I
am often asked how we made it through my husband’s three years of law
school on a part-time income without accumulating any debt. Well, it
wasn’t the easiest thing ever, but with some creativity and the
blessing of the Lord, we survived.
Here
are a few ideas which allowed us to live on $800-$1000/month without
going into debt:
Tithe. Recognize that all the money you have is given to you from God and you are to be a good steward of it.
Read the autobiography of George Mueller and get in a habit of asking God for your provisions.
I can tell you story after story of amazing ways God has answered our
prayers for specific needs–from providing a washer and dryer for
free, to furnishing our home for $100, to anonymous gifts in the mail
just when we needed it most, to a good sale at the grocery store on
something. God has provided above and beyond many things we have asked
Him for. It has been truly amazing to see His provision.
Pay cash for everything. Don’t
even think of buying something if you don’t have the money for it. (For
more encouragement in this regard, I highly recommend Dave Ramsey’s books, radio show, and Financial Peace University.)
Pare down to the basic essentials. It is amazing what you can live without.
Make a budget and stick to it. Pay for the essentials first. If there is money left over, put the bulk of it in savings.
Regardless of how little you have, put a little money in savings every month. Even if you only have $5 to spare, put it in savings and little bit, by little bit, you’ll start to see your savings grow.
Don’t buy expensive gifts. Make
something or write a letter, it’s much more meaningful when you put
time and effort into a gift anyway. (There are lots of great frugal
gift ideas here.)
Have one vehicle. It wasn’t my first choice, but we lived for quite some time with only one vehicle. Our situation was such that I couldn’t walk anywhere (we were not in the best part of town and it would be a very long way to try and walk anywhere even if it were safe), but we managed just fine.
Stay home more.
It’s amazing how many things you don’t know you are missing out on, if
you’re not out window shopping. Staying home and just spending time
together as a family is much more fulfilling anyway!
Don’t buy anything you don’t need and only buy things if they are on sale.
Don’t eat out. I repeat, don’t eat out. You’ll save yourself a bundle of money.
Find ways to have "free dates" with your husband.
Pack a picnic and go to the park. Or, go to a bookstore and browse
together. Make some homemade mocha and play a game. The possibilities
are almost endless on this one. (More cheap date ideas here.)
Learn to utilize the library. I love our local library–I can go and check out as many books as I want and never pay them a cent (well, okay, so long as I return our books on time!).
Pack a lunch for your husband to take to work everyday. Add up how much you’ll save in a year by doing this and you will be amazed!
Cut back on meat consumption. We only eat meat about 3-4 times per week and really have not missed it much. More ideas here.
Stick to simple meals. Cook and bake from scratch.
Last but not least, make it fun! It’s a game for me to see how well we can live on how little. Learn to enjoy saving money. And, like Get Rich Slowly admonishes, don’t let a frugal lifestyle become dull and boring.
What are some of your best tips and ideas for living on little?
Originally published October 2005.
Just think, Crystal, if you had not gone through those lean years, you might not have got to this point of earning income from blogging. It seems that when we are stretched outside of our comfort zones that the Lord prepares us for the next thing.
I know that as we are living on $2100/month as a family of nine, plus whatever extra the Lord chooses to bless us with, that we are thinking and doing things we might not have otherwise done or thought.
And we LOVE George Mueller’s biography, along with The Open Door and Ten Peas in a Pod. All of these books are inspiring.
Also dwelling on the fact that the Lord is our Jehovah-Jireh – Our Provider and the many scriptures where He promises to meet our needs are great faith builders.
We are into our eighth month of unemployment and have stayed out of debt as well, but God’s merciful grace.
Blessings,
Theresa
Great ideas! I also appreciate your tips for blogging beginners as I have just started a blog that has to do with how to be eco-friendly by being frugal! View it at http://greenismygoal.blogspot.com
Today’s post on my blog explains how I learned to live simply.
Take a look – but pardon my slightly sappy, PMS’ing tone to it.
Great ideas!
I have two tips that have proved really worthwhile for me:
1) Cut back your laundry expenses – With homemade detergent, line drying and little hand-washing to stretch the frequency of using the washer. You can really feel the difference if you live in a “pay per wash” apartment like we do.
2) Try sprouts to cut back your grocery expenses – They offer all the health benefits of fresh produce without costing half as much. I agree that you can’t totally shut down using vegetables and fruits but the sprouts will stretch your grocery dollars in a pinch. They are easy to make and healthy too.
I have covered it in detail here
http://learningtherope.blogspot.com/2008/07/sprouts-easy-quick-healthy-versatile.html
.. our big thing was our house… I wanted a huge victorian what we could comfortably afford was an old farm house with about 1100square feet… Then there was the realization if God felt I needed to live in 1100 sq. feet… He must think I only needed 1100 sq feet of stuff… with 4 grown boys and 20 years later… we’ve been debt free for years… got all but one through college or career choice ( youngest is still 17).. and are able to live well in this economy
I am all for living frugally, but not at someone else’s expense. A previous poster commented that her family has not signed up for internet service and that they simply use a neighbor’s unsecured connection. Unless that neighbor is aware and has given them permission – and I hope that is the case here – that’s theft.
A better idea would be to use the internet connection at the local library. Just my two cents.
********************
Money Saving Mom here: I agree, MaryAnn. If you don’t have permission to use something, you shouldn’t use it.
I just have to agree with whole-heartedly with one of your posts! PRAY!
So many times we’ve needed something that we couldn’t quite afford, or DH didn’t want to buy unless it was dirt cheap.
I’ve found that if I pray, and ask God for the things we need, He almost always provides them (if not, we didn’t really need it did we?). When I scour the stores and online trying so hard myself to find the thing we needed, I almost never can find anything. But when I pray, God provides it easily and always in an affordable way! And so many times I’ve been overwhelmed by how God will provide things for us out of nowhere that I secretly wanted, but knew we would never get any time soon. He is so GOOD!
Instead of going to Him as a last resort, pray first, and you may end up being amazed!!
The best way I’ve found to live on little is to find your joy in life’s blessings, and to fill your time with worthwhile pursuits that don’t cost you money- that way you don’t have time to sit around and think about the “stuff” you don’t have!
For me- I do scrapbooking and paper crafting, which can be expensive if you want it to be, or you can go to a craft store and spend only a few dollars on items that will last you a month! I also enjoy running, reading books from the library and working in the garden, all free and fulfilling.
I also try to show my kids the wonder in the world around them- I encourage them to have fun just being kids- riding bikes, playing in the dirt, walking through the woods and collecting leaves and rocks, splashing in the tub. That’s how children throughout the last few hundred years have grown up, and society has fared pretty well!
Overall, just recognize that it’s the simple things in life that most people are missing out on because they are constantly trying to fill the void with stuff! Don’t worry about the stuff! Rather than spending money, spend time! Spend time with your family, spend time getting to know yourself, spend time helping others, spend time just looking at the world around you and feeling grateful to God for your blessings. The more time you invest in yourself and others, the less money you will feel inclined to spend, and you will be far richer and far happier than those whose lives revolve around their bank accounts.
Okay, my sermon is done. 🙂
This is great. I’m new to the blogging (frugal) world. I love the list especially since my mortgage takes up almost 50% of my income as a single parent.
I especially like the “don’t buy expensive gifts.”
I graduated college with a bachelor’s degree this past June after 30 years since high school of trying. I dreamed of an Oprah-style party 🙂
The only gift I got was amazing. A friend I had watched go all the way to a doctorate (someone whose focus I kept as inspiration) made an 8 hour drive one-way to take me out to lunch to celebrate since he couldn’t be at the ceremony. After he left I kept bursting into tears for at least 4 days 🙂 I used to think expensive meant great.
“Recycle” your children’s clothing. By this, I mean to buy from the thrift store and after they wear the clothing, sell it at consignment to make some money on it. My children are very well dressed on thrift store/garage sale finds. I am constantly amazed at what people give to Goodwill. I frequently find Ralph Lauren items/expensive boutique dresses/nice shoes that look like they were never worn for $1. I also frequently sell them (after we’re done with them) for MORE than I paid for them. Then, I take the money I make and buy more clothes. I only have to ask my husband for a small clothing allowance (say $100 for 5 children-3 boys, 2 girls) a couple times a year and this is ususally for items like shoes, underwear, socks, special outfits, or things I have not been able to find elsewhere. I am not discouraging giving hand-me-downs to others (we have both done this and been the thankful recipients of such hand-me-downs!), but I do think it is good stewardship to make some money where I can to lessen my clothing budget.
The link is working for me.
One thing we did recently was get rid of our cable. We downgraded from basic cable to the basic basic service which is essentially “bunny ears” through the cable company. We get the major networks, PBS and a couple other random stations for $10/month. I wasn’t ready to give up TV altogether, but this way saves us about $50/month.
First, I want to tell you how much I LOVE your blog! I learn so much from it and it is a tremendous encouragement to me. I checked out the Frugal Gifts link (which worked fine for me) and have my Christmas gift list over half completed (with what will be lovely but very inexpensive gifts), which is nothing short of a miracle for me. Usually I am frantically searching the mall on December 23 for ANYTHING I can find…not this year though! Thanks again for all the great ideas!
My suggestion is not to sign up for Internet, cable, or home phone service. Our TV was broken in our recent move and we’re waiting for the moving company to compensate us, so I wasn’t going to sign up for cable and pay for it while not having a TV to watch the cable on. So far, we’re spending more quality family time and reading more. We already decided not to get home phone service, because we only use our cell phones – for an additional $20 towards our plan, we get more minutes than we can ever use, whereas any home phone service is over $20 in this area. As for internet service – we’re piggy-backing off someone in the neighborhood without a secured connection. Just by not getting these three “essential” things, we save nearly $100 a month.
We’re only going to be here for 4 more months, so our family challenge is not to get phone/Internet/cable while here. Besides, it’s not worth the hassle to set it up only to cancel in 2 months.
Crystal-
I was not sure where to post this. I just wanted to tell you and your readers I have a nice FREE Give Away on my blog. It starts today and runs till 8/14/08.I thought someone may enjoy a free gift basket! Good Luck
I found other ways to meet our needs. In 1990 cross stitch was popular. I made all of our gifts. When I went to have one framed she asked me to cross stitch pieces for her to hang as display in her shop. I traded my cross stitching for materials and framing my gifts. I asked for a smocking class for my birthday gift ($75 back in 1989) and was able to dress my kids in the clothes I liked. I baby sat for extra money. I cleaned three classrooms each day to pay for my daughter’s Christian school tuition.
There was a time I didn’t even have money for garage sales. I made sure to get clothes or things we needed for Christmas and birthdays from parents. I took good care of our good clothes b/c we couldn’t go buy anything else.
I learned to cut up chickens and make one stretch for 3 meals( when it was just the 4 of us) and reduced 1# of hamburger to 3/4# to make it stretch, adding in beans and rice or pasta or potatoes.
Clothes were all seperates to make many outfits. Also, most of the fabrics could be worn 3 seasons if you stick with cottons and colors that are not specifically summer or winter looking. (Khakis over cordoroy, just add a sweater over tops)
Number ONE- when we have been at our most financially tight times I never allowed myself to hold onto things or money or food. Continue to entertain and give to others even if you look at it and it is all you have for the week. God is so good, and He always returns what you need. When you entertain have the others bring part of the meal and share together. Stretch what you have with fillers like beans and rice.
Wow, thanks for this post! I’m bookmarking it! 🙂
And to Rach, the gift ideas link DOES work for me…
We make the most of our FREE dates by swapping babysitting with another family so that we both get free babysitters by alternating with each other.
Sometimes we are blessed with free movie tickets that come from grocery store promos too, and that’s the only time we go to the movies!
We love redbox too because rentals are only $1 and we can watch at home and don’t need a babysitter.
Hi, I just read your post and wondered if when you say you stayed out of debt does that include student loans? Just wondering because both my husband and I are both in school. Thanks for all your input here; it’s been helpful to survive while this season of life.
Blessings, Lauren
(1)Shop in your closets – I have a stash of arts and craft supplies that I’ve accumulated over the past few years with the hope of making something from them (this includes watercolor, scrapbooking, etc.) Instead of going out and buying anything for fun, I want to make a goal of using up my supplies this year.
(2) Start a book club or film club – I love libraries, too! It can be fun to get another girlfriend or two in on a book club, and host in their own homes with homemade goodies and drinks. Most libraries also have some foreign films, and you could have a food theme centered around the nationality of the film (French, or Asian, for example).
(3)Start a garden! It’s great if you have your own backyard, but also fun if you can get a plot at a community garden. Our plot costs us only $25 a year to rent, and is ample enough to plant all sorts of veggies, and organic too! Instead of feeling like I’m missing out on something by not going shopping, I go to my garden every few days to see what’s growing.
This was just the reminder I needed! To me, the most important aspect is attitude {like you said “making it fun”}. If I can keep looking at frugality as a challenge & fun, instead of a necessary evil, it helps me to do it cheerfully, instead of fearfully.
You must have a huge pile of rewards waiting for you in Heaven, I just know it :>)
I haven’t read the George Mueller book, but it sounds like I really need to.
This post really spoke to me – as just a year ago we were one of the “Jones'” with our big house (and mortgage to go with), brand new cars, and drowning in debt (of all kind). The Lord turned it around like – I could have never expected.
We sold everything we had (everything), bought an itty bitty economy car and an old RV. We parked the RV in a nice park and lived in it for several months while digging out of the hole and reevaluating where our priorities were in life.
Since that time, $13,000 of debt has been taken care of and we have inherited a 25 acre, family farm that we’re getting ready to move to. Not as if that’s not enough, He also provided a fully-furnish house, FREE of charge to live in, for the past six months, as we prepare for this big move. God is so good!
Things have changed so much and I’m so glad! And I thank the Lord that He did this work, as I KNOW it could NOT have been done withOUT Him!
I am a homeschool mom of 5, and I have found over the years that kids would much rather have your time than your money. If you make cutting back drudgery then they will take on that attitude…not fun for anyone! Pack a picnic and head to the park……eat your meal in the floor in the living room under a homemade tent….buy some chopsticks and give them a try and a laugh. Make a memory!!! Even if you have plenty of money these are good things!!! Michele
I agree. We have lived with one vehicle for over 10 years now. And before that, one car was a classic which didn’t get used. So in reality, we had one car for over 20 years. It took some getting used to, but now, we don’t even notice and can’t even imagine having to fill up two vehicles.
Nice post, all very impressive.
In this section, “Don’t buy expensive gifts. Make something or write a letter, it’s much more meaningful when you put time and effort into a gift anyway. (There are lots of great frugal gift ideas here.)”
…the link does not work for me. Does it work for others?
Crystal –
I just love your website. As a stay at home mom of 2 (and one of them with special needs who requires lots of surgeries and medical care), this information is SO helpful to me!
So thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Rachel
Thank you so much for your ideas on living on less. I was really interested in your ideas for frugal gifts but the link would not work for me. Is it working for others? Is this a past blog entry of yours that I could look up some other way. Thanks in advance!
The link for frugal gifts is not working….I really want to check that out.
Read The Rare Jewel of Christian Conentment by Jeremiah Burroughs. It’s a Puritan Paperback. Even though we’ve never been in debt, I believe the desire to overpurchase and to comfort myself with “things” is a spiritual problem for me. This book was a great challenge to me in the area of contentment.
I’m also trying to become more of a minimalist and enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes with clean countertops, closets and cupboards stocked with the bare essentials, and the satisfaction of everything having a place. It’s nice to see an empty drawer around here now and again. I consider this superior to the rush that I get from purchasing something, even when it’s a great bargain. It’s easy to buy things you don’t really need just because they’re on sale or even “free” with coupons. Keep it simple!
Matt 6:33 “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.” “All these things” refers to food, clothing and shelter, mentioned earlier in Matt 6.
We are a family of 8 who have tried to apply this principle to our lives and are able to live on less than $2,000 a month. Like George Mueller, when we do have a need we take our need to God, and God alone. We have been amazed at the way God has provided through others without us having to tell them of our need.
God is truly our Provider
When it comes to my kids, they have learned the word no. They don’t expect something every time we go out.
We enjoy parks, library, our friends pool. Things that are fun and free. And we come with a fun attitude. They won’t remember what we had, but what time we spent.