Starting Out

I’ve been a little apprehensive about writing a first post, and I can’t figure out exactly why. I mean, after all, I’m pretty much my only reader right now. I guess it’s because I feel this post is the first step down my path toward trying to actually change my habits and live more frugally, and I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot!

If you are reading this and want to know a little more about me, check here. Those are the basics about who I am, but I figured I’d use this post to explain how I got to where I am now. Not in a physical sense, because I haven’t moved around too much in 28 years – but how I got to being more serious about trying to live a more frugal life.

When Brian and I first got married he was a senior in college, so we lived off my salary alone. It was more than what we needed, and we felt like we had a lot. Fast-forward almost seven years – a dog, a house, and two children later… We’ve definitely noticed that even though our disposable income has increased, it sure feels a lot smaller. Day care, student loans, grocery bills for four, a mortgage, car payments, and some credit card debt add up quickly and eat into what we have available for saving and for fun. I’m sure a lot of people experience the same situation.

We decided first and foremost that we wanted to pay off our credit card debt. A lot of that was acquired through dumb choices, and the interest rate is insane. To do that, we need to cut back in other areas. Some things are pretty common sense – using coupons, looking for sales, not eating out as often – but I want to find other ideas too. I want to find options that will work for our family long-term so this can really be a lifestyle change and not just a temporary fix. I’ll fully admit there are things we’re not willing to give up at this point – cable, internet, being a two-car family – so we have to find areas in which we can realistically make sacrifices or cutbacks to trim down our debt.

I’ve always done better at sticking with things when I self-report. At work, if I have something written in my planner to do, I’ll actually feel bad until I’m able to legitimately mark it off as completed. I figured this blog could help keep me accountable. It’ll be here, glaringly, if I make a dumb purchase – and I’ll get to come brag if I score a good deal or find a new way to save. Wish me luck!