My Job: The Frugal Lifestyle

fru·gal [froo-guhl]

1. economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful

2. entaliling little expense; requiring few resources; meager; scanty

from dictionary.reference.com

Frugal is not just an adjective that describes us but it has become a way of life. It is a lifestyle that we have chosen to live out in our marriage. It is a lifestyle that has not always been easy for me to live.

Growing up living a frugal lifestyle had always been a part of our family household. I grew up with two relatively frugal parents especially my father. Growing up we never had many expensive things. If we did they were purchased as the fad was just starting to fade, when they were on sale or had to last several months (if not years) so that they could be handed down to the next sister or even other family members. We would often get one shot at some latest fad or craze but if it was lost or broken then it was not going to be replaced.

As an adult, the frugal lifestyle was a difficult one to embrace. Once I was in college, I fell prey to a few credit card offers. I fell into the trap of "I want and I want it now." I had not learned the dangers of credit cards since neither of my parents used them very much. I would walk by several displays all over campus and was an easy target for anyone offering a credit card. Some I would get in the mail and cancel right away but a couple I kept and used it to purchase the things I wanted without delving into my monthly allowance given to me by my parents. I thought I was living the life. I had the things I needed and the things I wanted. What could have been better?

After I graduated college, I tried hard to get myself out of the hole I had dug during my college hay days. I did  not have very much luck. I became overwhelmed and often wondered if I ever was going to get out of the mess I had created. I had not been as bad off as most people tend to get but I was in my own mess and I did not know how to get myself out of it. I could not figure out how to stay afloat and make headway on the mess I had already created. I tried to go back to the frugal lifestyle I had known as a child but it was hard to go back after having the things I wanted. I did not really dig myself much deeper but the hole I had already created was not getting any smaller. I found myself stuck in it until I could find a way out.

The way out came shortly before we got married. About six months before we got married, Kris and I decided it was time to come face to face with the mess I had created. I was afraid to even tell him how big of a mess it was but honestly I had not really taken a good look at it as I was too afraid to see how big it might have grown. Once I started to uncover the mess, I realized that the elephant was not as big as I thought it to be. So we tackled it one bill at a time. Slowly we paid off old bills and I started to relearn the frugal lifestyle which I had once been so familiar. We began the steps necessary to begin our own journey together into the frugal lifestyle.

The frugal lifestyle has now been our way of life throughout our entire marriage. It was a slow start learning how to manage our finances and take control of our budget but we have been getting better over time. A big help in encouraging our frugal lifestyle was taking Dave Ramsey's course Financial Peace University at our Church. We have learned budgeting skills that have become invaluable tools in our marriage. We embraced a cash only policy when we do our shopping whether it is to buy clothes, groceries or gas. We use coupons and take advantage of sales at the grocery store to reduce our grocery budget. We enjoy inexpensive date nights by going to the dollar theater and using coupons to enjoy a nice meal out. We combine coupons and good sales with our gift cards to stretch our gifted dollars.

Recently one of our favorite coupon savings websites Southern Savers was live streaming a coupon savings video as part of Save Up conference. I am always very encouraged to hear stories from other Moms, Dads, and families who save money and live a frugal lifestyle.

Here are some quotes and tips I leaned while watching the video:

Quotes

- Embrace the frugal lifestyle.

- Save where you can so you can live like you want.

- Be smart with your funds so you can live the lifestyle you choose.

- Frugal does not make you noble but careful and grateful.

- There is a difference between poverty and proverty of spirit.

- Save on what you need so you can spend on what you want.

- Being frugal means you can live a better life on a budget.

Tips

- Sales rotate every 6-10 weeks. Buy 6 weeks worth of what is on sale and 1 week of what you need (not on sale) After about 6 weeks, you what you need list will not be as long and your pantry/fridge (stockpile) will be your "grocery store."

- Know where your money is going and find where you can save money even if it means going extreme.

- Be focused and organized. Forecast for the things you know you're going to spend money on.

We are proud to live a frugal lifestyle in order to provide for our future and family. We are not there yet but we can certainly see a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you so much to my wonderful husband for introducing me to this lifestyle. I could not have done it without you.

You can watch more savings tips on www.youtube.com/user/southernsavers or follow Southern Savers on www.southernsavers.com.

Book of the Month: ?

I am so sad to admit that I am behind on my book a month goal for this year. I was able to finish last year's book and another book in January but I have yet to finish February's book which was The Authentic Catholic Woman. I have been trying to finish Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey for our Financial Peace University class that we have been taking since January. Our class ends mid-April and I would like to finish reading it before then. If I do, then I may have to count this as my February book. I still hope to finish The Authentic Catholic Woman and count it toward March.

I have also added a couple other books to my list of interests. I received The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman from some friends as our paper first anniversary gift. I have heard so much about this book and have wanted to add it to my list of books. I have heard this book being talked about on Christian radio. Knowing and understanding our love language will help us understand each other in our marriage. I also heard Dr. Emerson Eggerichs on Dave Ramsey's radio program on Valentine's Day. He was talking about his book Love and Respect. I found so much of what he had to say about men and women and marriage to be true. I could see them happening in our marriage. Understanding some of these fundamental differences can help strengthen our marriage.

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

I have not had a chance to pick up my bonus book Heaven is for Real. I just could not picture myself picking up and finishing this book when I could not even finish the books I had planned on reading for this year. Perhaps when I am caught up I can go back and finish this book as my bonus book as well.

I am looking forward to some "me time" this Saturday where I hope to get much of this reading done. Perhaps I can get caught up in reading Financial Peace Revisited and finish The Authentic Catholic Woman. Financial Peace Revisited reads pretty fast since we are also taking the class. The Authentic Catholic Woman is a relatively short book but the material is deep and takes much thought. I think with some focus and determination I can get caught up on Financial Peace Revisited and finish The Authentic Catholic Woman. If not, then there is always next week during some of the terrible storms we have been having.

Financial Peace

Kris and I decided early on that we would follow Dave Ramsey's principles to help us budget and manage our finances. I was hesitant to get on board but I had no other suggestions for a plan for budgeting. For the last 8 weeks, I have been attending Financial Peace University. I have been learning new skills necessary to plan and maintain a budget.

Financial Peace University kit

Kris has been a fan of Dave for nearly ten years and has lived by his principles. He has managed his money well and made a decent financial profile. I was always impressed with his financial success but did not think I could obtain the same success. My personal financial profile was not as well put together. I had a difficult time with budgeting and making ends meet. During the last ten years, Kris encouraged me to listen and follow Dave's principles. I was not interested in any advice that he had for me. It was not because I was afraid it was not going to work but I was afraid to face my the financial mess I had made. Before we were engaged, I thought that it was my finances and lack of control over my expenses that would be the one hump that would keep us apart. I learned later that it was not my finances that would have been the deal breaker.

After realizing that my debt was not the deal breaker, I was able to finally face the elephant who was waiting there for me. The elephant was not as big as I had feared it to be. Kris helped me to get on track financially. I was starting to climb out of my hole and started winning with money. I was able to clean up a lot of the mess I had made before we were married. I felt as if I was able to enter into marriage with a lot less weight on my shoulders.

Throughout the course of our marriage, I have had an active role in the budgeting and handling of finances for our home. I never thought I would have been capable of such a task. I was so afraid I would lose control and single-handedly bring down our family's finances. I finally have financial peace. I no longer fear if I will make it to the next paycheck. There are times when we dip below my personal security but I use that fear to push me forward. I stretch every dollar and save wherever I can. Dave Ramsey's plan has given me the confidence to start winning with money.

I look forward to the day when we are finally say, "We are debt free. FREEDOM!"

Book of the Month: Total Money Makeover

We set a goal this year to read a book of the month. I picked 12 books in advance that I wanted to read this year. I did not assign them a month but I chose 6 books for learning and inspiration and 6 books for leisure and fun. I later decided to read the books of learning first so that I could enjoy the rest of the year. I have also picked up a bonus book to read simultaneously as the book for the month to break things up a bit. I am in no rush to finish the bonus books before the end of the month. I hope to read 18 books total this year including bonus books. After finishing a book (whether it is the book for the month or a bonus book) I will write a review of the book and share my thoughts and what I learned from each book.

For the month of January, I chose Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. I originally chose Financial Peace Revisited but later decided to read Total Money Makeover. It is a much shorter book than Financial Peace and is not as cut and dry. He includes some humor as well as personal stories from other couples who are working on their Total Money Makeover. I ended up having to read Financial Peace Revisited when Kris and I signed up to take Financial Peace University through our Church. I am glad that I got to read Total Money Makeover first to inspire us to get on track with our finances.

January book of the month: Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey

Summary:

Total Money Makeover is a proven plan to help you gain control of your finances. Dave uses "baby steps" in order to help you organize your money (and life) so that you can have control. I know that this plan works because scattered throughout the book are personal testimonies from couples as well as singles who have used or are currently using Dave's plan to get control of their life and their future. The stories are an inspiration to get on a plan and stay on it. One of Dave's most important keys to financial success is the need for a written budget. He shows you how to create a budget and stay on it. Dave dispels myths about debt and money in order to help the reader understand more about the process. Dave uses his humor and wit to explain his plan and move through each of the baby steps.

Review:

This book was one of the most enjoyable non-fiction books I have ever read. The wit and humor made the book a faster read. There were some nights I just could not put the book down. The personal stories were encouraging. They reminded us why we started this whole process in the first place. I am glad that I read this early on in our marriage. It has helped us get on the same page in regards to our finances and helped us start our marriage on the right foot. His reference to passages from the Bible help us to stay focused mentally and spiritually on the same plan. My favorite part of the book was his reference to my favorite Bible verse -- Jeremiah 29:11. It is not only my personal mantra but the verse in which the title of this blog is derived. Reading this as we started Financial Peace University was the extra push we needed to get and stay motivated to make a plan that works. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is experiencing financial difficulty or just wants to learn a "new" way to get financially fit.

Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... it is cloudy and very windy. We are expecting some severe weather later this evening. It has rained quite a bit the last couple of weeks. I am not sure I have seen this much rain in January in quite some time.

I am thinking... better get the laundry done before the big rains hit. I hate to do laundry when it is raining.

I am thankful for... great family and friends. We had a fun (but exhausting) day celebrating the twins (our niece and nephew and godchildren) first birthday on Sunday. It was nice to spend time with family.

Ella was eager and anticipating cake.

Owen was not too excited about cake.

Ella after cake was all said and done. She really had fun with the cupcake.

Owen after cake was all said and done. He was just not as into it.

From the kitchen... it is Taco Tuesday. Although it is “Taco Tuesday” at Pablanos (hard shell tacos for 99 cents at a local restaurant) I am making my own version of Taco Tuesday at home. I have been craving a nice crunchy taco!

I am wearing... pajamas. It is nice to lounge around the house in my pajamas. They are comfortable and I can get a lot done around the house when I am more comfortable.


I am creating... a quickie budget. It is part of our homework assignment from our Financial Peace University class last night.

I am going... nowhere. The car is low on gas and hubby has the new car. We are approaching the end of the month and the very end of the budget. Things get a little tight this time of the month.


I am reading... three books at once! Last year I had trouble keeping up with just one book and now I am reading three at the same time.

Total Money Makeover: my January book of the month

Financial Peace Revisited: for our Financial Peace University class

Heaven is for Real: for spiritual growth and inspiration

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

I swapped Financial Peace for Total Money Makeover since I was behind on our book a month goal. But now we are reading Financial Peace as part of our class. I will be reading it over the next 13 weeks.

I am hoping praying... for a successful Financial Peace University class, for continued strength and growth in our marriage, and for health and prosperity.

I am hearing... the dryer. There always seems to be laundry that needs to get done. Today is a good day to get it all done.

Around the house... there is still so much work to be done – inside and outside. My husband took apart the playground and old wood in the backyard. They were not safe for the kids anymore. Perhaps someday we will install a new set.


One of my favorite things... Everything Dave Ramsey: Financial Peace, Total Money Makeover, The Dave Ramsey Show, etc. He keeps us focused and intense about getting out of debt.

http://www.daveramsey.com/home/

Dave Ramsey

Financial Peace University

Our FPU kit

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Friday: Family meeting – February goals and quickie budget
Saturday: A day to relax with my hubby
Sunday: Five Guys Burgers and Fries with the neighbor

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My bounty from Detweiler’s Farm

This is just a start to get my husband eating (and maybe liking) fruits and vegetables.

http://www.detwilersfarmmarket.com/

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
The Simple Woman's Daybook is a brief outline for women/mothers who blog to use as a way to compose thoughts, plan the week, and keep a grateful heart. It is typically published once a week on Tuesdays.