It’s a known fact that one of the most common fights among couples is money. Right now, we’re feeling that. I’m not doing so well with the “giving up luxuries” thing that I knew I would have to do when we bought the house. The several-times-weekly trips to Starbucks, going to Barnes & Noble often, buying scrapbooking and/or beading supplies… all things that are not really a necessity. My interest in simplifying has been peaked. This stems partly from my desire to make things green in our life, as well. We have a local family farm right down the road that sells produce, and while it may not be organic (yet, I’ve read that they’re working on that), it’s local so it helps support our community and obviously eases my gas expense. I have a coffee/espresso machine, so I need to start making my own at home. Turning lights off, not running the air all the time, etc… little things that are both green and cost-effective, that we don’t always think about. I really need to reevaluate and simplify.

Something I mentioned in a previous post was my newfound hobby of making jewelry. I’m still kicking around the idea of trying to sell some pieces on Etsy. I’ve made a few, and I think they’re cute, but would others think they’re worth buying? I’d like to hear from people who’ve done it. Were you sucessful in making some extra money? What was your experience with the whole process? I guess I could browse the site and try to talk to a few people on there, see what they say.

Above and beyond that, however, I’m just curious… how do you pinch pennies in your household? Any specifics that you live by for cutting costs and making things easier in the process? We’re just looking for ideas that we may not have thought of, but even if they’re obvious, please do tell!