Hello my friends. How’s the debt reduction going out there? We are fast approaching our two year mark when we first decided to buckle down and beat this debt thing once and for all. Traction is the word that Damn Ramsey likes to use when referring to digging in and getting serious about debt. Sometimes, we get stuck spinning our wheels. We got no traction, man. I have a lot of excuses for the spinning. In all honesty it boils down to needing focus, diligence, persistence, good planning and organization. There are many days when I have none of those.
I’m spread a bit thin this year. I took on a job that requires a lot of my energy. It takes me away from the house more and more, which takes away from the kitchen control that I once had. We are eating out more often, grabbing snacks, eating in the van…Lord, please do not judge me on the smell coming from my van…it’s a bit crazy this life on the run.
I can sympathize with all of you that work full time and try to plan meals at home, it’s very hard and I’m not even close to working full time. Go back and read that last sentence a few times in your best whiny voice and you’ll have a good picture of what it’s like to live with me right now.
I think the biggest part of my problem is the lack of a schedule. I have a schedule, but it’s different everyday and sometimes I don’t know what I’m doing until the minute I’m doing it, add to that the five other people I live with and you have a lady spinning, running and feeding her children brownies for breakfast.
I’m longing for the days that I can rightfully run into a store, buy whatever I need to make my life easier and get on with my crazy dance. When we are done with this debt thing I’m going to hire a housekeeper, a farm hand, a grocery shopper and I’m going to have my van detailed at least once a week.
Until then, I’ll be trying once again to do better, stay focused and get us out of the HOLE!
A week or so ago I was driving some volunteers to a job very early on a Saturday morning. On the way home, I decided to follow a few garage sale signs. It is rare that I intentionally go to garage sales, I would like to make it intentional, but I don’t. I found the best sale, ever! I spent $9.00 and came away with a bag of fabric, new pillow cases, several aprons, a lamp for one of my boys, a pretty green jar for Ellen’s room, a lot of t-shirts, two pairs of Adidas shorts, dishes, an American flag (I’ve been collecting big flags to decorate our porch with for the 4th of July parties we have) and some other things that I’m forgetting. It was so much fun to get some things we needed and wanted and not spend a fortune.
Finding a sale like that actually helps me recharge my debt diet. It makes me realize if I work hard enough I can beat this stupid debt.
Are you ready for some pictures of my fun finds?
Cast Iron Dipper $0.50
Two of the four plates and eight bowls $3.00
Chandelier for Ellen’s room $2.00 (I found this at a different sale).
Jean Martha, tell me where I’m going to find all those replacement parts! And then come and fix this thing for me, please!
Now, tell me how you’ve saved money lately. I need inspiration.
Need a Chicken Doctor?
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Well, it wasn’t close to free, but I bought Snow White with a $10.00 coupon. So I paid a little over $9.00 for it. And for a rereleased Disney movie that’s a steal.
But I’m really not one to talk about saving money. I just let my husband spend a fortune on pumpkins.
I gave up my one Dr. Pepper a day habit and that saves me about $35 a month. And I already live as frugally as I can. Can’t cut many more corners.
I just ordered the Dave Ramsey book and we are going to start his plan soon. I am sick to my stomach about the debt we have accrued over the past couple of years. My goal is to be debt free except for the house in 18 months. It isn’t a ridiculous goal either, because my husband’s truck is paid for and my suburban will be in seven months. It’s all just credit card debt and legal fees from our custody battle witht he ex-wife, which is sickening. The debt, not the ex-wife. Well, maybe both are. Anyway, I ordered the book from half.com and got it for $10 including shippin instead of $28 the stores wanted. I thought that was a good way to start.
I meant shipping. I’m a hick, but at least I’m a literate hick.
I don’t know about beating debt, but if you’re serving brownies for breakfast…I’m there.
We racked up some debt while building the house. The thought being buying stuff with 0% for x months and paying it off is way cheaper than paying for it over 30 years. So now we’ve got to buckle down to make sure it’s paid off before the terms are up. Doesn’t help that I’m about to go on maternity leave and will only be bringing home half of what I normally do for 3 months. I was smart enough to squirrel away enough to cover the medical bills and such so we won’t ADD to the debt. I know that goes against Damn Ramsey (pay off what you have first), but it’s what let’s me sleep at night.
We are 7 weeks into our Financial Peace University class at our church and going strong! We will have our credit cards paid off this month and our car in a few more months. After that its on to tackling our student loans. Its going to take discipline and a lot of hard work, but it feels so good to know that we are taking control of our finances once and for all. I’m cutting coupons, finding cheap recipes to make, and taking extra work as much as possible. Its going to be worth it when we are DEBT FREE!
Elizabeth,
Found a great website for cheap recipes a few weeks ago and it’s helped a lot. Here it is: http://www.5dollardinners.com/blog
First time reader of your blog. Thanks for having me.
We started Dave a number of weeks ago at our church. While we’re not doing so great at following the plan, we’re working on it. It’s HARD!! And we’re already debt-free (except for some non-interest medical bills from our illustrious children). But we’re still struggling, so I feel your pain and am on the same path. Anyway, enough of that.
I saved money recently by being anal-retentive (something I’m good at) and came up with a shopping list for our local Aldi’s store. I’ve broken down our most frequently purchased items by aisle and given myself a column for the number of items I need, their price per item and then a column for what that multiplies out to be. This will help me price out how much our meals frequently cost. Then I can plan my weekly meal plan (dinner only) and be able to keep costs down. I even shared my list at our class and another couple who had never been to Aldi’s was then encouraged to go. If anyone lives near Aldi’s and wants the list, my email is FrancieSchmuhl@excite.com (no, I don’t mind sharing that or the list). Good luck!
What kind of fabulous garage sales do you have there?? Ours usually feature Precious Moments figurines and bad 60′s lamps.
As for our debt… we’re maybe not in the same boat, but definitely in a canoe or a dinghy on our way. We’ve decided that with my hubby’s recent raise we need to get some things paid off, namely our cars and a student loan. We won’t be having much fun for a couple years.
Recent cheapy purchase: a beautiful Quaker style tablecloth for $11 (including shipping) from a seller on etsy.
Putting in a wood-burning stove was a huge savings for us. Our house is huge and costs a fortune to heat with oil.
It helps that a few trees fell down…free wood!
Also transferring whatever credit-card debt we had onto 0% cards has helped enormously. Just.don’t.use.card.for.purchases!!
Even more important than staying out of debt: having a non-frantic lifestyle…trusting God to watch over you even if you don’t like some of your decisions…being the heart of your home!
XOXO
I am so jealous of your garage sale finds. That’s awesome.
Trying to be prepared when it comes to meal planning. I wrote a whole series about meal planning on my blog, but sometimes I fail to actually do what I said to do, then we wind up eating out. I am vowing right here right now to follow my own advice.
Maybe this will inspire you ?
http://ricebeansotherfinethings.typepad.com/rice_and_beans_and_other_/catme.html
I have also started buying in bulk a lot more. There’s a lot of homework involved though to really see if you’re getting a good deal or not.
Out of credit card debt, last truck payment in January 2010, except for the house, we are debt free in 3 months! Best feeling that I have had in years. Doesn’t hurt that I am right down the road from “The man” himself. Damn Ramsey, we love and hate him. Thanks to my hubby for selling his Harley (already paid for) to help us get this far!
I love garage sales. Especially right now since people are trying to make extra money.
I have a hard time buying new things sometimes, knowing that I can go on Craigslist and buy something much cheaper.
That dipper was a steal.
Love the dishes and chandelier!
Not to rain on your parade, but, really, how much of that *stuff* did you really *need*? My best strategy when tempted to buy something (new or used) is to think: it’s cool, but I already have *enough* (fill in the blank)
Can I have the cast iron dipper… WOW!!!
I’m the opposite, I hate debt and I’m cheap. Toss in being a poor mall shopper and we just don’t spend a lot. Boy’s know not to ask for toys in the store b/c you probably won’t get it – bday’s and Xmas.
My problem is that I need to spend at times and I hate buying the big ticket items. I’m cringing at this room I have 3/4 finished and the bill… but the money’s been saved.
Dad will tell you I have the first nickel I ever owned… he’s right. BUT, should anything happen to my Dh… with a budget, boys and I will be ok.
Love the chandelier! Promise me you will refinish it and get it working!
Your post is so timely! This fall is all about frugal for me. I know that feeling about scoring a super awesome smokin’ good deal…I got 3 pairs of much neded brand name pants/jeans for my very-hard-to-fit-long-and-lean 9yo daughter for $6 at the thrift store. And 9yo dd got a new case for her DS for 50cents. (which reminds me, she owes me 50 cents) It’s scores like that that keep me energized and on track!
I joined thegrocerygame.com. Grocery shopping has never been so much fun! I’ve saved over $40 this month with *coupons*…and thats over and above store sale prices.
We’ve been doing the Damn Ramsey plan for 4 years this month and will be done with all but the mortgage by the end of this year! During that time we’ve been through surgeries, new baby (paid for with cash!), and paycuts. It’s been a long road and sometimes I never thought it would end but we see the light at the end of the tunnel now (and it’s really not the oncoming train!). The peace of mind is well worth it. It’s so nice now to be able to say “we can handle it” and really mean it when the car needs work, or an unexpected medical bill shows up or when DH says paycuts may happen again. You can make it!
I found a Henredon maple china cabinet – about 50 inches high, at a resale shop for $25. $12 in paint and such and what not, and I have a lovely white cabinet in my kitchen now. It increased my small kitchen storage space by more than 5 feet, and made me happy.
I forgot to mention…I got together with friends last month to do “the big cook”…we prepped, bagged and froze 13 dinners each. HUGE time saver on busy days. Crockpots all over town are getting a workout
Next time we’re going to plan it around meat sales to make it even more economical.
LOVE your garage sale finds!! WOW!! We need to get on the Damn Ramsey plan! We talk about it and then don’t “do it”!
If the deals present themselves, I shop at three different stores when I go grocery shopping. When canned soups and vegetables are on sale, I buy extra because these are the things we live on when we haven’t gone shopping to prep for meals. When I do have time to cook meals during the week – I plan ahead for exactly how many meals I will actually have time to make and buy ingredients for those meals. I take inventory of the ingredients we have and plan meals around that stuff. I realize this may all be horrible advice since these things take time which is what you are lacking. Believe me, I don’t do this all of the time either.
We use Dave Ramsey’s name like a swear word in our house. Every time I want to blow my budget on some self-indulgent purchase, my husband says “no… we can’t” and then I say “DAVE RAMSEY!!”
Staying at home helps me not spend money. It’s my greatest frugal tip. Then Amazon.com starts whispering my name and I’m all “DAVE RAMSEY!!” all over again.
Staying in bed saves me tons of money, too. If you want to work the frugal life, become a shut-in.
Jean Martha is exactly who I thought of when I saw that chandelier. She’ll know exactly how to refurnish it.
I’m a loser in that department, April. If you want to know why, visit me.
BUT, I’m proud of you!!
We went on two day vacation, just my husband and I. It was the first one we’d taken in four years of marriage, and I thought I could put up with another $80 on my credit card to do that. When we got back my husband decided to start a pet breeding business, and since he can’t seem to manage a register he overspent his account. Then my husband went on three emergency dental visits, which went on my credit card, to be paid back out of my emergency fund. The payment from the emergency fund got funneled through my husband’s overdrawn account and didn’t come out the other side. The next month, my husband got really sick and went to the doctor and his insurance had switched affiliations so he had to pay for that. Now’s my car’s in the shop and needs a new water pump, which has to go on the credit card, so my credit balance has more than tripled in the last two months.
I appreciate you all listening to me complain.
-We went on a two day vacation- Proofreading is for people more careful than I.
There were also two traffic tickets that had to be paid.
Those bowls are so cool. I haven’t hit a good garage sale in a long while – you racked up.
http://www.savingdinner.com is great! For a small fee (I thinks its about 12$ now) you get 3 months of recipes emailed to you. They are seasonal, so you can buy local, in season veggies and the food matches the time of year (who wants a stew in July, LOL). Each week comes with the recipes and a shopping list. It uses almost all “whole” ingredients, so they are healthy as well. You can pick to sign up for a crockpot one so that you put in your dinner each day in the morning, that way no matter what happens, you have something hot to eat at the end of the day.
I am working at doing better at meal planning, because food can get so expensive when you shop, don’t eat what you buy, then go out to eat. Not that *I* would do something so inefficient. I’m just sayin’.
I did a post on cutting food bills a while back. This really helped us. I’m a working mom so these easy recipes, mealplanners and the shopping list really work well for me.
http://savingsmart.wordpress.com/2008/03/18/get-your-family-through-the-recession/
Thanks for the post about debt. I find your posts about this inspirational because you have been a lot less wimpy about debt reduction than I have been.
Latest bargain – I was lusting after a very expensive sweater, but I found the closest version to it at Target and bought that one.
See what a wimp I am? I need Damn Ramsey to come to my house and personally kick my a**!
We paid off our home this last year. What a releif until I got the tax and insurance bills for 2010. Thank goodness I have made myself put the exact amount of our house payment into savings. No mortgage rocks, and being able to save that amount of money each month makes us happy. Now we have to start major renovations. Maybe you could come start them and then we could finish. I don’t like to start and you can’t finish. We are made for each other.
OH my gosh, one of our condo neighbors musta been smoking a big one because someone put a perfectly adorable small breakfast table with two chairs (wrought iron with brown wicker) out by the dumpster. WE were wanting one for our lanai (read:porch) for forever, but gave up because one never showed up on craigslist. We’re poor kids (read: 28 years old) trying to pinch every buck we have while living in this underpaid, overpriced Honolulu proper. Well the way i save money, is if you wait long enough, one will just show up for free or next to nothin. just gotta wait and not be greedy or in a hurry.
On another note, the largest pot i had for a 9 months was a 4 quart saucepan which was quite a stretch for me, being a lover of cooking, but I made do! Then miraculously, a friend who was moving came by with a trunk full of stuff ans asked if i wanted anything. there stood my new to me beautiful dutch oven. and he just gave it to us. I was soooo stoked!
I am getting married in March and my attendants (all sisters- keepin’ it simple) are wearing pink Ann Taylor dresses that were $35! Pink is not my favorite color, but pink is my wedding color b/c the pink dresses were cheap!
I swore I was going to be cool-de-la about the whole $35 bridesmaid dress thing, but I needed to crow about it today. Thanks!
PS- I like your $3 plates!
Is that Fiestaware? For $3 … you’re a lucky duck! I save money by meal-planning. That way I’m not tempted to shop for food when we’re hungry. I plan 2 weeks worth of meals at one time, trying to make my list based on what’s on sale or in season. It’s not turning our debt around at a fast pace, but at least it’s not adding to it!
Cool finds! Love the dipper. Saving money let’s see…we’ve made our own laundry detergent, piled up enough wood to burn all winter, started automatic bill pay, planned meals ahead for two weeks and only shop bi-weekly, make our own cleaning supplies, had a garage sale, canned everthing I could from the garden, only eat out once a month otherwise pack pack pack, started making money from blogging, writting, and other odd jobs, painted my countertops instead of getting new ones, taught a FPU class to help us stay on track and last but not prayed that the love of stuff won’t control our dad-gum lives.
You can do this, Sister, it just takes a few hard knocks a long the way, so you’ll never be where you are today–tommorow.
Sis
Craigslist is my new favorite place to find a deal. There aren’t too many garage sales in the country. We just moved from Utah to Missouri and sold most of our furniture instead of moving it. I recently found a stove for $100, a couch for $80 and a keyboard for $100. When we have the cash for a dining room table, I’m sure I will find exactly what I need…and it will be a bargain!
You go April!!!! Spending money makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, then I feel guilty and usually wind up taking stuff back. But I did score lots of dress up clothes for my kids (3 and 4) when the thrift store had the halloween costumes for $3 a piece!!! Dinsey princess dress for $3 I’m SOLD!
Love that dipper! I have no idea what I’d do with it, but I couldn’t have resisted buying it either. I love garage sales, thrift stores and craigslist, but the best way for me to save money is to stay home and out of the stores. Next is planning dinner menus.
I’m on the DR (Dang Ramsey) plan too! Unfortunately, it is very slow going for me. I turned over all my CC to a credit counseling service last year so that helps. I cut them all up too. Now to just find that money and to stop spending every dime. I work full time so I understand about the eating out – keep up the good work – YOU CAN DO IT!
I just took another part-time job. I now work 2 part-time jobs to make a full-time job. My hours are 9 a.m to 6 p.m. and I hate every minute of it. EVERY MINUTE! I miss my afternoons at home and being there when my son gets off the bus. Of course, last week when I started the new job, the flu ran through our house like a train. Damn debt. It’s our own fault, though, so no one should feel sorry for us (or me). **sigh** I’m trying to plan ahead and put stuff in the crock pot for supper but, really, how much crock pot food can a person eat in a week???
Why did you take your sister’s link down?
She doesn’t like the traffic from my site.
I started making my own laudry detergent.
http://mkcmom.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/homemade-laundry-detergent/
Here’s what I did. To make paying off all the high-interest credit cards possible, we made a pledge that all gasoline purchases go only on American Express, meaning no financing gas charges, which, we soon learned were, for two adults, totaled about $400/month, all of which had been going directly on a Mastercard and sitting there amid all the other charges. Small change, huge load off the interest-bearing credit card, and 13 months later, the cards are paid off. Even I’m amazed.
How do I save money? I read your D.R. posts and think, yeah I should do that.
I guess I also look at this site for inspiration too:
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/blog/
April, just discovered your site. Love it!
My tip for saving is to pay attention to the prices of individual items, and then check your receipt EVERY time. I know, easier said than done, especially when it’s a big shopping trip or you have lots of kids along – but even then, I pay attention to the big ticket items and the things that I am buying only because they are on good sale. I am surprised how often I find a mistake (in the store’s favor, of course!). Even if you don’t know the prices, it pays to look the receipt over – last trip, a $7.49 item was rung up twice even though I only bought one.
Not for saving money per se, but how to handle working and not eating so much take-out. I work 60 hours a week but cook all of our dinners from scratch (mostly).
Every Sunday I spend the afternoon cooking. Trust me it’s just as easy chopping onions for one dish as for 6, I just do it all at once and put them in seperate bowls for each.
Yesterday I made pioneer woman’s brisket (3 meals: brisket and potatoes, tostadas and burritos), spaghetti, bratwurst with onions, chili and baked chicken (campbell’s soup on this one) and pork chops. Yes it took a good hour of prep, and I had every burner, the oven and the crockpot going at once.
The upshot: enough homemade meals for the week for the price of ONE dinner out. Bon apetite!
In order to save money on my grocery bill, I have pretty much cut out going to the grocery store. This does not mean eat out. It means make a cheese sandwich (because there’s no meat left) out of the heals of the bread, eating sandwiches for supper, eating cereal for supper. It means running out of what you have before it goes to waste or buying more. I hate seeing the grocery bill, so I try to avoid grocery shopping. Now I run to the store for necessities – milk, bread, chocolate…