Emails like this are such an encouragement to me:
My name is Amanda and I just recently found your website through a recommendation from a friend. I just want to thank you. I am the mother of a very active 4-year-old and hope to have another child in the next few years. My husband is a teacher and I am a social worker, both jobs that are often more than full-time and don’t pay terribly well.
We recently had a scare when the school district we both work for decided to reduce both of our positions. It would have been a cut of $26,000 in our annual income. It was a horribly scary time—we both love our jobs and didn’t want to seek other full-time employment but weren’t sure how we would keep up with our financial obligations (mortgage, student loans, daycare, food, etc.).
It was right after this happened that my friend told me about your website. I visited and was hooked. I definitely appreciate the coupons, but what I appreciated more is the atmosphere of the site. Exploring your site, I felt so much support and positive energy from the topics you cover and the posts left by other women. With your help I started to believe that I really could make it work for my family—that we could live more simply on less and be fine.I got more and more excited about my plans for growing our own vegetables, shopping at Goodwill, finding cheap/free entertainment, etc.
After about 3 weeks, our district decided not to cut my husband’s position and to restore mine to 3/4 time. Now we are not nearly as worried about our finances and probably wouldn’t have to change much.
However, now I WANT to. I WANT to live with less and simplify. Much of that desire comes from the things I’ve found on your website. Since I will have one day a week off, I still fully intend to plant that garden, search for those deals, shop at Goodwill, and hopefully even put some extra money in savings in the process!
Most of all, I’m really excited to have a little more time to focus on being Mom and taking care of my family. I just wanted you to know how you and the other women who contribute to your site brought me hope during a really difficult time, and hopefully changed my family’s lives for the better as we implement some of the money-saving, “simplifying” tips found on your site. -Amanda
A big thank you to each and everyone of you who visit here and those of you who take time to leave comments, share money-saving tips, and contribute guest posts. You might never know just what a big impact you are having on others who are struggling!
photo credit: ddsnet
Mary says
This website makes me feel less lonely. I come from a big group of two-income earners/spend all you make career women. My husband and I never wanted children, so imagine my surprise that we’ve had three in the past three years!! We are buried in debt from keeping up with the Joneses, and only 5 months ago discovered this website and also the Ramsey 7 baby steps. I am quitting my job in June to stay home with my babies, and we are fighting to get out of this hole. This website is so positive and uplifting, and gives us so much hope and encouragement — we never imagined we’d be able to live without two incomes! Now we not only imagine it, but have planned it — less than 90 days of work left for me!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
Laura says
The best gift the Lord gave us was requiring us to live on one teacher’s salary for several years while I was unemployed. It can definitely be done and taught us to live simply. We also choose to continue to live simply even though technically we would no longer have to. There is just something about working for someone else and at the same time knowing that you don’t HAVE to. You CHOOSE to.
Amanda says
Amanda,
Isn’t it amazing how, when you begin to get such good deals on groceries and personal care items, you want LESS?
For me, spending $60.00 a week for our family’s food and toiletries is far more satisfying than wandering Target and mindlessly loading up a cart getting all those extra “wants”.
Amy says
What a lovely note. I agree with this bright young woman – your site is truy positive & encouraging. In fact, your financial responsibility & diligence has encouraged me to live on less & live a life of frugality. My husband and I set a pretty aggressive savings goal last year & are well on our way to achieving it. It is with your inspiration of saving to pay cash for your home that inspired me to aim higher – and to truly live a life debt-free and thus, less stressful.
Many thanks to you!
Jodi G says
I also recommend Dave Ramsey’s books. And today they are BOGOF on Dave’s website.
Shelley says
Amanda- I too have been having some challenges in life in regards to jobs and finances. I also have been feeling God bringing us to a more simple life. If you know anything about me, I hate to cook. I would rather eat cereal than make a dinner, but since reading this blog and others, I have been encouraged to clip coupons, freezer cook and save, save, save. This blog is a blessing and I thank you for sharing and Money Saving Mom for posting. God Bless and good luck on your new journey. 🙂 Shelley
Ellen says
That email brought tears to my eyes. Ditto for everything you said. Thank you, Crystal, for such an inspiring blog.
Kelly says
I too felt the call from God to simplify my life. I cut back on my responsibilities to focus more on the things that truly matter (my relationship with God, my marriage and raising my children). This life style change has lead me to de-clutter and cut back in frivolous spending. One day, I was behind a woman in the check-out aisle. She had a stack of coupons and paid next to nothing on her cartload of groceries. I began talking to her and she pointed me to Money Saving Mom. This site has been so helpful to my family; I am able to give more because we have more. Thank you!
heather a. says
I agree that this website is such an inspiration to me and my family. We made a decision for me to stay at home with our son about a year and a half ago and all of the things I have learned here have really helped! I love all of the deals but I also love the articles and inspiration. I would love to see some articles on simplfiying and buying other items such as clothes. I have learned so much and really enjoy all the hard work and effort put into your website. It is truly a blessing.
Stephanie says
Amanda and crystal thank you for sharing…I have 4 sisters who often think I am crazy what I am willing to live w/o or buy second hand I love to coupon shop and i think it is so nice to be able to afford to stay home and be a wise steward of what God has entrusted to us while we are here. I have one of my sisters convinced let’s see if this post might get more of them hooked.
Good luck.
Lee says
I love this site for mayn of the same reasons. I recently purchsed Dave Ramsey’s books (free thanks to swagbucks). I talked to my husband and we are going to try. We have always been frugal but these books have helped me realize a few things that we keep doing that is causing the problems. The positive things you write about encourage me to do more, be better, and do the best i can everyday!
Canaan says
I totally agree with Amanda. I just found this site about 2 weeks ago and I’m still exploring and loving it. I am a working mom of a 7 month old daughter and I never anticipated NOT wanting to work once we had children…until…we had a child!
Now I’m really digging in to find ways to simplify our lives, clear out the clutter (because clutter is really just a lot of spent money on things you don’t need) and work towards staying at home with her. It’s overwhelmig to find a balance of meeting goals, both financial and personal goals which require finances. I’ve found this site (both Crystal and the readers/commenters) so encouraging!
Kay says
I couldn’t say it better. I have learned so much, and always try to pass the info onto my friends and family. Your is truly different and I know everything can be done because you are actually taking all the steps!
Denise C. says
Thank you for sharing Amanda! 🙂
Beth says
Amanda, I agree so much with everything you wrote! Crystal has created such a wonderful site and I feel blessed to know about it. Some other money saving sites I’ve read can be much more judgmental and some times down right nasty but Crystal is always encouraging and kind. After following this site for almost a year I have started to change many of the ways I live. Thanks, Crystal!
Jessica @ Life as I See It says
This brought tears to my eyes – I am so happy for Amanda and their new outlook on life 🙂
Having grown up with frugal parents, and now “living in the real world” I am realizing the significance my parents lifestyle had on me – they (verbally) taught me the important stuff but they lived it too.
It is an enormous responsibility and pleasure to pass that on to my own children.
Kathryn says
So glad to hear that you want this for yourself and your family!
I have been teaching this topic for years now…as part of my Christian financial ministry effort. Everything starts from within…being CONTENT with the blessings in life and not focusing on material items are my priorities (e.g. God 1st, healthy marriage and family, roof over our heads, food on the table, etc). However, this attitude has been engrained in me for a long, long time so it is not like it just appeared overnight. I like to refer to myself as being a wise money manager instead of saying “frugal”. I thank both my parents for teaching me all my money management skills.
My advice is to take one step at a time so that things don’t get so overwhelming. Don’t worry about the “Jones” next door and what others think…always do what is right for your household. Remember, money issues is the #1 cause of divorce so ensure that you and your hubby are on the same page.
I know I wouldn’t trade anything for where I am now in life.
Wishing you the very best always and lots of smiles!
Sherri Huddleston says
@Kathryn, I really appreciate reading about someone with the same thoughts and feelings as my husband and I. God, family, roof, food. When my husband lost his job, the new works’ salary was less than the difference in the salary we lost. He has always been in management or ownership. He is now one of two custodians for our church, and loves being where he is. If we had not managed our finances God’s way, we might have ended like most people, and that is losing all but our lives; and some of those not having God. We live on so very little and have never missed a meal, or bill; never lost our joy, our contentment, and have only learned more and more about the good life; not having lots!
Claire at Saving Money Plan says
This is all around so fantastic to hear. It’s amazing, too, how the first step in making small changes in lifestyle (selling at goodwill, planting a garden, etc) often leads to bigger, bolder steps that have huge positive consequences on family, finances and happiness.
Kim T says
I started couponing 3 years ago thanks to my neighbor. She has a family of 5. She told me my biggest mistake was only buying 1 paper a week, she was so right. I didn’t know all the in and outs of each store, but I have since learned. I knew I was still missing the boat on many deals. My husband bought me a computer and I sat down to teach myself how to use it. It took me several weeks to learn my way around, but I findly figured out how to get where I wanted to go. I have always been frugal in my life. I don’t believe material things can make a person happy. I still have my first cell phone, which everyone laughs at me, but I pay as I go and my bill went from $800.00 a year to approx. $400.00 a year. My husband and I decided to become debt free within 5 years. It has been 3 years and we are right on track. My husband works full time and started a lawn service business on the weekends. I am proud to say we are right on track. It took surfing the web and I found your website, which has inspired me and made me better at using every dollar we make stretch farther. Our house is very well stocked for the fraction of the price. I feel more at peace in my life, less stressed and more carefree. Thanks so much and God bless you always!
brookeb says
As a social worker, the OP might also find that learning those things about their family’s lifestyle and making changes might help her out at work too. Part of my work involves a human services field and knowing how to save a few dollars here and there, and make the most out of a little definitely adds to my skill set at work.
Dana @ The Coupon Challenge says
Thank you for posting such an inspiring story. I do work outside the home a few hours a week, but basically we are a 1 income family. My husband works in the construction industry, so I have had fears of unemployment for a couple years now. I know that my frugal lifestyle, budget and savings would help us survive such as crisis but that fear is always there. The family fun, eating out and allowance funds would be halted as well as many other changes. I feel better knowing the plan is there, but I pray that I don’t need to use it.
I’m so glad that things have worked out well for Amanda and her family! Hopefully, this scare will continue to turn positive by providing, as you said, more time with your family and inspiring you to live better on less.
Shannon Loomis says
This letter is a beautiful way to say thank you for all that you do! I agree with her about the atmosphere of this website. It is inspiring to have a resource like this to help make my family’s life better. We have been saving so much money and simplifying our lives since finding you and have been so much richer for it. I quit my teaching job at the end of the last school year to stay home with my 2 year old and have barely felt the loss of my salary thanks to you and your tips. There are many good savings/coupon sites out there, but I have found yours to be the one I could take the most from and actually apply to my life. Thank you for always being so encouraging and inspiring!
Milk Donor Mama says
Thank you MSM and Amanda for sharing this!
About a year ago, I also felt God urging me to simplify my life- at the same time impressing upon us to expand our family. Fastforward to a year later, and we should have our home paid off this year, our son is due in July, and our 3yo DD is thrilled that she will be a big sister.
I’ve given away, sold or donated so much stuff, yet do not regret any of it. I am so much happier with less clutter in my life and with us spending less and saving more and paying off the principal of our home, I feel so much more at peace.
I’ve been following your blog for two years and though I’ve always been frugal, I’ve learned so much and you and others have inspired me to make these positive changes for my family!
Thanks to these changes, I should be able to quit my full time job (and I’m the higher income earner) to devote these years to my young family and to growing as an individual. With no debts hanging over our heads, we can make this decision in peace and in the glory of God!