Look at this shipment I just received. What fun! I used some of Christmas money (thanks Gram) on Trade As One monthly shipments. Check out there website: www.tradeasone.com. The idea is to promote fair trade products. It allows third world products to be purchased with first world money. As you can see by the photo, the shipment includes a variety of items. This month’s shipment includes: eco bag made in India, honey from GloryBee, pearl quinoa, ground cinnamon, waffle mix, chamomile tea, and two photo cards. There was also a chocolate bar…sorry I ate it before the photo was taken :>. All Trade as One products are certified fair trade, meaning the farmers and laborers were paid a fair wage and the money actually benefits the people who produced the product. What a simple and easy way to impact the world! We all need to buy consumable products, why not use our dollars to help struggling people? Trade as One is a simply, savvy idea!
Reading Time at the Library – a free outing!
September 21, 2009 at 1:33 pm (Kids, Motherhood, Simple living)
As a stay-at-home-mom with a small part time job, funds are tight around my house. Most everyone I know is in the same boat – trying to simplify and save money. Have you visited you local library lately?
Where I live there are several library nearby, one within walking distance. We make storytime at the library a feature outing of our week. Now that my daughter is older, she gets to stay with the librarian without me. What a treat for her (and me)! For half an hour, the librarian reads a couple of picture books and sings some songs. At other times during the week, our library hosts baby “lapsit” storytime and a toddler storytime. Then, we head to children’s corner to check out some new books.
Check out some “mom” books too. Studies have shown that children are more prepared and become better readers when they see their parents read.
This outing can last at least an hour or two with travel time. It is educational, fun, and helps to instill the lifelong love of reading. A quick google search will help you find your county’s library system’s homepage. Remember the library is FREE!!!! Reading time at the library is a simply, savvy outing!
Make your own reusable bag out of a tee shirt!
September 15, 2009 at 5:02 pm (Simple living)
This is sooooo cute and quick – a simply, savvy idea. Take any old tee shirt. Sew a seam along the bottom edge. Do this a few times for strength. Cut off the sleeves and around the neck. The tops of the shoulders will be the top of the handles. See photos below. These tee shirt bags are surprisingly strong! Make lots of these reusable tee shirt bags and save some trees.

Clean out your closet challenge
September 11, 2009 at 2:32 pm (Organizing, Simple living)
Here is a great closet clean-out challenge. What clothes do you “really” wear? This challenge is a test to see what you really wear and what is always left hanging. After 6 months, it will be time to truly purge. Take all your hangers and hang them the wrong way on the rod – where the open part of the hook is facing you. You will have to reach under the pole to hang all your garments this way. When you wear a garment hang it back on the rod correctly. At the end of six months the clothes still hanging the wrong way have not been worn. Yikes! Those need to go. It is hard to part with clothes, especially ones that still have tags. You will feel so much better to have space in your closet. Remember your goal is to simplify your life.
Living simply, enjoy free concerts!
September 10, 2009 at 12:39 pm (Kids, Simple living)
Our family enjoys free concerts. We are blessed to live in an area where many communities sponsor free outdoor concerts. This is such a great way to expose your children (an yourself) to a variety of music styles and traditions. We have watched African musicians and dance troupes perform, enjoyed Tahitian dancers while listening to music of the Caribbean and heard some great zydeco.
This Saturday, September 12th at 6:30 pm the California Symphony is performing in Todos Santos Plaza in Concord, California. It is a time to pick up dinner at a nearby restaurant or bring a picnic. Spread your blanket and bring your chairs, enjoy the music. The kids can play while you savor the sounds. A way to savor the end of summer.
If you don’t live in the East Bay, do a google search. I am sure you will find something. Free concerts are a simply, savvy idea!
