Beautifully Simply Blessed

There is something to be said by living a simple life, willingly. When we live plainly, not necessarily as the Amish, but simply, the focus of our lives is moved away from "keeping up with the Joneses" and refocused on what truly matters--family relationships & working together.



How do you, dear reader, live simply? That is truly up to each person individually and as a family. There are many ways to start, but I much prefer to begin anything from my knees. When we surrender ourselves to our Lord, acknowledging our ineptedness in such things, He is faithful to guide and direct our steps.



When I began seeking a simpler life, after seeking God, I stopped at a Christian book store on my way home from a Dr's appointment. As I browsed, I was drawn to this book--




I bought it, took it home and devoured it much like a ravenous wolf. I made it to the end where the reference section was and was still *hungry* and wanted more to devour. I went through all the catalogs and books, requested catalogs of all kinds and found another book. Imagine that! LOL I checked just the first book out of the library and found that I would be foolish to NOT buy all 3! So I mentioned it to my hubby who was extremely supportive. And my quest began... 

I loved this book which is the compilation of all the newsletters that had been written and individually sent out to their readers. I have found this book to be invaluable as a tool for more ideas on how to save more money just simply by doing it myself or making things myself. I have done quite a few things in the name of saving money, like making my own laundry soap; diluting liquid fabric softener in a spray bottle, spraying a wash cloth and putting that in the drier; making homemade cleaners out of vinegar, a couple drops of dish soap and essential oil; making knee patches for jeans; darning socks; and a whole host of other things ranging from the kitchen to the kids' clothes, to yard saling.

And, if you're wondering, my husband has stretched the usage of so many things in his arena much like what I've done. He has made a tractor last so much longer than it's normal life expectancy just simply by finding where he can buy individual parts for it and doing the work himself. Mrs.Dacyczyn would say in her books something like "use it up and wear it out." The only reason it should go to the trash is that we truly tried to fix everything and have exhausted our options. To us, this is good stewardship--to keep things out of the landfill until they are truly unusable any longer.

For me, January, February and March are planning months. These are the months when I get our taxes done, order our seeds for the year and take an inventory of everyone's clothing. I take their measurements just in case I'm out and about through the summer, find a deal at a yard sale without a tag, then I can measure to see if it will fit anyone in our home. During this planning time, I also take note of some of the things I might need in my home. I have some things I need and some things I'd like to get in my kitchen. For example, I need another basting brush. I'd like to see if I can find one at a yard sale this summer first before buying new. I have some other things I'd like to find as well, but this is the only thing that comes to mind currently. With a little planning and forethought, I can save us quite a bit of money [while the garden grows], getting things we'd need anyway for dirt cheap.

For those of you who are wondering, yes I do try to find clothes for my family at yard sales. I've found some things for each one of us. Last year, I hit the jackpot when arriving at a yard sale just 5 minutes before they closed on their last day. They gave us 3 bags of men's size large clothes for my oldest son for just $5. They were very good quality clothes too. One must be willing to spend a couple Saturdays and some Sunday afternoons yard saling to get these deals. My husband laughs at me. He knows me so very well, though. If I see a yard sale, he knows I'll want to stop, just to see if I can find something that will save us some money in the future.

I always pray about the Lord filling all of our needs. If it is His will to do that through yard saling, then all the better. If not, sometimes it happens, but that just means I need to wait.

Some things that I always look for at yard sales are as follows~

• Fabric--We live out in Rural Northwestern Pennsylvania. The nearest fabric store is 35-45 minutes away, depending on the weather. I don't have the ability to drop everything at a moment's notice and go to the fabric store. I just isn't doable. I look for fabric at yard sales that is usually cotton. Occationally I may find something that my daughter likes and would like to make in to something, so I get it. One time I found 5 yards of polar fleece fabric for $5 at a yard sale.
• Notions--All kinds! Especially buttons, thread, needles and plastic bobbins.
• Vintage tablecloths and napkins. I found some last year, but the tablecloths were too small for my table.
• Good quality items for gifts--the "just because" kind.
• Yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks.
• Books based on what we're studying or will be studying. :)

Let's face it, when a spool of thread at a yard sale costs $.10 and at the local fabric store, it costs $2.79, I'd rather pay the $.10 and save the 2790% difference (yes, that surprises me too) to purchase on other needful things.

I would like to encourage you, dear reader, to do the math on a variety of things you purchase. Calculate the savings you would have if doing it this way. Challenge yourself this year to stretch the dollars you've been given by the Lord, because all things we've been given are from Him. :)

Blessings,

Regina