I’m nonetheless right here! I took an unplanned (and subsequently unannounced) smash from writing the weblog, which was once meant to be for per week, however expanded to a month after which two months… WHOOPS. I confess I wished some time without work from ye olde Frugalwoods after constantly posting for 9.5 years. That’s the longest I’ve ever accomplished anyone process and I noticed all the way through this impromptu hiatus that I–gasp–MISSED writing and MISSED all of you. On occasion one should have some absence to ensure that one to comprehend what one misses. So, I’m checking in to help you know that I haven’t died or deserted Frugalwoods, however that I’m seeking to discern how steadily I’ll write going ahead. The times of three times weekly posts are definitively over, however at the different excessive, I don’t specifically wish to take complete months off once more both. Thanks in your persistence as I–as soon as once more–work out what I wish to do with my lifestyles. I really like writing and I really like serving to other people with their cash and I’m very grateful that I am getting to do exactly that.
My imaginative and prescient going ahead is to submit a brand new Reader Case Learn about each and every month.
The Reader Case Research are the clearest distillation of what my paintings is evolving into: extra serving to folks with their cash; much less speaking about moi-self. As longtime readers know, my writing on Frugalwoods started necessarily as a cash diary. Some way for me to know my very own emotions about my cash and the way I sought after to create a unique form of lifestyles, one divorced from the rampant consumerism and demanding oneupmanship that dominates a big percentage of media in The usa. I’m humbled by way of what number of other people have adopted alongside those 9+ years and in awe of the deeply inspiring conversations, friendships and self-exploration this paintings has triggered for me. The opposite reason why for my meant new center of attention on Reader Case Research is the undeniable fact that…
I’m Drained Of Writing About Myself
What I realized all the way through this unplanned sabbatical is that, frankly, I’m uninterested in writing about myself. I’ve spilled a large number of virtual ink delving into my very own budget, my monetary psyche, and my solution to the whole lot from making oatmeal to index fund making an investment. And it’s been a laugh! And rewarding! However as my youngsters grow older, I’m much less at ease mining my lifestyles for content material and not more at ease sharing the nuances in their lives. I additionally suppose I’ve more than likely stated as regards to the whole lot I’ve to mention–if no longer right here on weblog, then in my ebook.
That being stated, I wish to proceed our Frugalwoods group and proceed serving as a useful resource for other people at each and every degree of the monetary adventure. I envision that taking place in a couple of tactics going ahead:
- Via a per thirty days Reader Case Learn about right here at the weblog, the place we’ll learn thru a reader’s actual reside budget and be offering compassionate, productive comments and recommendation. I even have a brand new seek device for the Reader Case Research (of which there are 104) that lets you seek for particular Case Research according to age vary, source of revenue degree, retirement plan, marital standing, career, location and extra! I’m hoping this may occasionally lend a hand other people in finding Case Research that replicate their very own monetary eventualities and questions.
- Throughout the archives of this weblog. There are 737 revealed posts on Frugalwoods along with my ebook, Meet the Frugalwoods. If you happen to’re excited about my ideas on any given subject, take a look at the brand new classes at the weblog homepage. I did my perfect to re-organize outdated posts into consolidated classes to lend a hand with looking. With a bit of luck that is extra simply navigable than my earlier 8,000 other classes :).
- Via my one-on-one monetary consultations and monetary plans. If you happen to’d like my lend a hand along with your cash, you’ll learn extra about what I be offering and rent me right here. I’ll mean you can perceive your whole monetary state of affairs, set transparent objectives, and supply sensible answers for managing your cash.
- Via being interviewed on podcasts and the radio. I experience being on different other people’s podcasts and, if you happen to’re a podcast listener, you’ll stay alongside of the presentations I’m on by means of this web page.
- Via my loose Uber Frugal Month Problem (UFM). As maximum of you realize, you’ll take the Uber Frugal Month by yourself at any outdated time. As you might also know, we take the UFM in combination each and every unmarried January. This January can be our seventh annual UFM Workforce Problem. Signal-up within the field beneath to sign up for me!
Does This Imply You’ll By no means Write About Your Lifestyles Ever Once more?
Nope! I’ve realized to “by no means say by no means” since I steadily observe the artwork of fixing my thoughts. I rather well may come throughout a brand new problem or discovery about myself someday that’ll warrant new posts (or every other ebook) or… who is aware of! However at this time, I’m settled and content material on my non violent rural abode with my husband of 15 years and our two daughters, now ages 5 and eight. I’m in a section of deep gratitude for what we’ve constructed and, in some ways, I’ve much less to write down about as opposed to once we have been within the striving-for-this-goal section. We’re contentedly dull at this level, without a primary information or monetary revelations to percentage. Lifestyles’s just right and I’m thankful. However, as all my fellow writers know, dull and satisfied steadily doesn’t translate into attention-grabbing content material for readers. Lifestyles is lengthy and unpredictable, so I might but marvel myself and go back to full-time running a blog. Or no longer. Time will inform! However, I sought after you all to concentrate on the place I’m at on this adventure as a way to proceed to stroll along me–if you wish to–on this new iteration of Frugalwoods.
It’s Time To Signal-Up for the January 2024 UFM Workforce Problem!
The UFM is a practice I wish to proceed because it outlines the method my husband and I adopted to kick-start our personal frugal adventure. It’s additionally the roadmap we used to achieve monetary independence. I additionally wish to proceed the UFM as a result of I’ve heard from 1000’s of those who the Problem modified their monetary lives for the simpler. If you happen to haven’t taken the UFM ahead of, take a look at my FAQs:
Q: What’s the UFM?
To not be perplexed with Lingerie Fang Monkeys or Common Folks-dancing Moths, the Uber Frugal Month Problem (UFM) is my FREE, 31-day, holistic, emailed-based cash re-vamp program. You’ll be able to sign-up to take it at any time, however we take the UFM as a bunch each and every January.
From January 1-31, I’ll ship you an e mail an afternoon with particular steps on methods to fortify your budget. There’ll be motivational mantras thrown in, however the main function of the UFM is to provide you with detailed, simple, easy-to-follow monetary motion pieces. Woohoo!
Numerous other people (me incorporated!) take the UFM each and every unmarried yr as a refresher route to lend a hand get again on the right track or to verify that they’re nonetheless in nice monetary form. People come to it as cash novices and finish the month with new self belief about their budget. Nonetheless others are at skilled degree and take the route in an effort to hook up with the wider Frugalwoods group and be offering encouragement and recommendation to more moderen group individuals.
It’s a laugh (I imply, on the very least, it’s no longer painful), it’s loose (at no cost), and it’s written in simple English (no monetary jargon allowed).
The Uber Frugal Month isn’t as regards to saving cash. It’s a holistic re-examination and re-structuring of our human dating with one of the crucial polarizing, stress-inducing, divorce-causing, fear-mongering issues: our cash. Cash does no longer must be any of the ones issues. Cash could be a beast you tame, perceive, and make give you the results you want–no longer towards you. You’ll be able to both grasp your cash or it may well grasp you. Sign up for me and take fee.
A couple of years in the past I introduced a non-public Fb crew for UFM members to percentage concepts, speak about demanding situations and be in group in combination, which means that your subsequent query rather well may well be…
Q: How do I sign up for the non-public Uber Frugal Month Fb crew?
You’ll obtain a hyperlink to sign up for after you sign-up for the UFM. If you happen to’re already on this personal Fb crew–which 1000’s of you might be–don’t fear, you don’t want to do anything else. Simply stay being superior and supportive within the crew!
Q: Do I want to use Fb (or different social media) to be able to take part?
Nope! The Problem is carried out totally by means of e mail and right here on Frugalwoods. The UFM Fb Workforce is an not obligatory bonus. No want to sign-up for Fb to be able to take part within the UFM. All you must do is sign-up along with your e mail cope with 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 that you’ll sign-up to re-take the Problem with the similar e mail cope with you used to take the Problem in the past. You do, then again, want to sign-up once more so as to sign up for us beginning January 1st.
Actual Reside Folks Love The UFM!!!
A laugh as it’s to learn what I write (proper?!), it’s even MORE a laugh to learn what folks (actual, reside other people!) have stated about their participation within the Uber Frugal Month Problem. Fortunate for you, I’ve accumulated testimonials from previous Problem members who’ve written heartfelt notes about how the UFM modified their budget and in the long run, their lives. Listed below are however a couple of decided on in your enjoyment and revealed with permission.
“I’ve loved finishing this month with you. You’re utterly proper in regards to the significance of cooking at house and no longer consuming out steadily. It’s just right for the pockets and the waistline since we now have keep an eye on over what we installed our meals. Our cash presentations our priorities. These days 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 inducement!” -SK
“I sought after to respond virtually each and every unmarried morning with cast reaffirmation of your frugal tenets. It’s nice to peer this sort of complete information throughout the frugal mindset. It strengthened that I’m at the proper trail, however self-discipline is needed to stay in verify. I believe any individual who hasn’t followed it will no longer perceive the very actual happiness you document. They will have to take into account that you aren’t uniquely suited for this, your recommendation is very sensible!I’ll be right here subsequent yr as a self check-up. Thanks such a lot!” -Adam
“Thanks such a lot in your day-to-day emails and encouragement. It helped me to stick targeted, to be informed, and to put into effect new concepts and tactics of pondering.” -Donna
“It was once a satisfaction to learn all of the emails from you. It made transparent sense not to spend extra at the issues I’d of spent my cash on, nevertheless it was once releasing not to do this….I’ve been on a frugal adventure already, however to learn your emails was once this sort of satisfaction to peer all of the tips that you simply gave. I’ve saved some to return and browse them once more. It gave me function to stay proper on going” -Arthur
“What was once transparent from the beginning was once how time and again I needed to say no. It felt like each and every weekend there have been simply such a lot of tactics to spend cash, however not anything was once actually wanted. Pronouncing no to frivolous expenditures was once stunning in the beginning, however half-way throughout the month it was my venture. Now I see that what I’d have spent cash on was once simply issues, no longer wanted issues, simply puts to head, time to waste, and so forth. I stored some cash, however that cash will snowball if I proceed subsequent month, which I can! Thanks for this guided lesson, I realized such a lot” -Mary
“This UFM was once strangely smooth! It’s additionally my…3rd or fourth time making an attempt it?- and none of the ones went effectively. I began out sturdy however fizzled out, falling again into outdated spending behavior. That is the primary time I’ve accomplished an UFM as a running mother or father (my son is sort of 2), so I believe the extraordinary loss of recreational time was once useful 🙂 However I actually have a higher figuring out of why I’m fascinated about frugality and the numerous tactics it advantages me, my circle of relatives, and the longer term we wish. This month has been a just right reset. It hasn’t felt restrictive, it’s felt empowering.” -Meredith
“I’m very thankful in your writing and insights, particularly this month’s frugality mindset sequence. It was once a super re-set, re-directioning for me. I’ve had frugal classes of lifestyles however have got clear of it. This sequence was once a super reminder, renewer, instructor for a way I wish to reside shifting ahead.” -Sarah
“I’ve when put next our month’s spending for this problem month, as in comparison to November (as December I had some irregularities and bookkeeping variances). We have now stored just a little over $1,600 on our total spending. We have now additionally minimize our meals spending by way of $975. Your weblog and this problem has actually began us at the values spending adventure.” -Samantha
“I believed I knew the whole lot about frugality, however your articles gave me some new views about why frugality and decreased intake is essential to me. ” -L.P.
“I controlled to save lots of much more cash this time round, I believe doing this problem greater than as soon as is helping to refocus on objectives.” -Ashley
“That is my 2d yr finishing the Uber frugal months with you and our group. I’m on my method to residing this as a way of life no longer simply months.” -Maxine
“I simply completed the Uber Frugal Month (once more!) and it’s all the time just right to get again to fundamentals and reevaluate what and why I’m doing what I’m doing. Being frugal is my default atmosphere, however it’s nonetheless just right to reset and provides some overlooked spaces a bit of consideration.” -Vanessa
“This month was once enlightening for me. It was once principally on account of the fantastic emails. The very factor I objected to at the problem, I discovered to be nice! Your messages about in-sourcing resonated with me. The ones emails got here once I noticed the ability of in-sourcing in my very own lifestyles. I’ve additionally shocked myself at discovering issues I experience at cut price or totally free! Frugality is helping us quiet such a lot of the noise that takes us clear of each and every different.” -D.S.
“It has shocked me how smooth it was once not to purchase anything else however meals. I do have an extended method to pass on that entrance however I’m excited for the problem. I believe that is a way of life to paintings towards & for this reason I thanks. I completely love the Fb group you’ve gotten created additionally. Makes me really feel heat & fuzzy!” -Jamie
“My month was once nice! I didn’t omit a lot and was once ready to make use of my financial savings to snowball more cash in opposition to my daughter’s pupil loans. Win-win! Thanks in your inspiration!” -Christie
“This frugal problem has been nice for my pockets, my well being and with my time control. I’m now additionally beginning to assessment my objectives, what do I would like on this lifestyles, being within the frugal problem has brought on this… I actually like your writing taste and I’ve regarded ahead every day to peer what’s subsequent at the problem and studying the related hyperlinks.” -Wayne
