Ways we Saved Money this Month : August 2017

Hello friends!

I am both happy and sad to now be in September! I can’t believe how fast this summer went by (although I think I say that every year), and now we have just snuck into September. The mornings are cooler, and the geese are ever-present, which are sure signs that Fall is near around here!

I’m so excited to share this new series with you! In an effort to stay fairly frugal, I will be highlighting places where we were able to save money this month. Some of them are a bit silly, but it all adds up! It’s also nice because it shows how easy it is to be frugal in some areas, as many of these things are just second nature. Josh and I were away for about a month in July/August, so this series is starting at a good time because we are eager to get back on track in our budget after we enjoyed more spending freedom on our trips. I hope you enjoy!

Potluck: We enjoyed a potluck dinner with friends, which allows you to have a full meal by bringing one menu item. We brought one of our favourites; quinoa salad.

 Movies: One of Josh’s favourite things is to go to the movies. We paired a gift card with a two-for-one coupon which means we were able to stretch the gift card and still get in for free!

Bundled Toiletries: Every summer, the drug store does a Back to School pack of regular toiletries for $12 each. Sure, we’re not going BTS but they’re the same products we would buy anyway, so I picked up a women’s package and a men’s. We would typically buy 90% of what comes in the bundle anyway, and they are honestly valued at about $50.

Salad: A friend ended up with a salad that they weren’t interested in eating, and passed it along to us while we were visiting. All we had to do was add some chicken, and boom! Instant Chicken Caesar salad. And since it was Costco-sized, it did us for supper and also for lunch the next day.

Said No: This one can be tough for some people, but when we get invited to social events that we would only go to out of obligation, we say no. Certainly, you can’t say no to absolutely everything that you would rather not go to (dentist, anyone?) but often our schedules get too full, and not everything on them are a must. By saying no to going out (when we would rather not), we saved money on dinner and drinks. We can use that time and money for when we really would like to go out, and would happily do so with people that uplift us and make us feel good having spent time together.

 Gasoline: Since you can’t negotiate the price of fuel, it can be a real pain to pay for – but it’s a necessary evil. One way we’re able to save a bit of money is by filling up at Costco. Their prices are always the best in town. It gets crazy hectic there, so I only go during inopportune times in order to save my sanity. Additionally, our grocery store gives out coupons for Shell gas stations. How much you spend on groceries will determine how many cents off you can receive per litre. This option is also great when I can’t make it to Costco.

Books: Something else that Josh loves is reading. He uses his E-reader every single day. He often receives gift cards so that he can purchase new books for it. Recently he ran out of gift cards (a common, favourite gift!), but opted to re-read his favourites and paperbacks that he already has. We are thinking about also checking out the local library.

Ice Cream: I don’t know what it is about summer that makes me just crazy for ice cream! We noticed that it was becoming all too easy to scoot over to the Dairy Queen down the street from us. This was starting to add up quickly, so instead I purchased a box of ice cream sandwiches at Costco – $10 for 30 delicious sandwiches. Clearly, the most cost effective option would be to cut out the dessert, but it’s all about balance, right? For the price of 2 Blizzards we could have 30 sandwiches that would last us the whole summer. It was also great to have on hand when we have company over.

Air Conditioning: As much as possible, we opted for open windows rather than using the AC. This was especially effective when it would cool down at night (though that didn’t always happen!) and then you could close the windows during the day to trap in the cool air. Plus it is so much nicer to have fresh air over recycled air.

 

What are some ways you saved money recently? Leave a comment below!

 

LP

10 Practical Ways to get your Emergency Fund off the Ground

More than ever it is becoming increasingly important for every person to have an Emergency Fund. It is just what its title suggests – money set aside for the genuine emergencies that occur in everyday life (and no, a trip to Tahiti does not constitute an “emergency”!) While some suggest having 3-6 months worth of expenses set aside, others say 6 + months. It may seem exorbitant to have that much money aside that you are not allowed to touch, but you will be very glad to have it in the event of a job loss, disability, or other life-altering event. The statistics are frightening about how little savings the average household typically has, yet you can be assured that major unexpected expenses will come at some point or another.

While gathering enough money to cover multiple months worth of expenses sounds daunting, how about setting a goal of reaching the first $1000 quickly? Here are some practical ways you can start seeing your savings grow without having to dip in to your chequing account.

 

1. Sell things – Take a look around your home and see what you are able to part with. Sure you may like an item, but do you like it enough to let it get in the way of you and financial security? Take a look at local ads for in person or online garage sales in your area. Or you could always check out large online sites such as Craigslist, Ebay, or Kijiji. This method takes little skill or time, and you can gain some quick cash. If you have gold or precious metals that you no longer wear, take them to a reputable goldsmith and receive cash for your pieces.

2. Dog walking – This is an excellent way to get outside, clear your head, and sneak in some exercise. Put up an ad around your neighbourhood or check out online databases to see who would be interested in hiring some help in this area.

3. Work online – Now more than ever, there are options to make money through online means. Whether you can be a freelance writer, start a blog, take online surveys, or have a YouTube channel, any bit of extra income will help you achieve your goals and be fun in the process.

4. Do odd jobs – If the neighbourhood kids can make a profit doing this, then so can you! Whether it be lawn care tasks like cutting grass or raking leaves, or doing snow removal in the winter, consider this an opportunity to clean up yards around your own while being one step closer to financial freedom.

5. Child care – Already a parent who stays at home? Caring for a few more children can increase your savings rather quickly!

6. Make a return – Feeling some recent buyer’s remorse? Return the item you purchased and put that money into your Emergency Fund.

7. Sell your gift cards – As much as we love to get gift cards, sometimes they are for places we are not interested in. You can sell your gift cards to websites such as cardswap.ca or cardcash.com. You can also trade them in for places you really would use them at and stash the savings.

8. Monetize your hobby – Are you famous for your baking? Take excellent photos? Have a knack for sewing? All of these things can go from something to do in your downtime, to a real business venture. Whether it be through an Etsy shop, selling at a Farmer’s Market, or simply by word of mouth. Doing what you love can be even sweeter when it is helping you increase your income.

9. Get a part time job – This doesn’t have to be a drag. Consider somewhere that you already enjoy being, or products you love. Be careful though! Taking advantage of the employee discount defeats the purpose of you working that job.

10. Use your tax refund – Sure, it’s certainly lackluster compared to a shopping spree, but being able to pad your savings with “free” money is exciting in its own way. You could also apply this to any increase in salary or money that is gifted to you.

 

Remember, any savings is better than nothing. As you achieve your savings goals, keep increasing them until you reach the final amount. Know that you don’t have to do these things forever, but the sacrifice is worth the peace of mind. Suddenly life’s emergencies won’t actually be emergencies because you will be able to cover them – and that is worth all the sacrifice.

 

Have any other ideas for making money on the side? Leave them below!

 

LP

Buying Less to Live More

Hello there friends!

I am excited to (finally) be sharing another piece on money and minimalism. These topics were some of the earliest posts and I written, but it has been a long time since then. I am pleased to share with you some of the things that Josh and I have either greatly decreased or cut out completely in our budget. These are things that have been working for us over the past 3 years, and they’re things that we haven’t even been missing! Let me preface this with that fact that I know everyone’s budgets and needs are different, so do not view this as a be-all-end-all list. Additionally, if these were things that we were really missing, we would add them back in again – we’re not about being deprived for no reason. However, in an effort to be more intentional with our finances and to experience more financial freedom, we have been experimenting with making changes on some of the things we used to spend quite a bit of money on. Of course we did not cut out everything at once, but slowly it became one thing or another – whether consciously or not.

Therefore, here are 11 things that we have easily been able to (mostly) remove from our budget and have not looked back:

1. Going out: Of course we still see our friends, and Josh and I still go out as a couple. However, we do not go out as often as we used to, or we will find fun things to do that are free or cost effective. An added perk is that when we do do a special date, we appreciate it that much more.
2. New clothes/shoes: Now, of course we all need to replace our clothes and shoes when they wear out – no one is disputing that. However, like to many consumers, shopping for such items became more of a hobby than something out of necessity. Since we are not into thrifting, every new item of clothing added up really quick! Now, we have only the items that we love and items that go with many other things in our closet. In doing so it removes a lot of the clutter and stress that comes out of choosing an outfit. And of course, it has created a significant amount of margin in our budget month after month.
3. Anything obligatory: You guys, this one has to be the most life changing out of all the options I will mention here today. I have been learning to (gracefully) say no to things and it has been so freeing! So many of us say yes to things out of obligation or fear of hurting the other person. But then we end up with a jam packed schedule, frazzled brain, and wrecked budget. It’s just not fair to ourselves or to the other party, really. Therefore, if we are not able to honestly say “heck yes!” then the answer is probably a no. Of course there are some things that you really shouldn’t get out of (dentist anyone??), but it is about creating margin in your schedule and in your mental clarity. It allows you to properly say yes to things you actually want to.
4. Takeout and takeaway: Again, it’s not like we have never ordered in a pizza or hit up the local coffee shop. However, once we had an honest look at where a surprising amount of money was going, we just couldn’t justify the frequency of such a habit – coffees in particular. Now, when we do order in it is for a valid reason, and coffee dates are appreciated more because they are a treat.
5. Gym membership: Sigh, we have to admit defeat on this one. Like so many others, we wanted to slim down and bulk up a little and thought that by getting a gym membership we would magically be motivated to go and enjoy it all the time. Granted, we got a discounted price because we were under 25 at the time of purchase, and we also received a spousal discount because we signed up together. Those were great, but we still spent a few hundred dollars during the transaction. While we certainly did go and it was something we enjoyed together sometimes, I discovered that when it comes to exercise machines, I’m more of a “look at no one, speak to no one” kind of person. Oddly enough, I started to enjoy the solitude – something very odd for such an extrovert. However, every time I had a window of time, I always felt guilty for not spending it at the gym and for getting the best value I could. Therefore, not only did we not go enough, now I was feeling guilty about it as well. Once our passes ran out, we just didn’t renew them.
6. Bath & Body Works: Ahhhh, old friend. A sweet addiction since early middle school. For the record, I still love receiving these products as gifts from people. Whether it be soap for my home, or a delicious smelling body lotion or shower gel, it is a nice indulgence. The way I have drastically scaled back my consumption is by only purchasing what I can realistically use up – I know, what a concept. But the truth is I used to buy up so many products at every sale that I couldn’t keep up with using them in time before they were past their prime. And that would be a waste no matter how little I paid for them. Instead, I happily accept them as gifts, and have also learned to appreciate something a bit less fragranced from the drugstore. This way I don’t have the massive stash I used to, and I can use each product joyously without feeling like I have to get through them all quickly.
7. Expensive Makeup: I know this isn’t for everyone, and I do believe that high end products are worth it if they really do make a big enough difference for the price. But I have found for the most part I am a simple girl with simple tastes, and drugstore cosmetics suit me just fine. Very occasionally I will treat myself to something high end (when the gift with purchase bonus’ are on), but far more often than not I am just as happy with drugstore products.
8. Expensive Tea: This one I implement from time to time, but on such a small scale that it’s barely a blip in the budget. I went through a long obsession of having expensive loose leaf tea from a specialty tea shop in recent years. I can recall a few times where I’ve spent $60 + in a transaction, strictly on tea! I think the reality is that I just now drink more coffee than tea (yikes!), and when I do drink tea I am happy with the options that I can find at the grocery store. Granted, there are some flavours that I still go back to, it is nice to just have 1-2 “special” fancy teas and subsidize with a couple of grocery store options for the time being.
9. Luggage Checking Fees: I could write a whole separate post on why we no longer check luggage, but for the sake of this one in particular, I will just say that we have learned what to pack/not pack so that we do not require bringing a suitcase with us that needs checking. Josh and I fly a fair amount and so far the only exception to this rule has been flying at Christmas time because we are bringing gifts to/from our destination. We have even gotten pretty good at packing light for winter destinations.
10. Chips/Dessert/Juice etc: This was something we learned early on in our marriage – if you buy junk food, it’s gone quickly and then you always want more. Therefore, we simply don’t buy these types of junk food in our regular grocery shopping (with the exception of tortilla chips) unless we are hosting some sort of gathering. Juice was an interesting one for us. While being floored at how expensive it is (clearly we didn’t pay attention to that before we were paying our own way!), we also learned more about how much sugar is actually in it. Instead, we now start our day off with water and/or coffee, and also drink water with our lunch.
11. Books/Video Games: Phew! The last one. It’s crazy how many changes we’ve made that we don’t even really miss. This one is definitely something that Josh has made more changes in. A common gift that he receives is a gift card for him to purchase e-books, so we have not had to pay for a book in a long time – which is saying a lot because he reads fast! Additionally, he said that he likes playing his favourite games more frequently than having a large collection. Therefore he only buys a couple games a year, and asks for certain ones for Christmas.

 You may notice that “margin” seems to be my theme of the day. And it really is! Whether it is in your home, schedule, or of course your finances, a little added margin creates so many healthy boundaries. Additionally, it’s all about balance! If you so desperately want something that is not a dire need, but is in your budget, then get it! Budgeting is not about depriving yourself, but it is about changing your habits and seeing what is/is not actually worth paying for. A great new blouse is totally fine as long as it doesn’t become habitual – then you’re back where you started.

What I have enjoyed through all of this is that by purchasing certain items less, I actually appreciate them more. Drinking a fancy tea, using great smelling lotion, or going out to eat is so much more exciting to me because it is not something we do all the time. It has become quite a shift in our thinking and consumption. Saving money is just the added bonus of consuming less and being more intentional. So tell us, is there anything you have cut out of your budget that you haven’t missed?

We also made a quick YouTube video about this over on our channel, ThePaetkauLife . If you’d like to see what we’re up to in the day to day, you can follow us on Instagram !

 

 

Crossing the Rubicon

Hello everyone,

So, this week I’ve gone and done something crazy. In the same week that I turned 25 (Yay!) I also went and quit my job (Yay?). The reason I’ve gone and done this is because L and I have decided that it’s time for me to take the next step on the road that hopefully leads to a career for me. So in honor of another year of my life beginning I thought I would run you through the series of events that have lead to a decision that will surely make this year one of the most interesting ones we’ve ever had.

For the past year and a half I have been working at a job that I didn’t really enjoy while I’ve searched for jobs in the field I went to school for. The unfortunate thing for me is that there were really no jobs out there in my field as companies have begun to rely more heavily on volunteers rather than paid employees. Because of this lack of opportunities L and I decided that I would begin taking some classes in December to try and expand my skills while still working at least part time.

The real difference about these classes are that they are completely unlike the classes that I took during university. Rather than taking courses in sustainable agriculture and volunteer management, I’m instead taking classes in graphic and website design. While these classes are difficult because they are so different from anything else I’ve learned, they are also some of the most fun and interesting classes I have ever taken because they are things that I have chosen to learn. This whole schooling idea is something of a passion project for me.

In addition to my school I am also working to get a commercial UAV certification, giving me the ability to fly a drone as a part of my job. Because of the new regulations being created in Canada this will open up some more opportunities for me on the career front, as well as helping me expand the type and scale of video and photographs that I can make for myself. This is an opportunity that I’m very excited for.

One of the things that I have realized during the last four years is that I do not enjoy shiftwork. During the time I’ve been working shiftwork I have missed many things that are important to me simply by working at odd times. One of the other things that I’ve always known is that I also have trouble enjoying a typical office work environment. The unfortunate thing about this is that there are not many jobs that don’t involve either shiftwork or office work, so if I’m going to have to work in an office environment it is going to be in a field I enjoy.

So, for the first time since I was 14 I don’t have a job, and that’s a scary thing. It also means a lot of adjustment for L and I as we work around only having one income for a while. However, while it’s a huge transition it is something that we both felt I needed to do. We always hear the advice from people around us to step out and do what we love and figure out the details later (don’t we? Is this just me?). So that’s what I’m doing. I’m taking a step in a direction that I never thought I would be going and trusting that this is where I’m supposed to be.

So, to all of you who’ve given me support and encouragement as I’ve talked over this decision with you, thank you. Every one of you that I’ve spoken with about this has been so positive and you have helped me to feel as though I’m making the right decision. If you would like to continue to follow me through this (crazy) idea check out my Twitter and Instagram, where I’ll be taking the things I am learning and hopefully turning them in to something awesome. In addition to these avenues L and I have also just started a Youtube channel and since I have some more free time I’m going to be contributing some of my own content to mix in with the great videos that L has been producing there. If you’d like to see them click here.

Thank you for all of your support,

JP

Travelling Light| Carry on Packing

Hi friends!

It is great to be back here and sharing with you all! We are flying out to see Josh’s family as a surprise for Mother’s Day, and will show you what I am taking along with me. I love to pack light because it allows me to worry less about packing, lugging around, and keeping track of less things. I have many other reasons about why I love to travel light, but that will be for another time. Another thing I just love is surprises! As mentioned, J’s mom doesn’t know that her 3 kids are flying in, and I have been giddy for days. I don’t think I’m the only one, but when I know about a surprise, I feel like I could just burst! I am so excited to see her reaction.

We also did something wild – we started a YouTube channel! It was really fun to make our first video, but also nerve wracking. It will become evident in the video that I’m not overly confident in front of the camera, but I think I will get better at it with time. And it is hard to put yourself out there! We honestly don’t know what to expect with how it will take off or not, but it is nice to work on something together as a couple and have a creative outlet. The main topics are about the same as what you can expect to find on here – travel, lifestyle, saving money, etc. and it would be great if you could show it some love! A lot of our friends and family live in other provinces, so we also like that it can be another platform to keep tabs on one another and stay connected.

Without further ado, here is what I packed for our quick 5 day trip.

Packing cubes – A must for compressing your clothing (I haven’t found it creates too many extra wrinkles either!) and organizing them so you can quickly find what you need.

Outerwear – The North Face wind breaker (not shown)

Bottoms – 1 American Eagle black jeans, 1 Lululemon capris

Tops – 1 grey cardi, 2 tees, 1 tank, 1 chambray, 1 sleeveless blouse

Extras – 1 swim suit, pjs, socks, etc., sun glasses, scarf, eye mask,

Shoes – Manitobah Mukluks moccasins, and sparkly strapped sandals (not shown)

Toiletries – Without going into detail here, ensure you pack your liquids in a single sealed 1 L bag, and put any other needed products in a cosmetic bag of some kind.

Tech – Cell phone, iPad, E-reader, all related chargers, head phones

 

Packing for this trip was super simple! I always consider 3 things when I am packing. 1) duration of stay 2) weather at destination and 3) activities. Properly knowing each of these things makes packing practically complete itself. If you know you need one fancier outfit, pack the one that suits you and the weather the best! Know you need to bring 4 tops? Grab your favourites! Spending a lot of time outside? Round up some active wear.

I knew that I wasn’t going anywhere that required a nice coat, so I was able to only pack my windbreaker and was perfectly happy with just that. I also enjoyed having my sandals with me, although I could have gotten away with just wearing my moccasins as the weather changed from the forecast. You can only plan so much, and the rest is out of your hands. Everything got worn except for one pair of socks and my swimsuit, which is pretty good in my books.

I think I packed just the right amount of items – which is no small feat! I have over packed and I have under packed. But I have learned not to fret if I feel I am missing something. I can either make do or purchase it if I need. You typically need much less than you think.

If you would like another visual for what I packed, check out the video here! We had fun making this short clip for you all.

Happy packing!

 

LP

 

Exploring Home

We all have that one touristy place in our area that we recommend as a place to visit to everyone who comes in to town but have never visited ourselves. It’s just somewhere that we always think would be interesting to go to, but we never make the time to go there ourselves. For L and I that place was the Royal Canadian Mint.

I’ve now lived in the area for 6 years and I’ve never gone to the Mint, considered by many to be an essential visit when you’re in town. L has lived here all her life and has never visited either (apparently she was sick on field trip day). With these facts in mind we decided that it was time to check this landmark off our list.

We went on a guided tour, something I would recommend because there’s not much you can see if you’re not on one of these tours. If you’re by yourself you can visit the first floor of the building, which contains the gift shop and a few feature windows showing the end of the minting process. Your experience would be lackluster if this was all you were able to see. By taking the tour you are able to see the process in its entirety and have it all explained by the guide, allowing you to properly understand the process. We called ahead to book our tour (just in case) but you can also book them from the front desk when you arrive. Overall it’s an interesting place to visit and one I would recommend checking out if you’ve never been.

And now on to the real sentiment behind this article, encouraging you all to go visit these places in your area.

As I have said, we all have places in our area that we recommend to others but have never visited ourselves. So what’s holding us back? If we are telling others to visit these places then why aren’t we going there ourselves? Many times these places are quintessential destinations, the kinds of things you see on the brochures advertising your town. They are the landmarks that define our homes, the pictures that are undeniably of your city and yet we don’t go to them. For some of us it’s because we don’t make the time, for others it almost becomes a point of pride (“I must be the only person in New York who’s never been to Central Park”).  Whatever the reason, it’s time to go out and visit these places. These locations define our homes and it’s time to see them.

One thing that travel teaches you is to appreciate your home and in order to appreciate it we have to explore it. So go out and find that location that you’ve never been to. Spend a day exploring your home and enjoy the appreciation you gain for it as you learn more about it. These places are our homes and the best way to make them feel as such is to explore them.

So get out and explore,

 

JP

A New Year (and a new writer)

Hello friends,

 

We were looking at the blog this week and we realized that it has been a year since we posted anything. So, for those dedicated few of you that have stuck around this long, we thought you deserved a new post. And with this new post you get a new writer! Yay!

Alright, alright, quit your whining. LP will still be writing here too, I’ll just be chiming in every now and then with my own thoughts and ideas.

Hi, I’m JP, the other half of the Paetkau Life and since it was because of the events of this last year that I am now living a more media focused life, we figured it was only fitting that I was the one to update you on those events.

This past year we have done a lot of travelling, though not as much as either of us would like (we’ve both caught a little travel fever). Since our last post we’ve travelled across 13 different time zones on three different adventures and we have plans for more travel upcoming. But for now, let me update you on the places we have been.

Right after L’s last post we took off to Hawaii with my family. This is a trip that my parents had been wanting to take with us kids after they went a few years ago and fell in love with the Islands. So when they gave us the offer of “get yourselves to the Islands and we will take care of the rest,” we jumped at the chance. That’s just too good to pass up, so we all travelled from different points in Canada and met up in Maui. There we enjoyed the sun, learned to surf, and swam with turtles. We also discovered that shave ice is amazing when you get it from the right place. We were sad to leave this great family time and go back to the real world.

In the fall we had the chance to make up for a lost opportunity and go to Kenya. As some of our readers will know we were originally supposed to be living in Kenya for 4 months a few years ago but unfortunately our plans fell through. Sometime later we were approached by the World Missions leader of our church with an opportunity to help build a relationship with a community in Kenya through an organization called 410 Bridge. For the past year we have been helping the church to plan and organize a series of trips and we were lucky enough to get to join one ourselves. On our trip we travelled to a series of communities to learn what they were doing in their partnership with 410 and how they wanted to proceed with their plans in the future. Eventually we and the rest of our team sat down and picked one of the communities for our church to partner with directly. This trip was so different from others that we have been on because even though we did do some touristy things (safari!) they were only a small portion of our time on the trip. Kenya was an intensely rewarding experience and we are so glad that we can help others go on similar trips through 410 Bridge.

Our final adventure of this last year wasn’t as grand an adventure as the others but it was just as important. In February we took a few days off to visit my parents in Southern Alberta. It was nice to be able to relax and recharge, especially since we were not able to visit during the Christmas season like we usually do. We spent time with family and friends and L got to visit her favorite place in the world, Banff. This was a great way to get away for a bit and break out of that post-Christmas funk.

So now you know our year. We spent a lot of time travelling and even more time doing all the other things one needs to do in between (but nobody wants to hear about that). I hope you enjoyed reading about our travels and if people enjoy them enough maybe I’ll go more in-depth about each trip some other time.

Thanks for reading,

JP

 

Bye Bye Social Media

Hello friends!

How is it already the middle of April?? By looking outside, I’d barely know its supposed to be Spring, but such is life in central Canada. We complain, but there is something intoxicating about the prairies. Something that keeps you so rooted, where you know nothing else could ever feel like home.

While I’m sure you didn’t even notice, I took off all of March from Facebook & Instagram – and yes, those are all of my avenues of social media. No Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, or the like. I had been feeling too sucked in to the online realms, so on somewhat of an impulse, I decided to stay offline for 31 days. Yes, I understand the irony, since I put my blog posts on Facebook, but I will side step that for now. Before anyone feels the need to be a whistleblower, I did use Facebook Messenger the odd time, but I used the separate app (so as to not be on Facebook), and it was only used as an email server for some time sensitive items.The most critical part to my successfully completing the 31 days was to remove both apps from my phone. That was definitely my greatest “triggers” in my compulsive usage, so that had to be the first thing to go.

In short, I LOVED my March. At first, there was the definite “twitch” of picking up my phone for social media purposes whenever a moment of boredom arose, but once that faded it was so much better to live in the real world. That’s really what the majority of social media usage is anyway. Am I interested in the lives of those around me? Sure I am. But not every single time I would sign on to either app. The majority of the time it is just an impulse – an insecurity to be seen alone without something to distract, a bad habit, or a time killer. But the more time I spent away from all the social and political drama, useless posts, or just general negativity and time wasting, the more I wanted to pull the plug forever. Instead of stopping to take a photo to post or thinking up a witty caption, I just lived in that moment. I experienced, I gave people my full attention, I wasn’t distracted with things that don’t matter. I wasn’t concerned with getting a good handful of “likes” (which is a lost cause for me anyway), or about online acceptance. I just lived and it felt so good.

There is a practical aspect to Facebook that makes it a bit harder to shake – and that has to do with communication. I missed a friend’s birthday party (sorry Leah!) because I never got the notice. I didn’t RSVP to a fun event I was invited to, which is something I just detest, because the common courtesy of attendance response is just not so common anymore.. On the other hand, if it were super important to the host, I do have a functioning phone to which I respond.

I will admit that towards the end I was looking forward to signing in once again. Mostly just to spy on the lives of those around me and to see what had occurred that month. But that did not last very long once I did log in. It was primarily business as usual, or I was reminded of all the reasons that I wanted to disconnect. I realized that life goes on, and reaches so far beyond the confines of a filtered photo, or a sassy status. Life is for living, not posting. Is it nice to see what the goings on of those around you are? Sure, especially if they live far away. But this past month only affirmed what I already knew – those I want to stay in contact with, I will (and vice versa). It is not social media that keeps us together, but intentional community.

With all of this in mind, and the self-given permission to be on social media again, I think I could honestly say that I could do without. For me, it would be easier to give up Facebook over Instagram, but I could likely give up either. Will I? Not at this point, but I definitely don’t spend time online like I used to – and I like that 🙂

Instead, go outside, call up a friend, or learn a new skill. These things have so much more value and bring so much more happiness. If social media worked to bring people the happiness they’re searching for, society would look so different. Instead, we lose out on productivity, contribution, new experiences, real connection, and real life.

 

The point of all of this – various ranting aside – is to remind a society too addicted to their phones to look up! Prioritize things of lasting value, real happiness, and contribution. It is truly doable, and was actually easier than I thought. I hate to have turned this post into a PSA, but perhaps its the challenge that some of you have been looking for.

Now get offline 😉

LP

If We Were on a Coffee Date…

Have you read this type of post before? Surely I am not the only one. The invitation for a “virtual coffee date”, complete with all the things that I would tell you if we were catching up over a cup of something hot. I find these from time to time, and while I think they are silly, I also find myself reading every word – odd.

So, if we were on a coffee date, I would ask to meet at Starbucks so I could order a Tall Chai-Eggnog (dubbed the “cheggnog”) latte. Or, I would ask you to take me to Fools & Horses, because, unbelievably, I haven’t been there yet.

If we were on a coffee date I would tell you how pleased I am with how our lives have been going. About finishing university, about the freedom to move wherever we choose (or stay right here), the opportunity to buy a home and set down roots, about new opportunities to enter the workforce and generate some real income – as the full time student/part time employee thing gets really old…

I would tell you about how terrifying said wonderful life is. About all the changes going on, life decisions, and opportunities we have found to be on our plate.

I would tell you that having your family move away is very hard, but its not a death sentence. It just makes a long distance plan necessary, and the time you do spend together that much more special.

I would tell you about moving on with my life. About changing friendships, meeting new people, job opportunities, leaving the student life behind, and being okay that things will not stay the way they have been.

I would tell you that I cut off 10 inches of hair, and try to justify to you why that is a significant change in my life. – Or maybe I wouldn’t try to justify it, who cares if you think its significant or not anyway 😉

I would tell you about my need for travel and to experience new ways of living, and how excited I am about the trips we have planned.

I would tell you about how happy I am with how things have been going for my husband and I.

I would tell you that marriage has not been hard for us – although I’m told that will change.

I would tell you about my journey for incredible gratitude, about how menial it is to try to keep up with other people, how forsaking the need for instant gratification will allow us to do what we actually want later, and how degrading it is to value people based on their possessions. I would share with you my new favourite quote. “Comparison if the thief of joy”, by Theodore Roosevelt

I would tell you that God has always known what our needs are, and met them in perfect time.

I would tell you I’ve been working on my fear of turbulence, and that I think I’ve come a long way.

I would tell you I’ve really come to appreciate my parents, both biological and in-law, and the wisdom and life experience they share with us.

I would tell how I’ve also really come to appreciate my friendships, and the people who speak into my life while living it alongside me.

I would tell you about our 3 boys – the kids we sponsor through Compassion – and how I beam from ear to ear with every letter or photo.

I would no doubt tell you about my journey in minimalism, and how it looks different for everyone. I am still working on it, but am loving the progress I have made.

I would tell you about my great interest in a Capsule Wardrobe, and how I reading about it so frequently, but just can’t pull the trigger.

I would tell you about how much better I’m getting at painting my nails (small victories, right?), except when it comes to using my right hand!

I would tell you about my irritation when someone wishes me a “Happy Holidays”. What does that even mean?? Christmas is not an offensive word.

Finally, I would take a deep breath after all of that and thank you for being a listening ear.

And then we would talk about you! Because if we didn’t, I might as well be saying these things to my reflection. Then maybe we would get a refill, because I’m starting to have a caffeine problem.

Seasonal Changes

Hello there!

Are you as excited as I am that Autumn is here? The wind is cooler, the humidity has finally left us alone, and I’m starting to see some beautiful colours on the changing trees. Yesterday I brought out my Fall/Winter clothes and despairingly put my shorts, skirts, and bathing suits away for another 7 months or so. I do this mindfully, and each season I weed through my clothes as I put them away. I consider each piece and whether or not I will be excited to see it next year, or if I will wonder why I bothered to store it for another season. While it brings about mixed emotions, that meant that I was able to access my Fall clothes. Yup, you guessed it! Hello tights, scarves, and cardis. I love to read blogs on capsule wardrobes (Google it) and transitioning clothes into the cooler months. I have to laugh though, as many writers suggest adding layers to Summer blouses. It seems their solution to transitioning their clothes is to add tights or a cardigan. Here in the Great White North that simply will not do. Yes, in early Fall this looks cute and works fairly effectively. But once November hits that just isn’t an option any longer. I guess we just don’t all live in warm to moderate climates all year long! In addition to pulling out warmer clothes, tomorrow I am meeting with a friend for my first Pumpkin Spice latte of the season (white girls, you know who you are!). Joy of joys, I have been waiting for a long time for this opportunity.

While I fully embrace this seasonal change, I can’t help but feel a little bit guilty about how quickly we think we’re done with Summer – as if we’re cheating on it somehow. On one hand, we wait for it all year, dreaming of its warm sun, and of days at the cabin, camp fires, beach visits, and road trips. Then as soon as the air starts to change, so does our mindset. I’ll admit I am actively working to cope better with life changes, but there is a small angle of sadness that I have about leaving the summer season behind. It’s back to school (for the last time!), back to work, and before we know it, back to Winter – but I certainly won’t talk about that yet!!

Maybe my issue about seasonal changes has more to do with upcoming life changes than it does about falling leaves. J & I both finish school this December – requiring us to start careers and new work, loved ones are moving away, and we’re caught in a weird place between buying a house and settling down or uprooting and moving away ourselves. We continue to be told that “now is the time” if we’re going to relocate somewhere (to clarify, it wouldn’t be international), because we’re young and our lives are flexible. While this is true, I still have mixed feelings about it – but I think that’s okay. Part of me needs a new adventure, but the other part is as deeply rooted as an old tree. Time will tell, I guess. In the meantime we will finish off our schooling and see what the future holds for us. As textbook Type A, this kind of stuff kills me, but I should learn to be more flexible anyway, so I shall choose to see it as a learning opportunity, instead of falling apart because I don’t have the next 12 months of our lives planned. Yet another chance to learn to stay liquid and face life head on.

Now get out there and enjoy a PSL in your knitted scarves and booties with tights! Fall doesn’t hang around too long in this province.

Best.

LP