik tok ban coming, i've been made more aware of the importance of saving shit. download things. write info you learn down in a notebook or notion.

Self defense. hand to hand combat or a glock. even if you start with practicing with a toy gun.

Sailing the seas

just look up 'pirating' on here

[duckprintspress]

National Library Week Shout-Outs!

I LOVE libraries – and this week, April 6 to 12, is National Library Week, so I’m here to shout-out my favorite libraries.

US-Nation-Wide Libraries: these are libraries that are available, via Libby, to anyone in the United States!

Queer Liberation Library: “Queer Liberation Library (QLL) is fighting to build a vibrant, flourishing queer future by connecting LGBTQ+ people with literature, information, and resources that celebrate the unique and empowering diversity of our community.” I love QLL, it’s so great and filling such a huge need. They’re one of the handful of organizations that Duck Prints Press donates to monthly.

The Japan Foundation Los Angeles Library: “The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles (JFLA) promotes international awareness and mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S. through cultural exchange. We administer a wide range of programs and grants aimed at introducing Japanese arts and culture, supporting Japanese Studies and language education, and promoting publications, translations related to Japan.” Fantastic if you’re studying Japanese or love Japanese culture. They have toooons of manga.

If anyone knows more nation-wide Libby libraries, please do tell, I’d love to find, join, and support more!

New York State Libraries: I live in New York, so the rest of my faves are local. I’m lucky to live in a state where many libraries allow all state residents access at no cost.

Schenectady County Public Library: My local library system! Also accessible to people throughout the Capital Region (Montgomery, Fulton, Schoharie, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Albany, and Rensselaer counties). I’m there multiple times a month, getting books for myself or my kids. All those queer YA graphic novels y’all see me reading in my weekly and monthly round-ups? Borrowed from the SCPL.

New York Public Library: I grew up going to my local branch of the NYPL in New York City. Now, I’m still able to access their collections, as can anyone who lives in New York State. They have a huge, amazing collection, and it’s absolutely worth the effort of getting a card if you’re able.

Brooklyn Public Library: I have been so so so impressed by their selection of queer books and graphic novels since I got a card for their Libby. The size of their collection is comparable to NYPL, and they’re also free throughout the state. Absolutely worth it. They also have very high loan and hold limits, and as a result of that and their huge collection of queer manga, they have become my most-used Libby library.

Buffalo and Erie County Public Library: My newest library! I haven’t gotten to use them much yet, but they have an interesting and varied collection that I’m looking forward to digging into once I get through some of the copious number of BL manga volumes I borrowed from BPL.

Other…

The Lilly Library: I have to shout out the Lilly, a rare book library at Indiana University at Bloomington. I studied library science at IU, and earned my MLS, and I took multiple classes at the Lilly and interned and worked at their conservation lab during my two years there. The professor who taught those classes now runs the library, so even though I haven’t been there for a long long time, I’m absolutely positive it’s still a wonderful place totally worth a visit if you get the chance. They’ll bring out any of their huge, varied collection that you ask to see, and they do regular exhibits of rare books from the collection.

What are your favorite libraries? Please do tell!

consider yourself tagged! reblog and tell me your favorite libraries, and I'll share those too!

[theblackfemininesociety]

HOW TO: Unlock Your Potential with a Vision Board for 2025!

(clickable links and resources below)

Have you ever felt the excitement of setting goals but struggled to visualize them? A vision board could be your secret weapon! Discover why creating a vibrant vision board for 2025 can ignite your motivation and help you manifest your aspirations. It's time to bring your dreams to life and make this year your most fulfilling one yet!

‘How Do I Set Myself Up For Success?’

STEP ONE: ENVISION IT

This is the very reason why the BFS recommends making physical and digital vision &/or prayer boards! So yes, absolutely, use this moment to visualize the life you desire, the woman you aspire to be, including every detail from your behaviors to the type of neighborhood you'd like to live in.

Tools You Need:

Create a Pinterest account

Download Shuffles to make a digital collage vision boards directly from your boards you created on Pinterest!

Go your local Dollar Store ! Your physical vision board does not have to break the bank!

Utilize your local Library! 📚 There’s many libraries that let you print things for free with a library card ! ( if you don’t have a library card get one pretty girls read )

A 🔥 playlist! 🎶 We recommend you to vibe out to music that motivates you ! Have you heard our “Kingdom Vibes” playlist? Click here to listen to the latest Christian r&b/rap out right now! 🎧

STEP 2: ALIGN WITH IT

Dreams should never only be alive in your head. Step one is done and yes you can always close your eyes and make changes when you need to. ITS YOUR REALITY. You can and will always find yourself doing step one, but do not stay there.

What’s going to set you apart from the rest is the work, discipline and commitment you have to making your visions of life come to life. You have to align yourself with it. That’s the secret: your new life is going to cost you your old one babe!

STEP 3: DO NOT GIVE UP

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

This is a sisterhood, it’s our duty to always tell you the TRUTH ! It’s not going to be a walk in the park after your vision board is made, you will still have hard days, days where you’re not going to have any drive to get things done. There will be days where you fall back into old habits.

Luckily for you, we not only made resources for you to use but we created a safe space for you to come and get back on track. We will help you unpack and bounce back everytime!

‘Breaking Habits’ Guide: Part One • Part Two

Join our free “The Ladies Room” Groupchat for support, guidance and advice. Click HERE to accept our invite !

Other Free BFS Resources: HERE

Accountability is key on this never ending journey of self discovery. This does not mean you have to beat yourself up and get stuck in a rut! BFS women acknowledges the facts and move accordingly (pray, indulge in self care, seek help— get back to the drawing board and try again) this is why we are a circle of WINNERS 🏆 Our members don’t give up on themselves and we will never give up on them! 🩷

“To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

STEP 4: WATCH IT COME TO LIFE:

Do you know what happens after you plant seeds in the physical and spiritual world ? Harvest season! It’s only a matter of time! Your hard work, sweat, tears, and dedication will pay off! When that time comes, give glory to GOD, you will be fully equipped and ready to step into that season of your life.

────── ⋆⋅🩷📲🫂⋅⋆ ──────

We’re basically besties!

Follow Us on:

Instagram • Discord • Facebook

[blogthebooklover]

30 Things I Learned As An Adult

In honor of me turning 30 in January, I’ve decided to write out a list of 30 things I learned as an adult.  Now, some of these worked for me through trial and error, while others did not.

1. Self Care Is Important

I cannot stress this enough.  We all need to practice self care, to take time for ourselves.  It takes baby steps to find a good self-care routine, and there’s plenty of online resources to find one to your tastes.  Remember it is all about trial and error, and don’t worry about perfecting it right away.  Research some different self care routines online as a starting point.

2. Read Books, Not Fanfiction

Okay, don’t get me wrong, I do love reading some good ole fanfiction, and current events.  However, definitely pick up a book once in a while.  Whether it’s a graphic novel, comics, manga, please develop a reading habit.  It definitely helped me out a lot as a former college dropout, there are reading lists on sites like Goodreads, here on Tumblr, even colleges have lists what books students are required to read.  And it does help with expanding your knowledge and vocabulary.  As I’ve previously said, I’m a former college dropout who’s currently back in school, however, developing a healthy reading habit is what kept me grounded.  If you need a starting point, I recommend reading a fiction book, preferably in the SciFi/Fantasy genre; or reread a book from your childhood.  Also, PLEASE GET A LIBRARY CARD!  You’ll definitely be saving a lot of money, and we need to support our public libraries now more than ever.

3. Say “No” More Often

If you don’t feel comfortable going out, or if your manager calls and asks to cover a shift, just say “no.”  Remember, you have the power to set boundaries, especially with family, friends, and work.  This correlates to number 1 on my list, self care is super important, and you cannot put your health at risk for anyone.  I’m going to repeat that last part: SELF CARE IS SUPER IMPORTANT, AND YOU CANNOT PUT YOUR HEALTH AT RISK FOR ANYONE!

4. Register To Vote, And Vote In Every Election

With politics being so polarized and divisive in the past decade, and the upcoming 2024 US Presidential Election, please register to vote.  And voter suppression has been very rampant in the past two, arguably three, decades.  To anyone about to turn 18 here in the US, please register to vote ASAP!  And vote in every goddamn election, both national and local.  I seriously cannot stress this enough.

5. Eat Healthy, No Seriously

I love some fast food once in a while now, however, please take some time to learn about healthy eating.  It will catch up with you in the future, and our US healthcare system is already fucked as all hell.  I know the rising costs of everything, including food, is insane right now; but please keep informed about how to prepare good healthy food.

6. Take Breaks From Current Events, Social Media, and the Internet

This also correlates with number one.  While it is very important to stay informed with what is happening in the world/country of origin; especially with the US Presidential Election year.  Remember, it’s okay to take breaks from reading too much news, and scrolling through social media feeds.  It really does have an effect on your mental health, and unfortunately too many people tend to fall down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole on all sides of the political spectrum.  To the teenagers and young adults, take breaks and focus on your mental health and well-being.  To the adults, read the previous sentence.  With everything so polarizing, take care of yourself first.  

7. High School Friends DO NOT LAST!

My friends from high school and early college years were definitely the “ride and die” type of  friends, metaphorically speaking.  If you have that one friend who was/is the “give the shirt off their back” type, check in on them once in a while.  However, with the former, just move on.  The friends I had in high school definitely had a lot of childhood trauma, and in one aspect, I’m glad that they were honest about it; it was/is a way to heal.  However, any “friend” who just doesn’t want to better themselves and use you for any convenience, DUMP THEM AND CUT OFF ALL CONTACT!  Remember just as you set boundaries with your toxic family members, and even for your job, you should do the same with friends.

8. Change Jobs, ASAP!

This is a very important one.  I didn’t really have a job as a teenager, I wanted to enjoy being a kid for a little longer, however, I did have an occasional babysitting job.  At 23 years old, I got a job at a fast food place.  While I do appreciate part of the experience, like how to use the “customer service” voice, however, any red flags that pop up in your head, change jobs, ASAP!  It was toxic, too political (for some weird reason) and a lot of drama (and not from the teenagers).  The grocery store I work at now does have its busy times, however, it’s much more calmer, and I don’t see too many “Karen” types. 

9. Declutter More Often

This is also a definite must as you get older.  Whatever you don’t need anymore, donate them.  Whatever is completely broken, throw it away!  Whatever it is that is in good condition, sell it or maybe give it to someone as a birthday/holiday present.  Any old makeup, throw it away!  It’ll help reduce the amount of clutter and mess.  If you need a starting point, I suggest the KonMari method.  It really did help me out a lot.

10.  Use A Planner

This is a life-and-time saver.  Write down any appointments, cleaning days, paydays, bill charges, etc.; into a physical planner.  If you’re in college, please use one!  And write down any assignments to work on/turn in BEFORE the deadline.  Also, anything important, put into your calendar app on your phone and laptop as a reminder.

11.  Have A Skin Care Routine

Okay, I know having a skin care routine isn’t for everyone, and we all have different reactions to skin care products; however, don’t be afraid to experiment with a good skin care routine.  In my early teen years, I used Proactiv skin care for my acne, and it helped out a lot.  Remember: cleanse, tone, any serum of your choice, and moisturize.  This also helps out if you don’t feel like jumping into the shower.  Also, use sunscreen, seriously.

12.  Don’t Get Married, Until You’re Ready

This is coming from someone who is single, lol.  If you plan on getting married to your romantic partner, I’m proud of you! Marriage is about communication, being honest, and doing equal amount of work (finances, household chores, etc.)  Save money if you’re planning for a wedding, or go to your local courthouse to get a marriage license if you don’t want the big, fancy reception.  

13.  Don’t Have Kids, Until You’re Ready

Again, this is coming from someone who is single and childless, lol.  Having kids is a lot of work: physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.  Not everyone is capable of being a parent, and I have read PLENTY of posts on here and other websites about toxic parents/parenting styles.  Take time and think about if you’re ready to become a parent.

14.  Learn How To Budget Your Money

This is for anyone of any age out there.  Please learn how to budget your spending.  Look for stuff on sale or clearance, or cut back on certain types of spending. I know most people have no idea where to start, but there is! There’s some great websites and YouTube channels on how to budget your money. Another great tool to use are spreadsheets like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. I use a Google Sheet template to help track my spending and budget my finances. Also, if you have gift cards from your birthday/holidays/etc; definitely use them, you won't be breaking your bank account :). Also, definitely have some paper cash in your wallet for emergency use.     

15.  Open A Savings/Emergency Funds Account, ASAP!

This is a huge one to have as an adult, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Anything left over from paying the bills, from a side hustle, or from your tax returns, put that into savings.  Certain banks will also have the option of creating “financial goals” in savings accounts; so I highly recommend using that as well.  This also correlates with number 14.  If you’re interested, open two or three savings accounts, the last one should only be for emergency funds.

16.  Get A Physical Hobby, AKA Exercise!

It doesn’t matter what type of exercise you do, please do it!  And for anyone who is physically disabled, there are modified options provided on YouTube.  We do lose certain motor functions as we age, so definitely pick an exercise that’s right for you, as they say. Even if it's just going outside for a walk for 30 minutes, please do some type of exercise.   

17.  Learn How To Meal Prep

It doesn’t have to be for every meal of every day, pick a meal you want to make and prepare ahead of time.  And prepare that meal the day before, so it will be on hand when you leave your house. There are some great videos on YouTube, and some ideas from Pinterest if you need a starting point.

18.  If You’re Able To, Go To The Dentist!

Seriously though, try and go for a checkup/teeth cleaning.  You’re only given one set of teeth after all your baby teeth fall out, and you need to take good care of them.  If you’re able to, or live near to one, local colleges have free cleanings through their dental training programs.   

19.  If Your Job Offers a 401K, GET ON IT NOW!

My old job at a fast food restaurant didn’t have retirement benefits, but my current grocery store job does.  I jumped on it right away, even if it’s not the job I want right now.  And it’s a good starting point to have some money saved up for retirement. If you leave the job that has a 401k, you can do what's called a rollover. This will put the money that was set into the first retirement fund into another one; you can do this with your bank or if your new job has a 401k.

20.  If You Don’t Have Health Insurance, Sign Up With The State, or Through Your Job.

In my experience, I have insurance through the state at the moment.  If your job offers health insurance as well, jump on it right away, even if it’s not the job you want, it’ll be a starting point that correlates with number 19.

21.  It’s Okay To Not Go To College

This is coming from someone who was a college dropout at 19, and currently back in school.  If you don’t feel ready to go to college, that’s okay too.  College is very expensive, especially here in the US, and not everyone can get a scholarship, even if they did apply for a lot of them.  Maybe get a part-time job or two (for some income), explore some hobbies you enjoy, and take some time to think about some goals.     

22. If You’re In College, It’s Okay To Stay At Home

Again, coming from a former college dropout, I stayed at home while attending a nearby community college in another state.  However, out-of-state tuition and housing is also very expensive.  If you have a good relationship with your parents, and if you’re going to school in-state, talk to them about staying home while going to school.  If you don’t, then talk to a trusted friend or family member about getting an apartment together that isn’t on-site housing while you’re attending school.

23. Watch Non-English Language Movies

If you’re a movie lover like me, take some time to watch some foreign language films once in a while; and I know we anime fans do, lol.  To be honest, it does get very boring watching English language films all the time, whether from the States, England, or Canada.  Watching foreign language movies will definitely help you to understand the world a lot better, if you don’t have the means for traveling yet; and they will help you to understand that no matter where we live, we all have similar issues, hopes, dreams, etc.  If you need a starting point, I recommend any of the Studio Ghibli movies, I would start with Kiki’s Delivery Service; or Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth.  

24. SET BOUNDARIES

Remember: toxic family members and friends are not worth it.  You are worthy and valid for love and respect.  This correlates to number 7.  This is also very useful in the workplace.  

25. Express Yourself Through Fashion

Like everyone else, I feel most comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt myself; however sometimes I like to dress up just for fun, or to build up my self esteem and image.  This also helps when learning to pair an accessory with an outfit.  Play around with different color palettes and clothing styles, and find the one you feel the most “you.”  For example, I’ve always looked my best in jewel tones and a cooler color palette.  Read some fashion articles or watch some YouTube videos about how to pick out an outfit.

26. It Is Not Selfish To Prioritize Yourself

This correlates with number 3.  I have noticed it’s mostly a Western/American/Christian culture norm, we’re always told to take care of others before taking care of ourselves; or we’re selfish for prioritizing ourselves over others. It is not selfish, it is part of self care. Again, this is tied in with number 24.

27.   Failing and Making Mistakes Is Part of Growing

There is so much societal pressure on trying to be successful in life and work, especially in the Western/American hemisphere. However, making mistakes and failing at something is part of growing, and learning as an individual.

28. It's Okay to Not Have a Label to Define Yourself

Hear me out. I understand the use of labels in society and culture in general; everyone wants to belong somewhere and feel accepted. However, it is okay to not have a label to define who you are, and who you want/choose to be. Take all the time you need to figure out what's best for you. And sometimes people don't realize a label will fit them until they are much older in life. Or they couldn't at the time.

29. Don't Compare, You'll Get There

We are human, and we all have the tendency to compare ourselves to others. Unfortunately, this doesn't end after high school and college. And that needs to seriously change, especially in the Western/American hemisphere. Simply writing down "don't compare, you'll get there" is a great reminder to have for yourself. Everyone learns and grows at their own pace.

30. It Really Is The Little Things That Keep Us Going

When life seems to get too hard, it really is the little things that keep us going. Whether it is something as simple as someone holding a door open for you, or someone complimenting* you on your outfit or your work ethic; those moments are the ones that matter the most. Remember those moments, hold on to them.

[joyinliving]

Shit to Do So You Don't Freak The Fuck Out

are you feeling hopeless? lost? scared out of your fucking mind? there's a lot of self care stuff out there- drink tea, take a bath, meditate, etc etc. those can be nice i guess, but sometimes, when shit sucks, the only way to make it through without collapsing is to do whatever you can do to help people. to prove that you do, actually, have some control. that you can have a real impact on the world around you.

i am compiling a list of things that can be done RIGHT NOW at no (or very low) cost to yourself that have a direct and real impact on the state of the world around us. i am taking submissions as well- just send an ask or say something in the tags and i'll add it.

list under the cut (it is very long and continues to grow)

Report price-gouging in California: go onto zillow (or some other rental site), set the location to any of the affected areas in CA, sort to your choosing, and go through the price history for rentals. if it has increased by over 10% during the state of emergency time period, report for price gouging.

Drive someone for free (to vote, to get groceries, to the library, etc.)

Visit a library: that space is for you to use! loitering is okay too- you will only be asked to leave if you are disrupting the functions of the library for other visitors. while you are there...

Get a library card: libraries rely on community engagement for funding and to know what people want. check out books, movies, and games! participate in events! request more books! look into the resources your library offers! i promise there are more than you know!

Speak with a librarian: ask what resources they know about. ask what you can do to benefit your community. ask what can be done to help the library.

Get food from a food bank: they rely on numbers of participants to prove the programs are effective, plus you won't be financially supporting grocery store chains!

Volunteer: volunteer with an animal shelter, a homeless shelter, a kitchen, a community garden, park cleanup, political action (like canvasing, encouraging voters), a hospital, a church, or any other work that your area needs help with

Petition, vote, and submit testimonies for local elections: action in your city, county, or state can have massive impact!

Make art: make posters, zines, patches, bracelets, street art! make a visible mark on the world

Make art (cont): write poetry, music, fiction, non-fiction. make your voice heard

Make information accessible: share paywalled articles and academic sources for free, provide alternative text for photos online, share notes from class, post information that isn't easily available

Ride the bus: much like the library and food banks, use proves usefulness! riding the bus can encourage more funding and maintenance for them. it's also cheaper and more environmentally friendly than personal vehicles

Wear a mask: especially around vulnerable populations

Resist gentrification: keep property costs down with graffiti, protest the introduction of gentrifying businesses, support locals

Study self improvement: Read The Power of Practice By Ng’ethe Maina and Staci K. Haines, study conflict resolution, think about the ways you can improve your relationship with yourself through your relationship with others and vice versa, practice patience

Call/email your representatives: tell them what they need to do. there should be templates available. if something is happening, let them know how the people feel about it

Write a list of all the ways you can make an impact here and now.

[seeminglydark]

good news! i finally got a job after being unemployed for a few years. it’ll be at least a year or two before i’m able to move out due to trying to pay off my credit card debt but i’m excited that i’ll be able to leave town and get away from unsupportive family. i’m trying to spend as little money as possible on entertainment stuff and i have a massive book collection that i’m excited to read and sell some of it i don’t feel like i need them anymore. you’re comics have been very helpful for me to be able to understand and express myself. it has given me a lot of joy since finding it especially after the loss of my cat a month ago.

any tips for a queer punk trying to escape and start over with no support system?

happy pride month! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

ANON! I'm so proud of you, thats incredible! i am wishing you all the best on your journey forward and out. it sounds to me like you already have a good handle on things, paying down your debt is a great place to start. depending on how much debt you have, (most of my advice is US based I'm afraid, since thats where i grew up as a poor lonely punk so hopefully it can help you, or someone else) you may be able to find a financial counselor or coach, (not adviser!) to help you get rid of some of it immediately. there are ways to 'challenge' things on your credit that have been there for a while, and many times the creditors will either drop it cuz they dont want to deal with paperwork, or reduce it to a much smaller payable sum because to them something is better than nothing. a lot of cities has free nonprofit programs to help with this, and other non profit organizations offer them as well depending on your community. This will also help improve and build your credit score cuz even a punk might need to buy a home or rent an apartment one day.

i know there is an allure to big name cities when you move, i lived in one myself while poor as dirt and it kinda sucked (Austin tx specifically) because it was so expensive. look into where you want to go before moving there, look at cost of living, and public transit, things like that. it looks like youre waiting a while before going, look into job transfers so you might not have to start completely fresh from the bottom.

thrift stores are great but they are getting more expensive by the year, but when youre a poor guy in a new place, dumpster diving might be an option. please dont ever get a mattress from a dumpster ok? bedbugs are a thing and often why those are thrown out, but other things like tables, chairs, shelves etc. check your local papers and neighborhood boards, sometimes hotels and such renovate and when they do they auction furniture off dirt cheap. Thanks Mr Marriott for furnishing my house for like 40 bucks in 2005!

When you move out, if you are still struggling financially, you can look into fixed rent apartments, you usually have to get on a list, but there are places out there to help you get on your feet. a REALLY good resource for many things if going to be your local library. librarians are like gods and they know SO MUCH that can help you.

speaking of libraries. you do deserve a little joy, i would think about perhaps getting a electronic reader, did you know that you can rent books and audio books from libraries with one? plus it reduces the bulk of books you may have to move later. i know the vibe is different from getting to touch the pages, but the pleasure of reading is still there. The library is also going to be a great place to meet people and find a circle of support and new friends. many of them have clubs and community activities ranging from book clubs to everything in between, you can even suggest a club yourself that they might consider hosting. don't deprive yourself of happiness, itll be helpful on the days when it gets hard to move forward.

its been a hot minute since i was alone and starting over, and things have changed a lot so im not completely sure all of this is still relevant, library is ALWAYS a good place to start. if my followers have any advice, please feel free to chime in the comments as well! im so proud of you anon, and keep us updated as life goes on. <3

[merriclo]

Tips on Accessorizing for Cheap !!

this has been said to death already, but find the cheapest second-hand or thrift store you can in your area, and become a fiend. there’s a lot of great jewelry that’s hidden in there

furthermore, lots of thrift stores will have auctions to get rid of what doesn’t sell. here, you can get actual buckets of things for like,, $5 USD. you can ask the staff if they host these, and they’ll let you know! in my experience, you either have to be 18+ or be accompanied by someone who is, so if you’re young, grab your favorite trusted adult and go get some shit for dirt cheap. (this doesn’t stop at accessories, actually, i got all of my dishes and some furniture and books this way. just make sure to clean it !!)

if you’re interested in using chains and such for accessories, get them at a hardware store!! they’ll be sturdy and last you a good amount of time, while also being much cheaper than anything you’d find at a store.

ask around!! see if anyone you know has things they want to get rid of that you can snatch up

follow tutorials from punks. the entire subculture is built on rebellion, and thus relies very little on consumption. i’ve seen punks use the waistbands of old jeans as bracelets before, and look sick as fuck while doing it. even if that’s not the style you’re aiming for, you can still take the principles and practices and apply it to your own style.

get versatile!! i’ve used necklaces as pseudo-belts and bracelets before, and have wrapped bracelets around hair-ties. scarves can be ribbons or belts or hair-ties, too!! everything has a second, secret usage

things that aren’t accessories can also very easily become accessories if you try hard enough. bottle tabs can be tied together to make shapes and charms (many tutorials and patterns can be found on Pinterest!) and random pieces of thread can become charms if you learn how to tie certain knots.

diy and crafts!! save bottle caps and turn them into pins, spare ribbons as bracelets or earring charms. dollar stores and walmarts and such have supplies to craft your own jewelry, too! lobster hooks, thread, beads, earring hooks, etc.! you can even bypass this by buying sturdy enough wire and making the earring hook yourself, if that’s your only option. tie buttons together, and you end up with a bracelet, tie even more and you have a necklace or a belt or whatever the hell you want.

if you get some bobby pins and then hot glue charms or whatever onto them, you get hair clips!! just try and make sure the charm isn’t too heavy so it’ll stay in your hair.

libraries and other public services might have jewelry making or knitting or crocheting nights where you can learn how to craft and take what you create back home for free!! check that out (and also support your local library. get a library card i beg of you.)

you can prolong cheaply made jewelry (especially rings) by coating it in a layer of clear nail polish. it’ll stop it from turning your fingers green, and provide a protective layer between the metal and any sweat or water it might come into contact with

kids sections of stores. i am not even playing right now, go get yourself some hair clips meant for 6 year olds. if you figure out how to style it, it’ll be perfect.

remember that you can use and do literally whatever the fuck you want, so long as you like how you look. loop dental floss through buttons and wrap it around your wrist, or make a charm out of knots and hang it on the zipper of your jacket, or cut off the straps off of an old unusable bag and make it a choker. have fun with it

i’m American, so some of these might not translate well to other countries. if you have any advice to add, please do!!

[greylittlebird]

FREE ways you can do good in an uncertain and frightening time:

1.) Get a library card (or multiple) and support your local libraries. You can use the Libby app for free ebooks and audiobooks, you can even download these ebooks on your kindle if you have one. Libraries are also great places to look for social groups that are politically aligned with you.

2.) Make a list in your phone of your Representatives in Federal Senate and The House, State Reps, Governor, and your state Attorney General, and their contact information. It’s a lot easier to have it ready all written down and clear. Write to and/or call them before AND after every harmful bill that targets communities or erodes Checks And Balances to tell them your opinions on how they should or did vote. Calling is more effective than emails (you can call after hours and leave a voicemail if you’re nervous). And personalized emails are more effective than prewritten ones so if you’re following an action link, even just paraphrasing the pre-written email will make a difference.

(+ You can follow groups like The ACLU, Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood, Reproductive Freedom for All, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Sandy Hook Promise, Everytown, etc. to stay up to date on the most important bills you need to be contacting reps about without having to follow the news or getting overwhelmed).

3.) Pay attention to your state and local elections (school board, city counsel, etc.) and VOTE before AND during Midterms. Put the dates in your calendar so you don’t forget.

4.) Get involved in and support local communities for people with your identities or values. There is strength in numbers and cooperation. We can support each other emotionally, spread the word on action plans, and help each other find resources.

5.) Learn YOUR history. Not just about The Holocaust or Dystopian fiction. None of that is a likely representation of how this will look. Learn from LGBT Elders and Civil Rights heroes in the U.S. who have fought the good fight before. Learn and preserve American History, the good and the bad. That is the battle that is continuing, this is the final stand of hateful, small people who want to go back to the 1950s where no one said “gay” and POC weren’t in power, and they’re so angry because they know the progress our ancestors fought for cannot be erased. They can overturn laws and spread fear and division like a virus but we are not in the 1950s, they are not the majority, and with every lash back, progress moves steadily further. Remember that and learn so you can educate others of our history.

6.) Experience joy. I know it’s hard but existence is resistance. Our joy is rebellion. They want us to be afraid and feel powerless. And it’s okay to feel that way, it’s okay to grieve and rage and be afraid. That’s human. But do not forget to take time for yourself, do what is in your control to do and do not ruminate on what you cannot control. Read fun books. Play video games. Watch comfort movies and shows. Create art. Spend time with loved ones. Spend time in nature. Do what makes you happy and live fully.

(Also, check out my Linktree, I have the webpages for current calls to action from All Out, ACLU, and Greenpeace. They take only seconds to minutes to do and are always updated so you can bookmark them and check back later).

[selfsacrificingandroid]

I just want to remind those in the grand aether of the internet to go and support your local libraries to the best of your abilities. From those cozy small town libraries, to those beautiful sanctuaries in bigger cities. Especially now more than ever.

Libraries provide not just access to books and other forms of media for free, but they also provide spaces and programs for kids and teens, a safe space for those experiencing homelessness, and information on community services available in the area.

So go out and get a card at your local library, even if you yourself barely check anything out. You can also get access to a large collection of ebooks and audiobooks on the Libby app with a library card. Hell, you can even get access to magazines.

And to those who are in a place to donate to your local library branch, please do. Every little bit helps, from a couple of dollars to even some used books collecting dust on a shelf. If a library can't put them on their shelves, they'll definitely put them in a charity book sale.

Anyways, go and support your community. Also remember to take care of yourselves too. Remember, together, we'll endure and outlast the horrors. ♥️

[gallifreyan-ginger-sociopath]

Okay, allow me to maybe slightly derail this for just a moment to do one of my favorite things: shill for public libraries.

Public libraries are one of the last available free public spaces we have left, and I think we all know they're under attack right now. This is just one of the reasons they are so important, because they ARE one of our last third places.

Obviously resources vary wildly based on where you live, your library may have more or less than mine does. But here is just a short list of some things my library has (aside from the obvious books and places to sit and read):

1. Study rooms you can reserve, with large wall mounted monitors perfect for a free movie hangout with a couple friends.

2. Video game lending, and in some cases places to play them in the library (usually in the teen area).

3. Board game lending, typically for use while you're there.

4. Community events from crafting groups to story time to chess clubs and whatever else someone can think of and successfully pitch to the events people.

5. DVD lending. Borrow them and have a cheap movie night at someone's house, or maybe you can use one of those study rooms if yours has them (check for the presence of disk drives and see if you need to bring a laptop or DVD player of your own to hook to the monitor).

6. Computers. Remember when we used to hang out in someone's "computer room" at their house? Bring some headphones and relive the experience of Being On The Computer as an activity (just be mindful of volume and sprawl in a public space).

7. A library of things that sometimes includes museum passes. Want to go to a museum? Don't want to pay $20-50+ for entry to said museum? Check your library, see if you can get free admission through them.

8. 3D printing. Not sure of the process yet because I haven't done it myself but from what I understand, you just pay the cost of materials and can make yourself or a friend something cool.

9. A community jigsaw puzzle. Just take a seat at the table where it's set out and puzzle away for a few minutes or much longer.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, I'm sure I've forgotten a lot. And your library might have even more! Please go check them out. If you don't have a card, they will be so happy to help you get one. Check multiple area libraries, see if places near you offer non-resident cards. Some have a yearly fee ($35-50 seems to be the average) but others are completely free if you're a state resident, a student, work in the city, etc.

Dwindling hours, slashes in funding, and attacks by hate groups wanting to ban books or close libraries altogether right now are doing some damage, but that just means it's so important to support public libraries right now. If you can donate, that's great. If you can vote or contact representatives to try to help them that way, that is also great. Give positive feedback through whatever avenue your library has available. If you can't do any of that, just USE the library. Foot traffic and usage reports help them justify funding. With enough support, library resources and operating hours can grow, and that is a very good thing!

Please support your local public library.

[pythonmelon]

Things you can do, and thing I'm doing: A big but certainly not comprehensive list

-Be there for your friends. Let them know you're around and that you care. Let them know you are okay.

-Volunteer with local charities, events, and nonprofit orgs or make donations where you can. You can look up what's going on near you! Soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters are so important.

-Be kind to yourself. Take time away from the 24 hour news cycle. You are one person and the goal is often to overwhelm people with despair. Action is more important than staring in awe at the bad things.

-Work out/with your hands. Crafts, running, weightliftings, community sports, local walking clubs- it helps burn anxious energy and gets you connected with other people. They make for their own events too.

-Get involved with local Govt. Even small things, its important to advocate for your community even if its turning up to town council meetings to advocate for small local improvements like covered street lights or safe crosswalks. If you can, run for something! Change and resistance starts bottom up.

-Save physical media. Buy DVDs to burn. Order copies of books. Print things yourself if you've gotta.

-Train in more fields- anything you're interested in, look into local enthusiast clubs, night classes, etc. Knowledge is power and helping your brain grow feels good.

-Write that book or memoir, make that art. The world needs you and every voice matters.

-Call your reps. Even the red ones, they want to be popular. Send letters or emails if you can't call. 5 calls has a list of topics and scripts to help. Annoy them.

-Find some good news newsletters to subscribe to. Not sinking in bad news is good, but so is seeking out good news. You may have to dig but you can also find and should be aware of the good things people are doing to fight this! There is more resistance than you might think.

-Socialize. Meet new people- we are strong together. Things brings back the clubs, look at clubs and groups that meet up. Isolating yourself can be dangerous.

-Try to learn in technical terms what is happening and the laws and history around it. Wallowing is misery isn't helpful but knowing what is happening is.

-Get a library card. It's free and the library provides so many more services than just books. Places to meet, clubs, computer access, and community. Libby and Hoopla are both apps you can also connect to your library card for free access to e-books, audiobooks, comics, movies, and more

-Support marginalized artists by promoting their work and, if possible, monetarily. With the suppression of the creations and existence of so many people, its important to raise their voices up

-Also support collections of information like wikipedia and archive.org. Things like these should not be owned or erased to serve private or political interests.

-Cut assholes out of your life. They are not worth it. Family, friends- if they are in support of censorship, suppression, coup and murder or want to simply accept it, they need this is unacceptable and you don't have to give them the time of day.

-Verify the information you read! Go past the headline- who posted it? Is it trying to make you feel hopeless? Is it true? Check your sources.

-Look at ways to support yourself and others. Learn about practical crafts and how to fix things, grow food, navigate, care for the people around you. Practical skills and moving help to combat helplessness.

-Support education and schools. Get involved with the school board, oppose book bans- you don't even have to have kids to be there.

-There are so many incredible people in your community you may not know about. Look at what's going on and talk to local people. I have found so many people who agree on basic things I wouldn't have expected like worker's rights and justice that they didn't know were under attack or could be changed. Now is a great time to also support local businesses and to organize, both politically and in general.

-Learn about community gardens, geurilla gardening projects, wildlife support for native plants and animals, animal shelters, and other local environmental, community, or animal care initiatives you can take part in.

You are worthy of love, you are important. No matter how much or how little you can do, the world is better with you in it. Pick a few of these or even just one to focus on- you cannot be expected to do everything. There are so many little things you can do, and they add up between millions of people. Things can, have, and will get better.

[thesmophorus]

1, 13, 24, 30 (hi k i miss u)

hi quartz!!! miss you too, feel free to dm me literally any time <333 thank you for the ask!!! hope youre doing good my friend, sending you blessings and love <333 1: What are your opinions on AI in Witchcraft? i'm not really huge on AI in the first place tbh. i think it can be a helpful tool for gathering resources or summarizing complex texts into digestible bits to help your comprehension, but i don't really think it's a replacement for doing the work yourself. i think a large part of any spiritual practice, whether that be religion or witchcraft, is hands on experience, and AI simply cannot give you that. you gotta do it yourself. i draw from historical texts and sources, so i personally don't vibe with the idea of like. asking AI to come up with a spell for me. it doesn't have the same connection to me. you do what you wanna do, if that's your jam don't let me sour it, but it's not for me personally. 13: Do you think you can hex/curse/jinx a deity? Do you think you should? i would never suggest it. to me, the gods are the most powerful things -- that's part of why we worship them. they're larger and grander than us, more powerful than us. to think that you can put a curse on them is like... it doesn't compute in my brain. i don't want to be too harsh but like. to me it's pretty blasphemous and hubristic to attempt such a thing. hard pass for me. i don't even really think it would do anything honestly. any kind of magic i do is theurgic in nature, so i'm calling upon the gods for that, and to basically turn that around on them and use their own power to try to harm them or their family members kinda feels like a spit in the face to me. it's kind of like a minnow trying to take down a shark. like buddy you can try but the most youre going to be is mildly annoying and you will reap the consequences of what you sow for that action. 24: Outside of the online space, where do you get your resources from? i mean pdfs are online but i read a lot of pdfs. i go the library and explore when i have down time, which is always fun for me. i also try to talk to my professors at university about things when i can, or my very educated friends and loved ones. basically i ask a lot of questions to people more informed than me and go to the library LMAO. this is your local polisci nerd reminding you to support your local library and get a library card 30: What do you think is a scam in witchcraft? honestly i am not a fan of those deity confirmation readings on etsy or whatever. if they work for you then im glad they do, but i honestly am a big believer in just praying and making the relationship. if you feel called to a particular deity, that's your sign. there you go. make a water offering and a prayer. i also just think its really hard to interpret sometimes because so many deities have overlapping signs. i've done some of those readings myself early in my own practice and in retrospect like... looking at that original reading i could draw multiple deities from the cards i pulled. i also think overconsumption in witchcraft is a huge issue. a lot of people, more informed than me, have talked about this before, but it still like.. grinds my gears a little. like you dont need to go out and buy x specific thing. witchcraft by and large was about people using what they had on hand and using things that are local to them. i think sometimes this idea of 'you need x specific thing' can lead people into just learning lists of correspondences and associations and not really understanding WHY things are associated the way they are or making their own connections, which only hinders their own practice. thank you again for the ask my friend!! so good to hear from you, please feel free to reach out any time <33 gods bless you always with happiness and health

[sonicenvy]

If you have the right to vote and are capable of voting, you have no right to complain about politics if you voluntarily CHOOSE not to vote. Your vote matters, and if it didn't there wouldn't be people trying to disenfranchise you and your fellow citizens.

This goes double btw for people who live in super blue states/cities like mine where it is stupidly easy to vote with many days of early voting in a large quantity of sites, same day voter registration, no-excuse vote by mail, voluntary permanent vote by mail registry and no voter ID laws. Everyone in my state being whiny piss-baby about voting is being dumb and selfish; they make it soooo damn easy to vote in this state my fucking god.

Here are my answers to a bunch of excuses for not voting:

"I don't know enough about the candidates to vote!'' - Google is free. You can google the candidates. Most local newspapers do candidate interviews with all of your local municipal candidates. There are many websites you can visit to see what the platforms and policies of the candidates on your ballot are. Do that. If you don't have access to the internet at home, we have FREE internet at the public library. You don't even have to have a library card to use it. Don't have a device? No worries, you can get guest passes to use library computers.

"I don't know where to vote." -- Go to your local board of elections website and look up your voter information. If you live in a large city, your city has its own BOE site. If you live in a smaller city, village, town or suburb your county has a BOE site you can use. Google that.

"I'm not registered to vote." -- If you are 18+ and a legal citizen of the United States you can register to vote. You can go to your city/county BOE site to find out more about registering to vote (what documents to provide, whether or not your municipality allows same day registration, what the registration deadlines are, etc.) You can also go to sites like vote.org to get the full information.

"Someone is trying to prevent me from voting via intimidation or other methods." -- A. That person is an asshole who is denying you your legal and sacred right. B. Call 1-866-687-8683 which is the national voter protection hotline for help.

"I'm disabled and home bound." -- You can register to vote by mail. Many states now have no-excuse absentee/mail in voting. For those states that do not, being disabled and home bound is typically one of the approved "excuses" for absentee voting. Look up your state's rules on mail ballots.

"I don't like any of the candidates." -- This is why you get involved before elections and in primaries to support local candidates who do share your values. This means helping candidates collect signatures, volunteering to canvas, voting for candidates that you support in primaries, running yourself, etc. Additionally, even if you don't like the big name federal candidates, you should still vote, ESPECIALLY for local offices like city councils, mayors, library boards, school boards, water reclamation, etc. The work these officials do directly effects your community and your life. These are the officials who decide what goes on in your child's school, what goes on in your public library, where public trashcans get placed in your neighborhood, what goes on in your local parks, whether or not intersections in your neighborhood have street lights, whether or not your neighborhood or town invests in cycling infrastructure, etc. Vote in these elections. If there's someone who has been running uncontested for a really long time, you should find out if there are other people interested in running that aren't collecting enough signatures to get on the ballot. Or heck, you can run for these offices. As long as you are a citizen of the United States and of age, you are legally allowed to run for office. If you want more information about how to do that your city/county BOE will have that information. Finally, a candidate is a bus stop, they help you get where you want to go, but are not the end-all be-all. Voting can be harm reduction. Which candidates are less bad? You have a brain and the ability to google things. Use that.

Democracy is verb. It is your sacred right and duty to participate. Voting isn't a one and done, it's something that you have to keep showing up for, every election, every year. Every election changes the landscape of your local and federal politics, and every election matters. So. Get out and Vote. Participate in democracy. People around the world and across time have fought and died for the right to a ballot box, and it is privileged and stupid as fuck of you to surrender that right by choosing not to vote when you have the ability to do so. Throwing your vote in the garbage by choosing not to vote does nothing, complaining on tumblr dot com or the bird site or t1k t0k or wherever does nothing if you are not also voting.

[silicon14blog]

Went to a local library today, and they were having a book sale that was going on throughout the week, and today was the last day, so they were trying to move them out, and instead of having to pay for all of them individually, we could donate any amount instead, so I did.

My library has a service called "Libby" which allows you to check out E-books and Audiobooks for free (as long as you have a card) and another service called "Kanopy" (which allows you to watch movies and shows with your card for free), had trouble signing up for the former, but the people there were very helpful and resolved it by replacing my current card. Got some books there too, and saw some others that I would like to check out when I get the time to read them. I regret not checking out a movie, though.

My library also has a small bookstore as well (not connected to the book sale), and also run "silent auctions" where you write your name and your bid. Today the bids were Elvis and Beetle related items.

Go get yourself a library card and support your local library.

[envirogoth]

"there is no ethical consumption under capitalism" "you can criticize capitalism while participating in it" are both true and valid statements. but if you care about anti capitalism, your hands aren't wiped clean. acknowledging the problem is only the first step

yes, you can make money to survive & buy things to have fun. you can get things that aren't necessary to treat yourself. you can work your way up the corporate ladder.

some people resign themselves to their fate, as though capitalism is the way that things must be forever. but there's still questions you should ask yourself before deciding to drop all attempts at working against the system:

do you support/promote the culture of excessive buying?

how do you treat poor or otherwise disadvantaged people?

do you support local libraries, local businesses (if you can afford to), or other local organizations?

do you vote in favor of social services and education?

do you vote at all?

do you buy things in quantity over quality(lifespan) when you have the money to do either?

not everyone is an activist, but everyone has the power to vote with their money and with their ballot. telling yourself that there's no ethical consumption isn't a get out of jail free card. you don't have to be perfect or have to shop outside of your means or really go out of your way at all to take actions against capitalism. the main thing is that you care about people, your community, the environment, etc enough to care about your behaviors. that's all we can ask of anyone. to care

(this post is written about the US, I'm unclear on the situations in other countries)