A Simple Choice: A Practical Guide for Saving Your Time, Money and Sanity

by Taylor-Hough, Deborah

• ISBN13: 9781891400490
• ISBN10: 1891400495
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-03-01
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc

Summary

The number one complain of people today is the lack of meaning in their hectic lives. In her second book, A Simple Choice: a practical guide for saving your time, money and sanity, author Deborah Taylor-Hough addresses societal emptiness and the personal search for contentment. With an aim toward returning to emotional replenishment using clear, concise and uplifting examples, A Simple Choice not only examines the futility of keeping up with the Jones' but depicts the simply joy and fulfillment of keeping up with ourselves. Through practical help in the areas of home-keeping, family unity, saving money, spending plans, cooking and more, Deborah Taylor-Hough guides us down a simple life path. In an era of self-reflection, A Simple Choice holds the mirror of life's simple joys that are available to everyone.

Table of Contents

Part One: Getting Started
Personal Thoughts on Simplicity	3	(3)
Defining Simplicity	6	(4)
Are You Spiritually Overextended?	10	(4)
Are You Financially Overextended?	14	(5)
What's Your Mission?	19	(12)
Seasons of Life	20	(3)
An Official Statement of Purpose	23	(1)
Writing Your Family Mission Statement	24	(7)
Part Two: The Path to Financial Health
Solving Payment Problems	31	(5)
Ten Simple Steps to Conquer Debt	32	(2)
Letter to Creditors	34	(2)
Spending Plans	36	(4)
General Budget Guidelines	37	(1)
Money is a Tool	38	(2)
Contentment	40	(4)
One Income Living in a Two Income World	44	(7)
The Secret	45	(2)
What it Takes	47	(4)
Part Three: The Simplified Kitchen
An Introduction to Frozen Assets	51	(12)
Small Freezer Syndrome	53	(1)
Top Ten Questions	54	(3)
Cooking with a Friend	57	(1)
Freezer Meal Potluck	58	(1)
Lunches	59	(2)
Recipes	61	(2)
Saving on Meal Expenses	63	(5)
Breakfast	63	(1)
Lunch	64	(1)
Dinner	65	(1)
Making the Most of Leftovers	66	(2)
Grocery Savings	68	(8)
Super Coupon Shopping	73	(3)
Homemade Alternatives	76	(11)
Mix-n-Match Skillet Meal	76	(2)
International Sausage Skillet	78	(1)
Instant Coffee Recipes	78	(1)
Cream Soup Substitute	79	(1)
Dry Onion Soup Mix	79	(1)
Frozen Pop Recipes	79	(1)
Ice Cream Sandwiches	80	(1)
Swedish Oven Pancakes	81	(1)
Buttermilk Pancakes	81	(1)
French Toast Casserole	82	(1)
Bean Soup Mix	82	(5)
Part Four: Simplified Housekeeping
Simplified Housekeeping	87	(12)
Ten Minute Tidy	88	(1)
``Times Up'' Upkeep	89	(1)
Pink Bunnies	90	(2)
Toys	92	(1)
The Kitchen	92	(1)
Quick Housekeeping Tips	93	(3)
Bedroom and Closet Tips	96	(1)
Garage Tips	97	(1)
Kitchen Tips	97	(1)
Laundry Tips	98	(1)
Pilers and Filers	99	(5)
The Piles of My Life	100	(1)
Identifying the Piles	101	(1)
Containing the Piles	102	(2)
Kids and Clean Up	104	(6)
Job Descriptions	105	(2)
Chore Charts	107	(1)
Check Mark System	107	(3)
Garage Sales	110	(7)
Number of Days	111	(1)
Classified Ads	111	(1)
Stuff	112	(1)
Arrangement of Sale	113	(1)
Clothing	114	(1)
Soft Background Music	114	(1)
Odds-and-Ends Tips	115	(2)
Homemade Alternatives	117	(6)
Fabric Softner	117	(1)
Glass Cleaner	117	(1)
Drain Cleaner	117	(1)
Laundry Liquid Recipe	117	(1)
Automatic Dishwasher Soap	118	(1)
Windshield Washer Solution	118	(1)
Spa Milk Bath	119	(1)
Facial Mask	119	(1)
Fizzing Bath Bombs	119	(4)
Part Five: Simple Family Fun
Simplify the Holidays	123	(7)
Family Fun and Games	130	(8)
Keep a Straight Face	130	(1)
Spot the Thimble	130	(1)
Musical Spoons	131	(1)
Pig Pile Chairs	131	(1)
Noah's Ark	131	(1)
Strike-a-Pose	132	(1)
Mannerisms	132	(1)
International Shopper	132	(1)
Build a Story	132	(1)
Add a Drawing	133	(1)
Dozens of Family Fun Ideas	133	(5)
Nature Connections	138	(6)
Observations	139	(1)
Backyard Bird Survey	140	(1)
Nature Notebooks	140	(4)
Homemade Alternatives	144	(5)
Homemade Paper	144	(2)
Craft Dough	146	(1)
Bubbles	146	(1)
Crazy Crayons	146	(1)
Soap Crayons	147	(1)
Homemade Stickers	147	(1)
Sidewalk Chalk	147	(2)
Appendix A Recommended Resources	149	(10)
Appendix B Why Simplicity?	159	(20)
Bibliography	179