On a Shoestring | living resourcefully

Time 2020-06-28 23:02:19

Web Name: On a Shoestring | living resourcefully

WebSite: http://onashoestring.org

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September 28, 2016 ~ shoestringon ~ 2 Comments Why does such an important word carry with it a feeling of dread? Is it because we don’t want to give up luxuries, or we feel like it is too much work? In the beginning of our lives together as a married couple, my husband and I didn’t really budget. He paid more for rent then, because I was in school. I think the beauty of renting is that you don’t really have to think about all the other extras – utilities and whatnot. Fast forward a year and a half later, we bought our fixer-upper.After the dust settled from the remodel we wanted to start a family. So, I kept bringing up the idea of saving money, and not spending it on going out to eat as much.  It was not an easy subject.  Because I manage the bills (to ensure they are all paid on time), I felt the stress of money-stretching more than my husband, Steve. I overheard a coworker talking about a budgeting class they were attending, and asked a few more questions. There was a class at a nearby church, and I signed us up for several classes. This was probably the smartest thing I did for our relationship to date.The class was based on teachings of Dave Ramsey, and it broke down all the things that people encounter in day-to-day living. It helped guide us in a direction toward financial freedom. I think the biggest benefit of the class, was helping Steve understand budgeting in a way that was objective. I think it was really helpful that it was not someone else suggesting we save, or not spend money on something. It also provided so much useful information that I had never learned anywhere in any other class.While we were enrolled in the class, we found out that Steve would be losing his job that year. We felt slightly anxious about this, but within the year we managed to pay off more than $36,000 in debt. This helped tremendously in securing our future to be able to live on one income. Steve was unemployed for 10 months, and during this time I got pregnant. I strongly believe that the concepts we learned in the class allowed us to survive, and live without (as much) fear during his unemployment.When we went to the grocery store, we’d meal plan so we didn’t buy unnecessary items, pull out the calculator every time and only spend $50/week on groceries. We never went hungry, we were able to pay all our bills on time and live comfortably. Did it mean we made sacrifices? Yes. We couldn’t always go out to eat, but we learned to make more food at home, have friends over vs going out. We also learned that our clothes and shoes would hold up for awhile. I got even more crafty with homemade gifts.Budgeting doesn’t have to be scary, and for the math nerds among us, it can be kind of fun. It can even be a challenge of sorts. It helped me feel more financially secure to know where our money was going and to be in control of it. March 9, 2015October 3, 2016 ~ shoestringon ~ Leave a comment We crafted a framed mirror from one of the old mirrors we found left in the house after purchase. There was a piece of paper taped on the wall just below the mirror, and when I peeled it off, plaster tumbled off the wall. We removed the mirror from the wall and became lucky owners of this collection of colorful and multiple combs. Somebody was a stylista! Hole in the wall comb collection We kept the mirror for awhile, hanging out in the garage until we had extra time for a project after finishing the house remodel. I like the size of the big full-length, framed Ikea mirror, but not the look of the ‘wood’ frame. So, I went to a local wood shop – the place you purchase plywood, 2 4’s, and the like. I saw they had barn wood and was ecstatic! I decided to look for the perfect pieces, and this took some time. The goal was to find pieces that looked like they had come from the same barn. At over $2.00/linear foot, I paid almost $60 for about 25 feet of the barn wood. I got home with my spendy barn wood, and then remembered my dad had removed some barn wood when he created a stall in their barn. The next time I visited I asked if he still had the wood he had removed. I was so excited to see the stack of removed pieces still in the barn, and with his gracious permission, brought 4 pieces home to frame our mirror. I then promptly returned the expensive barn wood I had purchased. The barn wood from my parents barn was nice and thick, and the colors all matched as the wood was from the same place. The purchased barn wood had been cut in half, probably to get more money out of it, and had been about half the thickness and less sturdy pieces. overalls = ready to work scored barnwood from my parents! I enlisted the help of my trusty husband to build the frame. We opted for creating a frame that looked like a more rustic piece, and did not miter the corners. We bought wood dowels, like the Ikea furniture type, to help keep the pieces together. Holes were drilled for the dowels, and wood glue used. We then used metal clips to hold the mirror in place with screws.To protect the wall, we used an old yoga mat, cut it up and stapled pieces and a strip of it to the bottom and back of the mirror where it would come in contact with surfaces (wall and floors.)final product!Then Viola, our creation was ready for the guest bedroom, aka my closet.Share this:PinterestTwitterFacebookTumblrRedditEmailLike this:Like Loading... December 6, 2014October 3, 2016 ~ shoestringon ~ Leave a comment Flea market finds in Frankfurt, GermanyHow did I come to be resourceful? I’d like to blame it on my parents, but really it is more of thanks that they deserve. I grew up in the middle of a herd of children. With my dad being the sole provider, and my mother being a stay-at-home mom, I learned by default. Pushing one of three heaping shopping carts for our monthly shopping, I recall mom’s instructions to look at the price per ounce. I still do this, or bring my calculator out to determine if the bigger box of cereal is actually a better deal. I recall being a pre-teen, and mortified that my mom shopped and bragged about shopping at the Goodwill.My dad had a holding-onto-things-because-I-may-need-them-someday problem. However, when my bunk-bed frame needed that odd shaped screw, he had it. We only grumbled about his ability to get rid of things when we had to clean the garage. My dad was also super handy at fixing things: plumbing, auto repairs, and house projects which I believe saved them a bundle.Now, the idea of buying things new is somewhat difficult for me. I am not a diehard buy-everything-used person, but I do try to purchase minimal new items, and enjoying the hunt for something used, with a story or a bit of personality. Thrift store shopping, or my verb thrifting, perusing antique shops, garage sale scouring, and stopping at rummage sales for the thrill of finding treasures is a favorite past-time.antique displayI have a keen eye for quality, often spotting the most expensive thing in any boutique, drawn to its craftsmanship. My goal is not to pay designer prices, but to recreate my own pieces or find similar, cheaper ways to get the same feel or look.Share this:PinterestTwitterFacebookTumblrRedditEmailLike this:Like Loading... Privacy Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

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