Another way we keep life simple is to not go out too much.
We have one old car - a 1999 Suburban that we bought this past October as our older Suburban, a 1992, was rusting out.
Because we are home a lot, I have time to cook and bake and do craft projects. I make time for these things - I could probably spend more time cleaning, organizing, and perhaps I should, but eating healthy food and being creative come first.
Because we are home we have time to have people over our house. It has been nice to be able to invite friends over for skating.
By not running here and there all the time we make time for the animals, gardening, doing firewood, playing games with each other.
Not only does staying home a lot save time, but it also saves money - less opportunity for temptation (buying) and we are sure to be better organized with a list when we go to the nearest larger town for shopping.
Generally our week involves church on Sunday, Bible study on Wednesday night (for Mike and Nolan), library on Thursday, Homeschool Group on Friday, Youth Group on Friday night, and shopping on Saturday. There have been seasons in our family's life where we have been busier with lessons or baseball and I know those times will come again, but even then we make thoughtful choices and generally choose to not be going in too many different directions.
How do you decide how busy or not to be?
Warm wishes,
Tonya
You described our life the way it used to be...a simpler time.Homeschooling. Enjoy this while you can- I really miss these days, they go by so quickly. Now I am driving my car 780 miles a month for kids to go to private school- driving to soccer, basket ball games etc- I feel so worn out always on the road- in Montucky there are such long distances here in the country. We try to keep it all to a minium on the weekends...
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday.
Goodness..you are busy. We try to stay home as much as we can too..Sunday church, Wednesday night Bible study for adults.. youth group for our daughters. We then stay home the rest of the week. I think weekends are the hardest for us..this past Saturday we went to Goodwill in the afternoon and then had a nice lunch out. Sunday we try to make it a day of rest. I know every time we leave the house we spend money even if it is only gas..smile..
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you,
~~Renee
We are the same way here. On Sunday we go to church in the morning and in the evening. After evening service we go grocery shopping. Then on Tuesday we go to the library, if there is something I forgot to get from the grocery store Sunday night I will stop by the store and get it then. Wednesday night we go to church. Then on Saturday we either stay home or go somewhere as a family. When we do go somewhere on Saturday it is something free or cheap to do.
ReplyDeletePeople think I must go crazy being home so much but, I love being home.
We don't go our much at all either and when we do it if for activities - swimming, skating or nature hikes at the conservation area. We stay away from stores unless we absolutely need to go, I dislike shopping, and we hit the grocery store once per week.
ReplyDeleteIt does help keep expenses down for sure and like you said leaves lots of time for the things we do enjoy - gardening, being outside, crafting, cooking, baking, etc.
I have actually been staying home a lot too. I have a bad habit of going to thrift stores and craft stores and I always buy something I don't need. So, I stay home and use what I have for crafts unless I end up really needing something. It does save money.
ReplyDeleteWe have dropped ALL outside activities. We left our church and went back to our Hebrew roots so we worship at home and watch on line teachings. Our kids stay plenty busy here on our farm. I go and pick up a co-op order once a month and I have a Bible study with another lady once a month - THAT'S IT! We're debating whether to get rid of our second car even, since I only drive twice a month. You know what? People say we're nuts but none of us miss the crazy world at all. Are we hermits? No, once in a while we go to a sliding hill or the zoo but it is a treat, certainly not the norm. We have friends over every once in a while to visit and play cards or a board game. We live like they did 150 years ago but we love it!!!
ReplyDeleteThe post above from Farmgirl Hannah was supposed to be from me :-) She's my daughter. We both follow you and I accidentally posted with her account open. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! This is how we generally spend our days as well, and I know it's time I will never get back again, so there are no regrets. I LOVE the little handmade baskets on the shelf where the baby is playing. Are they crocheted or knitted? I've been wanting to crochet some baskets during the cold winter days ahead. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. It is so important to live your life, rather than just spending it distractedly and too busy.
ReplyDeleteSpending time at home is such a blessing, and frugal too.
I spend my time running the household, making our food, maintaining our home - which includes paint, DIY-ing.
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteKim
We choose to stay home most of the time, too. On Thursday's, Mike works very long hours, so we pack a cooler and spend the day running errands. Then we spend the evening at the library where we read, play games and meet friends until it's time to pick up Mike again. (We only have on car, too.) Once a week we get together with other homeschooling friends and every Friday I get together with friends to knit. Cole and I have recently started a pottery class that is held once a month at a local gallery. I know it's not for everyone, but it works for us.
ReplyDeleteI agree, making conscious choices about how we spend our time is actually very freeing. I don't spend time browsing shops or casually buying this or that, when I make a purchase it is a conscious one. I also appreciate not having to rush here and there and making our life too hectic. We've had enough of that in our lives and I'm glad that season is done!
ReplyDeleteWe live quite similiar to you, Tonya. I find when I am out too much or make too many commitments I am simply frazzled. I have had several doc appointments the last few weeks and it really throws my week off.When I am not home the homeschooling doesn't get done properly:-) We enjoy cooking, playing and being together, although we do serve outside of our home and stay connected with others. That is important too. Even 150 years ago community and church was of the utmost importance to folks. I still wished you lived closer like you used to:-)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Suzanne
I have loved catching up on your blog this evening.... especially the post about making do...something I have done most of my adult life. I have become very good at it too :) Your pictures are always a joy to see! Blessings friend
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very close to us. We have one vehicle and are home most of the time. My husband travels around the city for work but is mostly home with us. Even adding one scheduled event to our weeks feels like a lot. I cherish our time together at home. :)
ReplyDeleteI hate going anywhere. We don't have kids so we don't do a lot of running around. Unfortunatly I have a long drive to work on very icy roads, so I need a good vehicle (Jeep).
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I totally agree with you. Staying home saves time, money and sanity! Shopping is not enjoyable for me. I love one definition I heard of recreational shopping -- spending money we don't really have to buy things we don't really want to impress people we don't really like. So true. I love your way of living! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe like to stay home a lot too. I love how much we are able to get done at home when we aren't always running here and there. I have never been a "soccer mom" type of person but this new year I have been trying to cut back on going even more. We have church 2 or 3 (in the winter it cuts back to 2) times a week but other than that I have been trying to limit going out to one other time or even less. I like to have people come to my house as well and most people seem more comfortable with that anyway.
ReplyDeleteI would go out of my mind staying in- I go out every day, it doesn't have to be shopping.My children have left home and my husband is retired.Since I am not a daytime TV watcher, the house is tidy,one load of washing per week, small meals there is not enough to do and I would sit at my computer all day and that would drive me crazy too- all my knitting is done in the evening.
ReplyDeleteWe stay home, too. We have church and Cub Scouts, but that's about it. You're right...you save a lot of money just staying home! And the family time is great!
ReplyDeleteWe have a balance of the two. My younger daughter showed talent as a gymnast and both girls are very sporty so we facilitate this by attending swimming lessons, gymnastics, and a home ed canoeing group in the warmer weather. We go to home ed group on a Tuesday whichhas wonderful co-op sessions we join in with, and two Fridays out of the month there are sessions on a Friday that we goto, art and creative writing. We do Birthday days out to favourite places like the zoo and spend time with friends, we spend lots of time outdoors at National Trust properties. I value the time spent home also, we also love to bake and create, and play games and read together. Our car is a 2002 so a bit more modern than yours Tonya lol! Love, Jennifer
ReplyDeleteWe stay home a lot too. Church on Sundays, church club Wednesday night (where hubby and I get a date just us and the baby while the big kids are at club), an every other friday home school science class,....and that's pretty much it. We sometimes join a larger home school group for larger field trip type stuff, but that's maybe once a month. Its important for us to be home and garden, play, eat, and school together. People keep asking us when we're going to put our 7 year old in sports...as if its a requirement for a boy of that age. Well, he's not interested at all so why would we? They are still surprised. ??? We love being home.
ReplyDelete