I feel very much alone today....((Long Story))

[brenda67]

but happy that I'm the person I turned out to be as opposed to the person I was several years ago..I'm gonna try to explain what I mean by this post..Okay.. I was in my kitchen early this morning prepping to get my 10-pounds of hamburger I got on sale yesterday ready to make a couple of meatloafs (future freezer meal) and decided to make spaghetti sauce and meatball's for tomorrows supper..along with that I made some tiny meatball's the size of nickel's that I first fried then put into the oven to finish cooking them I then let them cool and threw them in a freezer bag and I thought it would be a good idea to use as a topping for my Homemade pizza..the rest of the hamburger I fried up,drained it then put into 2 quart size freezer baggies..already to just pull out at my convience..anyway I was thinking the whole time I was doing all this that there is no one I know that is like me (other then you guy's here at the village) no one at work does anything that I do to make their life easier..I work 3 day's a week to help supplement our income which is about 3/4 my dh's take home pay is what I bring home as he pay's for our Health Insurance and Life Insurance which takes a big chunk from his pay..anyway I'm swaying away from what I want to say..to make it easier on me I have our supper cooking (when I'm not at work of coarse) before noon time most is ready to cook or has already been cooked hours in advance..mostly because that's when I get really tired is in the afternoon..not to mention that the kid's are wired from being in school all day and that's when all he%% breaks loose..If I have to work the next day I make 2 meals so I don't have to cook after a hard day's work (I do physical labor at my job) I'm normally exhausted and that's the last thing I really want to deal with..I do do laundry everyday so I can keep up with our family of 5..there is nothing worse than washing 5 or more loads of laundry in one day and it takes most of the day to get it all done from start to finish.. been there done that!! I have to work tomorrow so I took my shower and did my hair this morning rather then wait until this afternoon when the rest of my family want's to take their shower's...I have a great feeling of accomplishment right now..I sometimes feel like I'm in my own little world and people think I'm a little wacked because I believe in doing all these thing's to save me time and money...I hope someone understands all my babbling..Thank's for reading...~ Brenda~..

[Contrary Housewife]

It's called 'being proactive', seeing the problem before it becomes a problem and doing something about it instead of just complaining afterward. You're swimming toward your goals instead of letting life sweep you along just anywhere. Frankly we need more people like this in the world today.

[LastDragonfly]

Brenda,
Many of us try to keep a step ahead like you do. I know to many others, our frugal ways weird people out. For instance, my ex SIL lives life on the edge....ALL THE TIME. Never cooks the day before to have it ready the next etc.

She thinks IM NUT'S because I do OAMC! OAMC just makes my life a little less stressful and gives me the same flexibility of choosing what's for supper. Her idea is which drive thru tonight?

Try not to feel like you have to justify your frugality to others. I know it's hard. Can you remember how crazy it was BEFORE you started figuring out how to make it easier on yourself?

[IntlMom]

Brenda,
I just wanted to say that I think it sounds like you are doing a great job!!

keep it up!

[brenda67]

Brenda,
I just wanted to say that I think it sounds like you are doing a great job!!

keep it up!

Thank you for the kind word's...

[thefrug]

WE understand because apparently WE'RE whacked too LMAO!! It's ok. Just keep on keepin on!

[frugalfriend]

It's called being SMART! You know I only have the best things to say about ya, buddy! I think you're doing great, being ahead of the game! Otherwise life would be stressful and disorganized and you are doing a fantastic job thinking ahead. I feel like people don't get a lot of the things I do either. We all get you here!

[frugalbabe]

Being different is good! Consider it a badge of honor and you might be surprised how many people around you really are doing some of these things. I have a friend who is a pretty glam gal always has the gorgeous nails, and great clothes etc.. I found out last summer she loves to can food and garden etc! Would have never known it by being around her -- so you never know some of your neighbors might even be underground frugalistas as well! We're lurking everywhere!

[brenda67]

It's called being SMART! You know I only have the best things to say about ya, buddy! I think you're doing great, being ahead of the game! Otherwise life would be stressful and disorganized and you are doing a fantastic job thinking ahead. I feel like people don't get a lot of the things I do either. We all get you here!

Right back at you my friend ..we certainly do have alot in common..

[MommyBliss]

I totally know how you feel and I agree with everyone else. You are being smart and proactive. I was just telling hubby the other day that I don't get it when my friends complain to me about not having enough time to clean, cook, etc(they are all sahms with children in school or toddlers) and I have 4. 3 of which I homeschool, our house is always clean and nice looking, I even have time to scrapbook and make jewelry. I don't get it. Really don't get it.

[jas]

I agree with all of the things people have already posted. You just keep on doing whatcha already are. You are the one on the right track.

[frugalchick]

I have a lot who don't understand or worse yet, don't "get it" as to how we live either.....that's okay, I have all of you wonderful Villagers and we will be okay.

Brenda, I commend you! Our way of life is not for everyone...but keep watching the world as it changes every day, I have to think that we ( us frugalites! ) are going to see more 'come over to the darkside.'

[AmyBoz]

It's called time management. Those who can manage their time well can do away with tons and tons of stress, as you well know. People who laugh or turn their noses up at these things are people who don't understand the helpfulness of good planning. You're doing great!

[PrairieRose]

I completely understand what you're saying b/c I've felt the same way for most of my life. It's ok to be different and you know you're doing what's right for you and your family. You're teaching your children valuable skills that they will probably pass on to their's. All is right with the world.....Namaste. ( )

[moonbeam]

I hear you. I am happy but often feel alone too. I am lucky that my two lifelong friends are also frugal and they are both wicked smart and talented.

I get so frustrated when I hear my adult kids talking about buying new or renting nice houses. My kids are Native and the tribe has a program that with no more then $2500 down they ever so easily buy an affordable home...without PMI.

My son is about to be a father. I got them 2 nearly new infant car seats on freecycle and could have gotten 4, all in a day. The generosity warmed me. The fact that these days parents so often think they have to have complete brand new nursery's for each child drives me mad. After 2 babies worth of gathering I never did obtain a perfect matching nursery, and I doubt that any one but me remembers. The good ol' momma network passed stuff to me that I passed to the next momma's. I learned about the wonder of borax when I realized how well it worked to get the stains out of even hand me downs.

I have only been on this site for about a week. It is wonderful to finally see that there are others who care about not wasting resources. If I am buying new it had better be groceries and I still will not be paying retail. I just couldn't