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Here's where the rubber meets the road!

45K views 378 replies 70 participants last post by  joyofsix 
#1 ·
The stockpile is in place, the EF is doing better than it ever has. The snowball has been rolled forward.. and the layoff slip came in today.

So now it's time to see how all of this works out.

Wierd attitude probably, but silver linings and all that.

In theory he'll be off work until August 15th and then will go back to work full time.

So essentially we're going to lose approximately $1800 over 6 weeks in income.

I'm starting this thread because I intend to keep track of the parts of the frugality plan that work, the parts that need work, and the parts that I never even thought of.
 
#58 ·
August 29th Saturday

4 no spend days out of 6.

DH has worked out a side job for Wednesday that should bring in an extra $500 or so. Hurray! It's going straight into savings.
 
#59 ·
September 6th..

Well, fall is arriving here in the far northwest corner of America. I know technically it won't be here for weeks, but this morning it was so warm under the blankets, and just a bit chilly in the bedroom. I did NOT want to get up! To me that spells fall..

Another unexpected expense cropped up this week. One of the windows got broken by a flying branch in the first heavy windstorm :(

It's an 8 ft. by 3 ft. window. We located a double paned vinyl window of the appropriate size on craigslist for $85, and we're paying $100 to have it put in. We think we could probably do it ourselves, but we just don't know how yet. So we'll have this one put in by a pro. (who's agreed to give us both a discount AND a lesson on window installation!)

$185 to replace a window that size is amazingly cheap, but it's going to put us behind the eight ball. I begin to worry.

Hubby is already nearly three weeks late going back to work (he was supposed to return around the middle of August), and there's a rumor that the company lost the bid on the job he was supposed to go out on. So now we don't know when he'll go back to work. Winter is not the best time for construction work.

At 2 months and 1 week out we're down $2700 in income so far, and I'm starting to really see the effects. The savings are dwindling, albeit more slowly now that we're spending most of our days "no-spending".

Frankly, I'm getting a little scared. We've been OK for so long now, that I'd managed to "forget" how scary it is to be poor. Of course, my new definition of poor is partly to blame. If I only have $1500 in the bank I'm broke. But we'll get through it!

On the positive side, the stockpile is still kicking butt! All the bills are paid now until the 20th of September when the new ones come in. The school shopping, and winter work wear shopping is all done and paid for. We'll have a new, more energy efficient window in the livingroom ( I doubt it will "pay for itself", but then again it might, LOL when compared to a great windy hole in the wall!)

Sorry to be a bit whiny, but the money dreams have started again. Does anyone else get those. Where something terrible is going to happen in the dream and you just don't have the money to fix the problem?
 
#61 ·
Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

My only thought for you....is to keep a money cushion intact.

I have had a small one for some time, but we used it recently to build the chicken house. So now I have to watch the checking account balance very careful. And when I tell the hubby no extra spending, that everything is accounted for. I have to stand firm. Hopefully I can get it built back up before the end of the year. But it won't be this month :(
 
#62 ·
I am trying to keep even the small EF we have left intact, but time marches on, and we continue to have expenses.. and ugh!

Thanks guys!
 
#63 ·
Sept. 7th 2009

Great day today! Finished putting window in, and doing all the finish trim.
Final test: not a flicker from a candle flame while the wind outside howled at 34 mph!

I was so GOOD today! I went to the Labor day sales at all the thrift stores (shopping for school clothes with a friend's daughter), and I bought NOTHING! Hurray! Good ME!
 
#64 ·
Thanks Thevail, this thread has been really inspiring for me, i'm glad you decided to share!
 
#66 ·
I have to say, I thought about the insulation board, but honestly, what the heck do you DO with them during the day??
 
#67 ·
So today I:

Applied for food stamps. Depressing, I know. We don't actually need the food stamps, but we DO need the reduced price school lunch.

Gave my daughter Alyssa and her friend Michelle at home haircuts for school! Success! I managed a nice precision bob on Dd, but her friend has curly hair.. so much more difficult. Still it doesn't look bad.

Finished painting the trimwork on my new window ,the house smells awful but it looks great.
 
#68 ·
Hang in there! We're routing for you!

Here's something to consider. It's really a far-fetched idea, but a lot of people say it works. Think positive! This way positive things will come to you. In your mind, see what you want and believe in it and feel it happening. Then it will come true. Told you it was far-fetched.

I forgot about the window quilt thing. It really does make a difference. Think castles and tapestries. Keeping out drafts is one thing they were made for. So, you'll have your own castle in no time!

Take care.
 
#69 ·
I hope that everything will turn out ok for you, I'm sure that it will as long as you can hang in there.

If times get tough though sounds as if you could sell the Echo for a substantial profit?
 
#70 ·
Yeah, we could sell the echo if we needed to, although since we owe a bit on it, we'd be more likely to sell the ford escort for a couple grand which is all profit, and we'd still get to keep the better car.

I don't think the power of thinking positive is far-fetched at all. It's just a way of focusing your mind on the desired outcome. Just like prayer, or chanting, or meditation, etc.

I keep trying to stay focused on what I CAN do, and not worry too much about what I can't do. I mean if I can't do it.. then why worry, what does it help?

I find that thinking forward, even if it's to anticipate and intercept problems is better than focusing in on the present problems.

So, I'm applying for foodstamps NOW, even though my stockpile is holding up fine. A) I might be able to save $20 a week on school lunches if we qualify B) Adding to the stockpile to replace what we've used so far will allow us to weather what in worst case scenario may be up to a 6 month unemployment stint.
 
#71 ·
Well, we qualified for food stamps.. but at the $0 level??? Just weird.

Still it means the child's lunch costs have gone from $3.75 a day to 40 cents per day. Hurray! I can manage $2 a week.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we got the bathroom renovated for a total cost of $27.. we had nearly all the parts etc. stored away for when we'd have time.

Also got the trim up in the kitchen. Hubby and I are now entering the decor negotiating phase. I'm for cornflower blue and white with accents of

And in an amazing stroke of karmic bizzare.. someone gave us a 2005 42 inch HDTV and surround sound system.. for free! They just got a flat panel etc. etc.

I wish someone would get all new money and give me their old wrinkled money..LOL! That would be a bit more helpful right now, but the TV is an energy star one so it will at least save us money on the electric bill.

Anyway, we're still current on the bills and making the housepayments on time so things aint that bad.
 
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#72 ·
Any clue whatsoever as to when he might go back to work? Any?
How long do you think you can hold out housewise?? Been following and you've done so well.
Thoughts are with you. Don't think I could hold up so well with the not knowing. Really truly wishing you good things.
 
#73 · (Edited)
No telling when he'll go back to work. Hopefully soon. But no one is working around here right now. Our corner of the country "caught" the recession last, and so we're kinda right in the middle of it about now.

I keep hoping he'll go back soon (so does he). I know my hubby's got a great reputation in his work, and when there's work he'll go back sooner than most.

I am scared. I'm terrifed, actually. I'm trying to be calm, and keep a positive outlook about the whole thing since I can't see that weeping and gnashing my teeth will actually change a damn thing anyway.

I just keep trying to keep the feeling that it's all slipping slowly away from us at bay. All the years of work, all the scrimping and scrounging and saving. All the not taken vacations and brown-bagged dates... only to lose all the gains we've made over something we have no control over.

But I think a lot of that is just hysteria trying to take over.

We get 2400/month as long as unemployment holds out. The house payment is 1517/month. That leaves $883 a month for everything else.

It might get awfully cold and rice-and-bean-ish around here, but we won't lose the house. And we won't starve either.

I've got 1/2 a cow in the freezer as well as a 6 month supply of staples like rice and beans and pasta and flavorings for them all. Veggies might be an issue. But there's also the local food banks.

We've got clothes and stuff. We'll make it. It's just going to take :jug:

Man, I'm really being a downer today.
 
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#76 ·
No, you're not being a downer. You have every right to be scared and terrified.

Sending you an important private message. Please read.
 
#74 ·
I just found this thread today. It was much needed as I have been planning a "no work" period between jobs --- when I switch. I am really nervous about it even though I'm planning out the whazooo. Your thread to date has given me even more food for thought on both positive and negavite fronts.

For where you currently sit have you tried to work out a possible budget on the $2400? As a challenge is it all concievable to pay "everything" else for $883 a month? What about $663 (since that would be almost 10% you could put in savings)? Is it doable. I would have to really crunch them to see if I could make that work here. My first reaction would be #*%$ NO!!! Then I would really sit down and take a look. I may do that just to see. Maybe my train of questioning is all wrong ..... Maybe it should be .... How can you make it work to cover "everything else for $883? for $683?

:hug2:
 
#75 ·
Don't forget the $2400 is unemployment. If you are looking at unemployment between jobs check to see if yours is as high per week as theirs. I think Washington state gets the hightest rate possible. Not positive. At $2400 a month that would be $600 a week. Not all states gets that. Ours in Florida is $275 max. Big difference. If that is what you are relying on check first on your amount. Better safe than sorry.
 
#79 ·
90% of the battle in these situations is opening your eyes, looking at the monster, and knowing everything you can about him - not hiding! You have done an EXCELLENT job of that!!

Curious, what does food stamps at the $0 level mean?? That you qualify just barely and so get none?? Just wondering. A friend who was widowed with 9 children under the age of 15 was told she didn't qualify (this was 10 years ago) because her vehicle was worth too much - it was a 15 passenger van- the only vehicle which would hold her and all the children and required car seats, booster seats, etc. I wonder sometimes......
 
#82 ·
I wonder too...
I think it means that you qualify to apply for other benefits like the telephone assistance program, and reduced price lunch for the kids at school, and maybe even the heating assistance program. Each has their own guidelines (which we probably won't qualify under) and having the piece of paper from DSHS that says you qualify for foodstamps even if only at the $0 lvl, means you only have to show them about half as much paperwork.

Essentially it means they've checked out your finances and you're not holding on to $15,000 in the bank somewhere and just not declaring it. Or claiming to be broke because you're cash poor but own 3 BMWs and a Roll Royce.
 
#80 ·
I just found this thread and its eye opening to say the least.

Layoffs at my company started yesterday, hit 3 VP's, 24 employees will be hit tomorrow. I'm "almost" positive I'm not on the list but its overwhelming to think about the folks who are and how they will survive.

I love the quilt idea for the windows. When I get a few minutes I'm going to go back to the beginning and read your story. In the meantime, off to Goodwill during my lunch hour in search of quilts and blankets!

thanks for sharing and my thoughts are with you!
 
#84 ·
Finished more projects today. Most of the bathroom remodel is now complete! Jeez I am tired of plumbing.
 
#85 ·
Hubby and I made a $100 over the weekend splitting three cords of wood and stacking it for an older neighbor! We put it in the now empty EF.

Yikes, I'm sore!

All the bills are still current and we're on track for the house payment etc.
 
#86 ·
September 29th 2009

Well, we stayed ahead of the game this month!

We have the house payment and the major bills and we're +$100 so far in the accounts.

The stockpile is getting a little thinner, but is still in no danger of running out. In fact, it's probably a good thing we're using it before it gets too old.

I'm also gaining a better idea of exactly what I need to stockpile, and what stuff we just won't use unless we have to, which will help in the long run.

Fall is here officially and in practice too! It's downright chilly out today. Hurray for Sweater Weather! I love fall.

Minor victory today. The college sold DD the wrong book claiming it was the "required" text, and neglected to mention that the other two books (which were never mentioned at all) were actually required and this one was merely "reccomended". I made them give me a full refund, even though it was technically one day too late.

I just love busting beaurocratic chops!:tay:

The poor kid's brains are about to boil over, so tonight it's the "easy does it, pace yourself, attention to detail" speech... again...
 
#87 ·
What are you finding with your stockpile? Too much corn not enough peas kind of thing or are there specfic items you didn't think to stockpile? I did a quick look at my stockpile stash the other day and realized I was out of a few things I shouldn't ever be out of (such as cooking oil) but we have W-A-Y more BBQ sauce than we should have.
 
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#88 ·
This is going to sound really stupid.. but here goes..

It's things that can be made quickly that I didn't think to stockpile. I focussed on shelf stable, hearty, nutritious basics, which seems really good but..

Now I've got 2 teen agers running back and forth to two different schools on two different schedules, as well as hubby and I doing a half a dozen time consuming wierd projects (not including ferrying children hither and yon) and nothing I can cook in less than half an hour!

We're practically living on Ramen Noodles. EEEWWW! Nutritionally bankrupt. Not to mention kinda gross.

These are the situations we all have to watch out for because it's so easy to grab a burger on the way. We certainly can't afford to do that sort of thing right now. But the main problem is that we really can't afford to do a lot of the "normal" grocery shopping that we would normally do either.

We normally kept a bag of salad, some baby carrots, apples, etc in the fridge for "quicky" snacks. But now...
 
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#89 ·
Hmm, crockpot? Bake a bunch of muffins or quick breads ahead to grab? I've been known to dump veggies in the ramen noodles (peas & carrots are the favorite) to give it some nutritional value. I also make a loaf of bread into sandwiches and freeze them for easy grabbing, keep a jar of peanut butter and a box of saltines in the car. It keeps me driving past the fast food joint. I feel your pain on having way too many places to be. I'm off now to fill my crockpot with scalloped potatoes for tonight because I'm off to start the day.
 
#90 ·
Hmmm...that's something to think about since we do a lot of running with soccer schedules here.

Since your already there though I would have to second the cooking ahead that joyofsix suggested. I generally have to do that here when are schedules get r-e-a-l-l-y crammed at the height of soccer season anyway. I generally only have to get through a couple of weeks but when that time hits I pick the one day I know I can cook that week and cook for at least that week. Some of the things we have found that are good for the grab and go:

~ cold chicken (fried, baked, whatever it is)
~ homemade gronola bars (These are really versitle and can be pretty nutritional - definately better- than ramen. Ours generally are an oatmeal base with whatever nuts or seeds we have around)
~ a big pot of beans in the fridge and or frozen in individual servings in the freezer
~ peel and cut things like carrots and celery for a quick raw grab
~ cook up a big pot of rice (of any kind) and leave it in the fridge (veggies can be added easily for a quick meal or you can eat it like hot cereal with milk and sugar or fruit)
~ from scratch muffins made with an oatmeal base (These are like the gronal bars you can put almost anything in a muffin from shredded carrots and sunflower seeds and raisens to crushed cereal.) If you make a big batch these can be frozen easily too.
~ If I plan on useing fresh veggies I generally cook a variety of them the day I do get to cook so that they can be added to whatever I need them to through the week be it pasta, or rice, or beans. If I'm going to be useing canned or frozen I don't worry about it and cook them as I need them since they only take a couple of minutes.

To give it more of a visual and attempting to guess at what you may be looking at. I would probably have

~ (burner 1) a pot of beans going
~ crockpot with a hunk of meat, carrots, and potatoes
~ (burner 2) a big pot of rice
~ muffins and gronola bars chocked with healthy stuff coming in and out of the oven
~ (burner 3) chicken frying
~ (burner 4) a pot of split peas or potatoe soup
~ (burner 2) when the rice comes off - a big pot of pasta
 
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