First, Let me tell you a little bit about why we are trying to live more plain and simple like. We recently moved from Alaska to Colorado Springs for several reasons. First being my husband is in the military and we moved on orders, second we just adopted two little boys and felt it was necessary for them to grow up knowing our families.
So know this I quit my job (which I loved), we packed up our household belongings in a 36' horse trailer (which was ugly to say the least) and drove the Alcan Highway to Colorado with two kids, two dogs and everything we owned being towed behind us. We had a pretty uneventful drive and loved all the scenery between here and there. Once arrived in Colorado Springs we stayed with my sister and her family until we found a house. After looking at numerous houses we decided on one in a quiet neighborhood that had grass. Now I know what you are thinking and grass is a precious commodity here. Not many people have it. Dr Quinn definitely didn't do a good job portraying Colorado Springs as it is totally opposite.
Once here and settled in we realized how tight it was going to be living off of one income. Something we hadn't experienced since my husband first joined the army. And something we definitely hadn't experienced raising kids. It was something we thought about but didn't sink in until we were in that situation.
We started off by budgeting, something that we really hadn't had to do in a while. But that failed. We simply could not keep up with the demands of our household and one income. Luckily with some help we have managed to level off. However, we do not want to ask anyone for anything and started questioning ways that we could live more frugally but enjoy life at the same time. That is where I come up with this blog. And an idea from my friend Megon. I feel like it will help us stay on target with living simple. Realizing what we need and don't need. Sharing our journey will help us stay focused as now we have people to keep us accountable.
I am not claiming that this is the right way, or the best way or even that I have the answers. This is simply a way that we can continue to try.............
Today my first task to live more simply in 2011 was to start planning a garden. Today I read quite a bit of information on different types of vegetables, climates, garden beds, etc.......I feel if I plan ahead and really strive I can cut my food budget by at least 30%. Now only to decide what to do with that extra 30% in the future.
We all strive to live simply. Whether it is lowering our cell phone bill, trading in our vehicle for a more compact one, or trying to grow our own food. This blog will be about my family and I making a choice to live more frugally. I am not saying I have the answers or the best advice but this is the beginning of new journey for me and my family.
Virginia,
ReplyDeleteTo say the least I am proud of both you and Jimmy. You are unlike so many young people these days that just live day to day, this just goes to show the love and respect that you have for one another. As you strive to get ahead in life with what you want to be a simpler way of life there will be a lot of work involved; as I am sure you are aware of. Owning and operating a garden is hard work but also very rewarding. Once you have the tools you need you can freeze & can your garden variety for the winter, a double value for your efforts.
I love nice things but I do not believe in financing ANYTHING, if we can't pay cash we wait until we can even if it means saving for months. Coupons combined with sales and planning ahead not only saves you a lot of money but a lot of frustration. I love going to my supply closet when a birthday arrives and having a nice gift for one of the younger ones right at hand. I recycle everything I can. Paul is in aww sometimes with the ways I have come up with to recycle items and therefore saving a trip to the store, which saves gas and time and the expense of having to spend money. My mother has always been frugal and I have learned many things from her from financial to domestic. Thank God for Mothers!
You are a great mother Virginia and the boys are doubly blessed having you and Jimmy.
Continue with your plan of being frugal and in the long run you will be able to retire one day with plenty of money. My greatest goal is to have enough money to provide for us after retirement. I mean to do this without depending on Social Security or the government after all who really knows what is going to be available to us by the time we retire.
You are smart to start so young. It is harder when you are our age because everything is higher then when you start young and interest pays less.
God Bless you and your family. You will do great!
Heidi
Thanks Heidi,
ReplyDeleteI grew up working in the garden and even had one in Alaska. Although, it was not to the extent of the one that I plan to have here it was nice.I am so proud that mamma made me pick peas. :) Although I hated it growing up, I can understand how important growing your own food means now.
I must admit our plan to being more frugal comes out of the desperation of getting out of debt. We do have the luxuries of atv's, two cars, and thanks to my sister a motorcycle. I know these things are looked at as extravagant but we look at some of these things as cheap entertainment. 10 gallons of gas in the ATV's and we have one heck of a weekend. We are hoping that by saving on other expenses that it will allow us to have more to do more things here with our children like we did in Alaska. Anyways, enough of my babbling. Keep reading.......Please :)