Comments on: Help me with a story idea I have!

By: suhita

suhita — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:48:15 +0000

to save money AND feed the soul: I sketch in my moleskin whenever I can.
It feeds my soul, and when I put up pages from my journals as decor, I save money!

By: Freshie

Freshie — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:03:35 +0000

1. I’ve been eating out less. This sounds like a gimme but I’ve always been under the impression that my hubs and I could eat out for the same that we could eat in. Now that I’ve been taking the time to actually cook, though, I’ve found that it’s actually fun and we can save money, too. Plus, there’s no pressure to shower and get dressed and all that jazz since we both work for ourselves. 🙂

2. To feed my soul, I read Calvin and Hobbes. I have about 3 or 4 of his big books and have reread them over and over again. They’re just cute, funny, timeless and true. I’ll never get tired of them!

By: Joyful Abode: Domesticity by Trial and Error

Joyful Abode: Domesticity by Trial and Error — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:16:32 +0000

Oops… left out links to my sites.

Blog http://www.joyfulabode.com/blog
Shop http://www.joyfulabode.com/shop

By: Joyful Abode: Domesticity by Trial and Error

Joyful Abode: Domesticity by Trial and Error — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:12:42 +0000

1. We’ve been selling some things we don’t need… I sold some art/craft supplies and materials (still trying to sell some more) and the guest bed (we don’t get THAT many visitors and our air mattress works fine), and we’re trying to sell our elliptical machine (we can run on the road) and out truck (we have another car that’s fine). We also reduced our cell phone minutes and texting to cut that bill some, and we don’t get any sort of cable TV. We combine trips when we have errands to do so that we don’t use as much gas, too.

2. Draw, blog, cook (baking is great for soul-feeding), play with my dog or work on new tricks with her, go on walks with my husband or simply curl on the couch and watch movies together. De-cluttering and giving things away (via freecycle or giving to Goodwill or similar) is also really refreshing and feels like soul-feeding too… giving unappreciated items new lives with people who will use/appreciate them!

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:10:27 +0000

1. Lately, I’ve made a rule with myself that I cannot buy anything the first time I see it, no matter how small. This has made a huge dent in the $ I spend each month on magazines alone!
It doesn’t feel like deprivation, because I just say to myself “No big deal, I can get it next time”…and then most of the time I realize I don’t really want it anyway.

2. I meditate. I imagine that I have already accomplished all of my wildest dreams, and I just bask in that feeling. It helps me realize that I don’t have to wait for “someday” – I can feel contented right *now*

By: Satsuki Rebel

Satsuki Rebel — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:57:39 +0000

I forgot to add about saving money, my biggest tip really- budget, budget, budget! I allot myself a certain amount of spending money per month, including fun money. I mean, it helps to try and cut corners to save but no one likes feeling poor when they can’t even get a coffee at at Starbucks.

The other suggestion I would add is plan your purchases wisely. Take 5 minutes before buying something. Ask yourself, “Is this something I need or something I want? How badly? Will I feel the same way a week from now?” I try to keep my major purchases to items I’ve been wanting for at least a month. This way I make sure I never regret the decision later.

By: Satsuki Rebel

Satsuki Rebel — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:50:11 +0000

It may seem simplistic but I take baths. For as long as I can remember the tub has been my favorite place. I’d grab a good book, throw something into the water (oil, salts, and the like), then relax for hours on end- refilling the water when it would cool. It’s still my favorite spot, even more so now that I’m a mum. What better way to escape the confines of your own home than by staying in it. Hmm… now that I think about it perhaps I should schedule one in. ^_^

By: pat clark

pat clark — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:55:04 +0000

I have returned to my favorite poor store to shop (SAVERS). They sell (OPS)everything you could imagine, all used.I buy 90% of my fabric from them. Then I go home and practice designing and making pocket books. I’ve been blessed with the ability to adjust to ANY situation that comes my way and survive, I do.

By: Ashley Pahl

Ashley Pahl — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:25:47 +0000

To save money lately I have actually been spending more on groceries. Ultimately I spend less money because I have great ingredients with which to cook delicious food instead of being disgusted with what’s in my pantry and ordering in.

To feed my soul I have been re-decorating my apartment with items that I already have. It’s an easy way to be creative without spending money, especially because it is a cold Chicago winter and I am indoors most of the time! I re-arrange items, put old items to new uses, and take items apart and put them in a different room. The last part of the project is keeping a photo log to track the transformation.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:09:29 +0000

To save money…instead of purchasing any new décor or furniture, I am trying to rearrange my current items (try things in different rooms) or change them in some way (paint or different hardware). It’s amazing how much we really do have if we reuse or repurpose items.

To feed my soul…laughter. My mom is giving me sewing lessons and we have started an Etsy shop. We’ve had a lot of laughter in the process which is great for the soul.

I hope these few things are helpful for the story you are working on!