Dear Friends,
Sorry for my long absence. Hope some remember me!! I came back to give an update, thanks, and pep talk to those who need it.
I am no expert by any means and what has worked for my family might not work for others. We all have our own needs, budgets, life choices, hobbies or family choices. So onward and upward, keep trying and you will succeed.
Had to announce just bought another house ( large Victorian brick a priority for me if I was to move) debt free for cash. We have had to do some fixing up on it ( pipes, new boiler, new hot water heater put in, new to us custom Cherry cabinets made by the Amish). We do have to sell our Gothic brick Victorian but have lots of equity, owe very little and had a few offers before but didn't want to sell. I love love love my old house and will be sad when we do finally move to the other but we could not pass up this opportunity for my family to have a paid off home.
Our new house does need work and we have been pouring lots of time, sweat equity and craigslist time finding wonderful new treasures to fix up our new beauty. It is beautiful and I like it but not to romanticize it... cause it does need work...LOL We are doing it ourselves. It was a forclosure, that sold previous for 180,000. My heart and prayers go out to any who have lost their homes and I would never have bought a foreclosure if the people were still there and wanted to stay. This had been empty for two years so someone was going to buy it and get a deal myswell been me. I negotiated with GOV. and won. Keys in hand the remodeling begins.
I am still going to process my 55 gallons of sauce, 50 quarts of salsa, fruit and veggies in freezers, pickles etc. This helps us all year long. I am still going to buy my Italian 00 flour in bulk, honey, Oats and rice in bulk. Will it be a pain? No it saves me time, energy, and MONEY to keep on budget, track and meet our goals.
I was able to get my new to me cabinets, Bosch dishwaser, Miele and Asko washing machinces and dryers on craigslist, as well as new custiom leather sofas for a fraction of what they would cost. I am remodeling the basement, kitchen and house. I feel comfortable cash flowing remodeling, as well some great new furniture as I will own it outright and have no debt. My best deal to date was the 24,000 ( rec. and craftsman contact were given) cabinets for 1,000 granite included ( but granite broke ) will need new counters I am going to go copper or granite, maybe soapstone or slate. I also got leather sofas for 1,000 that originally cost the owner moving 22,000.00. I hope these don't sound like brags as it was lots of work to negotiate, contact, pick up as some were hours away. I am just wanting to share craigslist works, save your money by living like no one else now so you can live like no one else later. Find deals, negotiate, look on the free, give back, give good karma. I have sold and give way lots on craigslist over the years.
Save on your food budget, garden, cook from scratch, bake, dehydrate, can, freeze food, go without certain things ( we don't use cable, though that might not work for all) with the money you save set aside a get out of debt fund, repair fund, new furniture or remodeling fund. Try to live below your means in renting or owning so if life throws you a curve ball like us you can afford to still own your home and rent if you commute or need to move before your house sells. Or medical bills like we had. Long story but many know we had to commute before for years in diff state etc. If we didn't live below our means I couldn't have done it.
We have older vintage cars ( Mercedes, Volvos) but they are classic, leather seats and PD off. We maintain them ourselves. That can be lots of work, researching, finding answers and parts but worth it to be debt free.
Many think I am lucky in my circle but to be frank they wouldn't go a day without a car while they are fixing it, find parts,join boards to get info how to repair, watch youutubes. Many of my friends won't go to produce auctions ,can or cook from scratch all the time. That is ok I love them and respect their choices and they mine. Many are in debt real far and that is their choice I help when and if I can.
My point is that is OK what works for us might not work for them or you and your family. Take any tips here and on this board or the net that work for you, throw out what doesn't. Smile, be happy, live your life the best for you and yours. Keep your chins up and keep your eye on your goals. Each day and week move towards them with every little bit you save either to remain debt free, get debt free, or mortgage free, or just comfotable paying your budget. Life is an adventure but I am here to say it takes less stress of me, family and my life to be debt free. It was not easy and I appreciate all the tips on here, past and future, knowledge shared over the years and the common frugal goal.
Sorry for my long absence. Hope some remember me!! I came back to give an update, thanks, and pep talk to those who need it.
I am no expert by any means and what has worked for my family might not work for others. We all have our own needs, budgets, life choices, hobbies or family choices. So onward and upward, keep trying and you will succeed.
Had to announce just bought another house ( large Victorian brick a priority for me if I was to move) debt free for cash. We have had to do some fixing up on it ( pipes, new boiler, new hot water heater put in, new to us custom Cherry cabinets made by the Amish). We do have to sell our Gothic brick Victorian but have lots of equity, owe very little and had a few offers before but didn't want to sell. I love love love my old house and will be sad when we do finally move to the other but we could not pass up this opportunity for my family to have a paid off home.
Our new house does need work and we have been pouring lots of time, sweat equity and craigslist time finding wonderful new treasures to fix up our new beauty. It is beautiful and I like it but not to romanticize it... cause it does need work...LOL We are doing it ourselves. It was a forclosure, that sold previous for 180,000. My heart and prayers go out to any who have lost their homes and I would never have bought a foreclosure if the people were still there and wanted to stay. This had been empty for two years so someone was going to buy it and get a deal myswell been me. I negotiated with GOV. and won. Keys in hand the remodeling begins.
I am still going to process my 55 gallons of sauce, 50 quarts of salsa, fruit and veggies in freezers, pickles etc. This helps us all year long. I am still going to buy my Italian 00 flour in bulk, honey, Oats and rice in bulk. Will it be a pain? No it saves me time, energy, and MONEY to keep on budget, track and meet our goals.
I was able to get my new to me cabinets, Bosch dishwaser, Miele and Asko washing machinces and dryers on craigslist, as well as new custiom leather sofas for a fraction of what they would cost. I am remodeling the basement, kitchen and house. I feel comfortable cash flowing remodeling, as well some great new furniture as I will own it outright and have no debt. My best deal to date was the 24,000 ( rec. and craftsman contact were given) cabinets for 1,000 granite included ( but granite broke ) will need new counters I am going to go copper or granite, maybe soapstone or slate. I also got leather sofas for 1,000 that originally cost the owner moving 22,000.00. I hope these don't sound like brags as it was lots of work to negotiate, contact, pick up as some were hours away. I am just wanting to share craigslist works, save your money by living like no one else now so you can live like no one else later. Find deals, negotiate, look on the free, give back, give good karma. I have sold and give way lots on craigslist over the years.
Save on your food budget, garden, cook from scratch, bake, dehydrate, can, freeze food, go without certain things ( we don't use cable, though that might not work for all) with the money you save set aside a get out of debt fund, repair fund, new furniture or remodeling fund. Try to live below your means in renting or owning so if life throws you a curve ball like us you can afford to still own your home and rent if you commute or need to move before your house sells. Or medical bills like we had. Long story but many know we had to commute before for years in diff state etc. If we didn't live below our means I couldn't have done it.
We have older vintage cars ( Mercedes, Volvos) but they are classic, leather seats and PD off. We maintain them ourselves. That can be lots of work, researching, finding answers and parts but worth it to be debt free.
Many think I am lucky in my circle but to be frank they wouldn't go a day without a car while they are fixing it, find parts,join boards to get info how to repair, watch youutubes. Many of my friends won't go to produce auctions ,can or cook from scratch all the time. That is ok I love them and respect their choices and they mine. Many are in debt real far and that is their choice I help when and if I can.
My point is that is OK what works for us might not work for them or you and your family. Take any tips here and on this board or the net that work for you, throw out what doesn't. Smile, be happy, live your life the best for you and yours. Keep your chins up and keep your eye on your goals. Each day and week move towards them with every little bit you save either to remain debt free, get debt free, or mortgage free, or just comfotable paying your budget. Life is an adventure but I am here to say it takes less stress of me, family and my life to be debt free. It was not easy and I appreciate all the tips on here, past and future, knowledge shared over the years and the common frugal goal.