Faith Farm

How I live so cheaply.

I have been asked by many-including family-How do you live so cheaply?  Well I don't have a real method, being is I am not a method person, but I do incline myself to the theory of KISS-Keep it simple silly!  I do not work anymore outside of the home.  That saved us a ton on gas-clothes-beautyshops-childcare-ect. I cook all our meals and I shop very carefully.  I take advantage of every opportunity to save.  We grow a large garden and have animals that normally-lol-provide us with meat-milk-eggs.  My husband hunts during deer season-which fills our freezer.  I do alot of our homeschooling online and have a huge amount of texts and books that I pick up at our local thrift store.  You would be amazed at what I have found there.  I only go into town once or twice a month-or I combine all trips into one.  If I have a co-op class then I do all I have to do the same day.  Yes- It can be a long day but they don't come around too often.  I limit the kids to one activity a year. They pick. We did soccer for a couple of years and that got expensive but now the kids are doing local stuff.  I save on feed by buying from a mill.  Most true feed stores will prorate your feed for winter when it is usually higher if you make a commitment to buy a # of bags. It usually is done at the end of summer in most places.  I buy hay when it is in season and put it back.  I keep my cleaning expenses down by using one or two cleaners.  Mostly bleach-look in my blog on how to make your own.  I don't spend money in town without a purpose.  Think of all the pop and coffee money people spend while they are in town...I take that same money and buy a two litter bottle and then the kids have pop more than once. 

But most importantly-I don't use credit!  That is a money trap deluxe.  If you don't have it - you don't have it.  Ask yourself-Is this something I need or something I want? before every purchase.  We are a society of want not needs.  My children have all they need and alot of what they want....I just don't pay retail price for it.  My house is not fancy but I'm told by many it is sooo comfortable.  I have a house that you can live in...take your shoes off, have a cup of jo, smell the bread cooking, and feel at home.  It works for us,and it is paid for!   I refuse to drive new cars-My old car runs fine and is paid for.  My insurance is cheap. Safe - warm-and dry.  My advice to anyone wanting to save money is to take a real hard look at what your money is doing.  All of it.  I say this from hard experience.  I can make further advancements on our salary than some other FM that make four times as much as we do...Pray for wisdom and guidance regarding your money.  Every dollar you make can go towards something.  Use your money to save you money.  Yes-alot of money savers do cost...alot...but it is a one time expense.  Get out of debt....get creative.  Sell those things that you have acquired that you don't need-put the money into a solid future-without debt.  If you can't go solar-change all you light bulbs to low watt-Flor.----turn things off-when you don't use them-How many gadgets are running in your house and no-one is using them.  Think about alternatives and start researching your options.  I'm living proof-you can do it...with God...and a lil' grit.  Blessings to you!

Untitled Comment

{ 10:30, Monday, December 10, 2007 } { Posted by Anonymous }

This is a great post, Thank you!

Cindee

Untitled Comment

{ 10:37, Monday, December 10, 2007 } { Posted by Kitty }

Yes this is a great post. I too have NO credit cards, lets just say, been there done that, messed up, lol. So now I have none. I use many of the same methods that you do. It is easy once you put your mind to it. And I too find all my homeschool needs at garage sales and thrift stores. I purchase very little of what I need in that area.
Thanks for sharing..........Kitty

how do you get the house paid off?

{ 02:04, Monday, December 10, 2007 } { Posted by blessedmomof10 }

Wonderful and encouraging post!
I noticed you said your home is paid for -- how did you do that? We have no debt outside of the house and it seems so overwhelming to think about paying that off....... tips or suggestions?
Thanks!
gloria

House question

{ 02:37, Monday, December 10, 2007 } { Posted by faithfarm }

We sold out of everything-including our big house and started over-building and paying for it as we went. It was the only way we were able to do it. I tell the story in the entry posted in Thoughts-- 'you need to consider'. If you want more details on our building process I'll be more than glad to share. My methods are a bit extreme-even for me-but nothing is to big for God. All thing are possible!

Untitled Comment

{ 05:39, Monday, December 10, 2007 } { Posted by Jess }

We too have built our own home and paid as we went. No credit and it feels great as I was once there as well. Our home is small made out of logs that we sawed our selfs on our saw mill and I make all my own things from cooking,baking,cleaning and washing to planting and growing wheat,barley,oats and cutting own own hay for the animlas. I also have a garden and fruit orchard,and we supply ourselves with eggs,pork,beef,goat products,and soon cow milk,we to hunt everyyear. The only problem we have is that my children are not homeschooled and I do have to go into town twice a week with my yongest for a play group. (if we did not have to go imagine the gas money I could save)
JESS

Untitled Comment

{ 11:33, Monday, December 10, 2007 } { Posted by LivingSimple }

Love this entry!We do not have credit cards etc...been there done that,learned our lesson...We pay cash for what we purchase..However we do not own our own home at this point...My dad retired, moved to Costa Rica and we are living in his house at the moment and will live here for a 2 years give or take, we are not paying rent so its a great opprotunity to save, save, save...I also purchase our homeschool things on sale or get them at garage sales, thrift stores and find them free on the net....My vehicle is payed for and hubbys will be payed for in about 4 more pymts! We buy most of our clothing on clearance or thrift stores...I used to be, should I say one to try and keep up with the Jones' and then the Lord truly humbled me and placed a wonderful and burning desire in my heart to simplify....I wouldn't go back to my 'past' life for anything!

~Kris