| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 4:24:15 PM
Ok, so I taped Oprah today to watch how people save money and live. I am ALL for saving money but the lady with the groceries for $39, origanally like $118 or something was great but I wouldn't buy half the stuff she had in the cart. I wish the coupon people would give us better deals on fresh fruit, vegetables and cuts of meat and chicken. I do not use half of the prepared and sugar loaded stuff they advertise their coupons for. Even more coupons for things like sugar, flour, etc would be appreciated. I know she is trying to do a good thing but with the obesity and health problems plus the costs of that food to produce, ship and stock is taking a valuable toll on all of our resources. Sorry, I just had to vent on that one. I know Oprah may mean well, but they need to get some Farmgirls (ESPECIALLY MJ and the Clan) on there. 
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 06:02:31 AM
I agree with Tara. My kids never had the fancy designer clothes and all the stuff other kids had, I worked to help pay bills, not buy more stuff.
I have never wanted a lot of stuff, either. Just what we need to get by and have enough money to pay bills ON TIME! And a little extra in the bank, just in case.
I have wanted lately to buy things in bulk, like toilet paper and paper towels. I think I must have a fear of running out of toilet paper and not being able to get to town to get more! Nightmare! So right now I have 3 of the big double roll packs of 18 rolls of Angel Soft in the bathroom right now and am tempted to go get more. They are only $8.50 at Aldi's. And last a long time, too.
I quit watching Oprah a long time ago and don't even look at her magazine because all the people and houses she showed were so far out there, I'd never see them myself. I'd much rather see pictures of old farmhouses. She does need to get REAL.
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| kissmekate |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 10:08:24 PM
I also just posted on there to tell them to have a more realistic family featured and to contact MaryJane.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 9:45:34 PM
I find that more and more the coupons are not for things I buy. Like everyone said "way too processed". I'm beginning to notice that DD and I don't really eat or want to eat big meals. I know this may not work for families that have boys and men, but it has enabled me to cut down on our food bill. I'm also building out meals with veggies first then the meat or protein.
More and more I'm trying to buy what's in season, when it's less expensive. Today I was able to buy apples for .88 a pound and pears 3 lbs for $1.00. |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 9:31:23 PM
We cut back a lot this year. On the cell phones mentioned, I know we quit our verizon plans and went with prepaid tracfones. The three of us are on the family value plan. I recieve 50 minutes per month, and the kids receive 30 minutes per month. With tax it totals 23 dollars. Much better than the 85 per month for two phones that we didn't use much. And if we did, it was funny how the 700 free "anytime" minutes weren't always "anytime" or free.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| sweetproserpina |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 9:01:45 PM
You said it girls :)
Your 10 percent fund is a great idea Alee! I used to do that when I was working a steady job. (With our new business it's slightly tricker, but I'd love to get back on it.)
I saw some of that Oprah show, again hoping to find maybe a tip or two that I could use. I was very impressed with the family from florida. They were all so happily contented and satisfied! You could tell just by the way they talked and answered the questions. They were happy to live on less than most, because they didn't see it as 'less'! The family that was 'cutting back' from 8000/month- jeepers, that's about what I lived on per year in uni. We ate a lot of perogies and noodles, lol.
Most of the ways these experts tell you to cut back really doesn't help the already frugal farmgirl. I always thought the 'stop buying your daily cappuccino' was a funny one. Do I look like I could spend 3 dollars a day on a coffee when I could easily make it for pennies at home. Or pack a lunch? Isn't that what most regular working folks do? I almost never clip coupons (except for the hairdressers, or the bulk barn). If you buy local, from the farmer's market, butcher etc, and not from the chain stores, coupons really aren't very relevant anyway.
MJ on Oprah, now wouldn't that be something :)
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://quaintandkeepinghouse.blogspot.com New Homekeeping Blog!
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
| Yogifarmgirl |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 9:15:19 PM
BTW...my kids love this new life and don't seem to mind living with less "stuff"...they say their new home is "cozy and safe"...makes my heart so happy that they are happy
www.sundariyoga.com
http://yogifarmgirl.blogspot.com
http://jlogosso.etsy.com
Farmgirl Sister # 285
Sister on the Fly #1002 |
| Yogifarmgirl |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 9:13:43 PM
I married a man who came from a very well off family, he went to an ivy league college and made a nice 6 figure salary...we wanted to leave Long Island NY and move to a more rural place (at least I did) and I guess I compromised when he wanted to build a 3000 sq foot house in the poconos pa. The house cost a ton to run, I spent all my free time cleaning and when he got laid off after 9/11 he decided that he shouldn't need to work and that my "yoga" business should support this home and lifestyle that he wanted...to make a long story short....I divorced after 10 years and now live with my two kids in a very cute 1500 sq ft farmhouse built in 1890 in a rural area of NY by the Delaware River...I have my chickens and rent the home so it is giving me time and space to find the "right" homestead for me and the kiddies....and yes I can live well now on my yoga business...lol
He is living with his mom and still not working.....surprise surprise
Sorry to vent but I had to pipe in because I lived around people who had money (I never did until I got married...I was raised in a working class family) and most of them are miserable and unhappy...they are lost souls that don't know how to be self sufficient half the time...they are used to others always doing things for them...this is obviously not the case for all wealthy people as many are hard workers who built their way up through hard work and sacrifice...I guess I too am just tired of this countrys whining...people need to be self sufficient and remember what it means to be a "neighbor"
Again sorry for the venting....whew...I feel better
www.sundariyoga.com
http://yogifarmgirl.blogspot.com
http://jlogosso.etsy.com
Farmgirl Sister # 285
Sister on the Fly #1002 |
| FannyMay |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 8:59:19 PM
I agree with all of yall!
My husband and I are scrimping and saving all that we can. On one income and three children it takes all that we have. My children whom attended public school until this year think that our life is terrible. We only have on t.v. in the house. In the den. It is small and one that is older. No t.v's in the bedrooms. No sat. No cable. Just 4 basic channels. We do have this computer, but we have SLOW dial up service. My kids do not have video games or all of the fancy cell phones.
We just have not had the money to purchase these things and my husband and I don't think that they need all of that to be happy. They have to learn to be happy just to be happy. Being at school the other kids would rub it in all the time. The kids were always upset about it. We are not dirt poor, but we just live a simple wholesome life. I would always ask them, do you want me to go to work so I can buy you all of these things, or do you want my home so we can go to the lake and take day trips and they can have all of there animals that they take to all of these livestock shows. THe answere is always stay home, so here we are on one income living a simple life and I look at all of these people with all of this stuff and think what are they going to do when the economy colapses. They are going to lose all of that stuff! We have a wonderful life here in the boonies. Today was one of them. It was so pretty today with the blue sky and fall in the air. It was all I could do to have school with the kids and not stay outside all day. Who could ask for more!
There is no other life for me, but farm life. |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 8:58:47 PM
Well Doug and I decided to listen to the sage old advise of paying ourselves first. And not for fun money, but for pure savings. We have a lot of debt from not having even living expenses taken care of and school and such, so in all reality, we could take that money and send it right to the creditors who would suck it all up and then ask for more. Instead we have his direct deposit set up to shunt 10% directly into savings. We are pretending like it doesn't even exist. I have set up our budget through the end of the year and even on the "reduced" income left after savings, we can still afford to pay off on our bills. It's great!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 7:37:55 PM
I agree Kate and I am tired of hearing the basic 4 answers for supposedly saving money and being frugal. I am telling you, we need to clog up Oprahs email with suggestions for putting MJ on there, though they probably will "hollywoodize" it and take away for the pure charm and truth MJ talks, speaks, lives and write about.
I know everyone has to start somewhere but all these "well I whooped it up for all these years" people are now whining, I honestly have no sympathy. I feel sorry for the kids who are otherwise victims of their parents doings. I hope it is a good life lesson for them. I look at the 2000 square foot houses with all the "stuff" and think "Yard sale" and how about downsizing or at least using a clothesline or something. I don't try to judge, but I am sick of the whining.
I know many couple who live on $30,000 or less a year, with or without children and they do just fine. I had a friend who is working as a housekeeper to pay off their debt, they have 3 kids, all under 7 and are doing what they need to. They live in a small, tidy home and she is very frugal and farmgalish.
What really makes me laugh is watching Oprah and Martha whine about the economy, just think about that for a minute, or how WE are supposed to downsize and not live so lavishly...ha!! It makes me giggle.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 7:31:44 PM
Another thing too, she needs to show realistic families. The one couple lives on 8,000+ dollars per month and need to cut back? I'd die of shock if I made that much money.
Most people who are hurting, are lucky to make 1/4 to 1/3 of that.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 6:54:31 PM
Dawn, I was at Whole foods today and I picked up a flyer in it were some good coupons for organic foods.. I was amazed.
I agree I use very little of those "coupon items usually printed. You can go on line and print your own coupons on some products...so I hear...
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Keep life simple, to Simply live. Life is too short to worry about it. |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 6:19:40 PM
In reading the comments on Oprah's site, regarding this show, I see a lot of women are complaining about the coupon savings are for "junk" foods.
I only use coupons when it is for something I would buy anyways. My Mom and my Grandma save their sunday ads for me.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 6:14:52 PM
I am pretty disgusted with the lack of coupons for good & organic food too. Especially the organic. When I can find some organic coupons, they usually require buying two of the item. One is so expensive, that it isn't worth saving $1 to buy two. I keep hoping I can find a place that consistently offers coupons for healthy and organic items.
Dawn in IL |
| junkjunkie |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 4:51:27 PM
Your right.... Most of the food that have the coupons are overly prepared and a little on the junky side, which is why I don't bother too much with coupons. Also, I'm a little lazy about commiting myself to spending hours cutting them out... lol
"To have life in focus, we must have death in our field of vision." Benedictine monk John Main |
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