This was a post written by my friend, Erin, from Our life is school.What a great story about frugality. Erin is a mom of 2 boys (and expecting a third child). She homeschools her kids and leads a very healthy lifestyle. I LOVE her! Let her be an inspiration to you. ....
My Frugal Story
Being raised the oldest of 7 kids and only on one income led to me learning about frugality early on. I swore when I got out on my own that I would not do so many of those things that took so much longer to do just to save money. I was going to have a career and not have to worry about money!
Well guess what? God had a different plan and shaped my heart to desire being a stay-at-home mom, and it wasn’t long before I was calling my Mom to help me with all her frugal tips. About this same time, God was calling my husband and I to be debt free. Wha??? Is this possible?
Well it was and it is. Through many blessings and lots of obedience we were able to move a mobile home (which we paid for with cash) out to my parent's land and were debt free within 5 months. Since then we have been living on only 1/3 of my husband’s income and putting the other 2/3 back in order to pay cash to build a home. Just last year we were able to pay cash for a very nice vehicle as well.
This calling has not been easy, and oh, have there been many times when we’ve thought can we make this? We have scrimped and scrimped on things for years to be able to meet our goals. The first two years of debt-free living we were hard core. We shared one cell phone, burned our own trash, had no internet service and kept our thermostats far away from comfort levels to save those extra dollars. We’ve been able to relax about a few things as we get closer to our goals, but continue to do things such as hunt for meat, cook things from scratch and garden for yummy cheaper vegetables.
I was so thankful to be educated on couponing and CVSing from reading Christi’s 2 Cents, and now add that element to my frugality as well.
This year our goals are within reach, and we are going to start building our dream home. What a reward for these past five years of sacrifice!
If you are in the early stages of learning to be frugal or are closer to reaching those dreams, keep at it! Everyday make that choice to follow your goals and get one-step closer to financial freedom.
What is your frugal story? What stage are you in for reaching your goals?
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3 comments:
I love how Dave Ramsey says "Live like no one else so you can live like no one else." Paying cash is such a great feeling. You'll never go back! Yea for you guys for figuring it out early on! We learned the hard way when we were first married.
I so want to be debt free. I am working on it. It is hard with Craig having been laid off. I have faith that we can do it! Reading this truly gives me hope. I have also been enjoying Dave Ramsey!
Theresa- I bet that is so tough. I have no idea what that feels like. Hopefully it will be a short season:) Just do what you can, little by little, & it will pay off! Glad you've been enjoying Dave-he's such a wise steward.
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