-
16 Things You Just Don’t Need!
Urgh. The ‘stuff’ just creeps in, doesn’t it? With the best will in the world, there is always something – paperwork, till receipts, keepsakes of woodland walks, and if you have kids, pockets full of the weirdest things… I felt inspired to write this as I went to pay for an item at my local shop and struggled to find my wallet through all the junk that had accumulated in my bag: I’m talking hoarder level amounts of crap. Coupons, leaflets, snack wrappers, leaves, pebbles – I’ve taken…
-
Minimalism with Children
So, the idea of minimalism with children is on your mind. Maybe you are a card-carrying minimalist and you have just discovered that you are pregnant (congratulations!) or perhaps you are minimal-curious but have children already and aren’t sure it would be fair on your family. Either way, you are asking yourself: Is it even possible to be a minimalist if you have kids? Minimalism with children There is a common suggestion that minimalism and children are thoroughly incompatible, common schools of thought being either:…
-
Minimalism for Beginners – How to Live More with Less
If you are wondering whether living a minimalist lifestyle could benefit you and how to begin, then you have arrived at a very exciting point in your life. As an ex-hoarder and messy minimalist on the path to clutter-free nirvana, I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I know what I know – and I know that even stepping one foot on this path can be life-changing. Welcome friend, and let’s explore this strange new realm together: What is minimalism? Minimalism is a lifestyle that celebrates…
-
The Downsides of Small Space Family Living
Are you considering downsizing your family home in order to simplify your life or save money? If so, you probably have at least a few niggling questions – What is it really like to live in a small space with other people? What are the drawbacks? After all, it’s one thing to live in a small space if it’s just you, but quite another if you are sharing the space with others. Simon and I have done the opposite of most people and seem to have moved into…
-
Slow Living Experiment – One Month Without My Smartphone!
I think it’s fair to say that Slow Living is often confused with going without the technological trappings of the modern world. Some folks think of the concept of Slow Living and imagine an Amish like existence, with no gadgets, no devices, no modern conveniences at all. But this isn’t the case: Slow living is all about living intentionally, choosing to prioritise how you spend your time and allowing yourself to be truly present. As such I have always ascertained that technology can actually help you live a simpler…
-
Can You Become a Minimalist if You Are a Hoarder?
Man, oh man. If 10-years-ago-me could see me now…. Minimalism was NOT a word in my vocabulary! 10 years ago I was still very much a self-confessed hoarder. I just loved STUFF. I loved the chaos and the clutter and the dusty knick-knacks poked into all the nooks and crannies of the wonky cottage we lived in at the time. I held onto the most random of items, happy in the knowledge that I’d do something with them eventually. Always an art and craftsy type of gal,…
-
Minimalism and Frugality
Minimalism and frugality. I heard someone refer to the two terms interchangeably recently and it got me thinking… How similar are they? As someone who tries their best to be both minimal and frugal, I can see a strong overlap, but I have nevertheless also always felt them to be two different approaches. So let’s explore: Minimalism and frugality – Two sides of the same coin, or chalk and cheese? For me, the idea of minimalism is intrinsically linked with that of frugality. After all, those seeking to…
-
Budgeting like a boss!
So you’re ready. You’ve decided to give it a go and commit, really commit this time to mastering your money. You need a budget. Maybe you’ve mastered your fear of the word and come to terms with the idea of budgeting, if not check out “Why you hate budgeting and what you can do about it” For now, I’ll assume if you are here, you are ready to roll. So how can we ensure we make changes that stick? Find the budgeting system for you Recognising…
-
Why You Hate Budgeting (and what you can do about it!)
Budgeting. For some even the word makes them break out in a cold sweat. Maybe because they tried it and found it too restrictive, or it made them feel poor. Maybe because it’s just so… dull. For others, budgeting “doesn’t work”. So what to do? Firstly, I’m curious… What does the word ‘budgeting’ mean to you? Do you picture penny-pinching and going without? Do you envisage a miserly Scrooge-like character, sat in the dark, counting coins by candlelight? Or maybe dullsville spreadsheets and hours spent checking receipts?…
-
Small Shifts for Big Change
Well hey there! Indulge me a moment while I get personal… Things have been a little quieter over here at TLS HQ for the past month or so. I have been in the process of coming off of my anti-depressant and anxiety medication so I’ve been taking a little bit of a breather while I’ve been reducing my meds and processing all the feels. #funtimes As a result, I haven’t been posting as much as usual, but I’d like to take a moment to share (and expand upon)…
