Minimalism

An Alternative to Resolutions

Holidays, Lifestyle, Minimalism, Uncategorized /
close up photograph of two person holding sparklers

Are you a habitual resolution-setter? Are they not your thing? Perhaps you’re the “word of the year” type. There’s value in each of those choices.

But if you’re looking for something a little different as we head into this new year, you might just find your answer here.

Setting a resolution for 365 days is admirable, but how often do we give up by February? Maybe even earlier? I’m looking at you, “no sugar” from 2016.

On the other hand, resolutions can often improve our lives, even if we don’t make it to December 31.

So what to do?

Monthly Challenges

Instead of trying to last 365 days on one pursuit, try doing 12 different challenges for ~30 days. This does two things. First, it makes each goal more attainable. Second, it also allows you to make improvements in multiple areas of your life, versus just one area.

To help you get started, I’m going to issue a monthly challenge on the blog on the first of each month. You can opt to do the challenge I’ve set, or you can pick your own. Some of these goals will only take a few minutes, while others might be a daily commitment. No matter.

The point is to make a promise to yourself and keep that proimse. This increases the likelihood of attaining future goals, which reinforces our own integrity. After all, honesty with ourselves is just as important as honesty with others.

Okay, so are you ready for January’s challenge? Here it is:

Make a Donation

You know that box of gently used clothing and unused toys that’s been sitting in your hall for a month? (Anyone else? Or is that just me?) Donate it.

You can donate it to Goodwill, a local charity, a friend who actually wants it, or any organization of your choice. There’s a local association in my town that raises money for scholarships at Free-Hardeman University, where my husband coaches. We always donate there first. Then, we donate elsewhere.

This is an easy challenge because it doesn’t require you to donate every day. But it’s an important symbol of cleaning out the old and making space for the new.

You could even go above and beyond and make multiple donations. They don’t have to be unwanted objects, either. You can make a financial donation to the charity of your choice. If you have a particular skill or talent, you could donate your services to someone in need. Whatever you choose, donate something this month.

Don’t go thinking all the challenges will be this easy, though! I’ve got a list, and I’m eager to share them.

I would love to hear from you! If you complete the first challenge, shoot me an email or comment below.

Here’s to finding joy in 2022 through nourishing and edifying practices. Happy New Year!

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Taking the Pressure off a Memorable Holiday

Holidays, Lifestyle, Minimalism, Parenting, Uncategorized /
candle, flame, bokeh-5859094.jpg

This time of year is always special. It’s a time of joy and excitement and general goodwill.

It’s also a labyrinth of social obligations, financial stressors, memories of those lost, and overall chaos.

If you’re a minimalist, or even if you have just a cursory understanding of minimalism, you know it’s better to prioritize memories over things.

That philosophy helps prevent excess during the holidays, and it also promotes intentionality in how we spend this festive time.

There can be this pressure, though, to create the “perfect holiday.” A time of impeccable balance, lifelong memories, and the best traditions.

There is no perfect Christmas. The turkey will get overcooked. The toddler will break an ornament. The lights won’t work, or someone will ruin the family picture.

Those hiccups can put a damper on your plans, but they don’t have to. Some of my favorite memories are the result of such disasters.

When my husband and I returned home one year, we couldn’t drive up the hill to our place because there was so much ice and snow. We had to leave our car at a garage at the bottom of the hill and walk up to our place. It was cold and miserable at the time, but now it’s a happy memory.

My family loves to bake during the holidays, and fortunately (unfortunately?), I have several good bakers around me. When I made a less than stellar homemade pie crust one year, it was more than a little frustrating. My dignity as a baker and member of the family was on the line, for crying out loud!

To this day, I get teased about the “chewy pie crust.” My ego recovered long ago, but the laughs continue.

As a child, we had a live Christmas tree each year. One year, my mother went by herself to get the tree. My mother, who is all of 5 feet tall.

Needless to say, the tree she chose was…. diminutive. The family was taken aback. This wasn’t a Christmas tree; it was a shrub!

That’s one of the few trees I remember distinctly. We laughed for ages about that little tree. It was the one year my mother could put on the tree topper.

I could go on, but you get the point. We never know which part of the holidays will create a special memory.

Many of the best memories don’t come from planned events. They come from fiascos, changes in plans, and unexpected results.

So this year, by all means, prioritize memories over things. Don’t “gift yourself” a mountain of debt this Christmas.

But you don’t have to twist yourself into a pretzel trying to create perfect memories, either. This time is not about avoiding any and all negative emotions. When we let go of unrealistic expectations, we make room to enjoy the holidays with all their inevitable twists and turns.

At the intersection of thwarted plans and an open heart is where we find the magic of the season.

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When Your Bold Decisions Give Others Courage

Lifestyle, Minimalism /
duck, wild, water-5303635.jpg

audentes fortuna juvat
“Fortune favors the bold” (Latin Proverb)

In one of my earliest jobs, I had a boss who drove a car. It was a reliable car, but it wasn’t anything fancy. It certainly didn’t match his likely six-figure income. That completely unremarkable car made an impression on me.

To be fair, I don’t really care about cars. For me, they are completely utilitarian. Does it get me from Point A to Point B? Does it have air conditioning and heat? Those are really the only questions I ask. But even so, I remember that car, precisely because it was unremarkable.

It was almost as if my boss was saying, “I don’t need to bolster my ego by driving an expensive vehicle, even though I can afford it.” I respected that.

It’s that type of bold decision that can infect others with courage. The courage to be different, the courage to make the right decision in spite of potentially negative consequences.

But I want to be clear: When I say, “bold,” I don’t mean, “brash.” Certainly, those words might occasionally overlap, but I want to distinguish them. We are in an age that demands boldness be highly visible, very loud, and almost always offensive. Boldness, however, is not always those things.

Bold can be quiet.
Bold can be steady.
Bold can be humble.
Bold can be subtle.

That might seem like a contradiction, but it’s not. In a world where everything is dialed up to 100%, subtleties stand out in stark contrast.

What we forget oftentimes, however, is that there are multitudes of people longing to be bold, but they need someone else to go first. They need to be bolstered by someone else’s example. They need permission.

You have the opportunity to give others permission to be bold. By making decisions confidently and joyfully, you are signaling to them, “Come on in, the water’s fine.” Even when you face backlash, meeting it calmly and resolutely makes an impression on others. They realize it’s possible to survive criticism. They realize they can handle adversity without being a jerk to people. They realize the wounds aren’t fatal. And it emboldens them to make better decisions, too.

So drive the “okay” car. Don’t drive a car at all. Live in a small house. Start that business you’ve been talking about for years. Wear socks that don’t match. Buy thrift store clothes. Let your gray hair show. Go out without makeup every once in a while.

Whatever form your “boldness” takes, make those decisions confidently, not for the purpose of drawing attention to yourself (that’s not boldness; that’s narcissism), but to give others permission to make their own bold decisions. And when they do, you can cheer them on. Because caring about other people? Now that’s bold.

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Why We Need More Silence

6 Comments / Lifestyle, Minimalism /
silhouette of man sitting on grass field at daytime

Silence is a scarce commodity.

This interactive map by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows the amount of transportation-related noise of the U.S. You’ll find that most of the country experiences high levels of noise, and that doesn’t even include ambient noises like lawn mowers, construction equipment, sirens, or cell phones.

In fact, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a growing concern. There is so much noise in our lives, many of us have never experienced true silence.

A lot of this noise is inevitable. We have little control over the sounds of the city in which we live. And if you have children or are around children on a daily basis, you probably sigh longingly for a time when you could get a moment or two of silence.

But perhaps we might be unconsciously adding to our noise problems?

It’s not just physical noise, either. It’s also the incessant mental noise. As wonderful as the information age is, it comes with its drawbacks. Information overload is a real problem for productivity and well-being.

The next time your phone dings with a notification, try letting it go for a while. If you have to answer emails at work, you can make a game of trying to spend as little time as possible while still answering the emails effectively.

Silence holds possibility.

We are in an age in which people rush to express an opinion about almost everything that crosses their paths. News cycles barely last a day, and social media is even worse. I’ve read several articles that discuss what story was trending for several hours. Not days. Hours.

Just like “fast fashion” has both figuratively and literally polluted the clothing industry, fast news has polluted our discourse. We see a story. We react. We verbalize our thoughts. We get outraged. We forget. And the cycle continues.

What if we broke the cycle? What if we refused to play the game? We see a story and…. wait. Do nothing for a hot minute. Contemplate the news, or even let it go without comment.

Silence means we have time to make a rational decision about when and how to react. We are in control when we wait. We don’t have to be beholden to the hot topics of the day or our emotional reactions to them.

We can choose when and how we speak. Don’t ever confuse silence with apathy.

Silence allows for reflection.

Living life means making mistakes. There are going to be times when we could make better choices. Learning from the past is crucial to improving our future, but we can’t do that without reflection.

Trying to reflect without pausing is like trying to fix your hair while running past a mirror. It’s not very effective. If we really want to have time for reflection, we have to get off the hamster wheel and go somewhere quiet.

Don’t know where to go to find quiet? One of the best places for me to reflect is while driving. My thoughts come freely, without filter and without direction. For you parents, perhaps it’s the bathroom. Maybe it’s that early morning time before anyone else wakes up.

Whatever form it takes, find some quiet time to reflect. Even if it’s just 5 minutes, that reflection can help you make future decisions more clearly.

Silence deescalates.

A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

If there is one word to describe modern discourse, I would suggest it’s heated. Outrage sells, and it’s making a killing these days. Sometimes a passionate response is certainly needed, and this world needs passionate people.

But it also needs quiet people. It needs people who speak slowly and intentionally. It needs people who can provide a soft answer. There’s an overabundance of harsh words. We are in desperate need of soft answers.

One of the most iconic scenes in Don Quixote is when he tries to attack windmills, believing them to be giants. Of course, his efforts are futile. The scene inspired the phrase, “tilting at windmills,” meaning attacking imaginary enemies or a vain attack. Getting angry at silence is like tilting at windmills. You can try, but it looks foolish.

Silence makes room for what’s most important.

Have you ever tried to take a picture from a moving vehicle? You probably struggled to get a good shot. Constant movement makes it difficult to bring things into focus. Silence gives us the space to bring our lives into focus.

Sometimes that means taking a step back from a commitment. Sometimes that means making a big change. But sometimes? That means turning off all the screens for 10 minutes and letting your thoughts begin to form and organize. Want to think more clearly? Get rid of the excess noise.

Decluttering our minds is just as freeing as decluttering our homes. And it starts with reclaiming some precious silence, in whatever form we can take it.

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How Bringing Back Borrowing Can Add to Your Life

Lifestyle, Minimalism /
library, nature, naturopathy-3992076.jpg

It was spring, and that meant one thing: cleaning. The siding on the house was looking a little worse for wear. Not “ew” levels, mind you. It just needed a good pressure wash.

The only problem? We didn’t own a pressure washer. And since this was the only time we would ever use a pressure washer, we didn’t really want to buy one.

Spend $300 on something you’ll use once a year? No, thanks. But then something magical happened. Okay, it wasn’t magical. But it felt magical. My parents, who happened to hear us talking, said, “Hey, we have a small pressure washer. Want to borrow it?”

To which we happily responded, “Yes, thank you!” That small chore just became easier and a LOT cheaper. (By the way, we ended up hiring a good friend to pressure wash our house and fence later, and WOW! But we weren’t at that point, yet.)

Fast-forward a couple of years. I was talking with a few friends about marriage. I had just read this wonderful book on marriage and was telling them about it. Finally, I said, “Hey, would you like to borrow my copy?”

Lending and borrowing are certainly not new concepts, and yet they have all but disappeared in some areas. We are so quick to purchase anything we “need,” as soon as we need it.

But what if we started borrowing? What would that look like? Could it possibly make our lives better? I think it absolutely can. Read on to find out why.

The Cost of Always Buying

Buying everything costs money. A lot of money. Let’s look at just a couple examples:

A lot of new hardback books on Amazon right now run anywhere from $11 to $18. Let’s lowball it and say you can snag a book for $10. If you bought one new book each week, you would be spending $520 annually on books. If you borrowed those titles from the library, however, you would save yourself $520.

DIY home projects sometimes require power tools like circular saws, miter saws, etc. The cheapest miter saw I found was over $100, and the most expensive was over $800. If you had one, and your friend was doing a one-time project, you could save them hundreds of dollars by lending them your saw.

The cost of always buying goes way beyond just dollars, though. There are some other real benefits to borrowing that you would miss.

The Benefits of Borrowing

Tighter-knit relationships

This is perhaps the best benefit of borrowing. The act of giving and receiving increases the bond between two people. It just does. It not only feels good to be able to help others, but it also feels good to realized how many people are willing to help you. Borrowing blesses the borrower and the lender.

Are there increased opportunities for friction? Sure. When someone keeps something longer than expected or if they don’t take care of your stuff, it can be frustrating. That’s a natural part of having relationships. But the benefits, in my opinion, far outweigh the negatives.

Something else? It forces you to get to know other people. You have to know what their needs are to be able to lend them something, and you have to have the courage to ask people for help when you need to borrow something. I don’t like asking. I loathe asking. But it’s a growth opportunity.

Forces prioritization of time and wealth

Is it wise to spend $500 on an appliance you’ll use once? You’re probably thinking, “Of course not.” But would $50 make you flinch? How about $10? But what about the repeated purchases of $10, $20, $50 on things we only use one time?

It all adds up quickly. For that reason, we have to prioritize. Borrowing allows us to do that. If I’m going to use something once, I might look at borrowing it instead of buying it. Sometimes borrowing an item gives us the time to decide if we really would use it.

A sweet friend recently told me how her 3-year-old daughter wanted a Minnie Mouse birthday cake. Since there aren’t many 15-year-olds out there begging for a Minnie Mouse cake, this was going to be a one-time thing. She went to the public library and borrowed the pan, saving herself money and the trouble of selling or donating the cake pan when she’s done. It was a great idea, and her daughter got exactly what she wanted.

Also, have you looked at how many types of items your public library has to check out? You should. I loooove the library.

One more thing to think about? Sometimes lending an item helps us realize how little we actually need it, too. It works both ways.

Increases collective resources & access

This is the concept behind community gardens, and I love it. People voluntarily join to plant and work a garden, and then they share in the harvest. Of course, the concept works best when there is mutual trust and clearly defined roles for those contributing.

By sharing our tools and goods with each other, we divide up the cost of a common endeavor. In the case of a garden, one tiller could be used for multiple gardens. If each person had to buy one, though, it would needlessly increase the cost for everyone.

Another example? Swimming pools. A pool would be a colossal waste of time and money for my family. We aren’t interested in caring for one and don’t want to spend the money to get one. My daughters, though? They LOVE the pool. It just so happens that my in-laws have a pool. By allowing my daughters to swim in their pool when visiting, my girls now have greater access to something they normally wouldn’t. We are very appreciative, and it’s a better experience for everyone involved.

Decreases waste

We’ve all sold items that were “like new, only used once.” I know this because of how many posts on market sites that uses that exact phrase. It’s ubiquitous.

When you think of how many of those items end up in the trash? Yikes. In two generations, we’ve gone from,

“Now don’t throw out that aluminum foil. I’ll fold it up and use it again.”

to,

“Ten pairs of jeans. Only worn once. If not sold by Friday, I’m tossing. Must pick up.”

I’m certainly not suggesting reusing foil for food, because I’d really rather not get food poisoning. But maybe there’s a middle ground? That middle ground could be borrowing.

A challenge: This week, think of something you’d like to use that you can borrow, instead of buy. And then think of something that someone needs that you could lend to them.

If you do the challenge, share with me in the comments what you borrowed or lent!

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How to Clean Your Home Cheaply and Naturally

Lifestyle, Minimalism /
round wooden table with decorative vase soaps and brush

Short on time? Click here to skip to cleaning ideas by room.

You know that stockpile of random cleaning supplies you have under your kitchen sink? You know, the one with bottles that are older than your kids? The one with single-use cleaners that you almost never use? The one you have to keep locked up from babies because they’re so hazardous?

Yes, that one.

Let’s get rid of that stockpile, shall we?

Honestly? The reason I started on a “natural cleaning” journey was not one of health-consciousness or a sense of environmental responsibility.

I just hated to clean.

I wanted something simple that I could use in a lot of ways. I also wanted something cheap. I was a stay-at-home mom at the time, after all.

So I searched high and low for natural cleaning methods. Some of those I’ve continued to use for years. Others I tried and decided it wasn’t worth it. But if you want cleaning options that are simple and affordable, I’ve got what you need. I’ve rounded up a host of ideas using simple, inexpensive ingredients.

I put an asterisk next to supplies that you should place out of reach of little hands and/or paws, for safety reasons.

This list is meant to balance purpose with practicality. Feel free to treat it as a buffet. Take what you want; leave what you don’t. We’ll start with basic cleaning supplies and then move on to cleaning ideas (with links and instructions).

Ready to get started? Let’s get cleaning!

(Try not to get too excited.)

What cleaning supplies do I need?

  • Microfiber cloths
  • Rubber gloves
  • *Glass spray bottles
  • Vinegar
  • *Hydrogen peroxide
  • Baking soda
  • *Rubbing alcohol
  • Dish soap (I like Blue Dawn and Mrs. Meyer’s Lemon Verbena)
  • *Any desired scents or essential oils
composition of cosmetic bottle with pink rose petals and wooden plate
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Microfiber Cloths

I like microfiber cloths because they are versatile and inexpensive. After using a few, I toss them in the wash and reuse. This saves us a lot of money & waste over Lysol/Clorox wipes.

Rubber gloves

I always use rubber gloves to clean for two reasons: Safety and the “ick factor.” I don’t want my skin to come into contact with anything that might be harmful, and I definitely don’t want to touch slimy, gross things.

Glass Spray Bottles

Glass spray bottles are great for homemade cleaning solutions. I have 3 bottles, but it depends on your preference. I find that 3 is enough for the solutions I use most frequently. Again, this saves money and space over individual cleaning containers.

Vinegar

I love vinegar. Seriously. It’s the underrated workhorse, the real MacGyver of cleaning supplies. This post over at One Good Thing gives you 32 of the top ways to use vinegar. Here are just a few of my favorites:

  • Clean your microwave the EASY way
  • Glass cleaner
  • Oven cleaner
  • Clean stainless steel cookware
  • Disinfect the dishwasher
  • Fabric softener
  • Foot soak (softens your feet and kills fungus)

Note: You should never mix vinegar with hydrogen peroxide (or bleach)! This is unsafe and could cause harm. Safety first.

*Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has a lot of the same benefits as vinegar. It has anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Unlike vinegar, however, hydrogen peroxide is definitely NOT safe for consumption! Here are some of my favorite ways to use hydrogen peroxide:

  • Clean white towels, sheets, etc.
  • Remove blood from white fabric
  • Glass cleaner
  • Make-up brush cleaner

Baking soda

Baking soda is great for freshening, cleaning, and lifting stains off all kinds of materials. It also can be combined with vinegar, peroxide, or bleach to get a powerful one-two punch on dirt and germs. Some of my favorite ways to use baking soda include:

  • Clean/freshen mattresses, rugs, and carpet
  • Soften and lift stains from laundry
  • Clean car upholstery
  • Oven cleaner

Rubbing Alcohol

  • Removing ink stains from clothing
  • Remove permanent marker from hard surfaces (Credit: several years of teaching)
  • Remove frost from car windows

Dish Soap

Dish soap is designed to cut through grease and grime, so it’s a great helper ingredient in a lot of homemade cleaning products. My two favorites are Blue Dawn and Mrs. Meyer’s Lemon Verbena dish soap.

Scents and/or essential oils

I’m not an essential oils fanatic, but I find them to be very practical for natural cleaning. For one, they help tone down the strong vinegar smell. But some of them can actually help clean, as well. Just make sure you read the labels to know the best and safest way to use them. My “go-to” oils are lemon, lavender, orange, tea tree, and peppermint.

  • Add lavender to vinegar-based laundry solutions
  • Add lemon oil to kitchen cleaning solutions
  • Mix peppermint, lavender, and lemon to spray on mattresses or other fabrics (great for allergies)
  • Orange and sandalwood for anything (I love these scents!)
crop person cleaning glass shower unit
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Cleaning Ideas by Room

Kitchen

Clean your microwave

Mix water and vinegar in a glass bowl or measuring cup, using a 1:1 ratio. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Then be amazed as you wipe all the gunk off your microwave. No elbow grease required. (Credit: One Good Thing by Jillee)

Clean your dishwasher

Place a cup of vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl in the top rack of your dishwasher. Run the hottest cycle. Let the dishwasher air dry with the door open. (Credit: Home Depot)

Floor cleaner

This all-purpose floor cleaner is great for any type of hard floor. For a hardwood-specific cleaner, see Natural Dusting Spray. Mix vinegar and water in a 2:1 ratio. Add 2-3 drop of dish soap and a few drops (if desired) of essential oil. Spray floor with cleaner and wipe with mop. Sometimes I spray vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes, then clean with a steam mop.

Bathroom

Disinfect the toilet

Turn the water off behind your toilet to empty the bowl. Sprinkle baking soda (with essential oil mixed in, if you wish) around the inside of the bowl. Pour in 2 cups white vinegar (5%) and watch fizz. Use a brush to scrub around the bowl. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Then turn the water on and flush. Easy! (Credit: Growing Up Herbal)

Clean the shower

Mix 1 cup vinegar, 4 tsp dish soap, and 10 drops of tea tree oil in a glass bottle. Spray shower and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes. Wipe with a clean rag. (Credit: DIY Natural)

Glass cleaner

Mix equal parts vinegar and water into a glass spray bottle. I like to add a few drops of lemon essential oil, but that’s optional. Spray on mirrors and wipe away dirt and grime.

Make-up brush cleaner

Mix 1/2 cup water, 1 Tbsp vinegar, 1/2 Tbsp dish soap in a glass bowl. Swirl brushes in the mixture and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse brushes with warm water and let air dry.

Bedroom/Living Room

Clean blood off clothes/mattresses

My youngest daughter has some wicked nosebleeds (Thanks, allergies!). Her mattress has taken a beating, but you wouldn’t know just by looking at it. The reason? Hydrogen peroxide. Dab (don’t rub!) the blood stain with hydrogen peroxide, using a cotton ball or an cleaning rag. Once it stops bubbling, spray with cold water and dab with a clean cloth. You may have to repeat.

Clean urine off mattresses

Dogs and kids are infamous for peeing on everything. Sometimes the pads don’t cut it. So what to do? Soak up as much fluid as possible. Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress. Spray hydrogen peroxide and let bubble. Let air dry. Vacuum the remaining powder residue.

Window cleaner

See glass cleaner.

Natural dusting spray

This spray can also be used to clean hardwood floors. Simply mix 1 cup water, 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 tsp olive oil, and 10-15 drops lemon (or orange) essential oil in a glass bottle. Spray and wipe with microfiber cloth. (Credit: One Good Thing by Jillee)

Clean and freshen rugs/carpet

Sprinkle baking soda on the rug. Let sit for a couple minutes and then vacuum.

Laundry Room/Outside

Clean the washer

For top loaders: Select the hottest temperature and the largest cycle. As hot water fills the drum, add 4 cups vinegar and 1 cup baking soda to the water. Let washer run for 5 minutes, then pause for 1-2 hours. Finish the cycle and wipe down the interior/exterior surfaces.

For front loaders: Fill detergent dispenser with vinegar. Run the machine on the hottest/highest cycle. Run a second cycle with no vinegar, to get rid of the smell.

Laundry detergent

There are loads of homemade laundry detergent recipes out there. You will need Borax and/or washing soda for most of these. Check out this article by Morning Chores for a good list of recipes.

Natural fabric softener

Mix baking soda and water in a 3:2 ratio. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil or your favorite scent.

Homemade dryer sheets

Place 1/2 cup white vinegar and a few drops of essential oil (I like lavender) in a wide-mouthed glass jar with a tight lid. Place several pieces of cloth in the jar. I cut up an unused bed sheet, but you could also use wash cloths. For each load, remove one cloth and squeeze out excess vinegar. Toss in the dryer with the clothes. Easy! (Credit: The Spruce)

Freshen car seats/fabric

Sprinkle baking soda and vacuum. For tough spots, I use a tiny bit of dish soap and work into the fabric. Rinse by using a wet cloth to dab the area. Let air dry.

Car Defroster

In a glass bottle, mix water and rubbing alcohol using a 2:1 ratio. Spray on ice. Scrape any stubborn spots.

Weed killer

Dilute 1 Tbsp rubbing alcohol with 2 cups water and spray on weeds on a sunny day. This won’t work for the most stubborn weeds, but is great for those annual weeds.

How do I dispose of toxic cleaners?

First, you should not flush, burn, toss, or dump toxic cleaners. Treat them as hazardous waste and dispose of them properly.

Unfortunately, properly disposing of hazardous waste is not cut and dry. It really depends on where you live. Check with your local public works department or search Earth911 for ways to recycle materials based on your zip code.

Use these tips to streamline your cleaning and save some money in the process! Do you have any tips for cleaning your home naturally? Share them with me in the comments.

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How to Live on One Income as a Family

2 Comments / Career, Lifestyle, Minimalism /
black envelope with cash dollars on marble table

During our almost 12 years of marriage, my husband and I have had a range of income levels.

We’ve lived on one income, two incomes, larger incomes and smaller ones.

We’ve lived in rentals and we’ve purchased 3 homes (not simultaneously).

But for several years of our marriage, we’ve lived off of one income. Many of those have been as a family of four.

We have been blessed to never experience true poverty or need, thank the Lord.

Perhaps you or your spouse are thinking of leaving your current job for personal or health reasons. Maybe you want to become a stay-at-home-parent. Or maybe you want to pursue a startup or open your own business.

There are several reasons you might be considering switching to one income. But you may be wondering, “Is it even possible?”

The answer is yes, it’s possible! And no, it does not require you to only eat Ramen noodles for the rest of your lives.

Sorry you get a bad rap, Ramen noodles. I actually happen to like you.

If you’re worried about making the switch, I’ve rounded up some helpful tips for you.

Important note: I don’t discuss debt in this article because it’s not about getting out of debt. This is how to downsize your living to fit one income. If you have substantial debt, I would recommend making that your top priority before making life-altering decisions.

Ready to find out what they are? Let’s dive in.

1. Set your priorities.

Life fact 101: You can’t do it all.

If you doubled your current income, you would still have limitations. We all do. Those limitations become more pronounced when your income shrinks.

Limitations are not bad, but they require choices. You have to say no to some things.

One of the most important things you can do to successfully live on one income is to set your priorities. Figure out where you want to spend your money.

I absolutely love to travel. Each trip is its own unique adventure. I fall in love with places faster than celebrities fall in love with each other. It’s ridiculous. But you know what?

Travel is expensive.

So I say no to manicures. I don’t color my hair. I buy the cheapest toothpaste I can find. My husband forgoes the NFL network (and he loves NFL football). We drive used cars for as long as they will work.

We make those choices because we would rather spend that money on travel. We never regret money spent on memories. So trips make the list when other things don’t.

Your list will look different than ours. Someone else’s list will look different than yours. And that’s a good thing.

Our spending reflects our priorities, so we should think through what those are and spend accordingly.

2. Set a budget.

You have to know what’s coming in and what’s going out to make informed decisions. The best way to do that is to have a budget and stick to it.

What if you’re not the kind of person who loves spreadsheets? That just means you’re not a nerd. (I’m joking. Some of my favorite people on this planet are ALL about the spreadsheets!)

If you aren’t a big data analyzer, that’s okay. Make it simple. Know what you have coming in and make a list of your fixed expenses (rent, phone bill, etc.). Estimate your variable expenses (groceries, utilities, etc.). Subtract. If you can’t make it on that amount, reduce expenses.

Many people like to use Dave Ramsey’s cash envelope system. We’ve done that in the past and liked it. It’s very concrete. If you are too loose with your card, I would recommend using it.

But whatever method you choose, a budget is a big part of making one income work.

3. Take advantage of free entertainment.

I loooove free entertainment for several reasons. First, it usually means you are getting outside. We need that Vitamin D.

Second, it usually involves some type of physical activity. Much healthier than staring at a screen.

Lastly, it usually involves conversation. Our family grows closer and builds memories with many of these activities.

So why wouldn’t you take advantage of free entertainment?

Here’s a short list of activities that are almost 100% free. The only money you might have to spend is a little gas money:

  • Visit the public library (one of my favorites)
  • Go to the public park
  • Run/walk around the neighborhood
  • Play tag or throw around a ball outside
  • Visit one of 400 free national parks (or a state park)
  • Visit free art exhibits at local colleges
  • Dance party at home listening to free music streaming service

4. Let go of others’ expectations.

This is a biggie. And it’s extremely difficult. When your coworker walks in with a new Apple watch or goes on a nice vacation or has their kids involved in 30 extra curricular activities, you start to feel that pull. That familiar pull of fitting in.

It is then you have to let go and remind yourself of what’s most important.

Ask yourself, “Can I still live a good life without this?” Most of the time, the answer is a resounding yes. The fact is, we aren’t going to remember most of our purchases. And the ones we do? Many of those we’ll ridicule.

Avocado green appliances. Wood paneled walls. Acid wash jeans. All the VHS tapes. Letterman jackets. Blonde tips. Butterfly clips and ice blue eyeshadow. CD-ROMs. Cropped sweaters. Crocs.

Some of these are actually still a thing. But trends never live forever. They die. Painful deaths.

We cannot live out our purpose while chasing other people’s lifestyles.

So let it go. Be different. And be okay with it.

5. Be generous with others.

It doesn’t matter what your income is, let me be extremely clear:

Generosity is an essential part of living a worthwhile life.

You will cheat yourself if you don’t give to others. And when you feel like you’re too poor to give, that’s the time you’ll benefit the most from it.

Giving makes us appreciate the sacrifices others have made for us. Giving connects us to other human beings and cultivates goodwill. Giving will improve our lives.

Now, what we can give might vary widely from person to person. But even if it’s a few dollars, giving to someone else will make you a better steward of your money (I realize giving is not just monetary thing, but it certainly includes it.).

Do you have tips for living off one income? Share those with me in the comments below!

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The Most Important Word to Help You Avoid Bad Decisions

Health, Lifestyle, Minimalism /
brown hourglass on brown wooden table

Just imagine:

You’ve had a rough week at work. You got into an argument with your spouse this morning, and now you’re coming down with a cold.

When you check your email, the first thing you see is a subject line, “SALE.”

You’ve been itching to get something new, and a sale is the perfect excuse.

But…

You’ve also been trying to save. And there’s that debt you want to pay off.

How do you resist the call of decisions that you want to make, but may not actually be the best for you?

Do you justify the decision to yourself?

I need this. One time is not a big deal.

Do you make false promises in exchange for the decision?

I won’t eat this ever again. After this, I’ll be super strict.

The Problem

If you struggle with those types of decisions, you’re certainly not alone. A quick look at some stats:

That list is not even close to being extensive. It also covers a wide range of issues. As humans, we have problems with making good decisions. We might struggle in different areas, but the fact remains:

We don’t like to say no.

A Solution

Now, you may be thinking, “Can one word actually address such a wide range of decisions?”

Yes. The word is simple. It’s one syllable. It’s unglamorous. And it’s powerful.

Ready for it?

Here it is:

Wait.

That’s it. A little anticlimactic, isn’t it? But simple doesn’t mean ineffective.

Think about this for a minute. If you’re experiencing a “craving” for something, could you hold off for 2 minutes? For 10 minutes? For 3 days?

Delayed gratification is an important skill. In 1972, researchers published what is now commonly referred to as The Marshmallow Experiment.

You’ve likely seen it if you’ve taken any psych classes. The children were placed in a room with a marshmallow on the table. The researcher promised the child a second marshmallow if they waited until the researcher returned to eat their first marshmallow.

It’s actually entertaining to see the children behave, well, like children. They squirm and wrestle with their own wills. Some wait the whole time, while others pop the marshmallow into their mouths without hesitation.

What was interesting was that the follow-up research showed how important delayed gratification is to a better life (read this fantastic article by James Clear about this topic).

We’re talking test scores, chances of substance abuse, stress responses, obesity, and more.

You want a better life? Learn to wait.

Waiting is a skill that can be learned.

You read that correctly. You can learn to wait. Some of us are naturally more adept at waiting than others, but we can all practice the skill and improve.

Practice makes perfect. But you’ll want to start with small steps. How can you do that?

Scenario #1: Let’s say you want to spend less time on your phone. One way to practice delayed gratification is to wait 30 minutes after waking before looking at your phone. If that seems like too much, wait 15 minutes. 10. Whatever you can do. Then push it up a minute each week. Small, incremental changes are less noticeable than big ones.

Scenario #2: Let’s say you want to spend less money impulsive. One way to practice delayed gratification is by looking backward. You think of previous impulse buys, and how long those purchases lasted. Inevitably, those purchases were a bust. You didn’t like the item, or it didn’t last long. Think about the hassle you went through to get rid of the item and the money wasted. Suddenly that shiny bauble doesn’t look so shiny anymore.

Scenario #3: Let’s say you are trying to eat healthy and there’s a huge slice of your favorite cake at work (or in my case, donuts). One way to practice delayed gratification is to distract yourself. Out of sight, out of mind. You can chew gum or drink some water. You can work on a project that you enjoy. Try to think of something else you can do that would be fun to trigger those happy feelings while you wait.

Waiting Does Not Diminish Worthy Pursuits

Not all decisions are “good” or “bad.” Some pursuits are worthy, wonderful pursuits, but now isn’t the right time. In those cases, waiting doesn’t diminish the joy of the pursuit. It enhances it.

Just like cheap canned rolls pale in comparison to freshly-baked croissants, the best things take time.

For example, buying a house is an exciting purchase. But a big, expensive one. You could go into crippling debt and buy a house now, or you could wait 5 years and save up for it. In 5 years, is that purchase still going to be exciting? You bet! And you’ll have the pride and satisfaction of having worked for it.

That’s a feeling you can’t buy. It must be earned.

This is important in relationships, too. You don’t stay married for 50 years without having to wait through a few bad ones. Jumping into intimacy has caused a lot of broken hearts for teenagers. Waiting is not on trend. It’s not modern. It’s ridiculed.

It’s still worth it.

Last thoughts

“Wait” is the barrier between your impulses and your dreams.

It’s that little word that gives you hope for the future. So pick something small. Do it today. Hurry up and wait. You’ll be glad you did.

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Why I’m Not Buying an Easter Dress This Year

Holidays, Minimalism, Parenting /
woman wearing white dress and white high heeled shoes while walking on sidewalk

Easter is coming, and it’s a big deal around here. This Sunday comes with religious, sartorial and cultural significance.

Egg hunts, lavish dinners, special worship services, and a feeling of new beginnings surround this springtime holiday.

And pretty clothes.

Stores are pushing their best Easter sales. Inboxes are full of ads with cheesy titles like, “Hopping Easter Deals!”

Mothers everywhere are in a frenzy trying to find coordinating outfits that will make their Easter family photos passable.

Perhaps one of those mothers will succeed where I failed. Miserably. We actually have an Easter photo wall of shame.

Regardless, the tradition of buying new clothes for Easter goes back quite a ways. Hats, gloves, lace, and lots of ruffles have made an appearance over the years.

My sisters and I circa 1989

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get something new. It’s a tradition for many people. Traditions are not bad.

But traditions can change. Traditions aren’t law. Traditions only carry the importance we assign to them. What if we did something different?

This year, I let my daughters pick which dress they wanted to wear. They both chose red and black dresses… so basically winter dresses.

That’s okay. They’re happy with their choices. We didn’t have to undergo a stressful shopping trip or risk an uncertain online purchase. We didn’t have to buy them another dress they don’t need.

I won’t have to fight them to wear a dress they hate to appease their mother. And they won’t ask me years later, “Why did you dress me in such a hideous dress?! What did you do to me?”

I can completely pass the blame on that one. “It’s what you wanted,” will be my reply. Of course, I realize they might question me letting them make the choice. Oh, well. Making decisions means being second guessed.

But even without new dresses this year? I’m pretty certain we’ll have lots of happy memories from this Easter weekend.

Besides, how many times do our plans go smoothly anyway? I’ve spent multiple Easter afternoons in the hospital visiting a sick loved one.

We’ve had to move egg hunts indoors when it rained.

Sometimes people have to eat out after burning the food.

Life happens. And the memories don’t have to be put on the back shelf because our clothes aren’t new.

If you want to don your newest and brightest outfit this Sunday? Go for it! Enjoy the newness. There’s zero judgment here.

But if you’d rather wear something less than new, there’s nothing wrong with that, either.

In fact, you might find your day is just as special without a new outfit. You might even make some memories with people you love.

And that’s a treasure worth finding.

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How to Have a Cozy Minimalist Home

Lifestyle, Minimalism, Uncategorized /
opened book on white cloth near dandelion flowers

This week we’re taking a break from our “How to Think Better” series. You can catch up on those posts here and here.

I’m sitting here on a rainy day, and all I want to do is curl up with a good book and warm blanket.

I’m a fan of Hygge, the Danish concept that was all the rage a couple of years ago. It’s basically the word for coziness, comfort, and wellness. Those all sound nice, right?

But here’s the thing:

I’m also a minimalist.

And the image that comes to mind for most people when I say that word is an empty room of stark, white walls and sharp edges.

There’s nothing cozy about that.

So the question is, how do we can we have a minimalist, cozy home? Check out these tips to bring the best of both of these worlds into your home:

1. Use natural woods and warm colors.

Remember about 10 years ago when everyone decided to paint all the walls gray?

Now, I’m not knocking gray. I don’t have anything against gray.

But maybe we should dial it down a bit. Like 100 notches or so.

Using warm neutrals and natural wood is a great way to bring some warmth into your space.

2. Incorporate small touches.

Plants. Books. A throw blanket. A couple of pillows. A little goes a long way.

The key, though, is to keep it limited. This is difficult because we can easily justify just one more pillow/blanket/plant, etc. It’s only a few dollars and it’s so cute. Right?

It’s all fun and games until your house looks like a picked over thrift store.

In order for an item to get inside the house, it has to meet some criteria. Is it comfortable or useful? Is it in line with the aesthetic I want to achieve? Will it last? Can I swap something else out for it?

Using these guidelines can help add comfort while avoiding unnecessary clutter.

3. Have a very select few conversation pieces.

You don’t need your life history to vomit itself all over your walls, but a few pieces can help.

Keyword is few. If you want to see walls plastered with memorabilia, go to Cracker Barrel.

If you have a photo from one of your favorite trips, you might choose that. If you have a funky piece of art that someone gave you, you might display it.

For instance, my sister has a giant wooden fork and spoon on her kitchen wall. It’s a set my mother had for years, and she was all to happy to give them a new home. Now my sister has a conversation piece that reminds her of our amazing mother.

Bonus? She also has utensils ready if a giant comes to visit.

4. Be someone who others want to be around.

Will you do a thought experiment with me?

Think back to your fondest memories as a child. Think about the places and homes you were so excited to visit. Think about what you were doing in those homes.

What made those memories special? Was it because the house was decorated so beautifully or had the most expensive furniture? Was it because of all the things in the house?

Or was it because of the people?

When I think back to my fondest memories as a child, they are special because of WHO is in them, not WHAT is in them.

I remember playing games with friends and family in hot, cramped, outdated living rooms.

I remember sitting around a kitchen table with a card table shoved up against it so everyone could sit.

I remember shag carpets and ugly furniture and wood paneling and pitiful fake florals.

And it was the best.

You see, if you really want people to feel comfortable in your home, you don’t need the nicest stuff. Because stuff doesn’t make up memories, anyway. People do.

Focus on the people, and the rest will take care of itself.

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