Category: Uncategorized
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Location, Location, Location
When people ask about my hometown, I always say, “I grew up in the forest.” It’s the truth- I could only see my neighbors in the winter when the deciduous trees were bare. In the summer, I would walk a few miles to and from a local lake to go swimming. In the winter, I’d…
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A Reset
It’s been a while since I posted and I wanted to give you an update. The original plan was to go back to Asia in autumn, but we decided to stay home to work more (both for money, but also on our home). In December, I’d declared I needed a break and so, using airline…
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New Year, New You?
I no longer get into the hype of New Year’s resolutions. So many times I’ve resolved to eat healthier, exercise more, and worry less. While these are all lofty goals, they aren’t concrete. What does “eat healthier” mean? Is it giving up sugar? Eating more broccoli? Could it be eating mindfully- chewing slowly and enjoying…
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Pantry Meals
Since moving to a rural area, I’ve noticed a marked difference in dinner and meal planning. Just a year ago, I was able to “run” to the store to pick up a loaf of crusty bread or to pick up a forgotten item. With prices at the local little store sky high and the nearest…
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Soy in My Eggs?!
There’s soy in my eggs. Yours, too, most likely. I was surprised a few years ago when I realized that one of my favorite teas from Trader Joe’s listed soy as an ingredient. In an herbal tea. Where soy has no place. Soy contributes to my migraines, so I have become careful about reading labels…
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Mindful Consumption
We’ve come a long way from the days of using things up. When was the last time you mended socks? I never have. I am frugal when it comes to spending to begin with and will wear things for years and years. But I am not a fan of mending holes or wearing things with…
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Food Frugality
I tried to get on the coupon craze years ago. I remember seeing people on the news who would pay a fractional amount for their groceries. I attempted to coupon- searching the circulars for the best price, tracking prices on my regular purchases, making a list keeping coupons in mind and driving to several stores…
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Small Town Christmas Celebration
Last night I went to my rural town’s Christmas tree lighting. It’s the type of event I loved as a child and one that I thought was too small town as a teen. In 2019, I celebrated Christmas in Vietnam, where it was warm and raining and only the big touristy hotels had Christmas trees.…
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How to Avoid Putting Christmas on a Credit Card
Several years ago, I was searching for the cheapest flights to visit my family for the holidays. We all lived in different states and the time. which meant that the majority of us had to pay for travel. Then presents. Speaking with a co-worker, she said that she felt compelled to buy presents for her…