that 70s vibe

As a child of the 70s, I have great nostalgia for that period. Things that, now, seem kitschy were a part of daily life back then.



Granted, a LOT of the 70s totally sucked: polyester, avocado colored appliances, leaded fuel, Weight Watchers diet cards, Tab... let's leave that wherever it's buried. But don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Don't throw that Tickle deodorant away just yet.



There is a lot of the 'aughts that are very similar to the 70s: unrest in the middle east (okay, that's pretty much timeless, but stay with me anyway), Russia is going batshit crazy on its neighbors, everyone's talking about gas (cost, not supply, but still, it's GAS), and we're all trying to cut corners and make the most of what we've got.

We are a two person household, both of us working a lot of hours. We spend a lot of money dining out each week. We are no strangers to Starbucks and $5 beers. I have a ridiculous number of shoes. We have a lot of stuff that we really don't need, and we also have a fair amount of debt.

And so, with the economy looking moderately bleak, the effort to simplify is on. The effort to buy less is going well. The plans to increase long term investments are in progress. And what I realize as I plan my grocery list around the weekly circulars, surf online for coupons for things I buy, and make meals that my mom used to make, I realize that we're not eating comfort food: we're eating smart food. We're eating meals that are light on the debit card, healthy, and ultimately, will help us get where we're going financially. When she was raising us, my mom was a lot more than just a whiz with a can of Campbell's. She was a freaking genius! (P.S., you still are, Mom)

As our household tries to get a handle on groceries, dining in 6 days a week, I'll use this space to post recipes and tips for ways to simplify, do more with less, and live in a manner that is frugal but feels honest and (dare I say it?) abundant. And I hope you will join in and share your tips too. Please use the comments section to do so!