How to live off of $20 a week

I met with my friend Tracy this week, and she asked me this question: If you could spend a year devoted to one idea to implement in your life what would it be? With little hesitation I said that I would live out of need not out of want. Basically, I would simplify my life as much as possible.
I have thought a lot about living simply and how I can do it in my own life, but have failed to consistently practice simplicity.

There are so many ways to simplify- time, money, resources, etc. After more thought it occurred to me that I should just start by implementing a few key rules in how I will simplify for this year. The first thought I came up with after researching about budgeting and living simply (which I will be implementing), is to live off of $20 a week in groceries. Believe it or not there are a lot of websites which give detailed plans on how to do this. Living off of $20 in groceries a week may sound radical to some, but I realize that to others (many) it is not at all! For me I know this will be an amazing goal to accomplish as I have taken a shine to getting coffee...nearly daily...yikes! All this to say I am not writing this to sound radical because I know that many people do this and still others live off even less than this; but for me this is a personal goal that will require a definite level of sacrifice!

So tomorrow starts the revolution! Any suggestions on how to incorporate the food I have already bought?? Hmmm...
Another challenge I want to have is to not buy any clothing for a year.... and if I must then replacing it with a different item in my closet so that I don't accumulate more. As much as possible I try and get everything from the thrift or second hand so as not to create a need for more clothing in a store, but rather taking something that has already been used and redeeming it!

There are certainly other monthly expenditures other than groceries, but I have not yet figured out how I want to approach that. I will need to think through what is reasonable yet sacrificial in other aspects of the budget. For instance, I will need to think through how much to spend on "entertainment", going out to dinner with friends, going to coffee with friends, etc. I certainly don't want to oppress others with a rigid budget that does not allow for me to do these kinds of things!

So far what will directly be changing is bringing my lunch to work everyday, no more coffee :(
or buying my lunch, on the flip side I will be much more intentional about how I eat, what I buy, and more aware of what I have! I am excited! So if you could commit to one thing for the year, what would it be?

I Can Do Bad All By Myself

one ugly dresser = $65
pistachio spray paint = $2.75
girl meets electric sander = priceless

That Which Wasn't Said

Leave it to Thomas Merton to deliver- I love how he states with simplicity and perfect clarity. This is a particularly relevant passage to me, and I am thankful for his wisdom! This quote was passed along from a friend, and I would like to share it with you!

"False sincerity has much to say, because it is afraid. True candor can afford to be silent. It does not need to face an anticipated attack. Anything it may have to defend can be defended with perfect simplicity.
The arguments of religious people are so often insincere, and their insincerity is proportionate to their anger. Why do we get angry about what we believe? Because we do not really believe it. Or else what we pretend to be defending as 'truth' is really our own self-esteem. A person of sincerity is less interested in defending the truth than in stating it clearly, for that person thinks that if the truth be clearly seen it can very well take care of itself." - Thomas Merton

I have been thinking a lot about the passage in the Bible that says: "We need to be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16 Each of these in and of itself is not sufficient for the WHOLE christian. We can be wise as serpents but lack all the humility and grace of Jesus. We can be innocent as doves but without all discernment and trepidation. Both characteristics are of equal importance, and I think that we need to work on how to bring them to a balance. Which is easier for you to expose- innocence, or wisdom?

Why Pluck One String When You Can Strum the Guitar?

I just set up my high volume speakers in my office- it is currently 6:48 and I am technically not working thus the volume is all the way up and I think the senior center right next to my office is bumping too.


a couple of things i have been loving lately:
-childrens bibles (honestly it's the best way to learn the stories) I ain't ashamed to tote my picture Bible around!
-students who want more Bible studies, and time together :)
-torrential rain (although there is nothing like the awesome thunderstorms back in Chi-town)
-being able to give myself a haircut- what a gift (i just gave myself a compliment and accepted it)
-editing fotos!
-random acts of kindness displayed by great people
-my church and all the wonderful people that make my job such a joy! :)
-the spice club, lee dee lou, and my amazing friends
-my new handmade scarf, from etsy! http://www.etsy.com/shop/jilllauren
go and check out this girl's fantastic work! thank you!!!
shameless pictures with the scarf - love love love it :)

Kids in Wigs and a Sushi Conveyor Belt

adventures in yogurt-making

You heard right....i made my very first batch of yogurt today. i have been contemplating getting a yogurt maker for awhile but haven't got around to it...today was my day to acquire this treasure, for $6 no less!

During my lunch break, I went to one of the 3 thrift stores in the town I work in, per usual- (i rotate them throughout the week, and it is amazing how many new things i find -----this is another story for another day). Lo and behold, there was a yogurt maker...only in Washington. Only in Washington would you find a yogurt maker at a thrift store. So thus my afternoon adventure continued- bought my ingredients, and set to work...it involves a lot of waiting actually. I let it sit for over 6 hours, and it takes anywhere from 4-10 depending on how tart you want it.

Mission Accomplished!

P.S. (I can't believe I just wrote a whole post about yogurt and I look genuinely freaky in this last picture.)

Flea Markets are dangerous.

Actually, I didn't buy anything today, but I spied with my little eye a lot of wonderful nic nacs- including an old school beach cruiser (which I am currently searching for-although one with gears would be nice :) )



aaaandd a bow tie, made from scraps- make any outfit instantly formal :) even a t-shirt and jeans!