This was originally posted in January 2013 . Truth still applies…
Read moreLess is more....check up
Lots of us began this year with a project: 31 Days towards Living with Less. Remember the "purge the closet" idea? Well, now's the time to check those hangers. And get rid of the clothes we didn't wear. Donate them - somebody else can make good use of them.
I'd love to hear from you -- how much were you able to give away?
I'd love to hear from you -- how much were you able to give away?
Less is More - GIVE
Wow. What a journey we've taken! Hopefully, you have cleared out some things you can do without, learned some new skills (laundry detergent, anyone?), and made some strides in taming the "gotta have" monster that visits us all. My prayer is that you have experienced a new level of contentment and even excitement over not having to have more "stuff"!
So, what else do we do with this new approach to life? Give. By learning to live with less, you have freed up more that can now be given. Your time. Your talents. And your treasure. GIVE it away.
Someone once said "it is impossible to outgive God". I can attest to that as a solid truth. Luke 6:38 says "GIVE, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you in return."
I love what John Wesley, the great preacher of the 1700's, said - "When I have money, I give it away quickly , lest it find a way into my heart. "
Spend less. Save. Give more. Then give some more. Again. You will always be glad for what you have given away.
So, what else do we do with this new approach to life? Give. By learning to live with less, you have freed up more that can now be given. Your time. Your talents. And your treasure. GIVE it away.
Someone once said "it is impossible to outgive God". I can attest to that as a solid truth. Luke 6:38 says "GIVE, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you in return."
I love what John Wesley, the great preacher of the 1700's, said - "When I have money, I give it away quickly , lest it find a way into my heart. "
Spend less. Save. Give more. Then give some more. Again. You will always be glad for what you have given away.
Less is More...for good
We are almost at the end. We have examined our hearts, learned some new tips, and rid ourselves of alot of excess. Way to go!!! Take a moment and celebrate, however you like to celebrate. Personally, I am going to have a cold one. Tab, that is.
Now the challenge is to maintain our progress. Being likeminded with your spouse about living a life of frugality is optimal. But it will still be hard. I recommend you ask a friend to hold you accountable. Someone you can swap frugal ideas with. Someone like my friend Dianna who thinks this is as fun as I do! An adventure! A challenge! Woohoo!!
Then explain to your kids that this is a new way of life. You're still going to order water when you eat out. (If you ever do....) Gifts will still be kept to a minimum (remember you gotta talk to extended family in July ) You are committed to refrain from replacing the excess you just got rid off. And to continue to "shed" things consistently.
To quote my friend Tracy "Living lean is living large!"
Good luck!
Now the challenge is to maintain our progress. Being likeminded with your spouse about living a life of frugality is optimal. But it will still be hard. I recommend you ask a friend to hold you accountable. Someone you can swap frugal ideas with. Someone like my friend Dianna who thinks this is as fun as I do! An adventure! A challenge! Woohoo!!
Then explain to your kids that this is a new way of life. You're still going to order water when you eat out. (If you ever do....) Gifts will still be kept to a minimum (remember you gotta talk to extended family in July ) You are committed to refrain from replacing the excess you just got rid off. And to continue to "shed" things consistently.
To quote my friend Tracy "Living lean is living large!"
Good luck!
Less is More - relax!
You have worked hard this month. Mix up some homemade bath salts and take a loooong hot bath. Ahhhh, this is therapy for me!
1 cup baking soda
½ cup citric acid or epsom salts
½ cup cornstarch
2 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. oil (almond, sunflower, coconut, mineral, canola
or baby oil may be used)
2 tsp. water
1-2 tsp. essential or fragrance oil
food coloring (optional)
Mix baking soda, citric acid and cornstarch. Mix the wet ingredients and the borax and slowly add to the dry ingredients, mixing constantly. Mix slowly or it will bubble too much. Pack into mold; let set for a few minutes and then remove from molds. Let dry another 24 hours. In humid climates you may need to dry longer. Use 1-3 per bath. Store in an airtight container. Wrap in cellophane bags for a nice gift.
* The mixture is very crumbly and dry. Mix as well as you can and then pack tightly into molds. If the bath bombs won’t hold their shapes, add one teaspoon oil.
If you want to make Bath Seeds instead don’t pack into molds. Just place in a pretty jar and label. Use 2-4 tablespoons per bath.
I found this recipe on a great site called livingonadime.com Check it out!
1 cup baking soda
½ cup citric acid or epsom salts
½ cup cornstarch
2 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. oil (almond, sunflower, coconut, mineral, canola
or baby oil may be used)
2 tsp. water
1-2 tsp. essential or fragrance oil
food coloring (optional)
Mix baking soda, citric acid and cornstarch. Mix the wet ingredients and the borax and slowly add to the dry ingredients, mixing constantly. Mix slowly or it will bubble too much. Pack into mold; let set for a few minutes and then remove from molds. Let dry another 24 hours. In humid climates you may need to dry longer. Use 1-3 per bath. Store in an airtight container. Wrap in cellophane bags for a nice gift.
* The mixture is very crumbly and dry. Mix as well as you can and then pack tightly into molds. If the bath bombs won’t hold their shapes, add one teaspoon oil.
If you want to make Bath Seeds instead don’t pack into molds. Just place in a pretty jar and label. Use 2-4 tablespoons per bath.
I found this recipe on a great site called livingonadime.com Check it out!