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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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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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I Can’t Live Simply Until…

A Simple Thanksgiving Plan

I have been posting lots of ways you can simplify your life overall, and especially help to keep those simple living concepts you have been incorporating over the last few months in place with the onset of the upcoming holidays that may push you into older poor habits filled with chaos. Your holiday festivities do NOT have to be stressful, even if you have a houseful of guests coming! You may be hosting Thanksgiving dinner for a large crowd. Your family may have been invited to have Thanksgiving dinner elsewhere, but have the stress of bringing some side dishes. You may be like our family, and working through the holiday away from home. Your family may be traveling to visit with family. Whatever your situation, it CAN remain a simple and relaxing!

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Simply Frugal

Bring on the Turkey!

With Thanksgiving approaching quickly it is time to assess your turkey needs. There are a few helpful tips that can keep your Thanksgiving meal budget in line and help you trim the food budget after the meal without making your family tired of looking at turkey to the point they hope that you are going to serve mac and cheese only next year for Thanksgiving!

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I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Are You Ready for the Coming Holiday Seasons?

I use a plan every year to help me prepare for the holiday seasons, which start with Thanksgiving and end with New Years. I have used two plans for this over the years depending on what I believe I can realistically accomplish, our schedule, and where I have placed my boundaries. You CAN have a simple holiday season with a bit of planning and clear resolve. Here’s how:

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Simple Journey Ministries Presents

Simply Frugal

When Christmas Comes Early

As unwelcomed as it may be in the hearts of many, Christmas officially begins in early to mid October. While we don’t want to see this, it does have a simple and frugal benefit.

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I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Simple on the Inside

We can get ourselves so focused on the end result of having a simple life, that we prevent ourselves from actually living a more simple life. It can be a kin to a person who spends her whole life planning, yet never doing. We all know that taking the time to develop detailed plans can be effective for certain projects, but not when it inhibits the actual putting the plans into action. One of the most instrumental ideas that encompass a life of simplicity is so simple that it is the most overlooked aspect of living.

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Simply Frugal

Save on Shaving Cream

Don’t you love the ease of shaving with your favorite shaving cream or lotion? Well, you can get that simple time saver for less!

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Take Time to Increase Your Giving

Many times we only think about things that we do in our lives to provide simplicity. However, there is another form of simplicity, which can provide a calmness and peace within your heart that offers you simplicity on a much deeper level. This is the gift of a gift. But how to incorporate this during these economic times that has us in a financial crunch.

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Simple Journey Ministries Presents

Simply Frugal

Home Décor for Pennies

I get a lot of email asking for frugal ways to make over a room for less. Typically, if an emailer hasn’t given me much information, I will email them some questions to get an idea of the theme or atmosphere they currently have (a picture is always helpful ladies) and what changes they are going for in the overall room. I so enjoy the “thank you” emails when I send them a final list of simple and frugal ways that they can create an entirely different room for just a few dollars, and many times for FREE! This can be accomplished in a variety of ways.

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I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Enjoying Your Surroundings

There is something to be said for seasonal changes. No matter where you live across the globe things change. Here in America seasonal changes vary greatly across the states. This year in Florida it is cooler much earlier than normal. I have barely run my a/c this month. Typically, this month is an average heat month, but still warm. Those thick and fuzzy Halloween costumes that can be found in abundance are not good choices for Florida children, because it is usually too hot and humid for them. But this year is different. And it isn’t just Florida. I have noted recently in the news that some states are experiencing record breaking lows…record breaking going back 200 years or so! Some of you may already have had snow! This has brought to mind the ease of finding some simplicity in a chaotic lifestyle.

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Simple Stress Relief

One issue that is essential to shifting to a simpler lifestyle is to reduce the amount of stress in our lives. Stress is a major proponent of a chaotic life. Anytime you are in a chaotic time, your stress level is very high. Have you ever had a time when your week is so packed with To Do activities that your stress level has been low? But there are many strategies for you to reduce stress over time which will bring more simplicity in your life.

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Simply Frugal

Get Rid of that Kitty Litter Smell

If you have a cat, you probably experience that awful box odor. This can even occur with those expensive kitty litters that promise no odor. If you have more than one cat, this really multiplies the odor and the cost of those expensive litters. You CAN take care of this in a simple and frugal way!

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I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Where to Begin

There are so many things in our life that create chaos. For those who are desiring to live a more simple life, looking at making the transition can be daunting. There are so many ideas and so many areas of life to consider. But there is one simple fact that cannot be overlooked, because it is so crucial…

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A Simple & Frugal Gym Membership

Many people would like to belong to a gym, but the cost doesn’t fit in with a frugal lifestyle. Gyms are costly! Even the YMCA is not a great value, especially when you factor in gas. Gym memberships also aren’t a good fit for those pursuing a simple lifestyle. Having to make time 3-5 times per week to leave the house to exercise isn’t very simple. But we all need to keep moving and we can’t afford to have a gym’s worth of equipment to use all the different muscle groups. But you CAN get a good workout several times per week at home, for NO MONEY.

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I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Living Green Can Be Simple

Does it ever confuse you why green living can be so complicated? Some practices are almost a deterrent from incorporating this into our lifestyles. I have found that I desire to use green practices, but not at the cost of sacrificing my simple life practices. But there is one good thing that keeps me from feeling guilty, simple living often incorporates green living by its essence. Having less, means less garbage, less waste, less cleaning products to care for stuff, less time to care for stuff, less stuff to replace, etc. But how can you do more when you are already struggling to incorporate my simple living practices into your life?

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Simply Frugal

Supper Thyme

In the last year a store opened up in our area called “Supper Thyme.” The window had the words, Make It Take It Bake It. Curious what this was all about; I thought I would look into what this was all about. BUT it not being a priority I ever seemed to get around to, I figured out what the general concept was and didn’t research any further. Not long ago, I realized that the store went out of business. This surprised me that it was so short lived and spurred me to look into the specifics of the store.

It is a franchise chain that carries the slogan, Bringing Dinner Back to the Table™. This had me further intrigued. As I read about the specifics of the services they offered it caused me to ponder this business. The idea is that you come into their store where they have a variety of meal options available. You decide what you want to have your family’s menu. Then you get the ingredients (pre-chopped and prepared), assemble them in bake ware, and take them home for your freezer. The website reads that you can assemble a month’s worth of meals in two hours. Now, that is pretty quick, even by my standards.

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I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Drop Your Drawers!

One thing I have noticed is that most homes have catch-all drawers. These drawers fill up and are rarely cleaned out. I am not talking utensil, clothing, or linen drawers, I am talking drawers for tools, pencils, glue, magazines, bed side tables, accessories, make-up, office supplies, etc.

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Simply Frugal

Simple Odor Removal

We are the Febreeze & scented candle generation. We cover up odors as fast as they occur. We like things to smell fresh! Me too! But I am also frugal. I have purchased used items that sometimes give off a musty odor, even after being washed. I have even purchased used books that have a strong smoke odor. I have aired them out in every way possible, and yet they still carry that odor.

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I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Using Cash for Simplicity

Many of us who are choosing to transition to a life of simplicity are learning to be content with what we have. Some of us who are more frugal minded are looking at a life of simplicity for the sheer financial benefit. Others are looking to conquer debt. Debt; so much complexity for such a little word.

Debt is a part of many lives. Often times, people believe that they can’t live a simple life until they are debt free. So they focus on the frugal side of life so they can pay down their debt. This is a FANTASTICO plan! Using visuals of the simple life they will have once they are debt free is often an ongoing inspiration.

However, you don’t need to be debt free to begin living simply.

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