The quote I try to always remind myself of is that all the clutter around us used to be money which used to be time. This one really brought it home for me and I try my best to not bring things I don't need into my home because if I'm getting an impulse buy I know once the high wears off I won't care about that item anymore

People made comments about me selling things off that belonged to my husband who had passed away. But I didn’t need them didn’t know how to maintain them, didn’t want the expense etc. I paid cash for a new roof, furnace, water heater, central air and windows. Feels so good to know my house is ready for me for the rest of my life.

As a sahm that homeschools 5 kids minimalism saved my sanity! Cant tell you how many tears ive shed over mess and not understanding why i just couldnt keep the house clean until i got rid of 80 percent of our stuff and i havent cried about my house since lol

That’s a beautiful family space! So lucky to have a basement room with such big windows! Good for you, Kate!

Clutter and our traumas are linked so sometimes our nervous system can’t handle decluttering until it feels safe /ready bc the spaciousness created is actually can feel unsafe if not ready bc trauma hides behind clutter inside us and externally.

Gratitude IS the key. It helps me get through the most tedious tasks. For example I hate folding laundry. I have a big family - a lot of laundry. I started to thank every piece of clothing every time I fold it for lasting me another use and thus saving me money. It really helps.

I did several major downsizings & then sold my 4 bedrm & am currently in a studio. I found that being in a smaller area causes alot more awareness of our belongings. Even though i have alot fewer items, ea item seems magnified 4 or 5 times, bc of having so much less space. It is always a constant consolidating & decluttering, but i enjoy analyzing what is still Relevant & which is my favorite. There is clarity & peace of mind that seems to come when discovering it.

God bless your Mom.❤️ 🤗

Love this! I too relearn all the time. My partner doesn’t subscribe to this mindset. Our garage and basement is non useable but, he doesn’t see it as a problem. His parents lived the same way. So overwhelming to live with.

That's how I feel. Just take it away without me knowing. I'll be just fine.

I'm realising how we can easily live with less all the time at the moment. Over a 2 week period, I downsized from a 3 bedroom family home to a 1 bedroom bungalow because I had no option but to accept that time period. There was no time to send things to charity shops - I had to pay a man with a van and a licence to dispose of waste by weight (!) to come and take away what I knew I wouldn't or couldn't take with me - about 30% of my stuff (it came to 3-4 tons, by the way). That was hard, there were many new hard-backed books that I had pre-ordered and which were still new enough to raise good money for a charity, if I had only taken them to the charity shops weeks and months ago! I moved in with floor-to-ceiling boxes and I'm working my way through them. As I do that, I'm realising that much of what I thought I needed isn't actually necessary or important to me at all! Now at least I'm decluttering without a deadline, and I'm finding it exciting to realise that cutting away all that STUFF just reveals the things you love most and means you get to see them all the time, instead of being unable to see anything clearly through the stuff gathered around them. It's been a lesson to me and I won't have to learn it twice. Happy weekend, everyone! Warmest good wishes (and scritches to those want them) to Mister Hanum, Kaden and Kate.

I love your sense of humor and your joy is contagious!

Thanks for the recipe! Sounds and looks delicious!

Hey Kate, good job on your downstairs room it looks great 🙌 You're definitely right in a lot of cases less is definitely more as we just can't focus on or appreciate the importance and value of what we do have when we are overwhelmed with too much stuff - Hope you, Kaden & Mr Hanum have a good weekend ❤️😻

Ahh! Sorry I missed this at launch time! Happy Frugal Friday and lots of love to everyone! ❤ Loved this, Kate! Less stuff is definitely more of the things that matter ❤

Big hugs to you and bravo on your decluttering. What a wonderful transformation and great tips.

SEMI OFF TOPIC - Credit Card Interest. I was watching a utube from a channel which is more on the alarmist side but, im understanding that some folks are paying upto 30% credit card interest again? By goodness, we will be watching ours so we don't carry a balance! I can only urge us all to curb credit card spending and make a serious effort to reduce the principle on cards by making principle only, extra payments. Even $5 can make a difference; look at your bill to see how much of a minimum payment goes to principle. With most credit cards, the earlier in the month you make your extra principle payments the less overall interest you'll pay too.

Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your struggle. We all have our moments and individual struggles. I have found when your surroundings are neat, clean and organized you can think better, be more productive, are more creative, are much happier and you are free to be & do. Enjoy the fall!

I decluttered the summer of 2021. It might be time to go another round 😊

Happy frugal Friday, Kate and K squad! I am currently going through my drawers and getting rid of some clothes because sometimes I don’t even wear half of them! I have to battle the, “What is someday I” or “I might need that someday!“ I am currently going through my cleaning supplies as well and using up everything before I buy some more! Everybody have an awesome frugal Friday and an awesome weekend!

meetballs goes with everything, green salats,beans, rice,buckwheat which is gluten free, pickles, cooked or uncooked cabbage, quinoa also glutenfree ... just brainstorming around meaballs and a week meal plan was by itself written... i ll thing i ll cook some meatballs the comming week :) Kate you deserve receiving an incentive from whoever sells meet and meetballs

Thank you for the Crocktober Recipe!!!

I have a nasty craft room at the moment. I needed to hear this message. I need to purge craft stuff that I am not interested in any more. It would make it easier if I had less stuff.

Kate, you could use the leftover sauce to marinate chicken or reduce it down on the stove to make it thick and use it over chicken or meat. I’m going to try this. My hubs and I are moving today from North Carolina to Colorado. Downsizing to the max!! I want to really simplify my life. Love you and your channel.

I keep my life simple. As Jesus was saying in Matthew 6:22....that is what keeps me motivated every time i want or have the desire to buy something i dont really need... I keep it simple and so my eye is what i keep simple n focused on what is important to me....😊

This is my go-to recipe for potlucks. I will also make a pot of rice and they can put the meatballs over the rice. I don’t make it as often anymore but it was very popular with all the football teams my son played on (8-18 years old), plus being on a budget helped me to keep the costs down as I used all generic brands (when feeding the football team, I would make a huge double batch). I once had a house that resembled your basement room. I felt like I had no control but one day I got fed up and grabbed a dozen or more boxes from my grocery store along with a handful of large trash bags. I went into every single room and anything laying on a flat surface (counter, dresser, chair, floor, etc.) went into a box (except for food or liquid items) and clothes went into the trash bags. I then stacked all the boxes in a corner of the room. Obvious trash went into the trash. It was a quick process plus a win-win for me as my home looked clutter free and the floors were cleared so I was able to give it a good vacuuming and sot clean. I ended up with 6-10 boxes per room and each bedroom had at least 2-3 trash bag of clothes. I then went through one box per weeknight after work. I would go through the bags of clothes on the weekend when I would wash most of it. It took a couple of months but I got through everything and made a lot of runs to the donation center. I had read Dana White’s book, Decluttering At The Speed Of Life and her “give every item in your home a home and take it there now” click with me and made a huge difference as I was able to put things where they belonged. I’ve since moved into my forever home and did an additional decluttering round (plus the kids had graduated and moved out) so I only kept what I really loved, wanted and used…well, except for clothes, but that’s a whole other story 😉

I like to make my meatballs with chili sauce and a can on jellied cranberry sauce in the crockpot.

I loved the before and after. those steps really work to clear out a troll's den! my goal is a day at home, easy crockpot meal cooking while I tackle the piles of stuff!! thank you, Kate. so helpful🙂🍂

Thanks for sharing, Kate! Your new space is beautiful and God bless your sweet Mom for lending a hand. The meatball recipe is one of my all time favorites to make for the holidays, and there are rarely any leftovers! 😊

Gratitude does make what we have enough 😊

Love this video Kate. I know minimalism had helped me become more frugal because decluttering every month reminds it me not of being more stuff in. I have found making a habit of decluttering - like just do a 20 min decluttering once a week helps. The power weekend decluttering is awesome, but habit of decluttering weekly keeps the stuff out from seeping back. Thanks for meatball recipe- I will use for my Halloween get together.

Stuff just seems to accumulate! I’m trying to downsize, but I have one of my daughters family living with me currently. She’s a bit of a hoarder, and has multiple mugs, insulated drink containers, and things like that. I haven’t been able to use my kitchen table in months due to their things being there. I’m going a bit crazy! There is a light at the end of the tunnel as their house is to be finished in January!

Thanks Kate. Happy frugal Friday 🍁 Well done on downstairs 👏 Lifting the weight of it off is less too. Sometimes timing is the key to things changing. I understand grieving for Buns definitely made it harder. Good for you having your Mum to help. You know Mums know when to be there 🧡 I think you'll figure out a sustainable system for you in your home. Sometimes we just can't see the woods for the trees. I think sometimes there's a need for a multi purpose area or place with focus on function over fancy! It may look messy but it isn't it's just a variety of visually different items that are in use or to be used. Enjoy the autumnal cosy nights with Crocktober food in your belly 😊

Love the recipe and agree with all of your tips !!! If other people think it has too much sugar they don’t have to make it. I will definitely be trying it !!!

Being intentional helps me to stop the crazy impulses/sloppiness. A vision of the beautiful spaces I want helps. I eventually picked Scandi as my design style and I stick to it with colours, textures, furniture.

Hi Kate, I make those meatballs at Christmas, too:) I’ve used a bottle of chili sauce and the grape jelly or jam but not usually the entire bottle. It cuts down on the sugar but is still tasty. I never have leftovers to work with but if I did, a meatball sub it would be! I’ve been on fall break from work for the last 3 days and it’s been wonderful! I’ve enjoyed staying home, like you. Trying to declutter my home is an ongoing process. Not sure we ever really finish but with each room, I feel a sigh of relief! Thanks for this vid and Happy Autumn!

Yes! Less things to maintain. Its so much easier without clutter, this year we have sold,donated,recycled,given away soooo much stuff as we were combining 2homes into one 💕 it's taken a while but it's just about right now with the stuff/space ratio :)

Happy Frugal Friday KSquad! The downstairs looks great Kate! I like the little knee wall thing you have your candles on, that's such a cute feature for the basement. I've really been trying to practice gratitude and contentment lately and it's saved me a lot of money not buying things I don't need when I already have beautiful things I can use instead (i.e. sewing supplies!). Grape Jelly meatballs are delicious! My Nana used to make these for holidays, except she used Heinz chili sauce instead of BBQ. You can also use the lil smokey franks with the same sauce for a yummy appetizer ;)

I bought three sweet potato squash. I'm going to cook them in the crock for soup. It's that soup time of year! 🌺❤️🌺

Thank you for sharing this with us. I feel its so helpful how ( real) you are ! 💕

I love this video as I am on the journey of decluttering my entire house including our overwhelming basement. I also love this crockpot recipe idea and was thinking it looks like it would go good with rice and cut up pineapple and red peppers maybe even make meatball kabobs.

I get you. I always seem to have a lot to declutter. Weird thing I don't know how that stuff got here!!

I've had a rule for a couple years; when something new comes in, something old goes out. I lost my beloved fiance 3 months ago and I havent spent any money except for food. I have been downsizing for 2 years and now I am going to keep ot like this. I hoard sewing stuff and Im comnitted to using what I have until its done and I have quilts and mug rugs and pot holders. Thanks for your tips.

I also have to keep learning that lesson of accumulating things and wondering why I have them. I have come to realize that spending money on experiences is far more satisfying than buying a physical object that will eventually just sit there collecting dust and taking up space. I feel the same way about gifts. If it's not something you can actually use (soap, candle, food, etc) then it's just another "thing". I'd rather give my friends an experience. Giving someone a gift card for their favorite restaurant or theater tickets, is a memorable gift and it takes up no space. (or taking them there!)

I love your videos Kate. I’m not a single mother, but I still find you inspiring and so relatable. Thank you for all you do and keep up the great work!

Your easy crockpot meatballs is one I’ll be trying. Would be good over rice, with a side salad. Thanks for your tips for decluttering, purging and using up what you have. I have been forced to do these things since I’ve moved across country a couple of times over the last 8 years…always a good motivation! 😉. Seems like I can always find more to get rid of though!

Your family room looks terrific and very coxy. 🤗🤗

I grew up in New England. The fall is so beautiful there.

Love this video. I've been so busy with my job and have very little time to clean lately. I def need to reduce more of my stuff to make it easier on me. Also love the social media tip. Thanks for sharing 😁

Thank you Kate ❤

Those meatballs are traditional for workplace holiday buffets

I get meatballs from Sam's Club and love them. I put in my crock pot 2 28-oz. cans of crushed tomatoes, 4 teaspoons each or Basil and Oregano, and around 1 1/2 lbs. of the meatballs. I cook on high for 1 hours and then turn it on low for 6-8 hours, and then onto warm until we're ready to eat.

I am recovering from Covid. Love your basement room, your house is beautiful. I need to declutter when I am better ❤️

Thank you for this video. This is what I am trying to do. This was supposed to be this year. I have removed self from doomsday shopping frugal channels, that we’re so psychologically impacting on life. No longer doing wasteful shopping, but removing things from my home is still very difficult,

Love all your videos. I wouldn’t be using a liner in your crock pot. It’s plastic and you’re heating it up. Heating up plastic will leach dangerous chemicals into your food. Your basement looks amazing.

Good morning... my friend says Less is more 😊

Kate, you have inspired me to start decluttering... Have a Blessed weekend xx

These meatballs are great on rice too.

Love the ideas on ways to eat these meatballs! I love these but never thought about what I could eat them with - great creativity!

Not sure if the "birds of a feather flock together" and the utubes I've been watching are at work but we are sorta, kinda working on your first 2 points. One facet began with the catacomb in the vanity under the bathroom sink and has been morphing to all of the assorted personal and household hygine/ cleaning products including the pantry shelves stash out in the garage; and going through a couple of other great deal stashes. We're not there with a well ordered rotation system yet but we have condensed and eliminated containers, are working our way through partial containers, and have even begun to use up those "special" items held for special occasions. The other has to do with clothes. We are in a small space and our storage areas tend to be "well packed", or tightly packed. Some time ago we were sorting for donation, a garbage run, and re-organization in the house, the garage, and about. Life happened and that effort moved quickly in a bit of chaos. In the mix, a number of my better long sleeved tops went missing and I spent much of the past several months digging into and reworking corners, wearing a couple of my Christmas items at home only despite the month, concluding they must have gone to donation, assembling my clothing differently, and picking up a few more. Well...our fall dump run led us to conclude we had enough for a hastily assembled second dump run. In that process, in a black contractor bag under a couple of diy garage debris contractor bags was a contractor bag with my long sleeved tops plus more; don't ask me how. Long story short: holiday or not, sweater or thin cotton, jacket or a thin wisp, stay at home or wear out in public condition - I think all of the long sleeves are now gathered in one spot. I have far more than I remembered and long sleeved tops are absolutely NOT on my buying list.

I had a major project this summer of having the floors replaced in most of the main level of the house. Everything but the bathrooms and kitchen was done. I had to pack up everything in totes and move it to the basement. The floors have been done but the idea of going through all those totes and putting stuff back upstairs is daunting. I've actually donated four totes full of stuff to a local Kitty rescue that does tnr. Now that upstairs is so decluttered, I'm reluctant to put stuff back. I don't even know what tote has my fall and winter clothes and them. I make pottery and taking pottery to a store in Tennessee next week so I've been extremely busy with that and I have a craft show to do when I get back. Then Thanksgiving week will be out in the Smoky Mountains again to meet up with friends. So I really don't have time right now to get to the basement stuff. It might be December or even after the holidays for that major project. I started going through stuff and throwing things away and donating stuff before I packed everything up but I was running out of time so I ended up throwing everything in totes and stacking them up in the basement. I do the Crock-Pot meatballs. Sometimes have it with macaroni and cheese to have a quick, no fuss dinner. I don't put the grape jelly in it. I've heard of people doing grape jelly and ketchup to make the barbecue sauce. I've never done that either. I usually just use a good barbecue sauce. Hope you enjoyed your day off!

Thanks for another great video. Looking forward to trying the crockpot recipe. The struggle is real to maintain the minimal lifestyle...things creep into the house. We have seasons that we really use something and then we don't. Moving really opened my eyes to what is important..of course this is after we paid the money to move something we didn't use..uggh!

So sorry I missed Frugal Friday's start!! Great job on your family room!Kate Thanks for the big clean inspiration, I needed the push for my weekend...which I was about to "back burner" until I saw your video. On to the "Fall scour down"!!!! 😊👍❤❤ Have a wonderful w/e with Kaden and Mr Hanum. 😘🥰

I have heard of this recipe with chili sauce and grape jelly. I have never seen those crock pot liners available to buy where I live on the west coast.

Great, great tips. I am very overwhelmed with all the 'stuff' I have and at times that keeps me from even getting started. I know I would feel so much better having it gone!! Your downstairs room look awesome! Definitely on board with the crockpot liners. I have back ups for my backups! LOL!

Never had meatballs that way. I think I would match it with rice.

Isn't it nice to know that you can count on family.

Way to go mum and Kate!! Eyes on the price 👍

Aldi over here sells sub rolls with Italian herbs and cheese on top now. Yum.

I'll be making these Sunday! I'll post a pic!

Hi Kate, I haven’t done the meatballs, but I’ve done Hillshire farm kielbasa cut into discs and grape jelly. So easy and tasty.

My first thought for s side dish is rice. It seems like an Indian or thai food to me with sweet and savory…

Happy Frugal Friday, Kate! Your room looks beautiful and cozy! I need to try your crockpot recipe- it looks delicious!

I have also used apple jelly in the meat balls. My declutter is well under way.

Thank you for another awesome video and your recipe. In response to some comments I've read, food is not medicine. As someone who has struggled with borderline eating disorder, I've had to work to accept that I can eat sugar AND be healthy as well. Your health is way more than the food you put in your body. I prefer having a healthy mental health, rather than suffering from orthorexia. I can eat lean protein and vegetables if I want to but I can also enjoy Kate's wonderful meatballs in BBQ and grape jelly sauce!

Help! I’ve had such a backslide this month. My daughter got married last week and there have been so many things and trips and events - ALLLL JOYFUL - and I have just held my nose and handed over my CC. Totally worth it but I’m so afraid to look at my CC bill. I budgeted before the fact but have somehow spent so much more. But I have to say, every event has been pure joy and happiness. Is this kind of like asking forgiveness (from self) instead of permission? Thanks for your awesome channel. So ready for a reset now. Time to subtract, because like you, I do have everything. ❤️❤️❤️

Hi Kate, those meat balls look amazing! I would probably pair them with steamed rice or spaghetti, and also with salad... I will definitely try them, but in my case- I'm going with only half of the bottle of BBQ, and half jar of the jam, mix with maybe a cup of water. I'm not a fan of sweet foods, and also because I feel like that would cut the calories in 1/2👍... not to mention that I could use the rest of BBQ, and jelly for another meal saving me about $6(by only using half $2+ not buying more in the future $4= $6💰)I can't help it, I'm frugal- lol🙈😉

Great tips and I love the meatball recipe. Thanks Kate❤️

Hi Kate, thanks for the recipe. I don’t like grape so I think I’ll try it with cherry or plum jelly. But I could see using this as the protein in a ramen stir fry.

300,000!!!! Whoa! I'm not sure I have that much in my house but if I do I'm working on decluttering and moving to a minimalist lifestyle-nothing extreme but getting rid of so much CLUTTER!

i have three hobbies. i crochet, i read and i write. If its not a part of one of those three things, i dont need it.

I would make meatball subs or meatball and salad or with rice

Yum!!

Hi Kate! Loved the video. I make the meatballs, too. I just don't use a lot of jelly and instead of barbecue sauce, I use chili sauce. I also make, them with chili sauce and a can of whole cranberries. I actually like the cranberry recipe a little better than the jelly recipe. I guess you can be flexible with this recipe. Still yummy, either way 😋😉

Great video. Hitting our coat closet it's ridiculous. Your room looks amazing. Yum meatballs. I've been struggling with contentment lately.

I love rice and veggies with my meatballs. A meatball style bowl 😊

I always volunteer to bring the meatballs to work parties! Coworkers think I spent forever on these and they are great appetizers!!!!😊

I got tired of wasting money on stuff that I don't even use. Lately everytime I get pay after bills I keep a few dollars and put the rest on my savings.

I hear you Kate🤔😲👍 I call my motivator my husband 😊 Thanks for sharing 😀

I need to minimise I am frugual true should hang with people who are frugual minimal old fashion in alignment with what I am trying to do good advice thank you and need to downsize God willing all I want is to spend quality time with my lived ones need to practice gratitude

I cant stand that I don't know what I have so I go to the store and buy the same thing I already have..I will start w my Tupperware today..thank you

I don’t like a lot of stuff around the house I’m very minimalistic hate clutter x

Thanks for sharing that messy room We have one of those and like you I know I need to do it andvprobablyc98 percent of it We don't use or need.

That snape of the bag caught me off gaurd. Hahaha

Rice would be good!

Yum!! I would put it on white rice. I’m hungry for those meatballs now, lol!!!

I use this recipe for kielbasa

Ceremonial snap of the liner. lol!

Oooh. I wonder how they would be with cheesy mash!

Love Kaden and Fur Baby and Kate Wow glad 😍 💕 ❤ 💖 💗 💓