Meet a Reader | AF in Virginia
Hey there! Today we are meeting a reader from my neck of the woods over here in the Mid-Atlantic. 🙂
Readers get multiple questions to choose from, and AF chose to answer the "What's a funny frugal story?" question. I love it when participants do that!
Here she is:
1. Tell us a little about yourself
I am in my late 30s, I am a lawyer for a local government, and live outside DC with my husband and four-year-old.
My hobbies include hiking/walking/running outside, reading, museums, and listening to music. Most of my evenings/weekends are just hanging out (largely at home and in the yard with my family).
2. How long have you been reading The Frugal Girl?
I started reading faithfully about 2 years ago. I used to read intermittently before then but got a regular blog rotation going once I quit social media
3. How did you get interested in saving money?
Out of necessity originally.
I grew up in inner-city NYC in urban poverty. My mother was loving and worked so hard to provide for us, but it was frequently a struggle to get food, keep heat on, and other necessities.
As an adult, I can see it was likely a mixture of not enough income, high cost of living area, mismanagement of money, and kids just being expensive for single mothers particularly. I became an immediate saver and always looked for ways to make due.
4. What's the "why" behind your money-saving efforts?
There are many!
First, we have a wonderful child who was born during the beginning of the pandemic with serious complications. We don’t know what the future will be with her needs and I am so relieved to be able to afford her physical therapy and other medical expenses that have helped her so much!
I also do not want her to have to take out so many loans and other things that I felt like I had to do to build my life.
Second, coming from poverty, I am so grateful to be able to help my family when they need things.
Finally, I want to be a good steward of my resources and our earth’s resources. The less money spent on an item, I also have less heartburn about releasing it to its next owner when it’s no longer useful, which helps with clutter and emotional attachments to items, which are both things that I grew up experiencing.
5. What's your best frugal win?
When the student loan interest accrual was paused due to the pandemic, we buckled down and paid them off.
It has been amazing for our finances and my mental health. The weight of debt can be so heavy mentally in addition to the direct effects of it.
6. What's an embarrassing money mistake you've made?
The biggest would be the student loans.
I just never comprehended what 8% interest really was and that it might be difficult to pay back. I also assumed I’d get a certain salary when graduating that I now know would have been exceptional.
You live and learn (and share the wisdom with anyone who asks me about going to law school!)
7. What's one thing you splurge on?
Things that save time.
In this season, I’m more time poor so I do things like get things delivered, and occasionally pay for a house cleaner or lawn mower.
These are things that I never did before having our daughter, but I have so little time to rest and so in this season, if I can find things to save some time so I can get sleep, some rest, spend more time together as a family, or otherwise feel more restored, I’m doing that.
Luckily, my little is starting to enjoy some of these activities – like picking the peaches from our tree, grocery shopping, baking/cooking, and gardening and I love spending time with her doing these activities too!
8. What's one thing you aren't remotely tempted to splurge on?
Makeup, jewelry, a fancy car, the latest tech, tchotchkes
9. If $1000 was dropped into your lap today, what would you do with it?
If it was truly a windfall that was not spoken for, I’d use it to visit my family several states away or pay for the to visit us
10. What's the easiest/hardest part of being frugal?
The easiest part - it comes naturally to me at this point.
Sewing holes in clothes, using up leftovers before they go bad, finding free activities for my little on the weekends, checking buy nothing or marketplace before purchasing- I am always just looking for ways to spend money.
The hardest part - in my career and my region, there is a culture of spending. It’s been less so since I left private practice and work remotely, but things like going out to lunch every day and out to dinner several times a week, bigger houses than you need (or maybe afford?), fancy cars, etc are the norm for many.
It takes conscious effort to remember that I am spending in aligning with my values and to try not to compare myself to others
11. Is there anything unique about frugal living in your area?
My region is notoriously expensive, but there are a lot of free things to do.
In my area, the amount of free beautiful parks, nature centers, museums, national monuments, free concerts, kid programs at the library, things to rent at the library (books, ebooks, Kanopy, tools, toys, board games) is so wonderful!
I am of the "no bad weather for getting outside" (which is not THAT hard in the mid-Atlantic), so we are out enjoying the nature of this region every chance we get.
12. How has reading the Frugal Girl changed you?
I really enjoy hearing different perspectives in the comments from different ages, regions, ideologies and other kinds of people that I don’t interact with in real life. It’s fun and also horizon expanding.
13. What's your funniest frugal story?
I try to get (and give!) things on Buy Nothing first and then thrift stores or Facebook marketplace, so I found a good play kitchen on marketplace when my little wanted one.
I pulled up and backed up my SUV to load up the kitchen and the person came out with a teeny tiny kitchen for a little doll.
I couldn’t tell from the pictures that it was so small but should have known something was up from the price. I was too embarrassed to back out of the deal but my little enjoys it nowadays.
14. Which is your favorite type of post at the Frugal Girl and why?
Also, the WIS/WIA has encouraged me to be more flexible about things like “what goes together” in a meal.
Growing up a meal was a starch, lots of meat, and a vegetable, and we wouldn’t do something like, have pasta with marina and Thai chicken on the side because they didn’t “go together.”
Also, social media makes it feel like everyone is eating five-star meals all the time. Dinner is dinner! It’s food that we have that I’ve cooked or otherwise acquired 😉
15. Did you ever receive any financial education in school or from your parents?
I didn’t get any financial education from my parents, but I did take an elective financial education course in college and it went in one ear an other the other, unfortunately.
Luckily, there are now so many free books, podcasts, and other resources to learn about how to handle finances
16. What single action or decision has saved you the most money over your life?
I read a book called “Ask For It: How Women Can Use Negotiation to Get What They Really Want” when I graduated law school and it changed my life.
It taught me things like how to ask for a raise, how to negotiate non-monetary things that can make your work and personal life easier, and just generally how to advocate for yourself.
It doesn’t hurt to ask for flexible hours, or ask if someone will lend you that power tool you’ll only use once so you don’t have to buy it, or ask for a discount, or ask your spouse to cover bedtime a few nights a week so you can do a hobby or whatever.
____________________
I am definitely going to put that book on hold at my library! Thank you for the recommendation.
Your toy kitchen story reminded me that once, I ordered a set of stainless steel cups on Amazon. They were a great price! But when they arrived, I realized that they were shot-glass size. Whoops.
I love the picture of you and your daughter under the umbrella; so cute!
And I love that in spite of some difficult childhood experiences, you have managed to set up a solid financial situation for yourself and your family. You should be so proud of yourself!
Nice to meet you, and thank you for sharing. After I read the first couple of sentences, I thought, "She must be frugal to be able to live there!" I've heard some of the tales of the kinds of things people in your neck of the woods spend money on (outrageously expensive birthday parties for children!), and I am glad I don't have that kind of outside pressure.
That being said, I'm thankful you highlighted the frugal possibilities. I love driving through the countryside near you; it's so pretty. I love the umbrella picture, too.
@Jody S., thanks for the kind words 🙂
This area is definitely not a low cost if living place here unfortunately. I’d say the biggest issue is the housing - it’s really expensive to rent or buy here, even in the suburbs or even an hour out from the city.
With other things like groceries, entertainment, buying stuff - those are flexible costs and it’s definitely more expensive to live here if you’re doing bottomless brunch every Sunday, uber-ing everywhere, taking your kids to fancy attractions etc etc. Those aren’t bad things if those are things other people want to do, but it sure would add up!
Thank you for sharing. I do love Northern Virginia. There is so much to do and see. The cherry blossoms are beautiful…
Hi AF! Such beautiful photos. I especially liked the one of the little flower garden in your yard (?) with the spring flowers. Spring in the northeast/mid-atlantic really is magical.
@kristin @ going country, yes, that is our yard! The prior owners planted all kinds of flowers that really surprised us our first spring - it was great! We’ve mostly been planting fruit trees but every year we are still enjoying the flowers they planted like 8 years ago at this point
Thanks for sharing your life. Your daughter is very lucky to have you guiding her journey. I loved the wisdom shared in:
"Finally, I want to be a good steward of my resources and our earth’s resources. The less money spent on an item, I also have less heartburn about releasing it to its next owner when it’s no longer useful, which helps with clutter and emotional attachments to items, which are both things that I grew up experiencing."
I just requested the book you mentioned from the library.
@K D, I also love the wisdom in this. I find talking about the emotional attachment to items so very difficult to talk about and remember.
@K D, thank you for the kind words! I hope you like the book - it really helped me reframe the way I looked at negotiations and things and was just a really helpful tool
Hi AF, so nice to meet you. I love all your pictures especially the umbrella and peaches picture.
I like your common sense approach to life. And I am impressed that you paid off your student loans. And you are correct debt paid off is very freeing.
As someone stated your daughter is very lucky having you to guide her. And in return you are lucky to have her to guide.
@karen,
Yes, the PEACHES!! Which is probably my favorite fruit. That photo has me salivating!
@karen, thank you for the warm words!
My little is a handful (aren’t they all?!) but I always try to remember what a gift she is 🙂
Hello, AF, and thank you for sharing your and your family's story. This is the comment of yours that rang the loudest bell for me: "I really enjoy hearing different perspectives in the comments from different ages, regions, ideologies and other kinds of people that I don’t interact with in real life. It’s fun and also horizon expanding." I feel that way too.
@A. Marie, yes, I agree as well!
@A. Marie, I felt this one, as well, especially the expanding part. Just one of the many reasons I love this blog.
@A. Marie, this is such a kind pocket of the internet. It’s so easy to get in a bubble in real life and it feels rare to find lots of different people getting together to virtually high five about sewing buttons on jeans and using up their freezer stash and restoring used furniture and the like. It’s so neat!
@AFVirginia,
Ditto! It's good to know other down home people. My sister thinks I am a boring domestic drone, but she has never known the joys of a frugal life.
Hi AF! Great pictures, and I love your picture of the life you've built for yourself through hard work.
I also like that you admit you didn't pay attention to financial stuff in college. So many of us don't! I remember being 24 and putting money in my first 401k and thinking, "Retirement? That's 50 years off!" Well, here I am, about to turn 59.
@Rose, good on you for starting at 24! It’s definitely hard to see the wisdom in it that young
Thank you for the warm words 🙂
@AFVirginia, I am glad you recommended that book. I haven't read it (because I am good at advocating for myself) but so many women aren't. Sigh. A friend of mine was just offered a new job. I said, "Whatever you do, don't accept the first offer. Ask for more." She accepted the first offer. My organization person is going through a divorce. I said, "Don't be nice! Get whatever you can! This is very very important!" and she said she struggled with the need to be nice.
Sigh. Women sabotage themselves so often. Useful phrases: "That doesn't work for me. How about $75,000? Run that past the powers that be and let me know." Etc.
My mother used to drill my children with introductions. "Now, what do you say? 'How do you do'? That's right." She said that so often children turned shy and speechless because they couldn't think of what to say in the moment, and I've been thinking about this because of my response to Amy below. Maybe I should write a phrase book for women, much like my mom drilling my toddlers in what to say when introduced.
@Rose, You are right. Most people are physiologically unable to think about long term money issues until they are 25 or older. Young people are hard wired to think about the present. That is what makes many student loan programs so painful. The victims really don't know what they are getting into.
@Rose, yes! Please do write that phrase book!
@AFVirginia, you're too young to remember the days of the old non-cash benefit pension plans. The ones where you did not contribute BUT the company did not contribute until the employee was age 25! This is before 401ks became the norm. When I expressed my concern, the HR person actually told me "but you'll be 70% vested!" To which I replied 70% of nothing is still nothing. Then the law change to age 21, years of service since 18. By then I was over 21. Those old plans were *kinda* great - forfeitures were the best part. The money from those (usually VPs) that left before 10 years vesting were always a nice contribution.
How times have changed but I watched two sets of grandparents struggle to live on social security and pension (offset by their social security of course). I once got told I was too young to worry about retirement (I was maybe 21, 22). Seeing things first hand gives you a different perspective.
Nice to meet you. Your photos are beautiful.
Your comment that resonated with me was "It takes conscious effort to remember that I am spending in aligning with my values and to try not to compare myself to others". So important to keep that perspective.
@Beverly, thank you! I listen to the frugal friends podcast and their whole things is value based spending and it really resonates with me. The idea is that not all spending is avoidable or bad and when you do spend, if it’s in alignment with your values (and you can afford it), it is something that will do something positive for your life.
@AFVirginia, I also love the Frugal Friends! I love the takeaway that you get to decide how to spend your money, and where your values lie. It blends really well with the YNAB philosophy of giving every dollar a job to do, which again, reflects your priorities and values.
So nice to meet you! DC area very beautiful.
You have some serious photography skills! I especially love how you used the cherry blossoms as a frame. Kudos to you for making sure you have the finances you need to meet your daughter's needs. Thanks for sharing!
@Kris,
I LOVE that picture as well. So pretty, and frameable. ♥
@Kris, thank you for the kind words! I love taking pictures and nature is just showing off all the time. I may have a pic or two if my little one on my camera too though 😉
Hi AF, nice to meet you and your family. Our kids had "kids PT" in several stage of growing up and benefited greatly from that. I am glad you have the funds to provide the support your little one needs!
Like you, I discontinued social media and this is one of the few blogs I regularly read and comment to. However during Lent I will probably reduce my online presence even further.
I always chuckle when the "not tempted to splurge on" question is answered with "makeup". Apart from an occasional nailpolish, hand cream or lotion lover I don't think I have ever come across an FG reader who indulges in makeup? (Apologies if I overlooked anyone)
@JNL,
Me! I wear makeup daily. I wear cruelty-free mineral makeup and enjoy doing it.
I like the way I look with my understated makeup, and I also will never forget a funny friend who saw me without makeup once and said, "Girl, you look like an unbaked biscuit." I laughed out loud but it's also true. I am not actually fair-skinned, but I am pretty colorless, plus I have some facial scars from 2 skin cancers and shingles. My makeup also adds a little bit of a physical barrier on top of my sun screen.
I wear lipstick or lip color now and then! About once a month. When I remember. I would look better with eye makeup too but I'm a chronic eye rubber so I gave up.
@JD, My dermatologist also wears makeup with her sunscreen as an extra layer of protection.
@Erika JS, yup! I do that! I am very fair-skinned, so my tinted moisturizer provides a little protection as well as hydration .... plus it makes me look better. I'm totally relating to the comment from JD about an "unbaked biscuit". 🙂 A couple of minutes in the morning applying a light layer of makeup is worth the price to me for feeling more confident about myself, and for literally feeling better in my own skin.
@JD, I'm not a make-up person; I can't be because of serious sensitivities. I've just not been a person (since high school) who worried much about my appearance. And the the paralyzed face thing happened. If it weren't for my sensitivities to things, there's a good chance I might have looked more into make-up tricks and botox (to reduce synkinesis). Different life experiences (like skin cancer, etc.) certainly can change perspective.
@JD, The biscuit line is priceless! And I resemble that remark...
Thanks for all your comments! Again, the readers are diverse in their preferences 😉
@Kris, you summed up perfectly my feelings about makeup. A little goes a long way but adds something to my day. During the pandemic I reduced my makeup use substantially but still like to freshen/even out/ hydrate / add SPF my skin a bit. I like to use products that are from my natural health store or are long-lasting. For example, I prefer eye cream that comes in a small pot vs in a tube so that I can more readily get every last bit out. Some makeup is worth paying extra for if it is easy to apply and feels right.
@JD,
I also wear makeup, as I have been told at various times when seen without it that I look "sick" or "tired". Yikes. My make up is all drug store brands (like Cover Girl or L'Oreal), nothing super pricey. I like your friends "unbaked biscuit" comment!
@JNL, it’s been interesting hearing from the makeup wearers!
I definitely have no issue with it but it’s just not ever been something I did beyond a swipe of drug store eye shadow. Then having a baby in the pandemic, I just stopped and freed my curls from the hair straightener while I was at it 😉
@JD, Me too! I wear only tinted moisturizer with sunscreen in it, but it evens out my rosacea (I am fair, and the rosacea is Red) and makes me feel better about my appearance. Also hides burn scars or at least blurs them.
@AFVirginia, As a person with straight (limp) hair, I cannot fathom why people would straighten their hair! I guess we always think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, right?
Thank you for sharing. A couple of random comments.
You said the statement of having a house you can barely afford. IT reminds me of my friend also a lawyer who laments about "having to have the expensive house" as if it is a part of her job. Maybe it is or at least the expectation. Plus the kitchen remodel when she thought her kitchen was fine.
I think everyone has shown up for the Facebook find and found it wasn't quite right. Can we get a lesson on how to wiggle out of these arrangements?
Lastly is the subject of house cleaner and lawn mower. Sometime we just have to prioritize. Cleaning house and mowing lawn costs us our time. Getting a discount helps. I worked for a landscaper and he charged $20 at the time for a city lot, but also gave a deal if more people on the street used him. This worked because we had routes, so the guys would load up and go to the "Bitsy Boo Boo" Neighborhood and be there all day. Since it saved money on gas, the owner cut them a break. Some of the LOL (little old ladies) rounded up enough work for us, advertising was not necessary. So $20 went to $17 and then to $15. A savings of $100 over the season. Still more then doing it yourself, but the average age of these ladies was 75. So there was that too.
@Amy cheapohmom, Just say, "I think I'm going to pass," re FB stuff.
@Rose, staying off FB except for rare occasions makes me a happier and saner person. There are some things I would just rather not know.
@Jean C, I know it's not the popular answer, but I love Facebook. However, above I was replying to Amy wanting to know what to say when she goes to a house to get something off FB and it's not what she expected. "Thanks, but I think I'll pass," is an easy way to get out of it. "I appreciate your time." Then leave.
Also I'm an over-sharer everywhere, despite being incredibly introverted, but that's how I roll. We're all different--I don't judge people for not liking social media or oversharers, though I do judge a little friends of mine who post at least one or two pictures of themselves every day.
@Amy cheapohmom, regarding paying for services sometimes, I was nervous to share that here but wanted to be honest. 🙂 I know time is money but I am hopeful as we are exiting the world of diapers, sleepless nights, and toddler tantrums, that I will be able to have more energy to do those things again!
Love your story about the LOLs!
@AFVirginia, I'm right there with you. I've mentioned more than once the services I buy, including house cleaners (I loathe vacuuming and dusting), lawn guys, and ten tons of things related to the move. I realize that my version of frugality is to not spend money thoughtlessly. Each thing I pay someone else to do is the result of a conscious decision about whether I want to do or buy.
I too pay for services like cleaning, lawn care, organization, grocery delivery, mani-pedis, you name it. I felt a bit bad about it (especially the Instacart) until a commenter here (I'm so sorry, I can't remember which one) said that she depended on the money she got from Insta. When it comes down to it, you need a service and someone else needs the money. Two problems solved at once. No shame in that game. And as Jo March said, "It's honest work."
@WilliamB,
I agree with you. Also, in rural Ohio where I live, there are lots of very competent people who are glad to have a job, any job, so it feels like I am sharing my own hard work and good fortune. And I'm so much happier.
@WilliamB, I feel like we all have our version of frugal. Basically mine is to save on things I don't care about so I can spend on things that I do.
@Rose, I like that answer! I sometimes look at buying something I don't quite want as a form of charity. I once went to buy a nice set of "Tupperwear" that most certainly wasn't upon inspection. I could tell they really needed the money, so I bought it, left, and gave the set to a friend. It felt right. I have done this at flea markets as well. You can tell when some people really need a sale that day. I would not be able to do this for super expensive items!
I enjoyed reading your answers. You do live in a beautiful area. I would love to know some of your favorite other blogs. I'm always looking for more blogs.
@Marlena, same here. Thank you for asking!
There's always my blog, if anyone cares about watching paintings evolve and hearing my steady stream of thoughts about it, about life in a foothill community, and about life in the mountains in the summertime. https://www.cabinart.net/blog/
(Kristen, delete this if it is too self-promotional on my part!)
@Marlena, ooo fun question! Sone are local kid based - with programming at the local museums, parks, libraries etc
For my own interests, I do:
Be more with less
The shu box
Lit lemon books
I dabble in others as the mood strikes or I stumble across them too
I love your pictures!
Thanks for sharing. My grandson was born at the beginning of the pandemic, and I remember how restrictive and difficult that was, and his birth was uncomplicated. I can't imagine having medical issues in addition to the birth in those difficult times.
There seems to be an expectation that lawyers and doctors will have fancy homes and cars and all the things. Good for you for listening to yourselves, not others. And double good for you for getting rid of that student debt.
I enjoyed meeting you, thanks for this!
@JD, thank you so much for the kind words!
I agree about the doctors and lawyers expectations around spending but I do think some of it is the type of law - like wanting to impress clients, which isn’t a factor with government work. Regardless, I’m fighting the good fight over here to be content with what we need!
I love the peaches picture! Are they all from your own tree? Just thinking of peaches is making me think of summertime. I feel warmer already.
I really like your approach to "stuff" too. You phrased it well and it's so helpful to tune into why we're feeling certain ways about stuff, such as your example of childhood experiences impacting how safe it feels to release stuff.
Thanks for sharing your story!
@Suz, Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment! Yes that is just from our tree and that is just part of the harvest at this point! We take them to work, share them with family and friends, and eventually I offer them up on Buy Nothing, but we still end up with a freezer full of peaches, peach jam, peach sorbet, peach applesauce, etc. (I sound like Bubba from Forrest Gump, but it's true!).
AF, you are remarkably resilient, resourceful, capable, and accomplished. My hat is off to you!
I just ordered "Ask For It" —thank you for telling us about it.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, thank you so much for the kind words! I hope you enjoy the book
I enjoyed meeting you and your darling little, and hearing your perspectives.
One that resonated with me was the emotional attachment one can form with things we own. And then, it’s hard to declutter. It feels like I’m throwing away my kids' baby shoes, etc., when I’m really giving them to someone who could us them.
Thanks for making that clearer.
@Erika JS, I’m so glad sharing the perspective helped!
It’s a definitely a journey but it’s definitely helping with frugality trying to be more conscious of it. I think everyone has a hard time parting with those adorable little baby shoes though 😉
Thank you for a great laugh about the doll-sized kitchen set! And for sharing your story.
So funny: I had a "that's their size?!?" experience as well. The only saving grace was that it was at a store (that I'd driven across town to) so I could walk away easily.
I was going to offer this to AF but after thinking about it, it's for everyone: if you have odds and ends to use up, I'd be happy to help pull them together. Not to toot my own horn (which is English for "self-horn-tooting coming up!"), I've had success helping others with this in the past.
[later]
Guess I won't be tooting my own horn. It looks like TheMrs.ca website has disappeared into the aether so I can't link to the time I helped her with her freezer.
Hi, AF,
Lovely to "meet" you. My family and I were fortunate enough to see the gorgeous cherry blossoms on a spring vacation to DC two years ago....it was breathtaking. Loved the wonderful monuments and museums as well.
Your play kitchen story reminded me of when my son was younger. He loved the Cozy Coupe cars he played with at day care, and my husband was determined to find a frugal used one for him to use at home. He found one on eBay...only $6 US!! And free shipping!! Wow, what a crazy good deal!! Until it arrived, and it was about the size of an outstretched hand. 🙂 Ummmm.
We still laugh about that!
..
@Liz B., love the deal hunting solidarity!
The cherry blossoms are so so gorgeous (and free!) so I do try to go see them every year but usually try to just make a quick weekday trip of it since it’s so crowded on the weekends.
AF, thank you for the glimpse into your life. I, too, enjoy learning from our fellow readers and being a good environmental steward.
Wishing you all the best as you continue to meet your daughter's needs. Your love for her is clear. She's lucky to have you as her mama!
great post. thanks for sharing. you are so wise. love the photos. all the best to you and your lovely family.
That’s a LOT of peaches! Thanks for sharing your life and your tiny kitchen! You’re living in such a great place for exploring on a budget — back in the 80’s my family lived in Fairfax County, and we’d pack a picnic and explore — despite the fact that housing is so expensive. How did you make it through the snow you had?
Glad to meet you! Brava for good observations on consumer culture--it is hard to watch when you start thinking of real value. Many people live way above their means, in order to show off, but it comes around to bite them eventually. In addition to books like the Tightwad Gazette, I find a lot of support from my faith community. Maybe it would strengthen you and your family, too--a helpful reminder that we are not alone in the effort to respect and care for the natural world, and to spend our resources for better value and for the long term. The DC area has been very expensive for a long time. I lived there in the early 70s and got to vote in support of the metro system.
I also commend you for respecting your own need to rest. It is an active and important thing to do, as your little girl will need you for a long time. It also gives her a good example of self care. Rested people think best, work best, learn best, and feel their best health. And it's hard to do in a culture that thinks busy all the time is a good idea.
Kudos for reading AND employing negotiating for what you want. One of the proudest mom moments of my life is when my daughter did just that after applying for a higher internal position at her current company.
I really appreciate your take on frugality, thanks! I hire a cleaning service a few times a year, b/c I would much rather spend time teaching private music lessons than cleaning house - I can use the money I earn doing something I enjoy to pay others to do something I don’t enjoy, which provides employment for them as well. Win-win. And the expression “time poor” is perfect.
I also appreciate your beautiful photos. I grew up in the DC suburbs on the Maryland side. Such a wonderful place to grow up! As a child, a trip to the Smithsonian meant a signed permission slip, a sack lunch, and 30-40 minutes on the school bus each way. When we took our children to the Smithsonian, it meant $2000 to get there and back, and a week off of work. Not frugal at all, but then, the point of frugality is to be able to have such experiences.
Hello! Thank you for sharing your story; it struck so many chords for me. As a deeply in debt veterinarian, I lived in Washington DC for a year of training. I stumbled across the Tightwad Gazette in the free pile at the local library, and it literally changed my life. I spent that year being ultra frugal and was able to pay off a private loan despite being paid peanuts in a super high cost of living area!
Fast forward 15 (!) years and I now live in a Boston suburb with my husband and 2 kids, one of whom has special needs. I am so grateful that I learned how to better manage my money, which allows me to provide my son with the therapies he needs.
From one mom to another: great job!!
So wonderful when people study and work hard to break through the cycle of poverty. I had a similar experience as a child. I really never lacked basic needs but there was never money for any extras. Hoping you sweet child's medical needs are always met and thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for the book recommendation, I've put it on hold at my library!
Oh, I can so relate to what you wrote about the "spending cultur" in private companies... Sigh!
We have all been there when we order something online. Once I was going to babysit my granddogs and wanted to order their food and bowls so my son wouldn't need to bring them. I failed to look at the dimensions on the bowls. He has a big rescue and a Great Dane. I opened the bowls and they were tiny. My husband took one look and said "why did you get the dogs dipping bowls"?