The Art of Balanced Living

We all know that the economy is in rough shape. With some lean times ahead of us, we’re all looking to cut spending. Here are some ways to do just that. Continue Reading »

Tags: household, money, thrift

You probably knew this, but I’m a little slow on the uptake sometimes. Not owning a television adds to my general ignorance about what’s going on in the world around me. Continue Reading »

Tags: green living, household

We have a gravel driveway in front of our flat. The other day I looked out at it and noticed that the weeds in it were getting quite tall. Continue Reading »

Tags: household, thrifty, weed killer

Not too long ago I opened the cabinet under the kitchen sink to find a terrible surprise. Ants! They were everywhere. By the evening, they’d made their way to the kitchen counter and were all over the baguette I’d just bought. Angry and frustrated (my husband would also add hysterical), I sent my husband out to find some ant bait while I cooked dinner. About an hour later he returned empty handed. “I couldn’t find anything,” he said and returned to practicing the harmonica. Continue Reading »

Tags: ant bait, household, natural pest control

Those of you who read my personal blog know that we’ve been having a bit of a spider problem in our new place. Spiders can be our friends. They kill other annoying insects. In normal situations a few stray spiders around the house wouldn’t bother me. When you start finding large spiders in your bed and your catching an average of four a day wondering around your house, something needs to be done. Continue Reading »

Tags: household, natural pest control, spider repellent

We’re still trying to find our way around the local supermarket. Most of the time I end up asking where things are. When I ask I have to make sure I pronounce things so that I can be understood. Yesterday, I was looking for fresh basil. Apparently, I don’t pronounce that correctly. Continue Reading »

Tags: food, household, thrifty

I’ve been trying to use more environmentally friendly cleaning products. The problem with that is most environmentally friendly cleaning products seem to cost twice as much as what I’ve been paying for regular cleaning products. Convinced that their must be a cheaper solution, I did some research and guess what? I found one. I thought I’d share what I found with you. Continue Reading »

Tags: household, natural cleaning, thrifty

I’ve seen plenty of pictures of stunning environmentally friendly homes. It’s nice to fantasize, but right now I don’t the money to buy or build one of those homes. It’s easy to think of environmentalism as something for the rich. I can’t afford an electric car or even a hybrid for that matter. The property manager at my apartment complex wouldn’t be happy to see me crawling out onto the roof to install solar panels. I’m sure that would somehow violate the lease. Continue Reading »

Tags: green living, household, thrifty

My shower has been draining too slowly for the past couple weeks. I’ve taken the ignore it and it will go away attitude about it. I was actually hoping my husband would notice and do something about it before I had to, but no luck. Continue Reading »

Tags: green living, household, thrifty