I touched on this briefly in a post in July last year “Getting Rid of the Clutter” but this year has definitely bought living simply into focus a lot more for me.
We recently got told that our current home will not be home in 3 years time so now we are deciding what our options are and all roads seem to be leading to buying our own place. The big decisions as to when are still up in the air as we need to talk to a finance person before jumping it but my gut (which has been in knots) is now leaning towards waiting and saving lots to get a bit deposit.
The reason this relates to living simply is that we are now aiming to save up big which means saying good bye to frivolous shopping and regular meals out. It also means no more buying Logan tonnes of things every time we head to the shop and trying super hard at the supermarket to only stick with what’s on the list (I’ve already failed at this!). Whilst I don’t want us to decrease our enjoyment in life I do want us to go back to being a bit more aware of what we spend and what we need to save. Keeping a budget has not been on our brains for many years now.
So even though I said the word for this year was family (and this theme does indirectly relate to that) I think the overall theme will also be about living simply. I’m only 1 month into 2014 and I’m already rearranging the goal posts – but that’s what you’ve got to love about life – the constant curveballs!
I’ve developed a few little aims to ensure we ‘live simply’:
- For the month of February we’re going to try and live without my salary and just rely on Andreas’.
- This whole year I will attempt not to buy anything that isn’t a necessity – this does not apply to presents for others and each other – Andreas turns 30 this year it wouldn’t be fair to deny him a bit of celebrating!
- This means toys, clothes, shoes (more so for me than anyone else!), housewares etc…
- Really knuckle down and get into meal planning to try and curb the expensive food shops
- Encourage Andreas to take leftovers to work and make enough Wednesday and Thursday nights so that we both have food for the next day.
If anyone has any other suggestions I would love to hear them, I’m hoping this will become a regular feature kind of thing. I have definitely been motivated by Jodi over at Practising Simplicity on this journey!
icecreamandbuckets 
My biggest hint is to look in to online grocery shopping for the main stuff and then if you have good cheap markets go to those for fruit and veg.
Shopping online has stopped me impulse buying food and other stuff we don’t really need, and I often choose my items a day or two before I order and then go back through and double check what I actually need / want before placing the order.
I’m really looking forward to reading more about what you’re doing.
My biggest problem with online is I hit up the specials section! Must avoid. That & I’m supporting the big multinationals 😦 but I agree I tend to do fruit, veg & meat from local places much better & fresher!
We don’t have much choice here but to support the multinationals, although the local IGA has started online shopping too (they’re a pretty huge chain too though).
I don’t worry too much because I feel. where we are at least, that if we didn’t support the large stores they’d leave and take jobs with them.
That’s a good point about them providing jobs. I didn’t look at it that way but it’s true.
On Wednesday, February 5, 2014, icecreamandbuckets wrote:
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You can do it!
Going to one wage (back in March) was a big step for us but a few changes and we are totally fine and still saving!
Good luck!!!
Thanks for the encouragement Sammie!