Excellent Living Guide started as a little site about making bath bombs, and the reasons to do it.  Now, though, it’s a more general extension of certain values.  As such, it won’t be all about making bath and body products anymore, but anything that has to do with enjoyment of life through…

Frugality. This doesn’t mean being really cheap — it means consciously buying what you really need or want.  People often buy too much stuff thoughtlessly, just out of habit, and it can lead to waste, and a life that’s full of stuff, but empty of quality.

Making your own stuff. It’s not just to save money, but to get exactly what you want.  I’m sure you know at least one person who only likes her own cooking, right?  This is the same thing.  I make my own bath and body products because it gets me exactly what I want, most of the time.  That is the reason I promote it.  Saving money is just the bonus, at least for me.

Self-reliance. Building confidence in your own abilities to survive and adapt is key, whether it’s acquiring wilderness skills, picking up a second trade to earn more money for the family, or getting “off the grid” and growing your own food in your backyard.  Anyone can improve their own self-reliance, no matter what their circumstances.

Creativity & Learning. A mindset of frugality and making stuff leads to increased creativity and openness to learning new ideas and skills.  These are the most precious qualities to preserve throughout life, but they get lost so quickly in adults.  Ready-to-buy solutions are deceptive; they don’t get you exactly what you want or need, and they can take away your problem-solving and learning abilities.  I don’t make everything myself, but my mindset helps me adapt ready-to-buy solutions.

Environmental consciousness. I’m not a “tree hugger,” as my brother would say, but I am very aware that resources, such as landfill space, are running out.  I have no doubt that human ingenuity can solve any problems that come up, but let’s not make it harder than it has to be.  ELG promotes reduced waste, especially reduced packaging, and less disposable items.

Long-lasting, not cheap and disposable. Disposable items are not excellent.  They are low-class, low-quality, wasteful, and more expensive overall than buying one thing right the first time.

Respecting other people, especially children. Although many do not agree with it, I have a strong philosophy of child-raising.  It’s simple: I chose to live with my son and share my world with him, and I am prepared to seek win-win solutions for us both.  I don’t impose my authority on him (unless it’s absolutely necessary), and I don’t rule through fear-based obedience — only trust.  I respect him as a person, one who will probably surpass my own understanding of the world, and one who already has a philosophy and set of values in place, even though he may not be able to talk about them well.  It’s a hard “high road” to take, but it is one that will, I hope, lead to a good relationship with him throughout my whole life, free of the BS that I have with my own parents.

Join The Excellent Living Guide Member’s List

If these values appeal to you, and you’d like to become part of the 6,000 member (and growing) community of others who also share these values, you can join the ELG Newsletter / Email List here:

You will receive the monthly “site updates” — a roundup of everything that’s gone on in the last month — but you will also be invited to participate in community discussions, projects, and events — such as my tentative Christmas Box Swap.  If you’re interested in “making stuff,” I’m putting out some short PDF tutorials with photos for members only.

If it turns out that ELG isn’t for you, no problem — you can unsubscribe yourself at any time.

Hope to talk to you more!

- Katherine