Guest post by Laura Ziesel
I’m not a mom, but I’ve been reading Money Saving Mom® for years because I care about being a wise money manager. Well, that and my husband is a graduate student and I’m a freelance writer and editor. We have to pay attention to every single dollar these days.
Sometimes I get discouraged when I read other people’s success stories at Money Saving Mom® because our family is moving in the “wrong” direction: our income has decreased every year that we’ve been married and we are acquiring more student debt as my husband earns his doctorate in psychology. Our retirement contributions have suffered, we’ve tapped into our emergency savings, and we are barely making ends meet.
Paying off debt is not in the cards for us at the moment. Because of our current financial situation, I catch myself wanting to give up frugality entirely. But I have to remind myself that even though our net worth is decreasing, being budget-minded now is paying off in many ways:
1) While we aren’t getting out of debt now, we are acquiring less debt because of our frugality. Less debt now = less debt to pay off later!
2) By learning to live on less now, we will be able to pay off our debt more quickly when the time comes. We now know how to live on very little money, so our “extra” income will be substantial later.
3) We have become content with the basics–food, clothes, shelter. Keeping up with the Jones’s is not an option, so we truly are not tempted to do so.
4) By keeping our costs low for food and household supplies, we have been able to maintain the amount of money we tithe and give to charities even though our income has decreased each year.
However, we have an additional complicating factor. Because I am a freelancer, I am always calculating how much I’m saving per hour couponing versus how much I could be making if I was writing or editing. I think, “Shouldn’t I simply work more to earn additional income instead of trying to save money?” You’d think.
But the other day, I had a reality check. After a full day of writing and editing, I was spent. My brain literally could not produce any more quality work, nor could I spend one more minute staring at a glowing screen.
So in those remaining hours of the evening, I had to do something away from the TV or computer that did not require deep thought. My husband was busy with school work, my apartment was clean, our meals were planned for the next few days, and we don’t have a yard or garden to work in.
Couponing was what I had left. Clipping coupons, organizing them, flipping through store circulars, and crunching numbers was exactly what the doctor ordered. I felt untaxed yet productive, and was able to give my eyes and mind a much-needed break. I’m not sure how much money I saved during that hour of couponing, but my sanity was saved.
So even though our net worth is decreasing and I might not be saving “enough” money for every hour spent couponing, I am sticking with it.
Laura Ziesel is a freelance writer and editor living in Azusa, California with her husband. She blogs on Following Jesus at LauraZiesel.com. She is also a contributing writer for The Redemptive Pursuit, a weekly devotional for women.
Jessica says
Thanks for sharing this post. Like others, this really resonated with me. I have student loan debt that we are paying off, as well as credit card debt, but I can say that following MSM has made an impact on how I view our finances and the biggest thing it has shown me how to do thus far is stretch a dollar, if not necessarily get out of debt faster, though I hope that will be on the horizon soon enough. I have 3 children, a part time job, and feel like I balance a lot. Couponing in many ways is my sanity….as is ‘deal’ scouring, be it something on craigslist, ebay, or just the ‘perfect’ item for the cheapest price. I have also changed my opinions about credit cards and debt, investing and financing, etc. and so forth. Feeling like I’m growing more knowledgeable about my family’s money is enjoyable for me, and I do hope that we are able to pay off our debt sooner because we are incurring less. In the interim, I don’t think we’ve suffered by way of quality of life’ and even my husband has started to appreciate my frugal ways, my stockpiles, my homemade home furnishings, party favors, valentines, etc.
Sharon says
I just want to say thank you for sharing your story. My family is in the same boat as you. It doesn’t seem like there is enough to make it through to each payday anymore. We don’t have much credit card debt but what hurts us are the payday loans. We have used them as a crutch for far too long. When we get them paid off, we go for a while and have to get them again.
My husband and I are now working together on the couponing. He is more excited about finding a great deal than I am, and that’s saying something! We have 3 children at home and we do not want them to grow up thinking it’s alright to spend when you don’t have enough.
Thank you again for sharing. I am encouraged to “keep running the race”.
Laura says
Wow! I didn’t read all of these comments until I came home this evening and you are all so encouraging. Some days are certainly harder than others, but knowing that there’s a community of families trying to be responsible like us is encouraging. Sometimes we feel a bit lame when we can’t do “cool things” like go to concerts or on trips, but we’re not alone (even though it can feel like we are). Thanks everyone for the kind comments!
Shopaholic Savers says
I like your story because it reminds me that what I’m doing by trying to save money is valuable because then my money goes where I want it to not where I feel it has to. We put our extra money towards a cruise! A cheap and amazing vacation!
http://shopaholicsavers.com/?page_id=796
Maegen says
You know, I once calculated what I saved with coupons (although I file; I don’t clip). Anyway, it was a pretty good hourly rate! I bet a lot of the clippers on here are, “earning,” more than they think!
Thanks for sharing your story, Laura! Best wishes for your future success.
Tricia says
Thanks for the post. I”m a single mom who wants to pay off debt, but it will be years instead of months. Small ways of saving money on the basics add up and help as I keep chipping away at my debt.
Florence says
Don’t give up Tricia. Just keep on chipping away at that debt and it’ll be gone before you know it. Keep on doing your best every day but don’t be too hard on yourself if you fail sometimes. Just pick yourself up and return to the path you know you’re supposed to be on.
I’m a single mom too & I paid off over $6,000 in debt in a little over a year (including my car loan). I still have less than $2,000 to go and Lord willing, it’ll be gone by March of next year.
Laura Ziesel says
Congrats, Florence! Thanks for being an encourager for those of us who are tempted to give up.
Elizabeth D. says
This post really resonated with me. We are a family of four who are trying to do our best with my husband’s not-so-great salary, so that I can stay home with our two children. I spend a lot of my time trying to find ways for us to conserve what little we have, and I spend even more time frustrated that we never seem to be getting ahead. It’s so hard to see the long term, and I appreciate your perspective. I need to remember if we keep going we’ll eventually get to our goals, not today, and definitely not this year, but someday.
Rebecca says
Good for you! With three little boys and an extremely small grocery budget, clipping coupons is definitely a necessity in my house. However, once the boys are in bed, my husband has left for work (2nd shift) and I’ve made a nice pot of coffee……clipping coupons and crunching the numbers for the best grocery deals is definitely therapeutic 🙂 It took us a while to get where we’re at (most of our debts are paid, but I still have an enormous student loan haunting me), but knowing that we are doing the best we can to live a frugal life without accruing any more debt feels so GREAT! Keep it up 🙂
Jen says
I loved this post! I went back to school in May to become a Physical Therapist Assistant and had to quit work about 6 weeks into the program because it’s very accelerated (a year and 4 months vs. the traditional 2 years). My husband is the only one working, and it’s difficult to watch our savings go down little by little to make up the difference between his pay and our expenses. It’s been a difficult change for me psychologically, too, not bringing home a paycheck anymore. I’ve couponed and comparison shopped for years, though, so continuing to do that helps me to feel as though I’m still contributing to the bottom line. I know in the end leaving my job and getting good grades in school will pay off in a big way, even though I had to take out $25k in loans to do it! As long as the ends justify the means, I think the decision is a good one.
Kristie says
This post really was a blessing to me. My husband is a pastor, working a part-time job on the side just so we can pay bills. It was such a good reminder that God has us all in different places, for His own reasons. Contentment can be a struggle. I trust the Lord will bless you for encouraging so many of us who are living on a pretty tight budget!
Jen @ MyPotpourriWorld says
Thanks for sharing, Laura. Tough times are definitely upon us, too. Couponing is such a great outlet to me, knowing that I’m saving us lots of money. Here’s to better times ahead 🙂
Sandra says
Laura,
I find your strength something to be admired. While many others would give up, throw in the towel and begin to accumulate debt without a care, you continue to strive to do the best you can. These are the lean years you will one day reflect upon and my guess is they will be the reason you are grateful for all which is to come. When I face tough times I have a thought I repeat over and over again in my head which seems to help me. Maybe it will help you too. Best wishes!
Keep positive thoughts the whole day through, and enjoy what the Lord has in store for you!
Amy says
You’re not alone. My husband just spent $200,000 on education and I wish would have lived more frugally while he was in school instead of spending more loan money. Keep up the good work! Sometimes, when the debt is accruing, it’s nearly impossible to see how it’s worth it to save $1 here or there, but it is!!!!!!
Stephanie says
Thans for sharing. You helped me put some things in perspective.
vicki says
It is nice that we are able to each connect through your page and share our own stories. While there are people that do this for the mere thrill of obtaining a large stockpile that ends up in the trash because it is outdated, for the most part we are all in it for the same thing, to make our ends meet, to stretch what money we have. Each one of us has their own strory to tell, I myself sacrificed college to be a stay at home Mom and supported my ex as he persued his career. While there are regrets with not going to college now since I make so little, I have learned how to stretch my money and also that money does not buy happiness. I have been semi comfortable before and was able to keep up with the jones but reality came and I am much happier sitting here with my cyber friends sharing stories and enjoying life simpliest things such as a date with my guy at a local park.
Marisa says
I really appreciate this post. We too are at a point in our lives where we are incurring debt and can’t start paying it off yet. My husband is a medical student at a private school where the tuition is $50,000 a year. We have had to take on student loans. I often can’t wait until the time when we can stop taking out loans (soon, he graduates in May!) and start paying them back. It’s good to be reminded to not stress about what I can’t change right now and just do the best I can to live frugally and not take on more debt than we have to.
The Prudent Homemaker says
Good for you!
Our income has decreased substantially over the last 4 years (75% now). My husband is doing the same job, but the prices of homes have decreased 60% here, and commission percentages have decreased as well (he’s a Realtor).
We do our best to spend as little as possible. We often wonder if we’re overlooking ways to do things for less, and we usually find that they’re some other small way to cut funds, so we do that, too. (Such as buying dried beans in bulk, rather than canned beans or dried beans in 1 lb bags).
Keep at it!
amy says
still praying for you and your family…
august says
Last year my husand lost his job. It was around 13 months of being a ZERO income family. Family helped us out basically the entire time, but we learned that if we pay the bill (in full) every month we were always broke. If we paid half of one bill and all of another, we were okay. I’ve heard a lot of people say that they only pay partials of certain bills so they aren’t flat broke every single month. I’m not sure which is wiser, we only did that on bills that didn’t have late fees. Something to think about.
Sandy Williams says
Laura, I know EXACTLY how you feel. I’m a writer, too (my first book hits the shelves in fourteen days!), I have newborn twins, and we’re just squeezing by on my husband’s salary from month to month. I’m way behind on my deadline for my next book and am totally stressing about it. The thing that relaxes me? Couponing. I just started couponing in September and it is seriously therapeutic. I definitely need the cutting and sorting and calculating aspect of it to counteract the creative writing work I do every day. It’s a great hobby and helps with the bills!
Good luck on your journey. Here’s to hoping you pay off your debt quickly once your husband has his degree!
Crystal says
Congratulations on your first book!!
Sandy Williams says
Thanks Crystal! It’s been a crazy/awesome year. Had twins in July (thus, my interest in couponing was born (they’re so expensive! lol)) , a book release in October, and another book due to my publisher in November! Couponing is keeping me somewhat sane. 🙂
Food on the Table says
Compared to my giant jigsaw puzzles, coupon-clipping is a much more productive way to relieve stress. Those long hard days are bound to happen sometimes, and coupon-clipping is a great answer! Thanks for the post.
Laura Vanderkam says
I think that if clipping coupons relaxes you, then by all means clip coupons. You could also knit, read, go for a walk, anything that lets you mentally decompress so you can get a good night’s sleep and attack the next day. But you’re also wise to keep most of your energy focused on earning more. It would take a lot of coupons to equal the bang for your buck you’d get from an extra $500 assignment.
Fun Momma says
We’re in the same boat. Decreasing income over time and increasing student loan debt. Add to that children. Sometimes it is difficult to read these money saving blogs and stay committed to being in graduate school, etc. I know Dave Ramsey is one who believes people should pay cash for higher education–I don’t think he is completely right on that one–I had scholarships and a teaching assistantship–but the cost of renting and eating (not eating out–just groceries!) are just high.
Rachael says
Yes, and sometimes unforeseen circumstances arise, as well.
Shauna says
Thank you for sharing…I needed this today.
Danielle B says
Great post for reminding us all that what works and is best for one of us, may not work or be best for the rest! I think this is one of the reasons I personally keep coming back to Crystal’s blog. There are thousands of money saving blogs out there, but her blog reminds us over and over to embrace where WE are in life and make the very best possible decisions from that place.
My husband and I carried such a huge burden of guilt for filing bankruptcy earlier this year, but a month or so ago God lifted that from us. We can’t undo the decisions of the past. Instead we learn from them, pin point our own weaknesses, do our best to safeguard against them, and make wiser choices each day from here on.
Right now I’m focusing so much energy on making foods from scratch, menu planning, and having a solid grocery shopping list before entering the store, simply because eating food outside our home is such a weakness for my husband and I. Couponing has gone by the wayside for me because I just can’t do it all right now. And that’s ok!
I still clip a few coupons here and there to work my deals at CVS. I also use any freebie coupons that Crystal posts during my grocery shopping trips- and that’s it. Maybe later on, after really learning how to eat every single meal and snack at home, I can add back in full-time couponing.
The key to my success in this phase though is continually telling myself “No!” and really learning what self-control means.
Elias says
I love your attitude! It took me sooo long to get where I am at couponing and along the way, I would get so discouraged. One day I told myself, “It’s okay to be bad at this. It’s just a coupon for goodness sake!” Well that has really helped me when I miss a good deal bc I left a good coupon at home or just bought something and it goes on sale the next day. You just do what you can!
Jessica says
Very encouraging post! Sometimes I get discouraged about how high my grocery budget still is despite my couponing efforts, but it is true it would be a good amount higher if I didn’t do it. And it saves my sanity, too… Clipping coupons, etc., feels like a nice break each week, yet it’s also productive… and doing the shopping doubles as a great way to give my kids a change of scenery. 🙂 Totally see where you’re coming from!
Gina says
I needed to hear this today, Laura, since I’ve been feeling discouraged as well. Sometimes it feels like I’m spinning my wheels and the debt number isn’t moving down fast enough, but you’re right–not incurring new debt and living frugally is the BEST thing we can be doing right now. Thanks for the encouragement!
Rachael says
Thank you for this. I just finished my Ph.D.–we’ve been there!
Tina says
Nice job making decisions about investing in your family’s future (education) and not spending money on things that none of us really need. It’s quite simple once you step back and examine things. As our family’s income declined as well, we did have to take a serious look at how much we were able to share with others because it didn’t make sense for us to take on debt in order to continue charitable giving. We’re still giving, but only as much as we can with the means we have.
Jessica @ The Abundant Wife says
Thank you for sharing! My husband and I have been in a similar situation, decreasing our income (and thus, standard of living) and/or increasing our family size with almost every year of marriage. It’s been an adventure, but it has made us more creative, more accountable, more aware, and more communicative as a couple. Don’t give up, it will pay off! We’ve realized many of the same points you made. Thanks for the encouragement!
Laura_in_TX says
Laura, I too use couponing as a hobbie/escape from work and enjoy it. And it is always good practice for my family at least to ‘live like you don’t have a job now, so you can later live’ if/when hard times come. Thanks for sharing. Laura_in_TX
Heather @ Work At Home Market says
Loved reading this post!!! I work as a freelance writer too, so I tend to look at “hours” as a chance to make extra money. While, I don’t clip coupons, I do have fun spending time creating menu plans around a few basic staple items. I still save a lot of money and stay under budget. It’s a great way to stay “sane” and step away from the computer!
Kristine says
I don’t do a lot of couponing either because most of the coupons that I see are for things that I don’t use. I do use a few, but mostly I plan my menus around basic staples, too, to save money, and I do most of my shopping at Aldi.
Kristin Davis says
Thank you for sharing that post! The concept of living frugally now to prevent more debt from accumulating is often overlooked. Many people are making efforts now through couponing or not eating out that will make a difference in the long run.
The idea of paying down debt is a great idea but is not practical for many families that are out of work or have lost their homes as a result of this economic time. However, the actions that we take each and every day, like those shared, are going to make the difference to our future that is every bit as important as paying off debt!
Great post!!!!
Johnlyn says
You go girl! This was so well written – thanks for posting!
Nicole says
Thank you for sharing! This is so encouraging to so many!
Elysha says
We paid off my husband’s student loan last year and paying off mine is on hold until I graduate. Last night, after writing, I was spent too. I didn’t think about couponing. I sat on the couch and ate ice cream. Your night was much more productive. Thanks for the perspective. I’ll think about doing something like that tonight. Or maybe I’ll eat some more ice cream. But at least I’ll be THINKING of couponing. That’s how it begins, right?
B says
Thank you Laura. This helps me remember that everyone’s situation is different and we just have to do what we can, with what we have at each moment.
Good luck to you and your husband!
Jenni says
Laura, I really connected with this post. My husband is currently in law school and we have three small boys, and we’ve chosen to take on student loans, at least for the first year while it is not best for him to take on additional work and I’m getting settled in. We too are trying to minimize the amount we have to borrow. I am sure that Azusa is not a cheap place to live, either! Thanks for sharing!