Money Saving Mom®

Guest post from Jennifer of The Intentional Mom

While my husband and I have a firm commitment to maintaining a frugal lifestyle (primarily out of necessity) there are times that this commitment is more difficult to stick to.

We live in the very cold North. In fact, we just had the coldest February on record, and by about March, every year, I have had more than enough of all things winter.

By the time spring break week rolls around (usually in the beginning of April) the weather is still quite cold and snowy. Although it would be lovely to take a vacation someplace warm, it’s just not a reality that aligns with our need to be frugal. However, it seems that our community turns into a ghost town during this week as nearly everyone has fled South.

It took me about two years of being on Facebook to see a pattern in my mood changes during this week. As I watched picture after picture of friends and loved ones soaking up the sun, my spirit grew more and more discontent. I even became angry in my jealousy toward the smiling faces that were staring at me with sparkling water, blue sky, and green leaves… seemingly mocking me from my computer screen.

Of course we could have migrated South for the week — if we wanted to rob our emergency savings or use a credit card. But this was where the rubber met the road when it came to seeing our financial plan through to the end.

One day, when I actually felt tears of envy over this, I finally realized Facebook was not a good thing in my life at that time. I knew that we will someday reap the reward of our financial plan, but in that moment, the emotions were just so painfully raw.

From that point forward that year, I didn’t get on Facebook until I knew that every last person would be back in town. Because we homeschool, I am not completely in tune with the typical school year calendar, but the following year, as soon as I saw the first post of someone beginning the journey South, I logged off Facebook and remained that way for two weeks.

I have discovered that this Facebook hiatus makes it so much easier for me to embrace our frugal journey. By the time I log back on, everyone is complaining about the harsh reality of the weather in the North that hit them square in the face upon their return.

This year I have that week already loaded into my calendar and plan to spend my time being content in where we are and in where we hope to be!

Jennifer is a busy, homeschooling mom of seven who enjoys keeping a home, living an active lifestyle, and loving the little and not so little people in her life. Her mission is helping other moms find contentment in living intentionally every day over at her blog, The Intentional Mom.

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Guest post from Rachael of Thriving on Thrifty

You all know the different types of moms out there. You have ones like me, the frazzled couponer or you have the “well-put together-latte mom” as I call them.

Now, if you are a latte mom, please know that I am in no way putting you down. If anything, I have a bit of the jealous monster, hence this post. I always seem to write posts on being content, I guess I do so to remind myself of this important principle…

At the grocery store the other week, I frantically ran through the aisles scouring the shelves to find the items I had strategically planned to purchase with my purse full of coupons. Generally, I am a little more put together, but this was a particularly rough day.

As my children said “Hi!” to everyone in the store from the cart, I bent down to pick up items my son had so graciously pushed off the shelves onto the floor.

I looked up from my frazzled mess to see a mom come walking by in her yoga pants and Starbucks latte. It was almost in slow motion with cool music playing in the background (as you would see in a movie). She slowly pushed her perfect hair behind her ears and flashed a beautiful smile at her 2-year-old daughter dressed from head to toe in her Baby Gap outfit. She had very few items in her cart along with a large bouquet of beautiful flowers.

All of a sudden the music stops as my son accidentally kicks me in the head and snaps me back to reality.

Of course, the jealous monster starts to rage as I wish I could be her. I start wishing I could slowly browse the aisles picking out whatever looks good and not worry about costs. I wish I could take the time to slowly sip a latte and not worry about the next stop on my “once-a-week” trip into town. I wish my children could be dressed in this season’s trendy new clothes.

But as my child flashes a smile and a quick “hi” at the next passing stranger (yes, he is very outgoing), it reminds me of everything I DO have to be thankful for.

I have two beautiful children who look just as beautiful in last year’s clearance rack as they would in this year’s fashion trends. I have a basket full of food I get to feed my family. I have been blessed with the skills and passion to coupon and deal shop for that food and their clothes (hence, getting it free or very cheap). I have a wonderful, supportive husband who allows me to be able to stay home and raise our children everyday.

What else could I possibly ask for??

And you know what? If I stick to my budget and stay a “couponing mom”, maybe, just maybe I’ll be a “latte mom” some day! On second thought, I would miss the thrill of the couponing and deal-seeking! Only time will tell, but I do know for now I’m going to enjoy my current blessings.

How have you been blessed today?

Rachael is a stay at home mom of 2 beautiful children who looks for ways to save and loves scoring freebies. She is a couponer at heart and loves to share her deal-saving tips at her blog Thriving on Thrifty. Be sure to stop by and say hello!

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