Living Small for U.S. Standards
I remember seeing these homes that had more space, more bedrooms, more closets, more bathrooms, and more yard space. And I wanted one of them until reality set it. All of these homes needed new carpet and a fresh coat of paint throughout the house. The kitchens and bathrooms were stuck in the 1960s. Some … Continue reading Living Small for U.S. Standards
Book Review: Home Sweet Maison by Danielle Postel-Vinay
Home Sweet Maison: The French Art of Making a Home by Danielle Postel-Vinay I am a huge fan of books from other countries that focus on a single topic or subject. I enjoyed Cosy from England, Ichigo Ichie from Japan, Making Memories, Hygge, and Lykee from Denmark, Sisu from Finland, and Lagom from Sweden just … Continue reading Book Review: Home Sweet Maison by Danielle Postel-Vinay
Working From Home – Tips For Saving Money
Back in March we were sent home with the hopes of returning back to the office in two weeks. Those two weeks turned into another month at home and yet another month and another month. Just last week they announced we won’t be going back until January. I personally think that is a bit too … Continue reading Working From Home – Tips For Saving Money
July 2020 No Spend Recap
2020 GOAL: $4,000 for ROTH IRA + $11,000 in SAVINGS = When I Can Start Paying Extra on Debt July 1st Total Cash: $6,087.35 Liquid Investments: $3,000.00 (3 Month CD) Savings Goal: $15,000.00 Money Left to Save: $5,913.00 Current Car Debt: $12,707.04 Current Student Loan Debt: $46,418.57 July certainly came in like a wrecking ball … Continue reading July 2020 No Spend Recap
Finding Discounts – Gym Membership and Saving $$$
I love running and I love training with a trainer. Two years ago when I started my no-spend year (now years) I made it a point that fitness is a top priority. I would forego the Spotify membership in an effort cut expenses/save money/pay off debt without hesitation. But the gym membership, running shoes, and … Continue reading Finding Discounts – Gym Membership and Saving $$$
How to Convert Others To Minimalism
Just finished listening to a special Patron episode of How to Be a Minimalist where Katie discussed what to do when you are the only minimalist in your home. She offered some great tips. It got me thinking about my journey to minimalism and how I converted Mr. BMM. To give some background on Mr. … Continue reading How to Convert Others To Minimalism
Book Review: Near Dark by Brad Thor
As far back as I could remember, I always looked forward to the release of Brad Thor’s latest book. More recently I started taking the day off of work to celebrate and have a summer reading splurge day. My day started off with a pup walk then we had breakfast. During breakfast I gave myself … Continue reading Book Review: Near Dark by Brad Thor
2020 Theme: Slow – Preferred, Not Required
A couple months ago I wrote about the possibility of having my job eliminated. It is a bit stressful but at the end of the day “what happens if you just took the summer off” statement from Mr. BMM helped. I have been applying to a couple jobs a week. It is interesting when job … Continue reading 2020 Theme: Slow – Preferred, Not Required
Paying of House Debt in Less than 5 Years
During our Operation Staycation 2020, Mr. BMM and I got to talking about paying off debt. We asked each other a lot of questions. During our walks we asked “How do you feel about debt?” During car rides we asked “When do you want to be out of debt?” While relaxing around the house we … Continue reading Paying of House Debt in Less than 5 Years
Update: Operation Staycation 2020
Today is currently Sunday and it is day 9 of our Operation Staycation 2020 adventures. While I’m not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow morning, I have to admit that I haven’t been more relaxed after a vacation than this one. Yesterday Mr. BMM and I were chatting about how much fun we … Continue reading Update: Operation Staycation 2020
Book Review: The Subtle Art of Not giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Before you start reading this review, know that in the spirit of this book, this review does contain “bad language.” If that’s not your thing, cool. Skip to another book review. But if it’s ok with you, keep on reading and then read my review of Mark’s other book. The Subtle Art of Not Giving … Continue reading Book Review: The Subtle Art of Not giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Why We Shop: Have You Met Diderot?
Recently I have been wondering why I haven’t been drawn to purchasing anything new. No new decorations for the house. No new kitchen appliances or gadgets. No new clothes or shoes. Nothing except for food and replacements to broken well used things. Then I heard about the Diderot Effect. A light bulb went off. When … Continue reading Why We Shop: Have You Met Diderot?
Operation Staycation 2020
With all things 2020, global pandemic, killer hornets, and possibly aliens right around the corner, we decided to have a staycation this summer. We are focusing on what we are gaining rather than focusing on what we are losing. Sure we don’t get to check out a new place this year. We don’t have to … Continue reading Operation Staycation 2020
Plastic Free July
Adios plastic wrap! Mr. BMM just had to deal with a situation where you would have worked but instead he opted for foil (because I hid the plastic wrap). Anyone want a half used box of plastic wrap? I am so inspired by all of the blog posts and Instagram pictures supporting plastic free July. … Continue reading Plastic Free July
Personal Freedom
Where did BMM go? I am here!!! I got some news this weekend that was bitter sweet and completely blocked my mind from writing. See for the past 26 years (yep it started when I was a small child) I have been trying to break away from some really bad people. On July 4th, I … Continue reading Personal Freedom
Manifesting the Good… no the GREAT Stuff
Back in 2005 I started on my journey towards my dream job. I applied to my local community college to work towards my B.S. of Accounting. I worked 2-3 jobs at a time while going to school full time. I don’t know how I did it. In 2009 I landed my first job with my … Continue reading Manifesting the Good… no the GREAT Stuff
Book Review: Playing with FIRE by Scott Rieckens
Playing with FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early): How Far Would You Go for Financial Freedom? by Scott Rieckens Again the reviews on Goodreads seem to be focused on the Rieckens’ household income of $142,000 per year. Let’s put some things into perspective. The median (not the average but the family in the middle’s) household income … Continue reading Book Review: Playing with FIRE by Scott Rieckens
June 2020 No Spend Recap
2020 GOAL: $4,000 for ROTH IRA + $11,000 in SAVINGS = When I Can Start Paying Extra on Debt June 1st Total Cash: $6,348.00* Corrected to include my mutual fund Savings Goal: $15,000.00 Money Left to Save: $9,100.63 Current Car Debt: $12,927.67 Current Student Loan Debt: $46,581.24 During this month I refinanced my car and … Continue reading June 2020 No Spend Recap
Book Review: North by Scott Jurek and Jenny Jurek
North: Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trailby Scott Jurek, Jenny Jurek I picked up this book because I enjoy running and I love the mountains along the east coast. What I didn’t know was the real story behind these badasses, Scott and Jenny Jurek. Who decides one day to run 2,189 over 46 … Continue reading Book Review: North by Scott Jurek and Jenny Jurek
Oops. I Shopped.
Over the past 18 months, I have been on a no shopping ban. It has been wildly successful by getting my finances on track to build an emergency fund, fund a Roth-IRA, and pay off debt. And things were going great. Yesterday I shopped. I did not shop from my approved shopping list or from … Continue reading Oops. I Shopped.
2020 Summer Theme: Summer of Burgers
A little while ago I wrote about my summer meal planning that involves one single rule. No OVEN! Rather that using the oven and heating up the house, I use the crock pot, grill, and smoothie or juice maker for all of our meals and snacks. This will be my second summer in a row … Continue reading 2020 Summer Theme: Summer of Burgers
Life After Cancelling Amazon Prime
About 10 days ago I cancelled Amazon Prime. I started to see that it truly was not benefiting us. Rather than haphazardly reordering items on Amazon Prime, I started actually price comparing. Take for example banana chips. I spent $21.99 on a 5 pound bag on Amazon. After taking an extra couple of minutes, I … Continue reading Life After Cancelling Amazon Prime
Book Review: Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee
We are members of the cult of efficiency, and we’re killing ourselves with productivity. … Far too many of us have been lured into the cult of efficiency. We are driven, but we long ago lost sight of what we were driving toward. We judge our days based on how efficient they are, not how … Continue reading Book Review: Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee
Fanny Pack Friendship – Do you Need an Official Minimalist Label?
Mr. BMM is friends with a guy from our gym. Mr. BMM plans for the guy from the gym and his wife to meet up for a motorcycle ride. We start chatting. The guy from the gym’s wife recently ordered a fanny pack. We have only met twice. Is it too early or weird to … Continue reading Fanny Pack Friendship – Do you Need an Official Minimalist Label?
OMG BMM was on a PODCAST!!!
The lovely and beautiful Author, Podcaster, and YouTuber, Katie Coughran, featured one of my articles on her most recent podcast! I started this blog as a way to keep myself honest with my no spend 2019 challenge. It has morphed over time but always comes back to minimalism. To hear the words spoken out into this universe … Continue reading OMG BMM was on a PODCAST!!!
Shopping Your Home SAVES Money $$$
I lost my mind during the global shut down and I’m not beating myself up over it. It happened. I over bought food. I WAY OVER BOUGHT FOOD. But I refuse to beat myself up over it. The old me would yell, scream, and put myself down because I spent too much money on food … Continue reading Shopping Your Home SAVES Money $$$
Crap My Fanny Pack Broke
Earlier this week I wrote about cancelling Amazon Prime because I really failed to see value in paying a membership fee. Amazon Music was ok but randomly decided when I could listen to certain songs. Amazon Prime Video was nice but we can still rent movies without the membership fee. Amazon 2 day shipping is … Continue reading Crap My Fanny Pack Broke
Maintaining 2 Capsule Wardrobes
I live where we have two seasons. Winter and construction (aka summer). I need clothes for cold weather and warm weather. There is no spring or fall here. As a result, I have a capsule wardrobe for each season. Lately, I have been opening up my closet and questioning if I have too many clothes. … Continue reading Maintaining 2 Capsule Wardrobes
Making Cuts: Just Cancelled Amazon Prime
As you could imagine, I listen to a lot of podcasts about minimalism. One podcast suggested cancelling Amazon Prime as a way to create friction or add barriers for making another purchase more difficult. Today I requested that my Amazon Prime account be cancelled and a refund issued for the unused portion of the annual … Continue reading Making Cuts: Just Cancelled Amazon Prime
2020 Theme: Slow – Ditch the Phone June
Earlier this month, I wrote about returning to my monthly SLOW themes. In June my goal was to put the phone down whenever Mr. BMM was home. I will be honest. I didn’t do so well the first week or two. This past week I kicked it up into high gear. I decided that since … Continue reading 2020 Theme: Slow – Ditch the Phone June
On Pins and Needles – Do I Stay or Do I Go?
I heard that writing helps with anxiety and stress. Today, I am going to stray from my usual topics about minimalism, debt pay off, savings, etc. I am going to write about my current job situation. We all might be working from home where I work but the water cooler doesn’t stop talking. The rumor … Continue reading On Pins and Needles – Do I Stay or Do I Go?
Book Review: Bones To Pick (Sarah Booth Delaney #6) by Carolyn Haines
““Change is inevitable, Sarah Booth. The art of living is not merely to accept change, but to embrace it.” Jitty, Bones to Pick After enjoying Ham Bones a couple of weeks ago, I picked up Bones to Pick by Carolyn Haines. I loved it! Each book I ready by Haines (except for that one) leaves … Continue reading Book Review: Bones To Pick (Sarah Booth Delaney #6) by Carolyn Haines
Making Cuts: Expenses, Emails, and a Toaster Oven
Lately as my state starts to reopen I have had this feeling of overwhelm. When those feelings happen I try to see what is causing the overwhelmed feeling. Is it too much on my schedule? Too many plans? Too many expectations? After reflecting on it this past week, I realized that it is too many … Continue reading Making Cuts: Expenses, Emails, and a Toaster Oven
Better Late Than Never: Celery Juice
Apparently I’m about a year behind the celery juice trend. I remember when capris pants came out and it took me about a year to embrace the capris yoga pants. Then there was the bangs tied up in the front of your head thing. I was late to that party too. I have a history … Continue reading Better Late Than Never: Celery Juice
Can You Actually Fit Your Old Normal into the New Normal?
If you have been following my blog, you know that I have written a lot about the new normal. Some of you have even commented about your new normal or things that you have observed, things that you like, and other things that you can’t wait to be over. If you are new to my … Continue reading Can You Actually Fit Your Old Normal into the New Normal?
My Personal Nature Fix
Since the global shut down, Mr. BMM and I have adopted a more outdoorsy type of life. Each night we look at each other and ask “What do you want to do tonight?” We usually go with a bicycle ride, motorcycle ride, walk, hike, or run. Each night we go to a different place and … Continue reading My Personal Nature Fix
Student Loans: Refinancing
Ok, I’m not a financial advisor but let me share what just happened. I currently have $46,581.24 of student loans with a 20 year fixed rate of 5.39%. Today I was looking to refinance my student loans since the rates are closer to 3.5ish% and up. I called my student loan company, Citizen’s Bank (shout … Continue reading Student Loans: Refinancing
April and May 2020 No Spend Recap: Let’s Talk Real Numbers
Over the past year I have hesitated to talk real numbers. Rather than feel ashamed, I’m going to accept the fact that I am in a fortunate place in my life today. Tomorrow it might not be the case. But today I am in a fortunate place. I did work very hard to get where … Continue reading April and May 2020 No Spend Recap: Let’s Talk Real Numbers
Budgeting – Or How I Impressed Mr. BMM
Mr. BMM created our first joint budget over 12 years ago. This weekend we got to talking about how much we really needed to put in a bank account for bills. I was shocked to hear that Mr. BMM did not maintain our joint budget. Some how he managed this way for 12 years. We … Continue reading Budgeting – Or How I Impressed Mr. BMM
¡Adiós! May – Enter June Mini Theme
We made it to the unofficial start of Summer. With Memorial Day behind us there are only hot days ahead. I don’t know about you but turning the calendar to a new month is exciting. I treat the start of a new month like others treat New Year’s Day as a new beginning. Reflecting back … Continue reading ¡Adiós! May – Enter June Mini Theme
Summer Cooking
I love to cook. My one grandfather really sparked my interest in cooking. He would have me over to teach me how to make different recipes. Such a beautiful memory. I actually have his crock pot and a recipe book. I love using them both as a sweet reminder of an awesome man. If I … Continue reading Summer Cooking
Book Review: You Were Born for This by Chani Nicholas
You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance and Living Your Purposeby Chani Nicholas Recently I started to get interested in astrology. I suppose that I’m trying to figure myself out. Explain why I am different. I’m different from my family. We may share the same DNA but we are not similar. Our values, … Continue reading Book Review: You Were Born for This by Chani Nicholas
Thrifting is Officially Cool
Recently podcasts started to talk about thrifting being cool and all of the environmental benefits. Honestly, thrifting has been cool for a long time. We sometimes weird ourselves out and make up some crazy stories as to why thrifting won’t work. Maybe all of the right stars collided one day to bring me to minimalism, … Continue reading Thrifting is Officially Cool
Book Review: Ham Bones (Sarah Booth Delaney #7) by Carolyn Haines
Around the start of summer until about Halloween, I love to read mysteries, thrillers, and fiction books. To kick start this summer I returned to the Sarah Booth Delaney series by Carolyn Haines. There are 20 books in this series as of the date of this review. I originally started out of order but I … Continue reading Book Review: Ham Bones (Sarah Booth Delaney #7) by Carolyn Haines
I’ve Been Thinking A Lot Lately
Feels like it has been weeks since I last wrote. I will be honest. I have been doing a lot of reflecting and planning. Around this time two years ago I picked up the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. That tiny little book changed my life completely. I like to reflect … Continue reading I’ve Been Thinking A Lot Lately
A Minimalist Workout for Maximal Results
As more time passes without gyms being able to reopen, I had to get creative. For some people it’s following workout videos. I’m not that type of person. I really don’t like watching TV much more than streaming my daily yoga class. I wanted a workout that could travel into the woods with me. So … Continue reading A Minimalist Workout for Maximal Results
Decluttering 101 – Deciding on an Approach
My whole journey through minimalism started when I decluttered the physical and then the mental stuff around me. Before I decluttered, I thought that a home needed to look like a museum or be perfect for a scavenger hunt. The mental stories were similar. The most stuff I had the better I was. But I … Continue reading Decluttering 101 – Deciding on an Approach
Book Review: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Found this book at one of my local Little Free Libraries along one of my many walks over the past couple of weeks. I love running. I enjoy Memoirs. Figured I would give this book a chance. Right now, I’m trying to calculate how many years I have been running. I started sometime around 2005 … Continue reading Book Review: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Frugal is the New Cool Kid… oh Please Tell Me More
If you told me 5 years ago that I would be writing a blog and writing about no shopping, I would have said you lost your mind. If you said I would have decluttered and own my very own capsule wardrobe, I would have suggested that you get your head examined. Here we are. It’s … Continue reading Frugal is the New Cool Kid… oh Please Tell Me More
Minimalist Mind Reader
Weeks ago I started talking about what I wanted to keep as well as change going forward as the world slowly starts to open up. While this shut down sucked, it was the first time in my whole life that I had time to reflect and truly make the best decisions for myself and my … Continue reading Minimalist Mind Reader
