Deal With It, Simply!

I wrote a post last week about pulling up your boot straps. It is not always an easy thing to do, but when you persevere through a tough time it is wonderful! When you live frugal it is hard work I am not going to lie, but it can help you through those boot strap pulling times.

• Learn something that you can pass on to others when times are tough for them.

I can’t say I am always frugal.The hardest time for me to be frugal is when our family schedule is packed and to coin a phase from my honey “We are frugal frauds!”  This is when I forget the a leftover roast in the bottom of the fridge or we order pizza instead of making from scratch.

• Organize and your frugal life will run smoother. Make plans for the leftovers and plan your menu. When you make a menu plan you will have all the ingredients you need and are less likely to eat out.

When I was a kid my Dad would say “what do you think money grows on trees?” Now that I am the parent I can see what he was talking about. The kids always need something and don’t think twice about it. For example Jacob “Mom, I forgot to tell you I need $65 today for My debate team” I wonder how Dave Ramsey handles that when he said “If it’s not on the budget…you don’t do it!” Kids really change the equation.

• Have a line and fund on the budget labeled Kids activities. What I am finding is when they are older it isn’t $10 or $15 anymore it is $50 – $100.

When Randy and I first thought about starting an emergency fund we thought “How the hack can we do that…we can’t ever save!” Well I am here to tell you can if you add a little at a time it does build and you will have your $500 – $1000.

• When you have an emergency fund then an emergency doesn’t seem as bad. Don’t keep the money at home because you will use it. Put it in an account and watch it grow!

We are pulling up the boot straps. Comment me and let me know how you are pulling up yours. God’s Blessings on you day, Candy

I hope you don’t think we are terrible, but I wanted to let you know about a struggle we are having had in our home. Randy has a coined the the phrase “Frugal Fraud” we have  busy kids that can’t pick up their room, so clean clothes get mixed in with dirty. We don’t know what is clean and what is dirty so just wash it all.  Some may say just leave it! Our home is small and the girls room is at the end of the hall and I like the door open for the light down the hall.  Whenever asked they say “I’ll get to it”, but they are too busy.  Randy and I can usually threaten we will show grandma and grandpa their room and that used to do the trick, but not anymore. Tuesday, Randy asked them to please get it picked up. Both girls did a little pick up and had to leave, too busy! Randy and I thought how can we get their attention? We bagged up all the clothes on the floor and bed.  The funny part is when they both got home one  thinks the other cleaned the room. Wednesday, I picked up the floor and bagged it and Thursday I picked up the room and put in another a bag. We are going to have a running total to see how many days it goes before they realize the clothes are getting thinned out and not in the house.  Last night,  they both are starting to notice they aren’t finding some of the things they need. Lyndsey stated  ” I think my stuff is vanishing in thin air!” (the happening before) Lyndsey had came home from school changed her school clothes threw them on the bed  and left. I bagged them up after she left.  When she had arrived back home after practice she was looking for the clothes and put on a different outfit. I can’t believe how many clothes they have and wonder if they really need them all. I will keep you updated.

I have great girls and I wouldn’t trade them for anything and I know it is just being a teenagers but want the process to go a little faster learning to pick up their room and put away the clean clothes. I know My mom is going to think those poor kids, but I remember having to pick up my room and make my bed everyday. I said to my mom the other day “I remember staying up late watching scary movies with Kim (my sister) and doing laundry”.  My mom said “I don’t remember that it must have been a fantasy movie!” We laughed.  I guess I was a fugal fraud too!

It is going to be a beautiful day in my area and I hope it is in yours, Candy