Frugal Families Blog

Well, after six years of being a full-time SAHM and work from home mom and practicing dental hygiene on a very part-time basis (or just per diem basis) I’ve taken a part-time dental hygiene position in a  wonderful little quality office only minutes from my home.  I swore I wouldn’t go back to “regular” work again.  I enjoy working from home with the website and I love practicing on a per diem basis but this was a great opportunity and everything came together nicely. 

We had to figure out a few things before I made the final decision.  My husband has ample vacation time AND has the ability to work from home if we have a sick child.  My mom comes over after she goes to the gym to keep an eye on the boys for us (she offered).  My new office doesn’t want to work school vacation weeks and holidays because they have children as well.  As for summer vacation, I’ve got several contacts who could watch the boys for me. 

I’m also trying to get myself back into the more advanced menu planning.  While I’ve been home full-time, menu planning was a generalized thing and was finalized the morning of the meal, for the most part.  I’ve had to think ahead more.  I cleared the dry erase board off and it now tells everyone what the menu is for the week. 

Laundry has taken a slightly less frugal turn.  It’s harder to hang laundry on the racks on work days, so the dryer is happily working again.  NOT my ideal, but I’m only working 2-3 days/wk, so it’s not an all time thing. 

Grocery shopping has also become a tad less frugal only because it’s harder for me to shop 3 stores for just loss leaders.  I have done a bit  more OAMC (Once A Month Cooking).  I have put 4 pre-baked pizza shells into the freezer.  I made 4 loaves of unrisen bread dough and placed those in the freezer as well (for no bread, no time days).  I’ve made up huge batches of meatballs for meatball grinders.  My menu has basically stayed the same EXCEPT that I’ve separated the meals into easy prep or “mom” prep.  LOL.  Easy prep things are the pizza, meatball grinders, grilled cheese sandwiches and soup or anything else the guys can prepare easily, before I get home.  I’ve also dusted off the crockpot which hasn’t seen as much action since I became a SAHM.  I just LOVED how the crock pot had a beautiful roasting chicken just falling off the bone when we got home.  A quick batch of couscous and steamed broccoli (loss-leader broccoli I had blanched and thrown into the freezer) and dinner was on!

I figure my adventures will keep me busy blogging for a bit.  It’s definately a challenge to juggle family and work again.  I’m very dedicated to both.  It’s definately easier with the boys being older now, too.  The boys understand that my paycheck is paying off the last of the non-mortgage debt (see Dave Ramsey) and that my paychecks will help us put them through college.  They’re eager to contribute to our family’s financial future. 

So, like I said, maybe you can learn a few things from my working mom adventures.

Micki LeSueur, a blogger at Shine by Yahoo wrote a GREAT blog suggesting that Ben Bernanke have a chat with Suze Orman (financial guru).  It helps if you’ve seen Suze doing her “can you afford” segment on her show but even if you haven’t, it will still leave you spitting out the coffee.  LOL! 

 http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/money/time-to-set-ben-bernanke-up-with-suze-orman-153194/

I was talking to a frugal friend of mine today.  We were discussing the content for my next newsletter.  She had recommended I discuss our (my husband and I ) intense focus on debt payoff.  By the end of this year, my husband and I will have paid off approximately 40,000 in non-mortgage debt since March of 2005.  That’s when we discovered Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover.  That will be it except for the house and we could conceiveably be free of the mortgage in about 7 years.

I mentioned to her that I’ve hit a frugal funk.  I’ve been hardcore frugal for 6 years now and I don’t think about it anymore.  I guess I don’t think about saving the pennies anymore because I’m always saving the pennies.  I guess it’s hard to remember when I wasn’t frugal so it’s hard to share my frugality because to me it’s old hat but to many of you, it isn’t. 

How do the two points come together you ask?  Well, it’s that hardcore, pennies-do-add-up mentality that has allowed us to “find” more money in our budget to apply to our debt.  How can the pennies add up?  Well, adding just $10 extra/month on a $129,500 mortage will save you $5270 in interest over the life of a 30 year loan.  $10/month doesn’t seem like alot does it?  One less lunch out.  Two less trips to the expensive coffee shop.  $10 seems like “pennies” but it’s all those pennies that add up!

Finding those pennies goes back to having a budget, tracking your spending and thinking about wants and needs.  It can be about compromise to meet the needs and the wants.  We LOVE camping.  I NEED to camp! (okay it MIGHT be a want but I really NEED it, too)  LOL!  BUT this year, we’re realizing that we can still enjoy lots of camping but stay hardcore on our debt payoff by camping more locally and saving gas money.  It’s compromising THIS year so next year we’ll be DEBT FREE!!!  You might NEED a nice wardrobe for work but you can find great nearly new clothes at consignment shops.  You might NEED to furnish a new apartment but you can do it nicely with tag sale finds, consignment shop finds and inexpensive throws and covers.  It’s about compromising what you perceive as a need so you can throw more money to debt.  In all honesty, you NEED to be DEBT FREE!

Forced frugality can get frustrating.  Job loss, reduced income, rising expenses can force some of us into a tight spot.  Being frugal because we HAVE to can be frustrating after a time.  Being frugal because we choose to, isn’t quite as frustrating.  How can you alleviate some of that stress?

Play a mind game:  reflect on your circumstances.  There’s every chance you COULD choose not to be frugal in some areas.  Of course that shorts other areas and could lead to disaster quick.   If you blow a large sum on entertainment, the house payment might not be paid.  So, find those areas you can control.  Food, entertainment, travel, heat and electricity.  (you’ll have to look at your own budget to see what you can tweak)   Make choices about where to cut.  We found we could save money by reducing our land line phone to just minimal service.  No long distance, no caller ID.  Tax refund coming?  Figure out how it can best be used to reduce monthly expenses and give you breathing room.
Being proactive in choosing where to cut costs gives a feeling of power, a sense of control… much less frustrating than feeling forced.

I heard a quote once and can’t remember the author but it goes “I’ve never heard of any calamity in life that whining wouldn’t make it worse”.  

Chin up!  Put on a smile… we’ve got what it takes to make a difference!

One of my members put us onto this blog:

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/02/18/scratch-beginnings-an-interview-with-adam-shepard/#more-1625

Adam’s attitude and determination were impressive.  We often talk about how attitude is everything!  Adam’s opinion on Barbara Enrenreich’s book, “Nickle and Dimed” were right on in my opinion as well.  Barbara went into her project almost ready to fail and she knew that she could go back to her regular life at any time!  Adam had no choice, no fallback life to go to.  His attitude made the difference!  His determination to make positive changes in his life made the difference. 

As I write this, you can download his book for free (I saved it right to my computer).  This might change down the road so grab it while you can!

http://www.getrichslowly.org/files/shepard0221/Scratch%20Beginnings%20Text.pdf

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again.  Attitude makes all the difference!  When we say we can’t do something, we’re setting ourselves up for failure.  Yep, the road might not be easy but most good things don’t come easily.  Paying off debt, improving your job skills with college, saving for a home or any other goal will only be met if you say, “I CAN!”

Okay, I’m going to go against what Congress is asking you to do.  Don’t judge my patriotism on this request but I’m asking you NOT to stimulate the economy.  Why?  Well, hear me out on this one.  First, let me be blunt.  I don’t care what the “experts” say or what the traditional formula is for determining if we’re in a recession but the majority of the people I speak to say we’re in a recession.  These aren’t financial experts but they’re people who have seen their expenses go up and their paychecks stay the same or go down (increased costs for health insurance is taking a bigger bite of paychecks every year).  These are people who have seen their hours cut at work because of decreased business.  Let the experts say what they will but the every day person who can see that their bills are bigger than their paychecks are smaller don’t care what the experts are saying!

So back to why you shouldn’t necessarily spend that check.   Americans have stimulated the economy alot over the past few years but unfortunately, they did it on credit!  Have you noticed that the credit card companies have doubled your minimum payments?  Many have started bumping up interest rates as well to increase their bottom line (especially since the subprime crash).  They’re changing due dates to sneak in late fees AND if you’re late, they bump up you interest rate again!  Credit card companies make their money with interest and late fees!! 

Americans have saved less and less money BUT spent more and more (thanks to credit cards).  It’s not all our fault.  Credit card companies have inundated you with an average of 68 credit card offers per year.  Advertisers have told you that not only do you want something, you NEED something and you need it NOW!  One Superbowl ad showed a couple going out, credit card in hand, because they wanted and needed a new TV.  The music screamed in the background about needing it and wanting it NOW, too!  I sat there and shook my head.  Wanting it NOW and not saving money for it is why so many people are up to their ears in debt!  Sooner or later, you have to pay that debt!

Now some of you will say you’ve got credit card debt because you had an emergency and had to use your charge card to pay for the emergency.  Well, if you’re comfortable paying off the credit card in a short amount of time, how about using that check to create an emergency fund then.  Dave Ramsey, author of “Total Money Makeover” (www.daveramsey.com) would tell you to create a $1000.00 emergency fund, then pay off those credit cards (smallest to largest).  This is your chance!  Things happen!  It’s a fact of life that emergencies happen.  NOT planning for them is just plain silly-pull your head out of the sand and face reality!  Sounds harsh, I know, but it’s the truth.  You know it.  Here’s your chance to start making changes that will really add money to your monthly budget.  If you’re not spending money for non-mortgage payments, then you could be putting that money into a savings account and paying CASH for those fun things in life.  You won’t be held captive to the rules laid down by lenders!

Now, if you have set aside your first emergency fund and still want to spend a bit of money, please think about how you’re going to spend it.  Congress is hoping you’ll stimulate OUR economy.  Try to focus on services provided by local businesses or goods made in the United States.   Think about taking care of the practical things in life.  This might be a great time to stock up the pantry (for any lean paychecks down the road).  Did the car need new tires?  When was the last time the furnace was cleaned (remember, a clean furnace uses less fuel)?  Needs versus wants is the attitude to remember. 

I hopefully have given you food for thought. I know that personally, we’ll be setting the money aside in our ING account.  Our furnace is living on borrowed time and we’ve set most of the cash we need for replacing it aside but this will complete the fund.  Yep, it’s an American made furnace and we’ll be using our local contractor to do the work. Just food for thought. 

Celebrating Valentines Day with your family can be so much fun!  Young children are so impressed by those little things you do.  Teenagers may act like they think your ideas are cheesy, but they love the attention too.

Put a little LOVE into breakfast! - Try adding a little red or pink food coloring to your milk. (you can also just use strawberry milk, but that adds more sugar to the already overloaded day!)  Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to shape toast.  Make heart shaped pancakes.

Loveable treats! - bake a batch of brownies in a larger pan to make a thinner layer… when cooled, cut with heart shaped cookie cutters.  Sugar Cookies are always popular - make a template and cut out a plate sized cookie for your sweetheart.  How about making rice crispy treats and adding red food coloring to the melted marshmallow.

Dinner! - Think red & pink….  spaghetti, lasagna, salsa chicken, any main dish with a red theme.  You COULD color an Alfredo sauce pink.  Red or pink Jello, Tomatoes, raspberries or strawberries.  Try shaping pats of butter into heart shapes for rolls.

Chocolate! - If chocolate is your love, a simple chocolate fondue is wonderful.  Melt a few Hershey Bars or a bag of chocolate chips in a microwave or in the oven on a low setting… dip sliced banana’s, strawberries, marshmallows, apples, pretzels, cookies, etc.  If you’d like a thinner chocolate, stir in a spoonful of shortening or oil.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

I normally love winter.  Unfortuantely, due to the total lack of sunshine, and continual slimey, drippy weather, I am not loving this winter.  I am ready for it to be over, for many reasons.  Aside from the weather, it’s a sad fact that it seems much easier to frugally maintain a healthy diet in the warmer months.  For starters, there’s my organic gardens.  And farmers markets to fill in what I don’t grow (have I gone into enough detail about farmers markets in prior entries?)

But the fact remains, it’s February, and I live in Wisconsin - where we have gotten measurable snow as late as May.  It’s not snowing today (rare for this winter) but it’s -5 degrees and incredibly windy.  Reminds me that it’s going to be a while before I even start my (indoor) plantings, and harvest time?  A far and distant time in the future.

My husband and I eat lots of veggies and fruits, for many reasons - the main ones being it’s good for us, AND we love most fruits and veggies.  And, as I said, it’s pretty frugal when I can just step outside and pick a cloth bag (or several) of tomatoes, cukes, peppers, lettuce - salads at the blink of an eye.  Pico de gallo superfresh when I want - for free, or just about. 

If I go out in my garden today, the only thing I can bring in the house is snow.

Obviously, the garden’s out of the question.  So it’s time to get creative and come up with less expensive ways to get fresh produce (and preferably organic). 

I’ve previously talked about my favorite high-end grocery store.  And wowee, that continues to be a great source!   Both for sales on regular produce (NONE of the other grocery stores can beat some of the loss leader prices) and for markdowns on slightly older stuff.  I buy whatever I think we’ll use, and freeze the excess.

There’s a great newer healthy foods market that we’ve recently discovered.  And I’ve found occasional great sale prices there.  For example, organic portabella mushrooms for cheaper than regular mushrooms at any grocery store around me.  I may not have needed mushrooms that day, but hey - cooked up in a bit of olive oil with a little garlic and flash-frozen, they will be a great frugal deal when I need mushrooms.  Point being, when you see a great bargain - grab it!

Now, on the topic of eating healthy - while at first glance it may seem that eating healthier comes at a high price, does it really?  We don’t buy junk food anymore.  So, the previous junk food money goes for fresh, healthy food.  That can free up a lot of money, because some junk foods are anything but cheap.  Cooking from scratch, rather than buying processed foods, can also be a big money saver.  I’ve already mentioned - again and again - loss leaders, other sales, etc.  And here’s something else - eating LESS.  I’m not talking starvation, I’m not talking going hungry, I’m just talking common sense portion size.  Sure does make food last longer in our house!

Eating healthy doesn’t have to break the bank any time or season.  Although as I sit here and listen to the wind howl, I most definitely am missing summer! 

     For many of us our daughter’s sweet 16 is the biggest party of her life besides her wedding.  I want my daughter’s upcoming Sweet 16 party to be special however I know we are not be able to spend the kind of money that some of her friends have spent.  She had one friend who rented a private hall, a caterer, and her family even had an ice sculpture made for the occassion.  Another friend rented out a very nice restaurant downtown and while they cut corners by opting for just serving sodas and appetizers which was creative and not as labor intensive as my plan.  My husband and I want to keep this party under $300.00 and make it special for her as well.  We have opted to have a good ole’ fashioned shin dig (traditional bq style)!  We are thinking of running a stereo system ourselves and I will set up a movie with a projector(I am currently checking on a price to rent the projector but I may have a source to borrow one) that wil project on a sheet in the yard.  We are opting to have hamburgers and hot dogs and to set up our yard with torches and christmas lights and to arrange yard furniture  on carpets through out the back yard.  We will also probably have to borrow lawn furniture too.  Why do so many of us feel like we have to throw a party that we cannot even afford? For one minute I actually thought about having it catered one because it was easier and two thinking it would make my daughter happier knowing that my money would be better off going into savings for her colllege fund. 

     I am hoping to find some flowers that are in season for inexpensive in April and arrange them in some vases so the house will look festive.   I also want to get some floating candles for the pool…… I will get a special cake for her (probably with music notes on it since she is plans to be a music major) and we are going to repair her car for her present and get it on the road.  It is a car we have been saving for about a year and a half for her we already know it nees a new battery.  Another friend of mine told me that insurance typically goes up $1000 a year once you put a teenager on……isn’t that a great birthday gift as it is?   My daughter is so excited about her party she knows we will make it special! 

It’s the beginning of the year and a terrific time to set goals.   I love the fresh start that a new year brings.  I love to set a few personal goals covering the areas of physical, spiritual, mental, and family.   One evening at the beginning of each year I gather our family for a goal setting meeting.  Often those have included listing a variety of choices with everyone submitting ideas for us to choose from.  Then we vote.

This year I want to encourage our family to choose a frugality goal as well as our usual focus.  I’m thinking they can feel more involved by making it a family goal to keep all of the lights off, or combining trips or carpooling, or possibly being involved more with food costs and menu ideas.  It would eliminate me harping on them about at least one of these items…. and that would be wonderful for all of us!  lol

Imagine the fun of having my 5 year old remind ME to turn off the lights when I’m done in a room!  Think of the excitement of my 12 year old opening the power bill and finding it lower than the last one!   Yes, I think this frugal FAMILY new years resolution could be a good thing.