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!).
Archives
Money Spent On Groceries in 2013
January $198.39
February $231.88
March $248.71
April $Books Read in 2013
Myself
Fiction:
1.The Help
2. Away
3. Flowers For Algernon
4. Animal Farm
5. Room
6. The Secret DaughterNon-Fiction:
1.The Two Nazanins
2.Confessions Of A Bad Beekeeper
3.The Encouraging Parent
4.Freakonomics
5.Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal?
6.Raising A Right Brained Child In A Left Brained World
7.How To Make Your Child A Reader For Life
8.The Bookseller of Kabul
9.The Sane Woman's Guide To Raising A Large FamilyDaughter Grade 3 (Chapter Books)
Stanley's Christmas Adventure
George's Marvelous Medicine
Sarah Plain and Tall
Ramona Books x 5
Road To Avonlea Chapter Books x 3
Junie B Jones Chapter Books x 6
James and The Giant Peach
Freckle Juice
Reader Level 4 Books x 9Son Grade 1 (Picture Books)
January: 62 books
February: 73 books
March: 95 books
April: 89 books
Category Archives: Giving
Goals For This Week
Well despite my early mention of spring and hiking time this weekend, it looks like winter is still upon us. As I write snow is coming down fast and furious, it is – 10 and there should be some freezing rain tomorrow. … Continue reading
Our Best Activity So Far This Week
Lately I’ve ended each day asking my children a couple of philosophy type questions like “how do you know you are awake” and “what is the purpose of life”. Their faces are precious as I ask what they see as “very … Continue reading
This Week’s Goals (Jan 7-13) and Last Week’s Recap
So how did we do last week? Not so bad, especially considering it was a short week! I have to say it again, having weekly goals is making me and my children work so much more diligently, mostly because they … Continue reading
31 Days Of Nothing (Excess)
I mentioned one of my major goals for 2013 was for my family to be involved in a 31 days of nothing project (though personally, I think it isn’t right to call it “nothing” because if you have food you … Continue reading
2013 Goals: The Year We Begin Home Educating!
I’ve written about 2012, though didn’t specifically update on the goals for the year (with monthly goals often being accomplished, but not blogged about). This was partly because my focus was on connecting and building our family and partly because … Continue reading
Help A Family Friday: It’s OK When It’s “Small”
Having recently adopted two fabulously wonderful children on one very average charity worker income, with no assistance, no free childcare and special needs which mean extra resources are needed, it can be challenging to think about how to help others. When … Continue reading
Frugal Gifts Part II
In Part I I shared 10 ways to save money on gifts! Now onto Part II. 11. Make your own cards or buy a box of assorted charity cards, I buy mine from Toybox Charity - such an inexpensive way to … Continue reading
Scripture Memory Club Week I
A few people who read this blog know that I run a scripture memory club each week for friends, it has occurred to me a few times that it might be a nice thing to include each week here! This … Continue reading
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

