We’re in an unfortunate financial situation right now. Thanks to a combination of $1,000 in unexpected medical bills over the summer, saving to pay for my prenatal care + labor and delivery costs (we’ve already saved about $850, but need to reach $1300ish by February/March) and some general financial irresponsibility, we’re pinching pennies in a way we haven’t since we were saving to buy our house.
Oddly, aside from the stress of debt and looming savings goals, we’re suddenly happier than we were a few months or even weeks ago. We’re determined to dig ourselves out of our mess, and there’s a lot of freedom in that.
Sometimes I forget that taking the easy way out—like grabbing fast food a couple nights a week, or buying whatever strikes my fancy—isn’t really that pleasurable. Yes, sometimes the Wendy’s drive-through hits the spot, but usually eating at home is so much better. I had forgotten how decadent a simple meal of pasta, red sauce, and crusty bread with olive oil can taste.
We’ve been staying home more lately and reading, or just turning on some music and dancing with Simone. I’ve finished a few craft projects and gotten ahead on blogging. We’ve been picking through our closets for things we no longer use and selling them on Craigslist or Cheapcycle for cash. Shopping takes up so much time, and with rare exceptions, I’d rather spend that time doing something else.
Lately our littlest expenditures, like visiting the library book sale last weekend, suddenly feel extravagant. And that’s probably a good thing. In fact, I have very fond memories of when we were saving to buy our house. We always knew how much money was in the bank, I deposited money into our savings account like clockwork, and little purchases felt like treats.
I specifically remember one quiet Sunday afternoon during that time, where after playing round after round of backgammon (the only board game in the house, which I happen to be freakishly good at), we made a special trip to Target. We spent something like $15 on Scrabble, mancala, and two decks of playing cards. Sad as it sounds, at the time that trip felt like a huge luxury. We didn’t need much to make us happy.
Today the things I’m excited about are small: an afternoon trip to the library, white beans and ham for supper, working on the rag rug I started earlier this week. We still don’t need much to make us happy.
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I told Matt that I wanted to go buy something last week. Just for the sake of buying something. It sounded so liberating. But once we were at the store, I realized (again) how unsatisfying it is to spend money on frivolous things. I’d much rather put the money towards our credit card debt or fixing something at the house. (Although I did buy a food processor and am totally glad I can make pesto again.)
Haha! I totally know what you mean. I have this idea in my head that going out and buying stuff at random will make me feel carefree, but it doesn’t really work like that. When I spend unbudgeted money, all it does is stress me out.
i haven’t had internet in weeks because of moving, but now i have it and have caught up on your blog and am planning to comment more (:
you know, i spend like there is no tomorrow. i don’t have a family to care for or anything, but the amount of frivolous spending i allow myself is ridiculous! i am so unrealistic in that sense. perhaps that’s a goal i should set for myself.
especially, surprisingly, when it comes to food. i’m always wanting to buy new nut butters of vegan products that are so expensive. i should pay more attention to your frugal meatless meals (; by the way, trev is coming over within the hour and here is what i’m cooking: roasted barbeque tofu, roasted acorn squash with rosemary, roasted kale chips (SO GOOD), and pasta. i feel full of awesome.
Should I still send letters to the same address?
Food is one of my spending weaknesses, too! Sometimes it’s specialty products like nut butters or lots of local berries or fancy chocolate. And sometimes it’s just me wanting to go out to eat. And your dinner sounds DELICIOUS! I have never had kale at all…you are full of awesome.
And tell me how the pumpkin butter is. I’ve actually never made any but I love pumpkin so much!
plus. plus! i am planning on trying my hand at pumpkin butter soon. i have ball jars and everything.
I can’t remember who said it, but I once heard the saying “It isn’t the person with the most who is rich, but the person who needs the least.”
I’m a firm believer in keeping monthly costs low, because who wants to be stuck with a bunch of bills when times are lean? Case in point: my refusal to get an smart phone. Why would I want to be stuck with a data plan and all that junk? I already hate paying for my no-frills cell phone plan so why on earth would I triple that and then be stuck with it?
Why do you have to save up so much for the birth? Do you have insurance? Or perhaps that’s your out of pocket costs? I had what I thought was very good insurance, but still walked out with about $1000 in out-of-pocket costs for both of my kids. However, it was a surprise for me the first time, which really sucks.
I lust after a smart phone, but at the same time, I loathe the idea of paying a higher monthly bill. And I really don’t need any more motivation to be on the internet more, honestly.
We actually have quite good insurance, but those are our out-of-pocket costs. My prenatal care is about $450 and the rest is the estimated hospital charges. We had very similar costs with Simone, but like you, we didn’t expect it at all, and that sucked.
Love it. This is what we are starting to do and I’m trying to do it more and more – be frugal and leave simple lives. It is so much more meaningful! When we had more money and could buy whatever, it seemed like you always need more, the feeling of “needing” something else never ends. But now I’m feeling more appreciative of what we have, and of simple things. I feel like I’m accomplishing something when I can make a good meal from using up some things around the house, knowing dinner only cost us what we spent a long time ago, so essentially free. It’s great hearing similar ideals and getting great ideas – thanks!
Katie, I feel the same way. When we’re in the habit of buying stuff all of the time, there’s always “something else” that I think will make my life better (see: http://catelinden.com/frugality/conquering-emotional-purchases/). But when I settle in and am content with what I have, I appreciate the little things so much more, like rainy days to spend at home, or a trip to the playground with Simone, or even hot chocolate for dessert.
I totally wish I could say the same for us! I would love to place the whole family my mom included on a no shopping moritorium. I ain’t happening but I wish, I find it simpler to live a content life if your not out shopping or browsing too. My darling husband no so much he likes his stuff!
We do shop, but I’m constantly endeavoring to shop less! And it makes the times when we DO go out and shop so much more pleasurable when it’s a special occasion rather than an everyday occurrence.