[homesteadmamma]

What a title for a thread but I thought it would be a good one for the journey we find ourselves in.

We found out about 10 days ago that because dh wants to take his Canada pension out at age 60, we needed to go one month w/o any pay checks. (Government rules.) It was our decision to do it in January because its a slow time for where he is working part time right now. During this month, he can not bring home one penny, otherwise he needs to start the whole process over again.

At first I was feeling very unsettled about the whole process. We have a van payment along with a tax payment. We have 3 kids at home. And its the month of January, where we have extreme cold weather and where we use electricity more. We've always had some sort of pay coming into the house. If anyone is like me, you rely on those pay checks and they actually give you a comfortable feeling, knowing they are going to be there. Knowing they aren't actually sent chills down my back and I wondered if we could do this.

As the days have gone by, I've begun to look at this as a challenge. Anyone who knows me knows I love challenges. This will be one of the toughest yet. I hope that through it all, I can help others.

First things first, I need to look at what is to our advantage.

~we have no mortgage payment - our home is paid for.
~we have insulated our home and put in new windows and doors (all except the m/bedroom). We have only 5 small windows that weren't replaced, but we have put acrylic plastic on them.
~so far, we have no snow and the weather isn't has cold as normal. Each day the weather remains as is, its to our advantage
~I cook from scratch
~our Christmas gifts are all handmade
~we have enough wood for dh's crafts and I have enough material, both cotton and flannelette to make all our gifts.
~our kids understand why were doing this and it takes very little to bring them joy. They also understand frugality which will really help.

More to come....

 

[homesteadmamma]

Before I start this post, I don't want anyone feeling sorry for us okay. I just want to post our journey so that it can help others. I'm convinced with all the wonderful suggestions here at the village and with what I've learnt over the years, we can do this and come out ahead.

Our disadvantages:

~we have a $700 a month van payment and a tax payment each month
~it could get extremely cold during both Dec. & Jan.
~our electric bill will be going up 3%
~our home insurance is due Jan. 6th
~we have both asthma and b/p medicine to purchase....a total of $125 per month. We have no insurance for this....we pay the full amount.
~our EF is very low

Next on the list to do over the next few days are:

~write down all monies expected over the month of Nov. & Dec.
~write down all expenses over the month of Nov. & Dec.
~write down all the projected expenses for the month of Jan.
~make a menu plan for all 3 months (it can be changed according to sales)
~inventory my freezer and pantry


What I've done today:

~I decided to start stocking up with baking. I want to have enough baking done that I seldom have to use my stove during the month of January. I baked 10 dozen cookies today. Four dozen are being put in the freezer for January. I'm marking the container (January goodies). That way, they will be left until January. I've made dh aware so that he doesn't "accidentally" take them out early.

~I'm making a list of staples we need so I can pick them up when in Winnipeg on the 8th. They are lower priced there and if you have the basic staples, its amazing what you can cook up.

~I'm also making a list of what we need in regards to clothing. Again while in Winnipeg, I will hit the thrift stores for those few items.

More to follow.....

 

[nodmicks]

Wow! You are ambitious and inspiring!!!!!:angel:

 

[homesteadmamma]

Some suggestions posted in the other thread I hadn't thought of:

~pets - with 2 pets, I need to make sure we have an ample supply of both dog and cat food, along with kitty litter. Because Kyla needs to be spaded the middle of January, I need to put aside the $$ for that. I do not want babies!!!

~oamc - thanks Tina. I'll be making extras to freeze so that I have meals made up.

~little treats - again, thanks Tina. I plan on getting a few of those each pay period, along with a couple of puzzles so we have something to do during the evenings.

~heating bills being paid ahead, along with phone and electric. I need to phone about all 3 of these and see if we can do this.

More to follow....

 

[Lori Biever-Launder]

CJ, you might want to let any family member who would be buying you a gift know that you'd rather have your critter spayed instead! I gave my sister the "gift of no kittens" one year for their new cat. She was thrilled!

Also, tell everyone you don't want tradtional gifts for Chrsitmas--you want groceries, pet food, litter, TP, etc. I would MUCH rathe have that stuff than something else to dust!

 

[Mom23boys]

I look forward to reading this post daily to see keep up with your journey CJ. I think you will be able to teach us alot at simplifying our lives through this thread.

 

[homesteadmamma]

11/03/04
Well today I'm trying not to panic. The extra hours dh was going to be working at his part time job will not happen. The lady whose hours he was going to be working for was able to come back from sick leave earlier than expected. Thats good news for her as they are farmers and desperately need the extra income, not good news for us. It means half of the income we thought we would have won't be there for Nov. or Dec. We will survive!!!

The good news:

~our gas company has asked for a 2% decrease in the cost of gas for heating our homes with.
~there are 3 pay periods for us in Dec. The last one being on the 31st. Although its small, it will cover a few expenses in Jan.

I've made a basic list for personal supplies. These are the absolute must haves.

~b/p medication. I need a 3 month supply, I have one month I purchased a 1 month supply Nov. 19th. I need only 1 more.
~asthma medication, I need a 3 month supply, I have one month I purchased a one month supply Nov. 19th. I need only 1 more.
~hand soap - have a good supply
~toothpaste - Have a good supply. If there is a good sale I will purchase a couple more. got 2 small tubes free on 11/05
~dish soap - have enough, although if there is a sale I will purchase one extra
~laundry soap - need to purchase some purchased 4 Nov 19purchased another one Nov. 21
~dog food - need to purchase enough to last over this 3 month period. I plan on making our own dog treats. got one bag 11/05 - need at least 2 more bags Purchased a 20 lb. bag Nov. 19th
~cat food - need to purchase enough to last over the next 3 months.
~cat litter - need to purchase one more container
~deodarant - need to purchase 2 of each purchased 1 each 11/05 Purchase 1 of each Nov. 19
~shampoo - have enough
~feminine pads - have enough
~tp - We use a double roll every 2 days. I figured I needed 45 double rolls. I have 28 double rolls. Tp is on sale this week at a really good price, limit of 4. I plan on purchasing 4 on Friday and dh will purchase 4. That will give us 96 double rolls plus the 28. I'm like hmslmom, I need to know I have a good supply. purchased 2 - 12 pack double rolls 11/05 - Thats 52 double rolls. Still not quite comfortable with that amount.Purchased another 12 double rolls Nov. 21
~tylenol - need to pick up one
~Kid's tempra - need to pick up one
~vitamins - we have enough

One of our older sons asked what I wanted for Christmas. I had told him a gc from Sears. I'm e-mailing him and asking for a gc for Canadian Tire instead. I can get many of our basic supplies there should we need it.

More to follow.....

 

[Strawberry]

CJ, I can so relate to what your going through. During our year of unemployment we had to deal with all the emotions and sudden changes when we were counting on some income too.

As you already said you're thinking of it has a challenge and I think that excellent. I did the same thing and it was a tremendous help in coping.

You and your family will be in my prayers :angel: I know you can do it.

 

[QuilterMom]

I look forward to reading this post daily to see keep up with your journey CJ. I think you will be able to teach us alot at simplifying our lives through this thread.

:yeah:



I think you are very smart to go ahead and do as much baking cooking now as possible and stick it away in the freezer with a January label (cookies, pancakes, waffles, muffins, quick breads, bread and buns, soups and stews, chili, biscuits, etc.).

Let me know if I can be of any help searching for pet recipes (I need to be finding some myself to make for my furbabies for their Christmas stockings ).

You are amazing and such an inspiration!

 

[homesteadmamma]

This has really made me stop and think before I do. I'm working on a wall hanging and I ran out of the blue material I'm using. Normally, I would hop in the van and go and pick more up, especially if I know the quilting store has lots of it. Its only $9.95 a metre and I only need a metre, whats ten bucks.

Not today....I decided to see what I could use instead. I have lots of white material but the colored print is off white, so the white would stand out too much. As I looked I remembered I had made dd curtains when we first moved here. Guess what they are in a cream color, identical to the cream in the floral print. I dug them out as I had to make heavier curtains for her room and instead of spending that $10 on material, I can now spend it on tp instead.

When your going through a financial struggle, be it unemployment, one income or no income, stop and think before you spend any money. Ten dollars doesn't seem like much to spend but in the overall picture of 3 months (or whatever amount of months you find yourself in), it really does add up.

Here where I live is what $10 can purchase:

~2 - 12 packs double rolls tp (on sale)
~2 organic chickens. Two chickens for our family can make 2 meals plus leftovers for sandwiches for lunch, to make soup or stew with.
~6 doz. eggs from the farmer
~10 loaves of day old bread (although I bake my own bread)
~2 cans of yeast (on sale at the health food store)
~almost 25 lbs. or rice at the health food store

I'm sure I could go on with what $10 can purchase here. In the States I'm sure you could purchase a lot more. I think this challenge is going to be good for me!!

 

[homesteadmamma]

11/04/04

Today has been a day of reflecting on how I want my family to perceive this challenge. I was sending an e-mail to a friend and was sharing about our challenge. As I thought about it, I wanted to make sure the kids don't begin to think of us as "poor" or having to do without all the time. I want them to realize that even though money is tight and will be even tighter over these months, that we are rich indeed.

So here is what I'm doing to help our kids to see were rich:

~I'm phoning the Salvation Army today and asking for a small family so we can do a Christmas hamper for them. I plan on asking for a single mom with one child. The kids can help pack the hamper. I want the kids to see even though finances are tight, we can still give and share what we have.

~I ordered a special Christmas house that plays music and has little people moving and lights up. It costs $28.50 but for me to watch the delight in my kid's eyes everytime they look at it will be well worth the $28.50. A little something special just for this season but will last for a very long time.

~candy canes are on special this week. That has been a tradition in our home for years to hang candy canes on the tree. I could go w/o but I don't plan too. Because they are on sale this week, I'll pick up several packages. I'll put them away for a surprise when we decorate the tree.

~we will share our gratitudes daily at the supper table.

~we will remain positive throughout this challenge. I especially will stop grumbling in front of the kids when it comes to utilities rising or an unexpected bill coming in.

~we will share with the kids why were doing this and when they have questions, we will answer them to the best of our ability. I want them to be a part of the challenge and to see that we don't have to have the spirit of poverty. I want them to watch as God supplies our needs and to be grateful for every little surprise along the way. I just sense this is a learning experience for all of us and that through it our family will come out stronger than ever.


For those going through financial struggles, its easy for us to quickly get down, become depressed and bitter. I've done it over and over through the years. But through all our financial difficulties over the years, it has never helped us one iota to become negative, depressed or bitter. The finances stay exactly the same unless we worked at making changes.

I personally think the very best place to start is within the family unit. Sitting down and sharing where your at, how you got there and even sharing the mistakes you've made can only help strengthen your family. Praying together as a family about your finances is the best way to bring a family together when finances are tight or a struggle. And finally letting your kids be a part of the decision making in working on bettering your finances can only make them into strong adults. So often we leave our kids out and they hear bits and pieces and soon they begin to think were poor, when really were not poor at all but oh so rich. We just don't realize it.

 

[kimmee]

CJ - Bruce was trying to explain to me that when you accept this retirement thing that yes you do go a month with out income but that you get paid just prior to that month for sick days and vaction time and some other things and thats how he thinks that you are going to make ends meet. (he's pretty much a skeptic - doesn't believe in anyone and he's not Canadian so I am not sure how he thinks he knows - I didn't bother arguing) Is there any legitimacy in this - I really don't understand the whole retirement/ pension process. Do you have any rebuttal for Bruce cuz I would like to show him what families can do and on how minimum if they all work together.

 

[homesteadmamma]

Kimmee, it doesn't work that way in Canada. Your Canada pension comes automatically at age 65, but our government allows you to take it out at anytime after age 60.

Here are their rules: You can make as much as you want the month before you take Canada pension out and nothing the month you receive your first check OR you can make a specific amount during the month before and the month you take it out (if we had done this, we would not have been able to meet our financial requirements either in Dec. or Jan - the amount was just too small). The government sends you a form telling you the amount of income you can make if you decide to go that route. We chose the first route because we felt we could possibly make enough money in Nov. & Dec. to meet our needs - were hoping that. After that month, you do not pay into Canada pension again and your allowed to make any amount of money you want and still receive your pension. You are also taxed on your Canada pension as its classified as income.

Canada pension is different than a pension you receive from your work place.. You pay a specific amount of $$ each pay period as long as you are employed. You have no say in the matter whether your want to contribute or not. Its automatically deducted from your check. Your employee puts in the same amount or just a tad bit more. Even if your self-employed, you still have to pay Canada pension.

You do not get any extras when you receive your Canada pension - no medical, no vacation - zippo!!!!!

This is not old age security - that you do not pay into. It comes automatically at age 65. But its adjusted to how much other income you have coming in at the time you turn 65.

 

[Strawberry]

CJ, as I was reading your post and thinking the exact words Debbie just used; you are a very wise woman.

When we were going through our rough times I always made sure we did not use words like we're poor. I said we might be broke but we are not poor. We are rich in so many important ways. We have our health, we love each other, we have other family members encouraging us, we have a roof over our heads, and we had food in our bellies. God supplied for all our "needs".

Plan lots of fun family activities and laugh together. When you're always smiling it's so much easier to deal with the difficult stuff with a possitive attitude.

Your doing great CJ! I wish I would have thought about writing down our ups and downs during our unemployed year. I think dh said he wrote down some of our struggles and joys. It's a wonderful way to look back and remember. You learn so much going through something like this and I know, like myself, you don't want to forget.

 

[Darlene]

You & your attitude are awesome CJ! You & yours are enriching your lives in so many ways.
The more I think about this thread it makes me think that all of us can & should act as if in 2 months we'll have no income and be ahead of the game if that should ever happen.

 

[kimmee]

Wow- It sounds like , to me, that Canada has a much better plan for retirement than we do (America). I have never really paid much attention to the "smart" stuff of life - I am like a little kid with regard to all of this and gov't etc.

 

[AmyBoz]

Great Thread!

 

[Shell]

CJ, Miss Marmie said to give you this. She said it was for being creative, brave, having a great attitude and for setting a good example for the other students.

 

[marietjie]

I also really like the part about adopting a family for Christmas. Everytime I get down about our finances, I stop and think that there is always someone worse off then we are. The more we share with others, the more we are blessed. You can not out give God.

Keep up the good work!

 

[DaisyLady]

CJ, I am so inspired and so humbled by the way you are handling this "change" in your family life. I have learned so much from the few posts you have already made. Since you are already writing it down have you thought about putting it into a book form? We are so blessed to you have you here sharing with us in the village. I believe there are probably many others out there who would benefit from your experience, wisdom, courage and grace.

Just a thought.