1-When giving a gift, give something homemade. It is so much more personal and it is much nicer on your wallet. (Plus, you don't have to fight crowds or decide what to buy under budget)
2-Plant a garden. Simple.
3-Save the seeds from your garden to plant next year. (will save you $$$)
4-Start canning. What an easy way to be green, organic, healthy, and natural!
5-Give haircuts at home!
6-Don't get expensive nail and hair appointments. Relax, save money, and do it all at home. Make it a night for yourself. Try a bubble bath, natural homemade body scrub/mask etc, nails, hair, whatever! Treat yourself at home and save money!
7-Don't give in to the trendy new nail polishes. Keep only a few colors that are always in style, you can even get them in a brand that is Eco-friendly!
8-Don't do cable, do Netflix.
9-Share natural or organic shampoos and soaps! (If you share, you won't end up with a bathroom piled with unused products that are expensive!)
10-Cut back on cologne/perfume use. It can contribute to air pollution in your home.
11-Use homemade laundry detergent. Skip softener and dryer sheets, they are really unnecessary and they are very expensive. Some homemade soaps will be gentle enough to leave out the others anyways!
12-Air dry your clothes whenever possible. This will save your dryer and electricity!
13-Shop at Goodwill. Have you seen the great finds that people get?! Try it!
14-Pack your lunch.
15-Do devotions (both of you). Time given to God is not time wasted.
16-Use coupons, but make sure to only buy what you need. A good deal is not a good deal if you will never use it.
17-Learn to drink your coffee black. This will cut back on sugar that you take in and will save money at the grocery store.
18-Pay your bills online. Saves you stamps and paper.
19-Don't have credit cards.
20-Don't pay full price on decorations! Make some, find some, trade some.
21-Take your own bags to the grocery store. Some stores will pay you to bring your own bag(!)
22-Buy in bulk. But only if you will use it all.
23-Have garage/yard sales.
24-Keep your thermostat at a reasonable temperature.
25-Use your fireplace or wood stove.
26-Don't subscribe to a lot of magazines, especially if you don't read them.
27-Limit your memberships.
28-Don't use medicine for every ache and pain. Use natural pain reliever: heat, food, water, exercise, etc.
29-Eat simple. Spaghetti, rice, veggies.
30-DIY your heart out. If you can make it, you can save money.
31-Get books from the library, don't pay full price on a book that you might read once and throw in a corner!
32-Don't use a car wash. Get out in the sunshine and clean your car!
33-Instead of going to an amusement park or bowling, go on a hike or bike ride. It is free, and it gives you more one-on-one time with your best friend.
34-Go to garage sales instead of the mall.
35-Spend the night in the guest room.
36-Don't have a land line unless you have to.
37-Don't worry about getting the newest phone out there. Just use something simple.
38-Compost!
39-Recycle.
40-Ask for practical gifts. Take the opportunity to get that rug that you have been looking at!
41-Only buy groceries for what you know that you are planning to make.
42-Have and use a rain barrel.
43-Buy local.
44-Return things unwanted or unused.
45-Take advantage of hand-me-downs.
46-Shop on craigslist.
47-Go to hole-in-the-wall places for small trinkets.
48-Don't spend money on an expensive splurge, or weird paint color that you might not like.
49-Avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor.
50-Stay organized! Keep track of your bills, expenses, receipts, etc.
51-Use glass containers for food storage. Plastic is really bad for you.
52-"Mop" with a steam cleaner. Don't use the chemical cleaners.
53-Take old clothes to a shop that will pay you for them!
54-Re-make your clothes or save the fabric for something else.
55-Wash your clothes in cold water.
Whew! We made it. 55 things that will simplify your life.
Enjoy!
xoxo- M
