Frugal "Emergency" Intervention Needed

**daughter of pearl** · 07-20-2008, 12:18 PM

Hi there!

I am brand new to this site, and have joined this and some other frugal related sites to look for some help...I have psent most of my life living poor (not frugal), spending to the last penny, raising kids by myself, etc. Kids are now grown, I am single living alone and need to reduce my debt but also change my way of thinking about money and how I use my resources...

I have recently gone through some health issues that have caused some of the debt but most was just plain stupid spending...

If anyone has any suggestions for me (have already cut up credit cards, and don't carry debit cardwith me), i would be grateful...

Afraid of Dying Alone and Penniless,
Janet

**Russ** · 07-20-2008, 12:38 PM

Welcome to FV Janet.
You have come to the right place as there are a lot of like minded people here who are willing to help.
Without knowing a lot about your finances the first thing you need to do is make a budget and be honest about it. This will only help you in the long run.

more info to follow from other members. Guaranteed.

**staciah** · 07-20-2008, 12:53 PM

I'm not sure how your food budget is but shopping with coupons saves alot plus if you have an Aldi's near you consider going to shop there. The Dollar Tree also has some really good deals.
Shop in Bulk too

Try cooking from scratch. It really is alot cheaper.

Organize your life, organize your bills, and your home. When you organize, you know what you have and what you don't have. What you need and don't need.

Look at ways to save on your energy bills. There alot of ways - unplugging your appliances that are not being used. energy saving light bulbs, watching you water consumption etc.

You will find MANY ways to save here.

Welcome to FV.

**Greebo** · 07-20-2008, 03:10 PM

If you will list the following:
- MOnthly income
- Monthly expenses (what you HAVE to spend each month - rent, food, utilities, etc.)
- Debts (balance, interest rate, monthly minimum)
- Any other relevant info - assets, etc.

I will be happy to help you prepare a debt reduction plan.

**DonnainME** · 07-20-2008, 04:22 PM

I just want to say

We are all here to learn. Some people have been doing it longer than others (living frugally) but we all learn from each other.

I hope you enjoy your time here. I know I do!

**peanut** · 07-20-2008, 04:36 PM

Welcome to FV Janet! I'm sure you'll get lots of help here. If you don't know how much you're spending already, track every penny you spend for the next month at least. So you know where it's all going and how much you're really spending. I know that was an eye opener for me.

But the quickest way to see progress in the short term is usually to attack the grocery budget. There are a number of ways to do this. Rather than repeat everyone and other threads, I'm going to recommend you browse past threads and see what you can find (I have no idea how to link to them...maybe someone else can do this for her?). There's a wealth of information here.

Welcome aboard!

Jean

**Paquita** · 07-20-2008, 05:13 PM

Welcome to FV.

Paquita

**PrairieRose** · 07-20-2008, 05:35 PM

Hello and

to the village.

My best advice would be to start by keeping a written record of every cent you spend. That way you can see the leaks and then work on stopping them. Next, I'd read, read, read here in every forum and topic. There's sooooo much good info.

**Michelle** · 07-20-2008, 05:51 PM

:hithere: welcome to Frugal Village.

**Ceashels** · 07-20-2008, 06:05 PM

Welcome to the Village, we are glad to meet you.

**hugxlaughxsmilexlove** · 07-20-2008, 06:32 PM

Welcome! There is a lot of good info on this site.. I want to warn you: You will become addicted (I know I'm not the only one)!

**Jskell911** · 07-20-2008, 07:18 PM

Welcome to the village! For me, the best way to help me get in the right mindset was simply to read as many threads as I could. You get a feel for which directions you need to go from there. Hope you are able to learn all you are looking for.

**Frugal Nurse** · 07-20-2008, 07:31 PM

Just the very fact that you showed up in the EMERGENCY room is going to help you.

It's not easy to list all the help you need.. right here and now - because we don't have a good assessment of your pains and what ails you.

But you have come to the right place. That's for sure. This forum is fun and informative and we pretty much help each other out. (sometimes I am bratty - don't bother too much with that)

What I would suggest;
What you need to do is start reading the threads and posts that might have a ring of truth with you. Meaning, it hits home.

Ask questions - when you don't understand.
We're all watching the threads - so it won't go unnoticed.
No question is too dumb!
We've all been there - some are going though it - others have gotten past the crasy debt problems.

But listem- most importantly, you're path to frugality and financial freedom isn't going to happen overnight. Nor in one week or one month.

It takes a while to retrain the brain. Retrain your habits.
you will have set backs. you will learn. and you will grow.

Welcome to Frugal Village!

**schellie69** · 07-21-2008, 09:06 AM

Welcome to FV, I love this place there are so many great post and people to answer any questions you might have, I have health problems and some frugal things don't work for me so I save in other areas, It all really depends on where you need to cut out spending. Take small steps trying to do everything all at once can become over welming and then people have a tendecy to fall back into old patterens take a few small ideas and do that for a month then at one or two more each month that is the easiest way I have found to make canges...

**FrugalMomof3** · 07-21-2008, 09:17 AM

First off, welcome to FV!

I would suggest you posting your monthly take home pay and then posting your monthly bills, we can give you advice on what to try and cut down or out all together.