Simplicity and Spring Cleaning

In keeping with the title of my blog, Frugal and Vintage, I thought I would talk a little about the Frugal part since my Etsy shop pretty much sums up the Vintage part.

I have to admit, while I enjoy simplicity and frugality, I stray from time to time. Life just gets busy and these things get pushed aside.

But now, more than ever, with the rising gas prices and the unstable economy, I am putting in more of an effort to focus on these things. And with so many fellow bloggers who live similar lifestyles, finding the inspiration can be easy. Lissa from Humble Pie is a perfect example of someone who puts in 100% effort to keeping a beautiful home.

And I don't know what is better, a decluttered home or making money! My husband is on vacation this week, so my strategy is to tackle the following:
*the toys (need I say more!)
*the rest of the baby equipment (pack 'n play, car seat bases, etc)
*the clothes that the girls have outgrown
*old appliances (Yes, my husband remodeled our kitchen four years ago and we have yet to part with the old stovetop. It was not that old when we bought the house the year before and we are hoping to list it on Craigslist soon.)
*wedding gifts that we have never opened.

I conveniently work at a friend's consignment shop on Saturday's, so I bring my girls' items there to sell. And I have another local consignment shop where I bring my own items.

Of course, I love when my things sell because then I make money and sometimes I take the cash, but often I buy "new" or "like new" brand name items at a fraction of the cost.

Of course, there are the odd items that consignment shops don't take, so I either sell on Craigslist on a rare occasion or I have the Vietnam Veterans van pick up my donated items.

There is definitely something exciting about decluttering and living a simple life.