Over the past year, I received two remarkable gestures from two Internet heroes. While I’ve certainly thought about their actions, I haven’t quite been able to find the words to tell the stories. I’m still not sure I have those words. But I want to share their gestures now for two reasons. I want to … [Read more…]
My default setting is programmed to shop. It’s truly an instinct and impulse. I spend a lot of time guarding against it, but I want to acknowledge something very important. Critical even. I. Buy. Things. It doesn’t get said enough. Not like that anyway. No, I don’t mean the excessive line spacing, either. Whenever people … [Read more…]
“But what’s the point of not really buying anything all the time if we don’t do this?” A comment my husband made while we were mapping out our summer plans stopped me in my tracks. Once again, I forgot the why of frugality. We were knee deep in the middle of ideas–literally. Our dining room … [Read more…]
You’re probably thinking you’re reading about the money moves that I’m planning to make this summer because I’ve gotten so good at goal setting and consistent check-ins. Or maybe you’re thinking it’s because I’m so pumped about finding ways to simplify my finances while boosting my income and living more purposefully. Or maybe you know … [Read more…]
You can always make more money, but what you can’t get more of is time. This statement is both profoundly true everywhere and logistically false in education. The idea that any teacher can simply work hard to earn more income shows little understanding of a profession that is governed by salary schedules, lane changes, and … [Read more…]
Drum roll, please. We…did not pay off our mortgage. But you already knew that for two reasons. My Twitter feed hasn’t been nonstop GIFs and this blog post is coherent (at least somewhat). I solemnly swear that the day we pay off our mortgage there will be so much celebrating in real life and online … [Read more…]
There’s no such thing as stupid questions. But I’m pretty sure I’m about to ask one. When should I pay off my mortgage? We’ve been homeowners for a while now. In fact, we were just awkwardly introducing ourselves to new neighbors down the street (I later found part of a stick in my hair, don’t … [Read more…]
Not every money win has to a huge one to matter. Last month, I focused a sizable win. We have enough in savings to wipe out our mortgage. That’s H-U-G-E. But this month? I’m actually equally excited by something that only adds up to maybe $20 or $30 a month. I am officially Diet Coke … [Read more…]
A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. A minimalist by any other name would still have less stuff. Right? I try to not get caught up in labels on this blog. In fact, it’s probably one of the many fundamental flaws in my overall blogging strategy. It flies in the face … [Read more…]
I am not done decluttering. I may never be. I am most assuredly not a decluttering expert. But I do know this about decluttering: it happens in waves. And we don’t talk about that nearly enough. It’s almost impossible for me–and I suspect for most people–to declutter an entire home in one fell swoop. Whatever criteria … [Read more…]