Have you ever examined how you make decisions? People generally fall into two distinct styles — Maximizers and Satisficers — and Sherry and I each lean toward a different approach. This week we’re sharing what we’ve learned about both types, and how those tendencies shape everything from choosing décor to planning our first international family trip. We also outline five ways to refresh a room without spending a single dollar, highlight a kid-friendly kitchen activity we love, wrap up our Color of the Year predictions, and reflect on how far folks will go for bread.
You can also find this episode on your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn Radio, Stitcher, and Spotify.
What’s New
- If you want a primer on Maximizers vs. Satisficers, Gretchen Rubin’s blog and a deeper article from Psychologist World are both great starting points.
- You can hear the original moment when my maximizing tendencies surfaced in Episode #156, where we discussed reducing stress during our bathroom renovation.
- We’re planning our first international family trip to Costa Rica after Christmas, focusing on the Manuel Antonio National Park region — recommendations are welcome!
Updates
- Pantone announced Classic Blue as their Color of the Year 2020.
- For our earlier Color of the Year predictions and follow-ups, check Episodes #147, #149, and #151 where Sherry’s picks had a moment to shine.
- Last week’s episode, Episode #158, featured a full discussion about holiday traditions from around the world.
- We also shared information debunking the German pickle ornament myth, and included a clip that made pronouncing “Newfoundland” feel tricky.
Zero Budget Ways To Update Your Spaces
- Here are five simple, no-cost ways to refresh a room when you want change without spending money.
1. Take things out
- Decluttering and removing items can instantly change the feel of a room. Paring down brings focus to what remains and creates visual breathing room that feels like a meaningful update.
2. Rearrange or reorganize existing furniture or items within a room
- Trying a different furniture arrangement or swapping pillows, art, and plants within the space can create a fresh perspective and sometimes reveal a more functional layout.
- For example, we reshaped our beach house backyard seating into a new conversation area without buying anything — just moving what we already owned. The change took about an hour and made a big difference.
- We also repurposed two dressers as nightstands in our bedroom. That simple swap improved functionality and balanced the room visually, especially with a mirror echoing a window across the wall.
3. Shop your house
- Instead of buying new pieces, borrow from other rooms. Move a rug, swap an artwork, or bring a lamp from another area — small switches can have an outsized effect. For instance, a painting that used to hang over my desk looks better above our bed, while a spare mirror now improves my desk view by reflecting the window.
4. Use your leftover supplies or materials
- Raid your craft closet or paint stash for fabric, ribbon, spray paint, or wood to create small projects. We love painting the back of a bookcase, refinishing a small piece of furniture, or even making a new pillow.
- People are also using Ardex feather finish on lamp bases to achieve a concrete look; we’ve used it ourselves to update laminate counters and to create a coffee table top.
5. Add greenery
- Clip a branch, bloom, or sprig from your yard and place it in a vessel you already own — a pitcher, vase, or even a drinking glass. Fresh greenery adds life and immediacy to a room at no cost.
- If you missed the conversation that inspired these ideas, check out Episode #157 where personal finance expert Tanja Hester discussed choosing not to spend money on her home to reach a larger financial goal.
We’re Digging
- Our foyer toy and game closet (pictured) keeps pieces organized — we moved many games to the top shelf to prevent small parts from getting lost or repurposed for other play.
- Here are family-friendly games we’re enjoying with our 5- and 9-year-old: Sequence, Ticket To Ride, Low Down, Uno Flip, Exploding Kittens, Bears Vs. Babies, Tenzi, and Set.
- We tried the Foodstirs pancake art kit — I made a chihuahua and our daughter made a smiling pancake. We’ve asked for more of their kids’ baking kits as gifts, and their organic, non-GMO baking mixes are also handy for restocking the pantry.
If you’re looking for recommendations we’ve mentioned in past episodes, we maintain a master list of items we’ve been digging, as well as a page of books from our Book Club.
Thanks to SnapPower for sponsoring this episode. Use code YHL15 for 15% off easy-install nightlights and guidelights at SnapPower.
Thanks for listening, guys!
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