I’m nonetheless right here! I took an unplanned (and due to this fact unannounced) break from writing the weblog, which was meant to be for every week, however expanded to a month after which two months… WHOOPS. I confess I wanted a while off from ye olde Frugalwoods after persistently posting for 9.5 years. That’s the longest I’ve ever completed anybody job and I spotted throughout this impromptu hiatus that I–gasp–MISSED writing and MISSED all of you. Generally one should have some absence to ensure that one to appreciate what one misses. So, I’m checking in to let that I haven’t died or deserted Frugalwoods, however that I’m making an attempt to discern how usually I’ll write going ahead. The times of thrice weekly posts are definitively over, however on the opposite excessive, I don’t notably need to take full months off once more both. Thanks to your endurance as I–as soon as once more–determine what I need to do with my life. I like writing and I like serving to individuals with their cash and I’m very grateful that I get to just do that.
My imaginative and prescient going ahead is to put up a brand new Reader Case Examine every month.
The Reader Case Research are the clearest distillation of what my work is evolving into: extra serving to different individuals with their cash; much less speaking about moi-self. As longtime readers know, my writing on Frugalwoods started basically as a cash diary. A method for me to know my very own emotions about my cash and the way I needed to create a distinct kind of life, one divorced from the rampant consumerism and hectic oneupmanship that dominates a big share of media in America. I’m humbled by what number of people have adopted alongside these 9+ years and in awe of the deeply inspiring conversations, friendships and self-exploration this work has prompted for me. The opposite motive for my meant new give attention to Reader Case Research is the undeniable fact that…
I’m Drained Of Writing About Myself
What I realized throughout this unplanned sabbatical is that, frankly, I’m bored with writing about myself. I’ve spilled quite a lot of digital ink delving into my very own funds, my monetary psyche, and my method to every thing from making oatmeal to index fund investing. And it’s been enjoyable! And rewarding! However as my children become older, I’m much less comfy mining my life for content material and fewer comfy sharing the nuances of their lives. I additionally assume I’ve most likely mentioned nearly every thing I’ve to say–if not right here on weblog, then in my ebook.
That being mentioned, I need to proceed our Frugalwoods group and proceed serving as a useful resource for individuals at each stage of the monetary journey. I envision that occuring in just a few methods going ahead:
- By way of a month-to-month Reader Case Examine right here on the weblog, the place we’ll learn by means of a reader’s actual dwell funds and provide compassionate, productive suggestions and recommendation. I even have a brand new search device for the Reader Case Research (of which there are 104) that lets you seek for particular Case Research primarily based on age vary, earnings stage, retirement plan, marital standing, occupation, location and extra! I hope it will assist people discover Case Research that mirror their very own monetary conditions and questions.
- By way of the archives of this weblog. There are 737 printed posts on Frugalwoods along with my ebook, Meet the Frugalwoods. Should you’re interested in my ideas on any given subject, take a look at the brand new classes on the weblog homepage. I did my greatest to re-organize outdated posts into consolidated classes to assist with looking. Hopefully that is extra simply navigable than my earlier 8,000 completely different classes :).
- By way of my one-on-one monetary consultations and monetary plans. Should you’d like my assist together with your cash, you possibly can learn extra about what I provide and rent me right here. I’ll provide help to perceive your whole monetary scenario, set clear objectives, and supply sensible options for managing your cash.
- By way of being interviewed on podcasts and the radio. I get pleasure from being on different individuals’s podcasts and, for those who’re a podcast listener, you possibly can sustain with the reveals I’m on through this web page.
- By way of my free Uber Frugal Month Problem (UFM). As most of you already know, you possibly can take the Uber Frugal Month by yourself at any outdated time. As you may additionally know, we take the UFM collectively each single January. This January will probably be our seventh annual UFM Group Problem. Signal-up within the field beneath to affix me!
Does This Imply You’ll By no means Write About Your Life Ever Once more?
Nope! I’ve realized to “by no means say by no means” since I usually observe the artwork of fixing my thoughts. I very effectively may come throughout a brand new problem or discovery about myself sooner or later that’ll warrant new posts (or one other ebook) or… who is aware of! However at current, I’m settled and content material on my peaceable rural homestead with my husband of 15 years and our two daughters, now ages 5 and eight. I’m in a part of deep gratitude for what we’ve constructed and, in some ways, I’ve much less to jot down about versus after we had been within the striving-for-this-goal part. We’re contentedly boring at this level, with no main information or monetary revelations to share. Life’s good and I’m grateful. However, as all my fellow writers know, boring and comfortable usually doesn’t translate into attention-grabbing content material for readers. Life is lengthy and unpredictable, so I’ll but shock myself and return to full-time running a blog. Or not. Time will inform! However, I needed you all to pay attention to the place I’m at on this journey to be able to proceed to stroll alongside me–if you wish to–on this new iteration of Frugalwoods.
It’s Time To Signal-Up for the January 2024 UFM Group Problem!
The UFM is a convention I need to proceed because it outlines the method my husband and I adopted to kick-start our personal frugal journey. It’s additionally the roadmap we used to succeed in monetary independence. I additionally need to proceed the UFM as a result of I’ve heard from 1000’s of parents that the Problem modified their monetary lives for the higher. Should you haven’t taken the UFM earlier than, take a look at my FAQs:
Q: What’s the UFM?
To not be confused with Underwear Fang Monkeys or Common People-dancing Moths, the Uber Frugal Month Problem (UFM) is my FREE, 31-day, holistic, emailed-based cash re-vamp program. You may sign-up to take it at any time, however we take the UFM as a bunch each January.
From January 1-31, I’ll ship you an electronic mail a day with particular steps on how you can enhance your funds. There’ll be motivational mantras thrown in, however the main objective of the UFM is to offer you detailed, easy, easy-to-follow monetary motion objects. Woohoo!
Lots of people (me included!) take the UFM each single 12 months as a refresher course to assist get again on monitor or to verify that they’re nonetheless in nice monetary form. Different individuals come to it as cash inexperienced persons and finish the month with new confidence about their funds. Nonetheless others are at professional stage and take the course as a approach to join with the broader Frugalwoods group and provide encouragement and recommendation to newer group members.
It’s enjoyable (I imply, on the very least, it’s not painful), it’s free (completely free), and it’s written in plain English (no monetary jargon allowed).
The Uber Frugal Month isn’t nearly saving cash. It’s a holistic re-evaluation and re-structuring of our human relationship with some of the polarizing, stress-inducing, divorce-causing, fear-mongering issues: our cash. Cash doesn’t must be any of these issues. Cash generally is a beast you tame, perceive, and make be just right for you–not in opposition to you. You may both grasp your cash or it may possibly grasp you. Be a part of me and take cost.
Just a few years in the past I launched a non-public Fb group for UFM contributors to share concepts, focus on challenges and be in group collectively, which implies your subsequent query very effectively could be…
Q: How do I be a part of the personal Uber Frugal Month Fb group?
You’ll obtain a hyperlink to affix after you sign-up for the UFM. Should you’re already on this personal Fb group–which 1000’s of you’re–don’t fear, you don’t have to do something. Simply hold being superior and supportive within the group!
Q: Do I want to make use of Fb (or different social media) with a view to take part?
Nope! The Problem is carried out solely through electronic mail and right here on Frugalwoods. The UFM Fb Group is an non-obligatory bonus. No have to sign-up for Fb with a view to take part within the UFM. All you must do is sign-up together with your electronic mail tackle within the field beneath.
Q: If I’ve already taken the UFM, can I take it once more?
Completely! I had my tech man (AKA Mr. Frugalwoods) arrange the e-mail thing-y such you could sign-up to re-take the Problem with the identical electronic mail tackle you used to take the Problem beforehand. You do, nevertheless, have to sign-up once more with a view to be a part of us beginning January 1st.
Actual Stay Individuals Love The UFM!!!
Enjoyable as it’s to learn what I write (proper?!), it’s even MORE enjoyable to learn what different individuals (actual, dwell individuals!) have mentioned about their participation within the Uber Frugal Month Problem. Fortunate for you, I’ve collected testimonials from previous Problem contributors who’ve written heartfelt notes about how the UFM modified their funds and finally, their lives. Listed below are however just a few chosen to your enjoyment and printed with permission.
“I’ve loved finishing this month with you. You’re completely proper in regards to the significance of cooking at residence and never consuming out usually. It’s good for the pockets and the waistline since we’ve management over what we put in our meals. Our cash reveals our priorities. At this time is my payday for January and with some surprising bills having cropped up in November and December I’m well-positioned to have all of it paid off with the self-discipline from January. Thanks for the motivation!” -SK
“I needed to answer virtually each single morning with stable reaffirmation of your frugal tenets. It’s nice to see such a complete information by means of the frugal mindset. It strengthened that I’m on the proper path, however self-discipline is required to maintain in examine. I feel anybody who hasn’t adopted it may not perceive the very actual happiness you report. They need to perceive that you just aren’t uniquely suited to this, your recommendation is extraordinarily sensible!I’ll be right here subsequent 12 months as a self check-up. Thanks a lot!” -Adam
“Thanks a lot to your every day emails and encouragement. It helped me to remain centered, to be taught, and to implement new concepts and methods of considering.” -Donna
“It was a delight to learn all of the emails from you. It made clear sense to not spend extra on the issues I’d of spent my cash on, nevertheless it was liberating to not try this….I’ve been on a frugal journey already, however to learn your emails was such a delight to see all of the recommendations that you just gave. I’ve saved some to return and browse them once more. It gave me objective to maintain proper on going” -Arthur
“What was clear from the beginning was what number of occasions I needed to say no. It felt like each weekend there have been simply so some ways to spend cash, however nothing was actually wanted. Saying no to frivolous expenditures was stunning at first, however half-way by means of the month it turned my mission. Now I see that what I’d have spent cash on was simply issues, not wanted issues, simply locations to go, time to waste, and many others. I saved some cash, however that cash will snowball if I proceed subsequent month, which I’ll! Thanks for this guided lesson, I realized a lot” -Mary
“This UFM was surprisingly straightforward! It’s additionally my…third or fourth time making an attempt it?- and none of these went effectively. I began out robust however fizzled out, falling again into outdated spending habits. That is the primary time I’ve completed an UFM as a working guardian (my son is nearly 2), so I feel the intense lack of leisure time was useful 🙂 However I even have a greater understanding of why I’m occupied with frugality and the numerous methods it advantages me, my household, and the long run we wish. This month has been a very good reset. It hasn’t felt restrictive, it’s felt empowering.” -Meredith
“I’m very grateful to your writing and insights, particularly this month’s frugality mindset sequence. It was a terrific re-set, re-directioning for me. I’ve had frugal intervals of life however have gotten away from it. This sequence was a terrific reminder, renewer, instructor for a way I need to dwell shifting ahead.” -Sarah
“I’ve in contrast our month’s spending for this problem month, as in comparison with November (as December I had some irregularities and bookkeeping variances). We’ve saved a bit over $1,600 on our general spending. We’ve additionally reduce our meals spending by $975. Your weblog and this problem has actually began us on the values spending journey.” -Samantha
“I assumed I knew every thing about frugality, however your articles gave me some new views about why frugality and lowered consumption is vital to me. ” -L.P.
“I managed to save lots of much more cash this time round, I feel doing this problem greater than as soon as helps to refocus on objectives.” -Ashley
“That is my second 12 months finishing the Uber frugal months with you and our group. I’m on my approach to residing this as a life-style not simply months.” -Maxine
“I simply completed the Uber Frugal Month (once more!) and it’s all the time good to get again to fundamentals and reevaluate what and why I’m doing what I’m doing. Being frugal is my default setting, however it’s nonetheless good to reset and provides some uncared for areas a bit consideration.” -Vanessa
“This month was enlightening for me. It was primarily due to the great emails. The very factor I objected to on the problem, I discovered to be nice! Your messages about in-sourcing resonated with me. These emails got here after I noticed the ability of in-sourcing in my very own life. I’ve additionally shocked myself at discovering issues I get pleasure from at low cost or free of charge! Frugality helps us quiet a lot of the noise that takes us away from one another.” -D.S.
“It has shocked me how straightforward it was to not purchase something however meals. I do have an extended approach to go on that entrance however I’m excited for the problem. I really feel this can be a life-style to work towards & that’s the reason I thanks. I completely love the Fb group you’ve gotten created additionally. Makes me really feel heat & fuzzy!” -Jamie
“My month was nice! I didn’t miss a lot and was in a position to make use of my financial savings to snowball extra cash in the direction of my daughter’s pupil loans. Win-win! Thanks to your inspiration!” -Christie
“This frugal problem has been nice for my pockets, my well being and with my time administration. I’m now additionally beginning to consider my objectives, what do I need on this life, being within the frugal problem has triggered this… I actually like your writing type and I’ve seemed ahead every day to see what’s subsequent on the problem and studying the related hyperlinks.” -Wayne
