Getting back to a minimalistic and frugal life

"Putting everyone in a single catagory, is like only offering only 2 options on a menu."

In today's tough economic times, it's essential that people know how to do basic budgeting and learn how to live frugally.  There are many online sites, blogs and advice columns from which to learn.  Another option is your local library.  There are a multitude of educational references available.  Some written by "field gurus,"  others by folks like our family that are actually living it.  You can learn everything from budgeting, finances, cooking on a shoe-string budget, places to get free help, and so much more.  The internet is an amazing tool for research, but it's also a quick way to lose your personal information to a company/hacker and blow your budgeting clear out of the water.  You won't ever find a hacker in a book!

Many of today's wealthiest Americans didn't get there by having a silver spoon in their mouth.  They got there with hard work and frugal living.  I personally know 3 people who are independently wealthy.  They worked hard and earned that money.  They don't own multimillion dollar homes, they don't own money wasting/high dollar vehicles, and they don't feel comfortable telling most about the size of their wealth.  Honestly, all 3 of these people, are more comfortable sharing how they live frugally.  Are all who have wealth this way, no!  There are those out there that associate wealth with fancy cars, high dollar homes, and brag - every chance they get about how much they are making.  Then you have those that live honestly, work hard, and would rather help others even if it's done anonomously.  

As a family, we work hard.  We live on one income, try to budget every penny, shop wisely, and still try to maintain our goals for our selves, our family, and our farm.  To accomplish our goals, we have to live frugally.  We don't have a choice.  Our budget is never perfect, sometimes we have to choose paying a bill over buying groceries, we work hard to minimize our debts and pay a little extra every month to pay them down, we shop in bulk when it's feesable, we shop by sale ads, we utilize Aldi's and local shops, and we talk about everything...as a family.  Many times, as part of our home school math, our 12 year will work with us on our budget.  Since he has learned about loans, finance charges, and credit cards, he will occassionally throw out a thought...that we didn't think of.  Although our youngest is only 3, she sees the work that goes into having the life we have and will grow up knowing how to live well within her means.  

Over the coming weeks, I will be going through some of our frugal living lifestyle.  I will show how and what we do to live a decent life, live frugally on 1 income.  It amazes me that I have had requests about budgeting and frugal living from people older than I am, but more and more folks are finding that their current lifestyles aren't sustainable.  I hope that the upcoming series will help many and encourage getting back to a minimalistic lifestyle.

~Salli~

Our Christmas Plan - 4 gift rule!

"Christmas seems to have lost it's luster as there's no more waiting until Christmas for that special gift.  Everyone just goes to get what they want, when they want it."

~Salli~

We have found this to be true so much over the past several years.  Everyone has so much "stuff," and Christmas gift purchases seems to be even more difficult.  The amount spent on Christmas gift purchases seem to have doubled, at least.  Honestly, how much is too much?!  Families have grown, the young people are growing, and insane amount of stuff everyone has is growing too.  So, this year, our family is making some changes.  We are one of the many families, that just have too much already.  Our kids have more than enough toys and we also have more than enough stuff!  

We are going to a four gift Christmas(not including the few Santa leaves).  Since we have held Santa to bare minimums all along, the majority of gifts the kids have always gotten come from us and family.  Our four gift Christmas is not only sensible but also serves to remind us the true reason for the season.  

Our Four Gift Christmas:

Gift Column #1 - A gift that is Wanted.  Maybe a special toy, special book, or game.

Gift Column #2 - A gift that is Needed.  This is important for teaching the difference between wanting and needing!  For us, this will be something like clothes, shoes, outdoor wear, etc.

Gift Column #3 - A gift that you Wear.  This will also include clothes, socks, etc.

Gift Column #4 - A gift that you Read.  Since we teach our kids that reading is an important part of life, this is a gift that the kids will treasure in their personal libraries.

We also stick to a very strict budget.  We do not spend more than $100 per person(includes Santa).  As we do tend to buy things throughout the year, there is no reason to break the bank once a year for something that the kids will play with/use for a few months and be tired of.  

We have spent a lot of time talking about how to handle the out of control wants that have come from television ads, and seeing what others have.  We are sincerely trying to teach our kids the value of true friends, the value of money, and not keeping up with everyone else.  Our kids don't go without, actually they have everything they need and most of what they want.  However, there are certain toys I've put a halt to due to their lack of decency and video games are kept to a bare minimum!  We prefer high quality as opposed to high quantity.  

The past few years we have spent a lot of time focusing on helping others who are less fortunate.  We have done some volunteering at our food pantry, we have donated food, gloves, hats, scarves, and purchased toys/clothes from the angel tree in our town.  We have what we need, and it's important to me that our kids learn how amazing it feels to help others that don't.  

We received a special gift when we moved to our farm last December.  A neighbor, came to our house to drop off a "neighbor gift."  I hadn't seen this done since I was kid, and I honestly didn't know anyone was still this selfless to do.  The neighbors husband and son, went out delivering their neighbor gifts to each of our local neighbors.  It was a plate filled with a variety of cookies.  Something so simple, yet made from the heart, meant so much to me.  We have 12 local neighbors within about a 10 mile radius of us.  This year, it is my goal to do something similar for our neighbors.  I can't tell you the profound effect this had on me.  It was my real reminder of what it means, not only to be a good neighbor, but also what the season is truly about.  Yes, I believe that we are to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but also to be good to mankind.  To bring a little light to others.

Our family, on both sides, have grown tremendously over the past several years.  We have spent a lot of money to purchase gifts for most of them.  However, we won't be doing that this year.  This year, it is our goal to make a special gift, that will be made with love for each of them.  We try not to ask for much, as we already have so much.  Many times, we'd just ask that those wanting to give to us, just use it for themselves or make a donation to help someone else.  

I know we are just now to October but Christmas shopping begins earlier and earlier every year.  I hope that our families will follow in our thoughts and save themselves some debt this year.  Christmas for us, is most importantly spent with those we love.  The best gifts we could get would be to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with our loved ones.

~Salli~