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Welcome to Centsable Savings Stories and Struggles!
This week we are featuring A Frugal Friend.
My Family: I am a proud wife and also a mom to the sweetest little girl, whose favorite new word is “turtle”. Soon after our little girl was born, I traded in my high heels and suits for tennis shoes and jeans. I am now a full-time (is there any other?) stay at home mom. This has surprised everyone, including my husband, who thought I would be back in the professional world after 6 months. It has been quite an adjustment after spending so many years in the workplace, but I knew in my heart that I wanted to be home raising her. Time goes by so quickly, a lesson learned when I lost my mom 3 years ago to breast cancer. I can always go back to work and earn more money in a few months or years from now, but when can I get these sweet years back with my daughter.
Where we are coming from: Until last year, we were a two-income family and we enjoyed it. We travelled, invested, saved, tithed, and didn’t really worry about money. When I stopped working we lost almost two-thirds of our income. Let the worries begin. I knew this new chapter would be a challenge, but I was determined to stay home with my little girl for as long as possible.
My Plan: I realized that losing two-thirds of our income meant we needed a plan or it just wouldn’t work. First, there were some things that were non-negotiable. We would continue contributing to our 401k plan. We would not touch our investments. We would pay our credit card bills off in full each month as we always had. Second, we needed to know where the money was going. We saved every receipt no matter how small, recorded them in categories, and added them up monthly (something I recommend to everyone – it’s shocking). We quickly needed to determine how much was coming in versus going out. Third, we needed to make some changes. Some were easier than others. Cancelling magazine subscriptions and XM radio was fairly easy. Making my own organic baby food required a little more effort and time, but the savings were great.
On My Way: From the time I was a little girl, I always had a savings account. When I was a teenager, I used to put all my babysitting money in the bank. My parents raised me to save and prepare for the future. My mom also raised me to be a good bargain hunter. Even when money wasn’t an issue, I would never pay full price for anything. I always loved “getting a deal”. Now, it became imperative that I “get a deal”. I stopped going to the mall or my favorite stores – temptations. I stayed home more – if I didn’t go anywhere, I didn’t spending money. Even though I had always used coupons, I started really looking at ads and matching them up with the coupons. Then I found the world of blogging. I never really even knew what a blog was until this year. I am 100% confident that if it weren’t for the information I have gained through reading blogs, I would have had no other choice but to return to work. I never knew companies gave away “free stuff”. I never knew that a grocery store would “pay you” for buying certain items (making money through coupons and rebates). I am still surprised that I never ever have to buy certain toiletries such as toothpaste and handsoap –all free. I am shocked at all the free entertainment deals I have found – free date nights or family time.
Struggles: My biggest struggle is an emotional one. I wish money were not an issue, especially when it comes to our daughter. I’d love to buy her the cutest outfits. I’d love to see a great toy or book and buy it for her without even thinking. That’s the hard part. It’s about “wants” versus “needs” at this stage in our life. So, we really don’t buy her many things. We rotate the toys she has been given by family & friends and we have been very blessed by their generosity. My internal struggle is knowing that I could give her more if I were working……but then I remind myself it’s only “stuff”. Right now I am giving her “me”. It’s still a daily struggle.
Another struggle has probably been eating out. I’d love to cut it out completely. At first, we were exhausted new parents too tired to cook. Now we are exhausted old parents too tired to cook. It remains my biggest challenge in the week to plan menus, stick to them, and not make that call….. “can you grab something on the way home?”
Where I am now: I am enjoying life. I thank God for the ability to stay home and spend each day with my daughter. It is more fun to play dollhouse, read “Goodnight Moon” 20 times and go to “storytime” at the library than I could have imagined. Saving money has become my new part-time job. I put so much effort into it in the hopes that I can stay home a bit longer. I spend a couple hours every day searching for deals, budgeting, and planning. I started my blog, A Frugal Friend, just a few short months ago. I had talked to so many friends who were struggling financially but just didn’t have the time or energy to find ways to cut back and save. They kept asking how I did it, so I started my blog. I hope to encourage others who have seen their expenses go up, or income go down. I also want to encourage moms who’d like to stay home, but feel they can’t afford to. No matter what the future holds or whether I go back to work, I know that God will continue to provide for our family in ways I can’t even imagine. He always has.
A Frugal Friend
Each week we feature a different shopper’s story. If you are interested in sharing your family’s story (successes and struggles alike!) contact Chrissy (centsable.chrissy[at]gmail.com). Non-bloggers welcome!!
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