Savings of a Healthy Lifestyle

In my quest to tighten our belt a bit, I am looking at areas where I can cut the budget.  It has lead to some new motivators for a healthier lifestyle.
Portion Sizes: Obviously the more appropriate our portion sizes, the less it costs to feed a family.
Beverages: We serve water most of the time at [...]

The Power of Delete

I think it’s easier to talk about a simple life than it is to live one.  Especially when you have two growing kids, a busy husband and all the other things going on that this season of life brings.
I always have good intentions.  I plan to read the newsletters filling my inbox and send great [...]

Spring?

Yesterday it was in the 80’s!  We hadn’t even had a 70 degree day yet.  What a wonderful blast of warmth.  Today?  Back in the mid-40s with a cold wind and the threat of rain/snow mix.  I tried to reassure the kids that the snow wouldn’t STICK, that we’d just probably see some falling, mixed [...]

Contrasts in Frugal Living

As I analyze my budget and think about the ways we spend money, I am struck by a mix of contrasts.  Have you ever noticed this?
Sometimes in order to save money one must act quickly when a good deal presents itself.  At times one must wait for the right time to save a bundle on [...]

Earth Day

On this Earth Day I thought I’d share some ways we Reduce, Reuse & Recycle.
Reduce:

We put shampoo and conditioner in pump containers so the children here can’t dump too much in their wet little hands.  Stanley knows to take one squirt, while Grace uses two.  BIG savings.

I now print receipts from online shopping and bill [...]

Are all needs equal?

Everywhere there are articles and blog posts about evaluating needs vs. wants.  I have no doubt we’ve all convinced ourselves that a want was REALLY a need.  But are all needs equal?
When I lived in HomeTown, it wasn’t unusual to go out to the store for one or two things right when I realized I [...]

They Just Assume

Tonight I did a little mending while watching TV with my husband.  Snow pants and gloves.  Because we got over a foot of snow on Tuesday.  Yep, that’s MN.  And it is April.  Some day we’ll see the ground again.
Stanley is rough on his stuff…much like I expect many active boys are.  He loves that [...]