We had an “a-ha” moment while on spring break that triggered a massive, whole-house purge — including a mountain of toys — and it produced a surprisingly positive reaction from our kids. This week we explain what inspired the change and how it’s reshaping our approach to possessions and family life. We also share how we became close with our neighbors and offer simple ideas for fostering a friendlier neighborhood vibe. Plus, we discuss why paying attention to basic home-staging tips can be worthwhile even if you aren’t planning to move. Sherry finds creative inspiration in the success story of one of her favorite accessory designers, and I found inspiration from people-watching on the beach (admittedly, like a creeper).
You can download this episode from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio — or listen to it below. Use this page to check any links, notes, or photos we referenced. Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the post to see the player.
What’s New
- For anyone who asked, here’s the listing for the place we stayed in Cape Canaveral for spring break. There are more photos on Airbnb, and we’ve included a few of our favorites here.
- More importantly, here’s the book Sherry read twice and recommends: Simplicity Parenting. Even if you’re not a parent, it offers useful reminders about how “stuff” affects our lives and gives practical ideas for simplifying in general.
Also, Burger had the time of his life.
Updates
- If you enjoyed my voice on the show, check out all six episodes of the S-Town podcast on their site or wherever you listen to podcasts (warning: some episodes contain adult language).
- I’ve also been listening to the S-Town soundtrack — it’s been on repeat lately.
- We referenced previous episodes where S-Town and related topics came up: Episode #42 (budget projects), Episode #43 (birthday escape room), and Episode #37 (paint sample cans).
Clarifications
- We mistakenly mixed up two different Joshuas: the author Joshua Becker (who wrote a useful article on staging your home for living) and Joshua from The Minimalists documentary. Both promote minimalism but are not the same person. The article we discuss was written by Joshua Becker, who also has a helpful book on the topic.
- We previously talked about staging a house to sell in Episode #41 and about buying less in Episode #33, which complement many of the themes in this episode.
Listener Question
- Below is a photo from our neighborhood thrift-store date night that inspired a listener question (we first mentioned it in Episode #39). That’s us in the green and yellow outfits.
- We also linked an old post about a moving sale we hosted that turned into an impromptu neighborhood meetup — a reminder that small events can build stronger local connections.
We’re Digging
- This is the inflatable Lounger we saw on the beach (Fatboy Lamzac). There are budget-friendly alternatives like the Air Lounger and the colorful Chillbo Baggins. Important update: use these on sand or land only — not in the water. There have been reports of people being pulled under when the devices break or deflate.
- Here’s the beach cart we used at our rental, and another model that converts into a table, which is handy for days by the water.
- We also mentioned a “quicksand” beach blanket that lets sand fall through — a surprisingly useful item for the beach.
- If you enjoy entrepreneur stories, try the How I Built This podcast — Sherry loved the Kendra Scott episode. Let us know if you have other recommendations.
- Since Sherry promised a visual of Kendra Scott earrings, she shared a few of her favorite styles in turquoise/gold, rose quartz/gold, and platinum drusy/gold. She wears them constantly.
Psst — Looking for something we mentioned in a past episode but can’t remember which show notes to open? Here’s a master list of everything we’ve recommended from past episodes.
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