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Easy Times, January 1, 2024

Sunshine on a snowy tree branch.

Happy January and happy 2024, friend!

The beginning of a new year always feels significant — a fresh start, a clean slate, and an opportunity to consider priorities and set intentions.

My new year’s goals seem to often center around trying new things, like these plans for 2024:

  • Learn how to use my new camera
  • Try playing pickleball
  • Set up an Etsy store
  • Build stronger muscles
  • Take a watercolor class

After the holidays, I am always interested in saving money and getting back on track financially. You’ll find some resources below to help if you feel the same way.

How about you?

Do you make new year resolutions? I’d love to hear about your plans, so drop a comment below.

Thanks for being here, and I hope your 2024 is filled with joy, laughter, blessings, prosperity and good health.

Until next month,

Eliza Cross


Your Exclusive Invitation: Join the Simple Life, Happy Home Group

A Christmas cactus, fireplace, and bowl of soup.

New for 2024, we’ve created a special Facebook group “Simple Life, Happy Home.”

This community is a private group for members to share favorite recipes, gardening tips, simple living ideas, money saving strategies, home photos, pets, and more. Please join us!


Why Investing in a $3 Notebook Might Help You Have Your Best Year Ever

A bright green spiral notebook for writing about positive change.

Unlike a fancy journal, the beautiful thing about an inexpensive spiral notebook is that you can scribble notes, tear out pages, capture quick ideas, write your most outlandish dreams, and not worry about perfection.

Each year at this time, I invest in a $3 notebook and write the year on the front cover. These are some of the things I write in my cheap notebook, and the possibilities are endless.

What great plans, goals, and dreams will you plot for the coming year?


8 Ways to Go On a Money Diet this Month

A woman in a yellow sweater holding a pink piggy bank.

If you’ve been reading this blog for a long time, you may remember the January Money Diet we used to do every year. (If you’re curious, here’s more information.)

Do you need to hunker down and save some money this month like I do? Here are 8 tips for saving on a money diet.

We’ll also be featuring money saving tips throughout January in the Facebook group.


Easy Recipe: Creamy Corn Chowder

A ceramic bowl with old fashioned corn chowder with bacon, and a bagel on the plate.

Need a simple dinner idea for a chilly night? Soup is the ultimate comfort food meal, and I make it often during the winter months.

This Old Fashioned Corn Chowder with Bacon is one of our favorites, and it’s so rich and flavorful. The recipe calls for a splash of beer, but you can easily substitute broth for a family-friendly version.


7 Free Ways to Simplify Your Life this Week

A mother and daughter walking a dog.

If you’re longing for a simpler January after a busy holiday season, these simple steps can help you simplify your life this week. Best of all, they’re free to implement!


More Simple Living Ideas on Pinterest

I’d love to connect with you over at Pinterest, where we have dozens of boards with thousands of recipes and ideas to make your life easier!

Cranberry sauce, cookies, landscapes and coffee.

About Eliza Cross

Eliza Cross is the author of 17 books, including Small Bites and 101 Things To Do With Bacon. She shares ideas to simplify cooking, gardening, time and money. She is also the owner of Cross Media, Inc. and founder of the BENSA Bacon Lovers Society.

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