Garden of your heart

Back to simplicity!

Remember at the beginning of the year I had set a goal of simplifying my life.  A friend from my favorite forum started a post again about how we are all doing with simplifying our life and reducing costs.  So, I thought that it would be good to review some of the things we have done.

Simplifying:

1.  Saying no to a lot of outside activities

2.  Enjoying reading a good book or watching a movie rather than going out.

3.  Gardening......I cannot wait to eat that first tomato of the season!  They are growing well.

4.  Enjoying the fellowship of family and friends in a home environment rathern than going out. 

5.  Appreciating each day our God who loves us, cares for us, disciplines us, and reveals Himself to us.

6.  Enjoying dog sitting for our friends and having fun cuddling with those cute little dogs!  They are here with us overnight and we just have so much fun with these little dogs....since we have 3 big dogs.  It is fun to watch them play together!  :)

I know there is more...but these are on the top of my head!

Cost savings:

1.  Making own laundry detergent and then the joy of helping friends learn to do that as well.  Cost savings........lots!  ;)

2.  Using Hydrogen Peroxide to whiten teeth instead of buying those fancy kits at the store!

3.  Making own cleansers that are just as good if not even better since they do not have all those cancer causing, lung sickening chemicals.

4.  Not going out so much!  It is so hard to say no to others about going out, but we have had to.  We are learning that it is not a need, but a want.  We have to plan ahead, choose carefully, etc. 

5.  Not driving as much......making the most of our trips out. 

6.  Buying everything (or almost everything) on sale through Azure Standard because we are well stocked up and can now make the most of our money.  This is a co-op that I am part of that has really helped provide healthy, organic foods, supplements, etc for my family.  We save so much more money buying through there than the health food store.  We are now even buying our dog food through there.  The food is so much healthier for our dogs and we are saving $9.00 a month!  We just started this.

7.  Revising how much we spend on gifts!  This is hard!  We love to buy people gifts, but you know, it is just getting so expensive.  We already have plans to just purchase gift cards for Christmas this year so that we are not tempted overspend!  This saves on gift wrap too!  And we know our families really have fun getting to spend those cards! 

8.  Gardening and canning!  What a great way to know that you are eating healthy, organic foods than growing it yourself.  This year we only planted those things that we eat often and throughout the year so that we could make the best use of our garden space.  :)

9.  Use coupons when going out!  We are noticing a lot of fast food restaurants are now offering coupons with buy one get one free!    You can still eat healthy!  My friend and I went out and got salads at Jack in the Box (buy one get one free) and water.  For just a couple bucks we each had a healthy meal!  My husband and I like the BBQ Chicken Sandwiches at Carl's Jr.  They have had coupons for those buy one get one free.  It's such a treat!  :)

10.  Give....I know that this isn't always saving money!  But, I find that as we share with others in need, help others, give of our time, etc.  that the savings in the long run (for eternity) are so awesome! 

Well....that's what we have been doing!  How are you all doing at simplifying and saving money!  I think we are all thinking more and more of these things as the gas prices keep increasing!  Let's turn this difficult time into a huge blessing!  :)

Untitled Comment

08:02, Wednesday, June 25, 2008 .. Posted by Isabella

I say No, also. It seems weird to people that we like to stay at home and enjoy. The savings is going toward the principal of our home. This always makes me happy. I

hi friend

08:11, Wednesday, June 25, 2008 .. Posted by Cathy

Hi Debbie,
What a GREAT post!! I loved reading it...sounds like you and I are thinking about life in the same way. It feels so good to be content and happy with a simple life, doesn't it?
Love to you my friend,
Cathy

Untitled Comment

08:02, Thursday, June 26, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Hi Debbie, It is fun to live frugally. I love looking around at my God given recourses and using up what I have. Neat entry today.
Nettie