Having 2 house payments is causing a major crunch at my house and as frustrating, depressing, annoying, depriving, humiliating, and just plain ol' grumpy-producing it is, I have never learned so much in my life! What I am about to say will sound crazy... but here goes.....I am thankful for the gift of this experience. It is indeed a blessing. I don't want to relive these days or wish them upon anyone, but it's all part of the journey. I never pray for being humbled...but as embarrassing as it is, I am thankful for it, because hopefully it will make me a better person...someday...I have an almost insurmountable way to go, though! Also I feel so much closer to our Lord...probably because I have been praying(pleading/begging) so much and I am reminded that..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"(Philippians 4:13)
My friend told me today about a book called "Not Buying It..My Year without Shopping" by Judith Levine, that and an article called "Drop the Shops: Samantha Weinberg's year without spending.http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/oct/19/credit-card-crunch-budget oh yeah, and a conversation I had with another friend about where our "stuff" comes from and what we are supporting by our over-consumerism, have inspired a major rethinking on my part. I am throwing in the consumer saturated towel and Don and I have decided to stick to a very minimal budget only buying things when absolutely necessary...I'm not going as far as these ladies, though. I will give gifts and buy a few luxuries but only from our much smaller budget. We still plan to take our vacations(either that or spend $$ on a psychiatrist) but overall a much simpler lifestyle, not that we are extravagant by today's standards, but so much of my spending has been so unnecessary. Life is an adventure..all of it, the good, the bad, and the frugal. One thing our family truly values is spending time together. We would like Don to be able to retire before he's too old to enjoy life! "...be on guard against every form of greed; life is not in possessions" (Luke 12:15)
I looked up that book, too. It's a great concept that I'd love to try, but I don't think I'm going to read Levine's book. After reading reviews, it seems to be super liberal and Bush bashing. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for pointing that out, it's still a great concept..despite her motivation. Maybe you could write a conservative's version;)
ReplyDeleteThat is something you'd be perfect at!
ReplyDeleteDebi, you are a trooper and a saint in the making. I will keep praying for your house to sell! It's a good thing you are so good at bargain shopping and making simple things beautiful! Let me know if there's anything I can do to help
ReplyDeleteAww, I will keep praying your house sells too, can you not rent the house out to pay the mortgage on it and then sell it once the mortgage is paid off to finance your early retirement?
ReplyDeleteWe also have found not having a lot of disposable income very humbling and the struggle to save up to buy a house in our area where house prices are eye watering has been frustring, embarrassing and a bit dispiriting. But you are an inspiration to me as a mum and a Catholic sister :) I wish you guys luck and look forward to reading lots of tips! And i'm glad you're not cancelling your holidays because we are hoping, God willing, to be in Florida next year (thanks in part to the generosity of our Orlando friends and Airmiles i've been saving for years) from 28 September to 14 October and I sure would love to meet up with you and your family!!!
Eloise, our old house is in a covenant community where houses must be owner occupied. We could rent out this house...but it still needs to have many things done to it to make it safe...ie...the pool still needs to be filled it and the master bedroom balcony railing needs to be replaced and we are doing what we can to prepare for those things, but with having 2 house payments, we don't have the money to complete these projects right away...we are kind of in a catch 22 at the moment. I hope that through the Grace of God, this will all be over by next year and we can meet up with your family! We can't travel while making 2 house payments, but I was referring to after we sell our old house, we will still try to live a much simpler life so as to save as much for an early retirement as possible. Thank you for all your prayers and support...it means more to me than you can know!! XXXOOO's!
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