My Best Tips for a Frugal and Simple Life

Hello Dear Reader,

I have written about my top 5 tips for living a frugal and simple life before but I thought I would expand on that list a little, it has however, morphed into more like, tips for a good life. I don't think I live the idyllic life nor do I think I have all the answers, these thoughts and strategies just work for me at this stage in my life.

Everyone is different, we all require something unique to fill any voids in our lives, what will float my boat will not float another, simply said, we must find out what makes us happy and follow that road. It's your life after all.

So, here are my best frugal/simple/good life tips that seem to round out my life, I would love to know what makes your life, frugal and simple. Join in

-Make home life a priority-you can't do housework if you're not at home, nor can dinner be on the table early if you are still at the shops until late. If you work full time, sleep for 8 hours, commute for anything from 1 to 2 hours that leaves only 5 to 6 hours out of your day to be at home. Make those 6 hours work for you, have a plan for what you will do with those precious hours.

-Drink more water, water is essential to a healthy body, if you are thirsty and tired, water can be the answer. No other drink will do what water can do, no matter what it says on the label, oh and it's free.

-Get to bed early-We all need sleep, some more than others, I need at least 8 hours to function the next day. Routine is the key, try to get to bed at the same time every night. Make your bedroom a retreat, no TV or clutter, clean sheets and comfy pillows make all the difference to the quality of sleep you have. Oh and it's free.

-Make your bed everyday-Again it is a routine, it's a great habit to get into. In saying that, I don't actually make my whole bed up every day. During Summer, I smooth the bottom sheet, pull up the top sheet and quilt and then turn the covers back neatly to air the bed. I then put the pillows on the bed. It looks neat and the bed gets a good air all day.

-Menu plan-if there is one habit that will save you time and money, it is to start menu planning, take 15 to 30 minutes prior to going shopping and write an extensive list of firstly what you are going to cook every night, eat for breakfast and lunch and then what you need for those meals/recipes. It's not rocket science and it saves you having to think again for the whole week ahead, what's for dinner that night. Take an inventory of anything that need using up before it expires, love and respect the food you buy, don't waste a thing.

-Stay out of the shops-unless you actually need something, don't go to the shops, it's not a healthy form of recreation, you will always find something you "want" rather than "need".

-Write lists-need something done, write it down and tick it off when it's done, if it didn't get done today, transfer it to tomorrow or a day when you know you will have more time to get "it" done.

-Move your body everyday-walk, ride, run, dance around the house to your favourite music (I do it when no one is home), garden, clean your house, clean your car, walk the dogs, whatever it takes, just move your body every single day. The human body was built to move. You don't need to join a gym, all the activities listed above are free.

-Eat Breakfast-it kickstarts your day like nothing else can. It supplies fuel for your body and brain to work as efficiently as they can, it also stops you reaching for something you maybe shouldn't be having at morning tea.

-Pack a lunch and snacks everyday for when you are out or at work-you don't need a gourmet lunch every day, just something simple, packed from home. Don't forget your water and tea or coffee, it is usually better quality than the stuff supplied by a work place and it is much much cheaper than buying it every day.

-Trial home made cleaners-bicarb, vinegar, borax, washing soda and eucalyptus oil are all quite cheap to buy and are very effective cleaners for your home. There is a myriad of "recipes" on the web using these products to clean just about everything in and around your home.

Home Made Paste Cleaner

Miracle Spray-it is the very best all purpose cleaner I have ever used

Sparkling clean Silverware cleaned with Home Made Silver Cleaner

Home Made Glass Cleaner

-De clutter-have less=clean less=more time to do what makes you happy, simple

-Use less-most bought cleaners, household products and personal care products are very concentrated, use less than the recommended and see if the results are similar.

-Grow herbs-if you only grow one thing, grow some herbs, parsley, coriander, basil, mint, oregano and rocket all grow like weeds and once established will supply you with all you need for a lot of recipes

-Have less clothes and shoes in your wardrobe-do you have too many items of clothing that it takes you forever to decide what to wear, have less in your wardrobe to reduce this dilemma.

-Keep it simple, don't over complicate life, the simplest solution is usually the best in most situations.

-Have less stuff in your bag and wallet, de clutter this area of your life too, you will feel lighter just by doing this one thing and the important things you need will be easy to find.

-Simplify your beauty routine-It will save you money and time. Over the years I have used just about every brand of reasonably priced skin care on the market, I have looked after my skin and guess what? I still have wrinkles! For me, it was time to simplify. I now just use water and a washer to cleanse my face in the morning and a solid cleansing bar at night to remove my makeup. I spritz my face with rosewater (I buy rosewater concentrate from China Town and dilute it 1:9 with filtered water) and follow it with a moisturising bar, morning and night. I use a solid shampoo bar to wash my very short hair and coconut oil as both a conditioner and a styling product. I use a solid deodorant bar and any natural body moisturiser for the rest of my body. And last but not least I use a sunscreen when going out into the garden or onto the beach. I know some of these products may seem expensive but being a solid concentrated product they last and last. I have had the cleanser for well over a year now and the moisturiser lasts me about 6 months.

-Have a two light rule in your home at night, there is no need to have all the lights on at night, only illuminate the rooms where you are at the time.

-Have another rule of two minute showers, where we live water charges are eye waveringly expensive, it's highway robbery at its best, reduce the amount of water you use, not just because of the cost but because water is a finite resource.

-Refuse, Reduce, Re-use, Recycle and Rot-we are at peak stuff, now is the time to look at what we can do to help our precious Earth.

-Delay purchases, often when you want something, you want it NOW, if you wait a little, maybe do some more research you will find it for a better price or realise you didn't need it after all.

-Compost-I found a compost bin on Gumtree for $5 and it is working like a charm, all fruit and veggie scraps, cardboard and waste paper products, now go in the compost bin. I add to it, turn it and water it weekly and it is making magical compost

-Be kind to the environment-I now find I question every purchase and every bit of plastic that comes into our home, how can I do it better and what legacy will I leave? Once you start hearing your inner voice saying"there's got to be a better way," you will often make the effort to find one. I find being environmentally aware often leads to using and buying less.

-Hang the washing on the line-sunshine is free, and here in the Sunshine State, it happens nearly every single day and it's free.

-Make bread-give it a go, it's easier than you think, not only will you know exactly what is in the bread but it smells and tastes amazing.

-Buy clothes that don't need ironing-life is too short to spend it ironing in the heat.

-What do you think? What would you add or subtract, to/from this list, for the frugal and simple life you're living or want to live?

Have a lovely day, Dear Reader
🌏Fi

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