Financial Homemaking

We have always been pretty good about living frugally. Never having lived on a really strict, visual budget we were able to graduate college with no debt. We also paid off a car loan we took out last year in seven months. While the organized side of me really wanted to be on a strict budget with spreadsheets and goals, my husband didn't see the need for it. We seemed to do great with our method of buying only the necessities, eating at home, and keeping our entertainment to a minimum. This did work really well until having Natalie.

She is the biggest blessing in our lives and we are so grateful to have her. It has always been our plan to have me stay home with our children. However, switching to one income has been a wake up call that we need to tighten up where we are spending our money and carefully plan where it goes. We have this goal of getting into a home next year. To make this possible while living on one income is going to require some work and creativity. We are committed though. I am excited to see how far I can make a dollar stretch. I was really inspired by the Fun, Cheap or Free Queen blog. She has great information on how much you really should be spending on groceries, how much you should be saving of each pay check, and how to do things better.

Many times in our married life and especially now I have worried about being able to contribute more financially. Justin never makes me feel this way, it is always just my thoughts. It has become clear to me that I can. By being a better steward of the home I am in charge of and plan things out with more precision. Look for ways to barter services with others. Be creative! Many thoughts and ideas have come as I have tried to focus on what I can do, rather than what I cannot.  Here is to working on being content, creative and making the most of what we have.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard