Frugal homemakers everywhere are getting ready for Thanksgiving, planning Christmas budgets, and trying to find time to read the latest tips from the frugal blog world. These homemaker happenings should bring you up to speed in just a few minutes with the best housewife must-reads, including safety recalls, decluttering info, recession tips and more.  Happy Sunday! 

Clutter and Simplification

There is a wonderful article at Zen Habits about simple living and conquering clutter by my friend Leo.  “I was owned by my possessions, and they were no longer making me happy. I wanted to conquer my clutter,” Leo said.  “Everyone has their ideal level of simplicity — what matters most is keeping what’s essential to you, and getting rid of the rest.”  These words ring true for many of us and we CAN take back control of our lives from things! Learn how to declutter, clutter bust, and simplify.

My friend Katadhin and I were talking about how great Web 2.0 is for keeping communications to the point.  If we were all specific and got right to the point in emails, do you think we’d get more done?  Similarly, Marc and Angel have a great article about being able to focus your life’s purpose in one sentence.

Frugal Living

Sometimes we get so used to our little splurges (like stopping at Starbucks for coffee on the way to work) that they become routine instead of treats.  The Simple Dollar wrote about switching expensive habits with more frugal habits. 

My friend Kaye Nespy reminds us that frugal homemakers can trade and barter our valuable services with each other.

How to keep your money in your pocket during a recession from Gomestic.

Around the Home

7 Ways to use Marshmallows at Life Hackery.  From pedicure tools to abscess treatment, all 7 of these uses for marshmallows were new to me!

One of our top frugal cooking ingredients is in the spotlight again with Frugal Ideas for Cooking Black Beans.

 Safety Recalls

• Roman Blinds; Sold Exclusively at IKEA
• ImagiPLAY Recalls Bead Maze Toys Due to Laceration Hazard
• Target Recalls Dive Sticks Due to Impalement Hazard
• Recall Infants’ Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free Drops (Possible Metal Fragments)
• Kids’ 2-Way Radios with Rechargeable Batteries (Chemical Burn) Toys R Us Stores
• JA-RU Recalls Toy Trains Due To Choking Hazard
• Claire’s Recalls Children’s Metal Necklaces Due to Lead Exposure
• Toy TVs Due to Lead Paint
• Toy Xylophones by King Import Warehouse Due to Lead Paint

1 in 10 Americans is employed in a job that is related to the automotive industry.  Understandably, many are fearful that the Big 3 auto manufacturers are going to shut down, leaving 3 million people across the country suddenly unemployed.  GM’s site is designed to educate people and urges them to get involved in various ways.