1. Lohn and I budget all our money. We keep track of all our expenditures and tell ourselves how much we can spend on everything. Every time we spend money, we enter it into the computer, and keep a tally of what we have spent and what we have left to spend for the month.
2.We refuse to go over our grocery limit, even if it means pancakes and ramen noodles for a week.
3. We never ever buy anything. Seriously.
4. I am getting creative with ways to NOT spend money, i.e. refashioning halloween costumes, make my own laundry soap, ask family members for hand-me-down coats for the kids, getting rid of my land line to save on 35 dollars a month, etc. It's like a game to me now. What else can I not spend money on???
5. While I believe the best way to help my family is to not spend money, I am trying to find ways to make money. I have lots of time now with the kids all at school, so it's time for me to put my craftiness to work. I'll find a few craft fairs and I think I will try to sell my stuff on Etsy.
I know I am starting to sound a little crazy (especially the part about making my own laundry soap) but it feels so good to put my whole heart into getting our finances into order, and it feels even better to avoid debt. I am okay with having less now, so I can have more in the future.
Seriously read his book, Total Money Makeover. And, no, he isn't paying me to say that. (Ooo, do you think he would though???)
5 comments:
Dear Sharon,
You are so cool. You have some great ideas in here. and I think that making your own laundry soap is one of the most wonderful things I've ever heard of.
He should pay you.
Sharon,
Awesome! Keep up the great work! Another really great read is The Frugal Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn. It has a lot of nut-and-bolt ideas about being frugal. Some of it is a little bit out of date but overall it's a really great read.
No, he wouldn't, because its probably not in his budget to pay people for advertising :) I am so happy that we're on board with this now, it really is empowering!
Hey Sharon you are an inspiration. have you ever used Mint.com it is a free budgeting program online, so easy to use, but has changed my life! You would love it if you are already keeping track of money like that. We just made our first payment to ND Student Loans last week and like you we are trying to figure out how much money we can send to each payment so that I we can pay it off so quickly! good luck.
I found Dave two years ago and ever since then my 'out of control' budget has remained right on track! Not that my spending was ever out of control, mind you... just my budget.
I LOVED #3!... We never ever buy anything. Seriously." "Hey, Me Too!!" *quotes Michele from "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion..."* lol
Anyway, High fives girl!
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