Newbie with Questions

**Avery'sMom** · 03-31-2009, 04:12 PM

Hello,
My name is Lisa and I have been reading here till my eyes are TIRED! I did not even consider being frugal till 2 years ago when my husband and I decided to adopt from China and not go into debt while doing it. We cut out EVERYTHING extra. We did not eat out, we traded in SUV's for economical cars, we bought only clothes that we needed from thrift stores....and we did it. We have been home from China since 11/16/2008 with our beautiful, 5y/o daughter Avery. Soon after we got home, DH lost his job (of 13 years) to the lovely economy. This blew our plans of me being a SAHM out of the water. I found a job. DH is working part time....we are doing ok. We have so much support (free afterschool care) for Avery from family.

So, obviously, we cannot go back to spending like pre adoption days, and I am not sure I could if I wanted to do that....I like saving...and now that we are putting money in a college fund, I like seeing it grow.

What I would like from all of the experts here is suggestions. I googled coupons and got a gazillion sites (and a computer virus), I make my own washing detergent, I have some basics stockpiled...I am planning on a garden this summer and my mother has promised to teach me to can. What else can I do? I don't live in an area where I can raise cows or chickens (or I would).....I am saving for a freezer (I don't know what is better..chest or stand up). I have started planning only homemade Christmas/birthday gifts by learning to knit and felt. I am also an artist so paintings are good gifts (I think).

I just want to raise Avery to not focus on things but to enjoy life and be happy....I want to raise her to be mindful and not wasteful....

Thanks for listening...I'll look forward to any suggestions.
Lisa

**Debbie-cat** · 03-31-2009, 05:08 PM

Hi and welcome from Minnesota!!

**MomToTwoBoys** · 03-31-2009, 08:26 PM

Hi Lisa and welcome to FV!

I think you're off to a great start. You have a lot of motivation to begin with and from the sounds of it, your family is pretty lucky to have you this concerned about their welfare.

I'd start out with a few things like you have now and watch how much it changes your life. Add in one more thing each time you feel you're successful with what you've done, being sure that you're still doing the original stuff.

There are a ton of links here about everything from homemade soap to laundry tips, stockpiling fruits and vegetables and gardening. If you're really wanting coupons, I would check out the P&G coupons and scope out your Sunday paper (if you get one) for more. You can also start a binder to put lots of your homemade and frugal things in (everything from recipes for food to information about homesteading/gardening).

If you have any other questions, I'm sure the fine ladies and gentlemen of FV are more than willing to help.

**Cricketlegs** · 03-31-2009, 08:32 PM

Sounds like you really have it all in hand already.

Welcome, you will fit right in here lol!

**Jskell911** · 03-31-2009, 08:56 PM

Lisa,

welcome to the Village. This place is crawling with wonderful ideas. I think what an important point to remember is that there are different ideas, levels, etc to being frugal. What I mean is that some ideas will fit right in with your life and others will just never make sense for you.

An example is, DH and I both smoke (yeah, I know....). But instead of buying ciggarettes by the pack or carton, we buy tobacco and tubes and "roll" our own. This breaks down the price of a carton from $70 to about $14. Now, we know we are going to smoke anyway, so this makes perfect sense to us.

By the same right, many Villagers sew all kinds of wonderful things. Me, I tried. I really, really did. But no way can I sew anything useful. (Well, maybe a cloth napkin, but you get the idea)

That said, I think you are well entrenched in this frugal living endeavor!

**Sheepystitious** · 03-31-2009, 09:05 PM

Hi Lisa!

I'm new to this site, but not to this lifestyle. When I started, it was to start my new promising relationship and my life with a clean slate. I was able to pay off a sizeable CC debt(s) - 10K - after my senior year of college in less than one year. Living in an apartment for the first time also. (talk about a reality check!)

I believe motivation (which as another poster said you have) and determination are all you need. The suggestions are second in the frugal journey.

Plus, you seem just as determined as the wonderful people of this board are. You're seeking out knowledge in all the right places. You've also got great strength of will.

I looked to my library for more - emergency preparedness (not being prepared can get expensive during an emergency!), cooking with leftovers (The Use it Up Cookbook), cooking with beans (The Less is More Cookbook), cooking with powdered milk (I found a great small book on this!), and the Bible of all Frugal Books (The Tightwad Gazette - lots of good family friendly frugal ideas here). I also read and studied the economy and investing. David Bach is good "retirement" and investing guru I like to read. I've become an expert in as many "skills" as I can. I've been asked to give "talks" on how to save money and begin investing. I've counseled friends and family (who have asked) with advice. I taught myself how to bake bread and make pie crust (trial & error). Having a supportive significant other has been the other half of my success.

Being frugal taught me that knowledge is the most powerful tool. That's the secret.

Best of luck!

Cheers,
Fellow Newbie Monica from CT

P.S. I think these smilies are the most adorable things ever!!! Especially this one:

**onencgirl** · 03-31-2009, 09:07 PM

Hi and welcome from NC. Stick around, you'll learn alot here.

**Sheepystitious** · 03-31-2009, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by Jskell911

An example is, DH and I both smoke (yeah, I know....). But instead of buying ciggarettes by the pack or carton, we buy tobacco and tubes and "roll" our own. This breaks down the price of a carton from $70 to about $14. Now, we know we are going to smoke anyway, so this makes perfect sense to us.

When my fiance and I used to smoke (we quit 8 months ago), we also used to roll our own, or we would find promotional deals (buy 2 get one free) and coupons. I totally understand where you are coming from!

We quit for many different reasons, but the key was the timing was right for us and that's why we're still smoke free!

**Must-Stash** · 03-31-2009, 11:44 PM

Hi Lisa, welcome to the community. You are off to a great start. Do you and DH have cell phones you could give up. It saved us a lot. We also gave up high speed internet for dial up. A pain, but again, a big saving.

**frugal.lass** · 04-01-2009, 01:09 AM

Just wanted to say "Hello and Welcome!". You'll love FV, everyone here is SOO helpful and just filled with good ideas/tips!

**rainbowgc** · 04-01-2009, 10:04 AM

Hi and welcome to the Village from sunny Florida

It sounds like you are on a good path already. For coupons try:
www.thecouponclippers.com

**Avery'sMom** · 04-01-2009, 10:34 AM

We gave up cell phones when we started the adoption journey. DH needs high speed internet for his work at home jobs but we write that off on taxes....so it is almost free.

I do miss my cell and would like to have one...does anyone have thoughts on the pre paid ones? I just want it for emergency purposes...not to talk on daily.

Thanks for the great welcome....
Lisa

**ladytoysdream** · 04-01-2009, 10:43 AM

Just wanted to say hi and welcome

Don't be afraid to ask questions here. That's how we all learn.

What works for someone else might not work for you and vice versa.
New ideas are always worth checking out. Thinking outside the box.
There is a lot of reading on this site.

It appears now that being frugal is the more IN thing to do. Even people with higher incomes are looking into ways to save some money and / or get the most bang for their buck.