clean out.

As we begin this journey, it begins to be overwhelming. There is so much one can do, but I want to start by taking small steps, completing those goals (the feeling of accomplishment is great fuel for continuing). I don't want this to be just one of those ideas we came up with but never did anything with it.

My first goal is to get rid of a lot of unused stuff in our basement. I am so overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we have accumulated since getting married two years ago! As a newly married couple, we have the "well what if we need it one day" mentality. My mom always said if you haven't used it in six months, then you don't need it. I think this is pretty true (unless it is seasonal like Christmas decor or outside furniture) I was not going to take pictures of our basement. I am actually embarrassed by how much stuff we have stored down there. BUT if I don't take pictures, I will not be as accountable. Please do not turn me into the show hoarders (haha).

Questions for this Project.

1. What are some great local places to donate to?

2. How much stuff should I keep for, if there is another baby?

3. Any advice for filling documents?

4. What are some places like Craigslist that I can sell some stuff?

Need vs. Want

This is the ongoing battle. Today we use the word "need" for things we really don't need. We want a lot of stuff. We feel that we have to have everything. One goal I have is realizing what we can actually live without. Dave Ramsey has a quote "Live like no one else, so one day you can live like no one else!" Today, we have the mentality to get everything NOW. My husband and I were married two years ago today. (YAY!) As a newly married couple, there is the pressure to have everything that our parents have worked many years for. Most of the people our age already have better houses than my parents...you ask them how they are paying for it...and they really don't know. I don't want to live in the stress of how am I going to pay for the TV, cars, chairs, video games, trips, etc. that are maxing out all the credit cards possible. I don't think it is suppose to be that way. I don't think God wanted it to be that way. "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverbs 22:7 Money is considered to be the top stressor in America. I don't want to add more stress to just everyday life...so I'm trying to change the mindset my family has. Rethink what is important. Get back to the basics. Think about our financial plans for the future. Learn what I can live without. Spend more time with my child instead of just buying him toys. Enjoy Easy Living.

Ever wonder...Where your money goes? How other people make it? How to plan for the future? What is important to teach your child/children? What can we do today? What are things I should be working with my children on? Are we being wasteful? How do we have so much stuff/junk? Etc, Etc.

We wonder these things all the time....so we have decided to search for new ideas, change things we are doing, get opinions from other people, all in hopes of starting a new part of our lives....
                           Easy, Simple Living