Living a Good Life

Beginning the journey

This blog is a record of my journey to live life smarter, simpler and well.  I would like to achieve a life lived fully, and well within my means. To live a life free of financial stress, and full of choices. 

And I know it can be done!  It's just choosing to do it - that's the key and I've already made the first step.  I'm sure I'll learn lots along the way, and will record some of the learnings here.  I'm excited by the opportunities that will come....

Day one of the journey, and my first choice along the path has been not to buy another Christmas tree to replace the $30 Safeway one that my husband and I purchased when we lived in Melbourne 12 years ago.  That's a measly $2.50 per Christmas and while some of the branches are falling apart from the trunk, if I twist them just so they stay in position and presto! there's another year of value from the old plastic pine.  With a few new decorations added to our growing collection, the tree is looking much better now it's beautifully decorated.

When I was putting up the tree, I realised that many of the ornaments have been gifts from family and friends that we have received over time, and there are even some school-made ones thrown in.  What a terrific throught - we will include a quality Christmas decoration with our Christmas gifts to our extended family this year.

If you have any tips (and I'm sure there are many) for creating a simple, thoughtful and low-cost Christmas this year I would love to hear them.  Please email me at livewelllivesmart@gmail.com .