My husband and I are experiencing some challenges as we rearrange to make room for the baby we will welcome this fall. Though it is sufficient, our townhome will never be described as spacious. When its small size is coupled with our motley assortment of furniture, it becomes challenging to find room for our possessions. When we first … [Read more...] about Growing to Love My Mismatched Furniture
frugal living
Frugal Approaches to Cooling Your Home
I’m so glad that the cold winter has passed and we’re finally getting sunshine and warm temperatures! Unfortunately, this means our electric bill is about to rise sharply. In my never-ceasing endeavor to save money, I’m investigating ways to minimize how much we spend on cooling our home. How to save money when cooling your … [Read more...] about Frugal Approaches to Cooling Your Home
Save Money by Using a Toaster Oven
The humble toaster oven that sits on your kitchen counter could be a great tool to help you save energy and money. Toaster ovens use less wattage than conventional electric ovens and they generally take less time to preheat because of their small size. Additionally, as long as you have a well-insulated toaster oven, it likely will not … [Read more...] about Save Money by Using a Toaster Oven
Affording Maternity Clothes
My frugal sensibilities find it difficult to spend a lot of money on clothes. It comes as no surprise that it’s especially difficult to purchase clothing items that are designed to be worn for the relatively short period of time that comprises pregnancy! Fortunately, I’m visiting a couple of retailers and using a few tricks to try to … [Read more...] about Affording Maternity Clothes
Defining Simplicity
After writing about materialism earlier this week, I’ve been thinking about money and possessions. I’ve also been considering these things because my husband and I are reworking our budget in preparation for our baby that is due in October. When I consider money and possessions, my thoughts often turn to simplicity. Simple living has … [Read more...] about Defining Simplicity
Resisting Materialism
Having a baby is one experience that will open your eyes to how pervasive materialism is in our culture. My husband and I need things for the baby and I need new clothes to accommodate my growing belly. However, as we shop, I sometimes begin confusing my genuine needs with wants. Materialism is a way of thinking that emphasizes material … [Read more...] about Resisting Materialism
All About Beans
Because of their propensity for causing gas, beans often get a bad rap. This is unfortunate because beans are an amazing food. An obvious benefit of beans is their cost. A serving of dry beans (1/4 cup) costs about $0.15. Canned beans cost a bit more, but they are still affordable. Despite their affordability, beans are nutrient dense and … [Read more...] about All About Beans
The Benefits of Growing Your Own Fruits and Vegetables
My family always grew vegetables during the summers when I was growing up. I’ve wanted to continue this practice, but until recently I haven’t lived in a location that was conducive to this. My husband and I currently have plenty of room to grow a garden, but the sun only shines on a small portion of our yard. Thus, we’ll be growing … [Read more...] about The Benefits of Growing Your Own Fruits and Vegetables
