I feel really great about switching to a frugal lifestyle.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 05-15-2008, 12:33 AM

Yep, that's how I feel right now. It's only been a week and it's already affecting me. At the start I was feeling like it wasn't right, that I just didn't know what I was getting into and that I was shortchanging my family. You know what? Those thoughts are gone! Now my head is filled with ways to keep us going and how to stretch our dollar even further. DH and I had a really great talk tonight after he got home from work (poor sweetheart spend 13 hours there today) and he seems to really be on board with this now. His one concern is that he always gets to the end of his payday and all of his money is gone. I told him that once we got more adjusted to having a budget and re-working how our money is spent, we'll be to the point where he won't be out of money and almost dipping into overdraft every two weeks. I reminded him that we already cut out 100 dollars a month for at least the next three months, plus another 100 between July 1st and September 1st since DS #1 has no school between now and then!

I just pointed out that we'd be saving money in little areas, here and there, and that we wouldn't have to put a huge chunk into savings every month once our property tax bill is paid at the end of June. He thought he'd have to throw in a huge amount of cash each pay day to help out, but I let him know that I could contribute half to the bill (and I make less than half of what he does). He's ok with that. He also said he could work probably an extra four hours a week now that he's not putting all of his OT into "banked" time (it's in case something happens and he needs to be gone from work so that they don't dock his pay, so it's extra hours to spend). I just told him that I didn't want him to overwork himself and he was completely fine with it. We're also looking at taking the train when it's most feasible (like the 21st, DS #2 has his first dentist appt and the office is in the mall, where the train runs right to - so we'd save cash by doing that and help the environment too).

I told him my overall plan was to get us to stretch our dollar as far as we could and not have to totally revoke all of our extracurricular activities to do so. He's ok with this and you know what? So am I.

**FrugalMomof3** · 05-15-2008, 07:43 AM

Wow that's awesome DH is on board, I agree it's hard in the beginning but after time it just comes naturally, wishing you the best

**mommy4ever** · 05-15-2008, 08:27 AM

That's great! It took me a year to get dh on board, but it makes a world of difference!

Good for you!

**perSue** · 05-15-2008, 08:31 AM

first i want to say congrats on learning one of the most important household "chores"... budgeting.
and now figuring out where you can save/splurge.

that's wonderful!

it just gets better from here...

**Momto2Boyz** · 05-15-2008, 08:39 AM

I agree with everyone that it is hard in the beginning, but once you get it all down, there is something freeing about not being a slave to your paycheck!

We have downsized so much, and I used to garage sale and think that I was saving us money. I've now realized that most of the things that I picked up at garage sales, I didn't really need. So, I haven't been to a single garage sale yet this year and I'm saving us tons of money!

It seems every time I really sit down and think about it, I can always find more ways to cut the budget even further!

Keep up the good work and congrats to having DH on board, that helps alot!

**bumplett** · 05-15-2008, 08:41 AM

I agree with perSue ~ once you get the hang of your budget, you'll find more areas to widdle down....

great news!

**cab54** · 05-20-2008, 11:34 AM

You'll do some back-and-forth in the beginning--second guessing the frugal life, or feeling you're maybe 'doing without'.

But I've found that for me--the idea of simplicity (is this really going to simplify my life) keeps me from 'wanting'. And then, like you, it feels GOOD.

Congrats!

**The Muse** · 05-20-2008, 05:16 PM

Living below our means is very liberating for DH and me. He was slow to come on board, but now he even keeps me in check.

Our mantra is "simplify".

Congratulations on making the switch!

**PrairieRose** · 05-20-2008, 06:23 PM

It is change of mindset and takes some getting used to but before long even the kids will chime in with ideas on how to save money. Remember to enjoy the journey....very important.