As a family of 5 living on a single income,
I think many people envision us pinching pennies and foregoing many of the luxuries other can or choose to afford.
The truth is,
while we work hard at saving money and not spending on unnecessary things, that hard work and the habits we have established, allow us to live comfortably.
We have 5 main habits:
1- My husband brings his lunch to work every day.
Taking lunch to work 5 days a week can save you $1500 to $2000 a year (for one person).
I cook extra serving for dinner and pack RN's lunch as I clean up after dinner.
2- We keep a budget and stick to it.
3- We buy second hand.
When we buy new things, we wait for a price drop, a deal or a sale.
4- We splurge, but we budget for it.
We have to travel.
My entire family lives in Italy...I know, poor me, I have to go to Italy at least every other year.
So we set aside money each months for plane tickets.
5- We don't keep up with the Joneses.
We drive modest (used) cars that are paid for.
We live in a modest house.
We don't compare ourselves with friends and family.
And when I do start thinking about what we don't (or could) have, I think about how we are almost debt free and feel good knowing we are on the right path.
Stay Frugal,
Daniela
Linking to
twelveOeight
Stone Gable
The truth is,
while we work hard at saving money and not spending on unnecessary things, that hard work and the habits we have established, allow us to live comfortably.
We have 5 main habits:
1- My husband brings his lunch to work every day.
Taking lunch to work 5 days a week can save you $1500 to $2000 a year (for one person).
I cook extra serving for dinner and pack RN's lunch as I clean up after dinner.
2- We keep a budget and stick to it.
3- We buy second hand.
When we buy new things, we wait for a price drop, a deal or a sale.
4- We splurge, but we budget for it.
We have to travel.
My entire family lives in Italy...I know, poor me, I have to go to Italy at least every other year.
So we set aside money each months for plane tickets.
5- We don't keep up with the Joneses.
We drive modest (used) cars that are paid for.
We live in a modest house.
And when I do start thinking about what we don't (or could) have, I think about how we are almost debt free and feel good knowing we are on the right path.
Stay Frugal,
Daniela
Linking to
twelveOeight
Stone Gable
10 comments:
You are wise beyond your years! You're a great role model to your children :-)
We do the same things except for the traveling to Italy part :)
You did a very good job of pitting this in words, all newly weds should have to read it.
I agree with Sandie - you ARE wise beyond your years - at 53 I'm only just learning about budgeting ( sad isn't it ? )
XOX
I totally agree with your 5! The only hard part for me is sticking to my food budget, it is so hard with all the raising prices, but it can be done, just takes planning! And maybe it is hard because my kids are always HUNGRY!!!! I could keep a produce store in business myself if I had more money! At least they like their fruits and veggies, right?!
Love this post and couldn't agree more. We are even more alike than I thought :)
Such a fantastic way to live, and I agree that you are setting an example for your children. I've seen friends/family grow up in environments where they seemed to have it all, but when they became adults it was awfully difficult to learn how to live modestly. I didn't grow up that way, but I also didn't have a real plan. And you need that to get a good start, early. I think every student should have to take financial literacy before leaving high school and college.
Dearest Daniela,
You have some great wisdom and therefore you can call yourself very wealthy! Yes, we know that part of having to travel to Europe. We did that 63 times in almost 30 years. But I guess I've put the breaks on that part as we both are entitled to some travel of our liking. Family is great but they only demand more and MORE gifts and think that all Americans are wealthy. I admire you girl and you get a big, virtual HUG!
Mariette
You are spot on, Daniella.I think you should add a #6 - "we are happy".
This is THE way to live, friend! Your ability to stick to your budget makes me a wee bit jealous. :) I always go over. And we're also bad about eating out. Let's just say we're working on it! Also, I think it's really neat that you grew up in Italy.
XOXO,
Meredith
You're so right, Daniela! I still need to work on some issues but pretty much we have the same habits ;)
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