Life as We NOW Know It

camping is the cheapest way to vacation

I grew up in a single parent family in the 70’s. Money incredibly tight and my mother was exceptionally frugal. I was the youngest of two so “hand me downs” were the story of my life. We ate many pancake suppers and wasting of food was never aloud. We were poor but I really didn’t know it as a kid. My mother did without so that my older sister and I had all that we needed. I grew up health, happy, and loved.

My grandfather did odd jobs after he retired and since I was not yet of school age, he took me with him. I learned very young how to fix toilets, faucets, dry wall and fences. I learned how to use “spit and glue” to fix most anything.

As an adult I discovered Thrift Stores. I haven’t bought ANYTHING brand new in decades. Even though my partner and I were making good incomes, we still shopped at thrift stores and garage sales. Once the kids came along, it was the only way to go!! Why pay retail for kids clothes that they out grow in a month and can’t keep unstained?
The kids are 10 and 8 now and love shopping at the thrift store. They like the clothes better because they are “broken in” and soft.

As a family we camp a lot because it’s the cheapest way to vacation. Most of our camping equipment was found at ARC and garage sales in almost new condition.

Right before Christmas 2008, during the biggest financial disaster ever, I lost my job!! I had the higher income of the two of us. We kept the faith and tightened our belts a little. It really wasn’t so bad. Then, in May of 2009, my partners job was lost. Two of us unemployed was hard to imagine. We tightened our belts even tighter and prayed the kids wouldn’t grow too quickly. We took the advices and government incentives and both went back to school thinking our future’s were bright. Low and behold the two of us like many that also did the same STILL can not find jobs in fields that we trained for.

I had learned to can jams and jellies years before so I got back into that with my neighbors apples and our plums. We hung a string of white Christmas lights in each room instead of using expensive higher watt bulbs. I got serious about couponing and we got rid of the lawn service and mowed and weed wacked ourselves. We did a lot of trial and error when it came to gardening and learn more each year. All of this has helped to save about 25% of what we used to pay out.

My other half is working now, but not even close to the income of old. I stay at home and hold down the home front. I have learned to can meat, wax cheese and store eggs for months at a time. (Thank you Preparedness Pro). We make our own home repairs, mow our own lawn and buy a little extra each shopping trip. Our storage is enough for the four of us and two cats for about 9 months.

Now matter what the circumstances, you can prepare for the future. Go to the thrift stores for everything from clothing to bandages! Buy an extra bottle of aspirin, antibiotic cream, or TP on every shopping trip. Learn to can, dehydrate and garden. Teach the kids and it will be second nature for them. DON’T ever think that you don’t have enough money!! Take it from a couple that were both unemployed for 2 1/2 yrs and now only one is working 6 months a year. You can do it!!

Have faith in God and in yourself. You can learn how to do anything and those feelings you get are God guiding your steps!!

D. P. CO