| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 4:25:23 PM
But I am so happy about it!! I am really going to try to live as simple as I can, being frugal, resourceful, less wasteful, more content and happy and healthy. I want to see how little we can live on without becoming too uncomfortable. Of course, I would never jeopardize my family in anyway but I am going to do a "no power" night on Friday. Maybe just play games outside until it gets dark, put Charlie down and enjoy a book by candlelight.
Here are some goals for this month:
1. No eating out. I have one gift certificate for the Texas Roadhouse that I am using Thursday as a present for getting through this semester of school. After that, eating in.
2. Repurpose some clothes. I have a lot of nice things that just need to be spiffed up. Look for some jeans at thrifting. Maybe add some cute patches or something.
3. Sell off some stuff I never use or would want if I had to suddenly take only what I needed.
4. Walk more, drive less
5. Start our retirement fund going again. All these moves and what nots killed us but we will get back on track.
Anyone want to joing me? I got my pionering boots on...let's GO!!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| CountryBorn |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 2:39:18 PM
I just love you girls enthusiasm.Your spirit reminds me of what my Mom and Grandma told me about WWII. I have been through times when things were very lean in our lives. To tell the truth I used to like the challenge of making ends meet it made me feel good about myself. I still get a great feeling when the bills are paid. It's great to read about all your ideas and the progress you have made.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
| farmgirl blessings |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 12:22:03 PM
LOL ~ you are a hoot Nancy Jo!
Blessings, Lea
www.farmhouseblessings.blogspot.com
www.farmhouseblessings.etsy.com
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| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 10:36:13 AM
I help out by going to the thrift store as often as I can.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
| farmgirl blessings |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 10:27:34 AM
Jonni, we have Net Zero internet that costs only $10 per month. Just thought I would mention it in case it helps a bit. You could sock that extra $20 or $30 away each month and it really adds up quickly. Before you know it, that sock would be full! (smiles)
Blessings, Lea
www.farmhouseblessings.blogspot.com
www.farmhouseblessings.etsy.com
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| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 09:49:42 AM
I know that this needs to happen on our end, too. My main goal is for us to have some sort of savings for emergencies and any kind of home project we need. Last year was SOOOO tight for us because Jus's job was so terrible, but this year has been wonderful and I've been a little bit excessive here and there because it's the first time I've been able to spend a bit without thinking (or throwing up, or worrying, or crying)....What I should be doing is socking any extra money away like a little monkey!!!
We don't eat out very much, if at all, and we are very glad to cook at home. I'm much better at it, anyway :)...
The only thing I'd like to invest in now is a clothesline, but I want one of those umbrella ones so the dogs don't run through all the stuff stretched across the yard from tree to tree. From what I can tell, they run about $145.00, but I guess it would pay for itself in two months electric bills.
Gas is killing us at $3.59 again....and really, there's no way to lessen that impact for us. It would cost just as much for both of us to take the bus, so that's silly. We don't pay for parking anyway.
The only other thing I could do would be to cancel our internet and go back to the basic phone at $40.00...That's still only $30.00 free'd up in the month.
I've been wracking my brain, but it's not coming to me....
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 09:40:34 AM
I just ordered some re-usable vegetable sacks. I find I only use about 4 plastic bags a week but that adds up. So maybe not frugal but earth friendly in the long run.
I hung my laundry out on the front porch. Of course, it is the day they decide to mow, so I had to quickly run out there and grab my undies before they saw them and before they got all grassy. Note to self- remember Wednesday is mowing day!! Check x
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| Libbie |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 09:03:34 AM
Oh, I am SOOOoooo with you all on this one! I just love the phrase "tightening the apron strings," too. What a great, GREAT endeavor and adventure...
XOXO, Libbie
"Farmgirl Sister #10," and proud of it!!! |
| farmgirl blessings |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 08:53:24 AM
Heather, I'm with you on this. It has been our goal for the past year to live more frugally, but with rising gas prices and DH working 75 miles from home, we stepped it up quite a bit. Love your inspiring ideas. We are trying to find 1 new frugal lifestyle change each month.
Lately, I've:
1) no longer use our clothes dryer. I plan laundry around the weather report.
2) I've gone back to hand washing dishes which is saving us money on water & energy.
3) We've changed our menu to more frugal at home meals and definately no eating out. If we go to town, I've been taking along a pitcher of lemonade and homemade cookies so that if the children get the munchies, we can just drive to the local park have a little treat and get back to our errands. Frugal but fun!
4) I'm growing our very first garden ... so exciting!
5) We're looking into investing in some water barrels so that we can repurpose rain water
Molly, I think I need to look into that Tightwad Gazette. I've read about it before but had completely forgotten. Sounds like a good time to reevaluate adding that to our home library.
Blessings, Lea
www.farmhouseblessings.blogspot.com
www.farmhouseblessings.etsy.com
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| Brew Crew |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 06:22:20 AM
Heather, I have 'unofficially' been testing a more frugal lifestyle. Great timing with this post to really get me in gear!
I got 'The Complete Tightwad Gazette' which has hundreds of pages of ideas on how to live more frugally, and the difference in chosing to live a thrifty, frugal lifestyle and being poor.
I'm on board!
Funny Farm ramblings http://happydalehobby.blogspot.com/ |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 06:13:44 AM
ada mae ... i LOVE the 'angled' bib top ones .. you have another striped one (turquoisey) there that i love too! i might be going back for that one! keep 'em comin'! NOW .. i have to buy SKIRTS and tops to go with them! ha! usually it's the other way around! your aprons are treasures!
i'm kinda' hoping both those little 'americana' dollies don't get adopted ... i WILL make more before Independence Day! those two are pretty LARGE .. will probably make some smaller ones!
xo
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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| handyam |
Posted - May 07 2008 : 05:46:52 AM
Frannie--thanks so much for accolading my aprons. Hope you enjoy the one you bought. That is a nice fitting style isn't it. I'm working on a couple more today--different style. I've got to get to Cathy Cobblestones' today for some Mother's Day flowers. I'd say she will sell out by this weekend. I really like those silver necklaces with the families on them. I picked up one at Cathy's for my son-in-law to give my daughter for Christmas. She put out the hint to me--and he is always looking for a hint!!!
www.adasadorableaprons.blogspot.com
This is the day that the Lord has made. |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 10:02:20 PM
my shoppin' spree today! got a wonderful painted sign in soft green for the new grandchild's room:
SHHHHHHHH! BABY DREAMING
got that at the Plaid Peacock in Greensburg.
THEN .. went to Cobblestone Farms (our very own sweet Cathy's shoppe) .. and got the most delciously wonderful apron that our sweet Ada Mae made. I've been dreaming about it every since i last saw it! Ada Mae's aprons are sooooooooo ADORABLE!!! . i have TONS of vintage aprons (adopting them out rather quickly) .. but i love a certain cut on an apron that i'm going to wear .. BIB aprons are my fav .. but they have to be 'angled' .. t'otherwise, i have a booby stickin out both sides! I also got FLEURS .. red geraniums .. red impatiens and coleus .. gonn'a plant those tomorrow.
AND . .i got three BEAUTIFUL sterling silver necklaces on chains for my two daughters and grand-daughter for MOTHER's DAY. I got a mother with one child for Jennifer (grand-daughter and her son). I got a mother and two children for Kristen (she has a son and daughter). And i got a mother and father and THREE children for Wednesday and Frank .. Sofia, Lucas and the new baby due soon.
And i was so happy to be able to purchase all these from Green County local businesses.
OH .. and i stopped and got some fresh tomatoes from the MATER MAN!
What a fun day!
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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| catscharm74 |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 4:55:38 PM
Maybe I will start blogging next week now that school is done and I can breath a little. I have these silly girl dreams of living in a simple home with a garden and cute aprons and pin curls,clotheslines, homemade sweet tea, handmade toys, sweet smelling soap, lots of fresh air and exercise, yummy tummmy food, scrubbing the ole wooden floors, baking bread, wearing my headscarves, ...oh wait!! I am already living that (well most of it)!! HA!!!
Being present is so important to me right now. I just try to enjoy each moment and honestly, it has been nice. I sometimes get to daydreaming and I will lose an hour. It is funny!!
On a serious note, we really need to get the budget back in line and get our savings boosted.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 4:43:26 PM
Heather,
You inspire me....I think mostly it is living "more aware" dont you? I will try too. I have thought that I need to make some adjustments to be more "present" and this is a great start.... R
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
" Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. Hosea 10:12 |
| GaiasRose |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 4:41:00 PM
Heather, I'm there with ya girl! I'm blogging about it now on Frugalwitch.net (Ha! I bought the domain name! YAY! it was cheap though! I promise!) are you blogging? I'll link to you if you are!! Let's share our tightened apron string adventures!!!
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs:
http://frugalwitch.wordpress.com/
http://youtube.com/profile?user=GaiasRose
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
"Joyful chaos, working in tune with the seasons, telling itme by the sun, variety, change and self-direction; all this wwas replaced with a brutal, standardized work culture, the effects of which we are still suffering from today." - Tom Hodgkinson in 'How To Be Idle' |
| Moonsanity |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 4:39:22 PM
I surely need to do something. My budget is a wreck, and the price of gas is killing us. I'd love some ideas for patching jeans..my daughter wears out knees faster than anyone I've known!
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 4:31:07 PM
Oh Frannie!! I am sorry...but post what you buy if you do!!! ; )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 4:26:58 PM
oh heather .. you made me wanna' go SHOPPIN'!!!
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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