Living Clutter-free

Living Clutter-free interview with Barbara Tako 

Listen to the radio interview above for ideas on living sustainably and clutter-free.

Before school gets under way, declutter the house to prepare for all that stuff

Please check out the ideas to declutter for fall in today's article at postcrescent.com in Appleton, Wisconsin. Please add your comments and suggestions too. How do you declutter and organize your family for fall?

Back to basics can be frugal, simple, and fun

Can spending money make us happy? Maybe it depends on what we buy:

We can use tough economic times to re-evaluate our priorities, including where we are spending our time and our money. Does spending more and more money on stuff make us happy? The recent New York Times article But will it make you happy suggests that it doesn't and the article goes on to include some of the research out there to prove it.

It appears that many of us get more satisfaction for our dollars, when we buy experiences rather than stuff.  Humm. Another shirt jammed into the crowded closet or tickets to an event? A fancy belt or a board game to play with the family? They don't seem like  difficult choices when they are expressed in those terms.

I am hopeful. As a nation of consumers, we are showing changes in how much we consume and what we consume. This is a time for cautious optimism!

Three frugal simple ways to get organized for back to school

Is fall is approaching faster than you would like? Before you know it, the kids will be heading back to school. The economy is tight. Being careful with money is important, and it is important to be organized so that you can free up time and energy for your priorities. Here are some simple, frugal ideas to be ready.

Make your school clothing shopping lists while you weed out and organize the closets. If you are standing in front of the closets sorting, counting, weeding out, and organizing, you will have a much better idea of what you really need to purchase. Count the jeans, tops, socks, and underwear. Identify any wardrobe "gaps" like a dress top to go with the dress slacks that are already there. You will save money by only purchasing what you need, instead of guessing once you get to the store.

Apply this same practice to school supplies. "Shop" first at home for leftover and extra binders, paper, glue, folders, book covers, and more. You may be surprised how much you can cross off your school supply shopping list before you get to the store.

Have a family meeting before school starts. Discuss the reality of limited resources and limited time. Help your children identify their priority activities. Work with them to choose one or two per student. This will prevent overspending and overbooking, and the entire family will be on board with the goal of creating a less stressful home life this fall.