Welcome!
I'm Frugal Trenches (no, not my real name!) a lover of natural, simple and frugal living! I use this space and my camera to document a beautiful, purposeful, downshifted and abundant life! Life is not always simple (oh how I wish it was!) but it is always rich and I hope this space demonstrates beauty and joy!
If you have a question, feel free to leave it in the comments! I read and appreciate every comment and will reply to questions within the comment section, even if it takes a day or two (or three, but whose counting!).
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Category Archives: Family Life
Frugal Gift Ideas Part I
Recently I helped a friend slash her budget for gifts by about 90%. I’ve already shared some ways I do this in the 100 Ways To Save Series, but thought I’d tackle a few ideas in-depth here. 1. Budget for … Continue reading
Posted in Family Life, Frugal Living, Giving
21 Comments
Creating Energy – Revitalize Yourself!
A few posts ago, I was asked how I find the energy to get things done, even after a long work day! After thinking about it for a day, I thought I’d share my experiences and hope that others chime … Continue reading
How Much Laundry Do You Do?
Photo credit Recently I was enjoying a chat with a friend, we began discussing laundry and she told me that she does 14-16 loads of laundry a week for two people; granted our washers are much smaller than the American … Continue reading
Posted in Ethical Consumption, Family Life
43 Comments
International Women’s Day
“Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone” George Washington Today is international women’s day - a day where throughout the world there are different events to both celebrate women and highlight the unique challenges we face. While … Continue reading
Posted in Family Life, Repairing Damage, The topical
20 Comments
Oh Weeekend
My favourite Friday night pub – on one side the water, the other trees! There is something all together grand about a Shandy with people you love… And hanging out with pub dogs for extra company [there were 3 and … Continue reading
These Hands
There is something about seeing my mum’s hands which brings me great joy. My mum has working hands; hands that worked in laundry rooms and hospitals full-time from age 14, hands which cared for younger siblings aplenty while putting herself through … Continue reading
Posted in Family Life
41 Comments
The Best Things Come In Threes
Photo taken with my phone today – three flowers at someone else’s kitchen window. As I stood still watching I heard three birds singing. Today, three people told me they were expecting a baby, for one it is the second (a … Continue reading
Posted in Adoption, Faith, Family Life
25 Comments
How To Reclaim Simple Weekends
I had a comment on the last post as well as a few emails asking me how I made the transition to simple weekends, as a result I thought I’d share a bit more about my journey. When I was … Continue reading
Finding Mentors
When I was a student at University I had an easy course load on Fridays, it consisted of a biology lab from 9-11am and that was it. While I was in a very tough program (90% failed out or didn’t complete … Continue reading
Posted in Family Life, Oh so Blessed, Simplicity
4 Comments
When did this become normal?
Yesterday I had the chance to catch up with old friends. It was a wonderful visit and I was keen to see them after they had shared some significant financial challenges with me. Due to the nature of their work, … Continue reading
