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Shyly Peeking In

August 1st, 2007 at 10:26 pm

I have been reading the blogs for just over a month and have been very inspired by all of them. I decided that it was finally time to add one of my own. As it says on the side, I am a stay-at-home wife. I get quite a bit of grief for staying home without children. To be honest I have found we are saving more money and generally living better than when I was working. I am still trying to figure out what happened to my income all those years. At any rate we are happy so that is all that matters.

On the financial side in the past two months we have a mini-emergency fund built up. We paid off two credit cards. Well, it will be two as soon as the online payment posts today. The remainder of our debt is from two loans totalling about $7750. I have no goal date in mind to pay them off other than ASAP. I am starting to search for any money I can find to pay toward those.

The second goal after paying off those is to remodel and add onto our home. It is old and creaky, but I love it. It just needs some improvements. I also want a bigger emergency fund and more money going toward retirement as long term goals.

I do tend to be a rather chatty writer even though I am quiet in person. I think this will be fun. It is a refreshing change to see people trying to save money rather than being solely focused on spending.

16 Responses to “Shyly Peeking In”

  1. Ima saver Says:
    1186004342

    Welcome, I am glad you joined us and you will get lots of good advice. I quit work in 1990 and stay home. I use to work at nights and my husband likes having me home with him in the evening!!

  2. monkeymama Says:
    1186006343

    I am sure the grief comes from jealousy. I wouldn't sweat it. Smile
    My husband isn't working now but frankly I doubt he would be even without the kids. No point in working if you are miserable AND you don't have to! Taxes and working expenses surely can make a second income un-worthwhile.

    Welcome!!!

  3. LuckyRobin Says:
    1186006400

    Welcome. I'm a SAHM but even if I didn't have kids I'd still be a homemaker. Plan to be one after they are grown and gone. And don't care what others think about it, except my husband and he's all for it and that in the end is what counts. Don't let folks give you grief over your life choices. It's your life and your choice.

  4. miclason Says:
    1186006483

    LOL!...you just reminded me of a thing my grandmother used to say whenever people criticized us..."are they paying for your upkeep? No? then they don't have a say on what you do!"...
    Welcome!

  5. frugalhousewife Says:
    1186008628

    Thank you all for the warm welcome! I can already tell this is a nice little community. My in-laws were the worst ones about wanting me to get a job. I think it was because none of them were surviving on two (or more) incomes and did not understand that dh and I could do it. I guess in this case living well will be the best revenge!

  6. JanH Says:
    1186010849

    Welcome! Looking forward to hearing more from you!

  7. Broken Arrow Says:
    1186023098

    Hehe. No need to be shy. Come on in! I won't even bite this time.... Big Grin

  8. baselle Says:
    1186027876

    Welcome - working 9 to 5 ain't all that its cracked up to be. Looking forward to reading your blog!

  9. boomeyers Says:
    1186028914

    Yes, welcome. If you don't have to work, why would you? If you have the opportunity to only work if you have a passion for something, then go for it. Your passion right now seems to be homemaking. Since you can swing it - enjoy it!

  10. ceejay74 Says:
    1186067598

    Keeping a home is a full-time job! And there are so many other meaningful, enjoyable things in the world besides careers. Don't let people's judgments get you down--you're right, it's just envy.

  11. Amber Says:
    1186089681

    First, I'd like to say welcome and for those who are giving you grief I am sure would love to be in your shoes

  12. pearlieq Says:
    1186099710

    Oh my goodness! I've spent a bunch of time considering whether or not to quit my job and stay home, with or without kids. I haven't quite made the jump yet, but I'd LOVE to hear from someone who has.

    I also worry a lot what other people would think, silly as it sounds. I once heard of someone calling women who stayed home as housewives OINKs (one income, no kids). Not terribly flattering!

    Looking forward to reading your blog!

  13. Carolina Bound Says:
    1186184429

    And single working mothers are SICKS (single income, couple of kids). No, the intention is not to be flattering!

    Enjoy your work at home and don't let the nay-sayers bother you. Someone who is engaging in frugal choices and activities is making quite a contribution!

  14. carol Says:
    1186389687

    I agree with everyone else. It's your life, your choice. I really like what mclason's grandmother used to say. Don't let the backbiters get you down.

    I am a SAHM and don't miss the workplace. I suspect what happened is that your income got gobbled up from taxes and work related expenses. I have only $100 a month to work with, but I have learned to manage it very well over the last few months.

    Hang in there, you will have those loans paid off before you know it. Being committed to frugal is excellent esp. when you have that mini emergency fund built up.

  15. crazyliblady Says:
    1186856853

    Hi, Frugalhousewife. Welcome to Saving Advice. All I can say about your debt payoff so far is "Wow!" We all want to know the secret to your success so far. I have about $4000 in medical bills and $1600 in credit card debt. That sounds pretty bad, but about a year ago, it was about $2000 more, so I am making progress. A few weeks ago, I clicked on a link to Dave Ramsey's website and my entire approach to debt payoff was transformed. I am on the first of Dave Ramsey's baby steps: creating a emergency savings of $1000 prior to really pounding at the debt. So far I have $604. I am using survey checks, "leftover cash," rebates, and whatever other funds I can find to fund the account. Leftover cash is what is leftover in my bank account, pockets, purse, etc. at the end of a week that I toss into my piggy bank. As far as ideas on how to pay off further debt, have you thought about having a yard sale or selling stuff on ebay? Maybe you could offer to do something simple like running errands or something that would only take a little bit of time. Just my $.02.

  16. Donna Says:
    1187391223

    x

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