Inner Peace

"When you acquire enough inner peace and feel really positive about yourself, it's almost impossible for you to be controlled and manipulated by anybody else."  -Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Finding inner peace can be a long journey of introspection. I am still on that journey myself. In fact, I believe, it is part of our life journey to find that inner peace. But why does it seem like some people already have it and others don't?

I think it is a continuum: it ebbs and flows through us throughout our life experiences and some people just seem to get it early in life...but instead of being jealous of those people, befriend them. Find out what they see about life that you may not.

However, the main thing I have found on this journey is to learn who YOU are: Your values, your wants, your desires, your needs. Don't compare yourself to others, you are unique and special in your own right!

Choose your thoughts wisely.

"You can reshape your thinking so that you never have to think in negatives again. You and only you can choose your thoughts." -Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.

According to the laws of attraction, your thoughts determine your reality and what you wish to come true...therefore it is imperative that you turn those negative thoughts off! You do not want to attract more negative energy to your life...choose positive thoughts of gratitude and abundance and watch your life turn around!

Do what you love, love what you do...

"Never forget that doing what you love is the cornerstone of having success in your life" -Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.


I know it sounds easier said than done...gotta pay the bills right? Well, since we spend 2/3 of our lives working why spend it doing something we hate? Now, if quitting your job to follow your dreams doesn't seem like an option, research what you would need to do to be able to follow your dream...maybe all you need to do is start small. Take baby steps towards your dream if that is all you can do...at least you are starting somewhere!! Good luck!!

Searching for Happiness?

"Most people are searching for happiness outside of themselves. That's a fundamental mistake. Happiness is something you are, and it comes from the way you think."  -Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.

If you are looking for happiness outside of yourself, it will always elude you. Happiness is not a thing, it is a feeling; A way of being in the world. It can't be bought or sold, or held in your hands. It is within you to find...to be. Quiet your fears/ your mind. Listen to your inner divine being. That is where you will find your happiness.

You are you, not what you do!

"Don't equate your self-worth with how well you do things in life. You aren't what you do. If you are what you do, then when you don't...you aren't."  -Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.

I believe that this was one of the biggest facades of life that I believed to be true...I equated my self-worth with what I did...and that opened me up to a mother load of problems. Any criticism at all was a personal affront to my feelings of worthiness...it meant I failed!! I was always trying to please others and would feel devastated when I received no acknowledgement...but I tried/worked so hard!!

My Ego was through the roof!! What a hot mess of tears, frustration, sadness and anger I was!! I have since put in a lot of reflection and reading and work to rediscover that I AM ENOUGH!!! What I do is NOT who I am or what I am worth to others...at least not in the grand scheme of things. I am so much happier now that I have put the Ego to bed for a loooooonnnggg rest and I know that criticism is to my benefit, not to be afraid of!!

Experiences

"Each experience in your life was absolutely necessary in order to have gotten you to the next place, and the next, until this very moment."
 -Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.

Each and every moment is a stepping stone to your next moment. "Bad" or "Good" are just labels we put on experiences to try to understand them, but experiences just are what they are. If past experiences are holding you back due to pain or anger you hold against those that were the source of that experience...forgive them and release yourself from that prison. If you are trying to hold onto experiences because they hold memories of achievement or comfort...place the memories and feelings in your heart, but let the experiences go so you can savour new ones...Moments are meant to be short and fleeting. Either to be appreciated if they brought you happiness, or to relieve you if they were painful.

Catch and release is a good mantra...catch the moments in your heart or in your memory, then release them to the Universe!!

Name change

I changed the name of my blog from Frugalfemme to Simply Living because I feel that suits my philosophy about life more...I am in the process of simplifying my life and I think this is a good place to start.

Cackles and Jars

My money guru is Gail Vaz Oxlade. I have learned a lot about managing my money from watching her shows "'Til Debt Do Us Part" and "Princess" as well as reading her books "Debt-free Forever" and "Never Too Late". Her biggest claim to fame was her use of money jars and the "Budget Binder" as well as her contagious laughter. She has a website and blog that I thoroughly recommend for all to read. It's informative and humorous at the same time!

http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/index.html

Do you respect your money?

How do you treat the money that comes your way? Do you spend it before it comes in or as soon as it is in your hands? Do you put some aside to make sure that you have your fixed expenses taken care of?

To respect your money and to be sure that you have enough to go around, don't spend it before you make it. Make sure your expenses and necessities are covered before your wants. Save some for tomorrow and give some to those less fortunate and you will get it back twofold.

If you can't spare much monetarily, give of your time or your talents. You receive just as much back in satisfaction!!

My favorite body butter!

This cream is the best body butter I have ever used...it leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and it is less than $10! You may even be able to find it for under $5 at either Dollarama or other discount stores such as Walmart, Target or No Frills! Best of all...it smells delicious!!

Wanna feel rich without spending a dime?

I find the best way to feel rich is to appreciate the things I already have. I take mental or physical stick ofeither my clothes or just the things around me and view as if for the first time and i take time to appreciate why I bought them, what I like about them and I feel grateful for what I have and I haven't spent a dime that day!!

Before filling up with more stuff, appreciate what you already have :)

Shop the sales!

When you grocery shop do you use coupons, shop the flyer or wing it and hope some of your items are on sale?

I will admit, I am not much of a couponer, if I find one or have one I will use it but I do not hunt for them or collect them.

I go online and check the flyer for my local grocery stores and I derive a grocery list from that...I shop the sales!!

We are a family of two adults and a small dog...I try to keep our monthly grocery bill within $300 or $75 per week. Most of the time I can do it, but then there sometimes is a surprise or two found in the cart, lol.

Next time you are planning to shop, if you don't already do so, check the flyer and shop from it...Happy shopping!!

Good Soup!!

I had this soup for lunch this afternoon and it was quite good...I mean it wasn't the best I have ever had, but it was creamy, had big chunks of potatoes and plenty of clams...I would rate it a 3 out of 5!!

When is a bargain NOT a bargain?

We all love bargains...but when is a bargain NOT a bargain?

In my experience, a bargain is when you find what you wanted to buy anyway on sale...but when I have bought something in the past that was on sale but I wasn't necessarily wanting it...it was hit and miss.

It depended on why I was buying it. I used to be a shopaholic!! I would shop just about every lunch break and brought home a lot of clothes that, yes they were on sale, but now just sit in my closet and actually being frugal at heart, I will wear them before I give them away!! I know silly but I have to make up for that silly behaviour somehow, at least to my pocketbook, lol!! I was buying those things to make me happy, and although they gave me a rush at the time, they did not have any effect on my happiness whatsoever!!

But there were other times that I bought things that were on sale, even though I wasn't planning on buying them and they were a blessing...so it really depends on the reason WHY you are buying that item. If it is to fill a void, put it back and move on...you would be better off buying yourself a delicious latte than another mistake.

Left-over Breakfast Pie!!

Don't throw out your leftovers! Make a breakfast pie instead!!

Cook the rest of the bag of frozen hash browns as per package directions. Meanwhile crack 4-6 eggs (or 4 plus 1/3 cup egg whites) and whisk with 1/3 cup milk, some basil, oregano and Parmesan cheese. Preheat oven to 375 and while it warms up, pour cooked hash browns into pie plate (or other baking dish) sprinkle with either sliced sausages or crumbled bacon. Pour egg mixture over hash browns and meat then sprinkle any leftover hash browns as a crust and pepper to taste. Bake until egg is set, approx. 15-20 minutes. Makes 8 servings!

www.frugalfemme.com

These polka dots ain't just for girls!!

Got our new duvet and pillow set at Ikea yesterday...just $34.99!! Awesome price for a fun, funky and graphic printed set that suits both men and women! Available in twin as well for just $24.99!

No Frills but tons of Savings!!

Went to No Frills just off Whyte Ave. and bought our weekly groceries for 20% less than at our usual local grocery store...even name-brand items are less, some significantly! As for their No Frill, no-name items, there are more savings to be had...as long as you don't mind the colour yellow, lol!! The only downfalls we found is that they do not accept Visa (Avion Points), but they do accept Master Card; And you have to buy the bags at 5cents each and bag your own. You can grab a box for free if you wish...check them out!!!

Hello! My name is Nanci-jean Franks. I love sharing tips on living frugally!! Especially in today's uncertain economy...this is a quick post just to say hello. Will post again very soon