So, when we made this move to Texas, we knew that we'd have to cut back on things, but we certainly couldn't have anticipated how much we'd have to cut back. I've been debating whether or not to write about our journey of living with less, because the last thing I would want is for anyone to feel sorry for us or think that we're in desperate need. We're not. We made the choice to move here and to live on one income for a few years, and yes, it's tight, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. And if I encourage just one person to live with a little less, than this post is worth it.
The photo above shows our living room. There's also a big, cozy chair on the other side of the room that you can't see (free from our neighbors, score!). Total cost of this room? Less than $250, and I'm sure it looks like it. Sometimes I look at Pottery Barn catalogs and think that a $3,200 couch would be nice, but I think that a few years from now, I'll remember sharing lunch with Landon everyday on our little blue loveseat.
That's our bedroom. No headboard, no nightstands (we have
these instead next to each side of the bed), no dresser (hence the clothes piles on the floor). And at the same time, thanks to our wedding registry and kind friends, we have the
coziest bedding that makes for a
really good night's sleep. And that's what matters, right?
Now, onto the kitchen. We don't have a dishwasher, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, juicer, griddle, tea kettle, yada yada. The reasons being that (1) I don't want our tiny kitchen to be overrun with small appliances and (2) We just don't need them (although my family knows that I would DIE if I ever got my hands on a FoodSaver or Juiceman Juicer...can you say infomercial addict?). We have a stove, oven, broiler, blender and waffle maker...and they do the job fabulously.
Most weeks, I spend $45-$60 on food. I promise, it can be done. We eat lots of veggies (potatoes, cabbage and carrots, oh my!), lots of rice and pasta, lots of breakfast for dinner and usually only one meal per week with meat. It may not be glamorous, but we're full and healthy and we get to share our dinner with Jerry Seinfeld every night, and more importantly, with each other.
We have a nice little office set-up (it actually looks a little different now than in this photo, but you get the idea), and I love coming home every day and seeing Landon's research project spread across the desk, or hearing him make recruiting calls from this room. He's doing fulfilling work, and that's what counts.
Other cost-saving measures? We rarely go to the movies and we've cut back our Netflix plan (like every other American). We listen to NPR or watch Hulu instead. I won't be renewing my magazine subscriptions next year, but I'll continue to get my inspiration from the blog world. I also recently rediscovered the beauty of thrift stores. A pencil skirt and two belts for $5? Yes, please. And, alas, the budget has even got ahold of my sweet tooth. Instead of devouring a gallon of ice cream each week, we buy one bag of chocolate chips and snack on a few each night after dinner. Girl's gotta have her chocolate, right?
In all of this, I'm learning that less really is more. Less stuff means more time to focus on the important stuff, like each other, our work and God's plan for us. I'm learning to truly be grateful. I think that in years past I've been grateful for the ability to get new things, now I'm grateful for the wonderful things I already have. Let's not forget that we're all in a better place financially than most of the world. I try to thank God daily for my job (which I am loving, by the way), our friends and family, our sweet little house, and the opportunity that God provided for us to be here, with Landon going to school almost for free.
Oh, and Landon's latest cost-cutting idea? Light by lantern only at night...I'm not sure how long this will last, although it is rather calming and has all the benefits of a power-outage without the downsides.
So, that's our life right now. I'm inspired daily to find new ways to live with less.
As they say, you can't take it with you.
xoxo.
P.S. If you have any killer tips for cutting back, I'd love to hear them...
