Monthly Archives: January 2009

I am trying very hard to be as frugal as possible. It is a fun game for me! I love saving money! The problem has been not buying just because it is a “deal.” So far, so good. I am trying to plan out our meals and only buy what we need for our plan – or what I KNOW that I can integrate into our plan in upcoming weeks. I have also unsubscribed to all email “ads” and have removed all catalogs from the house. It is much easier when you are not tempted by the cute items that you can get so inexpensively. But, it isn’t about how much money I can save when I buy something but how much money that have left over to pay down our debt with! I am trying to remind myself of this and push forward. Not a hard goal as it is one that I am pursuing strongly and am in great desire to fulfill. My best strategy? Going to the store as little as possible! The less often I am there, the less money that I spend. This is what works best for me.

“People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy — because we will always want to have something else or something more.” – Brother David Steindl-Rast

Ah… The day is none. All of the chores that are going to be accomplished today have been completed. The house is still and quiet (with the exception of the dish washer!) inviting us to join the children in slumber. Ah, what a wonderful feeling! As I reflect over the day’s accomplishments – taking the kids to the library, chores done, Christmas items packed away (still taking it all down), and the nice nap – and the tasks when remain on my “to do list,” I am content with the day God blessed me with and am looking forward to snuggling into bed next to my wonderful husband. Good night!

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.” -M. Scott Peck

“When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.”
-H.H. The Dalai Lama

“It is very hard to say the exact truth, even about your own immediate feelings – much harder than to say something fine about them which is not the exact truth.” – George Eliot

“But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?” – Albert Camus