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Tread lightly

Everyday ways to help you consume less, reduce waste and be kinder to our precious planet Earth.

It may not be easy to be green, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you’re motivated to save the planet, or you want to save some cash, I’ve pulled together a list of things that can help you save money and lower your environmental impact.

How to save on groceries and help the planet

July 4, 2021

Creating your own economic stimulus package

April 28, 2020

Chopping board illustrating how to keep food fresher longer and avoid food waste

How to keep food fresh longer

April 10, 2020

Child playing with blocks to illustrate why to join a toy library even if you have too many toys already

Clear clutter / Tread lightly

Why to join a toy library – even if you already have too many toys

March 13, 2019

Just Do It (Yourself)!

June 20, 2018

Shopping bags to illustrate mantras to stop impulse buying

Mantras to stop impulse buying

November 21, 2017

Avoiding food waste traps – #FoodWasteFriday check in

March 10, 2017

A #foodwastefriday check – 24 Feb 17

February 24, 2017

A frugal shopping challenge dishes up dividends

February 24, 2017

A #FoodWasteFriday check-in

February 10, 2017

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The cash envelope budgeting system, old school but

The cash envelope budgeting system, old school but it works.

Recently my husband and I hit a big financial milestone and were reflecting on how we got there. “The envelopes”, as we fondly refer to them played a pivotal role in how we got there.

He credits our time using the envelopes as being a life-changing adjustment in how he approaches money.

For me, the envelopes gave me enough peace of mind during significant financial stress to commit to self-employment, a life-changing adjustment in how I work.

They’re so significant to us, when we stopped using them, I stashed the envelopes away in the box of treasures under my bed!

If you’re in a tight spot financially or could do re-calibrating your spending, I highly recommend giving the envelope system a try.

On the blog, I’ve written up why we love the envelope system and how you can get started with it.

Have you used the envelope budgeting system? I’d love to hear your experiences.
#envelopesystem #cashenvelopes

I don’t pretend that picking up rubbish on my wa

I don’t pretend that picking up rubbish on my walks will save the world. But it helps me keep helping.
#iammakingadifference
#take3forthesea

Confession: I’m a fan of Eat Well for Less. Any

Confession: I’m a fan of Eat Well for Less. Any chance to snoop in other people’s trolleys and pantries.

One thing I wish they’d add is an analysis of how much food and packaging waste the households could save.

Making better choices doesn’t have to cost more.

#eatwellforless #reducefoodwaste #spendlikeitmatters

Last day of Term 2 today Halfway through the schoo

Last day of Term 2 today Halfway through the school year.

Over halfway through his time at primary school and nearly halfway to adulthood.

Very glad we could and did make the decision not to rush through this part of his life. That said, it’s still flying by.

He wears my sneakers now.

Is Plastic Free July prompting you to look for sub

Is Plastic Free July prompting you to look for substitutes for single use plastics in daily life?

When you start looking at your options, there can be some price shocks. Things like bagged carrots being cheaper than loose carrots!

Paying a premium for doing the right thing isn’t an option for everyone, and even when it is, we all have our limits.

I wish the world wasn’t this way, but it is. I’ve found that by looking at my shop as a whole (rather than item by item comparisons) and being savvy about how I shop, I can make better choices without blowing my budget.

On the blog, I am sharing the strategies that enable me do a lower impact food shop while still keeping costs down.

#zerowastenz #plasticfreejuly #plasticfreejuly2021 #nzplasticfree #plasticfreejulyaotearoa #wastefreenz #zerowastefamily #doyourbest #ecoliving #foodshopping #frugalgroceries #frugalbudget #savingmoney #debtfreejourney #walletactivism #spendlikeyougiveashit #spendlikeitmatters #slownotlazy #moretimethanmoney #slowliving #simpleliving #simplefamilies #minimalismwithkids

It’s taken 8 years, but finally we enjoy gardeni

It’s taken 8 years, but finally we enjoy gardening together.

I had dreams of the two of us cheerfully gardening together from when the little guy was a tiny wee thing. In reality, it was more chore than cheer. I lowered my expectations dramatically.

And then this spring, something changed. He’s just that much bigger and much to my delight, he’s super enthusiastic about growing things. We’re having heaps of fun in our attempts to grow our own veggies. Making the most of it while it lasts!

PS. This is not our garden, this is my mum’s. We have a shady strip and collection of pots, which is more than enough for me to manage!
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#slownotlazy #gardening #ediblegarden #gardeningwithkids #gardenersofinstagram #minimalistfamily #minimalismwithkids #simplefamilies #minimalistmom #slowmotherhood #slowliving #simpleliving #seekthesimplicity #essentialism #simplifying #slowyourhome #slowlivingforlife #livethelittlethings #slowerbetter #nzblogger #nzbloggers

I’m feeling very fortunate to have work at this

I’m feeling very fortunate to have work at this time when so many people suddenly do not. Being especially intentional with my spending to spread some of my good fortune and giving is a big part of that.
Through making donation I can play my part in getting the economy going without buying a bunch of stuff I don’t need AND support good causes. Win, win!

So spread the love - tell me all about your favourite charities.
Two of my favourites are @littlesproutsnz and @kaibosh. Both focus on redistributing from people with excess, to those with not enough.

As the biggest challenge the world has faced in my

As the biggest challenge the world has faced in my lifetime played out, my role was to stay home. With no medical expertise and no link to the food supply chain beyond end consumer, I was officially “non-essential”. While hard-working and clever people around the world heroically used all their energy to combat coronavirus, I sat home and did nothing. Immensely grateful, and not unused to free-riding, I felt useless.

Now the medical emergency is subsiding (at least here in New Zealand), attention is turning to the economic crisis left in its wake. Coronavirus exposed not only the fragility of human health, but the fragility of global consumer capitalism. While combating the virus was the domain of the essential few, resuscitating the economy is something we will all be called upon to do.

But before you start dutifully clicking “add to cart” at every opportunity, take a breath. Don’t leave yourself at the mercy of advertisers and their plans for your money. Make a plan of your own.

I’ve made a three-step guide to creating your own intentional spending plan. Link in my bio.

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