Keeping It Simple- Part 2

In part one of this series I shared a little of my "pre-simple" life. A lot of my days were spent driving around- the dry cleaners, WalMart, McDonald s, WalMart, the gas station, WalMart, pay bills, WalMart, a doctors appointment, WalMart,  ... In my frenzy to get everyone where they needed to be and still keep them fed and supplied for school and activities, I spent a lot of time and money at WalMart, the only store in town to carry a lot of the things we needed. Sometimes I'd even go before work to pick up a forgotten item. This was pure insanity! At the time I'd justify all these trips as sensible because I was trying to get everything done around work and school schedules. I used a lot of fuel in those days. A lot.

Now that I am adopting a simpler lifestyle, I've learned to manage my fuel usage a lot better. It didn't take a whole lot of effort because leaving the homestead is less enjoyable now. Except for some occasional socializing, I'd prefer to stay home most days. 

I still have to provide elderly transportation to doctors and we still have to stock up on items at WalMart. Plus with the added critters there are trips for feed and hay. And there are the times we plan a road trip or a visit to see the grandson an hour away. We aren't hermits by any means! But since a big chunk of my day isn't locked up at a "paying job" I can schedule these things in a much more efficient way, spending one day in town to get several things done. 

I've also come to really appreciate online shopping. A few clicks on the computer and vet meds, coffee beans, and other things that I'd have to visit a farther town to find, show up on my doorstep! Free shipping is such a fun find! 

By simplifying my schedule and time management, I've been able to cut my fuel usage down to a tank or less per week. Before I would have been filling up every 3-4 days.  Simple saving on fuel!