Where to begin

**thefrugaltribe** · 12-08-2010, 08:09 PM

So I have had a little look around and this looks like a wonderful community with lots of great ideas, challenges and people!

I guess I need a little help of where to start? I guess I should give a little bit of information about my situation and I would love some help from the frugal village to help me get things on track.

I have been in a worse situation...roughly 3-4 years ago I was 70+ thousand dollars in debt...I had defaulted EVERYWHERE and was about to have my things taken away and have to claim bankrupcy...then I woke up. My wonderful husband (we are not married but have been together for so long I just call him that) was unaware of how bad the situation was...anyway we worked really hard and got out debt down to about 25+ thousand before we had out wonderful daughter. Being on Maternity leave for 9 months and being stuck in hospital for months due to complications took its toll on us finacially we are now about 40+ thousand in debt. This for us is managable...we have done a budget and have worked out that we can get it all paid off in about 2 years plus save so that we can try for another baby in 7-8 months. In this time my husband plans on up skilling in a course that is going to cost us nearly $4000 to complete but it will pay for itself in increased wages and time he can spend with his family!

So our goals are:

*Get up skilled (cost $4000)
*Save for the medical and general cost of bubs before trying to get pregnant ($8000 roughly)
*Save while pregnant to cover 6 months worth of debt payment ($7500 roughly)
*Pay off debts as quickly as possible because I will not be returning to work after having our second baby as I will be returning to university to complete my degree
*We rent, we also wont to move to a more rural setting which is cheaper and closer to our daughters future school

What we are doing so far to achieve these goals

*Run a very strict budget with payment plans towards debt, budget for weekly and monthly bill payments, strict weekly cash allowance for shopping/petrol etc, weekly saving which keeps getting eaten into for things like christmas and cars breaking down!
*The first thing I tried to do to save money was to look at where the money was going out and if we could save money...this is the outgoing section I could think of and what we are have done to save money;

- Food (meal planning for the week, buying fresh fruit and veg from farmers markets, shopping at Aldi first for other items and then getting remainder from major shopping chain)
- Household goods (Buying dishwashing/laundry powder in bulk)
- Pet food (feeding cats a raw diet, trying to get dog food in buk)
- Baby food ( Trying to eat all homemade and trying to get her to have fresh goats opposed to the $30/week powdered stuff!!! she has an protein issue and cant have cows milk)
- Entertainment (dont want to give up our cable of internet

this including our phone cost rought $180-200/ month)
- Ultilities (nothing)
- Other bills
- Gas and tolls (nothing, going to try different routes home)
- Misc

Wow this is a long post...any help would be greatly appreciated on tips were you think we could do better

Also how do you blog?

Dont have the net at home at the moment so wont be able to reply until tomorrow.

**lisaflex** · 12-08-2010, 08:19 PM

welcome. you will find many answers and much support here.
your post will be read and will have much advice for you.

i can say that buying toiletries and dishwashing soap, etc. is not always the best deal in bulk. it is more a convenience thing. sometimes it is, but, just watch the ads, cut coupons and again, watch...that is my advice.

good luck to you.

**beks37** · 12-09-2010, 10:01 AM

Sounds like you have some good goals and you are in the right place.

To start a blog, go to the top of the screen and in the menu bar, there is an option that says Blogs. Click on the drop down and it should say Your Blog. I set mine up so long ago, I don't remember what additional steps there are.

Good luck!!

**McD** · 12-09-2010, 11:44 AM

I noticed you are in Australia. We do have a 'Frugal Down Under' area that may be of special interest to you. It's available here: Frugal Down Under - Frugal Village Forums

**jas** · 12-09-2010, 12:04 PM

hello and welcome!

**Imarachne** · 12-09-2010, 04:53 PM

Hello from Virginia, USA

**sjohnson3278** · 12-09-2010, 05:59 PM

Welcome! You will find so many useful tips and tricks on this site. Congrats to you for already having a plan in place.

**larabelle** · 12-09-2010, 06:12 PM

Welcome!!!

I think you will find lots of tips on curbing your expenses here.
Just looking at your budget I would take a good long/hard look at your entertainment expenses.

**Paws** · 12-09-2010, 09:28 PM

Hello and welcome from Alabama!

This is the place to learn ways to save money...and saving money means being able to pay off more of your debts!

I've learned SO much since becoming a member...It's helped me get a grip on overspending and creating more ways and ideas as how not to waste ...You'll receive some great advice from the members here!

**shoiji** · 12-10-2010, 09:45 AM

Great you joined us. Take your time to go through all the information. There are so many ideas to consider. Don't get frustrated if you find something does not work for you. Everyone is different.