As many of you know, my husband and I lived on beans and rice while he was in law school in order to stay out of debt. It wasn’t easy–especially when many others around us were living extravagantly when they had no money to do so.
But one of the biggest lessons we learned was to be content with what we have and stop worrying about what others think. From the old cars to the thrift store clothes to the coupon-clipping to the eating at home, we just got used to being weird and it didn’t bother us if we were the only ones pinching pennies.
One of the things we did to save money was to only have one car for a few years. While it’s nice to have two vehicles, we certainly learned that it is a luxury, not a necessity. And we got along just fine as a one-car family.
When Jesse got a job with a long commute, we saved up and bought a second vehicle–an old blue minivan. This vehicle has been Jesse’s mode of transportation for the last few years and he’s driven Old Blue Van all over the state to his various court appearances and attorney functions. He’s gotten quite a few funny looks and interesting remarks from other attornies since it’s definitely not the typical car a lawyer would drive.
After a number of years of scrimping, saving, investing, and working hard, we’re now in a position where we could afford to pay cash for a newer, nicer car. So I’ve been thinking recently about how badly I felt that Jesse was still driving such a clunker and guessing he probably got tired of the comments about his less-than-ideal vehicle, even though he never has once complained about it.
So I told Jesse the other day that I’d like for us to save up to pay cash for a better car for him. He looked at me and said sincerely, “I don’t need a new car and I don’t care what other people think.”
I love that guy! And I completely agree with him: There’s such a freedom in not having to spend time stressing about impressing other people.
We’ll probably buy a newer vehicle at some point in the not-too-distant future (likely when Old Blue Van breathes its last breath!), but in the mean time, we’re content and thankful. After all, we have two vehicles–a luxury that many people can’t even fathom!
Sometimes I think “Mommy blogs” are about romanticizing motherhood. I was so skeptical of this blog until this post. Yes, keeping it simple and real is so important. It is not easy to live on rice and beans when others are living on prime rib and all the fancy-smancy. We are in our 30’s with 2 little ones and my husband is in seminary. Sometimes it is a struggle to feel normal living in 800 square feet while we honor the call. Thanks for your living simply section. bless you.
Thanks for the post! I’m just starting to see how exhausting it is to worry what others think all the time. It feels good to not care so much. I think there are different levels of caring. As I look back over the past years I can see how each year I seem to care a little less what people think. It really is freeing.
This is such an inspirational post. And it could not come at a better time as we are moving from two cars to one car as a way to cut costs. Thanks!
Would you feel the same way if your husband was not a lawyer, money was tight, no money for saving, AND you drove a clunker?
Good for you! I love to hear stories like this. Keeping it simple and still fun at the same time because you can laugh about it!
Hi! I love your website and appreciate your tips and witness. We have two cars which are both over ten years old. Our family is all at least 5 hours away. My husband travels extensively by car for work and I stay at home and take our sons to scouts, soccer, church, homeshool co-op, etc. We live 45 minutes from our church. We are not worried about what other people think (we have driven these cars which we bought used for 6-7 years and they were not perfect by any means when we bought them), but it is becoming increasingly difficult not having newer, more reliable vehicles. Sometimes if your circumstances dictate that you drive fairly often, a newer, more reliable vehicle is the way to go, and there is no reason to feel guilty for not keeping the older ones. Thanks for letting me share!
It is hard to live by that motto. After a brief shopping trip to Kohls with my mom and sister, it is easy to fall into a attitude of ‘wanting’. It is not until I break out of my house or scrubs from work, that I realize all of the material things that I think I need.
Then I remind myself that my friends and family will love me just the same when I show up to functions in the same outfits I’ve had for years. I guess I will just consider myself lucky that I can still fit into my clothes from college 10 years ago. 🙂
This post is exactly what we needed.
I have to agree that not caring what people think of your possesses is the biggest relief! We have friends talk about television shows all the time and we reply we don’t have cable. We don’t have a dvr and all the other things people think are necessary but it makes me happier to live simpler 🙂
Thanks for this post. I’m new to your site and trying to figure this stuff out. We just came out of 5 years of being in YWAM and having our own business (which we had to close). We have re-entered the real world with debt and one vehicle. We are doing the Ramsey life and are starting to actually feel the excitement of seeing the debt fall away. We are surrounded by friends with money and it is hard at times to show up in our old mini-van or have them over to our sparsely furnished rental…but my kids are happy and healthy and they don’t know the difference! It helps to know that there are others out there in our shoes…keeps us pressing on!
My husband is a lieutenant in the fire dept and he drives a 1982 Datsun truck – one that he bought new the year before we married. I drive a 1995 van (a hold-over from when we had kids). Our only “nice” car is away at college with our youngest who’s a senior. We won’t buy a new car until we have to. The best part is we’re the original owners of all of our cars so they’ve been cared for and should last us a few more years.
Because I had to stop working full-time a few years ago because of MS, not having overspent came in handy. You never know where your life can take you.
Congrats on living happily with less.
Connie
Hi Crystal-I have went without a personal vehicle many times in my life and while it was an inconvenience at times, it didn’t kill me. When I think of insurance, fuel and maintenance costs, I sure don’t miss it! Right now, I share a vehicle with relatives and it works out fine. I had an elderly neighbor who grew up in the Great Depression and it wasn’t uncommon for people in a neighborhood to share a vehicle. Good for your husband, for sticking to his guns and not allowing judgmental people to change his mind!
I loved this post! I’m 28 and my husband is 30. We both drive paid for cars (a Honda with 175k miles and a GMC with 105k miles), have a paid for house, and NO debt! We started listening to Dave Ramsey five years ago when we got married, we both got on board with living a debt free life and we couldn’t be happier. It’s a great feeling to know that we can now plan the rest of our lives with total financial freedom!!! Thank you for your website and all you do!
This is so so beautiful! I am with you on this one — I don’t care what people think..especially when it can save me money. I had the hippest phone for a few months but was spending an arm and a leg on monthly payments. So I switched to a pay as you go cell phone. It’s not as glamorous or expensive, but my Net10 phone that I bought at Target gets the job done. & it’s only 10 cents a minute — I am saving so much money. Definitely worth it!
Thanks for your honesty and encouragement. We went through Crown Finacial several years ago and finally got ourselves out of horrible straits. Life was better, but not great. A year ago my husband took a 15% pay cut and I started couponing with a vengence. Well, we are doing fine and have more food, etc than ever before and we are able to bless others with the abundance. I feel it’s like the loaves and fishes at times!! We are going through FPU at our church and I am very inspired to get our 3-6 months emergency fund. We are debt free except for our first mortgage (have lived in this house almost 20 years), praise the Lord. I am usually content with what I have but my husband struggles with this but I have seen the Lord work on him this past year and it is wonderful. We go on vacation paying with cash (nothing fancy) and are teaching our kids these same principles. It is hard to do with teenagers and different personalities. Well, thank you for your website. I go to it almost every day to get info and inspiration. Again, thanks and God bless.
When my husband and I got married 14 years ago, neither one of us really had any idea what it meant to live frugally. I wish now that we had more wisdom in how to wisely use the money that God had blessed us with.
We are a two car family with 2004 and 1999 wagons (purchased used) We plan on running them into the ground. At this time my husband cannot see us being a one car family but I continually assure him that if something should happen to one of them, we would do just fine!
My sincere desire now is to teach my children (two daughters and one son) how to correctly view money and to use it wisely. Debt is a hard burden to carry (we are struggling to get out from under credit card debt) and that going into debt should be the absolute last option.
Thanks for sharing!
My father founded a successful company and became rather comfortably off thereby. Nonetheless he continued to drive his cruddy old piece of tin till it was – as they used to say of the Yugo – worth twice as much when the tank was full. A colleague once told him he wasn’t important enough to drive such a cr*ppy car. Dad just laughed – by that standard my father would have to have been a Supreme Court justice to be important enough to get away with that car. Nonetheless he drove it into the ground, only replacing it when it needed yet another clutch.
What a wonderful man you are married to! we just paid off our second car, and are totally debt free as of this morning, and my husband is itching to go car shopping! Ugh! I’d be happy with 2 old beaters if it mean no car payment.
My husband and I owned a 1987 Oldsmobile forever! We of course were told buy a new one it’s only a car payment! The poor thing did finally takes its last breath, meaning it was costing more money to keep repairing it every other week. It turned out to be a pleasing as God decided to give us another child and we then paid cash for a van!
This post made me happy, because it reminded me of *my* husband. I married a good, strong, godly man who sticks to his guns as well! 🙂 It’s such an immense blessing being married to someone like that, no?! 🙂
When I married my Sweetie he had a white truck that was paid for and we spent every last penny both of us had saved- separately, to pay 20% down on a house so we could get a 15 year note. Well fast forward 12 years and he is STILL driving the Chevy truck, it’s about 18 now. I got a new car 8-9 years back, only because my truck got totalled. We have the house nearly paid for, money in the bank and both cars are rolling beautifully- They don’t look as nice as our friends but we have less bills and more peace of mind. Pop always said the cheapest car you will ever own is the one you already have. We will roll the wheels off of them.
I LOVE to read this stuff. I’m trying hard to get out of debt, only pay cash for things, and ONLY buy things I can afford and have the cash to do so. No more financing for me! In recent years I realized how foolish I was with money in my early adult years and I really wish I had someone to teach me that you DON’T have to live enslaved to debt. Our society pushes debt as not only okay, but normal and necessary. There should be a smart money management and living debt free class in every high school I tell ya!
Thanks to you and all your readers who share their posts as well, I think having this little community (or not so little anymore!) on your site really helps all of us out who need to see like minded people and keep motivated! We’re not Weird, we’re perfectly normal on MoneySavingMom.com !!! 🙂
@becomingfrugal, Society does push debt as normal. Yesterday, I realized that a big mortgage helps people qualify for more federal financial aid for college than if they didn’t have the debt. I hadn’t thought about it before, but isn’t that crazy?
@Andrea Q, REALLY? wow.
@becomingfrugal, Yes! Mortgages aren’t included on the federal form, but many colleges do ask for that number for their internal aid sources. But, if you’ve got a huge mortgage, you probably won’t have much cash savings…which is a significant factor on the federal forms and therefore, you could qualify for a lot more aid. Obviously, there are a lot of factors, but being “house poor” can help you get more aid.
We have 2 cars right now, both of which are from the early 90’s, and here we are excited that we will be upgrading one of them for free to another car from the 90’s that has only 74,000 miles on it. I wonder if one day we will ever make it to a car from the next millenium :).
I liked one commenter’s observation that she’d rather spend a bit of extra money that would normally go to a car payment on really getting the car cleaned. We should do this, and are planning on also getting cd players for both of our cars (inexpensive, but high quality ones) since we plan on driving the cars till they die!
Amen to that! ‘Keeping up with the Joneses Syndrome’ is dangerous and expensive! I couldn’t agree with you more and BRAVO to you both!!
“THANK YOU”… I agree wholeheartedly!!!
Just wish I could get this message out to a few of my very close relatives….
Thanks for reminding us all that it’s okay to be “weird.” We’re driving a ’92 and a ’97 at our house, with 160k and 205k miles respectively. I love driving beater cars! I don’t have to worry if I scratch the bumper with a shopping cart and older cars are much easier for do-it-yourselfers to fix. One year I went all summer in Phoenix without working AC in the car because I didn’t want to pay for the repair. Sure, I was a little sweaty when I got home from work or school, but I had more cash in my pocket than I would have otherwise!
Praise the Lord for that wonderful husband you have there! We are so blessed to have hard-working men who love the Lord and not the approval of men!
I agree that a second car is a luxury. I’m driving an 11-year-old car that I put very few miles on and we pray that it makes it 4 more years so we can pay cash for its replacement!
We moved from central Minnesota to northern Delaware a few years ago. Right away we noticed that most of the cars out here are Audi, BMW, anything expensive – and they were all spotlessly clean! Out here on the East coast, it never ceases to AMAZE me how much people spend on vehicles and how they will do whatever it takes to make them look perfect.
What makes me really sad are the people who drive high-end cars and work multiple jobs and put their kids in daycare to obtain the BMW. I feel sorry for them . . . and much richer driving around in my Kia minivan 🙂
My most recent spotting that made me laugh was a Lexus car with “LEXUS” as the license plate.
Thanks for such a refreshing post. My husband works for a bank and drives a ten-year-old car with various issues, and he loves it. It definitely looks out of place in the parking deck amidst all spendy cars!
@Marlene, We lived in Las Vegas for four years. In my experience, nothing matches Sin City for the number of ridiculously expensive vehicles!
I love it!! this site has help me keep my sanity!!! I love it!! keep it coming crystal!!
Crystal,
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I feel like I’m weird and I’m always so worried about what other people think. I feel like I’m swimming upstream when the world is flowing in the other direction! You are so inspiring. I hope you will keep writing. I’m going to save this post along with my other favorite of yours: “A broken tea cup, a humble manger, and the best deal I’ve ever gotten” Thank you! Therese
I need to take this message to heart. We’re frugal and I actually enjoy sharing that fact with others. But this year, I’m finding myself struggling with embarrassment over the fact that we will not be taking a summer vacation. I know it will come up among friends. It’s the proverbial question, “So, where are y’all headed this summer?” We took great, frugal, fun and super memory-making vacations the past three years but this year we just do not have it in our budget to pay cash for a vacation. I cringe when I think about sharing that with a certain friend for whom money seems to be no object.
Sounds like my husband. Until MLK this year, he’s been driving his grandmother’s old Buick because, well, she gave it to us. He’s been given a bit of trouble now and then from some co-workers but was determined to buy a car when he was ready. He’s moved up in his accounting firm quite a bit and his car definitely did not “fit” his job. He finally decided to get a car back in January. He purchased a new Buick so we could use the $3800 GM points we had available. He said he got a few funny looks when he told them he bought a new Buick (an age-appropriate and stylish Buick).
@Reesa,
I wanted to add that I would LOVE to be a one car family!
@Reesa, I’m a college prof who’s currently driving a 94 Lincoln town car because old Mazda unexpectedly died (timing belt issue) and I’m trying to save for another car. I feel so out of place in my car, but my husband’s grandparents gave it to us, and free is hard to pass up! The funny looks are interesting, though.
We drive two cars that are more than likely on their last leg, but everyday that we get in them and they run we tell them that they rock. I know it sounds funny, but we have given up on what other people think.
My husband finished his PhD a year and a half ago and we spent pretty much all our savings moving across the country and furnishing our new home (God has wonderful timing as this all occurred just months before our savings would have been cut in half or worse by the market collapse) – Anyway we’ve been blessed by a decent enough paycheck that I’ve been able to stay home with our then 2 and now soon to be 4 children – but with our family additions we’ve had to purchase a larger vehicle ourselves.
We paid cash for our new (to us, it is a 2003) van but now my husband’s ’96 car is looking very shabby next to it, it has a dent in the side (my fault, I accidentally backed into it getting used to the steep driveway of our new home) the fan makes a horrible noise when it comes on (again my fault, the fender got pushed in a bit when I “tapped” another car at a stop light, and now the fan hits the inside of the bumper) and the clear coat is peeling off in multiple places. I have felt guilty the last month or so driving such a nicer vehicle than my husband who earns the $ to pay for everything. I’ve been considering looking into what it would cost for dent removal and a new paint job (I’m sure it would cost more than it is worth to straiten the frame/fender, cosmetically you can’t tell, you can just hear it) I’m sure the fixes would still cost a lot less than buying a new car and inside the car is perfect and it runs great. After reading this post I think I feel much better about the cosmetic deficiencies – my husband isn’t overly concerned about it so why should it bother me?
Thank you for the inspiration and the reminder…I’ve been meaning to ask you about your husband’s clothing budget.
My husband needs to wear khakis and dress shirts most days; some days he has to wear a suit and tie. He has one $400 suit. I try to shop clearance sales and outlets for nicer brands, since department store clothes don’t last as long. How do you keep your lawyer professionally dressed without breaking the budget?
We have one car & a scooter (my job requires lots of travel). As luck would have it both are in the shop today so I rode my bike today. Of course I received some strange looks but it’s beautiful outside & I burned some calories in the process.
Oh, and just in case you need PROOF– here is the link to such a device.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-03-30-repo-device-car-loans_N.htm
What an interesting world we live in, huh?
You might enjoy this:
My husband frequently takes “flak” at work for driving his 10-yr-old economy car, even though he makes a very good salary. 🙂
Recently, he discovered that one of his employees– who has been quite a scoffer!– has some contraption rigged to his steering wheel, put there by his wacky auto dealer– that only allows him to turn the car ON when he has made his weekly payment. Seriously! If he gets in the car on Friday afternoon and the light is “red” on his payment contraption, it means he didn’t pay and must “call in” to pay and get a code to start the car. HA! My husband is feeling LOTS better about his paid for car. It might be a beater, but at least he can start his beater WHENEVER he wants! 🙂
As a teenager I used to be so embarrassed about riding around with my family in our old clunker. But I’m so thankful my parents didn’t go into debt just so their daughter didn’t feel like a dork. Now that I’m married, my husband and I both drive “less-than-ideal” vehicles too. But they were paid for with cash, and it’s wonderful not to have vehicle payments hanging over our head. So glad my parents taught me to be thankful for what I have and not to worry about what other people think!
What a GREAT inspiration!!!…you really don’t need luxury things to make you feel happy…just be CONTENT of what you have….im so happy i found this site….Keep inspiring people….God really loves you guys.!!!
Great post! So encouraging to know we’re not alone. lol
:o)
And by the way, I’m with you…“I don’t really care what other people think” either!
What a blessing Crystal.
My family is in a very similar predicament. We pay cash for everything. We drive our cars until the wheel fall off and we pay cash to replace them. Our home will be paid off soon and we will by our next home cash only.
It’s a journey to cultivate the habits but it’s well worth the rewards of living financial independent. We live we’ll below our means and teach our children the importance of honoring God with our finances.
We have one car as well and my husband really, really wants a second car for me so I’m not “stuck” at home all day with the kids, but I don’t want one! It’s just more cost (gas, insurance, upkeep) than anything else. I’d love to be able to take my kids to play groups and story times, but we’re surviving just fine! 🙂
Because I have to take my son to therapies and Dr.’s appointments we have 2 cars, but my husband has a 10 year old car that is paid for that he drives everyday to work. All ofhis work friends are driving much better, newer, and fancier cars. They laugh at him the way you described our husbands friends. But to us 2 cars is a luxury, and the car has everything he needs. We are very lucky to have family that are mechanics so the cars we do buy used are in great working order. We recently purchased a van, before starting with Dave. I wish we would have waited but we didn’t. We will have the loan paid for in 3 years, on a 6 year loan, at the latest. However I plan to drive it until it dies so I figure I will get my money out of it!
**APPLAUSE** **APPLAUSE** That is the most wonderful thing I have heard a man say in years. Most men, want a new car, new boat, new motorcycle…… God bless you all in your life journey and kudos to you for being so frugal and sharing it with all of us!! THANKS!
We were a one car family for many years; thankfully we lived within walking distance to many ammenties, so I could walk to get a few groceries, etx. Once my daughter started attending pre school and the thought of driving my husband to work at 6am seemed a little less than appealing, we bought canother vehicle. It is wonderful having two vehicles, but you’re right, it is a luxury. Everytime we start drooling over new, shiny cars, I think about our two paid for cars and suddenly, I feel very content. My husband drives the older of our two cars, a 10 year old Civic. It has been a great, reliable car and I’m thankful that he’s content driving it.
We have two vehicles, though my husband’s is a company car. We were a bit unsure about going out on a limb and selling his older paid-for car, since it does cost us a small monthly fee to use the company car. But absolutely everything is covered by the company in regards to the car (insurance, gas, repairs…) so it has been a great move financially for us. Since we are expecting #3 in the fall, we are having to find a different vehicle for me because three carseats won’t fit in the back of my sedan. Boy, I wish I could that work!
We have too many cars. I am working on getting rid of them though. As far as what other people think…we’ve never really cared and have been so much better off for it. I have watched other people spend their way into debt for other people. We were talking about metal roofs and someone told us “I couldn’t do that to my neighbors” Really, who cares? (Metal roofs are more expensive but do offer a better value imho)
One thing you might want to consider is gas mileage. If the old blue van is in great condition and gets good mileage, doesn’t use much oil, etc. then it’s great that you’re keeping it. But if it’s not fuel efficient, you’re throwing money away and damaging the environment. I’m not meaning that as a criticism. I just wanted your readers to remember that sometimes something old and worn has an extra cost to it that we don’t think about.
You are absolutely right! The same thing with repairs. We wouldn’t be hanging onto it if it were eating us out of house and home in gas and repairs–which some old cars can do. It isn’t, so we keep driving it!
@Karen Rucker, I generally agree with this, but I do think there are exceptions. For example, we currently drive an older minivan that has been needing an increasing # of repairs and isn’t the most fuel-efficient vehicle on the block. But we are heading to Texas this coming week to pick up my grandfather’s older SUV and are planning on selling the van. Why? Because the SUV only has 74,000 miles on it, is a much higher-quality vehicle in terms of the brand, and has been well maintained by both my grandfather and then my stepfather, both of whom are mechanics. Given that it’s worth over $4,000 and we’re getting it for free, I think it’s worth it.
I was worried about the gas mileage (both from an economic as well as an environmental standpoint), but since we’ve moved recently, we really don’t drive the van that much, so while gas costs will be slightly higher, they won’t be tons higher. We could go to being a one-car family, but for now it does seem we need a newer/better-condition car that holds all of us, especially for road trips to see family.
You are such an encouragement to me, Crystal! On a smaller scale, I have been wrestling with whether or not to buy my toddler a new Easter dress. Our church is really into dressing up and all of the children in our family get new super dressy clothes for easter. This is fine and all, but she has around 20 handmedown/consignment, not super frilly dresses and I have been pondering for weeks whether or not to put her in a little sundress that has been worn by her sister and not super frilly/cute (my girls are 6 years apart so styles are a little differnt) or spend the money on a new more easter worthy dress. I keep going back and forth on whether to swallow my pride and put her in the handmedown and the fact that she will have her second easter only once and easter is such a triumphant time for christians, so….. But we really should be saving the money for a house, so we dont have to rent forever. I need to focus on the important things about easter and not on the superficial, and seemingly what everyone else around me is thinking about. Sorry, to ramble on! Really I just wanted you to know this blog truly blesses my life:0)
@cheapolady, About dresses, focus on the Risen Savior this Resurection day and on what He did for you. How He willingly went to a cross to be crucified for your sins and mine. The dress does not seem as important. But, the humility behind the clothing does.
If it were me, I’d put her in a dress she already has and not worry about it. But that’s just me! We’ve never purchased Easter dresses before, we just have them wear one of their nice church dresses that they already have on hand. But I do sometimes stock up on church dresses *after* Easter–when they are all marked down at great prices! 🙂
@cheapolady, I agree with Jeanni. I have wrestled with that at times in my own life and now know that unless they need a new dress, something from the closet is just as well. The whole reason for celebrating Easter is the Risen Saviour, and yes, people get all carried away with their attire. Let’s get carried away in Christ!
@cheapolady,
Your comment reminded me of my frugal journey that I have gone one the last few years. When I started couponing and finding these wonderful blogs about being frugal, it has seeped into every area of my life. Spending less, needing less, wanting less, being more organized, time management, etc. It’s been a great journey!
@cheapolady, I’ve never bought mine new Easter dresses for Easter. Weather is too cold half the time anyway. I’ve had a few pangs over it, but like others have said it’s not the most important thing. My mother didn’t do it for her 6 girls and we all turned out fine. But I do get dresses after Easter on markdown!
@Heather, Thanks so much for the encouragement! The funny thing is she wore a handmedown last year and I was just fine with it. I honestly think the Lord is challenging me in this area! The decision has been made…. she will wear something we already have and I will focus on my savior and the miracle of the day, not having anymore concerns over not “celebrating” enough through clothes. Instead, the day will be celebrated with a thankfull heart and mindfulness of the Father who loves us so much that He gave His son’s life…. not His favorite outfit, not His car, not His house, but His all! How minute this dress dilemma compared to what my mind should be on!
@cheapolady, I’m sure she’ll be just beautiful no matter what dress! There is a line from a song by India Arie that I just love, she says: “my mamma said a lady ain’t what she wears, but what she knows.” That just cheers me right up!
Thank you for this 🙂 My husband and I are able to commute into work together which is a huge blessing as my car just died this past winter. With our first baby on the way we have been trying to figure out if we could still make this work with just one car. Especially with me on maternity leave, and his work being somewhat far away.
We do not feel that the Lord is leading us to purchase another car, as we would have to finance this not pay cash. We really feel like the Lord is calling us to live differently right now. But I have a know-it-all at work that has exclaimed numerous time how impractical it is to try and make this work with a baby. She has point blank told me several times that we are going to need to buy a second car. As much as we are content in this time of being a one car family, it is funny how other people’s comments can cause you to doubt your convictions. We are holding strong and reading more about others who do it on one car make us more inspired and determined to make this work.
@Anna, Just tell the know-it-all that as long as God sees fit for you to share a vehicle, HE WILL make a way. Maybe she NEEDS you to share CHRIST with her. hee hee
That’s exactly the way I think… when I purchased my car (paid in cash), it was 10 years old. I am diligent about the regular maintenance on it, and it is still running strong. Hoping to get to 300K. 🙂
I know how much pressure there is to keep up appearances in the law world, so I say “Good for him”! That is a great way of thinking that will definitely pay off!
I love being weird! We have lived debt free for many years thanks to Dave Ramsey. Last year when our beater died, we went out and bought a very nice used car for cash. It was very hard to hand over a stack of cash for a car (car= mode of transportation, that’s it, no status symbol, just an object to get you from point A to point B), but at the same time it felt amazing! Living on one income and saving and buying everything we want and need for cash is something worth fighting for. Our friends don’t understand that we had cash for a car, but can’t afford to go to the movies. Feel free to call me weird!
Of note: I think it is amazing what you accomplish on your budget, but for everyone else it’s about starting something. Cut back a little at at time. Success is not found in the number of double coupon days you have.
@Amy, I loved your comment about your friends not understanding how you can buy a car but not go to the movies. We recently bought a car with cash because our last car was done, so my friends are surprised when I say I can’t spend money on concerts or eating out. It’s all a matter of setting priorities, and right now, my priority is avoiding short-term pleasures in order to get my husband through grad school debt free.
@Erin, Awesome! Grad school debt free is no small feat. It will be worth all your effort. The hardest thing I have dealt with in this debt free living is knowing/seeing people I love struggle with money and not realize there is another way, not always easier, but better! Society is all about here and now, but imagine no student loans and a good income, now that is living! Best of luck, Cheers!
Totally agree about the freedom that not worrying about “keeping up with the Jones” brings.
And it’s not hard for me not to worry about what friends and neighbors think, luckily, . . . except what to do about family members who are not on the same page?? My husband and I are often under strong pressure from extended family to go on “destination” family reunions. We technically could afford it (which they know), but it’s not in our budget. Ironically, the ones that are pushing for this sort of thing the hardest cannot afford it in the least, being themselves in a lot of debt. Nor are they receptive to hearing the truth as I would like to say it! Gotta keep the family peace, but yet I really do not want others telling us how we must spend our money and vaction days. Very frustrating.
Anyway, this is probably a topic for another post. I’d be interested to see how others deal with nonfrugal family members.
@Heather,
Me too! My husband’s dad and step mom are constantly at us to come visit them at their trailer….never mind that it doesn’t comfortably sleep 4 adults, a preschooler, and an infant who needs to be in a crib still. We tried nicely saying, “We can’t afford it”, which is our way of trying to be polite and bow out, but his dad of course, offers to “front you the money, you can pay me back whenever…”
Honestly, we’re getting to the point where we’re going to have to say, “We just don’t want to.” Ugh. As others have said, I’d like to decide how I spend my money, thankyouverymuch.
What a blessing !!! It is very easy to look around and “see” all that other people have BUT we must remember all the other people who have nothing.
We adopted our daughter from China and I have never seen such poverty until we visited there. It still overwhelms me with sadness when I think of the village people bathing and washing clothes in the river. Yet, they were some of the happiest people I had ever met!
We are so blessed here in America.
SO blessed.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us! It is helping many families!
I love your attitude this is something I struggle with on a regular basis. Not impressing others but making myself happy… Crazy stuff… I have gotten better but its stories like this that make the cars that we drive and the things that we have not matter.
Awesome!
I visited Ethiopia when I was 25. I was ashamed that my husband and I had 2 new cars (both new at our careers) and the long-time, wonderfully skilled director of the large, international aid organization I was visiting didn’t own a car. He sent his children to school (public schools charge tuition in most countries) via taxi and walked everywhere himself. Talk about a wake-up call regarding taking things for granted! Whenever I start to think things are getting rough, I ask myself if I have enough food for the day. Do I have a flush toilet and clean running water? Do I have soft carpet under my feet? Do I have a mud roof that washes away in the rain? Can I sleep in safety? Even though times are tight, frighteningly tight in some cases, we still have much to be thankful for.
@Laura, Thanks for sharing! We do have so much!
I love reading everyone’s stories! Thank you for sharing.
There are many reasons why I teach financial ministry, one of them being it would be so selfish of me to keep all my money management skills to myself. Being “wise” with one’s money is something that gets engrained in you internally and it just becomes a part of you that you don’t really think about it too much. For me, I don’t like the term “frugal” ~ it just doesn’t float my boat…instead, I prefer the term “wise”.
I thank my parents for being prime money manager examples. If you are a parent, make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities to teach your children wise money management skills so they can learn and live appropriately now and in the future.
Smiles to y’all! :>D
My husband and I have been married for 30 years, lived frugally, and paid cash for everything. We are living very comfortably now, but of course, that means we did without during our early years while watching many others living a much higher standard. Just yesterday we were shocked to hear that another couple our age from church is going to have to sell their house and rent because the payments are too high and they have over $40,000 credit card debt. I’m afraid there are going to be many others doing the same thing because this poor economy has become a trap for them.
I’d just like to encourage you younger readers to hang in there and have the same “I don’t care what others think” attitude as Jesse and Crystal. It will truly pay off.
@Lisa, Thanks lisa… 🙂
I have to say way to go to you and your DH. My DH and I both drive much older cars and we don’t care that we have the oldest cars in the neighborhood! Ours may not looks as nice and shiny as everyone elses but we both know we don’t have payments to make on them and that makes me smile.
My husband and I have been discussing this. He feels like we need another car becuase my job takes me out of town for a few days a couple times a year. But the thought hit be like a ton of brickes….get a rental the few days he will need it we live close enough to work that he could ride a bike but the little ones daycare is to far away!)
I sent him a txt just now and he is more open to the idea now!!! Hopefully we can break even on his car and we may sell it soon!!!
I can not wait to start putting that money in savings!!! we are trying to have baby #2 so this would make things a lot more plausible money wise!!!
My husband is like this. I really appreciate that about him. One thing he often says is, “I don’t need a new one; I can keep using/wearing ____.” He wears things out and he does without.
I needed your encouragement today; thank you, Crystal.
We are fortunate to have 2 vehicles; however, the 2nd vehicle is a perk for my husband being a supervisor. He has company truck. It gets him back and forth to work, but it’s not a vehicle he can drive outside of working hours.
We’ve managed to make it work. When there is a conflict, our friends and family are used to hearing they’d have to pick me up. It works for us. I know I’m fortunate that my husband doesn’t use my car to get to work. We plan to start saving soon, so when our main car dies in few years the money will be waiting for a nice, used vehicle.
This is why we must compare ourselves to our Risen Savior and Lord Jesus Christ and not each other. Comparing ourselves to each other is unwise and it hurts our pocketbooks.
We only had 1 car for the first six years of marriage. I used public transportation to get to grad school / work, and when my husband changed jobs he began to do the same.
We only got the second car (used, and paid for with CASH) when the older one (11 years old at the time) no longer had working a/c, some issues with the brakes and was no longer reliable beyond short trips around town.
We still have both cars and will keep the old one till it dies- it works fine for trips to the grocery or when I feel like going yard sale-ing and DH does not!
I always try to remind my children that it’s “okay to be different” and while others may do and say things that we don’t, we shouldn’t judge them for their actions. We’ve never been one to “keep up with the Jones’ ” so to speak, and what a blessing…can’t imagine how much debt we would have accumulated doing that!
I had to laugh at this. Both of went to art schools and have an appreciation for good design. We strive (amidst our clutter) to have a nicely designed home on a budget. Sometimes it’s difficult to mesh the two. And in terms of cars, my hubby especially loves well-designed vehicles…but what do we drive? A good deal that has lasted us 12 years now! Not much for impressing others.
My husband drives a “girl car” that is paid for to work every day. His is the only car in a sea of huge trucks and SUVs- not paid for. He is constantly teased for not being a “manly man”. However, he just says the magic words to the men who bother him- “It’s paid for, and we have no credit card debt”. That sets them back on their feet! Thanks for the encouragement!! It is hard to be “wierd”, but so very worth it!!
we don’t live out of one car! with one car! oops! 🙂
@amanda p., lol…I was wondering!!!
@amanda p., Your comment cracked me up!
@amanda p., Living OUT of one car, now that is being frugal 🙂
Saw a black BMW yesterday with the plate “UR LAWUR”.
The poor guy looked as pathetic as you’d expect…
Preach it, sister! You are an inspiration. I married my husband 1.5 years ago. Going from a 28-year-old independent single gal, to an instant mother of 8 has definitely been the biggest challenge of my life (and also the biggest blessing). Your cost-saving ideas, and encouragement about not comparing ourselves with others is such a blessing – I must admit it’s hard to see my friends getting married and starting off their marriages with such a different set of circumstances, but God is faithful and there are countless blessings, when you submit to His will for your life. Keep up the good work – may the Lord bless you!
@Bekah Brooks, Wow! An instant mom to 8? Now that in itself is amazing!
I love the fact that I am not alone. My husband buys all his outdoor equiptment (shed, tools, lawnmowers) second hand from his friends that decide to upgrade. We have three kids and they know how to coupon. Our furniture is worn and has been steamed cleaned so much it not as fluffy any more. But if I can not pay for new furniture with cash then it can wait. My friends and family calls me weird because I call them and tell them about my find of the day. Then I later find out they went and brought the same thing.
we have family and friends who think we are crazy for living out of one car. it does get hard, but we’re saving money!
Right on, Crystal! Growing up, my parents never owned a car, period – we lived in areas that were accessible by foot, so we were able to walk everywhere. You can imagine what people thought of that, but the things my parents were able to do with the money saved were simply amazing, and totally worth it.
I experienced the convenience of driving for the first time when I was 21, which is when I learned to drive and got my own car. Being able to drive anywhere – what a luxury that seems, LOL! (Although after a few years and several pounds, I’m trying to walk more for fitness – funny how we always come full circle!)
My fiance and I always buy workable used vehicles – it takes some shopping around to avoid a clunker, but the occasional maintenance we’ve put into our cars is a thousand times cheaper than the monthly payments/insurance on a new vehicle.
my husband and i are living the one car family life. we are a young family, in our mid-twenties, and our daughter just turned 9 months. my husband works full-time and is taking online classes part time so i am able to stay home with our daughter. we recently got rid of our debt and are learning to be content with what we have. we may not have 2 cars, or own our own home, but we have everything we need! God has always provided for us. thank you for the encouragement to continue on this debt free path the Lord is leading us on!!!
Love it! What a great guy as well!
I love that the better I get at this I don’t care what other people thing attitude, the happier and more peace filled my life becomes. (As long as I am still caring what God thinks!)
What a great quote!
We were a one car family when we were first married (I used to ride my bike to work back in the day); we have two cars we own in full and plan on driving them well past 200k.
We do invest in the upkeep/maintenance/repairs; when my hubs car (1999 Taurus) needed a BIG (4 digit) repair 18 months ago, a lot of folks thought we were nutso to repair it rather than replace it. Worth every penny not to be saddled with more debt!
I {heart} being frugally freaky!
This is something I have always wanted to do, but have always failed at. Since my husband is in the army and is away often (while we move to new locations!), we decided it was wiser to make comfortable monthly payments on a “new” car then risk driving a clunker that needs constant upkeep. We’ve lost thousands of dollars that we did NOT have in the past attempting at saving money with the concept of having a “paid off” vehicle. I commend those that are able to do this, but my husband and I have not been. However, the idea of “I don’t really care what people think” still applies! (In a respectful manner, of course!).
Thank you so much for writing this, it was very encouraging to me! I am going to share it with my husband tonight – who is also one of those great guys who doesn’t care what people think. He drives a ’95 Saturn (ugly thing, that sounds terrible, and I am sure is wonderful for the environment, lol), and he is totally content in driving until it heaves it’s last heave! I have told people many times how thankful I am for having a husband like that, who doesn’t care that his buddies are driving nice trucks or Hummers (or whatever you call them).
Thank you so much for reminding me that its not important what others think. We only have one car right now. My car “passed on” LOL! I just started working and it’s only part time, so we have to make it work. I am a new coupon clipper and I am inspired by your blog. Again, thank you so much and I hope one day someone will help you just as much as you have helped me. 😉
i love your blog (check it about 4 times a day) and this hit me because we are about to have one car (my husband’s car is on oxygen!) And i would like to have a bigger car.. we too are debt free and want to stay that way, so we are trying to figure out how to pay for this new expense..but as you but it we dont really need two.. God has show me soo much and i desire to stay home so this might be the “thought” for the day i need! thank you so much
One of my friend’s husbands has been an ER doctor for a number of years. He’s driven all the expensive cars…. porche, bmw, lamborghini, etc. In recent years, however, he inherited a beat up car (as in, might break down at any minute). The guy has no debt and pays cash for everything, so he can afford any car he wants. Well, he stuck his head out the ER door one day to show a doctor HIS car. The doc of course didn’t believe that was his car. Anyway, he could’ve cared less. 🙂
This past makes me smile! I usually can say the same thing, but some days discontent will rear it’s ugly head! Moving to a new city with less-frugal friends has proven to be harder than I had hoped. I’m still trying, but some days are harder than others to remember why we are being frugal. I try to remind myself daily of all the things I have, most of which I don’t even need. And to remember all the people we can help by being frugal. Thanks again for your reminders!
Thank you so much for sharing! It’s easy to get caught up in what others think. We only have one car
We only had one car when we lived close enough for my husband to walk to work, it was great! When his job relocated him, we had to get a second car because our jobs were 1/2 hour from home each, in opposite directions. While having 2 cars is necessary for our jobs, we do miss this simplicity of being a one car family!
We are working toward saving for a new-to-us minivan as our family will be expanding in July and 3 car seats simply will not fit in our current vehicles. Since both of our cars are paid for and in great shape I don’t look foward to making this investment, but realize that it is something we have to do. At least it will be paid for!
I LOVE this! It is us for sure! We got all sorts of crazy comments from others when we hauled around our family of 5 in a Jetta (our only car). Three carseats fit in the back (barely), it ran fine, and had excellent gas mileage – why did we need anything more? We were able to make a significant dent in our debt because we didn’t care what others thought.
Thanks for the reminder to be happy with what I have. I am very blessed to have the van I have (even though the glove box is held shut with a rubber band). Now, since it is beautiful out, I am going to go wash it in the driveway and give it a good vacuuming
I wish we could go down to one car but with my husband working in one state and us (our daughters and I) living in another, it is impossible to have only one car. The way I try to save cash is by the girls and I living on pb&j and the like during the week and on the wkends when daddy comes home, we have sit down meals together. I have always been a spender so now that we are trying to save money, it is extremely hard. I wish we had the type of stores you seem to have in your area. We never have double coupon day and very rarely have ‘money back’ promotions. I am very impressed with how you have been able to spend so little but have so much. You are definately an inspiration.
@armycouple, Wow, that sounds really tough from many angles – being on your own with the kids during the week, living on a limited diet, and having a limited selection of stores. I live in California, and while we have certain deals, we rarely see “double dollar days” – actually, make that never :).
@armycouple, have you considered getting a vegetarian cookbook? Ideally from the library, of course. Much of what makes food expensive is the meat, a vegetarian cookbook will focus on cheese, beans, grains. I hear good things about Mark Bittman’s “How to Cook Everything Vegetarian.”
Good luck to you.
Thank you for this reminder Crystal! We are nearly debt-free (about 1 week away!!!) and it is such a wonderful feeling! However, it does not come with out great sacrifice.
We did not have the view that you are sharing above in the first few years of our marriage. We have worked a few years to get out of that thinking and the actions of that thinking!
In fact, we paid of our mini-van 1 year ago, and it was soooo tempting to turn in the rusted, dented vehicle for a new one (oh and those toddler cups that are “spill-proof” are certainly not:))! My husband reminded me what our goals are and our view of debt. Instead I paid for a detailed cleaning the month after we paid it off (with coupons and discounts of course!), felt much better and I hope to be driving it until it’s last breath too! It does cause you to also take care of the things you have been blessed with – being a good steward of the things that God has given, in addition to wanting things to last!!
It is a blessing, and it does not matter what others think! The Lord blesses and provides when we try to remain faithful! That is what we are called to! We are so very thankful for how He has graciously provided and allowed us to become debt free despite our miserable failings!
@Cassie at The Thrifty Couple,
CONGRATULATIONS on getting debt free in a week!!! I have no doubt that the road to this accomplishment has been long and tough, but I am sure you are going to be sooo happy you did this! I can’t wait to be debt free too, thanks for sharing!
well said!
Thank you so much for this post. It truly brings encouragement to all!
Love it! We had one car for years and carpooled. Now we pay cash for our vehicles and keep them until they cost more than they’re worth.
We have become known as the neighborhood pet sitters since we never go out of town on vacation. Our neighbors have come to rely on us to be around even during spring break week and it has given my daughter a great income taking care of the neighborhood pets.
Someday we’d like to go on a nice trip, but for now we’re just weird while we get out of debt.
Crystal, this is why I love your site! My husband is an engineer who makes a good salary, yet by choice drove a old white oldsmobile “grandpa car” for many years (until it recently died). He got some very funny looks and comments from other engineers, but was like your husband – doesn’t care what others think! Meanwhile, we saved money and then paid cash for a new-to-us car for him. Your “lifestyle” is an encouragement – we’re right there with you!
Thank you so much for this post! I needed this encouragement today!! God gave my husband a new job three weeks ago, that just so happens to be directly behind our apt complex. So we sold his truck just last week. We’re in the middle of adjusting to a new routine with only one car. Tomorrow will be the first day we don’t have to pay his truck/insurance payment…so exciting. We’re going to sell my car and get a beater and save up cash for a ‘family friendly’ vehicle. Once we get out of debt, (hopefully by the end of the year!) we hope to grow our family. =)
Love your site!
Good for you! My husband worked at the apt. complex where we lived when we first married. He doesn’t work so close to home anymore, but we still have only one car. We have 2 kids now and I stay home, so it still works just fine to have only one car! 🙂
I love your and your husband’s attitude! My husband and I have lived with one car for the last year (while we paid the rest of the loan off – all paid now!) and only just bought a second car again. $500 and it doesn’t run yet but it will! My husband enjoys the challenge of making it work and IT’S PAID FOR so win, win for all! This is the first time we have been without a car loan since we were in college and we’re NEVER going back to that!
Way to go!!!!
Amen to that Crystal! I love my husband just the same for driving his 1996 Jetta w/ over $260K miles on it into Boston everyday 🙂 He says the exact thing that Jesse does…”I dont’ need a new car!! It gets me to work just fine.” We used to laugh and tell my son that it was going to be his first car. Well, my son will be 16 next fall and guess what he will be driving! He is actually excited knowing he already has a car 🙂
@Sherri @ Luv a Bargain, that is a hoot! I guess you don’t have to worry as much about his trashing the car.
Great attitude! Both our vehicles are 2002’s and I hope they last long after we’re done paying for them. We need 2 vehicles since hubby works 40 minutes or so away from home and our parent’s all live about half hour or so away from us.
This is great. When my husband went back to school we too went to one car and it was really hard since he had togo to school at 5am and sometimes got home at 11pm, not to mention the school was an hour away. But we did it and now that we have two cars we appreciate it so much more. We just bought him his first new car and he loves it so much. He takes care of it so much better than the car he first had.
I think that there are so many people out there who don’t appreciate what they have and wouldn’t know what to do if they lost it.
Worrying about what other people think can be such a trap. You’re so right that there’s freedom in doing your own thing and not worrying about what others think of you. I love making people raise an eyebrow by commenting on our not having cable or some other WEIRD thing like that! 🙂
@Jennifer @ Saving and Giving, Jennifer, I love it. I have gotten so many crazy looks when I tell people we don’t have cable. People just can’t seem to understand life without it. I guess I’ll just have to never know what I’m missing!
@Jennifer @ Saving and Giving,
Ha! We don’t have cable either. To me, it just seems weird how it’s become a standard, acceptable thing that so many people have. I think it’s a waste of $100 a month!
@Jennifer @ Saving and Giving, people look at me funny too when I say I do not pay for cable. I don’t see a point in paying for something that has no value in my life.
Thanks so much for this post. As I will get into my 93 Saturn in just a few minutes. My parents bought me this car brand new in high school. I am determined to drive it til it dies. It was a free car to me!! 🙂
@Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage, Angie, that car wasn’t fee, I’m sure you earned it by being a good daughter and student! My 10 yr old knows that dad’s job is to earn green money, mom’s job is to save green money, and her job is to be a good student! 🙂
@Heiss Haus, I love this idea! I never thought of it like that. Of course we know that my job pays the bills (because for now it pays more consistently) and our other jobs are to save…but I never thought of putting it like that to the kids.
@Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage,
I drove a 94 Beretta that my parents bought me in high school for 13 years. And my dad is still driving it today! It was hard sometimes to look around at all the new vehicles on the road but not having a car payment was worth it.
I do at times feel odd because of how we choose to live. I think most people expect one income families to be frugal and thrifty. But no one expects that when you have two incomes as we do. I’ve couponed in the past (we eat whole foods now), we shop at thrift stores for clothing, we do without until we can save up (we’ve been without a dishwasher for over a year and without running hot water in our kitchen because we’re currently building our emergency fund), I cook from scratch, we drive older paid for cars, our home is probably furnished with more “trash to treasure” finds than items we’ve actually bought! Just a different path than those around us.
Mary Ellen
@The Working Home Keeper, Ah, the two income thing. My husband and I are DINK (two income no kids). A friend once ask we where do all my money go if I don’t spend it on anything fun. What I am doing is fun. I don’t have to worry about money. I know I am going to be able to retire early. I help my parents out when I can. Why do I need a two jetskis in my driveway to have fun?
I had to add something random, lol. I don’t know why, but yesterday as I was putting on my shoes, I was remembering how a little while back you were contemplating whether or not you should buy a pair of Crocs that were on sale for 7.99. I told my husband about this, and he says, “She’s smart, you need to be more like that.”, LOL.
Amen!
Isn’t not caring what others think, true freedom?
I commend you! In a day and age when everyone feels that material things are so important and that they must try to be better their neighbor, it’s great to be reminded that there are still humble people who, like you said…don’t care about what others think and realize that having the biggest and best isn’t everything. My husband and I are the same way now. I’m 25, he’s 30…he’s getting his career started, and we recently had our first baby. While we don’t have a ton of money, we have everything we need, plus some, and that’s enough for now. Like you guys did, we’re trying to do things the smart way rather than going for the instant gratification, and even at my age, I’ve already realized that it pays off eventually. That is one reason why I frequent your site! Thanks again! 🙂
Hi Crystal,
Good for you! I also drove a clunker for many years. Since the car was safe and reliable, I felt no need to purchase a new vehicle even though it was 16 years old. I purposed to drive it until it died and saved my pennies in the meantime. Well, I did drive it until it died…and then sold it to a salvage company! I had saved enough at that point to purchase a new car and negotiated a great price on my “dream car”, a small SUV. I love my new car and will drive this one until it dies too.
Saryn
I just started on this web site and I am loving all the tips and deals! There is really something to be said about living on less and only paying for what you need and can afford. Thanks for all the inspiration!
I love your attitude! 🙂
This is a struggle that I think everyone that is trying to save goes through! It’s been hard for us at times to see our neighbors buying new cars and motorcycles and talking about fancy cruises and vacations. My husband has drove the same car for 12 years now and our big vacations are in our pop-up camper (that we got for a steal last year!!) And, we’re paying down our debt and saving (while the neighbors add more and talk that there’s no need to save!!) We find that the green-eyed monster can still show up every once in awhile that in our ‘big picture’ we’ll be better off in the long run.
We recently went down to having one car and love it! We are more organized about our schedule and it keeps us from wasting gas. Plus the money we are saving on insurance is great too! Thanks for the great post!
When my husband was in law school, we thought we were living frugally. Now that he’s graduate and the job market isn’t good….even for attorneys….I’m learning now what smart frugal living really is. Wish I had known that before all the loans!
Thank you for your site…I visit it daily! I’m learning and loving taking care of my family!
Love it! Thanks to both of you for being such a wonderful inspiration to me!