Five simple tips to manage work emails at home

Smartphones are so helpful, right? But there is one thing that I struggle with and I'm sure I'm not alone - work emails. Five simple tips to manage work emails at home for a more simple life

1. Turn off those pesky notifications. period. Do you absolutely need to know when you get an email? Will anyone die if you don't read their email for an hour? (if the answer is yes, my advice will most likely not help you). 
2. Turn on manual download. Just because your phone can automatically download all those important emails for you doesn't mean it should. You're in control! So you need to tell the phone to check for email. Added bonus - you'll save battery life also. 
3. Nights, just stop checking it. If you're really needed they will call you. If you have the stress I do, it just takes one email from that special person or team that pumps your heart rate way up.
4. Vacations, let's face it, who can really disconnect for an entire week? Not me. But I can limit checking my phone for that critical email to at least once per day.
5. Lastly, if you are a manager, do not send emails outside of business hours. If you write one, schedule it to be sent in the morning. You do not want people to start having to deal with work, or worse yet start considering your off time as accessible to them. 

Best way to keep track of all those receipts?

I don't know about you. But I like to hang on to my receipts when I make a major purchase - anything over a hundred dollars really. I do this to confirm proof of purchase if I need repairs within warranty, but it also helps with insurance if you ever need to catalogue your belongings. So what is the best way to keep track of all those receipts?


The system I have is simple. Instead of putting them in the top drawer of my office to disappear into the ether, I take a photo of the receipt and upload it to my Google Drive account.

Simple right? I label the receipts with the place of purchase and date, throw out the paper receipt and forget all about it.

Five reasons why you should read books

I love reading, and will usually churn through a book a fortnight as part of a nightly habit. Here are my five reasons why you should read books for a more simple life.

1) Reading makes you smarter

Reading expands your vocabulary, helps you learn new and interesting things, and most importantly, help you realise how little you know about the world.

2) Reading connects you with others experience

Reading will help you understand different perspectives and increase your empathy with your fellow humans.

Tulane Public Relations CC 2.0 

3) Reading makes life more fun

C'mon you know it's true. Reading doesn't have to be a chore and I'm sure everyone has a topic or hobby they are interested in reading about.

4) Reading helps you make friends

Will learning about your uncle's opinions on Donald Trump on Facebook really add to your ability to interact with people - no.

Books are different. Books expand your knowledge and make you a more interesting person to talk to at parties.

5) Reading is a cheap hobby

Sure, you can make any hobby expensive, and reading is no different. Reading does have some very cheap options available to you. Libraries tend to be free or ridiculously cheap, and even the humble paperback can be picked up cheaply at most bookstores.

So enjoy a more simple life and save some money - read a book!

Swedish Proverb

What is Simple Living Kiwi?

Welcome to Simple Living Kiwi, a blog about doing more with less, simplifying your life and having fun while you're at it.

In this blog, you'll find my tips and tricks for living a more frugal life, while still enjoying all the things you love.