Back to Basics and more challenge for homesteadmamma

[AspiringToBeFrugal]

I want to join this challenge as well. I think simplifying our lives will make my desire to become a SAHM after our baby is born closer to reality. And honestly, there is so much I/we can do on my/our own that could save us money, make us money or simply help us clear out some of the stuff we have packed into our tiny apartment.

Homesteadmamma--I definitely want to work on the "making one Christmas present a month" this year. I have so much scrapbooking stuff to use up and I have a small stash of yarn to use for knitting projects (I use the knifty knitter but am hoping to learn to knit using actual needles as well). I could DEFINITELY make one thing a month and have a nice stash of presents on-hand to curb our spending for Christmas.

This year I am also challenging myself to cook more at home rather than spending so much money eating out. I think we'll be healthier and it'll make eating out more of a special event rather than an everyday occurance. It'll also hopefully set a good example for our child to follow once he/she gets old enough to understand.

I have joined the "2009 Lose a Pound A Week Challenge" and I plan to meet my goal of losing 55 pounds this year by walking and riding my bike--the walking is absolutely free and I received the bike as a gift several years ago. Both are very basic and don't require me to spend much money for the fancies of a gym membership. I will probably lose 10 pounds or so right off the bat when I have the baby but I know those remaining pounds will take some work.

We also want to make a definite dent in paying off our debt--DH's student loan and car loan. I hope to put at least $5,000 toward the first so we can snowball the payments on the second.

Best of luck to everyone on getting back to the basics of their lives!

[homesteadmamma]

January 1st - a new year and new challenges, stretching ourselves and getting back to basics. It's not that we haven't been there, it's just that we tend to want things easy at times, by running to the store to pick something up when we can do with something at home.

Back to basics - we needed some shelving done in a cupboard upstairs. It's not a closet per se, however I think it might have been used for one long before we moved here. I want more shelving so that I can stockpile more. We had already done one in a small closet, yet I don't have enough room to put anything. I told dh what I wanted done. Out to his workshop, and within a matter of mins. he had brought some plywood in (it's not the best looking) and it's all ready to go. Didn't cost anything as the plywood is from a job he did years ago. I'll cover the plywood with some pretty wallpaper and viola I have more storage.

UFO's - after organizing and cleaning my sewing room, I found another 4 to add to my total. I do have 7 done though, so it's coming down slowly.

Walking - we did a bit of walking a couple days ago. Today is just too cold.

A couple days ago I was able to add to my pantry (all on sale):
-3 toothpaste
-2 deodarant

[AspiringToBeFrugal]

I belong to a book club, although I seldom order books. I like getting the list of new books though so I can go to the library and put a hold on a specific book. Gotta love those libraries.

I have on my reading list the following books to help me get back to basics:
~The Busy Mom's Guide to Simple Living by Jackie Wellwood (re-reading)
~Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, a book recommended by the ladies at www.homesteadgarden.com/forums
~Clean Sweep by Alison Haynes
~The Natural Soap book by Susan Miller Cavith
~The Soapmaker's Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch
~Better Homes & Gardens Biggest Book of Slow Cooker Recipes (I've had this book for a number of years and have only used it for one recipe - the bean recipe above)
~Frugal Luxuries by Tracey mcBride (re-reading, my all time favorite book in regards to frugality)

I had picked up a book at the library on making socks - however I couldn't make heads or tails out of the instructions. Instead I printed up a couple patterns for both socks and mitts from the internet, found at www.knitting-crochet.com , www.lindascraftique.com/free/tnsocks.htm and at www.knittingonthenet.com Both www.knitting-crochet.com and www.knittingonthenet.com have lots of free patterns. It cost me 50 cents to have them printed at the library, much cheaper than having purchasing knitting books which usually only have a few patterns that you'll use.

I COMPLETELY agree with you on the frugalness of libraries! I don't know what I'd do if we didn't have our local library. They have so many awesome resources! I am planning to check out some knitting books this year. And borrowing from the library means no money out of pocket to buy a book I've been wanting to read! I LOVE LIBRARIES!!!!!!

Thank you also for the list of books you plan to read. I will be looking for a couple of these at our local library as well!