I have always thought of myself as a simple person. While I also have an eye for the finer things in life, I make sure to live within (and sometimes even below!) my means. In fact, I still hate it when I go impulse shopping, but lately, I’ve been reminding myself that it’s okay to indulge once in a while and reward myself for my hard work all these years. So yeah, I can say I’m still the simple Edel that my family and true friends know by heart.
Weekend Story: Embracing Simplicity
Last weekend was quiet and simple. We stayed home to rest. We went out of the house to do some errands and unwind a bit. We spent time with my extended family. We took care of and were amused by Jasper our pet dog. It was kinda fun and invigorating.
I just love simple weekends. I actually don’t like making many weekend plans. I prefer going with the flow or just following where the hubby wants to go. I get excited with spontaneous trips to places I haven’t been to. But as much as possible, I want to limit my activities to going to the wet market and cooking, activities I enjoy doing most. I also enjoy cleaning up my stuff (read: decluttering) but it’s something I want to prepare for, mentally and physically, so I could give my best to it and see good results.
A Wallet Story
Do you wanna know what my birthday gift to myself is? A wallet. Do you wanna know what I asked the hubby for his birthday present to me? Another wallet. Why would I need two wallets, you might ask. My answer is…why not? One for weekdays, one for weekends. End of story.
But wait, I’m in the mood for a wallet story, so here it is. Growing up in the province, I always saw the contents of Mame’s wallet. I always knew when she still had money or when she was running out of it. When I knew she had extra money, I’d ask her to buy me the few fancy things I liked. When I knew she had very little money, I kept my mouth shut and never bothered her for anything that would have the potential of burning a hole in her pocket.
How Frugal Are You?
I grew up in a lower middle class family. Ours was a one-income household until my father, the wage-earner, lost his job in 1999. Frugality became a clear concept to me when I started assuming the role of breadwinner in a family of six right after I landed a job fresh out of university back in 2004. How our family survived from 1999 to 2004 was clearly a manifestation of the great love and sacrifice of my parents, our relatives, friends of our family, and of course, divine providence.
Frugality as a Need
These days as a married woman, I still find frugality a very relevant concept as I try to be a good and responsible wife. Of course, it’s the same with my other roles such as daughter, sister, friend, and citizen. How can I not apply frugality in my life when I’m not at all wealthy and my income is limited? I have to be frugal if raising my own family and having a comfortable retirement are part of my life goals, right? But the more important question is, how frugal am I?
Weekend Story: A Time to Prepare and A Time to Think
Last weekend was quiet and productive. It’s the first weekend of 2015 and the hubby and I had no choice but to stay home. Actually, it was me who insisted on this. The hubby initially wanted for us to just stay in Manila because we were there on the first two days of the year for some worthwhile activities with family and friends. Good thing he listened to his wife without question. Haha.
I wanted to go home in Bacoor because I needed to have ample time to prepare (my wardrobe) and think (about work, family, etc.). So I did all those and a few more things. I felt happy and content. God has been so good to me in 2014 and hopefully, things will be better this new year.
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On Checklists and Travels
Whoever coined the term “checklist” is a genius. Making a checklist in everything we do seems to be the most effective way to make sure everything has been taken care of and properly done. When it comes to traveling, a travel checklist helps greatly in making sure we get to bring everything we’d need in the entire duration of our travel.
For our travel this weekend, my travel checklist is simple and straightforward. As I wanted to pack light and travel light (sort of my travel philosophy!), I am bringing only the essentials (e.g. travel documents, vanity kit, clothing, pocket money, etc.). I think two pairs of footwear as well as two pairs of sunglasses to use alternately (one pair of RayBan sunglasses and one pair of old yet still trendy sunglasses purchased from a local fashion brand ages ago) will do for when it’s time to explore the city by foot.