Andrea Dekker

Blog

25 Comments

How I Declutter My Inbox With Gmail Filters

Due to my blog and all the different virtual assistant jobs I’ve had over the years, I currently have a very long list of email addresses that all go to one Gmail Inbox… even still, my Inbox almost always has less than 5 emails when I “close up shop” for the night.

I keep my Inbox organized and decluttered by setting up filters to automatically file my incoming emails to the appropriate folders. If you’ve never tried filters before, I’ll show you how to quickly set them up and start de-cluttering your own Inbox today!

10 Comments

Light and Fluffy Waffles

A few months ago, I shared our favorite make-ahead waffle mix recipe. The recipe makes very dense, thick, filling, and delicious waffles.

However, if you’re looking for light, fluffy, crispy waffles, I’m sharing THAT simple recipe today!

11 Comments

A Few Perks of Having Less Stuff

Although I personally have no desire to become a true minimalist, there are many situations when I definitely prefer “less” over “more”.

Today I’m sharing a handful of tangible benefits I feel are a direct result of having less stuff.

26 Comments

How Dave Watches March Madness Without Cable

As many of you know, Dave and I nixed cable a while ago… and we really have no regrets.

However, the one time of year Dave really misses cable is during March Madness. The man is a basketball junkie and would probably watch every single game if he could — thankfully, he found a very frugal solution that allows him to watch as much basketball as he wants… without cable!

51 Comments

Tips for Traveling With Tots

Thanks to a bunch of fun travel opportunities, the Dekkers will be traveling more in the next 4 months than we have in the last 4 years — and yes, we’ll be taking all 3 kiddos with us to all our destinations!

Since I’m not necessarily an experienced traveler, I did a few quick internet searches for handy tips, tricks, ideas, and suggestions to simplify the traveling process with small children. Today, I’m sharing my favorite tips with you!

12 Comments

Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownie Cake

After sharing a picture of this delicious brownie cake in a blog post 2 weeks ago, I have gotten a ridiculous number of emails and comments requesting the recipe. So I figured it was probably worth sharing!

If you’re in the mood for an extremely simple, ridiculously rich, from-a-box dessert, this one should do the trick!

19 Comments

5 Areas I Don’t Often Clean (+ fun new cleaning products)

I’ve never been big into “spring cleaning”, but I will admit that the onset of the Spring season gives me a renewed energy to spruce up my home and give a bit more attention to certain areas I may have neglected to clean on a very regular basis.

Today I’m sharing 5 specific areas I often forget to clean — as well as a fun bundle of freebie cleaning products available to anyone who sets up a new account with Grove (one of my favorite online companies!)

86 Comments

Why We Don’t Have College Funds for our Kids

Almost immediately after Nora was born, I was asked if Dave and I were planning to set up a college fund for her and for any future children.

The short answer is “no, probably not” — and today, I’m explaining more about that decision in an updated post from one I wrote 3 years ago.

27 Comments

5 Things I’ve Accepted In Exchange for a Happier Life

Over the years, I have noticed that (especially when it comes to my own children) I have become SO much more accepting of their mistakes, their crazy antics, and the changes they bring about to our home and our lives.

I don’t just “tolerate” them, I truly “accept” them — and as a result, I enjoy simpler, happier, more peaceful days at home.

29 Comments

4 Tips to Grocery Shop Less

Last month, I shared a few of the ways I’m able to save a considerable amount of time shopping for groceries — one of which is the fact that I usually only go to the grocery store every 10-12 days (sometimes I can even stretch it out to 2 full weeks).

Several of you asked for any tips I use to stretch the time between grocery runs… and today, I’m sharing 4 tips I hope will help many of you!

37 Comments

10 (more) Things I’ve Never Spent Money On

Over the past 7+ years of blogging, I’ve shared a few “Things I’ve Never Spent Money On” posts, and they are always SO fun to write and so fun to read the comments!

I recently thought of several more “things I’ve never spent money on” so I figured it was time for another post!

18 Comments

My Insanely Simple Tip for Better Baked Goods

I am definitely not an expert baker, but I’ve done enough baking that I DO have a few little tricks up my sleeve… and about a month ago, I realized that I have never shared one of my simplest tips for better baked goods here on my blog.

This tip requires no skill, no special ingredients, no monetary cost, and really no extra effort on your part…

10 Comments

A Post for Anyone Who Struggles to Say ‘No’

Saying ‘no’ is rarely ever fun or enjoyable — it’s not something we anxiously anticipate doing (at least I don’t!) However, I think the whole concept of saying ‘no’ has a bad reputation and is viewed as unnecessarily negative by so many people.

If you are the type of person who struggles to say ‘no’ I hope today’s post will be encouraging for you!

23 Comments

How We Purge

Last week, I talked a bit about why I’ve never been one to participate in “purging challenges” — and after publishing that post I figured if I was going to explain how I DON’T purge, I should probably take the time to share exactly how I DO purge the things we no longer need or want in our home!

I’m sharing our super simple system today!

18 Comments

3 Concepts that Help Me Be More Content

If I’m really honest with myself, I’m not naturally a super “content” person. I would much rather work towards a goal — and while I don’t necessarily think it’s bad to strive for more, it does get tiring after a while, and I think it robs us of happiness.

Over the past few months, I’ve thought quite a bit about what exactly I do to (try and) be more content… and I came up with 3 super simple concepts that seem to help me.

13 Comments

Why I Prepare to Be Productive

Over the past 7+ years of blogging, I have shared my fair share of productivity tips, tricks, and tools — but as with almost everything in life, my productivity changes as my season of life changes.

Today, however, I’m sharing the one productivity tip that has worked for me for many, many years — and one I suspect will continue working for years to come!

17 Comments

The Point Of Purging – And Why I Don’t Do “Challenges”

Over the years, I have been asked time and time and time again why I don’t ever blog about any type of “purging challenge”, and why I don’t do any type of purging challenge in my own life.

I get it… I can definitely see the motivational factor of being involved in a fun purging challenge, but they’ve just never been something I’m excited to promote, and today, I’m sharing why!

Footer

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.