Claiming Simplicity | Simple Life, Natural Living, Cooking from Scratch, Intentional Living, Save Money, Simple Systems, Easy Recipes

Hi Friend! I want to talk about automating everything you possibly can.  I am so squirrley and always have many projects going on, so in order to stay sane at home and in my online business, I automate almost everything. In our home, we have systems and automations that help things run smoothly.  One of the biggest saving graces is having our money and bills automated.  There are very few things that I have to worry about due dates with.  From our insurance payments to our electric bill, it is all automated and because we live very frugally and with attention, we never have to worry about insufficient funds.  I also have my transfers to our savings bucket and expense accounts all automated.  We have an envelope system like Dave Ramsey has, but it is all electronic with automations in each bucket and that works really well.  I’m pretty sure our bank thought I was crazy when I set it up like I did, but it has been amazing!  There aren’t too many surprise expenses when you have a simple automated system to save and spend money!   Next, Laundry routines which have gotten much easier over the years as our teenagers do their own.  I do bedding on Mondays and 1 -2 other loads during the week depending on what we have.  My routine is to start the coffee, toss a load in the wash, grab my coffee and do my Bible study, so it works well.  Dishes we do as we go-for the most part other than when we get a little behind in crazy times like harvest season.     I would not be able to run my business in less than 1-2  hours a day if I didn’t have automations.  I have taken several different experts advice and made it into a super simple system~even on instagram!  If you remember when I was so exhausted with instagram last year and could only do a few weeks and get frustrated, it was because I hadn’t figured out to simplify and streamline it.  Once I had all my direct messages optimized and the scheduling done, there isn’t a whole lot else to do but watch the sales role in and that has been really fun!  It seems so simple and I don’t have to worry about going on there all the time, in fact, I rarely scroll or comment on others posts~some people will tell you that you need to do that, but my account is growing at a super fast rate with multiple daily sales, so I disagree that you need to engage unless you have time to or enjoy that.   Content is automated, sales are automated along with automated emails and this keeps your business running even when you are not available.  It has been the most simplest and efficient way I have found to run a business.  I actually don’t even need my website or all the extras I was paying for before I simplified it all.     I am super excited that I am working on a project for you if you want to learn how to do this too.  If you want to be a SAHM or retire early, this system can work for you while you are working full time in small amounts of time and I can’t wait to help you do the same with less stress and overwhelm.     If this is something you are interested in, please send me an email at monica@claimingsimplicity.com as I am gathering a group of beta testers and I would love for you to be a part of it!!!!!   See you next week!  God Bless! Monica

Hello Friend!   I have had so many people asking me how we spend so little on food and the answer is actually pretty simple.  I have been posting on claiming simplicity on instagram about saving money on groceries the last few months and I have had so many people say they are struggling in this area and have no idea where to start, so this episode is going to get you headed in the right direction to saving money on food that you may not have thought of..   Yes, it is true…..once I learned how to spend very little on food (at the time was when I had 3 kids under 3 years old) and it was out of necessity with a very small food budget and no credit cards to go in debt with, I found out how easy it really was!  I remember looking through recipes that would be filling and I would look through cookbooks and figure about how much it would cost to make the recipe.  I actually had such a low food budget that I would bring my calculator to the store to make sure I didn’t go over because I certainly wasn’t going to bounce a check!  Yes, cookbooks is where it all started, so I am dating myself as it was nearly 30 years ago when I began this journey, but I still use this process today because I would rather spend money on assets than food.  It took me some work to figure it out, but over the years, I learned skills that make it even more possible.   If you want to save over $6000 on groceries this year and cut your grocery bill in half, you are in the right place.    The number one thing that people don’t realize is those unhealthy packaged snacks and meals are costing you nearly 10x more than they would be to make from scratch.  And no,  most of them are not difficult to make. Anything packaged is usually unhealthy and when you make homemade meals and items at home, you are only putting ingredients in them that you want in your body.  There are so many additives and unnecessary ingredients in them so once you start reading labels, you won't even want to put them into your body and certainly not your childrens bodies.  I’m working on a simple snack guide now that will give you simple easy snacks you can make from home on a budget and I know you are going to love it.  Watch for it on instagram!   Once you start making homemade meals, the next step for you will mostly likely be how to learn how to make all your own dressings, mayo, and mixes such as onion soup mix packet, ranch packets, or your own boullion which is another super simple way to cut food costs and add healthy options.  It really is a rabbit hole and once you learn how simple it is with such little time it takes, you will start making your own sour cream, yogurt, granola, vanilla, and pretty much everything in your kitchen!  You will not only save thousands of dollars every year, you will learn skills to be more self sufficient because you won’t need any started from the store once you make your own sour cream or yogurt and those type of items.     Another way we spend so much less on food is buying in bulk and cooking in bulk.  Not only will you save money, but you will have so much less waste and will more likely not to spend wasted money eating out.  It blows my mind, that people don’t think it is possible to spend less that $75/ week on dinners for a family of 4.  It really depends where you live, but I can’t definitely show you how to cut your grocery bill in half.  We now spend less than $100/month on food since we grow a garden and raise our own meat, mild, and eggs along with hunting, but the $75/ week, I teach people to do from the grocery store with the grocery price list from walmart or aldi and it is very doable. If you are thinking that you want to learn how to do this, here is the link to to a 1 week sample of the exact steps to how we save. https://stan.store/ClaimingSimplicity/p/weeks-worth-of-dinners-in-just-2-hours-under-75 Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/ Have a great week!  Love you friend! ~Monica

Hello Friend!     We hit 100,000 downloads last week, so in appreciation, for everyone that adds a rating and review, I am going to put you in a drawing for $100 amazon gift card!!!  You just need to send me an email at monica@claimingsimplicity.com letting me know you left a review with your user name.  If you have already left a review, share with a friend and add me in your instagram stories and tag me and you will be entered in the drawing as well!  This podcast wouldn’t be as successful if it wasn’t for all of you, so I appreciate you all!     I really want to talk today about 3 areas where you can easily simplify your life to live more intentionally with ADHD.  As I have talked about a few times here, I have never been diagnosed with ADHD, but I have many characteristics and that is really why I had to simplify my whole life to live with more intention.  I really enjoy slow living with my family now and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  When I was working as a full time nurse with 5 kids at home and all the activities and sports, it was exhausting, but once I changed the way I lived, I was able to quit my full time nursing job which gave me so much freedom to how I spend my days & more time with family.     The first area you can simplify is your cooking, if you haven’t followed claiming simplicity on instagram, you should do that now.  A large portion of many family’s budgets goes to food, but it doesn’t have to.  I can show you how a family of four can eat dinners on $75/week and that is nutrient dense, healthy meals.  You don’t need fancy expensive meals and you certainly don’t need to buy convenience foods at the store but instead learn to cook simple homemade meals at home on a very low budget.   Next, declutter your home.  Living with less stuff really reduces stress.  You will also feel less overwhelmed when you have less stuff to care for - start with one room of you home and see the difference.  Always make sure you carefully think about each item you bring into your home.  I am going to do another declutter challenge, so email me if this is something you would like to be a part of.  It is for busy moms, so it will be steps you can’t quickly declutter in a short amount of time.   And lastly, you will want to reduce debt, living debt free can be rewarding in so many ways.  If you are spending more than you bring in, think about where you can make changes.  I will be doing another no spend challenge starting January first and this time I am going to do all audio.  If you are interested in joining, please reach out by email or DM me on instagram!   And with all of this, make sure you are putting Jesus at the center of it all!   Love you friend!  Have a blessed week ~Monica Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/ Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com  

Happy Fall Friend! If you haven’t visited claiming simplicity on instagram recently, you may not know that I have been teaching families how to eat dinners for less than $75/week and have taught over 3000 families so far after starting that in July and now I have expanded into a month of our favorite  crockpot dinners and am working on a snack guide to save money as well.  I love love love teaching people that you can eat healthy on a budget and it all started because that is what people were asking me. Now, I have people reaching out that want to live the lifestyle that we have, so I’m transitioning into showing them exactly how I was able to quit my full time nursing job to become a homesteader & homeschooling mom and it all started with knowing how to save money on groceries and then once I had that figured out, then I would reduce wasteful spending in other areas like making my own natural cleaning supplies that saved money and now I create an income just showing people how I did it because that is just how it has evolved!   I am very passionate about families raising their own kids and homeschooling….shaping them to be Jesus centered in everything they do is the ultimate goal in life.  You can’t take your home, your cars or material possessions to heaven with you, so why not chase something with eternal rewards and teach your children to do the same. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. If you are ready, I want you and your spouse to talk about this and see if it is something you both want & pray together about it. Talk about how you want your life to look and feel. My husband was on board and he found out quickly how much easier. How much money do you actually need to live comfortably and where could you reduce expenses if you need to.  Figure out all of you bills and then you will need to figure out all the bills you won't have if you decide to be a SAHM or homemaker such as daycare, gas, convenience items, maybe even one less car or less insurance.  There are many ways to make it possible!   There is so much peace and joy in intentional and slow living, that you will probably not ever want to go back to the hustle.  The time with your family will be treasured forever.  You can’t ever get the moments and memories back, so live in the present every single day. Freedom & Time are much greater asset than money if you value memories.    If you have any questions about any of this, please send me an email or DM on Instagram, I would love to help you get started or even help you take next steps if you are ready!   Have a Blessed day!

9-15-25 EP 206 // 5 Ways to Start Simplifying Your Life Without Feeling Stressed & Overwhelmed.   Hello Friend!    My life is very full with all of the things we choose it to be such as gardening and homesteading activities, but I make sure that I have time to just be, pray and think in the morning and that usually means getting up by 4:00 am. (Yes, I am in bed early at night so I get at least 7 hours of sleep)  It gives me time to see the sun rise, sit in silence  and just listen to what God is saying to me without any other disturbances.   Our lives are shaped mostly by how we create them.  If you know me at all you know that little simple things make me happy.  I don’t need to spend money to be happy, I enjoy the birds chirping, the rooster crowing, a fresh Fall breeze coming throught the open windows, the sun rising, walking in the woods and we are now living what we have created.  I could have continued to climb the ladder working for someone else just  to chase after more riches, but nearly 30 years ago, we made a life plan of how we wanted to live, raise our family and what was important to us……and guess what-not any of what was important to us was new cars or material items-it was Jesus, time with family and freedom to do what we want, when we want and it seems as if God has been just chasing us with blessing after blessing. Things have shifted slightly as God is giving us a new direction and so we will reveal where that is going as time goes on.  Right now, we are at the stage of really God?  You want us to do what?  So I don’t know any details right now, but I do know that He wants me to help you get back to the root of what is most important.    I want to give you 5 simple steps to get started on this simple living journey, and I will saved the #1 way to the end.   ~ 1st, Become so clear on what you value and make sure your time matches up with your values.  You say you want time with your kids, but then you spend all day at work, or you might say you value giving, but your pocketbook looks like you spend more on things for yourself.  It has to match up or you will not ever feel at peace or aligned.   ~ Next, Make your life plan-do you want to be a SAHM and homemaker, do you want to living in the country, want to homestead or learn to cook from scratch to save money?  What kind of house do you want to live in?  Be so clear that when you move to a house, you realize it was exactly what you handwritten out in detail many years prior.  Your life might not start out exactly as planned, but I can definitely tell you if you have a vision and a plan in written for, you will most likely get to that place!  I even put in my plan I wanted to be a Grandma that was available for my Grandkids whenever they needed me or had events and I am thankful to be able to spend time with all of them quite often and love it! ~After that you will want to make a plan you reduce your debt.  Maybe you need to sell a vehicle with a payment and get a used vehicle-there is certainly not anything wrong with having an older vehicle.  I was just trying to figure out the last time we had a car payment-probalby over 15 years ago!  Spend your money wisely and living a debt free live is so rewarding. Then you need to put your plan into action-just start-it is an incredible feeling to know what you are working toward!   And the absolute #1 step that is the most important is reading your Bible and putting Jesus first in everything that you do.  When you walk the narrow path, there are many rewards.  I’m not saying there will be opposition, because there certainly will be, but the rewards far outweigh it.    1 Start reading your Bible Become clear on your values  Create a written life plan of what you want your life to look like Make a plan to reduce debt Put your plan into action. I want you to send me a message and let me know how this is going for you and if I can help you in any way. Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/ Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com   Keep it simple and God Bless! Monica

Hello Friend! Here are a few of my thoughts about living boldly for Christ based on Charlie  Kirk's life.  We need to rise up and create a world movement as the time is getting closer to Jesus Christs return. See you next week! Monica

Hey! Welcome back on this beautiful September day!  If you are new here,  I’m Monica and I love to simplify and streamline everything and I enjoy sharing all I learn with you, so grab a cup of coffee and enjoy! After a summer of probably saying yes to too many things and feeling exhausted, I realized I needed to be reminded of my own advice to keep things simple with less stress.  If you know me at all, which you probably know me pretty well if you have listened to any amount of podcasts here, but I’m sure you know I like to do all the things, I love to learn and sometimes that comes with getting too much on my plate.   If you want to reduce some of your mental load & enjoy a slow and intentional life, the first step is to create it by centering your life around what is important to you.  For me, it is my faith, family, and time for being present.  To me, time is our precious commodity and I don’t want to get to the end of life and wish I would have done things differently.  Depending on what season you are in, living intentionally may look different than slow living, but you have to know what you really want life to look like and make a plan so you can stop spiraling out of control and feel like you are going backwards.   Next, you need to start saying no to some of what you are doing.  If you are saying yes to please others or just because you think you are supposed to do something, you will burn out fast.  I remember when my kids were in elementary school, I thought that I should volunteer just because I stayed at home (because most people done understand what WFH moms do!), but I whenever it came to going, I just dreaded it because I had so many other things I needed to do.  I have always had side businesses as I’m not someone that ever sits around, so I have to plan my time carefully.   I have learned to say, thanks for thinking of me, but right now I am unable to …..whatever it is.  You don’t have to say any more or try to make up excuses.  Just imaging what all the things you will be able to say yes to because of the no’s you had to tell people!   And the last way you can lessen your mental load is to declutter.  There is a direct correlation with mental stress and clutter, so make sure you are clearing spaces in your home.  Since we have moved into our home 2 years ago, we have done so mych outside, but I still have totes with my hobbies and it bothers me everytime i see those totes because it is something I just haven’t had a chance to get to yet.  As my business has grown, it is something that got put on the back burner!  I know when I have clutter on the counter or around our home, it makes such a difference in how stressed I am.  If you do 1 thing today, start with clearing off your cupboard and getting the dishes done every night.  After a week or 2 add in another thing and try to clear your space you are in most of the time first.  You will wake up feeling much better when you go to make your coffee and don’t have the stress of the mess hanging over your head.     I want you to start implementing this right away and let me know how it goes for you!     Remember Keep it simple and have a great week!    Love ya friend! Monica   Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/ Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com

Hey Friend! Wow, can you believe it is back to school already?  We had a very different summer this year, but God’s hand was in all of it and I wouldn’t want it any other way.  If He is in the middle of whatever is happening, there is peace.  One of the many things I love about Fall is that even though here in MN things start to die, there is also a new and refreshing energy I feel.  I love the crispy air and sweatshirt weather and like it to last as long as possible before the deep freeze, but for me Fall is so abundant.  It is a very full season for us with all the garden produce, apple orchard harvest, bear hunting that starts at the beginning of September and then deer hunting.  This is when we store most of our food for the year, so it is very productive.  We only get bear tags every 6 years and our 15 year old daughter has one this year, so hoping for success for her as this will be her first one.  My husband gets pretty excited getting everything ready for the hunt which starts in August.  It really is such a blessing for them to get to experience it and I am so thankful they are so well rounded in so many areas of life and have more skills than 95% of their peers.  I truly believe they are going to be so much further in life with the every day life they have learned over the years.  From how to save on groceries and cook from scratch to hunting for food, processing it all along with all the life skills they learn on a homestead with animals!   I am so grateful for all of you that reach out and are loving the podcast and now the instagram content!  I am so so thankful for all of you-who knew this would grow so big just a few years ago when I had no idea what I was doing!  Just trying to share everything I know to live a simpler life.  Sometimes I feel like I’m failing you because I don’t have consistent content, but then I remember that I’m doing the Lord’s work and I don’t have to burn out or give up my values especially after last year and knowing that rest is needed.  Thank you for the grace.   So this summer we have been getting ready for next Spring as we will have a graduation here for our daughter that is a senior. We have been moving flower gardens(they were full of the most gorgeous flowers along with many thistles and grass that I couldn’t get rid of, so we made new garden beds for them. We have been staining and other miscellaneous things around here with the help of many Grandkids we have had over the summer with their daycares being off quite a bit which is fun ~ they just love it here and so fun for them to learn about the animals and milking, gathering eggs and all the fun that happens on a farm.  Most of our fencing and barn work is done for now and it helps to have portable electric fencing from premier one.  That works so nice for rotating the animals easily and often.   There was a time in June when I couldn’t get out of bed for 5 days, even lift my phone and I ended up having anaplasmosis, so glad I finally went in.  I’m a little stubborn knowing that most viruses they can’t do anything for, but after not getting better, I knew it had to be something other than the flu or covid and i didn’t even I had been bitten by a deer tick, but I did have several of them crawling on me at different times I hadn’t thought much of.  That took some time to recover from and then my husband’s job unexpected was off work for a while, so he ended up going to a different company putting in natural gas, so there has been alot of change around here.  My 15 year old started working in the spring as a phenomenal sourdough bakery that just opened up and she still needs rides, so glad it is only 15 minutes away and our other daughter is working in a kitchen at a resort, so they have been busy girls between working, sports, 2 large lawns they mow and numerous church camps.  It was just very different to not see them as much, but I am thankful to have such responsible kids.   We have seen God’s hand in all the hard things this summer and after testing instagram again for a couple months, my business grew really fast, so I’m working on creating more content to save you money and if you have not already, make sure you are following @claimingsimplicity on instagram.  I actually niched down to talking about cooking from scratch and how to cook dinners once a week for under &75 because that is what you wanted more of, so I’m slowly but surely working on some products around grandkids, kids, farm and all the fun that summer brings!   Now that we will get back to a semi normal routine, I hope to be back here weekly!  As always, please reach out with any topics or questions you have!   God Bless you!  Have a fantastic week! Monica

Hello Friends!   I am thankful to be able to do what I love every single day! I had to go back to what I love as I could go in many different directions since I am so multipassionate with undiagnosed ADHD.  I enjoy working 2 hours a day with my business, but I had so many other people reaching out and wanting me to coach them to make money online and that really wasn’t my passion, it is a portion of it I love though! My passion is simplicity and having a flexible schedule to enjoy the things I love.  I absolutely enjoy teaching my homesteading and cooking from scratch skills to beginners that have no idea how easy it is. Both in person and online, but I also am passionate about working with my hands - Getting in the dirt, making bread and being available when my goats and pigs are birthing.   I enjoy teaching you as a busy working mom to save money so you can eventually be at home raising their own kids because I don’t believe there is a more important job~especially in the days we are in.  I enjoy showing you there is a better way and you don’t have to keep up with the Jones. You have your own skills to share and it is fun to learn from each other. I know friend if you just sit and listen, you will get direction so you can enjoy every single day.   If you are interested in joining a group of like minded Moms, you are welcome here.  I will be opening up this group soon, so get on the list below!   Simply Set Society -> https://stan.store/ClaimingSimplicity   Living Simply!~Monica

Hello!   I just wanted to catch you up to let you know that I am still here and all is good! Winners, email me to claim your amazon gift cards!!!! Blessings! Monic Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/    

Hello! I was thinking back to my life when I was stressed out and overwhelmed. It felt like everything was hard and even little tasks seemed difficult.  I don’t ever want to go back to that and I want you to know that even as overwhelmed as you may feel right now, there is a way out.  You feel overwhelmed and stressed out when your priorities are out of whack and your time spent is doing things that aren't your top values.     Before you start to change your life to living simpler, you have to really know how you want to live and what really matters most to you.  For me, flexibility and freedom to spend time with family and grandkids making memories and making sure they know Jesus is a top priority for me, so being able to send them to camp and go to family camp for 10 days in the summer is very important to me along with being able to help them grow in their faith.     I also value living a natural life and being as self-sufficient or self-relient as we can by growing our own food and animals and teaching the next generation of the importance of canning and preserving food in different ways like freeze drying, but I certainly didn’t start there when I began this simple living journey.     I was in my early 20s with 3 young kids when I learned how to preserve green beans and tomato sauce by a neighbor I babysat for as a teenager, but I did not grow up with a garden or preserving any food, so no matter whether you did or didn’t learn these skills, there are so many resources to learn from with the internet and you just have to make time for it.  I did grow up on a farm and I did have chores in the barn to do, some cooking, but I was also involved in sports and many other activities at school, so I was rarely home after I hit 12 years old.     So after you decide what is important to you, start to minimize the things in your life that are NOT important to you.  As you start to minimize the less important items, you will start to be able to breathe easier and feel less overwhelmed.  Once you begin to feel less stressed, it will be addicting to do more to minimize the things in your life that are less important.  I am not talking about only minimizing physical items, but schedules and where you spend your time.     I am so excited for you to begin your simple living journey if you have not!  Monica Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com You Tube -> https://www.youtube.com/@claimingsimplicity/     

Hello Friend! Today, we’re talking about one of the most basic, yet powerful, ways to nourish your family—homemade bread! If sourdough sounds like too much work right now, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered with super simple homemade bread recipes that anyone can make—even on a busy schedule. This is one of the simplest places to start to provide more nourishing food for your family.   I started making bread once I looked at the ingredients and most of them I couldn’t pronounce, I had no idea how simple it was to make and I simplified the process to only make once or twice a month! There are so many health benefits to making your own bread.  There are no preservatives, additives, or unnecessary sugar like store-bought bread. You control the ingredients—organic flour, natural sweeteners, and real butter if you choose! Easier to digest and more filling than processed bread. Not to mention how amazing your house will smell!!!!!   It is also budget friendly and costs pennies per loaf compared to store-bought artisan bread and when you buy bulk ingredients you will save money over time! Batch cooking will save you time! Homemade bread doesn’t have to be complicated. Just start with one simple recipe, and before you know it, you’ll never want store-bought again!  Try to make at least one loaf this week and you will be hooked!  Reach out if you would like any of my recipes!

Hey Friend Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite non-toxic DIY essential oil recipes that will help you ditch the chemicals and start to create a healthier home—without the overwhelm! Switching to non-toxic DIY products isn’t just a trendy idea—it’s a powerful way to take control of your family’s health, save money, and create a safer home. Here’s why it’s so important: Most conventional cleaning and personal care products contain harmful toxins like synthetic fragrances, parabens, and harsh preservatives and these chemicals have been linked to: Hormone disruption Skin irritation and allergies Respiratory issues (especially for kids & those with asthma) Long-term health risks, including reproductive concerns DIY essential oil recipes allow you to ditch the toxins while still keeping your home fresh, clean, and safe. Non-toxic doesn’t have to mean expensive! Most DIY recipes use simple, affordable ingredients you probably already have—like vinegar, baking soda, and Castile soap—along with a few drops of essential oils. A single bottle of essential oil can replace dozens of chemical-laden products. You can make bulk batches for pennies per use, saving tons of money over time. Most commercial products labeled as “fresh” or “clean” actually contain synthetic fragrances that can trigger headaches, allergies, and even disrupt hormones and with essential oils, you get: Natural scents from plants—without the toxins The ability to customize your blends based on preference (love lavender? Add more!). About 25 years ago I went to a class where we made a few of our own DIY products like bug spray, laundry detergent and after learning how safe and economical it was, that is all I have used since then.  There are still a few items I continue to find my favorite recipes for, but these are the first 5 I started with. The ingredients you will need are Essential oils (I only use Doterra because I know they are pure because all batches are tested)  I will put the link in the notes if you want to learn more. Base ingredients like carrier oils, baking soda, vinegar Simple tools  like spray bottles, glass jar or mason jar) Laundry Detergent-I love the simplicity of the ingredients and how easy it is to make.  I was making a different kind with a felz nappa bar of soap shredded into the recipe and after a long time using it-I’m not sure how long, it clogged up our washer hose and my husband told me I couldn’t use homemade laundry soap anymore, but now that I have this recipe, we haven’t had any trouble.  It just has epsom salt, baking soda, washing soda, sea salt and essential oils.  Linen Spray which is just witch hazel and essential oils.  I love fresh scents, but you can choose any you enjoy! Toilet cleaner that is just vinegar, baking soda and essential oils. Glass cleaner with water, vinegar and essential oils. And our most used recipe is the foaming hand soap.  I have never found any soap that compares to this soap and it is only castile soap and essential oils.  I’m guessing you will love it as well! I know that I have saved hundreds of dollars over the years, possibly even thousands and I’m all about saving money but even more so being confident that I’m helping with my family's health and using less toxins. I challenge you to try just one recipe this week-I do have a free ebook with exact recipes details &  additional recipes as well you can grab below in the show notes. Switching to non-toxic DIY isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Replacing just ONE chemical-heavy product with a homemade version is a step toward a healthier, safer home. Once you start, you’ll see how easy, fun, and rewarding it is!   Thanks for tuning in today.  God bless your week! Monica  

Hello Hello and Welcome!  If you are new here, I am so grateful you are joining us!  I am passionate about teaching simplicity in all areas of life to reduce stress and overwhelm for busy moms. Do you ever feel like life is spinning too fast? Like you’re juggling so much that you don’t even have time to catch your breath? I’ve been there too, and today I want to share seven things you can let go of this year to slow down, live intentionally, and embrace a simpler, more peaceful life. Saying “yes” to everything.  There was a time in my life over 25 years ago when I got totally burnt out.  I was working full time, putting on a benefit for a young boy in our community that was in a bad car accident along with raising my own small children with their busy schedules. I remember the feeling of hardly being able to function up to the event and then crashing after the event.  It took me some time for me to recover & at that point I realized what stress does to a person’s body.  Thankly that was short term, but you may be living in chronic stress and that can affect you physically and mentally if you don’t get that under control, so I want you to start thinking about what you are saying yes to.  There are many ways to say politely no like-thanks for thinking of me, but at this time I can’t take on anything new or something to that extent. What is one thing you’ve said yes to recently that might be adding unnecessary stress to your life? Could you practice saying no this week? Toxic relationships or negativity.  You do not need the stress of those people, so do your best to let go of those relationships.  Spend more time with the people you love to be around.  Life is short to waste time with those people.  Think about the relationships in your life. Which ones bring you joy, and which ones drain your energy?  In Proverbs 4:23, it says,‘Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Protecting your peace is not selfish—it’s essential for living joyfully and intentionally. Comparing your life to others or social media.  You have a different story and experiences than any other person, so you should not be comparing yourself to anyone at all.  You are unique in your own way and a child of God and daughter of the King.  Rest in that.  Clothes you haven’t worn in a year.  Let them go…..if you haven’t worn them in that time, you probably won’t ever wear them.  Last year, I went through my closet and found clothes I hadn’t touched in a while. I donated them, and not only did it declutter my space, but it felt good knowing someone else could use them. Constant phone notifications.  Do you look at your phone every time it buzzes?  Go into each app and turn off notifications.  What value does it bring you to have those notifications on?  Without them, you may discover more peace and less anxiety.  People don’t need an immediate response to anything!  Well….other than an emergency!  I typically keep my phone away from me while I’m working so I can be in the zone without interruptions which makes for more productivity in less time.  That is one key to getting things done. Overpacked schedules.  This goes along with saying yes to everything and packing so much into your schedule.  Make sure you have rest and recovery time planned.  You can’t sustain stress long term without it creating havoc somewhere, so be very mindful of your schedule. The need for perfection.  You are perfect in God’s eyes and that is all that matters!   Remember Psalm 139:14: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You don’t need to strive for perfection—God has already made you perfectly unique. As we step further into this year, I challenge you to pick just one of these things to let go of. Maybe it’s saying no to something that’s not aligned with your values, or maybe it’s turning off those pesky notifications. Whatever it is, take that first step toward living with more intention and simplicity. And remember, God is with you every step of the way.   Let’s walk this journey together! Monica Website and Waitlist: Claimingsimplicity.com Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com  

Hello Friend 1. Know Your Purpose One thing that sets unbusy people apart is that they are crystal clear about their purpose. They’ve taken the time to figure out what really matters to them—what legacy they want to leave, what goals they want to pursue, and how they want to spend their days. When you know your purpose, you gain clarity. It becomes easier to filter out distractions because you know what to say yes to—and more importantly, what to say NO to. Take a moment to ask yourself: What’s my mission in this season of life? What goals truly align with the life I want to create? When you’re guided by a clear purpose, you’ll find it easier to resist the countless opportunities and demands pulling at you daily. You’ll stay focused on what matters most. 2. Remember: Busyness is a Choice This one’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s empowering. Busyness is a choice. Yes, there are external demands on your time—jobs, parenting, commitments—but ultimately, you decide how to structure your days. Even when life feels overwhelming, you still have the ability to take control of your schedule. Maybe that means saying no to extra obligations that don’t align with your priorities. Or maybe it means reassessing whether the things keeping you “busy” are really worth the energy you’re giving them. You are not a victim of busyness. You are in control. 3. Value Rest as an Essential We live in a culture that treats rest like it’s a luxury, when really, it’s a necessity. Rest is not laziness—it’s what allows you to recharge and show up as the best version of yourself for the people and things you care about most. Think about it: Rest improves our health, strengthens relationships, reduces stress, and even makes us more productive. But if we don’t intentionally make space for it, rest gets crowded out by the busyness of life. Here’s your reminder to build rest into your routine: Take five minutes in the morning to pray, meditate or just breathe deeply before diving into the day. Schedule downtime for yourself and your family, whether that’s a Sunday afternoon at home or a full Sabbath day of rest. Guard these moments of margin as fiercely as you would any other important commitment. I am usually in bed by 9 and natural wake up around 5:00, that might change a little on weekends, but I make 8 hours a priority as I know the significance of sleep and the role it plays in all areas of our lives. Rest is not a reward for finishing your to-do list. It’s the fuel that keeps you moving forward with intention and clarity.   Remember, busyness is not inevitable—it’s a decision you make. And when you choose to prioritize purpose, embrace your power to say no, and make rest a non-negotiable, you can unbusy your life and create space for what truly matters. So let me ask you: What’s one thing you can let go of this week to create more margin in your life? Put it into practice, and see how it shifts your mindset and your days. I can’t wait to hear! God Bless! Monica  

Hey Friend If you want to simplify your life in 2025, you will want to start with these 5 steps.   You need to determine what is really important to you.  I think this is the best place to start because if you are unable to envision how you TRUELY want to live your life, you will just stay on the chaotic hamster wheel you have been on and won’t ever get off.  You need direction to know where you are going. Next, Look at where your time is spent.  Compare that to your values and what is important to you.  If this is off, you will be stressed out all the time and it will be hard to get to a simple life with such overwhelm.  This may be a real eye opening experience for you and this is what you will need to work on.  Once your time matches up with your values, you will start to feel the peace in your life. After that, you will ask yourself what do you want for your life? Is it clear? Do you want to continue to live as you do now?  Does your life feel full of happiness or do you need to make some changes?  Are you working for material items or are you working because you absolutely love what you do?  I absolutely love being a nurse, but I enjoy being casual so I can pick up around my family's schedule.  My family is a higher priority than work, so living a simple life is putting time with them above time working for someone else.  This is another reason I started my own businesses-some of my values are freedom and flexibility and I didn’t get that with a 9-5 job. Next figure out what you need to do to help you move closer to that dream life.  Little by little, you can make changes to get to that life you want to live every single day. It does take intention and it can be scary to make changes, but you will be so happy if you are following God’s will and what he wants for you and not your own.  Prayer is the ultimate tool in this process.  Lastly, you need to know WHY you want to live a simpler life and be more intentional.  Is it because you are tired of being stressed out and overwhelmed?  Is it because you want peace?  Once you know why, you are more likely to make lasting change.     Make sure you go through these questions and I would love to hear where you are planning to make changes!     Make God your first priority & make sure you are taking time to listen! Website and Waitlist: Claimingsimplicity.com Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com Love Ya! Monica  

Hey Friend!   This might be our last episode of 2024, so thank you for joining me!  It is all about the simplicity of our homestead, update on simple and intentional living and what I have planned for you in 2025! I pray your simple journey in life is to put Jesus first, then family and whatever God has for you to keep your priorities in order! Here are the links to follow for more!!!!!  Please follow and subscribe! Join the free challenge -> https://stan.store/ClaimingSimplicity/ You Tube -> https://www.youtube.com/@claimingsimplicity/  Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/claimingsimplicity/ Email -> monica@claimingsimplicity.com   Blessing & Merry Christmas! Monica   

Hello Friend Want an extra income -> https://www.claimingsimplicity.co/ Do you find that every time you go to the grocery store, you spend more than you budget?  The food prices continue to rise and I want to give you some simple ideas today to start saving on groceries right now.  Depending on where you live in the world, you may be able to start a garden and that is my #1 way to save money on food.  You can have healthy food without any pesticides when you grow it yourself and that can sustain you for several months of the year depending on your season and how much you can preserve. We try to eat seasonally as much as possible to save money on food, but that wasn’t always the case for me when we didn’t source our own chicken, eggs, pork and milk.  Another thing that saves our family alot of money is hunting as we usually get several deer and sometimes bear.  In the summer and winter we also catch as much fresh water fish as possible too. Enjoy the episode and let me know your favorite ways to save money on food! Monica Email me at monica@claimingsimplicity.com    

Hey Friend Simple Passive Income-> https://www.claimingsimplicity.co/ Take a moment to think about this: What would your life look like if you had complete freedom over your time, resources, and choices? Maybe it’s more time with your family, the ability to give more generously, or the freedom to travel.  In the Bible Proverbs 29:18 says, Where there is no vision, the people perish.  It’s so important that we define our vision before anything else, because without it, we’re just going through the motions. Now that you've got a vision, it’s time to create an income stream that supports that vision. I’ve talked before about the power of passive income, and I’ll say it again—having an income stream that doesn’t trade time for money is a game changer.  In fact, I believe we all should have multiple income streams.  I will do a podcast all about that soon! Whether it's an online business, digital marketing, or a system you can work on just 2 hours a day, the point is to build something that gives you both income and freedom. I will link my favorite income stream in the show notes if you want to check it out!  No pressure in this business at all, but I’m here if you do have any questions at all! Matthew 25:14-30—the parable of the talents—teaches us the value of investing our resources wisely. You’ve been given skills, talents, and opportunities to create wealth not just for yourself, but for God’s Kingdom. Your business, when aligned with God’s purpose, will bless not only your family but others around you.  To me, it is such a blessing to be able to help others~especially in the economy we are living in now. Abundance isn't about more; it’s about better. It’s about focusing on what truly matters. Step three is to simplify your life. Take inventory of how you spend your time, your energy, and your money. What can you cut out that is cluttering your life? I love how the Bible has so many good verses about how we are to live. God has given us resources to manage, whether it’s our time, money, or relationships. Step four is about stewardship.  Proverbs 21:5 tells us, The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. This means creating a budget, planning how to grow your resources, and making decisions that are thoughtful and prayerful. When you become a good steward of the resources God has given you, you’ll see those resources multiply, and you’ll be in a better position to bless others. Finally, step five is where everything comes together—use your abundance to impact others. Abundance isn’t meant to stop with us. God blesses us so that we can bless others.  2 Corinthians 9:8 says, And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. Once you’re living in abundance, ask yourself how you can use your resources, time, and energy to serve others. Maybe it's supporting a ministry, mentoring someone, or giving generously to causes that are close to your heart." Remember, true abundance comes when we align our lives with God’s purpose, and we take intentional steps toward creating freedom, not just for ourselves but for those around us. Have a blessed friend! ~Monica  

Hey Friend! Simple Passive Income-> https://www.claimingsimplicity.co/ Today, we’re diving into the heart of homestead life with three practical tips to help you simplify your daily routine. Whether you're raising animals, growing your own food, or just trying to balance cooking from scratch, homeschooling and  homestead tasks with family life, this episode is for you. Tip 1: Streamline Chores by Creating a Rotating Schedule One of the most common challenges on the homestead is managing the never-ending list of daily chores. The key to simplifying your routine is to stop treating everything as a daily emergency. Instead, break your chores down into manageable chunks by creating a rotating schedule. For example, feed the animals and collect eggs daily, but stagger larger tasks like garden maintenance, deep cleaning animal pens, moving fencing or preserving food. This helps you focus on only what needs to be done each day, rather than trying to do everything at once. It’s also a way to involve the whole family, assigning specific days to different tasks. Think of it like meal planning—once it’s written out, it’s one less thing to think about." Tip 2: Invest in Time-Saving Tools "One of the easiest ways to simplify your homesteading life is by investing in the right tools. Not every task should be manual—there are tools and technologies that can save hours of time and energy. A good drip irrigation system, an automatic chicken door, or even something as simple as a wagon for hauling feed can drastically cut down on time spent doing repetitive tasks. I know one thing that will be priority next year is setting up a no maintenance garden because the no till option did not work out so well for me, but at least I tried! This may seem like an upfront expense, but remember: time is money, especially when you’re balancing so many responsibilities on the homestead. What tools can you implement today to shave off 10-20 minutes of your daily routine?  Tip 3: Group Similar Tasks Together Another great way to simplify your homestead routine is by grouping similar tasks together. Instead of running back and forth across your property all day, make the most of your time by batching your activities. If you're headed to the garden to harvest vegetables, bring along any tools you might need for weeding or mulching. When you check on your animals in the morning, bring their feed and fresh water with you. Grouping tasks can be a huge time saver and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks that come with homesteading. Plus, it helps you stay focused and more efficient in everything you do and I am the queen of streamlining and simplifying.  I’m sure my husband will be happy when our set up here is complete…..I’m not sure it ever will be completely, but if something isn’t running smooth or isn’t efficient -especially in the long winters we have here-I change it up to be more simplified.  We will be going into winter with at least 12 piglets-unless we deliver anymore from a pig that got in with the boar 1 day, but so far she isn’t looking pregnant. We also have 5 grown pigs, 13 goats, and about 30or so chickens, so it has to be efficient with this amount of animals. Homesteading doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few simple strategies, like a rotating schedule, time-saving tools, and grouping tasks, you can lighten your load and enjoy the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to build. Simplifying isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about working smarter, not harder, so you can spend more time doing the things that matter most. Thank you for joining me today. If you found these tips helpful, be sure to share this episode with a fellow homesteader, and stay tuned for more content on simplifying your life while creating a more sustainable future. ~Monica