"I just need to grab a few things at the store.."

Why do those infamous words always seem to turn into this?

A  stroller (double, no less) so full of groceries, I actually had to put a bag on Chad’s lap because the baskets underneath were overflowing. Those few things turned into, well.... a full-on week’s worth of groceries.

But I'm getting better. I swear.  Though, not sure Charlotte would agree. “Mom, you always say you need a couple things and then we’re here forever!” In a very dramatic 6 year old voice, of course, when 45 minutes is suddenly forever. But seriously, I am trying to live a little cleaner, a little more simply and a little more frugally.   I want to waste less. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve thrown out uneaten cold-cuts and expired yogurt. You’ll notice my fridge is emptier, and the pantry is bearer. I’ve been shopping more in the periphery of the store, rather than the aisles. (yes Dr. Oz, I've been paying attention) I’ve been saying “No” a little more to all the excess stuff we really don’t need…another box of granola bars when we already have 2 at home, princess soup that might sit in the cabinet 'til someone is sick, M&M’s on the way out when they’ve already been snacking on Goldfish in the store.

Even though those things are only a couple of dollars each, you’d be surprised how much that adds up each week, each month, each year. Believe me, I was. Until I really looked at the receipts. “How did I spend 78 dollars, when I just came in for milk?” Well, that’s how. And don’t even get me started on Target. I was hard pressed to leave there without spending $100. Terrible, I know. My solution? I just stopped going. Same thing with Marshalls. I ran in the other day to grab some tights (it’s still a little chilly here in the northeast, needed them for work) and within 3 minutes of entering the store I had a maxi-dress in my hand and was eyeing up a Michael Kors purse. I just put everything back, and left. Even though the dress was only 17.99, I definitely didn’t “need” it. 

It was sort of like this, only stripes. Cute, right? If I'm still thinking about it in a week, I might go back for it. I learned that trick from Oprah.

So I’m starting the simplifying process in the kitchen, and in my closet. But I’m hoping to expand to the basement. The garage. The attic. Places where we seems to collect things we don’t know what to do with. There is sooo much stuff we never use; some we haven’t touched in the almost 9 years we’ve lived in our house. Which reminds me of an email I just got from one of my best friends Nancy. She and her hubby live in Colorado, and are also trying simplify and save money. They’ve been selling a TON of stuff, and clearing out the clutter.

“We really got into it because we want more time and money to live our life the way we want to. Stuff takes time to take care of and money to upkeep and ultimately, what do we do with it? We could better spend our cash paying off debt, traveling, and spending time with people we care about.”

Thanks Nanc, that’s some really good perspective. I couldn't agree with you more.

Now-here’s where it gets a little extreme. She even proposed living in this:

I think my kids playhouse is bigger than this!

It's called a Tumbleweed House. Have you guys heard of this!? Nancy saw it in the Denver Post, and my hubby said he saw it recently on 60 Minutes. Not sure it’s for me, ok, I KNOW it’s not for me, but it’s worth a read.

www.tumbleweedhouses.com

I’m not sure how seriously she’s considering this, but the fact that’s she’s even considering it at all is enough to inspire me to sell stuff, donate stuff, free myself of the clutter. It all sounds so liberating!

So yes, my stroller was full this week…but it was really full of some good healthy foods. Including spaghetti squash, which is the main reason we went to the store in the first place. Stay tuned for a Pinterest Review on that coming up soon. I already know the title. “Spaghetti squash, where have you been all my life?” Seriously. It is one amazing vegetable.