Just gotta have it

Ok, so what if you really want a new grill, or a new tv, or something that just isn’t in your budget?  How do you get those things?

We have a “just gotta have it” section of our budget.   It’s like your own little layaway plan.
Instead of buying it on credit, cause you just gotta have it right now, then having to pay interest on your impatience (credit cards are the worst ours is about 19%),
each month we put a certain amount (that won’t break the bank, but won’t take FOREVER either) in our “Just gotta have it” section.
Once you’ve saved up enough  you celebrate when you get to buy it. Yesss!
The best part about the whole thing is getting to pick your next fun thing for your “just gotta have it ” section
…hmm trip to Hawaii, or maybe a trampoline, or….

House on a budget

With 6 kids in a smallish house, I have gotten frustrated with the space, or the lack of our own backyard…so here’s my counting blessings.  All the good things about a small house.  So, here we go…

• Don’t have to worry about yard work
• Cleaning is a lot quicker
• Utilities are way less
• Keeps me more organized (gotta fit everything in our small space)
• Can’t spend more on stuff that won’t fit in my home anyways
• Kids learn to get along and share rooms – still waiting for the outcome here but maybe someday!
• I spend more time with my kids when they’re outside since I can’t just send them out, bonding time.

…whew!  I feel better

Fun in a budget

Ok, so budget’s are good for you, but not so fun – like eating your veggies…why is that?  So many things that are good for you aren’t fun.
Anyways, how many of you failed your diets, because you got frustrated because you just wanted that cookie, so you ate it, then figured you already messed up so you might as well eat 7 more…or is that just me. So when you diet allow yourself to have a treat every once in a while, so that you can be in it for the long haul (and not cranky cause you want that cookie).
Now back to the original point,  when you budget, have a certain amount designated for fun, so that you can enjoy some of your money and stay in budget! Yay!
hmm…now I am craving cookies.

Gifts on a budget

Ok, I know this is probably the last thing you’re thinking about right now since we just finished Christmas.  Now’s the time to start keeping your eyes open.  Gifts always mean more when you didn’t last minute have to go find something anyways.

I have a wish list, that the kids can write on anytime they think of something that they might want sometime – knowing that they might get something entirely different.

Then I keep my eyes peeled anytime I’m at the store for the things on the list, or other things, especially for sales.

I get them and keep them in my attic so that when birthdays and Christmas comes up, I’m ready.  Plus then I’m not spending tons in December, or any other time of the year, it is spread throughout the year and I get them at the best price.

New Adventure

I am a stay at home mom with six kids, love ‘em to death, but they aren’t free.  For the longest time I thought, once I have this then I’ll be happy; or , a bigger house will make me happy.  It was my husband that reminded me to bloom where I’m planted, so I decided to live on a budget and love it.  Now, it’s exciting to find better ways to fit in our home, and squeeze every last bit out of my pennies.    It’s a game for me now, and if I find a new way to save, I’m the winner.

I thought I’d share my discoveries, and would love to know how you have learned to save!

So here we go!