Get your denim vest at Walmart

Madewell Denim Vest alone costs $98!

I love fashion just like the next person. I also love fashions by J.Crew and their sister line Madewell. However most of us should see it for what it is...an illusion. Look at this outfit above. Does it look particularly special? Do the pieces individually look like anything special or even unique? Your answer is probably no! Believe it or not this entire outfit costs over $300. Really? $300 for a denim vest, chambray denim shirt, and skinny jeans! I need that vest to have some hand embroidery on it or something. The pieces individually aren't worth that much...so what are you and I paying for? Well...we are paying for a stylist! I can admit the way it's styled is great. I love the way the three pieces are put together. But I have to ask myself why when looking at a catalog or in a store do we see an outfit styled perfectly and buy it directly off the rack instead of appreciating it for what it is, taking a mental picture of it, and then recreating it for cheap somewhere else. Get your denim vest at Walmart! I promise no one will no the difference. Actually you could probably get all these pieces from Walmart or at least Goodwill. It will probably cost you $50 at Walmart and probably $20 at Goodwill. Wow what a savings...just don't forget to recreate that "I just fell out of bed look" to complete the outfit!  -Living Pennies

Virgina Family of Four Living in 168 Sq Ft

This couple, Hari and Karl Berzin Live in a 168 sq ft home with their two children and pets. They saved $25,000 while living in a two bedroom apartment to buy their 3 acre lot in Virginia. Their home started off as an old trailer that needed some work. They used all reclaimed pieces to rebuild and furnish their 168 sq ft home.

Their decision to build their home was due mainly to losing a business and their first home (a 1500 sq ft home in Florida). Their decision to live tiny (even moving to their two bedroom apartment) allowed them to save $25,000. Now while living in their 168 sq ft home (which is paid for) they are mortgage free and have more money to go around. 

 
Lots of people have questions about how they "do" things as couple and quiet alone time in general. Their answer, they have no tv, and everyone has quiet time together. They also spend a lot of time outside. As far as doing the "do" goes, the Berzins have one day a week alone and say that they have a wall between their loft and their children's loft. I am sure they have their ways. Personally, I could think of a lot of creative ways to do the "do" in their 168 sq ft home. It's all about using your space wisely and creatively. Sometimes it may involve telling those kids to go outside!

I will discuss and find some resources on outsourcing reclaimed materials. The Berzins went into a little depth on what materials they used inside and outside the home. Resourcing materials can be difficult but I know from prior research that there is a lot of free stuff on craigslist and staying in budget is crucial when your embarking on a project like the Berzin's home.