I think I did a little better this week. Remember, I'm using October as my "control group" month so I can see how much I typically spend. Then I'll do some cut-backs. I have found myself avoiding purchases because I didn't want to have to confess them at the end of the week... but as … Continue reading October spending: Week two
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Green minimalism
Till now man has been up against Nature; from now on he will be up against his own nature. ~Dennis Gabor, Inventing the Future, 1964 Our culture is one of consumption and wanting and never having enough. As minimalists, we reduce wholeheartedly, ridding ourselves of the excess in our lives and striving to live simply, without … Continue reading Green minimalism
October spending: Week one
I have a confession to make. I don't really stick to a budget. I pay all my bills and still have money leftover for nonessentials like going out, and I save over 10% of my income each week, so I usually assume I'm doing okay. I have tracked my expenses for one week. I am … Continue reading October spending: Week one
Tiny purses
I mentioned before, in No chihuahuas in my purse, that I was going to try out a little bag instead of carrying around a huge messenger bag as a purse. I absolutely adore my Ameribag Baglett, which is relatively tiny (a checkbook fits in it but that's about as long an object as it will accommodate) … Continue reading Tiny purses
Some thoughts on food
As we minimize the clutter in our spaces and minds, shouldn't we also minimize the clutter in our food? I'm pretty much over eating anything I can't pronounce. I had heard about these "GMOs" that have had people up in arms in recent months and years, but only recently have I done more digging and … Continue reading Some thoughts on food
Big announcement!
This is my sister. She's in Spain. I wrote about what she packed for her semester abroad here. I am pleased to announce that I will be joining her, for five-ish days, later this fall. In Spain. Way to break in my passport, eh? My mother (who will eventually get her own tag on this … Continue reading Big announcement!
On quitting
The Minimalists' first book of essays was free for Kindle recently and I downloaded it and read the whole thing over a weekend. It's a quick read. Most of the essays contained within are available from their website but the book also features two unpublished ones, which are fantastic. The stories of these two guys … Continue reading On quitting
The clutter of broken promises
This post is inspired by a recent post on Miss Minimalist. In her post, she describes a baby swing that she purchased because it promised to make her fussy baby nap. Though she is a die-hard "minsumerist," she wasted no time parting with her money to buy this swing, this promise of peace while her … Continue reading The clutter of broken promises
Minimalist inbox
I mentioned before that I have eliminated clutter from my email inboxes. Here is the four-step program for quitting email clutter: Delete unneeded emails Unsubscribe from emails you don't read Organize kept emails with labels or folders Develop a system for dealing with incoming emails I used to have thousands and thousands of emails in … Continue reading Minimalist inbox
Minimalist jewelry box
Is your jewelry box overstuffed? Jewelry can be hard to minimize, because it really doesn't take up all that much space and it often has sentimental memories attached or may cause you feelings of guilt when you consider relocating it from your life. Wedding rings, inherited jewelry, gifts from current or past partners, gifts from … Continue reading Minimalist jewelry box
Born Again Minimalist 