Tuesday's Task
A late afternoon/early evening rainstorm kept yesterday's post from going through. Relying on the adage of "better late than never" we're posting it today. It worked out perfectly as Not of This World isn't home to make a Waste Not Wednesday post. Posting yesterday's article will be our way of Wasting Not. Have a Blessed Day, Blessed Mama
Today's Tuesday Task at Living Large on Less is to reevaluate the necessities in your life. What is truly essential to living? Within each of us is a natural tendency to want to "fit in", well in most of us. The latest fashions, newest hair styles, resent makeup trends, cutest shoes, all of these things scream "Necessary, we are necessary!" at us during some point in our lives. However, if we are to honestly evaluate whether or not they are an essential the answer might surprise us.
More often than not, upon completing an honest evaluation of their life, an individual will realize that a surprising amount of his/her life has been lived based upon the opinions and instructions of others rather than personal conviction and carefully researched truth. For example, a summer or two ago, I first learned that making your own laundry soap wasn't a bygone practice of pioneers long ago; it is still being done by thousands of people today---in cities!!! I didn't have an adversion to this practice; it hadn't ever crossed my mind. It wasn't on the radar so to speak. Two summers later, not only do we make our own laundry soap, but we are actively planning on making all of our own soap---for all household uses. Does this save money? Yes! Is that why we do it? NO!!! We make our own laundry soap because AFTER investigating (I like that word. It's sounds fun.) and researching, I learned that it is economical, yes, but most importantly, it is healthier. However...if it didn't get our laundry clean, healthy and cheap or not, we wouldn't do it. I have made an informed, well thought out decision for our family by listening to others, trying a number of recipes, and using one that works.
Not every "economical" piece of advice will be a good fit for every household. Each household has unique circumstances and factors that will greatly affect the definition of "necessity" for those residing there. For instance, in our home, we have made a decision to use paper plates for at least one meal a day, preferrably more:) This isn't a decision we would have made four years ago, but two additional children and four more homeschool students later, we do this. This is one way our family practices Living Large on Less. It is an extra expense, however, the time and convenience we save far outweighs any expense created by this choice
Rather than following along down the same path those around us, let's take a few minutes and examine our lives fully. Why do we do the things we do? What is the reason behind the choices we make? How liberating it was for me to realize that I did not have to be bound to a set of "rules" that really didn't work for my household.
Once I began questioning the motives and reasons behind my decisions and opinions, necessity and necessary took on brand new meanings. "No, I do NOT have to have my hair cut and colored at a professional salon every six weeks." "No, I do NOT have to have a completely new wardrobe every season." Actually, a collection of classic clothing makes a classier statement than trendy fads anyway. Besides, I live in the country---WAAAAYYYY out in the country. My clothing needs aren't ever going to be the same as someone who resides in an urban community.
Allow plenty of time for evaluating necessities. It isn't a quick process. In fact, you may find it taking several months. Thrifty doesn't necessarily mean speedy. Being free to readjust your life to fit your own family---it's a thrifty way to Live Large on Less - Blessed Mama