Share a happy story

[Contrary Housewife]

So much depressing, unhappy, unpleasant news these days. I would love to hear your stories of success, happiness, hope and uplifting moments. It needn't be a "frugal" story.

Let's get some positive vibes flowing here!

[Nishu]

Lol, replied to wrong thread! I'll come back later...

[McD]

How about a bittersweet story? My boss pulled me into her office and told me that she had submitted me for an award through a waterworks association. I didn't win, but the letter of nomination was so nice it made me cry. I had no idea she and the rest of my office managers thought so highly of me. The not winning isn't really a big deal. Can't be disappointed over something you were never even expected to be nominated for.

[shoiji]

The other day I let myself wander around the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I just love walking around the various rooms and feel like I am being taken back in time. In the american wing they had rooms set up and I thought my apartment could probably fit in this one sitting room. Really enjoyed the egypt wing and walking through what looked like a burial chamber. Did all of this for just $5 since what they list is just a recommended donation. You really do not have to pay a thing to visit the met.

[melodys]

This is a simple “proud mommy” story. My 17 y.o. son has Asperger’s Syndrome and has struggled with school for years. Mostly his struggle has been about being a social misfit and lack of motivation to get his work done.

He finally decided that he really wanted to succeed in school. He told me that he is sitting in the front row in most of his classes and he is getting his homework done without me nagging him. Further, he decided that he wanted to get his college degree and he has promised that he will finish. We visited a local community college last weekend and we have talked about what to study. (He says he wants to work in an office, but is weak on the details so I am advising a business degree as a direction to start in.)

I have worried about him for years, gently encouraged him, supported his special interests, and let him know that he was smart even though his thinking process is different from his peers. He has slowly developed a few friendships and is developing a few leadership skills in marching band.

Now I smile inside instead of worry when I think about him. I think he is going to be OK. He is making his mom proud.

[stinkbug]

My SIL returned from Iraq Thursday night.....and fianlly gets to be with his 9 month old baby girl (she was born while he was gone)

[stinkbug]

Cat lost 5 years found on Manhattan street

[Daisygirl]

My girls lost their dad last March. School for the rest of the year was a struggle.

Two weeks into the school year, they are coming home all smiles with lots of happy stories to share. They aren't done grieving, of course but it's so nice to seem them happy again!

[peanut]

I guess I have a happy frugal story.

Many years ago, about 18 now I guess, we were always living paycheck to paycheck. It was a struggle. The girls were quite young. I got tired of always saying 'no' to them when they wanted to do things with their friends that cost money. So I decided to go back to work. Primarily to pay back relatives who had helped us put up the down payment on our first house. But also to provide more for the girls.

Well, not more than 2 years later DH was laid off from his work (I know this doesn't sound happy yet). BUT I had discovered several books on stretching your grocery budget. I was able to stretch 9 months of severance pay and EI into 18 months of living! That is good, yes? But not the end of the story.

We moved. We had a bigger house for the same amount of money we sold our smaller one for. Nice! Lots of room for the girls to play, especially in winter.

I discover the "tightwad gazette". Life changes. Period. Followed by "Your Money or Your Life".

In the course of five years I am able to move from having to work to having excess money in the bank...and at the same time increasing our standard of living. I figured we were spending $21,000 per year LESS five years later than we were when I was working to pay back the down payment on the mortgage. Oh, and that mortgage? We pay it out 6 years early...on one low level manager income.

Then I find my frugal online friends...things change again. A community develops. New ideas create new opportunities and savings.

A strike comes at DH's work. We are laughing. We have more than enough. But we are sorry for workmates. I told DH if he hears of anyone who needs help through the strike to just give. We'll talk about it later. Frugality has made us wealthy in many ways compared to our friends and his coworkers.

Fast forward... now I live a comfortable life (perhaps too much so!) and, as long as DH works, don't have to worry. But we are prepared with a fully funded EF and more besides. We have been blessed indeed. Blessings just seem to come our way. People keep giving me supplies for my hobbies for free or next to free. Then this year I start up Crafting for Missions. I am constantly amazed at how much we are able to do for so little money. The free supplies are used or gifted to other people who can use them. Lots is happening in my life.

Retirement is another thing. But I know that, because we have worked through financial problems before successfully, that we will be able to in the future. That is reassuring for me and encouragement to continue to live frugally and simply.

Living frugally gives me the freedom to develop my own talents and abilities. I cannot work outside the home, but I can do my crafts and hobbies and turn them into money making ventures. I am having a lot of fun and challenge doing so. Stress is my nemesis. My 'hobbies' are the antidote.

I really enjoy where frugality has brought me in life. And I am eager to see where it will take me in the future. It's a game, it's fun, and it's challenging, giving me a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day.

That's my happy story.

[peanut]

Did I kill the thread?

[brenda67]

LOL..you didn't kill the thread! I find your life adventures very uplifting and positive..HUGS to you...


I lost my job this past January and had worked for the past 17yrs wanting to be a stay at home mom for at least 6yrs now..I can say I'm the most content person now with all that stress behind me now..I'm fortunate that my Dh is making a decent wage adding my disabled brother who is now living with us (between the 2) bringing in more income then when I was working..I'm sooooooooooo happy! I don't feel stressed out except for when my teenage know it all son's think they can boss me around which I had my Dh take care of that situation..I feel God has answered my prayer's..I was becoming the most miserable person from all the pressure/stress from work..I feel I'm where I belong at home taking care of my family..I make more food's from scratch then I ever have before..I stockpile even more now than I have in the past..I just recently made my own Laundry detergent (I didn't think I would ever break myself away from using my Tide)..this will save us $100's over the years..I'm at the point that I could go without grocery shopping for week's other than milk, potatoes & onion's..I have everything else covered including medicines..Yes, I'm very proud of my accomplishments! My home is clean! Last night we added a addition to our family a 3 month old baby dashund..I could cry everytime I look at that little face as I just love him so much...Life is so great right now!

[Lindsey]

We bought a house in Aug. after moving back to the States. We got our first electric bill in the mail last week...$133. BUT compared to 4 different neighbors with houses around the same sizes (one was 300 sq ft smaller) they ranged from $215.-$250.! I'm pretty excited about that and now I'm loving the challenge of getting it cheaper. (Yes, I'm a nerd)

[brenda67]

We bought a house in Aug. after moving back to the States. We got our first electric bill in the mail last week...$133. BUT compared to 4 different neighbors with houses around the same sizes (one was 300 sq ft smaller) they ranged from $215.-$250.! I'm pretty excited about that and now I'm loving the challenge of getting it cheaper. (Yes, I'm a nerd)

CONGRATULATIONS! Having your own home is probably one of the most fulfilling experiences in anyone's life I think.. Awesome job on keeping the electric bill so low! Not a NERD call yourself a Frugal Smart chick

[Winkie]

My story is a little different...
At our church ladies meeting a week ago Saturday, it was announced that the town was having a "community" day the following Saturday (yesterday). Our church was having a bake sale & we were allowing several groups to use our big open field for games. I said,"too bad we don't have a popcorn machine, we could give away free popcorn". Well, lo & behold, one of our church members owns a pop corn machine. Since I opened my big mouth, I was expected to handle the popcorn. I was not feeling real chipper about the plan, but I showed up at the agreed time & started to make popcorn, out on the street. Long story short, I had a BLAST!! I usually do not strike up conversations with strangers, but I became a social butterfly! I passed out free popcorn for nearly 4 hours. I talked to nearly every person who passed by & enjoyed every minute of it.

[zakity]

We have been doing some reorganization, painting, and small repairs around the house. One of my sons (Toad) is into tools and fixing things (and welding). He is Dad's little helper/slave. They had to go under the house for some repairs. He found a ton of metal stuff on which to practice his welding (old furnace cover, fuse switch, extra metal tubing, etc). He keeps bringing up more stuff and he is so excited. He is like a little kid on Xmas morning.

Hmmm... Apparently, his twin (Q) wanted to go down under the house too. Toad has rooked Q into helping him find and bring up more metal things.