Hey friends, the older we get, the more we realize life is about being grateful for the things that matter. We trade expensive trends for the simple life joys that bring moments of pleasure. We’re mindful of our budgets, a bit choosier, less materialistic, and more aware of the things that bring value to our lives.
Missed Part 1? Read Simple Life Joys for Seniors here for more ideas.
Senior living isn’t for sissies; so here are a few budget-friendly(ish) comforts that my over 60 friends, family, and I do or use to make life easier. Some ideas have an upfront cost, but when we weigh the cost against health issues or the time saved, we know we’re worth the extra money. Choose what makes sense for your life and share ideas or services that bring you joy in the comments.
The Simple Life Joys of Using Slow Cookers for Easy Meals
My sister and I both work from home, and by day’s end, we’re sometimes too exhausted to cook. That’s when the slow cooker becomes a gem. It does The slow most of the work, and all we need to do is make rice or noodles to go with the meal.
We have five slow cookers ranging from 1.5 quarts to 7 quarts and we use at least one or two a week. Sometimes we have meat or beans in one, veggies in another, and a spinach artichoke dip in a third. Over the coming holiday we’re going to try fondue in one of the smaller cookers.
This way of cooking makes life easier and makes me happy not to guard the oven or stove top when I’m tired. The best part is packing the leftovers into smaller portions and freezing them for future meals.
Using Robotic Vacuums to Help Make Life Easier
We have two robot vacuums to help with the floors. Both are from the bObsweepbrand. One is named Bob and he handles the laminate and tile floors, along with short pile carpeting in the basement. The other vacuum is called Charlotte, and she takes care of the rest of the carpeted rooms. She can wash the kitchen and bathroom floors.
The best part is that each can easily be programed to start any time, and after an hour they return to their charging docks on their own. Weekends are now free from vacuuming.
We didn’t name them ourselves. They already came named by the company, although Sister did put the googly eyes on Charlotte.
And just so you know, bObsweep is not a paid affiliate of this blog.
The Simple Life Joys of Having a Lawn Mowing Service
Due to some health issues like allergies and arthritis, having a lawn mowing service makes life much easier. While it’s not cheap, it brings peace of mind. What used to take a few hours now takes the young men about 20 minutes. “Done and dusted!” 😉
We avoid fatigue, allergic reactions, and physical strain. This is one of those times when we didn’t put a price on our physical health and safety.
And we still get outside for some free vitamin D and slowly weed the flower beds since the service doesn’t do that.
Shopping Services: The Easy Pleasure of Skipping the Grocery Store
Because of autoimmune issues, shopping in person isn’t always healthy for us. During the pandemic, when we were both ill, we started using Instacart to do our shopping. It costs a bit, but we can’t put a price on our health. And we save time and energy to have someone else do the heavy lifting. Shopping from our phones or computers is easy and makes us happy.
Do the shoppers always get every item right? Nope, they’re human. We have an Instacart membership, but Shipt also delivers from one of our local grocery stores at no extra cost.
The time saved by avoiding driving, shopping the aisles, and standing in line is worth the membership fee. Plus, our orders are always over $35.00, so we get free delivery every time.
Do some research to see if your grocery stores offer free delivery in your community.
The Simple Life Joys of Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
For full transparency, I use an AI system called ChatGPT to help me tighten up my blog posts. Chat also helps me make sure my posts can be found through Search Engine Optimization (SEO). I do the writing and let AI help with punctuation (those dang commas). AI saves me time and money to get a blog post written and published. And then I can have time to read.
In addition to punctuation and being found on the internet, I go to any of the AI systems for recipes, Lego instructions, and crochet patterns. AI is a helpful tool if it’s used correctly.
YouTube : The Simple Life Joys of Learning and Exploring for Free
About 10 years ago, while my mom was in dialysis, I was telling one of the nurses about our broken vacuum. He suggested I look on YouTube for a fix. He said he found solutions there that helped him repair things around his house. I went to YouTube typed in the issue and the vacuum manufacture number and sure enough, I found several videos with clear instructions on fixing my appliance. Within 25 minutes, the vacuum was fixed and ready to use.
Since then, I have consulted YouTube for other helpful tips, like cooking small batches of food to fashion for short, overweight women.
My life has become simpler because, when used correctly, YouTube is a powerful teaching tool.
I also use YouTube to play continuous music while I’m writing.
YouTube is a source of entertainment, too for Sister and I on Saturday mornings while having breakfast and coffee.
Drying Rack or Clothesline: The Simple Life Joys of Saving Money and Energy
In the summertime, when it’s hot and humid, the last thing I want is to do laundry. However, it’s a necessary evil that needs to be done. When the air conditioner is running constantly to keep the house cool, the dryer doesn’t need to suck more energy or money. Enter the drying rack or clothesline. It doesn’t take a lot of effort, if you put your things outside for a few hours on the clothesline, you’ll have clothes that smell fresh without chemical laden clothes softener.
Is this a simple life joys hack? It’s laundry, so not really. But the financial savings will add up overtime if you continue to use the drying racks or clothesline. Plus, in the winter when the air is dry, the wet laundry will add moisture. I know, that’s a stretch, but we do like the simplicity of this method.
For supplies, drying racks usually cost around $30, and clotheslines range from $5 to $20 depending on the style. Shop online, grocery stores, and hardware stores for ongoing savings.
Do your research and tell us in the comments if you have found a simpler, economical, and more enjoyable way to save money and do your laundry.
Wrapping Things Up: The Simple Life Joys Part 2
Life doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to be fulfilling. The simple life joys can be as small as making several meals in a slow cooker, letting someone younger mow the lawn, or using a drying rack to save energy and money. These little comforts free up time and energy so you can focus on what brings you happiness.
If you missed Part 1, you can read it here for even more simple ways to enjoy life as a senior.
What budget-friendly simple comforts make your life better? Share your ideas in the comments. I’d love to hear from you! Thank you for your time.
You might also like to read: Gray Hair: Embracing the Beauty You Grow. Love Your Silver