There's a new motto in our house lately--"It's not in the budget." Even the girls quote it when they hear someone ask for something from the store (Jon asked me to pick up some gum the other day). We made some financial goals after we moved into the house and because we wanted to meet these goals quicker rather than later we are very aware of what we spend. At first it felt so constricting, but I've been surprised at all the positive things that have happened because of our tight budget.
No TV means my nights are filled with catching up on reading (LOVE IT!) and being better about tidying up and sometimes I'm even caught up with Sunday School lessons AND my scripture reading AND my Relief Society lesson!!!! (I don't think that's ever happened before.)
Smaller food budget means I spend the money on what we need, which means I eat better and therefore have more energy and when the girls want a snack all I have is something that falls in one of the good food groups
Smaller gas budget means I walk more and my trips out are better organized
No budget for landscaping and yardwork means I get to do fun things like use a chain saw and cut down my own trees! Whee!!! Way fun!!
No budget for extras means I don't feel any pressure into buying school pictures which I hate anyway (sorry-looking backgrounds, leftover lunch on the front of the shirt, the hair-do that says "I got my pictures taken after recess" and the smile that says "The photographer really doesn't care what I look like!")
Little entertainment budget means we get to check out movies at the library for FREE! (Oh wait, we've always done this.) Well, I guess it means we play more games at home with the girls and swap with our neighbors for babysitting.
Little budget for heating means we're going to play a fun game called, "Put on lots of sweaters because I'm not turning on the heat until I really have to." Thank goodness it's been in the 80s during the day (50s at night).
No house bugdet means I don't have to waste time shopping for things for the house (okay this one isn't really a positive one, but I'm trying!)
No clothing budget means I don't have to waste time shopping for things like desperately needed clothes for me or needed winter clothes for Lizzie. (Just kidding on this one--I actually enjoy shopping for good deals on clothes and dressing my children appropriately and am really looking forward to fitting this into the budget next month, which just means we'll only eat what's in our food storage. Mmmmm, whole wheat bean lentil soup!)
I'm laughing as I write this because I think it's kind of fun. I love a good challenge and I love projects and I love being frugal (most of the time.) This is all our choice and it's also temporary and we've turned it into something funny. Look for a new post next year on all the fun things I'm doing with my new budget!
5 comments:
You are GREAT!! I can only aspire to be so great! I love the budget line-- might steal it for our household. You are amazing. I'm glad you found time to blog about all of this.... it's great to hear from you.
Those are great budgeting suggestions. the one that kills me is groceries. I try and try to cut it down and it keeps going up and up. A friend suggested "the grocery game" (I'm not sure the website, but you could google it--since you are in google land). Apparently it helps you cut your grocery bill in half. . .
Wow, what discipline you must have! Good for you guys. The whole "no heat idea" has to come from Jon and his very similar personality to our Dad. I have bad memories of growing up freezing my buns off because my Dad would not turn on the heat!
Do you need heat in California?
I'm laughing about the school photos....you are right on. I hate those too, and finally decided I don't need to feel guilty about not buying them. Good for you guys! I wish I had your self control...maybe someday.
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