what Im gaining

**hmcart** · 01-07-2012, 08:53 PM

I think it would be way to easy to sit and focus on what we lose out on by living frugally, but I have been thinking about what I have gained more. I have always been the non-spender in our house and Dh the spender. Now that he is committed to our goal things have become alot different at our house. 3 of our 4 kids are old enough to understand what this new way of life means and they dont whine much about it. I hope it is because they are noticing the change as well. By not going out to eat we are spending so much more time together. The quality of that time has improved greatly as well. Tonight we had pizzas from Aldi and sat in the kitchen and watched a movie on my laptop while we ate. Our dinner cost $6, which is only $1 per person! It was way better than spending $40 on pizza out in a noisy restaurant! On top of that knowing that we have a planned budget drops my stress level so much! We have a lot of work ahead of us to get where we need to be but we have a plan and thats half the battle. When my check was $300 less than normal it only took us a few minutes to rework our budget and figure out what had to be done to get the bills paid because we had a plan. I cant wait to look back a month from now and see where we started and what we will have accomplished! Its kind of exciting!

**rosey7415** · 01-07-2012, 11:39 PM

it is so much better when you look at the bright side of things. it will make it easier. keep up your good spirits. way to go!!!

**erinalexmom** · 01-08-2012, 07:57 AM

What I am gaining is "hope" and "simplicity" The more debt I get paid off and the further I get into the plan I get more excited/hopeful that the life I "want" and the life I "have" can match someday. (Keep in mind the life I want is very simple) and I am gaining lots of simplicity. The more I get rid of in possessions and bills and time commitments the more freedom I gain and the more simple my life becomes. Its the simple life for me!

**NikoSan999** · 01-08-2012, 09:17 AM

It also helps when everyone, spouse and kids, are also on board. Sounds like you have that.

**Buckeye5** · 01-08-2012, 10:05 AM

it seems you find peace when you both have a plan. It's a built in support system for each other. Kuddos to you, most kids would rather go on a picnic than eat out also. I remember when my kids were younger, I bought them the Lil' Tikes dollhouse and bought all of the cool things that go with it, couldn't wait until they opened it up on Christmas morning, I was disappointed and scratching my head, when they could have cared less about it, they only loved the big box the dollhouse came in. Eventually I sold the dollhouse stuff, and kept the box, they spent countless hours in the box, hahaha Same goes with the Aldis pizza, they probably thought it was cool to eat pizza and watch movies with Mom at home.