I have been asked over and over again why I am so passionate about being frugal.
I haven’t really put this on paper before, so when Becentsable asked me about featuring me, I was nervous about what I was going to write. I decided to be honest and write the truth. So as I wrote it I began to cry. Not tears of sadness, but tears of happiness that life has taken me on this journey.
So for all of you who want to know my story, here it is:
There was a time in my life where I had to have the most expensive brands. I would spend money without thinking about it. I figured we are saving a good percentage of our salary, not going into debt and paying all our bills timely, so why not spend the rest. I lived by that motto for many years. The result of this was lots of material stuff and working many hours outside of my home to pay for it.
Fast forward to 2007. My son was beginning Kindergarten and I wanted to be able to take him and pick him up from the bus. It wasn’t going to be possible working my schedule. I worked from 8 am until 7pm, sometimes later. We had just purchased a large home and had a brand new expensive car. It was then I realized nothing was going to change unless I reevaluated our life. I reasoned and rationalized with myself and went back and forth. I struggled with the fact that I worked so hard to get my MBA and I wanted to use it. I felt entitled to the finer things!
As my son got a little further into the school year, I knew this wasn’t right. He would never remember that he had Mini Boden instead of Target pants on when he was 5. However, he would remember Mommy was never around.
I scaled back my hours and took a pay cut. I was able to be home by 3:45, but still found myself ignoring him while I wrapped up business until 6-7pm. By the end of his kindergarten year, I knew it had to change. I ended up deciding to quit my job. How was I going to do this on just my husband’s salary? Well the key was, we weren’t going to be able to keep doing what we were doing. I started clipping coupons, reading frugal blogs, shopping sales, going to the Goodwill and requesting freebies. I decided that I needed to figure out how to feed my family on $40.00 a week. I started finding free things for my family to do instead of expensive outings. I learned to be a better steward of God’s blessings, something I had taken for granted for so long.
I became a whole new person. My frugality has not only changed what brand clothes I wear, the car I drive and how much I spend on grocery, it has changed me as a person. . I am no longer defined by things, I am defined as who I am as a person. I may shop at the Goodwill and hunt down a good grocery bargain, but beyond that being frugal has allowed me to be a be at home with my child and therefore, a better Mommy.
I started blogging at For The Mommas because I wanted to give other Moms who might be in our situation an opportunity to see that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You don’t have to starve to stay home with your kids. You don’t have to sacrifice it all. You don’t have to give up everything and more importantly, you can still enjoy living while being on a budget – at the end of the day, your kids will love you just the same. That is what is important.
P.S. I wanted to add that even though my original motivation for this blog was my story and helping Moms, I have come to realize that this blog is for everyone. Whether you are a mature single person, trying to save extra money for retirement or a college student scraping your way by to get an education, these tips can help you too. I want everyone to feel welcome and know that while I love being a Mom, I am a woman first and can relate to each of you. I once was a struggling single college student working fulltime and going to college fulltime. I spent my early twenties living off of mac and cheese.I am now a mid thirties woman trying to figure out how to put that extra money in the 401k for retirement. For those Dads and other men who visit my site, these tips work for you too. So please, everyone feel welcomed – please comment and feel like you are part of this blog too.
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Wow, I love what you had to say. I completely agree. I am an extremely frugal loving, coupon clipping, wife and stay at home mom. I am frugal not only because I have to be but because I choose to be that way. Family is so much more important than material possessions. Thanks for the personal story. I am so glad to know people that are like minded. Keep up the great work!
Don’t forget, OLD ladies like me read your blog, too! LOL
So glad to know you! Thanks for sharing your story with us!
THANK YOU for that. I really needed that today. I am in a similar situation and sometimes it is nice to see that others feel similar. I love the silver lining! THANKS
THANK YOU for that. I really needed that today. I too am a stay at home mom, I
Thanks for your honesty and sharing your story. I’m new to frugal living, but I love your blog and all the info that you share!
I loved reading your story. I also made the decision to be at home with my children and can relate.
I too loved your story. I am working two jobs to try to pay off the debt we incurred from living a similar lifestyle and I never see my kids. we are working hard to make changes and live a frugal lifestyle and you’ve inspired me to believe that anything is possible. I don’t want my kids to grow up without me.
Thanks for sharing, Shannon. What a wonderful testimony for frugal living!
I really loved reading your story. I’m a single, non-parent couponer but I really get so much from reading your blog. Thanks for your efforts!
I can so relate! I am also a stay at home mom with an MBA that at times I felt was really wasted. All those years in school and now I am a at home Mom who owns a tiny little one person business A Crystal Garden.
The first year home was really tough and all I wanted was to head back to work. After a bit of an adjustment period in which we also adopted a daughter from China, I now LOVE my life!
I started my small business in a bit of an effort to keep my sanity and it has worked wonders. I feel like I have the best of both worlds. I get to do a little bit of business and a whole lot of being Mom. Coupons and trying to be more frugal has just added to the enjoyment of life.
We are now working on living a healthier lifestyle. Coupons has allowed me to save enough money per month to join the YMCA and all 3 of my kids are taking swimming lessons.
Now that my stockpile is built which took about 5 months, I am going to try the $50 a week spent on groceries goal!
I think being frugal does change you as much on the inside as well as the outside. It allows you to put priorities in order.
Thanks for sharing Shannon!
Kelly
I’ve only recently discover your blog and it’s been so helpful. I’m not a mom but a college student. Everything is so expensive, from the books to eating out with my friends. I’ve saved a lot of money from using the coupons you posted. Also the freebies are great too! I have never use coupons or knew that companies even offer freebies before. I love how you post recipes and everything is so organize here. Thank you!
Hi there,
Thanks so much for sharing this post. I was looking for ways to cut back and I was considering taking a lesser paying job with fewer hours to spend more time with my 1 year old son.
As luck would have it, I was just laid off on Monday. While it’s weird to wake up at 6 am and not have somewhere that I need to be, this is a bit of a blessing. I get to stay home with my son for a little while and look around for an opportunity that better suits me.
Being frugal is a passion of mine which is why I am an avid reader of your blog. My husband used to tease me about my coupons but now he sees how much they save our family and he respects my research and clipping as part of the chores that must get done around the house.
Your education and intelligence comes through in your posts, which is why I appreciate them so much.
Thanks for all that you share.
Thanks for sharing. Your blog has definitely helped me as I also made the decision to be at home with my son
That last paragraph is the premise of a post I’m working on myself. People think you have to give up everything to live on a budget, but I work to find the things we already love and need (okay, want) for less.
Thanks for sharing your story!