Greener Crafter

How to  be a greener crafter : 1. Being thrifty with your materials measure for the right amount needed.   2. Recycling existing materials , ex. a blouse from a thrifted man's shirt  or mittens , slippers from felted thrifted sweaters. 3. Move a way from factory producted  to buy handmade  items . 4. Buy sustainable ; this isn't just for  green crafting. This means  things  you  need   maybe for your  spirit / beauty occassionly,not to clutter up your home .5. Be a eco crafter . See the elephant in the room;      CONSUMPTION. 6. Buy less make more. Be  creative . Distinguish  Needs from  wants.  http://craftingagreenworld.com/

You Can Do It

You Can Do It: 100% Realistic Budgeting Tips & Resources

Budgeting is one my least favorite subjects. One, because I am one of those right brained people who avoids math and numbers at all costs and two, because I was never taught how to make a proper and realistic budget.
But as the new year rolls around we inevitably hunker down and try to crunch numbers and make a plan. Since it is not something that I have down pat, I have been doing a bit of research on the subject to help make this process finally click in my head and on paper.
Tips
Be Realistic: Making your plan too strict on paper so you can feel good about buckets of imaginary money you're going to accrue in the near future isn't going to help you in the long run. You do still have to enjoy living; try to keep that in mind so you can actually stick to the budget you set.
Are You Leaking? Are you trying to pick your jaw up off the floor after you've crunched the numbers from the past few months? Then there is a leak or two that you need to plug. Find it and adjust. For us it was groceries and going out to eat and we have started a new system that has been working out great so far.
The Little Things: The inexpensive dailies really add up. What is it for you? Coffee, bagels, magazines, taxis?
Make Substitutions: You don't necessarily have to stop doing everything you love. Just find a better way to do it. If you love coffee, get a french press for home or work and start making your own instead of dropping the money at a coffee shop.
Go Old School: I think one of the most difficult things in keeping track of money is due to this cashless society we live in. It makes it so much harder to understand where our money disappears. The best way to not overspend is to carry cash whenever possible — out to dinner or to the grocery store, if you take out exactly what you have allotted for that outing you won't be splurging on anything else cause you won't have any more money to use. It's an easy way to keep yourself on track and not splurge in the moment.
Coupons: Not the clipping type? Don't worry, use smartphones. Coupon apps like Coupon Sherpa or Mobile Coupons are the new Sunday night with scissors.
Buy In Bulk: Do it anyway you can. If it's with boxed or canned items, household supplies, or anything routinely used it can really make a big difference in the long run.
Cut It Out: What monthlies can you live without? Do you really need Netflix and Hulu Plus? Get rid of something for a month or two and see if you really even miss it. Something more interesting might just fill its space. Don't worry! If you really feel the loss, you can always go back.
Auto Savings: If you are not great with transferring money into your savings account let the bank do it for you. Set up an amount you know you can save each month or paycheck and set up an auto transfer. You can always change it or cancel it for a period that you will need more money.
Treat Yo Self: Make a list of small inexpensive things you can splurge on. Something out of the ordinary to look forward to. Set a small price limit, allot for it and choose one each week or two. It's like a little pat on the back for keeping up with your budget. If you just keep denying yourself over and over you will get worn down and not likely stick to the constraints you've made.

Rescources:
Online Budgeting: Mint, MoneyStrands and You Need a Budget are all online and offer tips and classes to get you started. And there is always Quicken if you want to go the software route.
Mobile App Budgeting: Modern day tracking software like Mint, categorize your purchases, help you create a budget and send you self set alerts on the go. Other popular finance apps are MoneyStrands, You Need a Budget and Smarty Pig.
Becoming Savvy: CNN and MSN Money have great personal finance resources to get information from.
Online Savings Accounts: They have a higher annual percentage yield. So if you have a larger sum of money that you have just been keeping in your bank's savings than you might as well make more on it. You can transfer it between your accounts so it is still available to you. Ally or ING are two popular online accounts.
Do you have any budgeting words of wisdom to share?
(Image: Shutterstock)

You can't force simplicity

“You can’t force simplicity;
but you can invite it in
by finding as much richness as possible
in the few things at hand.
Simplicity doesn’t mean meagerness
but rather a certain kind of richness,
the fullness that appears
when we stop stuffing the world with things.”
–Thomas Moore

Hopi message to the world (us)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrPDQeNo52M&feature=related Inpirational !

Downshifting means

Downshifting means : * conscious  choices,                                
*leaving the material mind set , * move to sustainability ,*edit all aspects of your life, *DIY do it yourself, * living green, * changes in lifestyle ( food ,health care, etc.),* live below your means, and * be creative and inventive. IT IS A GREAT ADVENTURE !

My 2012 resolution

"One thing I know for certain is that persistence is the key to success. No matter what we want out of life, if we are consistent in our pursuit, eventually we'll get just what we ask for. Seek, and ye shall find, ask and it shall be given unto you, knock and the door shall be opened for you. We have not cause we ask not. And when we don't get it immediately, we give up, as if our season of reaping is in our control. Never give up and the season of reaping has no choice but to come, not in our time but at the right time."
Persistence is the Key to Success This  a way to get simple living.

The Domino Effect of Simple Living

by guest

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Faith Janes of Minimalist at Home.

“Change begets change.” - Charles Dickens
Living simply is not very simple at all in the beginning. Making tough decisions and staying motivated is a big challenge. If you stay focused and keep making an effort, you’ll find that each step that follows comes more easily than the one before.
Simple living is the absence of excess. Many consider minimalism and simple living to be focused on possessions. While that is a very practical starting point, the decision to eliminate excess will naturally spill over into other areas of life.

• Eliminating excess possessions leads to a decluttered home.
• Eliminating outside obligations leads to a calmer schedule and more family time.
• Eliminating poor eating habits leads to healthier living.
• Eliminating mindless spending leads to escaping debt and building a better financial future.

Simple living does not imply simple choices. It requires a level of awareness grounded in your personal values. You must establish your priorities and judge each choice to be made according to those priorities. As you begin to ask yourself why something is important to you you’ll become more aware of why you make certain choices. That greater sense of awareness will give you a guide to measure all of your future decisions.
Pretty soon simplicity becomes second nature. The domino effect of simple living takes over and you’ll be amazed where it can lead.

• Cleaning out your closets –> leads to utilizing a smaller wardrobe more effectively
• Using a smaller wardrobe more effectively –> leads to making fewer purchases
• Making fewer purchases –> leads to saving more of your money
• Saving more of your money –> leads to getting out of debt
• Getting out of debt –> leads to less financial stress
• Less financial stress –> leads to greater personal freedom
• Greater personal freedom –> leads to more time to pursue your dreams
• Time to pursue your dreams –> leads to increased happiness and personal fulfillment.

In some circumstances, the domino effect will lead to personal change. At other times, the effects will radiate outward and touch the lives of those around you.
A single domino or a single decision may not seem impressive by itself. But combined with the next and then the next, the effect can be life changing.
***
Faith is the author of the brand new e-book, Family-Sized Minimalism