Claiming Simplicity | Simple Life, Natural Living, Cooking from Scratch, Intentional Living, Save Money, Simple Systems

Have You Started Planning for Your Homestead Projects for This Year? If You Don’t Have This Done, You are Going to Want to Plan Soon so You Don’t Run Out of Time to Get Projects Done!

Hey Friend!

There are so many many things to do when you homestead, but with a plan, it will seem alot easier to get your projects around your homestead done. 

First, Make a master list of all the things you want to do in the future.  This may be adding some animals, growing a garden or adding to it, building a shed, shelter or shed, fencing, getting a freeze dryer, putting in a wood boiler and the list goes on and one.  This could be a very huge list that you can do over several years-this is not a list you will accomplish this year.

Next, look at your finances and see how much money you have to spend on projects and also how much time you have to devote to something new.  

After you know how much you have to spend and how much time you have, look through your projects and see where you want to start or what you want to get done this year.  Once you break down the projects into smaller chunks, it won't seem so overwhelming.  

This Year we want to make a chicken tractor to raise about 60 meat chickens.  Add more potatoes/squash to our garden as we are almost out of both of them and it is only January!  We also want to add a separate strawberry garden along with some other garden additions.  We also plan to breed our goats in the Fall, so we want to finish the goat shed with a milking stand and get pens ready for babies Spring of 2024!!!  I’m so excited about that!  We will probably add a few more fruit trees and another small insulated shed for more animals and we would possible like to try to raise a few pigs to butcher which we have never done before, so this all seems very doable to us and not overwhelming even though we really have a very short season here to get it all done in!

The biggest key is taking it slow so you don’t overwhelm yourself.  It is not worth being stressed out because you won’t enjoy the journey as much.  I really don’t think there is a destination in homesteading because you can always do something new, so enjoy every minute of it.

As far as harvesting, I want to preserve more ready cooked meals this year, so when we have ballgames and activities, we can have a healthy homegrown meal right out of the jar.  Some of those would be stew and soups that I would like to make more of.

Homesteading does not have to be hard.  Growing your own food doesn’t have to be hard.  Cooking traditional nutrient dense food does not have to be hard.  I am here to tell you that everything I do is simple-I wouldn’t say it is always easy because you will have a learning curve, but it is simple and if I can do it, you can too!

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Remember~Rome wasn't built in a day!!!!!!!  

Monica

 

What Does Homesteading Mean and How Can You Begin to Homestead and Live a Simpler Life with Less Stress and Less Overwhelm

Welcome Friend!

I love love love to talk about all things natural, homemade, and living a simplified life, so today, I wanted to talk about what exactly homesteading is because there seems to be so many different ideas.

Homesteading is a lifestyle of self-sufficiency, so homesteading life for each of us can be so very different, so now you know why people have so many different thoughts about it!!  You can live in an apartment, city, or in the middle of nowhere and you can still homestead no matter what your situation is.  You can live a simple life with little money, so if this homesteading lifestyle is something you dream of, why not get started now?

If you live in an apartment or the thought of homesteading overwhelms you, begin your homesteading journey by learning simple ways to prepare and preserve food. If you don’t know where to start, I suggest you start by replacing foods you buy at the store that you can make.  Honestly, if you are worried about homesteading and working full time, the things that I suggest you learn first are super simple and not time consuming at all!  Dry mixes, cream soups, and breads are a fabulous place to start, but honestly the possibilities are endless as to what you can do to become more self-sufficient!! 

 Homesteading can actually save you alot of money when you start switching out homemade food for convenient foods, and it is alot healthier. Something else you can do is try to grow some garden plants indoors - start small and this will give you encouragement to possible someday have a bigger scale garden.  I enjoy gardening, but many years the weeds have taken over, and it wasn’t good, but we do have a simple solution now with a method that automatically waters and I have very little weeds to pull, but I had much trial and error over the years.  Some plants I can grow really well, and some plants I can’t and sometimes it will depend on the year, so please please please do not get discouraged, use it as a learning lesson.  One lesson I learned a few years ago is that we will never use horse poop as fertilizer-we had weeds and thistles take over and it was out of control.

If you live in the city and want to start with animals, find out if you are allowed to have backyard chickens!  They are a really easy way to start with animals and produce your own food.  We have about 25 free range chickens and I almost feel like I need to hide my eggs with the price of them right now!  We just raised our price at the beginning of the year and we are still cheaper than the store- fresh homegrown is the only way to go!  Chickens are such an easy animal to begin with and my favorite thing about them is that we can feed and water them and still go away for the weekend and they are fine.  You don’t have to make a fancy coop either.  Depending on where you live and how harsh your winters are, you do have to take that into consideration though to make sure they are warm enough.   We buy a dozen chicks every Spring or every other spring so that we always have fresh eggs when some of them stop laying.  This year, we are going to get a rooster and try to hatch our own chickens, so I will have to let you know how that goes.  We have had chickens for several years, but this will be our first year trying to hatch our own.  That is the best thing about Homesteading-many learning experiences, but you have the flexibility to do it when it works for you-take it slow and enjoy the journey!  It really is an amazing life!

This is truely an amazing lifestyle and it is so good for our children and grandchildren to learn these skills.  So many people think that it costs alot of money to get started, but it can actually save you money if you start small.  It will also reduce overwhelm if you take it slow.  Learn one skill and then move to the next - and remember that you can keep it very simple like I have!

 

Subscribe to the podcast if you have not already so you don’t miss any episodes and I would really appreciate it if you take a few seconds to rate and review so that I can reach more listeners like you!  Thanks for being here!

 

Monica

 

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5 Small Attainable Steps to Simplify Your Home and Clear Out the Clutter to Enjoy Peace in Your House and Spend Less Time Cleaning

Hello and Welcome

For me, this is the best time of the year to declutter because I don’t have a whole lot of extra time in the other seasons here in MN.  After spending months cooped up in the house with alot of snow and below zero temperatures, you won’t find me in the house once the sun starts melting the snow in the Spring, and then we are preparing, planting, and caring for the garden and animals in the summer, and Fall is very busy here with harvesting and hunting season starting with bear the first weekend in September and then getting ready for winter, so now is the time I do more of the household projects I want to get done and it is also a time for alot of planning.

 

It can seem overwhelming, but if you do it in small chunks, it will seem much simpler.  Start in an area of your home that will be easier to tackle and just do 15 minutes at a time.  Take a trash bag for trash and a box for things you are going to donate and then a basket for the items that belong in a different area of the house.

 

Now I have done some major overhauls in the past, so I have alot less stuff and it takes much less time, but throughout the year, we do seem to accumulate extra items, so I like to go through and eliminate wherever I can~especially after Christmas.  As I am looking around my living room right now-this is an easy area to get it done quickly because we only have a few pieces of furniture, a shelf with some pictures and the only place I really need to even look it a couple end tables that have some books and newspapers in, so this room can be done within about 5 minutes.  Find a place in your home that will be an easier task so that you can feel accomplished and you will gain momentum.  The reason I like a simplified home is because it is quick to clean and I can spend more time with people I love and things I love to do instead of cleaning.  This alone should encourage you!  

 

Here is a list of 5 small steps you can easily do right away to begin your declutter journey.

1.  Take a garbage bag and pick up any garbage throughout your house and throw it away.
2. Pick up any dishes laying and put them in the sink or dishwasher to be washed.
3. Make sure  all your laundry is put away if it is clean or put in a laundry basket or your laundry room if it needs to be washed.
4. Clean off the kitchen counters-you will feel a difference once this is done and it feels so good!
5. Make sure any coats or shoes are put in a mudroom or entryway and not laying all over the house.

    

   These are just a few places to start in bite size chunks so you can get started with your decluttering journey.  If you just start with one of these 5 steps, you will be further ahead than you were before you started!

   
   

   Remember……Small steps over time can make a big difference, so don’t give up!

    

    

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xoxo,

Monica

 

 

Simple Hack to Declutter Your Mind by Doing a Brain Dump or a Power Hour so You Can Reduce Stress and Anxiety Throughout the Week and Become More Organized and Productive

Welcome Friend

It doesn’t matter what your title is a SAHM, Work full or part time, Work from home, we all have this never ending list of things to do.  It is a continuous circling in our mind and if you don’t have a plan for it, you may miss some of the things you need to get done.

I like to do a 1 hour power hour brain dump every week!  I like to clear all distractions when I do this-no phone and no interruptions..

If you are always thinking about all the things that you need to do  and they are not written down, it can constantly come into your mind and hang over your head.  It happens to me each week when I do not take the time to do this simple task.!

You are going to want to take notes today…..this is what you are going to do for your 1 hour-if you are driving or doing your dishes, you will want to listen again when you can write down this info.

Get a notebook or use your computer -jot down everything in your mind-all your thoughts and everything you need to do. a

Look at upcoming events-anything you need to do for them.

Put all of these things on the calendar -schedule them so they all get done.    

You will feel so much lighter and getting everything written down will reduce your stress as well.

 

3 reason why you need to do a weekly to do brain dump:

 

First, Getting everything you need to do written down will help you become more organized and putting them in order will help get more accomplished in less time.  

Next, it allows you to utilize your time and energy better so you feel less overwhelmed with everything you have to do.

Third, it increases productivity to get more done because you will have clear focus and concentration.  You will know exactly what needs to be done without worry about other tasks that don’t need to be done until the future.

 

Like I have said in previous episodes, time is not the problem, it is how we use our time that is the issue.  This will help you get more done in your busy schedule that you may feel like you have alot of extra time to do other tasks.

I would love to know if you do a consistent power hour.  Send me a message and let me know how you do it!

Hope you enjoyed this episode, if you know someone that could use this, please share this podcast with them.  Also, if you have not taken 30 seconds to give a review, I would appreciate it - it is the only way besides your messages you send me that I know you are loving the show and I read each and every one of them!

 

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Have a blessed week friend!

Monica

 

Make a Simple Change to Your Life & Enjoy Slow Living. 5 Tips to Learn How to Go From Being an Overwhelmed Busy Mom to Being More Peaceful With Less Stress & Anxiety & Enjoy Your Life

Hey! 

Did you know that being busy is destroying health, relationships, and connection to faith?  Have you noticed how the busier you are, the more stress you have?  Being pathologically busy is actually a threat to your well being!

I recently read a book my friend suggested from John Comer called The ruthless elimination of Hurry and if you have not read this, you should!  This is such a great book!  He says hurry is not of the devil, but hurry IS the devil, so slowing down can help you live a fulfilling life.  The Bible says walk with Jesus, not sprint with Jesus!

New technology has made us busier because it is a huge sinkhole.

Trying to be everything and be everywhere is making you exhausted and I want you to commit the limited time you have to focus on the the things that are most important to you instead.  Time is not the problem, it is how we use the time that is causing us stress and anxiety.

 

Here are some suggestions from the book:

1. Live as Jesus did.  Be in the moment and engage in life.  He was always fully present.  Hurry and stress had no time in Jesus’s  schedule. Prioritize what really matters. 
2. Create time for silence and solitude daily-we need to lead emotionally healthy lives to reduce anxiety, exhastion, living in reactive mode.
3. Take a day off to rest and worship-notice the world around you and stop rushing through the week because you have no time to value what you have.
4. Consume less and share more. Stop buying things you don’t really need.  Think of how many hours you had to work for each item you buy.  Buying more goods not only cost money, but distract you from the time you have to live your life.  Eliminating hurry means weaning cravings for the unnecessary items.You do not need money to enjoy life - prioritize your values instead of chasing the next thing to purchase.
5. Slow down your life and make it less efficient.  That means possibly going to a dumb phone to slow down communications.

 

Living intentionally and paying attention to what can give you lots of time and peace of mind.

 

I pray you are able to simplify your life to enjoy slow living. Live more intentionally to reduce stress and anxiety and enjoy your life once again.

xoxo,

Monica

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Why You Spend Money Like You do and 3 Steps to Correct Your Bad Money Habits and Choices so You Can Have Financial Peace

Hello!

We are going to continue working on learning financial peace this week!

We often allow human nature to take control of our financial decisions, so it is time we address the causes of most money problems by identifying and replacing natural human behaviors and tendencies with healthy financial habits. We will identify consequences and practical steps we can take to reduce their harm to our finances.

You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with which means you are influenced by those people, but not only those 5. Keeping up with them refers to reactively purchasing consumer items or experiences we notice they have purchased.  Trying to keep up with the Joneses leads us to spend our limited resources on the unlimited items.  You tend to wear what they wear, speak like they speak, and behave as they behave.  Think about people you know-this is so true!  This can certainly lead to overspending if the social groups tend to sustain a more expensive lifestyles than your own income can cover.

Here is how you can fight this. First, make a list of your personal values. This is NOT dollar amounts or purchases But the  behaviors, beliefs, and achievements that matter most to you. With these in place, you can ward off temptations to overspend when confronted by the financial choices made by others. How? Because this list includes what is MOST meaningful in your life. This list removes the pressure anytime you start to wonder if you should have or do what the Joneses have or are doing. If you don’t find the purchase related to something on your list, it won’t bring you any lasting satisfaction. You will also want to set up your own spending plan based on your priorities and income. Prioritizing money does not mean going without, it is just shifting where you want your money to go.

Consumers can make purchase choices based on irrational reactions, such as the fear of missing out. Fear of getting left out of groups and their trends. Exclusion once meant getting left behind, alone, and fending for oneself. This fear remains a strong driver of consumer choices even today. The money problems arise when consumers make fear-based decisions and lack critical information. They tend to run from threats as fast as they can, not caring in which direction, as long as it takes them away from whatever danger they thought they saw.

If you don’t put this into action, you will be right where you were last year, so start now so you can lessen your financial stress this year!  There is still time to join our NO SPEND CHALLENGE group this month-the link is in the description.  Even getting in on a few weeks can help kickstart your savings!

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Have a blessed week!

Monica

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Do You Feel Anxious When You Think About Your Finances and Debt? 5 Simple Tips to Overcome Money Stress This Year for Busy Christian Moms

Hello!  

We are going to talk about finances these next few weeks.

During the global pandemic, many people lost their  jobs and their peace of mind overnight. And now we’re more nervous than ever about our financial future. In fact, just over half of Americans admit to feeling somewhat anxious over their personal finances.

It will take time to feel confident about money again—and that’s okay. What happened was scary and real but the good news is, you don’t have to wait for the rest of the world to get it together before you get your money in order. There are practical ways to recover a sense of freedom and power in your financial future.

The state of your personal finances has a direct impact on the state of your mental health. You can’t feel safe when you’re indebted to a bank and can’t plan for your future. 

Im here to tell you-there is hope. With the right plan, you can take control of your money and create a life that lets you sleep sound at night. It won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it.

Here are _5_ tips for overcoming money stress.

1. Evaluate your relationship with money.

2. Work together with your spouse

3. Tune out media

4. Never, ever take on debt.

5. Live on a budget.

   Money stress is real. It’s scary. Do you have to be a slave to your spending habits? No. Are you going to allow your debt to keep you from the life you thought you’d have by now? I sure hope not.

   Money stress is not your destiny. You get to decide to leave your money mistakes in the past and start a new chapter. Remember you are worth being well in all areas of life—including your finances.  

    

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See you next week!

Monica

 

Do You Really Want to Save Money in 2023? 3 Easy Ways to Reduce Expenses This Year

Happy New Year

 I can’t believe another year flew by so fast! 

Lets look at saving money today so you can get ahead of your finances right away this year!

Do you really want to save money?  This podcast will give you some tips to reduce expenses that you can easily put into place so you can reduce stress and anxiety with your money.

Join our Facebook Group and get ahead on saving money this year with the No Spend Challenge.

Join our Facebook Group ->

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Email -> claimingsimplicity@gmail.com

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Have a great week!

Monica

5 Steps to Set Your Intentions for Next Year & Review all Your Accomplishments From Last Year

Welcome to Claiming Simplicity’s last episode of the year! 

I hope you have been able to start to simplify your life by implementing some of the tips I have given you throughout the year. 

When I look back on this year, it reminds me of how incredibly rewarding simple living is!  Each year we dive deeper into making life even simpler so we can enjoy the life we value most!  If you haven’t noticed, I love all the time I spend with family and friends which would not be possible if we had not created this life of freedom. 

If you are at a job that you look forward to 5:00 every day or always looking toward the weekend and your job is not fulfilling, I encourage you to begin by simplifying-in all areas, but especially in your finances.  Begin to design a life you don’t have to escape from!

We had another amazing year and I know if I hadn’t started doing this exercise years ago with God’s guidance, we would probably not be where we are today. 

You are going to be looking back to see all you accomplished and set your intentions for next year.  It is very encouraging to see everything big and small!  This should not discourage you, we are looking at and focusing on all the positive things you did this year and not dwelling on the unaccomplished.  We can all improve in all areas, and this will show you where you want to focus for the next year.

Join our  FREE No Spend Challenge - link will be in the Facebook group!

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Have a Blessed and safe New Year!

Monica

 

How to Avoid Spending Money on Unnecessary Items Next Month to Improve Your Finances. 3 Ways a No Spend Challenge Can Help You Save Money Throughout the Year

Hey Friend!

Can you believe this is the last week of the year?  I hope you had a blessed Christmas celebrating our Savior’s Birth!

Are you ready for the New Year?  I am getting excited to get all of our goals and dreams for this year started and right now I cant wait to be doing another no spend challenge next month!  

This challenge doesn’t mean you don’t spend any money at all, but you try to spend the least amount as possible and especially cut out the extra unnecessary spending.  

I want you to be set up for financial success throughout the year starting with the first month of the year!!

Here are 3 ways that not spending extra money for a month can help you save money.

1. You will be intentional about every dollar you spend

2. You will find out what you truely value and once you know, you won’t have to spend extra money on the less important things

3.You will learn to plan ahead so you won’t make impulse buys and that could save you a large amount of money as well!

 

If you want to learn more about the challenge and have accountability, join our free claiming simplicity facebook group!  Also, thank you so much for hanging out with me this year!  It has been incredible!  I would really appreciate you taking 30 seconds to leave a rating and review so that others can learn about this show!  I read each and every one of them and your comments have just blessed me this year! Thank you so much!

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Have a safe week and I will talk to you in the New Year!

Monica