By Eliza Cross, on March 27th, 2012%
 Photo by Chris Reed “Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand. Instead of a million, count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb-nail.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
What does financial simplicity mean to you? For me, it’s the feeling that we are in control of our money, rather than having our financial situation control us. It’s the peace that comes from living within our means. It’s a good night’s sleep, with a minimum of money worries.
Here are some of the ways we try to simplify the finances in our household:
- Specific, achievable goals for retirement, college, vacations and other large purchases.
- A minimum of bills, delivered and paid electronically to reduce paper.
- Bills paid on time. Because my income fluctuates as a writer, at the beginning of each month I make a list of bills, in order of the due date, and a monthly budget. This system has virtually eliminated late payments and fees.
- Money set aside regularly for annual bills like taxes and insurance. I have a special savings account to save for large annual expenses, and figure out how much to contribute each month so the big bills are usually covered.
- A neat, orderly system. Okay, I’m still working on better organization. But I do keep up with filing papers on a fairly consistent basis, and I’m moving on converting more paperwork to digital files and online billing.
- Meaningful sharing of our abundance with those less fortunate. Giving is a priority, and it gets budgeted along with our other expenses.
- Savings set aside each month and added to regularly. Savings is another line item on the budget.
- Discipline. At the end of each month I calculate our net worth, which is the only way I’ve found to truly stay honest about the state of our finances.
Have you found additional ways to simplify how you manage money? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Eliza Cross is a full-time writer and the author of five books about home design and food. She has been blogging about simplicity and sustainable living since 2006.
By Eliza Cross, on March 19th, 2011%
“What amazes me is that most days feel useless. I don’t seem to accomplish anything – just a few pages, most of which don’t seem very good. Yet, when I put all those wasted days together, I somehow end up with a book of which I’m very proud.” ~ Louis Sachar, author of more than 20 books
Why I Began Thinking About The Value of Small Steps
I recently decided to open a separate investment account to begin saving for our next car. I don’t plan to buy an automobile for many years, but I like the idea of having the money set aside so it’s there when the time comes.
For now I’ve been putting aside $25 a month, and I was a little discouraged when I reviewed the account statement recently and saw that the balance had reached just $175.00. “What’s the use?” that negative little voice in my head said. “At the rate you’re going, it’ll never amount to anything.”
“Not so fast, Kemosabe,” the positive little voice in my head said. “Stick with your plan.” Thank goodness the wise voice is the one I try to listen to. After all, I’ve lived and breathed the benefits of incremental acts and persistence, from writing books to saving money to paying off debt. You probably have, too.
After I told the negative voice to beat it, I made a list of some of the amazing things that can be accomplished with small steps, consistency and perseverance:
1. Learn a new skill. Got 15 minutes a day? You could learn how to speak a foreign language, play an instrument or Continue reading 15 Amazing Benefits of Small Steps, Consistency and Perseverance
Eliza Cross is a full-time writer and the author of five books about home design and food. She has been blogging about simplicity and sustainable living since 2006.
By Eliza Cross, on February 19th, 2011%
 Sunrise from our front porch, January 2011 As we continue to take steps to simplify life here at the urban homestead, I catch myself feeling increasingly satisfied about our choices. Author Duane Elgin describes simplicity as living in a way that is “outwardly simple and inwardly rich,” and I feel like we’re beginning to glimpse what he means. Here are some examples:
1. Less Debt Equals More Peace
Paying down and paying off debt is just a great feeling. With each payment the interest expenses get smaller, which frees up more money to save or accelerate the paydown. The debt snowball method is one popular and potentially useful method of independently paying off debt. Take a look at this article to see how it works.
The Bible describes debt as a millstone around your neck, and anyone who has ever been seriously in debt can no doubt relate to that analogy. Reducing debt and committing to save money puts you back in control of your finances instead of your finances controlling you, and debt-free living means a better night’s sleep and a whole lot less stress. We’re not completely debt free yet, but I can tell you that each payment we make feels mighty fine.
2. Healthy Eating is More Satisfying
Who doesn’t love good food? At our house, gradually reducing and eliminating processed foods and stocking more natural or organic ingredients has been relatively painless, and I find we’re enjoying our meals more because we’re eating fresh, healthy food. It might be my imagination, but I swear I can taste the preservatives and additives now when I eat something processed.
On the flip side, fresh wholesome food tastes great, nourishes the body with natural vitamins and minerals, and makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight. When you can find sources for local, seasonal produce it’s usually fresher than imported, and buying locally grown food supports independent producers and keeps money in communities. I never would have predicted this a few years ago, but now one of our favorite family outings is a trip to the farmers’ market to pick out fresh produce.
3. Less Stuff is Better Than More Stuff
“When we started getting rid of things, it was kind of addictive,” says Béa Johnson, whose family was profiled in Sunset magazine last month in one of my favorite articles of all time, The Zero Waste Home. “In a recession, people are inclined to keep things, but I feel the opposite. The less I have, the richer I feel. Stuff weighs you down.” Anyone who has ever cleaned out a home after a relative passed away, or despaired at the amount of Stuff in the garage can probably appreciate this statement.
I once heard an organizing expert say, “Why do people leave their $30,000 car out in the driveway because their garage is jammed with $1000 worth of Christmas ornaments and sports equipment?” We still have a long way to go and the process takes both commitment and consistency, but we are making progress in reducing stuff and clearing out clutter. Every inch of space we gain feels like breathing room, and I love it.
4. Sustainability Feels 100 Times Better Than Reckless Consumption
Making eco friendly choices just feels better all around. It begins in the morning, when I pour a cup of coffee and feel good about the fact that it’s organic, shade-grown and fair trade. I used to give the coffee mug a quick rinse with water before I filled it, because I was worried about chemical residue from the “spot-free” rinse we used. No more. We use non-toxic, biodegradable, hypo-allergenic dish soap in recyclable packaging, and it’s not only healthier for our family, I’m saving water by skipping the extra rinse. The sum of dozens of little sustainable choices — from using programmable thermostats and CFLs to using all-natural toothpaste and sleeping on organic cotton sheets — reduces our carbon imprint and creates a healthier environment for our family, and it just feels right.
5. A Simple Life Frees Up Time for the Things That Matter
According to the most recent research, having time matters more than money for most of us. I’m not claiming to have this all figured out, but I’ve noticed that setting my intention to live more fully in the moment has caused me to be more thoughtful about my priorities and how I spend my time. Art Buchwald said, “The best things in life aren’t things,” and I bet most of us would agree with that sentiment. So why is it sometimes so tempting to overspend on things like new electronics and automobiles and home furnishings, when we know deep down that those expensive choices may chain us to debt, long work hours, and less time for the things that really matter? I’m living proof of this paradox; when I worked a high pressure job I used to pine away for more time with my family, even as I spent money on status items like designer purses and luxury cars.
The good news is that a commitment to a simpler lifestyle provides a lens through which those decisions can be more carefully considered. I don’t spend my hard-earned money on Impressive Stuff any more, and the trade-off of increased time and flexibility is a gazillion times more valuable.
How about you: do you think simple living equals happy living? If you’ve been putting some of these ideals into practice, are you starting to enjoy the payoff? You know we’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences and comments.
Eliza Cross is a full-time writer and the author of five books about home design and food. She has been blogging about simplicity and sustainable living since 2006.
By Eliza Cross, on December 3rd, 2010%
Have you purchased your festive holiday snowman condiment spinner yet?
Throughout the holiday season, I’ll be posting amusing offerings of Holiday Stuff from retailers. Perhaps, like me, you’re trying to avoid buying any more Stuff this year. I understand firsthand the lure of buying Stuff to decorate the house for Christmas — since we had 16 bins of holiday-related Stuff stored in the garage. No more Stuff! I can say with confidence that we are NOT adding a snowman condiment set to the mix.
What are the most ridiculous holiday things you’ve seen for sale this year? How are you minimizing the emphasis on Stuff this holiday season? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Hugs,
Eliza Cross is a full-time writer and the author of five books about home design and food. She has been blogging about simplicity and sustainable living since 2006.
By Eliza Cross, on October 29th, 2010%
 Sparkly Halloween sign Earlier this week I wrote about the proliferation of Halloween-themed stuff in the stores. Here at the urban homestead we’ll put out our carved pumpkins and some cool green round squash that my sister grew, but all I have to do is watch one episode of Hoarders and I’m instantly cured of any desire to buy additional Halloween decorations.
Next month at Happy Simple Living I’ll be writing a series about simplifying the holidays, which is a theme that seems to resonate with many people. As part of that effort I’ll be posting some tongue-in-cheek “Holiday Must-Haves” showcasing the stuff of Christmas and Hanukkah. I had fun this week sneakily photographing some of the more unusual Halloween items available for shoppers. Have a look:
 Halloween driveway markers  Halloween rubber balls  Cuddle up with a fluffy Halloween blanket  Every home needs a fog machine!  Halloween baby socks  Halloween cupcake stand  Halloween bathrobe What’s the most unusual Halloween item you’ve encountered? I’d love to hear your comments.
Eliza Cross is a full-time writer and the author of five books about home design and food. She has been blogging about simplicity and sustainable living since 2006.
By Eliza Cross, on September 13th, 2010%
1. Clear your desktop. Software programs love to attach icons to our desktops, but who needs the clutter when programs can be easily accessed from the main menu? It’s funny, but I feel calm and peaceful every time I open my laptop and see just this beautiful ocean wallpaper. If you use Windows Vista, here’s how to deal with desktop icons. For other platforms, just google your software name and “remove desktop icons.”
2. Empty the change from your wallet or purse into a container every day. You might be pleasantly surprised at how small amounts add up over time. We’ve deposited our coins at the credit union for five years, and the account recently reached $500 – the minimum amount to buy a CD, so our ‘spare change’ now earns a higher rate of interest.
3. Cook a double batch of dinner, and freeze half. You’ll hardly expend any more more time or energy, and you’ll have a nice dinner all ready for a future busy night. For the best results, Taste of Home offers these tips for freezing foods.
4. Organize one shelf. If a journey begins with a single step, choose just one shelf or drawer to organize this week and enjoy the instant gratification of an uncluttered space. For real-life inspiration, check out Unclutter’s Workspace of the Week where readers share their tidied-up closets, drawers and offices.
 5. Start a gratitude journal. If you’re like me, you have a couple of unused journals lying around that were given as gifts. Grab one, or a notebook or even index cards and jot down whatever blessings come to mind. Focusing on the positive is a wonderful way to start and end the day, and keeps us mindful of the abundance we have.
6. Deal with 10 pieces of paper every day. Take a paper off the stack; act on it, file it or toss it. In a week, your paper stack will be 2 inches shorter. Keep up the habit for a month, and you’ll have 300 less papers lying around. Just don’t let any new papers wander in!
7. Take a walk. Refresh your mind, observe the world, and get some fresh air and exercise to boot. Take the dog along and you’ll both reap benefits!
What are your favorite free, easy ways to simplify? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
Eliza Cross is a full-time writer and the author of five books about home design and food. She has been blogging about simplicity and sustainable living since 2006.
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