Ruth Soukup's Blog, page 72

Day 16: Get Fearlessly Crafty

This is the sixteenth day of our 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge.  Start with Day One here.

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I have to admit—I’m a big fan of DIY. I love getting out the glue gun and paint and making something cute and creative. Nothing makes me happier than completely losing myself for an hour or two while I create something new. There is something about getting crafty that is just good for the soul.

But I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Not everything I make turns out wonderful. Not everything I make ends up on my blog or on Instagram or Pinterest. Most of the time I just don’t show the world my failures!

One thing I’ve found in the blogosphere is that crafting can get more than just a little competitive. Oftentimes, people feel an immense amount of pressure to create something that turns out just like the picture. Listen, it’s totally okay to create your own interpretation of any craft you see on a blog or online. Do your best and you’ll be proud of the result!

Blogger Myquillen Smith’s (aka “The Nester”) motto for her home is “it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful,” and I would like to point out that this truth also applies to DIY projects. It’s okay to see a project you like on a craft blog or in a magazine and then modify it to work with the materials you happen to have on hand. Don’t let the fear of it not looking exactly like the picture keep you from trying! Who knows? You might even like your version better!

The idea behind becoming fearlessly crafty is to create something out of the materials you have on hand. If we look back to our grandmothers’ era when they’d decorate their homes using homemade quilts, braided rugs, or needlework, we see that most of the time, “DIY” evolved out of necessity and scarcity, not abundance. Their simple crafts added individual flair to a home and helped bridge the gap when purchased décor was something they’d have to forgo to make ends meet. With some simple yarn, fabric, or embroidery floss, they fashioned beautiful items to make a house a home. You can do the same!

When I was little, my neighbor taught me to crochet by cutting up bread bags and crocheting them into carpets. It takes dozens of bags, but they last forever and are very spongy and comfortable to stand on. This is my favorite up-cycling craft! —Jacqueline

When I took my girls’ toys away, we discovered an inner creativity and imagination that had been sadly forgotten. I saw my kids learn how to play and pretend again. Creating something during your zero-spend month will help you get into that same mindset.

You might not have all the exact supplies you need to create a certain craft—so be sure to improvise, don’t buy! It’s time to get creative. Again, even if you feel like it won’t turn out perfectly, that’s okay—give yourself permission to try, and see what becomes of it. The objective is to be fearless and have fun!

Oh gosh, Ruth! This would require me to find my crafting supplies and glue gun—ha ha! We just haven’t uncovered those boxes … yet. But we almost finished the dining room makeover last night, so this has inspired me to try and come up with something crafty for the arch over the dining table. I’m just not sure what it will be yet! —Claire

I’ve assembled a few craft projects below, all of which require only items that I had on hand (so no spending)! Assess what you have and check out this list. I’m sure you’ll find something that can get your creative juices a-flowin’!

(from Eddie Ross Design)
Fabric-Covered Candle (from Living Well Spending Less)
Scrapbook Paper Tile Coasters (from The Love Nerds)
DIY Vintage Colored Glass (from Craftberry Bush)
Toilet Paper Roll Dahlia Art (from The Mayberry Home Journal)
I Heart [My State] Nail and String Art (from Our Mini Family)
Butterfly from Plastic Bottle (from Wonderful DIY)
Sewn Thank-You Cards (from Oh Hello Friend)
Children’s Artwork Frames Gallery Wall (from Living Well Spending Less)
Book Page Wreath (from Creations by Kara)
Fabric-Covered Flower Pots (from Christine Chitnis)
Popcorn Kernel Wreath (from Cherished Bliss)
Towel Dish Mat (from Life in Grace)
Star-Shaped Crayons (from Living Well Spending Less)
Soup Can Vases (from Under the Sycamore)
Upcycled Ruffle Pillow (from Oh So Crafty)
Sharpie Mugs (from Living Well Spending Less)
Fall Book Page Garland (from Oh So Crafty)
Paint Chip Garland (from Cherished Bliss)
Simple Fabric Table Runner (from Living Well Spending Less)

This is a great list of DIY projects! I am starting the 31 Day Challenge today. With some of these projects I would need to get materials, but that is fine—they can be for future frugal projects! Some are definitely doable without stepping foot in the store, and I love all of your ideas. —Michelle

Today your assignment is to make something using only what you already have, to get fearlessly crafty and create something new just for the joy of the process.

 You can do it!

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Don’t forget that I will be broadcasting LIVE each day on Periscope (usually between 10am and 11am EST).  You can find and follow me there at @RuthSoukup.  Be sure to also share your photos on Instagram for a chance to win daily prizes.  (Get the contest details HERE.)  Finally, be sure to check out our BLOG TOUR page, where you can find all sorts of additional ideas and inspiration from other bloggers who are taking the #31dayLWSZ challenge this month too!

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Day 15: Re-Fashion Your Clothes

 

This is the fifteenth day of our 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge.  Start with Day One here.

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Welcome to Week 3! I’m willing to bet that after all that cooking, cleaning, and organizing you are more than ready to have some fun! Well, me too!

And guess what? This week is going to be fun! (For free, of course.) The next few days are going to be all about flexing your creativity and repurposing all kinds of items using only what you have on hand.

So often when there’s a problem, we try to buy the solution—when really, with just a little elbow grease or creative thinking, the answer is already near. Even if you aren’t “crafty” per se, I have some pretty easy projects in store that will fit your taste and get your creative juices flowing .

And today, we are starting with our clothes!

Once your closets are organized, there are quite a few things you can make and do with your leftover items. Now I know most of your clothes are ready for consignment and Goodwill, but why not poke through the list at the end of this chapter and see if there are one or two treasures that you can create, just for fun?

I, for one, am not a huge sewer. Most of my sewing projects fall in the beginner-to-easy range, and I pretty much refuse to use a pattern. But you know what? I really enjoy sewing in small doses. When I started to search the web for ways to repurpose clothing, I couldn’t wait to try some of these great ideas I found. I literally did a happy dance!

We’re planning on doing a spending freeze starting tomorrow, so I’m reading up! I just learned how to sew, so I’m super interested in refashioning and making clothes. It’s so much fun! —Lindsey

The idea behind refashioning clothes is pretty simple. With just a few alterations and modifications your old clothes can become new and exciting again!

If you’re sick of a shirt, try cutting off the sleeves. If your husband is done with his button-down, try making it into a dress for your daughter, or if you have a surplus of t-shirts, try making one into a shopping tote. Not only are you giving old items new life, but you can even turn them into gifts and save bundles!

As I’m not terribly motivated to sew complicated projects, I was pretty excited to find so many resources online for refashioning clothes in simple and easy ways. I know you’ll be as excited to try them as I was!

Turn Regular Jeans into Skinny Jeans (from Devon Alana Design)
Turn Polyester Granny Pants into Chic High Waist Pants (from Cotton and Curls)
Turn an Old Jumper into a Chic Belted Dress (from It’s Always Autumn)
Turn a Shirt into a Ribbon-Tied Maternity Top (from DIY Maternity)
Turn Regular Pants into Chanel-Inspired Button Pants (from Freckles in April)
Turn Two T-Shirts into an Anthropologie-Inspired Top (from Life Is Beautiful)
Turn an Old Sweater into Cute Boot Socks (from Infarrantly Creative)
Turn an Old Sweater into a Cute Cardigan (from Instructables)
Turn Men’s Slacks into a Pencil Skirt (from It’s Always Autumn)
Turn a Men’s Shirt into a Lace-Front Blouse (from It’s Always Autumn)
Turn an Old Necktie into a Statement Necklace (from Green Eggs ‘n Hamm/Wanderland Vintage)
Turn an Old Purse into Anthropologie-Inspired Bracelets (from At Second Street)
Turn Flip Flops and a Towel into Spa Slippers (from Crafty Nest)
Turn an Old T-Shirt into a Girls Ruffle Skirt (from Sew Much Ado)
Turn Regular Jeans into Maternity Jeans (from Crafty Cousins)

I have never been much of a fashionista, but when my daughter gets home we will go over some of these ideas—she’s a fabulous fashion queen! —Sylvia

Which idea inspires you the most? Do you have any fun refashioning ideas of your own? Start by choosing just one project that really, truly inspires your creative side. You may be surprised to find how fun and easy refashioning can be!

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Don’t forget that I will be broadcasting LIVE each day on Periscope (usually between 10am and 11am EST).  You can find and follow me there at @RuthSoukup.  Be sure to also share your photos on Instagram for a chance to win daily prizes.  (Get the contest details HERE.)  Finally, be sure to check out our BLOG TOUR page, where you can find all sorts of additional ideas and inspiration from other bloggers who are taking the #31dayLWSZ challenge this month too!

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Day 14: Week 2 Reflection

This is the fourteenth day of our 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge.  Start with Day One here.

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Can you believe it? We’ve already made it through two weeks of zero spending! I’m so proud of you! I know the last few weeks have been full of challenges and hard work, but hopefully they’ve also been just a little bit fun as well.

I finally organized my hobby closet so I can use it. It’s been on my list forever—whew! My husband also went through his closet. It’s been an amazing week. Thank you so much for the inspiration to stop spending and start using what we already have. —Steffanie

The first time we did this challenge, it was during a pretty stressful time in our personal life. I remember being so amazed at the outpouring of love and support I received from our friends and family, particularly the ones who understood why we had decided to embark on a month of no spending.

I’m not sure if it was the fact that I was more aware and appreciative of their gestures, since I was trying to get by on less, or if there was a correlation to their giving and what was going on, but suddenly on Week 2 I started to feel very, very blessed. I noticed friends picking up the tab for me when we went for coffee, or offering to take my kids when I had an engagement, or stopping by with a bottle of wine and a little dinner.

It was amazing!

Perhaps when I’m in “normal spending mode” rather than “zero spending mode” I just overlook these little gestures or quickly reciprocate with money and forget about it. When I was committed to actions rather than spending, I started to be aware of and more deliberate in my gratitude and in the way I chose to give back. It truly did make me more appreciative of others.

Every day is a blessing, I believe, even though sometimes I may not feel it or see it. I have truly been taking in each challenge and letting them teach and guide me into better living habits, not only for myself, but also for my family, and my kids. What great life lessons they’re learning by seeing me work hard at bettering myself and my home—our home. Thank you for this amazing journey you have created and shared with all of us! —Sylvia

Now is also a good time to reflect on what you’ve saved in the past two weeks. Compare your spending this month to last month and see if you can see a savings difference. I like to keep a little tally of how much I’m saving by comparing it to the previous month. It can be very motivating.

As you reflect this week on your zero-spending journey, what have you learned? What did you discover when you were cleaning out all those closets and drawers and examining the inner recesses of your home? Did you find any items you had completely forgotten you owned?

My house has gotten so much cleaner this week! It has been such an awakening as to how little it takes to keep my house clean if I just do a little at a time. The biggest blessing I experienced this week was when someone stopped by unexpectedly and I wasn’t embarrassed about the state of my house, nor did I have to apologize for its state like I usually do. I’m hoping by the end of this month we will have a very firm grasp on our finances and how fast we will be able to get out of credit card debt! I’m so excited for what’s to come! —Samantha

Take some time to write down these reflections and to give yourself a little credit for your effort!

Way to go!

Get your printable week 2 reflection sheet here.

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Throughout this challenge, there will be many different worksheets and printables for you to use. I suggest you print them out and organize them together in a binder or folder so you can journal as you go.  Remember, I will be broadcasting LIVE each day on Periscope (usually between 10am and 11am EST).  You can find and follow me at @RuthSoukup.  Finally, be sure to check out our BLOG TOUR page, where you can find all sorts of additional ideas and inspiration from other bloggers who are taking the #31dayLWSZ challenge this month too!

What cleaning & organizing tasks were you able to accomplish this week?  What blessings have you experienced this week?  What has been the biggest struggle for you this week?  Where were you tempted to ‘cheat’?  What are your goals for next week?

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Day 13: Organize Your Bathroom

 

This is the thirteenth day of our 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge.  Start with Day One here.

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Bathrooms are funny places, aren’t they? The room where you get all nice and clean can somehow end up being the most disorganized wreck of a room in the entire house! And I’m not talking about all the yucky scrubbing-the-toilet and soap scum stuff. (Hopefully you tackled that a few days ago when you cleaned and now you’re maintaining it by speed cleaning each day!)

I know the bathroom is the easiest in the house to ignore, but I love when it’s nice and organized! —Janett

No, what I really take issue with is not the cleaning, it’s the keeping it organized. It is figuring out what to do with all those “bottles of crap,” as my husband so lovingly refers to them, all the makeup and tubes of cream, all the hairspray and curling irons and flat irons (oh my!). It’s the pile of towels and the extra toilet paper and the set of rollers that I’ve only used twice and the piles and piles and piles of ponytail holders and barrettes that seem to multiply while I sleep, and all those mini-samples from your last seven hotel stays.

So do you know what I do?

I completely ignore my bathroom.

I clear the counters by throwing everything into a drawer or bin under the sink, then wipe it down and forget it. Until the next time I need a hair brush or tube of cream and have to face, once again, the disaster area that is my bathroom.

But this month is all about being brave and tackling our vices and learning to love what we have, which means that taking control of this bathroom space is crucial, so today our assignment is to conquer ours. Today we are going to organize our bathrooms!

The first time I did this challenge, I discovered that once I finally forced myself to get started, it really wasn’t that bad. I started by emptying all the drawers and cupboards in order to figure out exactly what I had. I made piles of like items, and as I went, threw away garbage, expired items, and stuff I knew I’d never use.

Once everything was empty, I wiped down all the drawers and cabinets, then cut some pretty scrapbook paper to line the inside of my drawers, which were all stained and water-damaged. I couldn’t believe what a difference such a small (and easy) change made! They’re so cute now! I used scrapbook paper because that was what I had, but you could just as easily use pretty wrapping paper instead.

I then set about finding storage solutions for all my stuff. Items that I need but don’t use that often—mani/pedi supplies, travel toiletries, sunscreen, and so on—went into gallon-size freezer bags, which I labeled clearly with a permanent marker then “filed” in a plastic storage bin I snagged from my pantry. You could just as easily use a box with the flaps cut off.

Bathrooms contain very oddly shaped items—like headbands and flat irons—which can be hard to store. Gooey gels, pastes, lotions, and hair accessories add to the general messiness of the situation. But don’t worry—if I, a notorious bathroom organization avoider, can get a handle on it all, anyone can!

Even you!

First of all, clean your toilet and wipe down the bathroom. Then get together a trashcan, some cleaner, and any small containers you think might help to organize drawers and under the sink. I found that vases, mason jars, and other containers work well, but you may prefer something else. The idea is to organize and see what you have on hand, so you can avoid buying yet another hairband (when you have 300 of them), tube of toothpaste (when you have three tubes in the back of the cupboard), or shampoo (even though you have seven mini-bottles that could get you through the whole month).

Here’s my handy bathroom cleaning checklist, but feel free to customize it to your own needs and space.

 

Get your printable bathroom organizing checklist here.

Get Creatively Organized

Once you have your tools assembled, get to work! Empty the drawers and cabinets, and pile items together by category. Toss out anything that’s expired (watch sunscreen, bug spray, and makeup). Get rid of anything that you don’t plan on using again, as well as anything that’s broken or worn out.

Divide the lesser-used items by category (nail care, travel, etc.) and sort into containers. Label containers and store in a box or bin in the cabinet. Line your drawers or cabinet shelves and store frequently used items in accessible locations. Consider creative storage solutions such as jars, vases, and other containers, and be sure to wipe off any lids or open items, so they stay clean in storage. Fold and put away towels and washcloths, ensuring each edge is going in the same direction.

I’m just like you—I throw it all in the drawer, wipe down the counter, and forget about it until I’m desperate for floss or a bobby pin. I have those little baskets, but getting everyone in the house to keep things where they belong is maddening. I will try labels next to see if that helps everyone stay on board with the clutter! —Meghan

Once everything’s in place, give the bathroom another once-over, then sweep up the floor and you’re done!

Doesn’t that feel amazing? Great job!

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Don’t forget that I will be broadcasting LIVE each day on Periscope (usually between 10am and 11am EST).  You can find and follow me there at @RuthSoukup.  Be sure to also share your photos on Instagram for a chance to win daily prizes.  (Get the contest details HERE.)  Finally, be sure to check out our BLOG TOUR page, where you can find all sorts of additional ideas and inspiration from other bloggers who are taking the #31dayLWSZ challenge this month too!

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Day 12: Organize Your Bedroom Closet

 

This is the twelfth day of our 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge.  Start with Day One here.

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Day 12! We’re almost through Week 2, and if you’ve been keeping up, you should be feeling a little more orderly and in control of your space.

Before we dive into today’s task, let me recommend that you take a little time to speed clean each day. This will help you maintain momentum and feel in control of your space. Taking just a few minutes each day to tidy the house will help you continue with the good habits you’ve established during the course of the challenge.

And while we’re on a path to changing our mentality and our daily lives, you may also want to take this opportunity to start adopting some new good habits that can change your life for the better. Get tips and ideas for forming new habits here.

So guess what? Today, to reward ourselves for all our hard work, we’re going to go shopping!

Wait—what?

Not real shopping, silly! We’re on a zero-spending challenge, remember? But that doesn’t mean we can’t reward ourselves with a chance to look fabulous. It’s time to dive into what we have and get creative. Let’s see what we can spruce up and simplify.

Shop Your Closet

If you’re anything like me, you have a closet full of clothes—and yet you always feel like you have nothing to wear. Every outfit feels like you’re just one accessory or one blouse away from getting that “perfect” look. You probably have a pair or two of jeans that don’t quite fit since you had your last baby, or a few shirts that still have the tags on them that you bought because they were such a great deal, but either didn’t fit quite right from the get-go, didn’t go with anything else you owned, or didn’t really fit your tastes.

Today it’s time to get a handle on this stuff! So often we buy clothing, shoes, and accessories to fill some sort of void. (And yes, I am talking about myself.) We feel like we need or deserve a treat, so we think this one “little” item will make all the difference for us.

Most of us, however, have almost everything we need, and it’s already in our possession. Sometimes, when we take a moment to get a handle on what we have, we discover that we don’t need anything new!

The 40 Hanger Closet

A few years ago, on a whim, I pared my jam-packed, overstuffed closet to just forty hangers. For me, this was a pretty drastic approach to organizing my wardrobe, but it also made a dramatic difference in both my attitude and my sanity. Although I got rid of three quarters of my clothes, my wardrobe actually felt much bigger!

Now, in my approach, one of the steps is to yes, go out and buy some really nice hangers. (I recommend hangers with velvet coating to keep your clothes from slipping off.) But you know what? For now you’re going to make do with the hangers you already have on hand. You probably have plenty.

The advantage of the 40 Hanger Closet (or 35 or 50, whatever works best for you) is that it gives you a finite framework. You have to examine each piece of clothing in your closet under the context of:

Do I love it?
Does it fit?
Is it in good condition?

If it doesn’t fit all three criteria, it doesn’t make the cut.

Never again will you walk into your closet and proclaim, “I have nothing to wear!” You’ll love and want to wear everything in your wardrobe. In the time since, I have maintained this 40-hanger philosophy, and it just makes life so much simpler! I haven’t regretted it once. I actually feel like I have much more to wear, and I love everything I own. If I find an item to buy, I have to really love it to kick out a resident member of my closet—because for every item that goes in, one item goes out. And because I already like what I have, that also makes me much more picky about what comes in!

I gave myself three hours yesterday to work on your 40 hanger suggestion. While I didn’t get that far, I did try on every piece of clothing in my closet. I laughed, I cried, I put items in piles for consignment, and though I still have way too much, it felt good to know that everything there fits—a lot of it didn’t! In the end I came out with 97 empty hangers! —Jacqueline

The other advantage is that I can find everything! It’s organized by color, and I can quickly see where my brown sweater or my green button-down is. I’m no longer rushed before going somewhere because I’m searching for a belt or a pair of shoes to match, plus my clothes stay wrinkle-free and neat because they aren’t crammed into a closet or falling on the floor.

Organizing Your Closet

Here’s my handy printable checklist to follow as you start to organize your closet.

 Get your printable bedroom closet organization checklist here.

Before you begin, take a few moments to spruce up your bedroom and make sure your work surface is clean. Make your bed and pick up items that are near the closet.

First you’re going to weed through the items that are currently in your closet. Pull out anything that doesn’t fit, that you don’t like, or that you haven’t worn in a year. Remove items that are ripped, stained, or unwearable. These items will be sorted into three categories—Goodwill/Sell, Toss, and Store for Later. Items that are specifically seasonal (your bathing suit in Minnesota or turtleneck sweaters in Texas) may need to be stored. My husband convinced me to store some items that I wasn’t sure about purging. Revisit them in six months and it will be a much easier decision.

Now look through the remaining items and repeat the process one more time.

Make sure every item fits, is in good shape, and is loved.

Now, remove the items from your closet. Since you might not be upgrading your hangers this month, simply assess the hangers you have and toss anything that’s broken. Count out the number of items you have remaining and make sure there are only 40 (or keep purging). I also like to set a number for shoes and handbags or accessories and stay within that number.

Assess your empty closet space—clean it, vacuum it, and get rid of any dust bunnies or dirt. If there are any items that belong elsewhere, it’s time to move them to their home. Rehang your clothing and sort by category or color, whatever makes sense to you. Replace your shoes, organizing them in a shoe rack or in boxes. Try stuffing your boots with rolled-up magazines to help them hold their shape. Add in your accessories, purses, bags, and other items, then bask in the splendor of your organized closet!

Trust me, you’re not the only one who just loves to stare at a freshly organized closet. I always leave my closet door open nonstop for a couple of days after I clean just to look at it! —Sophia

10 FREE WAYS TO ORGANIZE YOUR CLOSET

Crown Molding Shoe Rack (from Picklee)
DIY Scarf Holder (from Snapguide)
Towel Wrack Scarf Solution (from Apartment Therapy)
Painted Crate Shoe Holder (from Thea’s Mania)
Wooden Hanger Belt Rack (from Martha Stewart)
Shoebox Drawer Dividers (from Yahoo)
C ardboard Drawer Dividers (from eHow)
Cluster Organization (from HGTV)
Paper-Lined Storage Bins (from Organizing Made Fun)
Hanging Flip Flop Holders (from EPBOT)

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Don’t forget that I will be broadcasting LIVE each day on Periscope (usually between 10am and 11am EST).  You can find and follow me there at @RuthSoukup.  Be sure to also share your photos on Instagram for a chance to win daily prizes.  (Get the contest details HERE.)  Finally, be sure to check out our BLOG TOUR page, where you can find all sorts of additional ideas and inspiration from other bloggers who are taking the #31dayLWSZ challenge this month too!

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Day 11: Organize Your Office

This is the eleventh day of our 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge.  Start with Day One here.

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It’s now the middle of Week 2 and one-third of the way through our challenge, and by now you should be feeling pretty good about all you’ve achieved so far—your meals are organized and you have a handle on your food, your living areas and kids’ rooms are clean, and things are coming right along.

Best of all you’ve been saving money—you’ve managed to achieve all of this without spending a dime! Don’t forget to take the time to pat yourself on the back. You’re doing great!

 

Organize Your Family Command Center

Today it’s time to get a handle on our paperwork. Many of us have a home office area or a central “hub.” This Family Command Center is an essential place where we store bills, paperwork, cards, and more. If you’re a crafter, this might be your studio. If you work from home, you probably consider this area your office. Whether it’s a corner in your kitchen or an entire room, all of us have some place where we stash all our important paperwork. And if you don’t have one, you probably need one.

Today is the day we revamp that critical space and get back in control!

I try to keep my home neat and tidy most of the time, but this is definitely one area where I struggle. The daily tasks are so motivating! —Susan

Whenever I tackle my desk, I’m always sort of amazed. As hard as I try to stay on top of it (and these days, I really do, for the most part), I always manage to find at least something that I’ve forgotten. It might be a gift card, a bill, a thank-you card that I haven’t mailed … something. Whatever it is, I always walk away from the desk feeling like I’ve been on a bit of a treasure hunt. (Okay, maybe not when I find a forgotten bill, but it could be worse.)

Oh, my goodness, my desk is such a disaster area, and my inbox looks like a “Before” picture. I always think that I should do something about it, and then it just seems too overwhelming so I put it off another day. I love the checklists—they make it so manageable! Thanks again, Ruth! —Denise

For today’s challenge, I’ve created another printable list (below) to help you plan and keep you on task. Before you start, you’re going to want to get out a trash bin, a recycle bin, and a shredder, in addition to a few boxes or bins to help you get organized.

Get your printable home office cleaning checklist here.

Don’t be afraid to get creative! The first time I did this challenge, I found a whole stack of cigar boxes in the garage that were left over from our cigar-themed wedding (cigar stores will often give these away for free), and I ended up using them as drawer organizers. They worked perfectly, and I still use them to this day! You could also cover a can or shoebox with some pretty paint or washi tape. It really is amazing how innovative we can be when forced to improvise!

A home office doesn’t need to be expensive, but since we’re spending nothing right now, simply use what you have on hand and repurpose items as you go!

I like to use food boxes to organize my drawers. I usually go to my pantry and see what’s about empty and cut the boxes to fit in the drawer. Cheez-its, fruit snacks, granola bars … those boxes fit perfectly with no need to go out and buy something new or waste the gas going to a store to ask for free boxes! —Jen

After that, it’s just a matter of sorting papers and organizing drawers. Empty all the drawers and wipe out the nooks and crannies. Organize your cords and wipe down your keyboard and tools to keep them free of crumbs and dust. Toss out anything that’s outdated or past its prime. I tend to keep clippings from articles and things I intend to read, but if they’re over a month old, file or recycle! Test out your pencils and pens and keep the items that work and are clean. Toss anything that’s leaky, broken, or no longer useful.

Once you’re organized, simply dust and vacuum the space and wipe off handles and surfaces.

And now you’re all set and ready to tackle anything that comes across your work surface! Don’t you feel motivated?

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Throughout this challenge, there will be many different worksheets and printables for you to use. I suggest you print them out and organize them together in a binder or folder so you can journal as you go.  Remember, I will be broadcasting LIVE each day on Periscope (usually between 10am and 11am EST).  You can find and follow me there at @RuthSoukup.  Be sure to also share your photos on Instagram for a chance to win daily prizes.  (Get the contest details HERE.)  Finally, be sure to check out our BLOG TOUR page, where you can find all sorts of additional ideas and inspiration from other bloggers who are taking the #31dayLWSZ challenge this month too!

 

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Day 10: Clean Your Kids’ Rooms

This is the tenth day of our 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge.  Start with Day One here.

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Before we go on, I want to add a little word of advice. It seems as though at this point in the challenge people sometimes start becoming overwhelmed. So let me just reassure you that it’s going to be okay!

I promise.

Cleaning the house can be a rewarding and wonderful way to get a handle on what you have and to keep you cognizant of the many blessings in your life. Mentally, it marks a fresh start and adds a tangible way to show that you’re committing to a new lifestyle and gaining control over spending and excess (the very reason for starting our zero-spend challenge).

However, if it takes longer than one day to clean your house or if life just gets in the way, please, please, please don’t abandon the challenge! The real objective is to spend 31 Days of Spending Zero. The rest is to simply help you on the way. So if your house isn’t 100 percent clean at this point, don’t beat yourself up. Keep going and move forward. Look at how far you’ve come in just ten days! We’re nearly one-third of the way through the challenge, and you’re doing great!

So Let’s Keep Going!

Today we’re going to get a handle on the room or rooms occupied by some of our biggest mess makers … our kiddos. I don’t know about the rest of you, but if it weren’t for my darling children, my house would be clean all the time. Okay, maybe not all the time, but almost all the time. How can two such seemingly sweet and innocent girls be such incredible mess makers? I’m betting your kids are the same way.

 

Some of you may be familiar with that now infamous post “Why I Took My Kids’ Toys Away”–about a day I had finally had enough of the mess, and cleared their entire room in one fell swoop.

It has been a few years since I first wrote that post, and while I’d love to report that my kids’ room is never a mess … I’d be lying.  Their room looks nothing like that today.  In fact, they’ve moved into a different room altogether.

We still struggle with keeping things in check, separating needs from wants, and cutting back on excess. We’ve grown leaps and bounds since “the great purge,” but we still have to take the time to clean and organize regularly.

 

And so today, together, we conquer the kids’ rooms. If your kids are old enough to help, today is also the day to enlist their help and get them on board with the challenge. Cleaning their room together with you offers a great opportunity for feedback and learning, as they take an active role in your new family lifestyle. You may also learn a few things about what’s important to them.

I did it today! How exciting! Well, maybe exciting is the wrong word. Liberating is a better word. I have three girls and three bedrooms. It took me a total of six hours. I got a thirty-gallon bag of garbage and a thirty-gallon bag of donations from each girl’s room, plus two bags of hand-me-downs for my nieces. That’s a lot of stuff I no longer have to wade through and sort and put away again! Thank you for the motivation! —Hillary

Get your printable kids room cleaning checklist here.

I’ve included the above checklist as a guide, but please feel free to modify it to suit your own needs. I do recommend that you start by making the bed, and then work on tackling the stuff.

Beginning with clothing, sort all the items into four piles—Store, Give, Keep, and Toss. Then tackle the toys and do the same. Once you’ve sorted your items, it’s time to organize them into the drawers and closet. Label storage as you go, and dust and clean all the now-cleared-off surfaces. Finish off the room with a good wipe down of all mirrors, windows, and touch points, and vacuum the floors.

The sorting is the toughest part, so once you’ve got a handle on that, the rest is easy-peasy. Resist the urge to run out and purchase storage containers, boxes, and bags. Instead, make do with what you have on hand. (We’re spending zero, remember?) Consider items that can be traded for things you might need (save them for Day 25), sold on eBay or Craigslist (save them for Day 22), or handed down to someone else. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

My girls donated many of their old toys and games to our church nursery, where they could “revisit” the items occasionally and see them put to good use. They were even proud to give their items away and share them with their friends!

My husband and I take at least one full day about every two to three months to sit down with each one of our children to help them clean and purge items. Between clothes, shoes, toys, and school items, they each usually donate two bags of items and one bag of garbage. I have found that by doing this regularly, my children are very good at deciding for themselves what toys they do not play with anymore and are more than happy to give to another child. I believe this will help them in the long run to not want or even purchase items that they do not need. —Stacie

For some reason, kids’ rooms can feel like the literal eye of the storm, so once that area is tamed, you might be amazed at how much better life becomes. Suddenly entertainment is easier to come by (you’ll rediscover all those books and games that were forgotten!), and your children will learn important lessons about appreciating what they have on hand.

For more inspiration, visit my one-year follow-up post to Why I Took My Kids’ Toys Away .

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Throughout this challenge, there will be many different worksheets and printables for you to use. I suggest you print them out and organize them together in a binder or folder so you can journal as you go.  Remember, I will be broadcasting LIVE each day on Periscope (usually between 10am and 11am EST).  You can find and follow me there at @RuthSoukup.  Be sure to also share your photos on Instagram for a chance to win daily prizes.  (Get the contest details HERE.)  Finally, be sure to check out our BLOG TOUR page, where you can find all sorts of additional ideas and inspiration from other bloggers who are taking the #31dayLWSZ challenge this month too!

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Day 9: Clean Your House

This is the ninth day of our 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge.  Start with Day One here.

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We’ve arrived! It’s cleaning day! I know you’re as excited as I am! Can I get a little woot woot?

The older I get, the more of a clean freak I become. But I wasn’t always that way, and even now, keeping things neat and tidy certainly does not come naturally to me. It is still something I have to work at every single day. It is still something I have to gear up to do. It is still work.

To me, cleaning my house is worth the effort. I spend a lot of time at home, probably more than most people. I am more productive, more peaceful, more creative, more engaged, more fun when my house is clean. I enjoy my life and space so much more when it is tidy. So I clean. And today, so will you.

And as silly as it sounds, I truly do get excited about cleaning. It’s a chance to have a fresh start, to put everything to rest, and to feel like you’re in control of your domain. Spending some time working from home, I’ve gained a strong appreciation for all of the things your home can be: your office, your rest space, your sanctuary, and your social space, all in one. Keeping it clean, organized, and beautiful is important to all aspects of your life.

In fact, your home should be your retreat: the space you find most welcoming and restful. It shouldn’t be a place of chaos, but a place of respite.

For those of you who are worried about trying to deep clean your whole house in one day, stop! We are going to tackle a big chunk of it today, but not quite all of it. There will be selective areas that we ignore until later. But our bathrooms will sparkle, our countertops will shine, and our main living areas will be clean.

So let’s get started!

Woot! Cleaning is totally my favorite thing to do. With my husband and two children it is sometimes difficult. My goal is to get a whole lot more organized. The checklists are very helpful, so thank you and God bless! —Yvette

My personal strategy is to start with the room I dread cleaning the most: the bathroom. I then do the kitchen, since that is my next least favorite, and from there work my way through the rest of the house. After I’ve cleaned the bathroom and the kitchen, made the beds, and picked up any clutter (I throw it all in a basket for the kids to help put away), I find it more efficient to do things like dusting, window cleaning, vacuuming, and mopping throughout the whole house all at once, not room by room.

I’ve prepared another checklist for you to use while you clean today. You’ll notice that there are a few things conspicuously missing, such as the home office, the closets, and the kids’ rooms. This is intentional. We will get there! For today, just focus on the main living areas, the bathrooms, and your own bedroom.

Take a few moments to review the checklist below, and please feel free to adapt it to fit your home, as I know not all of us have a dining room or a basement or a family room. The idea here is to clean as much of your main living space as you can today.

Get your printable cleaning day checklist here.

I am a neat freak who struggles to keep things tidy! But I have two toddlers, so I’ve made my peace with it for now. Gotta go … time to clean! —Alisha

At the end of the day your countertops should sparkle! Your floors should glisten! Your couch cushions should be fluffed and in their proper place!

Today is the day, so without further ado, let’s get cleaning!

I’m looking forward to this challenge … or rather, I’m looking forward to the end of the day when the challenge is complete! —Carrie

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Throughout this challenge, there will be many different worksheets and printables for you to use. I suggest you print them out and organize them together in a binder or folder so you can journal as you go.  Remember, I will be broadcasting LIVE each day on Periscope (usually between 10am and 11am EST).  You can find and follow me there at @RuthSoukup.  Be sure to also share your photos on Instagram for a chance to win daily prizes.  (Get the contest details HERE.)  Finally, be sure to check out our BLOG TOUR page, where you can find all sorts of additional ideas and inspiration from other bloggers who are taking the #31dayLWSZ challenge this month too!

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Day 8: Get Ready to Clean

This is the eighth day of our 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge.  Start with Day One here.

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Welcome to Week 2!

Last week, we talked a lot about food and organizing what we eat. We discussed some ideas for freezer meals and for making restaurant meals at home. The purpose of our focus on food was due to the fact that we all make poor financial decisions when we’re hungry!

But other pitfalls can trip us up too. We let our homes get chaotic and cluttered and dirty and then foolishly think spending money is going to fix the problem. We buy ourselves new mops or cleaners or organizers, thinking they will make the mess waiting at home magically disappear. Sometimes we simply can’t stand the thought of being trapped in the chaos so we choose going out—and spending money—over staying in.

This week we’re going to roll up our sleeves and get the rest of the house in order! How many of us have purchased an item (batteries, candles, lightbulbs, toiletries, crafts, office supplies, etc.) only to come home and realize that we had that exact item stashed away somewhere and just forgot about it? I once realized I had eight tubes of super glue. Eight! We also seem to have that problem with ChapStick. (And yet, somehow I still can never seem to find a tube when I need some. What’s up with that?)

This week we are going to tackle the chaos head on. We are going to scrub and dust and sort and purge and really, truly get our spaces clean. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live, whether you own or rent, have a professionally decorated home or a jumble of mismatched secondhand furniture: you will like your house better—and enjoy being home more—when it is clean.

There is no better way to truly appreciate what you have than to take care of it. If you’re feeling like your house is a little shabby or your clothes are a little worn, then this is the perfect time to spruce things up. Cleaning and refreshing a few items around the house will give them new life and provide you with a sense of accomplishment.

But don’t worry, we are going to take it slow. In fact, today your assignment is to simply get ready to clean. We are going to do a few things today that will make your big cleaning day easier, plus give you some time to get into the “gotta clean” mindset. By tomorrow you will be raring to go, I promise. Well, okay, maybe not raring to go, per se, but at the very least, resigned to the idea. And because I’m nice like that, I’ve even created a cute checklist to help you get ready. Now if that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is!

Buying/organizing/cleaning/decorating when the house is a mess is a mistake I make a lot! I spent several hours today organizing things and getting ready for cleaning day tomorrow, and the house already looks awesome—way better than it does most of the time. It’s exciting! —Jenny

Get your printable cleaning prep checklist here.

Planning Ahead

The first thing you have to do today is tell yourself that tomorrow, no matter what, you are going to clean your house. Repeat it to yourself all day long.

If you need some inspiration, I highly recommend reading this post on “Why I Make the Bed: 10 Reasons I Keep My House Clean” or this post on “Speed Cleaning” . While you work on your cleaning list, think about the areas in your home that are probably going to need some extra attention.

The next thing you’re going to want to do is take a few minutes to plan and assemble. Keep reminding yourself that tomorrow is going to be your day to clean! Mental preparation is key!

Take a few minutes to do some picking up. Set the timer for fifteen, thirty, or sixty minutes—the more time you can spare, the better—and make your way around the house, picking up the obvious clutter. I like to use a laundry basket—it’s easy to carry—and just gather up any shoes, coats, bags, or toys that are lying around.

If you’re a little behind on cleaning, get the dishes out of the sink and run a few loads of laundry. Clear and stash any cosmetics lying around in the bathroom, and clear out all that clutter that collects on your kitchen counters or in your entryway. The idea is to get things squared away so you can start the real cleaning tomorrow.

Finally, assemble your cleaning supplies. Are you out of anything? Freeze! Do not run to the store! There’s probably a substitute right in your own cupboard.

Check out our list of 10 Green and Thrifty Cleaning Products you can make right at home using just ten basic ingredients . Chances are you probably have everything you need already on hand!

I did a deep clean of my kitchen this weekend, and I’m amazed at how removing chaos has improved my mood. Thanks for reminding me that I can feel the same about the entire house. The cute checklist and a day to mentally prepare helped too! —Angie

For more ideas on cleaners and inspiration, you may want to check out Martha Stewart online, Real Simple, and Better Homes and Gardens, which all have plenty of great cleaning resources.

Now get a good night’s rest, because tomorrow we clean!

It’s so weird to me that I’m so excited to be cleaning my house, but it’s true! I think that knowing that I’m not alone in doing this task makes it the most fun! Looking forward to tomorrow’s challenge. It’s really lighting the fire to get my home life more together! —Sam

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Throughout this challenge, there will be many different worksheets and printables for you to use. I suggest you print them out and organize them together in a binder or folder so you can journal as you go.  Remember, I will be broadcasting LIVE each day on Periscope (usually between 10am and 11am EST).  You can find and follow me there at @RuthSoukup.  Be sure to also share your photos on Instagram for a chance to win daily prizes.  (Get the contest details HERE.)  Finally, be sure to check out our BLOG TOUR page, where you can find all sorts of additional ideas and inspiration from other bloggers who are taking the #31dayLWSZ challenge this month too!

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Day 7: Reflection

This is the seventh day of our 31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero challenge.  Start with Day One here.

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You’ve already made it an entire week! Can you believe it? What was the biggest challenge for you? What was the biggest lesson you learned?

The first week was actually pretty good. I am so impressed with how much my hubby is on board! We’ve not eaten out at all, which is the biggest adjustment, but I’m excited because it’s so much healthier for us too. It’s amazing how much you really don’t need to buy things! —Leslie

The very first time my own family took on a spending freeze challenge, I have to admit that I questioned my sanity a little bit. I wondered if I was depriving my children, and I couldn’t help but question whether I would actually be able to make it an entire month. I may have even had a mini-crisis of sorts.

Being on a spending freeze is hard. Sometimes you feel like it’s too restrictive—or just plain nutty, especially when your friends or family members question it, laugh at you, or try to break your resolve with temptations. After all, while many of us need to scale back our mindless spending a little, most of us don’t need a complete moratorium.

Wow, what a week! Instead of organizing the pantry, I decided to paint it and cover the shelves too. After a lot of frustration, anger, and tears came a complete meltdown. However, after a good night’s sleep and a new perspective, I now have a beautiful, organized pantry and freezer that makes me happy and calmer. I am already feeling more in control and less anxious! —Sue

The fact is, this challenge is a little extreme, and that’s okay. Sometimes we need a little extreme in our lives to gain a deeper appreciation for what we do have, while enjoying the little blessings and small moments in life. Going a month without spending is definitely a growth experience.

This has been a crazy week! On the flip side, I am realizing how blessed we are. We spent the whole day with family and brought dinner for everyone from our stockpile; it was one of the most beautiful, relaxing days we’ve all had in a while. It truly is causing me to focus more on my blessings and my family. —Sam

When we did our first challenge, we suffered through a pretty “empty” pantry—one that seemed to be full of condiments and really, not much else. A few days in, I overheard my oldest explain to her sister how we couldn’t purchase candy, because candy was “a want, not a need.”

A day or two later, I picked them up from a playdate, during which they’d been treated to McDonald’s. The mom of their friend observed that she had never before seen two kids so excited about a Happy Meal.

For a moment, under the scrutiny of another mom questioning my judgment, I starting feeling guilty, like the “weirdo” mom that was forcing them into this spending freeze.

But suddenly it clicked and I had my aha moment for the week: my girls were learning the exact lessons I was hoping they would! They’d gained an understanding of the difference between a want and a need. They’d gained a deeper appreciation for little treats like McDonald’s Happy Meals, and they were grateful rather than just blowing things off as the norm.

As uncomfortable as it may have been, I realized that Week 1—with all of its bumps and snags and strange pasta dishes—was a success! We were pulling together as a family while learning to appreciate what we already had.

Today I completely broke down trying to make my careful “essentials only” grocery list. After being interrupted by my little angels for the 100th time in a twenty-minute period, I looked right at my husband and told him to take the children to McDonald’s. So yes, I caved. Now I am back on track. I loved that your girls caught on to this. I need to involve my children more, and it’s a good reminder! —Claire

Time for Reflection

And now’s the time for your reflections on the week. Take a few moments today and write down your observations. What’s been the biggest challenge in spending nothing? What surprised you? What would you do differently next time or in the future?

You may also want to ponder for a minute on the state of your finances. How much have you saved this week, compared to similar weeks in the past? Give yourself kudos if you managed to refrain from that fancy coffee drink or pass up a trip to the store.

Did you find new modes of entertainment for your family? Were there any epiphanies? Any funny moments?

If I feel the “want” to shop, I always feel good that I get a lot for a little by shopping at the Dollar Tree. Well, I literally had a mini panic attack as I drove by the Dollar Tree on my way home from work today … I could justify “needing” something in there. Well, I didn’t stop! I didn’t shop! I made it home, and I finally relaxed. All is well in the world and I didn’t spend a dollar today at Dollar Tree.

P.S. My largest one-time purchase at Dollar Tree? Sit down … $405.00! —Jacqueline

Whatever lessons you take away from this week, now’s the time to write them down and keep track. Be honest with yourself about your successes and struggles.

I’ve even included a pretty worksheet to help you document your journey!

Get your printable week 1 reflection sheet here.

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Throughout this challenge, there will be many different worksheets and printables for you to use. I suggest you print them out and organize them together in a binder or folder so you can journal as you go.  Remember, I will be broadcasting LIVE each day on Periscope (usually between 10am and 11am EST).  You can find and follow me at @RuthSoukup.  Finally, be sure to check out our BLOG TOUR page, where you can find all sorts of additional ideas and inspiration from other bloggers who are taking the #31dayLWSZ challenge this month too!

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