I love to read. If I could find the time to curl up with one good book after another, sipping green tea under my ragged quilt, forever and ever, I would.
Back to reality…but despite my busy life as mom to 9, I constantly strive to feed my soul and mind with good books. You will rarely find me without a book in my purse, or on the front seat of my van. Waiting to pick up a child, being held up in traffic or the anticipation of an unfilled prescription are welcomed delays that allow me to grab my book and savor a few pages.
My family doctor turned me on to Matthew Kelly books and I’ve been gobbling them up! “The Rhythm of Life” is in my hands frequently, and while I would love to do a full-blown review of this book, I will try to resist and just pull out the point I am leading to. Throughout the book, Kelly refers to becoming ‘the best version of yourself’. This applies to so much of life, but it got me thinking about how to become ‘the best version of my money-saving self’.
What kinds of money-saving methods do I find enjoyable? What others do I find a real drag? I think this is a legitimate question as we strive to be the best stewards of God’s money that we can be. I will experience more longevity and be able to both demonstrate and model these habits to my children.
I tend to be more of a minimalist than a frugalist. In other words, I will try to look for a way to do without an item rather than look for ways to buy it cheaper.
Minimalist Homekeeping
*Detergent is a big one for me….I would much rather make my own laundry detergent, with 3 simple ingredients, that yields 10 gallons for $3 than to cut coupons and look for sales for this particular item.
*Shampoos/conditioners/deoderants/dish soaps – These all fall in the category for me. Rather than look for coupons for name brands, I have found a couple of brands that are generally cheaper overall and stick with them. For example, we use V05 shampoos, usually about .78 cents, sometimes on sale for .66 cents. I remain unconvinced, after many years of coloring my hair, that I need any special shampoo. I can hear my daughter screaming from Spain about now, but I’m sorry my dear, any effect you see from that expensive stuff you buy is just placebo. Love ya!!
Minimalist Decorating
*You will find absolutely NO knick-knacks in my house. Knick-knacks are cool for some, frankly, they get on my nerves and require cleaning. I prefer a clean, streamlined approach with fewer, quality pieces that will last for many years. I would rather update with a few pillows or a new lamp, when necessary.
*You may remember my art post when we were just moving in. I have just a few pieces of good quality, meaningful art. Paint is another good way to create effect without lots of hassle.
Minimalist Cooking
*Broken record here, but again a few good choices of meat, fruits and vegetables make a lot of hearty, satisfying meals for my fam. Widespread meal variety isn’t required at the Morristribe.
*Cookware is another area where women get hung up, especially storage stuff. I have a minimal amount of stainless-steel cookware, a half-dozen or so casserole dishes and a handful of storage pieces. for the most part, no more is necessary. I can’t stand the feeling of looking for a bowl or pan and having to rummage through stacks and stacks of inventory. I know exactly what I need to cook for my tribe, when it’s used up, I’ll replace it. Otherwise, less is more.
*Minimal cookbooks: When I feel that I have found all the recipes I will use from any given cookbook, I make copies and pass the cookbook along. Then, if the recipes meet the approval of the Tribe, they make it into my personal, 3-ring cookbook. No clutter!
Minimalist Wardrobe
*I have very few clothes and I like it that way. I have a decent selection of colored t-shirts and capris for summer, some for ‘around the house’, others for ‘out of the house’, but that’s about it. Minimal PJ’s, yet a handful of bathing suit separates, since we spend so much time there. I also have shoes for ‘out’ and shoes for ‘home’, which is really just 5 pairs of ratty flip-flops and 5 pairs that aren’t so ratty. LOL!
*Jewelry? Well, once again, I have a few, good quality pieces that I wear often. I don’t have a lot of patience for millions of earrings, etc, although I do have a few ‘fancier’ pair for when the occasion calls.
*Hair- I wear a short bob that requires only to be blown dry in the morning and ‘nuked’ with bleach every 6 weeks. I generally don’t touch my hair again, other than to tuck it behind my ears, until I wash it the next day. A simple style for what my hair does best….hang totally straight.
Which describes you best, minimalist or frugalist?? Do you enjoy the hunt of a good deal or would you rather live without it?
Share this by hitting Google +1 and Facebook!
PDF 
About kmorris
I am a minimalist I have never heard of that term before but that is me. I knew there was a reason I liked your blog.
Hey Sue, great to hear from you and thank you!
I love this blog, I always knew I was very simple, and You just described my life entirely. People wonder whether I’m happy, and they can’t believe that I really feel happy with having less. My husband sometimes doesn’t feel exactly like I do, which is the hard part, but for the most part he is similiar to me. I can care less if I have lots of clothes. I do love quality, not quantity. And your post got it perfect for me. !!! thanks. I’m 25 years old, with one 3 year old, an Aussie.
Hey Laura, thanks for your thoughts, great to hear from you!
Sure looks like I fit into the minimalist category, too. I do have a few knick-knacks, mostly ones that were my mothers or grand-mothers before they passed away. They are cherished. I also have some things I have made, they are special, too. I used to have LOTS of knick-knacks, but as I have gotten older, I found that many of them I had “outgrown” and they went into donation boxes. I do have to admit I am a sucker for cookbooks. Your idea of copying your favorites and putting into *your own* cookbook is a great idea, though, and reduces the need for space for dozens of individual cookbooks. I make my own laundry detergent, too. For the first time, we can use it without our clothes turning gray. In previous houses, it just didn’t work well with our extremely hard, limey Texas Panhandle water. Now, at our own little farm, our well is extremely deep, and the water is fabulous. I stick to only 2 dishwashing liquids, Mrs Meyers and Dawn. They are just the best two I have found for grease cutting, and since we don’t have a automatic dishwasher, that is the most important job of a liquid for me. Shampoo…I’m a brand girl, there, too. Pantene 2 in 1, though I cringe when I look at the ingredient list. I’ve used it for years. I do switch out sometimes and use my homemade bar soap for shampoo and ACV for rinse. Love it! I just get lazy sometimes and grab the shampoo bottle.
Love your blog!!! Come visit me, too!
I forgot clothes. I LOATHE clothes. If I could live in shorts or sweats and a t-shirt all my life, I would. My hubby, on the other hand….has always had 4-5 times as many clothes as I. Even though he can only wear 1 shirt and 1 pants at a time, he refuses to thin out
Our kids follow my footsteps here, thank God.
Amy,
LOL!
Amy,
I always enjoy hearing from you! I think I’m going to hop over to your blog right now!
Love this post! Something I hadn’t thought much about- frugality vs. minimalism. I think I totally agree with most everything you wrote, and I do almost the exact same thing with my recipes. I need desperately to work on getting rid of knick knacks though! Hubby’s a sucker for souvenir shops when we travel and we have a lot. I love a good deal as much as anyone else, but increasingly I don’t particularly enjoy the time required to find it.
Amanda,
Thanks for commenting. With regards to your husband, sometimes giving the “collector” in our lives a place to put all of their stuff helps, like his own shelf somewhere?? Just a thought. Take care!
I’d have to say I’m a combination of both. I do have very few clothes, no knick-knacks and believe in homemade meals with minimal ingredients. I don’t like shopping, but when I have to buy something, I get it at a discount and rarely pay full price for anything. We are of like minds, I’d say! Thanks for the book title. I’ll be checking that out soon!
Hey Daisy,
Great to hear from you! Most of us are somewhere in the middle, the post just defined the difference in mindset. Take care!
Loved this but two things stopped me cold: God’s money and LOL.
Lisa,
I always appreciate when you take the time to comment!
Great Post! I am in your side of the fence. I prefer to do without it than clipping coupons. A few pieces of clothes that I can mix and match. And the new kitchen gadgets do not impress me. A few pots, a good knife and cutting board is what a good cook needs. Of course I have a Kitchen Aid mixer that actually get used but for me less is way more.
Mely
Mely,
Thank you for commenting, yes, less is more.
I am trying to become more minimal and frugal. It’s baby steps for me. I did make my own laundry detergent (your recipe) and am loving it. I still use fabric softener. I honestly wouldn’t know where to start thinning things out in our home. While I don’t feel attached to things, what if I needed it in the future? I don’t want to give away something I might have to eventually buy again (even if it’s seldom used). There is too much clutter in my house, but I honestly haven’t the faintest idea where to start. I admire those who have strategies for being frugal and minimalistic. Please continue to post about these topics. I find them interesting, encouraging, and thoughtful.