Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

One of the most common comments I get from those who are wishing to achieve simplicity in their lives goes something like this, “I am trying to simplify life and I have read every book I can get my hands on, yet my life still seems complicated.” This goes hand in hand with the feeling of being overwhelmed by life. Where do you start? Exactly what is the first thing to do. Here are some tips to get you started today!

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

In any typical household, the woman is the shopper. She shops for clothing, sales, gifts, sundries, and of course food for the family. I often discuss how to be a smart shopper, especially when it comes to your food budget*. We like to call it Smart Shopping. But there is more to Smart Shopping than just being a saavy shopper, knowing your sales, and menu planning, and price tracking.

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

A bunch of us were chatting online the other day about the chores we dislike the most. We all have one thing we put off because we really don’t enjoy doing it. I really got a chuckle from some of the tasks we don’t like and an even bigger chuckle from the excuses we make not to do them. Ironing was a popular one. When I mentioned I don’t mind ironing, but it used to take so long for me to iron, that I would let stuff pile up until we ran out of clothes that needed ironing. Then I would be short on time and only be able to iron a few pieces. This bugged me. That is until I found a way to cut my ironing time in half.

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

This post is a friendly reminder that a holiday has just past and now is the time to save some money! Everything Valentine’s is on sale. Today I was in Wal-Mart and saw so many great things on sale that may be useful in other areas or for different purposes. For example, there were sets of hand towels that were red & white. If your kitchen is decorated with fruit, rustic country, bold colors, coca-cola products, diner, etc these would be a great bargain! Bags of candy that can be frozen and used for different baking items are at rock bottom prices.

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

Frozen vegetables can be not only a last minute dinner saver, but they can be an extremely frugal & nutritious option to fresh produce. Winter is no exception, since produce is generally priced higher because most produce is not in season. Most of us meander through the grocery picking up the items on our list. Frozen veggies are picked up and tossed into our shopping cart as needed. If you are using some of the techniques I outline in Trim the Fat: The Ultimate Book on Cutting Food Costs then you are never paying full price for your frozen vegetables. But in the last few months as prices have been rising & falling on items for no apparent reason, I have noticed a trend that can save you even more!

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

Today I have something special for you! A Moment In Truth audio is available for FREE over at Simple Journey Ministries. All you have to do is click on The Truth about Emotions on the right sidebar and download it. This is a great audio that will help you handle your emotions through the most stressful situations which leads to better clarity for hearing God’s guidance in your life. Grab it while you can! And how about a few more goodies for you?

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

After yesterday’s post, are you wondering about your lifestyle? Hey, we are the IN crowd now. Oh tee hee! I crack myself up. I never thought I would live to see the day when my frugal ideas would put in the popularity club. Just funny! ANYWAY…

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

Those of you who have been visiting me over the years likely find a frugal life just part of living. We have chosen for a variety of reasons to pursue this lifestyle. Whatever the reasons we have shared many stories amongst ourselves about how people react to our choices. How many times have people said things like, “You are crazy!” or “That’s too much work.” or “I don’t have time to be frugal.” Know what, Frugality is the IN thing! If you haven’t experienced it with those around you, it has actually made it to the headlines. Not just some minor headlines, my friends, we are in BIG front page news!

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

Have you heard? Do you know? The cost of produce is on the rise? This time it isn’t fuel causing the spike in prices at your local grocery. It is the drought that so many states are experiencing. This drought has affected their crops that feed a good portion of our country. Less sell-able crops means higher costs at the grocery. That is NOT good news for our food budget, or our desire to provide nutritious food for our families. Let’s not panic!

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

At the suggestion of my friend Kathy (www.theheartchangeplace.blogspot.com) I am going to try my hand at the Simple Woman's Daybook.

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

We utilize each January as a major checkpoint in our budget review. During this month I challenge myself in ways that are not typical of the rest of the year. None of us are going to be frugal about every purchase (or lack thereof) every day of the year, but checkpoints help to keep our budget in line. This week I posted about shopping smart while scooping up after Christmas sales. Today I offer you a challenge that will allow you to begin saving money TODAY!

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

Most everyone knows that there is an abundance of great sales AFTER Christmas on wide variety of items. This year is a banner year for savings. With profits down for retailers they are sales abound. However, seasonal items are more deeply discounted. This is a wonderful opportunity for you take use a small amount of money to begin to prepare for next Christmas. These amazing sales can b e very enticing and often times I have found years when I have spent more than I had originally intended because I have found SO many great buys. This year we all need to focus on controlling our frugal purchases and there is a simple way you can score BIG on the savings without going overboard.

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

Simple Journey Ministries Presents

Simply Frugal

Keep Meals Simple & Frugal

Starting in mid-November, life can begin to spin out of control. Even when you are keeping things simple, right? Sure! Instead of a quiet evening at home, you may fill your evenings with simple and frugal activities that you don’t have available at other times of the year such as snowman building, light display sightseeing, local Christmas parades, etc. Wouldn’t ya know that these simple and wonderful activities always fall time wise in the dinner hour? We love doing the activities, but it can be difficult to make meals at home that are ready at a heartbeat, whether you eat before or after the activity. My favorite way to combat these odd timed seasonal activities is to make soups and stews. The fact is that these meals are so simple and frugal that they can be eaten at a variety of times and leftovers are so easily used for lunch the next day; offering yet one more simple & frugal meal! But how can we get away from they typical chicken noodle or cream style soup & stew? It does get boring, huh? Try something different!

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

Simple Journey Ministries Presents

I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Give the Gift of Simplicity

It doesn’t take long and you don’t need to incorporate many of the ideas I set forth here each week to learn that simple living is within the reach of everyone; no matter where they are in life right now. You know from using these techniques how much impact they can have, even though they are tiny steps. Have a person on your gift list that is hard to buy for? How about those people on your list who seem to have everything? Do you have a friend who is often frazzled? Give a gift this year that will bring meaning to their life.

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Simple Journey Ministries Presents

Simply Frugal

Classy Gifts on a Shoestring

Brick and mortar stores have simple gifts CHEAP. When I say cheap, I mean that they have learned that gift baskets or sets are used in abundance. However they have put together either the cheapest products at what may seem like a reasonable price or have put a few choice pieces together at a premium price; neither of which are personal or make for a classy gift. Here is a list of easy to put together handmade gifts which have a minimal investment, but have a classy and personal touch for all the people on your Christmas list.

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Simple Journey Ministries Presents

I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Keep it Simple with a Jesse Tree

Jesse tree activities are a popular, magnificent, and effective way to keep Christmas simple and Christ focused. You may think that you do not have the ability to pull together this activity or that it is too complex. You may like the idea of doing a Jesse tree, but think you don’t have time to pull it all together. Nothing could be further from the truth. You can keep your life simple, train your children on how to keep their Christmas simple AND Christ focused when you know how to do it.

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

Simple Journey Ministries Presents

I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Simple Advent Activities

Many of us strive year after year for a simpler Christmas season. We tell ourselves for months prior that we are going to scale back or simplify in numerous ways. You have been thinking this recently, haven’t you? Personally, we have a very simple Christmas season in most ways, but there are always a few things I need to hone to simplify and focus on Christ more. But then I get so wrapped up with my schedule leading up to the season that I don’t have time to simplify those areas that truly need it. Before you know it, the day comes when I walk around all day spinning in a dither with my To Do list and my hair looking like I used a food processor for styling! Have you had a few of those days, too? Now add to that kids who are clamoring for something to do and you have chaos at the helm! One way to combat this and placing Christ at the center of your celebrations is to have advent activities.

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Simple Journey Ministries Presents

Simply Frugal

Frugal Wrapping Ideas

Recently, I was speaking about handmade Christmas gifts that really make the grade so to speak. I know there are times when we get and give those gifts and think, Ok that was nice, but they just don’t have that extra pizzazz, ya know? However, one of the things I brought up was that it isn’t just the gift. If you are including handmade gifts this year, that may not themselves be personal, such as pot holders, gifts in a jar, flavored oils & vinegars, and other gifts you may make multiples of, you can make each of those gifts intimately personal for each recipient with little time and money!

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Posted in Frugality-Simplicity

Simple Journey Ministries Presents

I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Why is Life Not Getting Simpler?

A few people have asked how to know if they are on the path to acquiring a more simple life. Since this is generally subjective and case specific, I often have to reply by asking some questions. Have you ever tried to change certain aspects of your lifestyle to accomplish something and then asked yourself if you have accomplished your goal? Hmmmm…

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