We’re a family of three, living in the northwest, learning how to live sustainably, healthily, while meeting our goal of paying off all debt by 2011, and saving up to purchase property by 2013.
A couple of friends have questioned my openness about our finances. For a long time, I would have rather died than reveal that, yes, I’ve failed to make many a credit card payment, and that I’ve had some accounts closed because of my money mismanagement. However, I’ve realized that this shame has only led me to feel badly and then ignore the problem, thus not dealing with it and making it worse all at once.
I think it’s a common misconception that everyone has it all together, whatever “it all” is. Yes, there are some people who rock the finances (my younger sister comes to mind). But there are an equal number of us who just never learned or thought it wasn’t possible to learn economics, of which I am one. I have come to realize that “practice makes perfect” in the sense that the more I do something the better I get at it, and all it takes is discipline (something that also falls under the “practice makes perfect” rule). Very little is out of the scope of ability – you just have to practice.
My openness about my mismanagement and my journey to economic discipline is meant to encourage others to see that you can dig yourself out of a hole, no matter how black and horrible it is, and also be a place where we can all share tips and tricks of being frugal, and live well.
It was good to meet you today! I’m sure I’ll see you again while picking up milk!
Good to meet you too! How did you find my blog? I can’t remember if I told you about it or not. See you again soon!
Have you read America’s Cheapest Family? It may provide you with some good tips on how to achieve your goal.
No, I haven’t. I will look into it. Thanks for the tip!
I am so happy I stumbled onto your website. I look forward to reading it and seeing what great ideas you have to save money and live a sustainable lifestyle. My husband and I have been attempting it for years and are better then most, but could still use help and advice from others.
I noticed on your sidebar that one of your goals for July is to make some of your own cleaning products. I have started doing this and found some great recipes that truly do work…although didn’t find anything for my dishwasher that worked well enough. I have also started making soap…partly so I know EXACTLY what is in it, partly to make as gifts, partly because I am cheap, and partly because I feel like my generation (30′s) have no idea how our grandmothers took care of their families…I was curious how they did it and have given some things a try!
I am enjoying reading your blog!
I always love finding other Portland blogs, and one about living frugally well is even better! Scanned your posts and found some really quality stuff I’ll probably bookmark with StumbleUpon. Keep up the good work!
Best of luck with your frugality.
-Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
http://thenonconsumeradvocate.wordpress.com
I have a couple of technical questions for you. I think I remember reading in your Blog that you use the Netflix on-line video service. Correct? How do you like that? Is it working out well for you and your family?
Also; have you been successful at receiving OTA digital broadcasts?
We do enjoy Netflix online video service. I don’t like having to watch it on our computer because the screen is small and someone has to sit in an uncomfortable chair. Nate had rigged it up so that it was connected with our recently purchased TV, but since we’ve moved, our computer and TV are on other sides of the room, so we’re working on finding a long enough cable to connect the two.
I don’t know what OTA broadcasts are. It sounds like something to do with TV, but neither my husband nor I like being tied down to the TV schedule so we just watch the shows we like online either through the network site or Fancast.com.
Just saw your blog through the website debtisslavery.com. I want to encourage you as much as possible. My husband and I have been debt free (except for the mortgage which we are paying off soon) with two children since 1993. It is so freeing!! I bought the book Debt is Slavery to review it as a potential gift for graduates. My mantra has always been, “Don’t let debt make your choices for you”. There are no real tricks to getting out of debt, but there are a lot of tricks used to get people into debt. Stay the course and every little bit counts.