My first blog!

OK, so I'm new to this whole blogging thing but after reading so many I thought, "why not?!" So, here I am writing about my journey to simplicity. By simplicity I mean frugality and simple living. One would think that they go hand in hand but I've discovered that is not always the case. For instance, for the most part my family eats organic food. This is not very frugal for my bank account. That being said it is rather frugral in the grand scheme of things. I guess I'm seeking balance in my journey to simplicity. I have decided to set some goals for 2008 to help us keep moving to a simpler life:

1. Clean out the basement! This will keep us moving because I will be able to reuse or recycle just about everything down there that we never use (some of it is still in boxes after our move 4 years ago!). Less stuff down there will enable us to work on finishing the space as well as relieve our stress of knowing it is all down there. The bonus for us is that we can donate to worthwhile organizations that will be able to reuse and recycle our perfectly good excess :)

2. Finances. I have created a working budget for this year. My goal is to stick to it thereby creating less need for spending. How? By staying organized and knowing what we have on hand. This will keep us from spending needlessly and bringing more "stuff" into the house.

3. Recycle more and reduce trash. I am on a mission to reduce our trash and increase our recycling. Part of this step is to start a compost bin (my dh will LOVE that one, NOT!).

4. Make the switch to cloth napkins. I made the switch to rags for everything in the kitchen (much to my dh's horror) and I love it! We hardly ever use paper towels now. By the end of the year I want to make the switch to cloth napkins and never go back to disposables.

5. Cook more from scratch. I think this one is fairly self-explanatory.

Looking at my goals, they seem simple enough. I realize I'm an infant on this journey compared to so many who are already living simply. I am on the right road and know that I am making a difference. Oh and just to toot my own horn for a moment... I have reusable cloth shopping bags on the way :) I found a great deal on 5 Chico bags and I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival. I don't sew so this was the best option for me (maybe I should take some sewing classes?!).