Spring is here (so the calendar says) and like many I am inspired to get motivated and organized. Last week's Hint of the Week was very timely - did you see the one from Nasascha Berry about the Buy Ahead box? I thought it was great at the time, and then promptly forgot all about it until the beginning of this week when I spotted that the boys had opened a new tube of toothpaste while the old one lay crumpled and only half-used next to it. Time to make us a Buy Ahead box I thought! I followed Nasascha's instructions and before I knew it I had raided my cupboards to create a box full of toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo and all kinds of things that would now be safely stashed away until the old ones were well and truly used. Easy peasy!
One of my favourite luxury ideas is taken from an inspirational book I have had for years, called Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It is a daily journal style book which encourages the reader to take pleasure from the simple things in life. Perfect in conjunction with Simple Savings! Unfortunately it encompasses a whole year's reading, so it's not an ideal one to borrow from the library, but keep an eye out for it at frugal places everywhere! I remember Oprah Winfrey reading the same book several years ago and telling her viewers how Sarah's 'Gratitude Journal' transformed her life. Basically every day you keep a diary or notebook and at the end of each day, you HAVE to find five things you can think of to be grateful for and write them down, no matter how small. It could be anything from being thankful for your family, or grateful that your cold is better, or just grateful that it didn't rain on your BBQ! It costs nothing to do and you would be amazed at how positive you soon begin to feel, even when you feel you're at your lowest. Anyway, the favourite idea I gleaned from that book is one I have used ever since, and that's my 'Comfort Drawer'. The idea is that the Comfort Drawer is a special place that contains things only for you, to cheer you up, make you feel special or whatever. I love my Comfort Drawer, it is full of lovely things and it cost me nothing to furnish. You can keep your drawer anywhere you like - mine's in the bathroom and I love rummaging through it. It is full of things such as free samples from magazines, gift soaps and beauty items I have been given, shampoo minis from hotels and whatever other little pampering items I can lay a hand to - I have an enviable range of moisturizers, foundation, perfume, lipsticks, face masks, and it's all free! It's a real treat going to my Comfort Drawer and picking something out when I feel down; perhaps a face mask to put on while soaking in the bath, or trying out a new foundation if I'm going somewhere special. It makes me feel great when I wear products such as Clarins or Lancome, which I wouldn't normally be able to afford. Every woman should have a Comfort Drawer!
