TSL Update+ Bike-to-Work Day

Home sick today, I think the busyness of the weekend got to me! I will resume normal food blogging tomorrow.

So today I am updating you all on the TSL challenge! We are on day 11 and so far and I have learned so much about my spending habits, and how much I take my car for granted!!!

So far this month I haven’t had one cup of Starbucks or gone out to any Restaurants. Instead I have been making all my coffee at home, and getting creative with it. I invited my cousin over for a birthday dinner instead of buying  her something of material value, I treated her to an experience. I also told my best friend that I was trying not eat out, and she was so sweet to make dinner for all of us so we could still all hang out!

Living the Simple Life isn’t easy, especially when you live in Southern California! Hubby and I have decided to start working on our budget even more now that we are learning so much about living simply and seeing what we can truly cut out. So how is everyone else doing out there that is taking the Simple Life Challenge?

Check out These Week One Points!

My Points: 33 Meals + 10 Transportation + 11 Green Points= 56

Meghan N: 46
Genesis G.: 37
Amelia: 30
Danielle L.: 11
Kristin B.: 23
Yasmin V.: 45
Haya F.: 36
Melissa S.:31
Heather D.: 23
Allison J.: 39
Maureen F.: 30
Janetha B.: 34
Liesl M.:28
Megan Na.: 27
Beth C.:33
Elizabeth Ashley: 38
Amy: 34
Christine G.19
Elizabeth: 27
Rebeca S: 31 
Katherine: 35
Meredith H: 9
Michelle M: 30
Niki D:20
Leslie M: 28
Carrie C:13
Teracita Hl: 13
Amanda B. 30

If you sent me your points and you don’t see your name here, please leave a comment below with your points for week one!!! Also, I will be sending you your buddy today so if you haven’t sent me your mailing address do it today!

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED!!! Keep working at it, remember I will be choosing one random winner too, no matter how many points you have!

SIMPLE LIFE TIPS:

I have received some great TSL ideas that I just have to share with you all, whether your taking the challenge or not.

1. Make your own food (nut butters, granolas/cereals, etc.)
2. Plant your OWN herb garden
3. Give kids haircuts at home
4. Do your own eyebrows
5. Hang Laundry
6. Turn the fans on and the air off
7. coupons at the grocery
8. choosing to eat a vegetarian dinner to save money & meat!
9. making our own cards
10. giving friends old clothes that don’t fit – simplifying the closet and mind, and blessing them as well – also saving them from the landfills!
11. Bring a reusable mug to Starbucks for a much cheaper cup of coffee. A 160z coffee in my own to-go mug is only $1.07; if I got a paper cup from them the same amount of coffee would be almost $2.
12. Don’t only use your reusable bags for groceries. Shop with them at Target, the mall, CVS – everywhere! It takes a little getting used to (remembering to bring them) but why not? It’s simple and great for the earth.
13. use sigg/camelback bottles instead of plastic water bottles.
14. use tupperware instead of plastic baggies: saves money!
15. Check out this website/daily email for green tips:
    http://www.idealbite.com/ The site allows you sign up for a daily green tip email.  There is also an option to sign up for city specific emails so people can find green options in their area.

and…..

May is National Bike Month

The League of American Bicyclists is promoting Bike-to-Work Week from May 11-15 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 1, So I want to encourage you all to ride your Bikes to work on FRIDAY!!!!!

Have a blessed Monday!

P.S. Thank you to Lacey Nicole and Shannon Grande for supporting me in the SDDR Marathon!!!! Ashley has raised $61.97, half way there!!!