Monday, July 28, 2014

Simplifying Life


I have made a decision to discontinue my budget posts at the end of each month, for various reasons but the primary one is to simplify my life a bit.  I just ran out of pages in my dollar store budget book and realized I don't want to buy another one. It shouldn't be a chore to do a blog post and I am finding those posts a bit of a bore.
Suffice it to say, over the last several years, I have managed to lower and then keep my grocery budget on track at $450 per month.  My clothing is still 95% purchased used at thrift stores in an effort to both save money and prove that you can have a great wardrobe for very little money plus recycle at the same time. My hair budget, which was one of the biggest things I have cut down is now only 20% of what it was a few years ago.  I will still continue the practices but you won't see me blog about it at the end of each month.  I will still share my thrift store finds and nifty bargains along the way.  

The rabbit picture?  Well, every post needs a picture and this is the used-to-be-domestic-now-wild-bunny that greets me at the entrance to work each day.  His name is Carl.  Now that we are pet-less I make friends with every bird and furry creature I meet.


18 comments:

  1. I agree - anything that becomes a burden or chore, you should let go. Especially when it is something like this. You can update us when you feel up to it! I love to hear the successes and failures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will still brag here because I need to brag somewhere where people don't judge you for buying all your clothes at thrift stores and using coupons. In the past I felt this was the only place I could be real outside my family.

      Delete
  2. Older I get more simple life I want or need. I keep saying I'm going to keep tract of my spending and haven't yet.
    Coffee is on

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was becoming a pain. I feel much better now!

      Delete
  3. I used to have a budget book and it was useful but required discipline to keep up. Now we are newly retired I might do it again for a year, just to see how we are doing and where we might be able to save. We have yet to replace our last dog-2 years-, and I make a huge fuss of any dog which comes in reach.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hubby wants us to get a puppy but with working out of the house and travelling so much I don't think it is a great idea at this time. Maybe in a couple of years. We are restricted to hypoallergenic breeds so have to budget to try and get one that works with his allergies.

      Delete
  4. My outside bunny is devouring our ornamental cabbage. Apparently he didn't get the memo that it's just for lookin' and not for eatin'. And I can understand wanting to stop your budget posts. I felt the same way. My good practices are in place and I don't need to check on it so much these days!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That plus sometimes my budget was preventing me from stocking up on great deals just to make it within the budget. We have a little more money now so I am going to loosen up a bit.

      Delete
  5. I'm all for simplifying life. I always thought it was pretty amazing that you could keep your food bill so low. There are 3 people and four pets in our home and our monthly grocery bills (including pet food, supplies and non edible items) are always around $800 a month.
    Love the bunny!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is tough to stick to that low a budget - lots of mass buying things like gigantic bags of rice and meat on discount because we are meat eaters. We have been eating more veggies lately though - veggie burgers are on the menu tonight.

      Delete
  6. I agree with you. Eventually, it gets to be a chore. I say your an expert and don't need to continue.
    I do love your finds and look forward to those posts so I'm glad that those will continue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to share my thrifty finds somewhere - hubby 's eyes just glaze over now after so many years of my bargain hunting brags.

      Delete
  7. Oh yes, blogging's all about fun. When you feel like something's a chore its time to change track.
    Always good to see thrifting finds. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I could post more thrift finds but only tend to make it out once every 10 days or so there. I will try harder :)

      Delete
  8. As far as I am concerned, it's your blog and you should just do whatever you are happy doing.

    You obviously know that you have things under control so there is no need to track religiously what you spend.

    Your blog should definitely be about what makes you happy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks - that is what I think too. It is rather freeing.

      Delete
  9. You are an inspiration... And I love that final furry foto.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I keep trying to make friends with the little buggers but they keep their distance. They certainly aren't afraid though.

      Delete