Even though I know all the tips on this list, some weeks go by where I’m not really applying all of them. Good reminders!
You Don’t Need Money To Start A Side Business
Since I’m working on a number of ideas for small side businesses, this was a great reminder. You don’t need to sink a bunch of money into an idea to get it going.
It’s hard to believe June is almost here! I’m so excited for this summer and I can’t wait to get it started.
We have at least one camping trip planned for the summer, so this is great advice! Be sure to read the comments for more helpful info.
Start Digging Out of Debt Today
We accrued a substantial amount of debt before we really woke up and became determined to be debt free. There’s some wise words in this post.
To stay out of or get out of debt you really need a budget! A short but good post about staying under budget.
Fried rice is one of my favorites! This is a great recipe that uses up leftovers and is healthy and cheap.
The first mix since moving to NC! I find that with a combination of moving, being without internet for a month, being without a home for three weeks, and getting settled, my blog reading has seriously declined. Who would have thunk it?? So my links may be a bit sparse for the next few weeks until I’ve gotten myself back up to speed.
This is what I’m listening to right this very moment. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get into podcasts, but I’m seriously loving them recently. Instead of just listening to music or the tv in the background while I’m working (be it cleaning, folding laundry, or actually working, ha) I find a good podcast to be the perfect companion.
I have been following the Homefries website for the Simple Mom podcasts, but today this episode by Joy the Baker caught my attention and I thought the subject was great. All about etiquette in the modern world-do you friend people that you just met on Facebook? What do you do when people unfollow you on Twitter? Interesting topic.
I’m blaming this one on my sister in law. After I saw her “Like” ModCloth on Facebook, I just had to check out the website. Becka has great taste, what can I say? The clothes, accessories, and home extras are beautiful, reasonably priced, and timeless. I love the clean modest look that doesn’t veer into dowdy. And who could resist this set of elephant salt and pepper shakers? I feel like I could spend all day on the site, adding things to my wish list. Sigh.
With my recent move, we are now in a larger area with more stores, deals, sales, and coupons. I’m taking full advantage of this money saving opportunity! But matching the coupons…to the sales…to the rebates…it can all get very tiring. And more importantly, time consuming. I’ve started using this website to check out the weekly deals for my local stores, which really eliminates most of the work I have to actually do. You merely check the site for the post about the store you want to visit, clip/print/grab the coupons you need, and hop in the car. Easy peasy. (Psst…they also have a book.)
Happy Monday! Due to the road construction that is literally on my doorstep, we’re having an inside day. Very low key after a busy week! Here’s a few posts that I enjoyed this week. And as for Simplify To Save, the next few days will bring a post about scrapbooking, an update on our moving/downsizing situation, and-hopefully-a little post about our planned bathroom redo. Stick around!
Battling the Urge to “Keep Up With The Joneses”
One comment on this post mentions how we don’t realize how much our stuff weighs us down until we get rid of it. I had a yard sale last week and it’s unbelievable how much lighter I felt on Saturday afternoon-cash in your pocket is a lot lighter than clutter in your house!
Five Awesome Ways to Grow as a Blogger
I still feel pretty new at this blogging thing, even though I’ve been doing it almost a year now. Mom Writes is a really good blog and I’ve been enjoying it! This article had a lot of good points and I find myself rereading it. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!
The Blog Standard & The Whole Picture
Very good article! It’s easy when you’re reading other blogs (not this one, obviously…no perfection here) to get caught up in the idea that these people practice everything they preach and have the perfect life. The reality is quite different.
Ten Reasons to Escape Excessive Consumerism
I love the Becoming Minimalist blog! Joshua and his family offer such a balanced view of simplifying and minimalism, something that families with kids can really appreciate.
Also, am I the only person who uses Safari and just discovered the reading list feature? In. Love.
It’s a busy week at our house, as our family has been hosting family, having a yard sale, and still preparing for the possibility of a move. Coming up this week is a post about having a successful yard sale, and another about the one simple thing I did that has saved me $50 a month, improved my health, and helped me lose weight. Until then enjoy a couple articles that I found interesting this week!
I found this article very interesting and inspiring. In my quest to simplify our lives, I’ve really enjoyed reading a lot of articles about minimalism–but I often find that they are too extreme for my taste. This post really encourages you to do what is best for you in your situation.
Oh my. I read this post the same day that my pipes broke and water was dripping into my foyer. I felt like my day was just falling apart-but this really put things into perspective. A great read.
I was going to add a picture of my refrigerator, to go along with my first pick of the week…but I’m too embarrassed! Perhaps it will be the subject of a future before and after post. Until then, some of my favorites from the week!
This is fascinating! Am I the only person who is incredibly nosy? I love seeing pictures of how people organize (or don’t) their cabinets and such. 34 pictures of refrigerators? It should’t be interesting, but it is.
I just found this site, and it’s really interesting. A blog written by a mom of three, the family is currently traveling around the world. They are from Australia and have been gone 140-some days!
Why don’t we bike more? If I didn’t live on the side of a mountain I might invest in one of these setups. I love the picture of the mom coming home from the hospital!
Okay, did anyone know that this happened to Ivory soap when you microwaved it? Because I was glued to the microwave like a little kid, watching it happen. A fun project for the kids.
Posts, sites, and products that I’m loving this week!
The Secret of Success for Work-at-Home Moms
Eventually I’d love to have a little work at home business, for now, I just have this blog. The tips in this article are great no matter what your business is-selling on eBay, blogging, telecommuting, or even to manage your personal time. Great article by Mandi from Life…Your Way, I always enjoy her writing-and not just because she shares my name. 
These casserole dishes are so pretty, and I love that they have polka dots AND a cover to store! Too bad I don’t need any more casseroles…sigh…
I know I’m a little slow to hop on Pinterest bandwagon. I’ve had an account for just short of forever, but the past couple weeks I’ve actually been using it…and no surprise, it is all that it’s cracked up to be! The ability to organize and track inspirational images online is great for someone who loves to look at pictures but does not love all the clutter that comes with drawers of magazine cutouts.
Kathleen’s Serene Rental Kitchen
The Kitchn website is very inspirational! I love when they feature a smaller space-mostly kitchens. It’s nice to see that a small area can be organized and not crammed full of stuff.
Minimalist Families: on the road with the Smeenks
I really enjoy reading The Minimalist Mom, and this post features a family with FOUR, count them FOUR, kids that is currently backpacking around the world. They owned a large home in Canada and decided to sell it and downsize their stuff to pursue their dreams of travel. I can only wish that someday my family could do something like this!
A few things that I found interesting this week!
10 Tips for Successful Camping with Young Children
I am TERRIFIED to take our two little ones camping! This post had a lot of good tips and made it seem just a little bit less scary.
Revamping the File Crate System
I’m not even sure how I found this post-a link from another site, maybe? But the way these files are organized is amazing. 52 files, one for each week of the year, plus a weekly planning page clipped to each one.
The Fun Mommy
