A Simpler Time

Times are tough. They have been for a long time. Husbands are still losing jobs. Mothers are having to work part-time. It is more expensive to eat, to drive, to just live. People are losing hope.

Is there a way out of such a mess?

Yes, and it is not to spend our way out as some would like us to believe. The way out is to take inspiration from the past, from a simpler time. In order to move forward we must go back.

Back to a time of homegrown homemade meals, gently used clothing, line dried linens, walks around the block, front porch chats with neighbors, children catching fireflies, fixing things ourselves, and providing for our families ourselves.

Many websites, blogs, and books abound that can teach us these forgotten arts. Read them. Enjoy them. Take that knowledge and apply it to your own life. You and your family will be much happier for it.

Learning from the past will help us all to improve our lives. Give us hope through these tough times, and help us all succeed in our journey through life.

A Plan to Stay Sane

In "Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half - with - America's Cheapest Family" the authors, Steve and Annette Economides, share a fantastic tip on menu planning. Annette will plan the menu based on their family's schedule. Genius, right? Let me say that again. Plan your meals based on your families schedule. When sitting down to create your meal plan pull out your calender. Jot down each day's activities, then plan meals around that. If daughter has soccer Monday nights and son has karate on Tuesday's have quick easy meals planned. Evenings without any outside activities can be reserved for a more elaborate meal. Being prepared is simple and this kind of planning will keep you out of the drive-thru and money in your pocket.

In The Beginning.....

Consider the average American worker. The alarm rings at 6:45 and our working man or women is up and running. Shower. Dress In the professional uniform - suits or dresses for some, coveralls for others, whites for the medical professionals, jeans and flannel shirts for the construction workers. Breakfast, if there's time. Grab commuter mug and briefcase (or lunchbox) and hop in the car for the daily punishment called rush hour. On the job from nine to five. Deal with the boss. Deal with the coworker sent by the devil to rub you the wrong way. Deal with suppliers. Deal with clients/customers/patients. Act busy. Hide mistakes. Smile when handed impossible deadlines. Give a sigh of relief when the ax known as "restructuring" or "downsizing" - or just plain getting laid off - falls on others heads. Shoulder the added workload. Watch the clock. Argue with your conscience but agree with the boss. Smile again. Five o'clock. Back in the car and onto the freeway for the evening commute. Home. Act human with mates, kids or roommates. Eat. Watch TV. Bed. Eight hours of blessed oblivion.

 Your Money or Your Life - Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin 

Even though this excerpt was written over twenty years ago the words are just as relevant today as they were then. There has got to be a better way. A middle ground. We all have bills to pay and a family to feed but do we really need to sacrifice most of our waking hours to do it? I think not. There is a way to jump off the treadmill. We do not have to work to live. There is a happy medium. Join me in this journey to find a balance between paid employment and our lives. Read on for ideas, resources, and inspiration on how to enjoy a life of more then the nine to five grind.