Going Without
April 14, 2009 at 6:31 pm , by Emily
I think I have been in this slower paced life, living more frugally and simply long enough that I often don’t even think about the things that I go without. I sometimes find it hard to even answer the question, “what do you do to save money?” because I feel like it’s such an integral part of who I am and it is a lifestyle rather than a list of 5 things. I can tell you this. I love making beautiful things with my own two hands. There is a simple beauty to watching a flower grow that I planted and nurtured from a seed. And I love the imperfect petals.
We do a lot of things at home, find pleasure in making this home, and enjoy the process of learning how to make things with our hands. From making birdhouses or digging in the dirt outside to make mud pies to baking cookies, everything is more beautiful if it is made with love.
I am learning that “going without” spending certainly doesn’t mean going without having things we love and enjoy, it just means being creative to still make them part of our life. Small steps and tiny choices turned into the next step and another choice and suddenly I had stumbled into a lifestyle not defined by what we don’t have, but one that celebrates what we do have. By slowing down, shifting priorities, changing the definition of success, and being creative, life has become more beautiful each and every day, because we are making it that way with our own hands.
Category Frugal Living / Tags: /
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by the BLAH BLAH BLAHger
On April 14, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I want some of those cookies right now!!! And I agree…everything IS more beautiful if it’s made with love!
the BLAH BLAH BLAHger´s last blog post..Tool Talk Tuesday: Electric Sander and Spray Paint Gun
[Reply]
by Writer Dad
On April 14, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Going without things is never a big deal, but what makes you a fantastic mother, Emily, is that you never go without family. There are plenty of parents who are downright “cheap” in that department.
Writer Dad´s last blog post..I’m a Writer
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by Katie
On April 14, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Love those pictures and wisdom, Emily. I always struggle when people ask me how we afford to live in Germany and go back to the US. I can say things like “well we bike everywhere” because I recognize it as not being standard. But so many other things are every day to me without seeing how average society does them, so I forget that they aren’t standard.
Beautiful post!
Katie
Katie´s last blog post..A Simpler Life Series: The Interrupting Cell Phone
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by Kelli
On April 14, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Great post!! I agree with you one hundred percent. Simplicity is a beautiful way of life!!
Kelli´s last blog post..Moments
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by Alana @ Gray Matters
On April 14, 2009 at 11:16 pm
More often than not, the best things in life don’t cost a thing.
Alana @ Gray Matters´s last blog post..WFMW: Art Cart
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by Financial Independence
On April 15, 2009 at 7:41 am
[...] is not about how much money you earn, but more about how much you spend. Living below you means, by living frugally, but not in deprivation, is the way to go. We still allow ourselves 10% of our income for fun; [...]
by Nicki at Domestic Cents
On April 15, 2009 at 8:01 am
Wow, Emily, you so clearly wrote exactly how I feel. I’ve had a hard time telling people where I cut back or how I spend less … it’s just part of what I do. Great post.
Nicki at Domestic Cents´s last blog post..Home-made Handbag
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by Chiot's Run
On April 15, 2009 at 8:05 am
So true! Often you realize the things you’re “doing without” were actually distracting you from actually living and enjoying LIFE!
Chiot’s Run´s last blog post..Me, Old? It’s Official!
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by Kim @ Forever Wherever
On April 15, 2009 at 9:34 am
I love your post! We are striving towards a simplier life everyday around here. It’s hard to shed all that extra stuff we THINK we need sometimes.
~Kim
Kim @ Forever Wherever´s last blog post..Welcome to Our Backyard!
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by Jacque
On April 15, 2009 at 10:00 am
I too live & see things the same, I really don’t know any different and have always been happy finding joy in the little things. I grew up in a family that had plenty of money to do & have anything but a hike in the woods or a day in the garden was what we all looked forward to. I am so grateful for my childhood home. I see your children and I smile for them! Beautiful Post~Jacque
Jacque´s last blog post..What a Weekend!
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by Lovin' Little Tiwg
On April 15, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Beautiful! I think, sometimes, the people that have the most “stuff,” are the ones, sadly, going without– going without an understanding of what’s truly important in life!
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by rue
On April 15, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Hi Emily
I know what you mean. I wasn’t always frugal and I never looked at prices when I was young, but my life changed when I met Rich because he showed me that I can save money and still live a beautiful life… and I do
rue
rue´s last blog post..Out and about~ the finale
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by Denise
On April 15, 2009 at 5:34 pm
jeez, you are good. it is so fun to be at home and make things at home. I am so with you on this post. the pic’s are beautiful!
Denise´s last blog post..If your going to San Francisco be sure to wear flowers in your hair
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by Libby
On April 16, 2009 at 2:26 am
What a wonderful post, and so very true. I’ve bookmarked it to refer to again and again.
Libby
Libby´s last blog post..A Day in the Life – April
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by the pleasures of homemaking
On April 16, 2009 at 9:07 am
I’m with ya on this! There’s nothing more fun to me than making something, growing something, sewing something, baking something with my own hands.
Manuela
the pleasures of homemaking´s last blog post..Mirror Makeover
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by Amy @ Living Locurto
On April 16, 2009 at 9:22 am
Cookies look fabulous! Your photos are awesome:-) Looks like you are loving the new camera:-)
Amy @ Living Locurto´s last blog post..Creative School Lunches
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by CherryTreeLane
On April 16, 2009 at 11:45 pm
I totally agree. It gives me a new appreciate for time, sunshine, our own backyard, homemade tea and game nights.
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by Good Reads: 3 Cheers For 200 : Domestic Cents
On April 18, 2009 at 3:44 am
[...] Going Without posted at Remodeling This Life [...]
by Frugal Trenches
On April 18, 2009 at 11:40 am
Great post! Going without spending for me means receiving & being so much more.
Frugal Trenches´s last blog post..Light Found
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by Sunday Money Roundup - Enough Is Surely Enough Edition. | My Two Dollars
On April 19, 2009 at 10:01 am
[...] Remodeling This Life talks about Going Without. [...]
by carla
On April 19, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Great photos! Some of the best things in life are free.
carla´s last blog post..Some answers…
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by Michelle
On April 22, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed this post. It’s great to hear from other people who agree that the good things in life aren’t necessarily the ones that cost a lot.
[Reply]
by Sunday Money Roundup - Used Motorcyle Edition. | My Two Dollars
On May 17, 2009 at 10:00 am
[...] This Life talks about Going Without…in a good [...]