(Norman Love)
This month is the first for us to really have a bare bone budget. And as the month goes on, it keeps getting harder and harder... I'm trying not to complain. But sometimes the realization that my husband will be out of work in about two weeks gets daunting...
I want to be honest with you - I miss the little things. Pickles from the Russian store, new spray paint for a project that I planned before everything started falling apart, Lyndt chocolate...I know, none of these things are necessities but it doesn't mean, I don't miss them...
As I've been reading through the book "Money secrets of the Amish", I find that I'm a little spoiled in life. After all, their dream indulgence is salad dressing or Ritz crackers... But this new level of frugality is still not easy for me. Not at all. It's even a bit scary.
I know you could say that there are millions of people in the world who have it worse than us. After all, we have delicious food on the table and clean water every day. And we have many reasons to feel rich other than money. So it's silly for me to feel deprived but I do. Please, don't judge, I'm not perfect!
I think, the hardest thing about it is that we were always pretty frugal pinching every penny. We rarely had indulgences or treats. But now, when I have to say "no" to my children even more, I sometimes wonder if it will ever end. I don't want to be your next door millionaire but I don't want to feel guilty either when I want to buy my boys string cheese but it costs as much as two gallons of milk...
Now that's one depressing post from me, right? :) I promise, I'll be back to my smiley, bubbly, light-hearted self very soon. It's just that funky mood that I was talking about yesterday...It happens to the best of us :)
Now I'm going to read some of your blogs because, I know, it will instantly make me feel better :)
Have a wonderful day, everyone!!
Lena, (((HUGS))) It is alright to write down your thoughts.. if you didn't have down days then you are not normal... You need to write or vent as I call it or your going to get really down... My biggest thing when Russ was laid off and you may laugh at this or know exactly what I am talking about... I wanted to make sure my kids had hair cuts and looked nice so nobody knew my husband was out of work. I learned to cut my kids hair real quickly.. but it was important to me at that time to have them looking nice all the time......
ReplyDeleteYou are doing an amazing job in what your doing with keeping your home together and your spirits up...And being laid off is not a fun thing... it is going to be a different journey for you right now... You will learn things that you didn't think you had it in you to go through this journey...((( HUGS)))......
On the string cheese and pickles... can you buy them and make it stretch...so the kids can enjoy them but not have them every day and two or three at a time...My kids would devour them...... and your pickles that you love and I love pickles to instead of piling them up on a hamburger or just eating them to just eat them, just take a couple slices and enjoy those few...or if you buy whole pickles, slice them like chips so you seem to get more than there is in the jar...Also what I do with the pickle juice when all the pickles are gone I will slice a cucumber up and put it in the pickle juice...I love cucumbers like that....I let the cucumbers sit in the juice for a couple of days before eating them...it's not exactly the same but I do get the taste...
And the Lord may have a job all lined up for your hubby.. And it may be after a couple of weeks after his job ends so he can take some time to rest...
Have you heard about FreeCycle.com people give away free stuff... Or you can put what you want on the list... Investigate and see if people are giving away free spray paint ....
I check it out all the time...it's all about not sending it to the landfill...
Have you ever checked out a book on Tight wad Gazette??? There is 3 books and then she combined all 3 in one... I still go back to the books..... Some things are odd but most of the stuff in the books is how to stretch things... like the pickle juice...
(((Hugs)))) Praying for you....
I cut my kids' hair too :) Thank you for great advice! I will check out the books. It's definitely a different journey for us right now, and most days I'm ready and embracing it but I have my moments, for sure...
DeleteOh Lena... (((hugs))) I really do feel for you! Our budget is dropping by a big chunk in 2 weeks and I went on a little "target spree" yesterday... it's hard to adjust and I know we're going to have a reality check quite soon as well. Not the same position you're in obviously, but I do sympathize with you my friend. Hang in there!! Praying a job comes up for hubby soon!!
ReplyDeleteYou and me both...:) I think, until it actually happens, it will not sink in completely but sometimes it just feels harder than I thought it would be. It's hard to trust when I'm so used to have everything under control :) That's, probably, the lesson I NEED to learn right now...
DeleteHi Lena, it has been a while since I have visited. Believe me, I know how difficult it is. We bought a home that we have been upside down on since the economy went bad a few years ago. We always live paycheck to paycheck, even though my husband works and I teach full time. Each month, a bill goes without getting paid. I am praying for you and your family! XO
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kerri! And glad to see you back to blogging :) We've been upside down for a few years, so I know how it feels :(
DeleteHope you're feeling better, Lena. I used to read the Tightwad Gazette all the time when I first became a stay-at-home mom.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about it much I really need to check it out!
DeleteI'm sorry Lena. I want to give you hugs too! I hope everything works out for the best.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend!!
DeleteHi Lena. We should all try to not be constantly buying stuff...even extra food. It is habit-forming. And those that have extra can give more to charity. That would be a more perfect world.
ReplyDeleteIt is very hard because you've had it good. It is always hard to step down. When I started out,(married life) I was used to not having. I remember when I was at a neighbor's house and my eyes popped out that they had a box of candy bars in their pantry. I was impressed, yet I didn't feel I was lacking in anything just because I felt rich to have a house and happy it was small enough to heat! ha. But I obviously wasn't "rich" enough to have candy bars in my pantry! But you know what, I think it made me more humble back then, and I think it would be nice if I would try to go back to that attribute.
That's true. The more we have, the more we want. And it's definitely hard to go backwards...
DeleteYou know it's alright to not be happy all of the time. You are doing a remarkable job and things will look up soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteHi Lena- I have been in your shoes, for 3 long years, and I know how hard it is. I can tell you that my children who are all grown, say they had no idea we were so poor. They thought we just did and made so much stuff because we were like Martha Stewart who was always making something on TV.
ReplyDeleteIt will get better but don't be hard on your self when you feel sad.
Thank you, Rhonda! I hope, my boys will see Martha Stewart in me too one day :)
DeleteInternet hugs your way! It is ok to complain and feel bummed sometimes; this situation pretty much sucks. Please don't beat yourself for being not as frugal as the Amish or anyone. Your path is the only one you have to walk and sometimes it is gonna be hard. And sometimes it won't. I am hoping not-hard heads your way super-soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Erin, for your support!
DeleteI know what it's like to suddenly lose a job so I hope things turn around for you guys soon. It's OK to vent!! (hugs)
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteI know how you feel, Lena. I was laid off right before Christmas 2011 and of all the things I was worried about not having enough under the tree for my son. I think that was the year I got him the most gifts he has ever had! There is something about hearing "no" that makes us want stuff all the more, I think.
ReplyDeleteSending positive vibes your way...hoping this opens new doors for you and your family...
Nan
That is so true!! And especially when we think that we are "depriving" kids :) It's a lot easier to say "no" to yourself...
DeleteHi Lena,
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone expects you to be able to have a happy & positive post every day with what your family is dealing with right now. I think you are doing a great job being upbeat & positive about the whole job loss situation but every now & then we all need to be able to vent. Thoughts & prayers are with you guys!
Rhonda
I just know God has wonderful plans for your family. I too would have your same feelings, I think we all would. Your kiddo's will be fine, they have two loving parents who know giving them the world isn't whats best anyway. Hugs and prayers for you both
ReplyDeleteI ditto all of the above. In hard times, you can fake a smile until you make it, but what kind of friends would we be if you couldn't turn to us when you're just not feeling like smiling? Thank you for being open about this sort of stuff. I know it's scary. Most financial downturns are just stomach-churning and the not knowing is just awful and makes for long nights. I hope hubs finds a great job soon, even better than what he had, and this all becomes nothing more than a short break from your normal.
ReplyDeleteHi Lena, Our family has been through job layoffs (for both me and Husband) over the last 2-3 years. It was a stressful journey for both of us. Vent as much as you need to. It always feels better. God is working in your lives for the better. Have faith and I know your family will survive this hopefully brief bump in the road.
ReplyDelete