A Little Dose of Happiness ~ Special Smile Moments this week!

My hubby's most recent triathlon.  Both boys enjoyed getting to run up to him during it!

I love Will's super curly hair after he takes a bath.  This is why I just can't bring myself to cut it...
 

A fun mail surprise...I had e-mailed Bob's Red Mill asking if they ever offer discounts or coupons since I buy a lot of their products like almond flour and coconut flour.  Just for asking they sent me these in the mail....awesome!

Eating our homemade popsicles and playing soccer in the back yard

 

Tyce's first experience at VBS this year.  This was their final performance of Go Tell It On the Mountain. 

I hope you find something to smile about this week!

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Attacking the Clutter ~ Life draining e-mail subscriptions

Does your e-mail inbox look like this?  This is an actual picture of mine.  Every day I open it with about 100 unread messages all from different stores, newsletters, etc.  Well, if you have been reading my blog then you know I am attempting to "attack the clutter" in my life step by step.  So, next phase, massive e-mail abolishment.

This picture above is actually my e-mail account that I ditched as my default b/c I am always searching through a billion e-mails to get to one that I actually NEED to read.  I check it almost every day, but mainly to delete e-mails.  The excuse I gave myself as to why I keep it so cluttered is because one day I will NEED to know that some store is having the exact sale or coupon I need.

Then I realized:
1.  I waste a lot of time sifting through and deleting e-mails that I mostly don't even read
2.  These stores are hoping that I see their e-mail and buy something that I don't need and don't have the money for
3.  If I really need a particular item I can search the ads until I find it for the price I need (patience, right?)  Or I can buy a discounted gift card to the particular store prior to buying the item (more on that in another post).

The bottom line is:  I don't NEED all of these e-mails.  They are eating up my precious free time.  So I have begun a process of attacking the clutter of my e-mail inbox to lead a simpler life :)  It is a slow process of unsubscribing to every unnecessary e-mail I get when I see a new one I have not attacked.  It has been great and now I can focus on more important e-mails that come through.

photo source

I have left subscriptions to 2 of my favorite blogs that give me a list of ongoing coupons and great sales so I don't feel like I am missing out.  They do all of the work for me and don't clutter up my e-mail (2 e-mails as opposed to 65 - right?).  These blogs are:

Kansas City Mamas - great for anyone local here in KC that wants store ads, etc.
The Frugal Girls - more of a nationwide discount, coupon blog

Both of these blogs help keep my life simple and my budget on track.  I promise I will post soon about budgeting and financial peace :)  So far this e-mail attack has been so liberating and I have been able to revive my old e-mail account again.

How have you attacked clutter in your life?  Any other great ideas about e-mails, coupons/sales, etc?  I would love to hear them!  E-mail me or comment below!

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