I was browsing through some of the blogs and reading a new member's blog and realised how much I have changed and how much I have learned since I have been blogging here.
Here is a response I left a new blogger:
Just some encouragement: I am also a Sales Exec & understand the need to look good, have a reliable car, clothes etc. but last year I had to close my business and go back to full time employment. There were some months when my dearest aunt supported us with food, gas, rent etc and there was NO money for anything extra.
What I learned is that having no money was a Blessing - it really taught me to recognise the "old have to have's" as luxuries and not necessities.
Here is a challenge for you - imagine that you only had enough money for rent, food, gas, minimum cell phone costs or go a step further, what would you cut if you lost your job and had to survive for a couple of months.
This exercise may help you to sort out what is really important to you and what could be cut.
When money is not really an issue, I found that I could justify anything but now that I am focused on being debt free I can justify NOT buying stuff or luxuries and my DD and I having more fun working out ways to make do and not spend.
The mani/pedi - I taught myself to do and do it on a Sunday afternoon. Groceries - I only take $50 with me to the store and it amazes me everytime how I manage to buy what we need within that amount. Debit Cards - I don't use mine anymore, it is too easy to add "treats" and a few extra's.
The cable TV - I justify this too - I like to know where DD is and enjoy it myself when I am sewing.
The other thing that really helped me was Dave Ramsey - he cuts right through all our justifications and calls us Princesses when we can't give up the mani/pedi etc - quite funny really. Take a look and read the book.
You can do it but have fun doing it.
Do you remember when you started on your journey to become debt free or financially independent?
I look at some of the "stuff" I bought in the past which I just had to have and think "jeez things sure have changed" - I would never buy that now.
When I was at the mall yesterday, I wandered around for a short while thinking I really need to buy a suit for work but the thought of spending that money was just so uncomfortable that I didn't even go into the stores - not even to look.
If someone had told me a year ago that I could cut my grocery budget from $250 to $125 I would have thought they "were smoking something real good" and hallucinating - now it is standard as is the cooking from scratch, freezing home cooked convenience meals, takeout only 1x month, making gifts $ greeting cards etc.
That when things get really tough, there is a whole community here to support, encourage and suggest ways to get through it.
Thanks Jeff & Nate - I don't think you really know how much we appreciate this blogging site.
Oh well (sigh) back to work...
Looking back at lessons learned...
June 20th, 2007 at 08:21 am
June 20th, 2007 at 09:38 am 1182332322
When we had to endure almost 2 years of unemployment (hardly any money was coming in). Lucky we had a bit of savings (which got wipe out and almost had to sell the house). We are still young and knew we would recover but now we are really careful on how we spend our money.
I do think that we are better off to have experienced such hardship (funny...I know). But the lessons we learnt from that was priceless.
June 20th, 2007 at 11:21 am 1182338491
THANKS!
June 20th, 2007 at 12:36 pm 1182343007
You will notice that I spent $3425 on a sewing machine and I KNOW that many people would think this is absolutely crazy but I spend just about every evening and some time every weekend sewing - to me my machine has to be "functional and fun".
Hang in there and you will find your own stride and balance.
Shiela - I agree hardship can be a Blessing with the lessons we learn but I think God has a sense of humour too. Everytime we get too comfortable he sends little or large challenges to get us back on track.
Take care everyone
June 20th, 2007 at 09:21 pm 1182374504