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	<title>Only the Essentials</title>
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	<description>making life simpler, and finding more happiness</description>
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		<title>Only the Essentials</title>
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		<title>First Step &#8211; Moving</title>
		<link>http://onlytheessentials.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/first-step-moving-simplify-life/</link>
		<comments>http://onlytheessentials.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/first-step-moving-simplify-life/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:18:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>capitalcitymama</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Life Changes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[environmental impact]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[moving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reducing bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[simplifying life]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[To reach my goals of making my life simpler and finding more happiness, I have begun taking small, and not so small, steps. The first step is a big one. The first step in changing my life is selling my &#8230; <a href="http://onlytheessentials.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/first-step-moving-simplify-life/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=onlytheessentials.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4186615&amp;post=20&amp;subd=onlytheessentials&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>To reach my goals of making my life simpler and finding more happiness, I have begun taking small, and not so small, steps. The first step is a big one.<a href="http://onlytheessentials.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/box.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-43" src="http://onlytheessentials.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/box.jpg?w=300&#038;h=266" alt="" width="300" height="266" /></a></p>
<p>The first step in changing my life is selling my single family home and moving into a duplex.</p>
<p>The main reason for selling the house is simply because I cannot afford to live in the house by myself. I can&#8217;t afford the mortgage and other bills. </p>
<p>I found a great place for my self and my daughter to live. The new digs are in a more urban setting and we will be able to walk many more places than we can in our current house. This is one of the things I am most excited about. Our new neighborhood has parks, shopping, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and grocery stores. </p>
<p>The economic benefits of moving are great. Our rent is less than the old mortgage. Our monthly bills such as gas and electric will be smaller. We will no longer pay for water and garbage removal. No more yard expenses.  </p>
<p>Being able to walk more places will also have environmental, health, and other benefits. Walking will reduce our gas consumption and improve my health with the increased amount of exercise. Being able to walk places will help us get to know our neighborhood and meet people. I am hoping that this will create a sense of community for us. Our neighborhood does not feel like a community. </p>
<p>Moving also has an emotional benefit. We are leaving our old life behind and starting a new chapter in our lives. This may be the best and most important reason.</p>
<p>[Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.marrinsmoving.com/images/closed_moving_box.jpg">Moving Box</a>]</p>
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		<title>Why?</title>
		<link>http://onlytheessentials.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/why/</link>
		<comments>http://onlytheessentials.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/why/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:30:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>capitalcitymama</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Life Changes]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Why write a blog called &#8220;only the essentials&#8221;? I am writing this blog to document how I am changing my life. Why am I changing my life? A couple of reasons actually. Mostly because in the past eight months, my &#8230; <a href="http://onlytheessentials.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/why/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=onlytheessentials.wordpress.com&amp;blog=4186615&amp;post=4&amp;subd=onlytheessentials&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Why write a blog called &#8220;only the essentials&#8221;?</strong> I am writing this blog to document how I am changing my life.</p>
<p><strong>Why am I changing my life?</strong> A couple of reasons actually. Mostly because in the past eight months, my life has been turned upside down. </p>
<p><strong>What am I trying to change about my life?</strong> Mainly, I want my life to be simpler, and I want to be happier. I also want to be healthier, live more frugally, reduce the impact my life has on the environment.</p>
<p><strong>How am I achieving my goals?</strong> That is what this blog is about!</p>
<p>Life had given me the opportunity to make some changes, and I am taking her up on it.</p>
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