Be Creative, Less Trips to the Store!

In my quest for a simple life, I've started only going to the store, once a week. We go to a store for food shopping that offers most other items we may need there as well. Every once in a while, I find I want or need something before my next trip. The great thing is now I have to get creative. What do I have at house, that I can use instead? Most often I find I have SOMETHING I can use and it works out really well. I’ve saved myself the trip, the time and the money. I’ve also found a purpose for another item not being used. I’m amazed at the creativity I find when this occurs. It’s rare that I can’t find something to fill that need. So here's the challenge - only go to the store once a week (or once every 2 weeks if you can!) and be creative for the things that come up in between!

Shopping with the Kids

Simplifying my life has for the most part saved me money. That was an added bonus....or maybe the two work together hand in hand. When I first started simplifying, my children were young and we were on one income. I decided to stay home and raise my children. I evolved to become a Work at Home Mom and a Home Manager!

When my children were really young, we did not go out a lot. I hear other Moms talk about taking the kids out shopping. Shopping really never "worked" for us, at least not on a regular basis. Every once in a while I would meet my Mom halfway with my baby or later with my kids. We'd have lunch and have an errand to run at a store afterwards. That's about it.

So staying out of the stores or malls has saved us money. If I'm not there, the kids can't ask for it and I can't spend any money. Tip I heard long ago, if you are trying to save money, stay out of the stores!

At this point in time, we go shopping once a week. We food shop and pick up any other things we may need at that same store. Is this saving me money? It is for me. It's saving me money and time; it's definitely simplifying things for me. I rarely comparison shop though now. So I may be losing money there. I think in the long run you have to look at what is best for you. Simplifying and saving time are priorities for me