Comparing Sept. and Now

**pammy** · 11-10-2005, 10:46 AM

This is a journal-type entry for me, but hope that it might inspire someone else who thinks it can't be done.

In early September we weren't of the frugal mind. Dh worked lots of hours, made good pay. I worked part-time in another time for decent pay. We lived well on paycheck to paycheck, the bills got paid but no type of savings. Dh did have 3% deducted that his company matched to put 6% total in mutual funds, other than that we didn't save for anything. We had a mortgage on a house that we bought the year before. I had a high-dollar new car. We had a beautiful rv that is financed. I had $19k in student loans. We cut out credit cards early on in our marriage, thank goodness. Otherwise, we spent what we brought in freely. We coulda went on like this for a very long time.

And then, one day, I started reading.... lol

I was pretty miserable at my job. Hated it, in fact. I got to really adding up our finances to see if I would be able to quit my job. My dh was all for it, he hated me being miserable and being away from home 7 nights of the month. Plus, it was an hour drive to and from, and the weather would only be turning worse. Truth be told, there was some incidences of almost being a wrecks that shook me up pretty bad.

So I started reading everything I could get my hands on about money. Guess the clincher was Dave Ramsey's book, reading real people's experiences and what they were able to do, their stories inspired me most. That Monday, Oct. 3rd, I drove my hour to work and was so miserable. Any spare time had me writing and figuring out the finances. It almost wasn't working, number-wise. Bout lunch time I had had all I could take. I quit. Quit! Wasn't even out of the parking lot before I was calling dh, shaking and elated! Was nervous about his reaction, so when I told him I just knew it'd be okay cause his response was 'Woohooo!!'. You can't imagine the huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

The first few days were kinda scary for me. Got butterflies every time I thought about what I had done. Just what have I done? With new determination I set about going to work on my 'new job'. This new job was to research, read, figure, plan and do just about anything to make my dh's money go further! I read one book after another. I read this board until my eyes blurred. I asked question after question. I got hubby asking questions and advise. This became my new challenge and I went in with great determination. I shared everything I discovered with dh and daughter. Dd is still skeptical, but dh is as excited about it all as I am.

One day I added up how much it cost me to work where I was. After figuring out everything (10 days of eating 3 meals a day there, gas, newer car, scrubs, eating out at home cause I was too tired, convenience foods including Schwann's, not comparison shopping) I actually was spending $220 a year to work there.

That was an eye opener!!

And now it's November. We aren't able to start snowballing our debt yet. But this is what we have been able to do: We bought a used car with cash, and have the high dollar car up for sale. Once that sells we can snowball the next debt, then the next one, and so on. We have a plan and a goal. I've been able to start stockpiling some, I shop the sale items, buy some in bulk and comparison shop. We've cut the grocery amount in half already. I'm here every day when dd comes home for lunch, then when dh comes home for lunch. I cook ahead for easy nights, I cook extra and freeze. Been experimenting with recipes. Cooking more from scratch. The deep freezer is full, that has never happened before. I'm making gifts for Christmas this year instead of spending oodles on gifts. But here is the kicker for me, my proudest thing.... we are saving a total of 25% of dh's income. 6% he was saving before. I started another savings for things like auto repair, home repair, gifts, clothing, appliances, property tax, vacation, etc. These expenses come up and I want to have the money set aside without having to finance them. And somehow I've squeezed enough to be able to pay ourselves first another 10%. Our emergecy fund took a hit and I'm slowly getting that back. All this and still we are paying our regular bills we were paying before. We gave up some things, but gained so much more.

I'm looking forward to when we will be able to start snowballing. Hopefully my car will sell soon as I see how extremely wasteful it is to pay so much for something that gives me no enjoyment. I love my older paid-for car just as much. The debate is still on if we will keep and pay off the rv or sell it. We try to find news ways to use things and just make do with what we got. We aren't feeling deprived at all, quite the contrary. My dh just last night for no reason told me he is loving me being at home. Our home is kept cleaner, the food has gotten so much better over take out not to mention healthier, and I'm here if they need me. With this extra time I've been able to hunt down things, figure out things, find bargains, create and learn. Personally, since quitting I no longer am the moody depressed person I was before. I think this is infectious even. Just the other day I had my sale papers out and my price book and was working on a food list from them. Dh got curious and asked questions, then he got what I was doing and was wowed! He's sewed pillows for gifts, has chopped apples to go in the freezer and is excited to help with the upcoming Christmas baking. Have even got dd reading some of the TG. She's 16 and will be leaving us in a few years, I told her in order for her to move out she'd have to read the whole thing, lol.

The difference in two months. I am so looking forward to comparing a years worth. I wrote this thread as a starter, with how it was, how it's going and where I want it to go. Everyone is so different and has different goals and starting points. This is mine. My attitude has really changed in such a short time. Thanks for reading.

**homesteadmamma** · 11-10-2005, 11:04 AM

What a change and all for the better. Your doing a wonderful job at being creative, encouraging others and helping your dh. AWESOME JOB!!

I can't wait to see what you've accomplished in 6 months time.

**Valerie in WA** · 11-10-2005, 11:08 AM

What a terrific story! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

If I could sum your story up with one sentence, it would be this: You've learned what many people never do: that less is more.

**britbunny** · 11-10-2005, 11:24 AM

Well done and thanks for sharing your story - it's a familiar one to me. It's brilliant to have the whole household on board too, I'm so happy for you!

**sas58** · 11-10-2005, 11:25 AM

Congratulations on all you've accomplished in such a short time. WTG!

**Emerald_Mommy** · 11-10-2005, 11:33 AM

Keep it up! Thanks for sharing your story with us.

**midwestgal** · 11-10-2005, 11:34 AM

I was smiling as I read your post! I'm pretty new here too, and the FV is so encouraging! I had been on some other financial forums (lurking only), and I was afraid to submit anything because I was afraid the members would blast me! Not so with the FV. I'm looking forward to reading more about your financial journey! Best of luck!

**sanderson76** · 11-10-2005, 11:40 AM

Thank you for sharing your story, it was great!

**mom2matty** · 11-10-2005, 12:24 PM

What a great story!!! Thanks for sharing it with us and Congratulations on all you have accomplished already!!!

**SMILESFRSD** · 11-10-2005, 02:30 PM

Such a neat & encouraging story. Thanks for sharing your motivation w/us.

**PrairieRose** · 11-10-2005, 03:03 PM

I'm thrilled to read about your changes and what they've meant to you and your family. What you're doing now is also a full time job, but oh-so rewarding. Keep up the good work and keep us posted!

**forestdale** · 11-10-2005, 03:13 PM

Pammy, that's such an inspiring story. Your DH sounds like a lovely man, I'm sure the two of you will build a great life for your family.

I used to be a waster too. Earned great money but wasted so much. It's wonderful when the penny drops.

I look forward to the next installment.

**SHOPGIRL** · 11-10-2005, 06:43 PM

Good work! It's so easy to be busy all the time and think we're getting ahead when we're really not. I can relate to a lot of what you said. You've got a plan and its working; how nice is that? Your certainly on your way to leading, "the simple life". Think where you'll be a year from now!